By Bola Adeyileka (Executive Editor)
THE MINISTER of the newly created Ministry of Communications Technology, Hon Mrs. Omobola Johnson has promised to use her wealth of experience in contributing to the digital advancement of Ondo Kingdom through the deployment of Information technology tools.
She spoke recently in Ondo town, during a civic reception organised in her honour by the people of Ondo Kingdom.
Mrs. Johnson, an indigene of Ondo town, was recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan in order to have an expert to drive the development of the ICT sector in Nigeria.
The programme, which started at 1:46 pm with the opening prayer by the Bishop of Ondo diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. GL Lasebikan, witnessed a large turnout of indigenes of Ondo at home and in the Diaspora as well as politicians, traditional rulers, captains of industries and other professionals from other parts of Nigeria.
Before presenting her speech on the occasion, Mrs. Omobola Johnson enjoined all the people in attendance to join her in observing a minute silence in honour of the victims of the bomb attack at the UN House, Abuja, the previous day.
She thanked the Ondo people for the honour bestowed on her, promising never to disappoint them in the discharge of her duties at the ICT Ministry.
“It’s an honour and indeed, a great joy to be here today among my own people, in my home town, at this wonderful civic reception,” she said.
The minister added, “Ordinarily, by virtue of my training and upbringing, my appointment as a Federal Minister for communications technology is what I will approach with high sense of purpose, integrity and humility. By the honour of this reception, I am further energised to perform creditably, to be accountable at all times and to justify the confidence repose in me by this community. By God’s grace, I will not fail this nation, I will not fail Ondo state, I will not fail this community, I will not fail my parents.”
The minister used the occasion to congratulate the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo on the Ondo Kingdom Vision 2015, to transform Ondo town into a city, within a four year period. She said she is aware of the detail planning that has been going on with a new master plan for Ondo, inauguration of several sub-commitees and the establishment of Ondo Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Agriculture and Industry.
“I assure Your Royal Majesty that I will do everything in my capacity as the Federal Minister of Communications Technology to support this laudable project. Information Communications Technology plays an important role in national development. Ondo indigenes are known for their high level accomplishment, all over the world. And this can be traced to investment in education and the value that we place on education, she said.
The honourable minister, who is a daughter of the Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Bayo Akinnola, confirmed that she was aware that recently, Ondo state won the National Mathematics completion.
“Ondo indigenes are best positioned to benefit from knowledge based economy. The programme of the ministry to bring both broadband and internet connection to Ondo are well underway. Several schools and local governments are already benefiting from this connectivity. They are already connected to the internet by satellite communication. It is however not about connectivity, it is about opportunity that connectivity brings for job creation and economic development in Ondo town. There are many opportunities that I believe that Ondo town will benefit from, when we have that technology. Opportunities such as connection our very hardworking farmers to the internet and giving them better access to essential services, product prices and agricultural trends,” she added.
According to Mrs. Johnson, other opportunities to be derived from technology by the Ondo people are, e-learning, which will enable those in primary and secondary schools, both in Ondo town and the rural areas and tertiary institutions access to educational resources, equivalent to those of children in developed countries.
Her words, “My commitment to the Vision 2015 of Ondo is to aggressively introduce ICT to facilitate the achievement of this vision. One of the ways I will do this is the establishment of an IT Park in Ondo town.
Among the dignitaries that attended the event are the Ondo state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who came with his Chief of Staff, Mr. Kola Ademujimi and other officials of the state government. Alhaji Tajudeeen Oladipo, National Vice Chairman of PDP in the Southwest, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) VA Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, HRM, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Deji of Akure, Chief Ayo Ogunlade, former minister of Information, Otunba Ade Adeniyi, Interim Chairman, Ondo West LG, Mr. Olusiji Akindiose, Interim Chairman, Ondo East LG.
Also in attendance were, High Chief (Sir) Olabanji Akingbule, the Odunwo of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Ambrose Akinsade, Jomu of Ondo Kingdom, Chief Alex Akinyele, former minister of Information; Chief Olu Adeduro, Sara of Ondo Kingdom and Chief Odole Ayodeji.
Others are the Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Bashir Alimi, Chief Segun Adegoke , former Commissioner of Information in Ondo state, Hon Chief Patrick Ayokunle Sekooni, former Chairman of Ondo West local government.
The new Minister, Omobola Johnson was born into the family of High Chief & Chief (Mrs.) Bayo Akinnola, the lisa of Ondo Kingdom on 28th of June, 1963.
With a humble beginning, she began the journey of life into the education world after clearing the hurdles of elementary and secondary schooling by going overseas first to study Electrical/Electronic Engineering, a rare field for the female folks at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom where she graduated with a second class upper in 1983.
She later moved to King’s College, University of London a year later where she obtained a Masters degree in Digital Electronic. However, notwithstanding the fact that she had her first and secondary degree education overseas, the patriotic zeal in her to return home could not easy let go as she returned home almost immediately to participate in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Scheme which she did with ELTEC NIGERIA LTD, a subsidiary of the Telecommunications giant, SIEMENS.
At SIEMENS, her proficiency was brought to the fore and the Engineering prowess became accentuated when she was given the responsibility as Communications Engineer by the organization to install PABXS machines in many homes.
As the saying goes that a golden fish has no hiding place, the engineering prowess of Omobola later brought her fame as no sooner after the completion of her NYSC that she became a “beautiful bride” being sought after by reputable highly reputable companies. One of such is ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO., ANDERSEN CONSULTING, and ACCENTURE where she was later employed to serve between 1985 to 2000.
While serving at the Lagos office of the multinational company, the organization having recognized her as a prodigy transferred her to its London office where she began her career as a programmer.
Like father, like daughter. Her father, High Chief Lisa is a highly successful man in all spheres. He too was a Commissioner in the old Western State. He is a perfectionist who believes in excellence and never believes anything is impossible. Very kind man, always ready to help. No wonder, God is visiting his good deeds on his children while he is a living witness. Congrats to the Akinnolas. From Gbenga Omolewa.
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