As for me, there’s no distinction between the people that are agitating for the removal of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami and Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau.
This is because, the Boko Haram leader has earlier released a video threatening the minister for speaking for Islam, saying “Is it because you speak English? Islam is not in speaking English”. He accused Pantami of working for infidels and condemned Pantami’s ministry’s policy to restrict the number of mobile SIM cards a subscriber can legally own to three. It was gathered that the policy was intended to prevent terrorists and criminals’ exploitation of technology.
Subsequently, when it was observed that Shekau has not succeeded in stopping the minister from the policy, another bunch of blackmailers came up which I personally describe as ‘grift trickers’ with the campaign that the minister must be sacked, stressing that Dr. Pantami is in the U.S. terror watch list, which is a blatant lie.
They claimed that the 2006 debate between the minister and the founder of Boko Haram sect, Late Muhammad Yusuf, linked him to the terror group, which was false claim as many people that watched the video observed that the debate was heated.
If Nigerians are to speak against terrorism, are we supposed to speak about people like the Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who boldly called on his people to kill innocent Nigerians or Dr. Pantami that is yielding positive results in Nigeria’s economy? How about people like Sunday Igboho?
Though, I am glad that the presidency recently issued a statement dwelling on the fact that the minister has been leading the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing; he has revolutionized the government’s virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save taxpayers’ money; he has established ICT start-up centres to boost youth entrepreneurship and create jobs; he has changed policy to ensure locally produced ICT content is used by ministries, starting with his own; and he has deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs – ending the ability for criminals and terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected.
The statement added that in two short years, Minister Pantami has driven the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to more than 18 percent, making it one of the top two playing a critical role in the emergence of the economy from the COVID 19-induced recession.
Are we also aware that the minister has apologised for his utterances in the early 2000s, noting that his views were obsolete and absolutely unacceptable then, and stressed that it would be equally unacceptable today?
It’s also funny to know that the minister has made enemies as revealed by the presidency that there are those in the opposition who see success and want it halted by any means. And there is now well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some ICT companies, many of which do indeed stand to lose financially through lower prices and greater consumer protections.
It’s hoped that well meaning Nigerians will appreciate the innovations and development brought by Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as both DG NITDA and Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria instead of supporting blackmail campaign organised by greedy individuals.Pantami became a straitjacket to many frausters!
Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani,Damaturu, Yobe state.
