Oborevwori advocates robust national data infrastructure

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has advocated the need for a national data ecosystem to drive development in Nigeria.

Elder Oborevwori made this call at the second annual international conference of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) on Thursday in Asaba.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, the governor noted that evidence-based data was crucial for decision-making and policy formulation across all sectors of the economy.

Oborevwori highlighted the significance of leveraging data gathered from different sectors of the economy to inform decisions.

He also said: ”I am particularly interested in this conference not just as the Governor of Delta, but as an individual interested in making decisions based on evidence, leveraging data gathered from different sectors of the economy.

”It is also important that a data-driven culture is fostered, and digital literacy and skill development is promoted in line with the global best practices.

”The theme for this conference, “Big Data and Analytics in Nigeria, Developing a National Data Ecosystem for Enhanced National Prosperity”, further emphasises the role of data in national development,” he added.

Oborevwori emphasised the need to foster a data-driven culture, promote digital literacy and skill development in line with global best practices.

”We require evidence-based data for decision-making and policy formulation in all sectors of the economy.

”Every government, with a positive vision, will rely on data for planning its economy,” he stated.

He called for the development of a robust and integrated national data ecosystem to enhance national prosperity.

The governor urged the conference participants to go beyond lectures and addresses, using the opportunity to connect, challenge assumptions, and push boundaries.

He expressed his desire that the knowledge acquired from the conference be cascaded to all tiers of government for consideration and implementation, ultimately contributing to creating a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.

Oborevwori while highlighting some of the achievements of his administration, noted that key road projects across the state have been completed and inaugurated.

”Thousands of young people have benefited from job creation programmes such as the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP).

”The state’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Office continues to engage communities in dialogue, especially in oil-producing areas, to enhance peace and security.

In his keynote address, Dr Godday Ebuh, President of CISON, noted that ‘Big Data’ was transforming economies globally.

”Data is more than figures. Data is a strategic national asset.

”If properly harnessed, it can guide evidence-based policy making, improve revenue mobilisations, monitor inflation, enhance financial inclusion, and shape interventions in health, education, agriculture and security.

“If Nigeria embraces Big Data Analytics with determination, the dividends will be immense,” Ebuh said.

Ebuh noted that the prosperity of nations in the 21st century would not be determined by the resources beneath their soil, but by the intelligence they could extract from their data.

”As president of this institute, I challenge us to use this conference as a springboard for academia.

”Let us build partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s vast data resources into property for all,” he said.

NAN