 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I bring you greetings and best wishes of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Mohammad Buhari, and of the people of Nigeria. Permit me to also commend the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for the hospitality extended to my delegation since our arrival to this beautiful country and to the International Telecommunications Union for the very excellent arrangements made for this conference. I would also like to join others in commending the Secretary-General of the IT Minister, Mr. Aholingiao, and his team for the great work they have done in steering the affairs of the union over the past four years. Nigeria is a major market in the West African subregion as it remains Africa's most populous nation with about 200 million people. The country is also endowed with abundant human and material resources and therefore has what it takes to attract the attention of potential investors to its very many untapped ICT market. The Nigerian government has recognized the important role played by ICT in catalyzing other sectors of the economy as well as socioeconomic transformation of its citizens, which is very critical to national development. Therefore after due consultation with ICT and telecom stakeholders abroad, the government came up with various programs and plans that are all encompassing. The focus areas among others include the following, the national ICT policy, the national broadband plan, the national ICT roadmap, the national e-government master plan, the national addressing system and the local content policy. Through the implementation of these initiatives, we are bringing greater clarity and predictability to the Nigerian ICT sector. Our policy framework is in line with the ITU's strategic plan, particularly its identified goals and targets of growth, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnership. The government has engaged investors at different fora to attract foreign direct investments. Nigeria has witnessed a great increase in the number of market players, unprecedented growth in the networks, empowerment of the Nigerian citizens, job creation, economic stimulation and substantial increase in access to ICT. There are available statistics to show that Nigeria is no doubt in the throes of a technological revolution, leapfrogging computers in favor of internet connections through mobile devices. In fact, substantial parts of the country now have access to broadband connection, a figure predicted to triple in the next two years. The combination of the internet and mobile cellular phones opens up tremendous opportunities for Nigeria. In the past four years, we have seen mobile subscription increase from 87 million active lines to over 160 million. And mobile internet subscription stood at 90 million as of September this year. Our policy focus in Nigeria is in step with the reality of this mobile internet revolution. We are looking to create a viable environment for the proliferation of lower price devices, increase investment in network infrastructure, and increase availability of spectrum for mobile broadband in the knowledge that this will further drive growth. With respect to growth, the primary contribution of the telecommunications and information sector, services sector to Nigeria's GDP is growing and was about 10.5% in 2013. It is now happily 12% in 2018. In this regard, government developed a national broadband plan and strategy with a target of increasing broadband penetration from about 10% in 2014 to about 30% by the end of this year. Government has facilitated the growth of broadband penetration and the Peace Center of Growth Restoration principle of our country's economic recovery and growth plan from well over 17% to 23% with the hope of meeting the 30% target of the national broadband plan by the end of the year 2018. To achieve this target, various programs and initiatives have been initiated to entrench development in both the wireless and fixed broadband infrastructure. A review of the Extern Line Use Act to accommodate the overriding objective of technological advancement is being considered on the right of way in Broglie. The sector also indirectly impacts GDP through its influence on other key sectors. For example, in 2013, ICTs were responsible for 12% of the value added by the finance and insurance sector to GDP. In terms of socioeconomic growth, ICTs are helping government to meet health objectives and are amplifying benefits of the education and agricultural sectors. The government has licensed infrastructure companies, we call them InfraCos, for deployment of fiber infrastructure to ensure pervasive access to the internet. ICT contribution to GDP has increased to 10% from 8% in 2014 and tele-density is now at 116%. Foreign direct investment in the sector has also increased from $3.2 billion in 2015 to about $4 billion this year. A critical technology infrastructure protection plan geared towards the promotion of infrastructure development and security of technology assets in Nigeria is being considered. Also being considered is the establishment of a specialized ICT development bank to provide funding for ICT stakeholders through tech startups at very low interest rates to boost productivity in the industry. The present administration of Nigeria recognizes the crucial role ICT play in national development across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. To us in Nigeria, ICT development is crucial to provide a ubiquitous, robust and cost-effective ICT infrastructure to support the creation of a digital economy while leveraging on the opportunities in ICT for the nation's socioeconomic development. Nigeria is using telecommunications and ICTs to build a more inclusive society. Our broadband initiatives, which have been implemented across technologies and at various levels of governance are in line with the union's priority of bridging the digital divide and providing broadband for all. Furthermore, these initiatives are cognizant of the needs of women and girls as well as other marginalized groups of our society. In the same token, the sector has enabled numerous public services that are available online and through mobile phones applications. We now have increased active mobile broadband penetration within the space of two years from less than 10% in 2015 to about 23% in 2018. The rapid growth in telecoms, which has an investment value of $70 billion, with the subscriber base of over $165 million. Subscribers from 400,000 working lines in 2001 and contributing about 12% to Nigeria's GDP is a clear reflection of its huge contribution to Nigeria's economy. Mr. Chairman, Nigeria has been an active member of the union since April 1961, six months after our independence. Nigeria is the first African country to chair the ITU World Radio Communication Conference in 2015. Chared ITU conference committees hosted a number of ITU meetings, vice chair of a number of study groups and conference committees, host to one of the ITU centers of excellence and has been a member of the council for decades. Nigeria is one of the highest contributors in Africa and will continue to support the ITU in all capacities. I wish to inform the conference that its excellency, President Mohamed Buhari, has approved the presentation of Nigeria for re-election into the ITU Administrative Council seat and also the presentation of our candidate, Mr. William E.J., as Nigeria's candidate for the post of director of the telecommunications development bureau of the ITU. One held previously several full-time and part-time positions within the union and has also worked in the telecommunications industry in both developed and developing economies. He therefore fully grasped the broad range of issues, challenges and opportunities that the ITU will have to address in the coming years. He is extremely well prepared to support the elected secretary general in sharing the union to deliver on the expected outcomes of its stakeholders. I hereby solicit your invaluable support for our candidate, as not only member of the ITU Council, but also for Mr. William E.J. for the post of director of the telecommunications development bureau of the ITU. Finally, Mr. Chairman, Ministers, CEOs and respected delegates from various countries, may I use this opportunity to invite to a reception today, 31st October 2018 by 7.30 at the Bobble Lounge. We welcome all of you and pray God bless each and every one of you. Thank you so much for this opportunity.