The
revolution in information and communication technologies has added and
facilitated the process of globalization. Information and communication
technologies can be broadly defined to include, the supply of computer hard
ware, and software, telecom equipment and electronic based industries as well
as the demand and user side informatics, application in all economic sectors,
information service industries, electronic publishing, broad casting and
management of information system.3 Also it is the invention and evolution
of paper making, printing press, basic writing instruments such as pens, pencils,
cameras, typewriters, tape recorders, postal system, bicycles, cars, trains,
air planes etc.4 ICTS are regarded as an essential tool for economic
development and material being, but it is however unevenly distribution within
counties of the world.
Information and communication technology
provides infrastructures vital network interaction in the internet. The internet
connection whether in local area, metropolitan or wide area through modern or
wireless means, enables the sharing and circulation of money, information,
images goods and services, and people in a vast and broad less bazaar.5
However, the origin and development
of information and communication technology passed through fours stages. These
stages are brilliantly illustrated by cues from stage one to four. First, was
the longest which started from ancient time until 1838- Samuel Morse first
telegraphic transmission invented. The second stage was characterized by the
invention of electricity, electro power machine that allow the growth of telephone,
radio and television. The invention of electronic computer, transistors, semi
conductor characterized the third stage. These inventions started the
integration of telecommunications and computing technologies. The 1970s and 1980s
saw the making of electronics component exploration of new conducting materials
and new techniques. The last stage saw a further and rapid reduction of
constraints. The earlier analog modes of information handling were replaced by
more powerful, reliable and feasible digital system.6
The ICTS were designed to capture
information such as keyboards, voice recognition system, image scanner etc. To
store information e.g. floppy disk, hard disk, ram disk, optic disk etc. To
process information e.g. soft ware, to communicate information e.g. modern
digital cellular networks, fax internet. To display information such as TV,
printers, CD Rom drives. However, it is important to note some of the key
impacts of ICTS in Nigeria economy, although they occupies a back sit in the
information highways such includes; communication, employment, education,
health, Agriculture, and industrial development, trade and commerce etc.7
1. COMMUNICATION: Communication is
the act or an instance of exchanging information, ideals or feelings. It is
also the way in which human being communicates, relates by speech, gesture, telecommunication
systems, publishing etc. A connecting route passage or link through which
facilities, forces, supplies etc are moved up to or within an area of operation.8
In Nigeria communication sectors are monopolized by the government. The ability
to communicate is both a fundamental and axiomatic element in a meaningful
life. It is universal human right, with the availability of telephone one can
relate with another in a different area. Telecommunication technologies are extremely
important component for the transformation of global economy. The telecom
sectors offer an excellent case as to which there can explore positive effects
of changing economic technology and globalize in the area of mass production.
It is an ideal to examine changing relationship between public authorities and
the private sector. Also, with the use of internet, information is passed
rapidly. Internet revolution frustrates the efforts of information hoarders, as
useful information are being uploaded by radical western scientists who
believed in a global free flow of information.9
2. EMPLOYMENT: The revolution in
information and communication technological system helps in the provision of
job opportunity for the unemployed able bodied men and women of Nigeria. It
provides employment as these people help to train people in internet as they
deal on those technologies, recruited as operators etc.10 In
Nigeria, there were number of skilled and unskilled workers employed in
communication technology system for instance in city communication Owerri,
prime gate cyber café Abakaliki and also hawkers of recharge cards, GSM Packs
etc.
3. EDUCATION: ICTS offers an
interesting reference material and valuable resources which enable one to down
local books, journals and periodicals, thereby providing wealthy knowledge at
ones finger tips. There are lost of student that can now be able to get
information through internet. Students can now get certifications from foreign
universities by completing an online program. This enables scientist, academicians
and scholars to consult databases outside their localities and acquire vast
knowledge lack of relevant books and inability to buy them due to high cost
makes the internet a compelling necessity. It is logical to argue that if institutions
of learning in Nigeria are provided with internet facility, it will immensely
enhance the education sector. These innovations have brought a marked
difference to the way education is impacted and has led to an improvement in
the quality of education11.
4. HEALTH: Information is said to
be a good medicine because it help to prevent future occurrence of illness in
the mind, soul and body. Net work provides accurate information on long
distance training, consultation and improvement in the health sector and
provides up date on current medical research, information on personal hygiene, unsafe
water etc.
Health net was fund in 1992 by satellite,
an NGO for physicians providing medical information for the third world countries.
Therefore, if internet facilities are available to the hospitals, better health
care delivery can be assured. Health workers in remote areas use radio to
consult about treatment and drugs. ICTS are also effective in monitoring
epidemic and spreading medical treatment quickly.13
5. AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT: ICTS provides for the rural areas access to valuable information
about the market prices, trends, government regulations and agricultural research
and improved farm practices. It also help in the transmission of indigenous information,
and reveals locally produced knowledge on the environments resource
constraints, farming methods etc. if farmers have accurate information as well
as the consumers, it will increase their income and productivity. It helps farmers
to have access to things needed like fertilizers, grants, improved seedlings
and real high ways and feeder roads to sell it own product to its own
population.
ICTS can also assist in the process
of industrialization, for instance, in textiles and clothing, developed
counties have used sophisticated computer based technology such as computer
numerically, which is controlled machine (CNC) to allow for guide pattern
changes, fast and accurate cutting, less waste of materials and energy and
ultimately greater efficiency along with high quality. Manufacturing industries
are among the earliest and most well established fields of application of
information technology. The office automation helped in the management stocks,
finance, personnel etc. as part of management information system. It has also provided
tools for production, planning, products, design and industrial research. And
just as importantly, computers have assumed an increasingly pervasive role in
the control of production processes and manufacturing equipment in other wards,
in industrial automation14. Industries must need information for
management decision for planning strategic detrains for the future, for
improving business performance and for developing or sustaining a completive
advantage in the market place. They needed to develop and maintain information system
and application that help workers more productive and contribute to achieving the
business goals.
6. TRADE AND COMMERCE:
Internet access provides cheap and quick connections, fee
on the internet are far less expensive than charges for telephone use. Trade is
promoted on internet were one can look for or buy any goods he or she desired
in the internet at any given time. The internet revolution especially in
Nigeria offer small firm operation in different are as to offer their and services
to the international market, linked by the internet, Nigeria producers can also
access buyers throughout the world at law cost by providing their data in the
website. States in Nigeria can also use the internet to boast their export modes
by directly accessing buyers of their products. Internet also makes it possible
for them to have access to top secrets protected under dubious parent by the
giant compares.15