NCS visits Ministry of CommTech and NITDA

Delegations from the Nigeria Computer Society led by its President, Professor David O. Adewumi recently paid two separate courtesy visits to the Ministry of Communication Technology and NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency).

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At the Ministry of Communication Technology the team was warmly received by the Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson. Professor David Adewumi said the visit was to identify with the Minister and to further engage on how NCS and Ministry of Communication Technology can accelerate the pace of IT development in Nigeria together. He noted NCS’s admiration of the progress being made with Mrs. Johnson, as the Minister of this dynamic arm of government.

Adewumi particularly appreciated her noteworthy impact toward developing Nigeria’s information Technology (IT) sector as well as her remarkable coordination of the activities of all focal ICT agencies of the nation. Professor Adewumi further commended the Minister for collaborating with NCS, most recently through her strong presence at the last NCS conference at Iloko Ijesa, Osun State, where she participated fully in NCS activities for two solid days.

At NITDA, the NCS team was received by Dr. Ashiru Sani Daura, Acting Director General, NITDA and other top management officials. Professor Adewumi also commended the Acting DG of NITDA for his presence at the last NCS conference at Iloko Ijesa, Osun State, Sponsorship of the conference and the strong presence of NITDA staff at the conference. He noted that the worthy goals of NITDA are in line with NCS core objectives. Adewumi praised the efforts of the Acting DG towards developing Nigeria’s outsourcing sector, stating that NCS is proud that NITDA which was born out of the NCS vision and initiative is firmly established and waxing stronger.

During both visits the NCS President proposed strategic partnerships in programs and projects relating to research and development, Cybersecurity, IT enabled employment generation, promotion of Excellence and Professionalism in Industry and the Profession, and IT Policy Formulation that are of immense benefit to the country. During the two visits, the Minister and the Acting DG congratulated the newly elected President and National Executive Council (NEC) of NCS.

The Minister agreed with the importance of strategic partnership between NCS and the ministry while expressing government’s desire and efforts to improve IT in all such areas. Mrs. Johnson assured all that she and her staff would address the partnership issues and not hesitate to partner with NCS when the need arises. She commended NCS for its efforts towards developing IT in the country.

She asked NCS, as the umbrella association of the IT industry and profession, to work towards seeing that all the registered interest groups such as ITAN, ISPAN, ISPON, etc are united and that their aims and objectives are harmonized towards achieving a common goal for the good of the country and meeting the promises of the nation’s transformational agenda. According to her, NCS should look at building capacity in the areas of software development, training and skills acquisition especially on newer technologies and local content.

The Acting DG confirming that NITDA was created through multistakeholder involvement in which NCS played a major role, agreed on the need for a mutually beneficial relationship of support and collaboration to move industry forward and ensure IT gets its rightful place. Daura noted that there was a lot of ignorance inside and outside government. Massive enlightenment is required as Nigeria is lagging behind as shown by Nigeria’s position on the global e-readiness index. Even though penetration is improving we should be doing much more and be front runners in Africa. And this can’t happen without collaboration. The transformation agenda and achieving Vision 20:2020 also requires IT. Noting that NCS had been playing an important role in accelerating IT development in Nigeria, Daura recommended that NCS and NITDA should meet to create an action plan on the issues mentioned, advising that both organizations should strengthen their relationship for better mileage and benefit for the nation.

NCS is the nation’s foremost network of Information Technology (IT) practitioners comprising IT professionals, Interest Groups and Stakeholders. The visits to the Ministry of Communication Technology and NITDA are the first courtesy visits organized by the 18th NEC of NCS. In leading advocacy for the profession and industry these visits to the government institutions responsible for IT development in Nigeria were strategically undertaken to signify intent on the part of NCS to ensure IT leadership and Professionalism are placed high on the agenda of the entire IT community.

Members of the NCS delegations:
Deacon Orjinta Orji-Alala, Provost, NCS College of Fellows, Mr. Jide Awe, Chairman, NCS Publicity and Events Committee, Mr. Raphael Omosola, Ex-Officio – Computer Professionals Registration Council Representative, Mrs. Aderonke Bello, Ex-Officio – Computer Professionals Registration Council Representative, Prince Igho Majemite, Chairman, Abuja Chapter, Mr. Ebenezer Ajayi, Chairman, Kogi State Chapter, Uche Onwuka and Songo Sunday of the NCS Abuja office.

Jide Awe
Chairman, Publicity and Events Committee
Nigeria Computer Society
6th September 2013

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