Prof Adesola Aderounmu, President, Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, over the weekend said that the umbrella body has achieved so much for the country’s IT and IT enabled sectors during the past 40 years.
Aderounmu stated this at the Nigeria Computer Society’s 40th anniversary and National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA 2018) held in Lagos.
According to him, “As the umbrella body of all IT professionals, Interest Groups and Stakeholders in Nigeria, the Nigeria Computer Society has achieved so much for Nigeria and IT and IT enabled sectors during the past 40 years.”
He noted that the body has played instrumental role over the years for the country attaining an unprecedented level of ICT awareness and growth.
He added that these advancements and changes can be witnessed in all sectors of the Nigerian economy and society today.
The NCS president revealed that some of the landmark achievements attained by the body over the years include promulgations of IT and ICT enabling laws by the federal government, adding that some of these laws were facilitated by the relentless advocacy efforts of the NCS.
He added that NCS is the driving catalyst behind the incredible and accelerated expansion of IT development and deployment in Nigeria.
Aderounmu stressed that the body has been on the forefront of championing local content development, cashless and Fintech revolution, digital inclusion, IT in government, IT for national security, IT education and the use of IT for productivity and all-round sustainable development across all Nigerian economic and societal sector.
The body also used the 40th anniversary to celebrate and reward the first forty members of NCS from the first registered member (MRN 00001) to the fortieth registered member (MRN 00040).
Also Special Recognition Awards was created to reward deserving recipients who have contributed remarkably in diverse capacities to the progress of the umbrella body and IT development in the country over the past 40 years.
The IT Personality Year Award, also known as the NCS President’s Award, which is dedicated to individuals that have excelled in the IT sector during the year was bestowed on Mr.Charles Emembolu, CEO, Crestsage Limited.
Barr. Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications, Speaking at the event, thanked NCS for providing leadership among the organisations that constitute the Nigerian IT ecosystem.
Shittu stressed that for the nation to realize its collective objective in global competitive economy ICT is inevitable.
He reiterated the commitment of his ministry to the Postal Sector Reform saying that NIPOST would be giving birth to new companies using ICT as a major driver.
“I am sure in all of these new companies, ICT professionals will be the major beneficiaries.
Also within the next few months we will be witnessing the establishment of an ICT Development Bank.” He added.
Femi Williams, Chairman, Organising and Planning Committee, National Information Technology Merit Awards, NITMA said that the annual event is aimed towards celebrating excellence, outstanding achievements and significant contributions in the computer science and information technology industry in the country.
He noted that this year’s celebration coinciding with the body’s 40th anniversary will accord them the opportunity to recognize and award their founding fathers and leaders, who at various times have made significant efforts in keeping the flag of the society flying.
Williams added that they will use the anniversary to recognize those who are contributing to the development of information technology in the country as well as encourage the present and future players in this fast changing profession.
He further stressed that the nominees and awardees emerged through a competitive, fair and well established criteria.
He stated that the recognition of these outstanding professional is a call for them to do even more after this celebration and recognition.
