NCS 40th Anniversary: Aderounmu says past presidents, functionaries responsible for IT growth


Cyriacus Nnaji:

Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, the President of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body for all Information and Communications Technology professionals and interest groups in Nigeria has attributed the growth of Information Technology in Nigeria to the unwavering efforts of past leaders and functionaries of the association.
Aderounmu made the disclosure at the 40th Anniversary and National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA) which took place at Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island Lagos on Friday.

Thanking past leaderships of the organization, Aderounmu stated “Through the critical and consistent contributions of successive presidents and functionaries of our society over the years, Nigeria has attained an unprecedented level of ICT awareness and growth.”
He stated that the promulgations of IT and ICT enabling laws by the federal government for the development and growth of ICT in Nigeria were facilitated by the relentless advocacy efforts of the Nigerian Computer Society.

Aderounmu went further to enumerate such achievements to include “National Information Technology Policy 2002; Telecommunications Act 2003; National Information Development Agency NITDA Act 2007; National Software Policy 2011, among other policies critical for the development and deployment of ICT in Nigeria.”

The group’s president said that as a frontline IT development institution like NCS, founded in 1978, the significance of having come this far and becoming a catalyst of ICT expansion in Nigeria is definitely inspiring. “At 40, we have earned our place in the sun. We have carved ourselves a niche, and established our identity, 40 years is worth every celebration. And celebrate we will,” Aderounmu assured.

At the event which was chaired by the Founder, CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, Aderounmu disclosed that the emergence of NCS as the Umbrella body of all Information Technology Practitioners, Interest groups, and Stakeholders in Nigeria, has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, tremendously transforming the IT landscape in Nigeria for good.

As part of the 40th Anniversary several award categories were designed which include Special Recognision Award for past presidents and functionaries while Honorary Fellowship was awarded to the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo;  the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo Unversity, Prof. Eyitoye Ogunbodede, and Senator Liyel Imoke, Former Governor of Cross River State for their exemplary service and dedication to IT growth and development in Nigeria.

In a keenly contested exercise, Managing Director Sidmach Technologies, Arogundade Peter Sunday, was declared 2018 IT Personality of the Year for driving development and innovation in the technology industry.

Chairman, Organising and Planning Committee, Femi Williams, in welcoming the guests commented on the selection process for the award, saying to ensure transparency and credibility, the entire process for the IT Personality of the Year Award was audited by Accenture, a global management consulting and technology services company well known for its world class auditing services.
He applauded relevant professionals and government agencies for inspiring and motivating NCS. “The recognition of these outstanding professionals is a call to do even more after today’s ceremony. As they break new ground, we urge all winners to get more involved in NCS activities, participate, contribute, support and spread a culture of excellence as Ambassadors of NCS and the IT community,” Williams stated.

The event which had in attendance Honourable Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdur-Raheed Adebayo Shittu; Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and other eminent players in the ICT ecosystem, witnessed conferment of Long Service Award to Taiwo O. Oyesanwo, Manager, Corporate Affairs/Head Information Technology-2003 -2018; Cutting of Anniversary Cake; Presentation of New Fellows, Conferment of Professional Fellows and Honourary Fellowship.

Minister of Communications, Barr. Shittu, thanked NCS for providing leadership among the organisations that constitute the Nigerian IT ecosystem.

Shittu stressed that for the nation to realize her collective objective in global competitive economy, ICT remained inevitable. He reiterated the commitment of his ministry to the Postal Sector Reform saying that NIPOST would be giving birth to five 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,” Shittu hinted.

                                      







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