The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Computer Society

  • Lagos seeks collaboration with Computer Society

    The Lagos State government yesterday said it is prepared to collaborate with the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) to develop local solutions to address challenges confronting the state as it moves on with its smart city project.

    Speaking yesterday at NCS Lagos 2019 Stakeholders’ Forum, the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the future of the state and indeed, the nation, lies in the development of technology, adding that the state government will always open its doors to accommodate suggestions as to how to address the various challenges facing the state.

    Dr Obafemi who responded to issues raised by stakeholders on the theme: NCS @40: NCS Lagos Roadmap in the Next Dispensation, said the development of technology remained the only way the country could match with the developed countries, adding that incubation centres will be established across the state to nurture talented youths.

    Responding to requests by the NCS to domesticate the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in the state, appoint ICT General of the state, local content in ICT, data/identity management among other issues, Dr Obafemi said the NCS should forward proposal on the workability of those requests so that together with the organisation, the state government could work together.

  • Computer Society frets over govt’s move on agencies

    The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has enjoined the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, to prevail on the Federal Government to jettison the idea of moving some federal agencies under the Ministry of Communications to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

    Specifically, the society and other stakeholders in the industry kicked against the request by the Science and Technology Ministry asking the Federal Government to bring the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone and the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat) under its supervision.

    The body said the request was not only self-serving but counter-productive as it would reverse all the gains already recorded over the years in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

    NCS President, Prof Sola Aderounmu made the appeal when he led other stakeholders on a courtesy call on the Minister of Communications in Abuja.

    Prof Aderounmu, who led the team which included the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Computer Society and two former presidents of the Society as well as other professional groups in the industry, expressed dismay over attempts to remove some agencies from Ministry of Communications to Ministry of Science and Technology.

    He said promoters of the move do not have the interest of the country at heart, pointing out that the Science and Technology Ministry had about 17 agencies under it, yet it was seeking to take three out of the five agencies under the Ministry of Communications.

    Prof Aderounmu recalled that in 2011, the Federal Government agreed with the Nigeria Computer Society to retain NigComSat, NITDA and Galaxy Backbone under the Federal Ministry of Communications for sustained development and actualisation of ICT objectives towards diversifying Nigeria’s economy.

    He argued that relocating the three agencies to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology would get the nation about 15 years behind our development plan. He advocated for the retention of the NITDA, NigComSat, and Galaxy Backbone for better performance, networking, coordination, cooperation and collaboration in other to produce better input.

    The Nigeria Computer Society boss also called on the Federal Government to properly fund the Ministry of Communications and amend the laws governing the Agencies and the ministry accordingly.

    He noted that with over 20,000 membership strength of the society drawn from professionals, stakeholders and interest groups in Nigeria, the body would not rest in its oars and allow gains recorded in the sector to be reverse suddenly by such moves.

    In his remarks, the minister lauded the society and the team for their patriotic contributions, saying that the emphasis for now is to consolidate the gains already made by the ministry and its agencies towards diversifying the Nigerian economy.

    The minister called for calm and appealled to all stakeholders on the need to show understanding with the government for the overall development of ICT sector,  insisting that no counter–productive adventures should be undertaken in the industry as it would be against the standard practice the world over.

  • Harmonising database will enhance e-governance, says Computer Society

    The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has said the harmonisation of the national database is a right and fundamental step towards a functional e-government system.

    In a statement on Sunday in Lagos, Prof. Sola Aderounmu, the NCS president, said it would assist in the fight against crime, when agencies draw data from the same database.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari recently directed the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to harmonise the biometric data.

    The statement noted that the directive was imperative, considering the huge cost of biometric exercises.

    It said biometric exercises included the cost of personnel,  storage of acquired data and cost of making such data available.

    The statement also said e-government services would bring together the government, the governed, civil society, professional bodies and other stakeholders.

    It recalled that the NCS, at its 2013 general meeting, canvassed that e-government, when properly deployed, would deliver optimisation of service.

    The statement said quality service would aid the attainment of Vision 20:20:20.

    It stressed the need to evolve the technology and framework for storing, protecting and making available data, while safeguarding the privacy of citizens’ Personal Identifiable Information (PII).

     

  • ‘Computer Society’s honours not for highest bidder’

    President of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) Sir Demola Aladekomo has said its honours and awards are not for the highest bidder. He said the honours and awards are given on merit and distinguished service to the industry and the nation.

    He spoke when the society inducted the Chairman of Visafone Communications Limited, Jim Ovia, into its hall of Fellows in Lagos.

    The Honorary Fellowship, he said, was bestowed on Ovia for his outstanding contributions to the development of the information communication technology (ICT) industry.

    According to him, as founder and pioneer group chief executive officer of Zenith Bank, Ovia deployed information technology (IT) tools in facilitating the bank’s operations.

    “As founder of Zenith Bank Plc and former group CEO of the bank, he introduced a great deal of technology-driven innovations into the banking industry. Being the first president of the Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), he is not only an avid IT promoter, but has also invested massively in Nigeria’s technology sector.

    “He is the promoter and founder of Visafone Communications Limited and has led several national IT -related initiatives, such as the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI), the National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC) and the National Broadband Committee. He is also the founder of Youth Empowerment through ICT,” he said.

    Responding, Ovia said he felt elated by the award, adding that he saw it more as a call to service. He pledged to promote and mentor the growth and development of the youth to assist them in using software and hardware, adding that nothing can be done without computer.

  • ‘Computer Society’s honours not for highest bidder’

    President of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) Sir Demola Aladekomo has said its honours and awards are not for the highest bidder. He said the honours and awards are given on merit and distinguished service to the industry and the nation.

    He spoke when the society inducted the Chairman of Visafone Communications Limited, Jim Ovia, into its hall of Fellows in Lagos.

    The Honorary Fellowship, he said, was bestowed on Ovia for his outstanding contributions to the development of the information communication technology (ICT) industry.

    According to him, as founder and pioneer group chief executive officer of Zenith Bank, Ovia deployed information technology (IT) tools in facilitating the bank’s operations.

    “As founder of Zenith Bank Plc and former group CEO of the bank, he introduced a great deal of technology-driven innovations into the banking industry. Being the first president of the Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), he is not only an avid IT promoter, but has also invested massively in Nigeria’s technology sector.

    “He is the promoter and founder of Visafone Communications Limited and has led several national IT -related initiatives, such as the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI), the National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC) and the National Broadband Committee. He is also the founder of Youth Empowerment through ICT,” he said.

    Responding, Ovia said he felt elated by the award, adding that he saw it more as a call to service. He pledged to promote and mentor the growth and development of the youth to assist them in using software and hardware, adding that nothing can be done without computer.