200 IT experts for scientific digital divide confab

ABOUT 200 Nigerian science and technology experts in diaspora, are expected to grace the first-ever conference on ‘Bridging the Digital and Scientific Divides: Forging Partnerships with the Nigerian Diaspora,’ in Abuja.

The four-day event being organized by the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is scheduled to hold July 25 to 28 at the Nicon Hilton.

President, Nigerian Information Technology Professionals in the Americas (NIPTA), Prof. Manny Aniebonam, made this disclosure.

He said that over 200 science and technology professionals would be coming from the United States (US), Europe and Asia for the event.

Prof. Aniebonam noted that NITPA participation is in the group’s continuous quest "to building a nation we will all be proud of’.

He would also be presenting a paper, entitled "Improving Human Capacity Building in Nigeria Through Effective Distance Education".

Stressing that the paper would examine how emerging technologies could accelerate the Nigerian capacity building efforts.

According to the organizers, the issue of third world diasporans and the contributions could make some transformation to their original homelands and this has of recent generated considerable global interest.

"Nigeria is among the countries, that is, determined to forge a constructive relationship with its huge number of diasporan nationals scattered around the world" the organizers declared.

They also noted that it was for this reason that President Olusegun Obasanjo, in recognition of the huge and diverse resources of the Nigerian Diaspora in 2000, initiated the Presidential Dialogue with the Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Explaining further, the organizers said, the conference on Bridging the Digital and Scientific Divides: Forging Partnerships with the Nigerian Diaspora is the first major effort to lay the groundwork for concrete and sustained interaction between Nigeria and her diasporans, facilitate the establishment of networks and partnerships between the Nigerian Diaspora and their counterparts at home for the benefit of the country.

It further emphasised that it is an opportunity to put to effect the transfer of skills, experiences and resources from the diaspora.