ComBIT-08 expo kicks off today with 30 firms

All is now set for the annual international exhibition and conferences on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which kicks off today at the MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos, with over 30 firms registered for the exhibition.

A press statement signed by the Chairman, ATCON’s Planning Committee and Executive Secretary, Messrs David O. Roberts and Mr. Godwin A. Morgan, respectively, indicated that there are high expectations that the vice president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan would be the special guest of honour at the event.

Other top public functionaries expected to grace the event include the minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey, his Minister of State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, director general, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, and his counterpart at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye.

In addition, other guests billed to grace ComBIT 2008 are executive governors of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ogun; Senator Lyel Imoke of Cross River, and a host of others.

“It may be interesting to note that the commissioners of science and technology from all the 36 states will be in attendance to acquaint themselves with the latest technologies which would help their respective states in equipping their science parks and digital centres,” part of the press statement read.

ATCON also received confirmation from the armed forces; army, navy, air force, police, and state security and paramilitary agencies – customs, immigration, road safety corps and so on to attend and participate actively in the event.

Equally, organizations in the education, maritime, aviation, industrial and manufacturing sectors would be in attendance.

Giving details of the registered participating firms, Mr. Morgan said that about 30 companies have registered for participation in the exhibition.

These include a trade delegation from Germany led by Skyway.Net and another team from Singapore led by D-Link Corporation Inc.

Locally, he said that a good number of leading ICT organizations have taken their stands to showcase their leading-edge products and services to the high net worth guests that would gather at Muson centre for the event.

Some of the industry operators taking part in ComBIT exhibition are Zoom Mobile, Zain Nigeria, Teledom International, Total Telecoms Solutions, Internet Solutions, First Bank of Nigeria, IT Mart Resources, EIL Telecoms, Disc Communications and PA Telecoms.

Additionally, he said, Danisat Communications, Direct on PC, Emperion, Progenics, BCX Connections, Radial Circle Telecoms, Accat Nigeria, Foresight Solutions, TTC Mobile, ITTASALT Kano, GTS Infotel, ISOCKET, Tiny Calls, Fresh Mail, would take part in the three-day expo.

While the plenary session will feature international experts including the chief executive officer, Connect Technologies, Mr. Chris Uwaje, his colleagues in Skannet Technologies, Mr. Sunday Afolayan,Group Managing Director (GMD), Omatek Computers, Mrs. Florence Seriki, President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Lanre Ajayi and his counterpart at the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mr. Kalu Ndukwe.

The first Vice President, ATCON, Chief Bayo Banjo, managing partner, Technology Advisors, Mr. Basil Udotai, and chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, would grace the occasion.

There are also a number of foreign speakers who will make the final list in the programme.

Special features at the event would include products launch, promotions, bonanzas, networking meetings and private seminars focused on new technologies, business opportunities, job creation initiatives, human capacity building in ICT and investment opportunities in the Nigerian ICT environment.


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