NCS institutes national merit awards

Spurred by stakeholders’ quest, the umbrella body of Information Technology professionals in the country, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has instituted its National IT Merit Awards to reward deserving organizations, individuals and corporate bodies within the industry.

Addressing a press conference last week, NCS President, Prof. Charles Uwadia, said the award has been scheduled to hold on December 15 in Lagos.

He also said NCS can no longer fold its arms and watch non-professionals venturing into areas where they lack the competence.

Before now, he recalled that some of the awards have been on certificate of computer excellence to individuals, corporate and nongovernmental organizations and other eminent Nigerians without recourse to the NCS.

“Accusations that those events do not reflect the true situation of things, is because those behind these awards are not true professionals,” he said.

Prof. Uwadia further said the industry has become a mega industry and computers and ICT devices are now household names.

Stressing that the NCS was not out to discredit or antagonize any organization involved in any awards, but frowned at a situation where awards are given merely as reward for financial involvement.

“NCS is not going to stop others but we want to stamp our authority on IT awards because we are the body charged with that responsibility as professionals,” he said.

Prof. Uwadia said deserving recipients would be given awards in following categories; Computer Organization of the year, Software Provider in Human Resources (HR) services of the year, IT driven Bank of the year, Payment Solution Provider of the year, Best IT Media Reporter of the year, Best IT Airline of the year and Best Telecoms Company of the year that deploys IT.

While calling for sponsorship from interested parties, he said the Gold category which will cost N5 million will ensure that such company’s logo will be on NCS website for 12 months as well as feature in the its conference proceedings.

For the Silver sponsorship of N3.5 million, the company’s logo will be on NCS website for eight months as well as feature in its conference proceedings.

He equally said, for the Bronze category of N2.5 million, the company’s logo will be on its website for five months in addition to being on its conference proceedings.

Prof. Uwadia, who was accompanied by the first Vice President, Dr. David Adewumi Chairman, Publicity and Events Mr. Tajudeen Ejalonibu, Executive Secretary, Mr. Ejide Oladunmoye and its consultant Mr. Alexander Ofuonyeadi, said the process would be driven by IT through opinion poll via Short Messaging Service (SMS), newspapers and NCS website.

“It is our determination in the NCS to carry this award out now and for the first time to also, conduct a public survey by requesting Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to vote via the SMS and provide an unbiased verdict on who, or which individual or organization best deserves to be honoured,” Prof Uwadia said.

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