Akunyili, Zaku for ‘09 Cyber Nigeria

The Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili and her counterpart in the Science and Technology Ministry, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, would on Sunday, lead dignitaries to the Africa Information Society Merit Award (AISMA) and Cyber Nigeria 2009.

The award, according to the organizers, would recognize about 18 individuals and organisations, which have impacted positively on the Nigeria’s burgeoning Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the last 10 years as part of the celebration of 10 years of AIT InfoTech Network.

A press statement endorsed by Mr. Bayero Agabi, informed that the event’s chief host would be High Chief Aleogho Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, Raypower and Daarsat.

Dokpesi would be joined by the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Her Excellency, Princess Adebisi Sarah Sosan and the former Minister of State for Information and Communications Alhaji Dasuki Nakade and Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, the chief executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and his colleague in the National IT Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye.

“This event would be a celebration of excellence and professionalism by AIT and the people that have helped to sustain growth in the ICT sector,” said Nakade who spoke in Jos.

The event is featuring the Cyber Nigeria 2009 Forum designed to discuss Nigeria’s continuous relevance in the global knowledge economy.

Speakers include Anayo Agu, the Senior Business Specialist at the US Embassy Nigeria, and Dr Tunde Adegbola, Executive Director of African Languages Technology Initiative. Adegbola is also a lecturer at the University of Ibadan.

The interactive forum will be discussing the future of Nigeria and the potentials of the internet as the nation marches towards 202020.

It will also throw light on internet content, technology trend, regulation in an IT-based world and internet products and services. The event theme is ‘Internet as a catalyst for configuring a new Nigeria.

Whereas the sub-themes comprised “Innovations and Initiatives; Internet-based Products and services; role of legislation in meeting the challenges of cyber laws and applications; attitude, refocus and IT-based products and services.”

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