Akiyoku assures on software roaadmap

Chairman, National Software Policy Committee (NSPC), Prof. Wole Akiyoku, has assured the nation’s software developers community under the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) of the Federal Government cooperation in the effort to develop a roadmap for software engineering capacity building and job creation for National Development.

Prof. Akiyoku made this assurances at a parley with ISPON which held in Lagos at the weekend,

at the National Software Roundtable by ISPON.“The role of information technology, especially indigenous software, in Nigeria’s development cannot be over-emphasised. It is a resource that must be tapped to building our economy and provide jobs for our ever growing unemployment rate,” he said.

President of ISPON, Chief Chris Uwaje asserted that Nigeria cannot afford to miss out on this critical phase of human development – with a youthful population of more than 65 per cent of the total population.

“We can leverage on this manpower to harness our intellectual prowess and curb youth restiveness,” he said, stressing that the Software Roundtable seeks to identify, address and resolve the challenges of building software knowledge capital by harnessing the potentials and youthful strength in Nigeria, to build software skill capacities and provide a sustainable interface between education and the Industry.

Participants at the end of discussions reached a consensus on the type of model, policy and institutional framework that should be put in place.

On model, the roundtable agreed to develop one that is Nigerian, by working out, adopting and domesticating best practice from other country experiences by leveraging on the uniqueness of the local environment and peoples’ needs.

A press statement made available to ITRealms Online by chairman, publicity committee of ISPON, Mr. Moses Braimah pointed out that it should understand that the local needs and environment, and develop an integrated model that is simple, functional, empowering and sustainable.

He quoted ISPON president as saying that the group want collaboration to be encouraged and nurtured as a strategy in order to turn it into a productive culture·

Braimah also said at the roundtable sponsored by the Cross Rivers State government and UBA plc also agreed to develop policy and strategies in context of the model chosen, recognising the plurality of digital domains whether in the public/private sector, local/foreign, and other categories.

They also, reiterated the need to be standards-based yet reflective of national concerns /interests backed by legislation where appropriate·

Finally, it was recommended that a cabinet ranked Institution is imperative for national impact and global relevance.

Tomi Davies, Moderator of the Roundtable had earlier done an expose on the global software industry, focusing on relevant countries like India, Israel and Ireland. He demonstrated how these countries developed their software industry and what lessons can be drawn from there.

The Software Roundtable was organised by the Education and Capacity Building Committee chaired by Mr. Collins Onuegbu.

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