Umbrella body of Nigerian Information Technology professionals, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has applauded the Federal Government (FG) for its advanced strategy to create an Information Technology (IT) Ministry soon. The group also said that this step by the Federal Government should be seen as in fulfillment of the yearnings of IT professionals for a long time now.
They added that once the ministry comes upstream, States should follow in replicating the steps to ensure involvement of the rural areas in its evolution.
The National President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Charles Uwadia, gave this applause while reacting to the development to ITRealms Online in Abuja at the weekend.
He said that the decision is commendable, pointing out that government only picks ideas from those who would deliver on its promises, expressing glad that the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria alongside NCS among others have participated actively in bringing this message to the frontburner and enjoined all not to relent until full realisation.
He urged every stakeholder, especially the professional groups to take up their roles very seriously and play very well for the eventual realization of this soon to be established IT Ministry.
“Those who would man or head the ministry must be those ready to bring to fruition the promises of government,” he said.
NCS, Uwadia said, is doing its own part and would continue to support the government in this regard, especially on finding the kind of people who will man the new IT ministry.
Uwadia reiterated that the secretary to the government gave the hint that the government would like the new ministry to be manned by an industry person, who is a professional.
“So, we are actually entering a new vista in opening up the industry and we expect whoever is going to man the ministry to ensure that government programmes give the needed impact towards changing the lives of people,” he said.
For the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) president, Chief Chris Uwaje, it is one of the industry prayers answered going by the interaction the team had with Anyim.
“As society migrates, ministries changes; yesterday we have ministry of import and export and today they are no more,” he said, maintaining that professionals should be allowed to head the Ministry from inception.
“So, the real issue is that we must ensure that who mans this ministry delivers on the dream and aspiration of stakeholders,” he said.
ITRealms Online recalled that in what looked like fulfilling an electioneering promise, the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, penultimate Wednesday, disclosed that FG would soon create and Information Technology (IT) Ministry.
Anyim gave this assurance while hosting the President and Chairman of council of Computer Professionals Registration Council if Nigeria (CPN), Mr. Ibrahim Tizhe-led delegations to his office, last week.
“In fact, the IT Ministry is as good as created,” he was quoted as saying, noting that professionalism should be seen as key to development of this country.
According to Anyim, no economy could advance without Information Technology, adding that IT drives the economy globally and Nigeria could not afford to be left behind, emphasising that if the Vision 202020 goal must be attained, then, IT must be made to drive the process.
He further assured CPN leadership that their concerns have been noted and aligned with that of government, asserting that “without IT, we can’t cope with other advance economies of the world. By the time Ministry of Information and technology takes off, we will be able to have somebody in the sector to head the ministry.”
Responding, Tizhe congratulated Anyim on his new office, pointing out that the essence of the visit was for the body to reassure the government of its member’s willingness to co-operate with the government in realisation of her goals in moving the nation forward, via technology.
“We applaud government’s pronouncement of the establishment of the Ministry of IT,” he said, underlining the fact for the process to begin immediately, urging Anyim to use his good offices to make certain that stumbling blocks are removed in realised this Ministry’s take off.
The Nigeria Computer Society as the umbrella organization of all Information Technology professionals, interest groups and stakeholders in Nigeria, was established in 1978 as the Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN) and transformed into NCS in 2002 as a result of harmonization with other stakeholder and interest groups.
NCS is the national platform for the advancement of Information Technology Science and Practice in the country.
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