Leadership (Abuja)
Peter Ailuorio
26 September 2007
Lagos — Building on the gains of its last year summit for Information Technology (IT), Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in Nigeria, ITAN (Information Technology [Industry] Association of Nigeria) made good its promise to replicate the feat when it brought together frontline players in the industry in Lagos last Friday.
The summit which had the theme: "3e Strategies for enhancing and empowering IT entrepreneurs for m-projects", played host to Guest Speakers like Prof. Angaye, director general of NITDA, Dr. Sola Afolabi, a director at ECOWAS, Engr. (Mrs.) Florence Seriki, MD, Omatek Computers and Dr. Leo Stan-Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Computers including Dr. Bashir Galadanci, an IT Administrator in Kano.
In an earlier welcome address, ITAN president who also chaired the occasion, Mr. Jimson Olufeye, admonished participants at the summit while further underscoring the need for IT practitioners to be alive to their responsibilities in helping to move Nigeria forward in the field of technology.
Special Guests who delivered goodwill messages at the summit included - Dr. (Mrs.) A. Osofisan, president of CPN; Prof. Charles Uwadia, president of NCS; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, president of ATCON; Dr. Chris Uwaje, president of ISPON and Engr. Lanre Ajayi, President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG).
Delivering a keynote address, director, Community Computer Centre, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Dr. Shola Afolabi spoke extensively on IT export strategies blaming the inhibiting factors on a number of variables which include lack of information on:
* market
* investment climate (Rights & establishment etc)
* currency control
* language
* culture
* legal regimes among others.
Dr. Afolabi, however, noted that several enhancing factors capable of promoting IT export have been put in place by ECOWAS chief among them are:
* Trade liberalisation scheme
* Protocol on free movement which include visa-free movement and right of residence and establishment.
* Trade Opportunities System (SIGOA - TOPS)
* Court of Justice.
Nevertheless, he advised the IT CEOs and participants to be brave always thinking globally but acting locally.
At the plenary session of the IT CEO Round Table Discussion, several issues were adequately appraised which centred on:
1. Rejuvenation of computer in schools initiative (CISI) with adoption of a school for a period of one to two years.
2. Generation of indices on IT Development/Penetration in Nigeria.
3.. The $185 a child laptop: to buy or not to buy.
4. IT industry house, Abuja.
5. International Trade Tours, among others.
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