Address by ITAN President Dr Jimson Olufuye on the occasion of a World Press Conference on the visit of WITSA Chairman and Delegation and ADIPENG 2009 - a WITSA/ITAN/NCS Conference/Workshop, taking place on April 20-25, 2009 @ the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja
Protocols…
PreamblesAbout two years ago, my colleagues and I in ITAN NEC were elected for a two-year term and that term ends this month. I’m thus hopeful that there would be an election for new executive members next month. In my inaugural speech on March 27, 2007, I did promise to transform ITAN, and take the IT Industry in Nigeria to the next level. I can say with all boldness that I’ve fulfilled my promise by the grace of God. In the last two years, I have instituted two yearly events as fora for networking and articulation of policy trust for IT Penetration and development in Nigeria. One is Enhancing IT Penetration in Nigeria (EITPIN) and the other is IT CEO Summit tagged “IT Future” where IT CEO gather also for their AGM. Since the events started a number of our members have gone International and to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. We have launched the Old Students Personal Computers (OSPC) to promote computers in learning in primary and secondary schools particularly with active and financial support of old students and School Management Board (SMB) (formally Parent Teachers Association (PTA)). In this regard, I would like to commend the NCC through its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Education Trust Fund (ETF), Intel for their initiative and commitments in this regard. In furtherance of the OSPC strategy, ITAN has commenced a Typing Skill Programme for Students called Typing Skills Training (TST) for primary and secondary schools students as part of their e-Learning Programme and computer studies curricula. You 'll agree with me that this skill is imperative for excellence in the digital economy in view. I've therefore appointed Mr Moses Sampson, the MD of Nadoms Ventures Ltd, one of our members to anchor that part of the project. The recently commissioned NCS Computer Education for All Nigerian Initiative (CEFANI) is also highly commendable and should be pursued to its logical conclusion albeit in sync with other efforts. IT CEO Summit & CommendationsIn November 2008 as part of our yearly CEO Summit, some of our CEOs were on trade visit to Silicon Valley, California, USA. Such critical exposures for networking and trade are boosts to members’ profiles and businesses. The second leg of our 2008 CEO Summit took place in Kano City where our CEOs were graciously hosted by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the great Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, ITAN IT Governor of the year 2008. I would like to use this opportunity to commend Gov. Shekarau for his vision and resolve to transform Kano into a knowledge society through several ICT intervention programmes particularly the Kano IT Park. I would like to recognize the efforts of some states in using IT to provide jobs and create new opportunities for our people. In no particular order, I recognise Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Benue, Osun, Kwara, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe, Enugu, Bayelsa, Sokoto and Anambra. I also recognise Ebonyi, Imo, Katsina, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Edo, Ondo and FCTA. So much work still need to be done, I therefore enjoin all governments across all levels to engage IT in all ramifications notably in Education for e-learning and capacity building; and e-Government for transparency, boosting of revenue base and the encouragement of good citizenship. I am pleased therefore to commend His Excellency, President Yar’Adua for his e-Payment policy. I also I also recognize the National Assembly and the Judiciary for effort to drive their processes with IT. A lot still needs to be done! WITSA AdmissionOn December 1, 2008, a new window of opportunity for global reckoning was opened for Nigeria when ITAN was admitted into the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) to represent the Nigerian IT and Services Industry. The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is a consortium of over 70 information technology (IT) industry associations from economies around the world. WITSA members represent over 90 percent of the world IT market. As the global voice of the IT industry, WITSA is dedicated to:
o advocating policies that advance the industry’s growth and development;
o facilitating international trade and investment in IT products and services;
o strengthening WITSA’s national industry associations through the sharing of knowledge,
o experience, and critical information;
o providing members with a vast network of contacts in nearly every geographic region of the world;
o hosting the World Congress on IT, the premier industry sponsored global IT event;
o hosting the Global Public Policy Conference; and
Founded in 1978 and originally known as the World Computing Services Industry Association, WITSA has increasingly assumed an active advocacy role in international public policy issues affecting the creation of a robust global information infrastructure, including:
o increasing competition through open markets and regulatory reform;
o protecting intellectual property;
o encouraging cross-industry and government cooperation to enhance information
security;
o bridging the education and skills gap
o reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to IT goods and services; and
o safeguarding the viability and continued growth of the Internet and electronic commerce.
WITSA has a real impact on the global IT environment. It strengthens the industry at large by promoting a level playing field and by voicing the concerns of the international IT community in multilateral organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the G-8 and other international fora where policies affecting industry interests are developed.
ITAN RestructuresWith this landmark development, ITAN also has restructured with the establishment in collaboration with WITSA and NCS the Government Advisory Group (GAG). The WITSA/ITAN/NCS Government Advisory Group (WITSA/ITAN/NCS GAG) is a group comprising of State IT Advisers & Commissioners of Science & Technology and WITSA/ITAN/NCS leaders in Nigeria and around the world. The objectives of the group are:
1. To foster focus in the implementation of IT development strategies in states across the nation.
2. To expose members to trends in e-Government and strategies for the creation of wealth and jobs with IT in tandem with best practices across the world; and
3. To create a platform for networking and exchange of ideas among the key IT decision makers in Nigeria and around the world.
We believe that this group is imperative at this time and in the face of the current world wide financial crisis to strategise for speedy recovery.
WITSA Chairman visits NigeriaIn this regard therefore, I’m proud to announce to you that the Chairman of WITSA Dato’ Dan E. Khoo for the first time ever will be visiting Nigeria with his entourage on April 20-25, 2009. Dato Dan E. Khoo of Malaysia took over from Mr George Newstrom of USA on 22 May 2008 after the 16th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) aka the Olympics of IT, held at Kualar Lumpur Malaysia on 18-22 May 2008. Dato’ Dan E. Khoo and his entourage will be in Nigeria:
1. To promote Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria as part of Nigeria’s benefit of membership
2. To inaugurate the WITSA/ITAN/NCS Government Advisory Group on April 23rd and
3. To play active role in ADIPENG 2009 – a 3-day WITSA/ITAN/NCS International
Conference/Workshop scheduled for April 20-24, 2009.
ADIPENG 2009ADIPENG is an ellipsis for Advancing the Dynamics of ICT Policy Engineering for e-Government. While it is noted that a handful of state governments, business entities and the Federal Government have IT Policies, there is no doubt that these policies need to be taken to the next level for better government service delivery on the e-platform for the people and for effective governance across the government and organisations. It is an opportunity for states, local government and entities without an ICT policy to adapt better practices for a leapfrog experience. This is a global conference/workshop for ICT Policy decision makers across all levels of governance in Nigeria. Federal, States, Local governments and corporate concern ICT
decision makers are welcome. WITSA Chairman Dato Dan E. Khoo, World Bank Chief Economist to Nigeria Mr Ismail Radwan, Zenith Bank CEO, Mr Jim Ovia, President, Nigerian Academy of Sciences Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, NITDA DG, Prof Cleopas Angaye, NCS President Prof Charles Uwadia, CPN President Prof. (Mrs) Adenike Osofisan are among eminent IT experts making keynote presentation on April 21 at the opening ceremony. Kano State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr Bashir Galadanci, Mrs Clara Vrom of Ghana Investment Council, DG, Koffi Anna Center for ICT Excellence, Dorothy Gordon, Director ECOWAS CCC, Dr Sola Afolabi, NIG President Mr Lanre Ajayi, ATCON President Dr Emmanuel Ekunwem, MD Programos Software Emmanuel Amos, President Afri-Hub Ltd, Prof. Manny Aniebonam, Engr Titi Omo-Ettu and Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola are among other key speakers at the epoch making event. State Governments like Kano, Ogun and FCTA will be making presentation on their e-Government Programmes. The Workshop indeed will provide opportunities for Local, State & Federal Governments to engage the visitors and one another on ICT investment potentials across Nigeria. It will afford the WITSA delegation ample opportunity for first hand assessment of the tremendous IT investment potentials in Nigeria. It will also open up the non-oil & gas sector particularly ICT which is lagging behind in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria. Oil & Gas currently attracts more than 55% of the estimated US$9b yearly FDI into Nigeria. With the Federal Government target of US$50b FDI yearly till 2020, this Workshop is no doubt critical to the attainment of the Vision 2020 of the Federal Government of Nigeria of US$600b FDI. Please peruse ITAN URL @ www.itan.org.ng for more details on the upcoming activities.
The dates again are April 20-24, 2009. April 20: Arrival and registration. April 21-23: Workshop Sessions. April 23 @ 7pm is the banquet and official admission dinner of ITAN into WITSA and the inauguration of the WITSA/ITAN/NCS Government Advisory Group. About ITANITAN was established in 1991 as Microcomputer Vendors Association of Nigeria (MiVAN). In 1995, it transmuted into Computer Vendors Association of Nigeria (CoVAN). Finally in 2000 following the dynamics of its membership base and the industry trends, it further transformed into what is now the Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN). In 2002, following industry pressures and advocacy by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ITAN joined other stakeholders to form what is now the society of IT professionals and industry in Nigeria, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). Other Chartered Interest Groups (CIGs) in the Society are Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS). ITAN's first President was Mr Yinka Edu of A-Z Computers Ltd. In 1995, Mr Davis Mirilla of Falcon Computers Ltd succeeded him. In 1999, Mr Chris Uwaje of Connect Technologies Ltd followed. In 2003, Mr Will Anaegbunan of Beta Computers Ltd became the President. On March 29, 2007, Dr Jimson Olufuye was elected the new President of the Association.
Constitutional FrameworkThe constitution of ITAN provides for a National Executive Council (NEC) headed by a President charged with the day to day running of the Association. A maximum of two terms of two years is permissible for every officer. An officer can however return to NEC on completion of the maximum term after a recess of one year from NEC. Of all the executive offices, the position of the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and Secretary General can only be occupied by member CEO. An amendment to the constitution shall be required at the next AGM to enshrine the various organs proposed for ITAN and to harmonise the Constitution with NCS’.
Membership SubscriptionOnly IT & related Services firms can be a member of ITAN. Along with registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) prospective members are also expected to have at least one senior officer registered with NCS/CPN as a professional. There are five membership categories namely, Regular, Affiliate, Founding Partner, Corporate Advisory Council, Government Advisory Council. Please visit our URL http://www.itan.org.ng/ for more details.
Achievements1. Establishment of the 1st framework for the local assembly of computer component through the CAT/CoVAN initiative leading to the establishment of the National Committee for the Acquisition of Computer and Electronic Technology (NACACET) committee by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in 1995.
2. Drafting of the first IT Policy document for Nigeria, 1999
3. Partnership with Federal Ministry of Science and Technology on the mitigation of the Y2K Bug, 1999
4. Hosting of the 1st IT Policy Advocacy Workshop in Nigeria
5. Launch of the Computer in School Initiative (CISI) 2001 and later rebranded OSPC in March 2008
6. Formation of the Nigeria Computer Society in 2002
7. Institution of the IT CEO Summit
8. Establishment of alliance with PIKOM and BITKOM of Malaysia and Germany in 2008 and 2009 respectively
9. Admission into the World Information Technology & Services Alliance (WITSA), 2008
Immediate Challenges1. Ensuring that Nigeria establishes the office of the Chief Technical Officer and National IT Security Officer
2. Ensuring that the Chief Operating/Technical Officer (COTO) articulates and packages new
cutting-edge technology initiatives like "National IT Infrastructure and Security" in Nigeria
3. Ensuring the inauguration of NITDA Board
4. Ensuring the harmonization of the ICT organs of government namely NCC and NITDA under one roof – the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)
Other MattersRebranding NigeriaITAN commends the re-branding Nigeria initiative by the Ministry of Information and Communication. ITAN believes that in as much as it is important to portray a good image to the outside world, it is absolutely important for us to face the stack realities that there are a lot of things for government to
fix in the Nigerian economy and fixing them constitute the real brand and what Nigeria is made of. I’m talking about energy, energy, energy. Many West African countries have overcome this albatross. Without solving this challenge URGENTLY the Vision 20-2020 might just be a mirage.
The Global Financial CrisisThe current global financial crisis which has cut-off close to 50% of stock and financial holdings of Nigerians, is another immediate and major economic challenge. We believe that Government at all levels should invest heavily in Information Technology, Capacity Building and Education as a cost
saving and development paradigm for sustainable development and the creation of new jobs.
IGF 2009ITAN and NCS fully support the recommendations of a 1-day regional Internet Governance Forum in Saly Senegal facilitated by Panos Institute of West Africa (PIWA) and Open Society Institute of West Africa (OSIWA) and hereby recommend that NITDA, NCC and NIRA should collaborate to facilitate an all stakeholders’ Forum for Nigeria’s Internet Governance position on the road to the 4th IGF in Sharm-EL-Sheikh, Egypt on 15-18 November 2009. The time to start is now.
ConclusionAn important part of the re-branding process is to give our visiting dignitary a well deserved and rich Nigerian hospitality. I therefore call on all stake holders to join hands with ITAN/NCS to give the WITSA delegates a one in a life-time experience of Nigerian hospitality. I would like to thank the
former President of ITAN, and the Chairman of ADIPENG 2009, Mr Chris Uwaje and all the members of the Organising Committee including Engr Flourence Seriki, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, Mr Wole Owolabi, Mr Inye Kemabonta, Engr Akin Aregbesola, Mr Tajudeen Ejalonibu (Chairman Publicity Committee, NCS) and many others important IT professional silently giving their support to the vision. My thanks also go to the NCS President Prof Charles Uwadia, NITDA DG Prof. Cleopas Angaye, CPN President Prof. Adenike Osofisan, CPN Registrar Mr Sikiru Shehu, NCS Executive Secretary, Mr Ejide Oladunmoye and the Presidents of ATCON, Dr Emmanuel Ekunwem, NIG Mr Lanre Ajayi for their unalloyed support. I wish to thank my colleagues in the ITAN NEC especially Mr Ganiyu Alimi, Mr Tunji Balogun, Mallam Y. Z. Yau, Mr Will Anyaegbunam, Miss Ola Akinyemi, and Mr Olu Joseph for the spirit of cooperation for result. In this regard, I would like to express my appreciation to NEC members of the Nigeria Computer Society and the Provost of the NCS College of Fellows, Dr Abimbola Salako.
Furthermore, I would like to express big thank you to our sponsors the Federal Government of Nigeria (NITDA, NCC, CPN), the World Bank, Zenith Bank, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Omatek Computers, Zinox Computers, Programmos Software and many other stakeholders whose sponsorship are on the way. My special thanks to the gentlemen of the Print and Electronic Media for all your support in our success story thus far. I still count on your continuous support. If I omit any important acknowledgement please forgive me. Thank you all and see you on April 20-25 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
JOO/20.03.09
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