From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
Nigerian Computer Society ((NCS) has announced its readiness to host this year’s Annual Nigerian Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA), on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
NCS, which has remained the foremost and number one IT professional association in Nigeria and African largest IT Society, also announced a plan to launch a N50million Innovative Development Fund.
President of the society, Professor Adesina Sodiya, made the disclosures at a press briefing at the national headquarters of the advocacy group, in Ikeja, Lagos on Monday.
NCS being the voice of Information Technology professionals for the past four decades presently has about 20,000 members spread across all sectors of the economy, and has continued to expand and grow in might and relevance.
Speaking on the focus of the award, Sodiya disclosed that the focus of NCS as a society is progress for the sector and for the nation. “Our focus as a society is progress for the sector and for the nation. As the acknowledged professional authority facilitating the development of an inclusive, globally competitive, prosperous, and knowledge-based digital economy in Nigeria, NCS is committed to recognizing and rewarding outstanding hard work and excellence in accelerating IT development.”
Sodiya also revealed the key sectors to benefit from the award saying “In choosing the awards, the key areas and issues affecting growth in the sector and society are addressed. For all awards, key criteria include IT specialisations, NCS standards and global best practices.”
He said that the highlight of activities at the award include Digital Governor of the year award IT Personality of the Year Award; IT Gold Merit of the Year Award; IT Company of the Year Award; Youth Innovator of the Year Award and Professional & Honorary Fellowship Conferment.
Under the IT Gold Merit Award, NCS has the following for honour, they include Mr. Kashifu A. Inuwa, DG/CEO National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Dr. Bashir Jimoh, DG/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for their innovative ideas towards moving IT to the next level.
He also disclosed that there will also be Professional Fellowship, saying that “the Professional fellowships will be conferred on members of NCS who are recognized as authorities in their field of computing and have distinguished themselves through significant contribution to the growth of Information Technology through their professional expertise and activities. This year we are having the highest number of conferees in the annals of NCS, fifty-one (51). Amongst the conferees is the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamsat.
“We must encourage those in our environment who are using their knowledge, creativity and resourcefulness to develop local tech solutions that are so essential to the drive for socio economic, growth, recovery and development. NCS calls on you to celebrate them because this is about progress and the future of our nation.”
The NITMA event is a strong and purposeful indication of our commitment to celebrating talent and highlighting the innovation, excellence, vision, and dedication of individuals and organizations within the IT industry and community.
The group also stated that in obedience and adherence to COVID-19 protocols, the attendance is being controlled and is strictly by invitation. The program can also be joined online.
