The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) mourns the loss of Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria which sadly occurred on 12 May, 2012. He was a professor of Computer Science and Fellow of NCS and was 62 years old.

In addition to being an astute administrator, he established an outstanding and incalculable academic and intellectual legacy. He contributed immensely to the growth and development of learning and research in Nigeria and Africa. He started his teaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Lagos in 1976 and eventually rose to become a full Professor of Computer Science. Professor Sofoluwe was a two-time Acting Head, of the Department of Computer Science from 1989 to 1991 and 1994 to 1996. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1998 and 2002.

Professor Sofoluwe was elected as a member of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos in 2000, for four years. He was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) in 2006. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Sofoluwe was the Director of Academic Planning Unit of the University. He was appointed the 10th Vice Chancellor of UNILAG on 30 January, 2010.

Some of his notable laurels include: the prestigious German Scholarship award for Academic Brilliance; the Commonwealth Scholarship to Study at Edinburgh University, Scotland where earned he earned his Masters Degree in 1975 and Doctorate in 1981.

In addition to being a Fellow of NCS and in recognition of his achievements and the significant impact he made in accelerating IT development he was honoured by NCS as an outstanding IT professional and contributor in June 2010. In his position as Vice Chancellor, he had in fact applied IT to administrative and other issues in UNILAG to improve the institution’s impact, organization and service delivery.

Hardworking and always humble, despite his achievements and position, the news of his passing away was received with shock and surprise. He will be sorely missed by the Nigeria Computer Society and the larger technology community. His death is a great loss that will be felt massively in academics, administration and IT. NCS urges these communities and Nigeria build on his worthy legacies.

May God comfort his family and those he left behind. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

African Incubator Network (AIN) in collaboration with infoDev, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) will be holding a Business Incubation Training Workshop and Conference for West African Business Managers from 4 to 6 June in Lagos, Nigeria.

The training workshop holds from 4-5 June, 2012, while the conference with the theme: Business and Development through Innovations: Unlocking African Potentials will hold on 6 June, 2012. Event venue is Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The main objective of the Conference is to bring together experts, leading thinkers, innovators, venture capitalists, business managers and entrepreneurs to articulate a vision for developing entrepreneurship through innovations.

Business Incubation Training

World Bank’s infoDev’s in-depth business incubation training program for business incubation managers and other business incubation stakeholders, draws from the lessons, good practice, and different business models from around 400 business incubators coming from more than 100 countries worldwide. The training program consists of 12 modules ranging from basic introductory topics to specialized ones, such as Technology Commercialization and Virtual Business Incubation Services.

Training will be led by a group of international incubation professionals and trainers from all continents who will engage participants in active participation and exchange throughout the learning modules. Practical intensive exercises on business incubation based on first hand incubation practice will be delivered working in small groups of participants to optimize the learning impact. Number of participants is limited for the 2 day training program. . Participants receive an infoDev training certificate; Number of participants is limited to secure intensive training – early registration is recommended!

Conference Program

The conference with the theme, “Business and Development through Innovation: Unlocking African Potentials” is expected to feature the African Incubator Network’s Chairperson – Julie Momah, Valerie D’Çosta, Program Manager Infodev-World Bank Group, Prof. Laraba Gambo Abdullahi – DG/CEO National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) . The keynote address is on “Entrepreneurship and Development – a catalyst for advancement in 21st Century Economy”, expected speakers are Professor Pat Utomi, Director LBS and Dr Umar Bindir, DG, NOTAP.

The conference comprising three plenary sessions will feature case studies, meetings and networking opportunities. One of the plenary session will address “Telecommunications and Entrepreneurship – Creativity, Opportunities, & Innovations”. Expected speakers/panel are Engr Eugene Juwah, EVC NCC, Lead speaker, Mr. Adewale Sangowawa (Globacom Ltd.), Mr. Jim Ovia (Chairman Visafone), Ms Funke Opeke (CEO, MainOne Cable Co); Mr. Akinwale Goodluck (MTN Nigeria), Airtel, Etisalat with moderator as Engr. Lanre Ajayi President ATCON.

Another plenary session will address “Entrepreneurship and Access To Capital: Options and Challenges”. Expected speakers are Ms Evelyn Oputu (CEO, BOI) – Lead speaker, Ms Bunmi Lawson (Accion Microfinance) and Valerie D’çosta, InfoDev, The World Bank.

The topic of the final plenary session is: “ICT4D National Strategic Plan – Platform for Innovations and Innovators”. Prof Cleopas Angaye, DG, NITDA is expected to be the lead speaker. Other speakers and panelists on this topic are Dr Armstrong Takang, Jide Awe,John Dada, Bankole Olubamise with moderator as Valerie D’çosta.

Organizers

infoDev is a research, capacity building and advisory services program, coordinated and served by an expert Secretariat hosted by the Financial and Private Sector Development Department of the World Bank Group. infoDev helps developing countries and their international partners enable the start up and growth of innovative small and medium sized enterprises for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

ATCON is the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, the umbrella organization for all telecommunication companies currently operating in Nigeria.

AIN is a gathering of people and organizations with a passion for supporting small enterprise development in Africa.
The purpose of the African Incubator Network is to:
- develop a collaborative network of African incubators and other business development service providers
- facilitate the provision of appropriate knowledge to support the development of innovative small enterprises
- create a learning environment to support the building of the African continent through our own endeavours.

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) is the federal government agency charged with the responsibilities of among other things, supporting small business development, helping new companies begin operations for technology advancement in the country.

Click to Register for the Program

ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP have announced that the WSIS Forum 2012 will be held from 14 to 18 May 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland. The 2012 WSIS Forum will be hosted by ITU and will take place at the Conference Centre of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

This event is planned to build on the annual WSIS May meetings. According to the forum release, its format and thematic focus are the result of an open consultation process with the involvement of all WSIS Stakeholders. Indications are that in addition to onsite participation, remote participation will be allowed. All WSIS stakeholders have been invited – Governments, Private Sector, Civil Society and International Organizations

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to have a major impact on the way we live, interact, communicate and do business. As a major ICT4D advocacy promoter, Jidaw supports such initaitives. ICTs are essential for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The question is no longer WHY but HOW? How will ICT keep hunger at bay in Cross Rivers? How will ICT drive down poverty in Osun? How will ICT create jobs in Kano? How will ICT improve healthcare in Jos? ICT for development is beyond the purchase and delivery of infrastructure.

Jidaw therefore supports the WSIS Forum which “brings together key global players in the field of ICTs to network, discuss and exchange on future ICT developments and applications, as well as to engage in new partnerships”.

According to the release, “The Forum will offer participants a series of high-level panels, a ministerial round table, facilitation meetings, thematic workshops and knowledge exchanges, as well as an exhibition addressing issues that are critical to WSIS implementation and follow-up in multi-stakeholder settings. It also will launch preparations for the Overall Review of the Implementation of the WSIS Outcomes (WSIS+10). The celebration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) will take place during the Forum, on 16 May 2012″.
The 2012 theme for WTISD is “Women and Girls in ICT”. Already Jidaw has programmes planned to celebrate the ideas, strengths and contributions of Women in ICT.

WTISD 2012 Forum

Interested individuals and organizations can also contact the WSIS Team at wsis-info@itu.int

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was developed by the United Nations (UN) as a multi- stakeholder platform for addressing the issues raised in the depolyment of information and communication technologies (ICTs) at the national, regional and international levels for sustainable development. “The goal of WSIS is to achieve a common vision, desire and commitment to build a people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information”.

WSIS – Turning targets into Action

Women and Girls in ICT – World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2012

Be part of the advancement and empowerment of Women and Girls in ICT. This is the message of this year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2012, which has the theme, “Women and Girls in ICT”.

Every year on May 17, WTISD, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) highlights issues that are important to ensuring that the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) are deployed and used to drive development and make significant impact in closing the digital divide. In recent years themes have ranged from Child Online protection, Better life with ICTs in cities, Better Life with ICTs for rural development. This year ITU invites everyone to raise issues involved in the impact and progressive development of women in ICT.

WTISD 2012 should be used to celebrate the achievements of women in ICT, inform and encourage women and men about the impact women have in ICT. Events should be organized to promote the advancement and empowerment of women through ICTs.

Women in ICT - the empowerment and advancement of Women with ICTs

We invite you to consider organizing programmes in your country to mark WTISD 2012 with a focus on the theme: “Women and Girls in ICT”. It would be useful to involve all sections of society to formulate awareness and consensus on the issues underlying the theme”.

In addition, ITU encourages everyone to mark international “Girls in ICT Day” every year on the fourth Thursday of April. This year the “Girls in ICT Day” will be held on 26 April 2012. ITU states that members should “host events where girls and young women are invited to ICT companies and government agencies to appreciate the opportunities the ICT sector holds for their future”.

The role of women cannot be ignored in society. ICT is a sector of immense impact and significance. To individuals it can be life changing and to institutions and nations, it has become essential for growth and development. What role do women play in such a sector? Are girls and women realizing their potentials and living their dreams in this dynamic sector? What are the issues holding women back? We need to smash primitive stereotypes to smithereens. The world loses not just women, if the views, ideas, strengths and contributions are excluded from ICT developments. As ITU insists, ICT should be used “to provide new digital opportunities to end discrimination and empower the female half of the world’s population to achieve their rightful place as equals in the world”.

Be part of the advancement and empowerment of Women and Girls in ICT! Use the 2012 WTISD to highlight digital opportunities, expand horizons and change attitudes on Women and Girls in ICT. Be conscious of this imperative in all that you do in ICT, not just on WTISD; but at all times. It is in the interest of all – women and men. It is about creating a better, more inclusive and sustainable world that benefits us all.

IT Career Prospects and Opportunities

Information Technology’s impact is immense. We often ask about training, certification and other forms of education, but where are the prospects? What is the opportunity market like? IT creates opportunity – but it’s always about interest and passion not wrong-headed popularity contests.

In making your decisions you should know the nature of the different areas and what it takes to succeed. When you identify your natural fit it’s easier to motivate yourself to excel. Here are areas of high demand that you might want to consider:

Computer Engineering / Technical Support – covers the research, design, development, installation, support and test of computer or computer-related equipment. Hardware includes computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, printers and UPS. Design is responsible for innovations and products in Hardware technology, while tech support provides repairs, troubleshooting and maintenance expertise in the work environment.

IT Training and Jobs

Networking – involves the design, support and installation of Network equipment, Network media, cable and wireless, Internet, Intranet, networks, Network Software, Network security. It involves setting up, troubleshooting and managing Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs) as well as internetworking activities. Areas of growing interest in the networking sphere include wireless and mobile computing, Network security and availability.

Research and Development / Academics – is about scientific and technological study and investigations that contribute to knowledge for the benefit of society. Research in IT keeps expanding and is considered the backbone of innovation. R&D is a major player in the mass production of scarce drugs, finding cures for diseases, new Telecommunications solutions, business optimization, creativity in entertainment, Oil, Sports, etc..

Database Development and Administration - Designing, planning, organizing, setup of Database using database management systems software. Expert database expertise give organizations the ability to exploit and benefit from massive data resources in an efficient and effective manner for record keeping, operations, decision making and planning. Database products with widespread deployment all over the world include Oracle, Microsoft’s SQL Server, IBM’s DB2 and MySQL.

Telecommunication Engineering – covers the design, implementation and management of telecommunications equipment, software and systems to meet (voice, wireless and data) needs. Telecom engineering includes many different but often interconnected areas – Cable (Copper, Fibre optics), telephony, GSM, Satellite, Radio, etc. As a result the nature of work and requirements varies extensively, e.g. design of cell phones, VSAT installation, telephony installations, radio troubleshooting, etc.

Web Design and Development – involves creating, designing, and supporting websites and web programs. Web development work usually includes aesthetics, interactivity, impressive and relevant content, functionality, graphic design, convenient navigation and search features. HTML, Flash, Dreamweaver and PHP/MySQL are well known web design and development tools. Testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, programming/scripting, database design and integration are key areas of interest.

Step into your area of Purpose!
As you can see there is room for those with purpose and interest. Of course, technology is constantly expanding, and we haven’t even scratched the surface of what is possible in IT. But I hope this has given you a better idea of your options.

Use this information and other reliable sources to choose wisely and step strongly into your area of purpose. The choices you make can be long lasting and life changing.

All the best in your IT Career!

Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw