Life Membership and the NCS HOUSE

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) House

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) recently introduced Life Membership for its Professional Fellows and Full Members.

It begins the process initiated to raise funds for the proposed NCS New Secretariat (NCS HOUSE).

During April 2013’s breakfast meeting with IT personalities, NCS President, Sir Demola Aladekomo, announced that “Plans are on for the building of a befitting National secretariat. The planned building is on five floors – ground and 1st floors for car park, 2nd floor event halls/auditorium, the remaining floors for offices and meeting rooms”.

Interested fellows and members need to make a one-time life payment of N60,000.00 (Sixty Thousand Naira). In addition to membership payment for life covering all future Annual Subscriptions (Annual Due and Building Levy), benefits include a Life Membership Certificate. The opportunity ends on November 16, 2013.

Names of life members will be published on the NCS website and upcoming conference brochure in appreciation of those who have invested. In addition NCS secretariat will ensure full reporting of life membership to promote transparency and accountability.

Why Life Membership? It is a step towards uniting members behind NCS goals of visibility and advocacy. Advocacy is at the heart of the mission of NCS and a high profile presence of this nature plays a major role. Information Technology (IT) is not being fully exploited to facilitate sustainable development and overall prosperity because:

• majority of the populace (individuals and organizations) are yet to fully tap into the benefits of the digital age,
• IT sector – industry, academia, profession, entrepreneurs, stakeholders – needs to be strengthened,
• appropriate policies and legislation still need to be put in place

The need for leadership and advocacy is critical. NCS HOUSE is a strategic opportunity to strengthen both visibility and advocacy. In carrying out its mission of advocacy in IT, NCS needs to raise its relevance and visibility. A new building, a corporate headquarters, a befitting secretariat is required of NCS. NCS must stop living down to expectations. NCS must start setting the bar. A high profile corporate headquarters, a befitting secretariat, is in the interest of the profession, the industry and the nation. An impressive presence for the top IT advocacy body is an important element in respectability, honour and influence in business and society, not just for NCS but most importantly for the IT profession and industry.

Visibility for Advocacy – the NCS HOUSE is about taking the lead in shaping public perceptions about IT and raising the profile of the IT community. Visibility and advocacy can be employed strategically by NCS to get the nation to effectively leverage on IT for meeting developmental needs.

For those who say the sector cannot create 1 million jobs in 5 years, NCS needs to prove them wrong. NCS refuses to live down to their expectations. IT advocacy and visibility is not a luxury but a necessity. NCS aims high for the millions being held back by poverty and disease, for the growing army of the unemployed, for the majority unable to take advantage of their ideas, skills and talents, unable to fully participate in the global knowledge economy, unable to fulfill their potential and contribute towards building a better Nigeria.

Advocacy goes hand in hand with pride, confidence and respect for the industry and profession. The essence is to advance the interests of IT professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria. NCS HOUSE is a strategic priority for NCS and the IT community. NCS NEC decided to get the project off the ground through the Life Membership initiative with the aim of laying the foundation of NCS HOUSE within 2013.The funds to be raised from Life membership initiative will be directed towards laying the foundation for the building.

Taking Ownership
At the NCS breakfast meeting with IT personalities and stakeholders in April 2013, NCS President, Sir Demola Aladekomo, called on IT organizations to take ownership of the building, announcing that reputable individuals and organizations will be invited to take up some of the floors or halls and name them after their institutions. Organizations in the sector will be offered opportunities to brand the building and put their stamp of authority and ownership on it. An elaborate foundation launching ceremony is planned which will involve interested sponsors, corporate organizations and partners. Fellows and members who subscribe for life membership are also taking ownership and establishing a legacy by laying the foundation for the iconic building.

NCS, the home of IT community, is committed to action not just words. Sit and do nothing now and wonder later about what might have been? Conditions may not the ideal or perfect. But those who wait for perfect wait forever. We need to start creating the future now. The Life membership opportunity has started the process. Fellows and Full members are invited to invest in raising the profile of NCS through life membership. Life membership is the beginning of the journey to good relevance, visibility and impact for NCS that not only benefits the IT industry and profession, but also the nation at large. The future depends on what we do now. Hoping for the best is not an option.

Method of Payment:
All Cheques should be written in favour of Nigeria Computer Society or direct payment into:
Zenith Bank Plc, Account No: 1012838773; Sort code: 057150521
Please, kindly notify the Secretariat when payment is made.

For more information, contact:
The Executive Secretary
National Secretariat, Plot 10, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel.: +234 1 7744600, 08033510723
E-mail: execsec@ncs.org.ng

HAVE YOUR SAY: What is your opinion of the Life Membership initiative? What other measures can be taken to improve visibility for advocacy? Please share your comments, thoughts and opinions.

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Jide Awe
Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT at Jidaw
ICT Development Advisory Support and Consulting