NCS, IBM Explore Future Joint Programs
The Nigeria Computer Society and IBM Nigeria look set to partnering on several joint programs as part of their joint efforts to promote ICT culture and development in Nigeria.
The NCS and the Nigerian subsidiary of the leading global Business and Technology Company came to this mutual understanding to consider collaboration on future initiatives during a recent courtesy visit of the NCS to IBM West Africa’s head office in Lagos.
Sir Demola Aladekomo, President of the NCS led the executive committee members of the NCS to IBM. He noted that the purpose of the visit was to start the building of a mutually rewarding working relationship with IBM. The NCS team were warmly received by several IBM executives led by Mr Taiwo Otiti, Country General Manager, IBM West Africa.
“We commend IBM’s recent investment in Africa through its new technology laboratory in Kenya and for this reason and more, we look forward to further engaging IBM Nigeria on future programs and projects of the NCS,” Sir Aladekomo said during the visit.
Aladekomo further acknowledged the global legacy and leadership of IBM especially in technology research and development and said it would be very appropriate for IBM to consider leveraging the NCS platform in its quest to entrench technology and a technology management culture in the Nigerian environment. He said the NCS is the largest network of IT practitioners and stakeholders in Nigeria with members and interest groups in key areas of business, education and government. He gave notable examples of the achievements of NCS which confirmed the position of NCS as the major advocacy body for technology-driven growth and development in Africa’s most vibrant tech market.
Since the inception of Aladekomo’s presidency at the helm of affairs of the NCS in 2011, the computing professional body has focused is sights on strategic advocacy activities, facilitating and promoting initiatives around employment creation, local content development, technology innovation, youth empowerment, research and development, the establishment of Incubation Centers /Knowledge Parks and IT in Security.
“Cashless 2012”, the theme of the recent NCS Annual Conference, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state last July turned out to be Nigeria’s largest gathering of high-level stakeholders in IT from Business, Industry, Education, Government and Social communities focused on the cashless program and initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In this regard, the NCS President, identified with IBM’s Smart Computing goals, noting that the IBM Smart Technology concepts had the potential to improve business performance and achieve the nation’s national development goals.
Aladekomo further extolled Taiwo Otiti’s successful career in the banking and technology industries, acknowledging his personal contributions towards the development of Nigeria’s e-Payments systems as well as his seamless transition to IBM.
In response, Mr Otiti thanked the NCS team for their visit to the IBM West Africa’s hub office and noted that IBM was a global technology leader in hardware, software, IT solutions and services. “We welcome your ideas and are open to further suggestions from the NCS on possible joint programs with the NCS,” Otiti said.
IBM Nigeria would be particularly interested in assisting the NCS initiatives in the areas of Mentoring its student members and young professionals, training on technology issues and ICT capacity development.
Contact:
Jide Awe
Chairman, Publicity and Events Committee of the Nigeria Computer Society
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