The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon) has expressed displeasure over the flagrant abuse of "Nigeria Telecom/ICT Awards" even by organizations, and individuals who have no experience, expertise or link with the information and communications technology industry in Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the association’s president, Atcon is very concerned about the dangers posed by indiscriminate and, in most cases, frivolous awards which often do not follow standardized and credible processes of selection of awardees.
The phenomenon he said is fast becoming a kind of scam which, if not curtailed, could further erode Nigeria’s image and credibility both at home and abroad. What impression would be created if two or three separate companies turn up at an international function all claiming to be the ‘Nigeria Telecom Company of the Year 2007’?
He noted that Atcon has been undaunted with local and foreign inquiries relating to the some ICT awards in Nigeria, and as the umbrella association of operators in the Nigerian telecommunications/ICT industry, as well as an industry advocacy group, ATCON believes that it is about time to introduce a level of sanity into the business of ICT awards in Nigeria to save the sector and the nation from image problems.
Dr. Ekuwem expressed Atcon’s resolve to ensure a credible and internationally recognized and respected ICT awards in Nigeria, while calling on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), all ICT professional Associations and concerned industry stakeholders to work together to set up a "Nigerian Digital Awards Standards Committee" which will set the mandatory standards for credible awards selection processes for the sector.
Such a panel he said should be composed of respected, principled, objective, relevant and experienced professionals should be selected or constituted by the NCC and the body of industry Associations to handle the evaluation and selection processes in accordance with the provision of the Nigerian Digital Awards Standards Committee.
"This panel will source inputs from such organizations as the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Corporate Affairs commission (CAC), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Consumer Rights Groups, etc. during the process of evaluation of nominees for the awards," he said.
He explained that all the relevant industry groups which include Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon), Association of Licensed Telephone Operators of Nigeria (Alton), Internet Services Providers Association of Nigeria (Ispan), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (Ispon), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (Itan), Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Nigerian Internet Registration Agency (Nira), Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), Association of Cyber-cafe & Tele-centre Operators of Nigeria (Acton), Nigerian GSM Association, and many others playing a supervisory role in the evaluation, selection and award processes to ensure compliance to laid down standards.
The body said it recognizes the fact that any group, organization or individual has a right to reward a group, an organization or individual with recognition, honour, prize or award for patronage and support received or contributions towards a noble goal. "Obviously, it is misleading and fraudulent to overtly or covertly design such a private business to portray an award organised by the Nigerian state or to attempt to give the status of a national award to a purely private award. It is also unethical for awards to be issued on ‘cash-and-carry basis’. There must be some rational control over this ugly situation to save our dear nation the image of a country where just anything goes," he said.
