ICT Industry Taps Uwaje to Lead NCS ahead of Elections

Following an amendment to its constitution during the 24th National Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) held at Le Meridien Ibom Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in 2012, it appears that the Professor David Adewumi, the incumbent president may not re-contest during the elections in July this year.

However grapevines in the industry on Tuesday pointed at Chris Uwaje as among those gearing up to occupy the position come July during the  Conference in Akure, Ondo State.

Uwaje is a fellow of NCS and had served several years as the President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

The 12th International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) will be holding from Wednesday 22 to Friday July 24, 2015 under the theme: “Information Technology for Inclusive Development”.

Annually, the NCS Conference provides opportunities for multiple stakeholders to engage each other on creating initiatives, supporting existing projects and building partnerships to enable the development of an inclusive and prosperous information and knowledge-based economy.

Scholars, business persons, IT practitioners, government policymakers, and the general public are expected to attend this focused event. The 2015 conference will address the benefits, opportunities and challenges, and issues related to inclusion and information technology, which are of major concern to the local and global IT community.

In addition, every two years, NCS elects new leaders and this year happens to be its election year.

Uwaje, known as the Oracle of the Nigerian IT Industry, pioneered the conceptualization Framework and content drafting strategy for the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Policy for Nigeria.

The source, who pleaded for the name not to be mentioned due to the fact, NCS has not lifted ban on election campaigns, said as the former regional director for D-link International – West Africa, Uwaje is qualified to steer the ship should Adewumi not be allowed to re-contest.

The source said, “Uwaje is grounded in the Nigerian and global IT terrain and can reinvigorate the passion Adewumi stands for”.

“Aside Uwaje, there are other personalities that can stand for the elections. Hence you are a Fellow of the Society and grounded in the tenets of IT profession, what stops you from contesting. But Uwaje has the charisma and commands some influences. He can approach the government and make case for the Society”.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that during the 2012 conference, NCS amended its guidelines, mandating a member to stand for election and lead for two years.

When contacted, Mr. Iyiola Ayoola, director Corporate Communications at NCS said he cannot substantiate the report, adding that NCS is currently focused on arrangements for the Conference coming up in Akure.

He said, “The truth is that the general elections, in recent times, overshadowed so many programmes. Actually, NCS will elect new leaders during the conference in Akure, but at the moment, we are focused on addressing issues with regards to the Conference papers, accommodations, and other logistics.

“We have launched the Ondo State Chapter of the Society with Olajuyigbe Ebenezer serving as the State Chairman and who will serve as the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC). So, at this moment, I cannot tell who is contesting or and whether the incumbent president will stand in for another elections until we are ready to address the media”.

As at 2013, requirements for contesting the office of NCS President entail contestants must be a Fellow of the Society and a Registered Member of CPN; must have served in the NEC for at least a total number of 4 years; must demonstrate excellent knowledge of the core values/traditions of the Society and must be a paid up member of both NCS and CPN as at when due. 

NCS conference remains the Nigeria’s largest tech assembly of professionals and stakeholders from business, industry, education, government and social communities attracts attendees, presenters and organizations from all over world.

It is the key networking and professional event for advancing Information Technology for Development and promoting the interests of IT stakeholders in Nigeria.

Sub-themes for this year’s conference are Smart city & broadband penetration; Innovation and Leadership in IT; Cashless Society & e-Payment systems; Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (CIIP); Cloud computing & Big data; Social Networks and Next Generation Networking and the Internet.

Others are IT Human Capital Development (Mentorship); e-Health/e-Education/e-Agriculture/e-Tourism/e-Government; Entrepreneurship development in the IT sector; Software Technologies/Local Content Issues; Mobility for Inclusion; Funding Nigerian IT Industry and Marketing and Selling Made-in-Nigeria Software.