The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (Ispon), organizers of the National Software Conference and Competition in Nigeria have disclosed its readiness to improve on the milestone and success of last year’s edition.
In 2011, Ispon had in Tinapa Knowledge City (TKC), Calabar, Cross River State engaged the global knowledge community in her expression of interest as the organization to champion the future and knowledge society development for Nigeria.
One of the strong points and highlights of the this year’s event was the appointment of Engineer Ernest Ndukwe, a world-Class ICT Brainbox as the “Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador” (DKA) for the 2012 National Software Conference and Competition.
Speaking at a press conference to flag off the competition, Senator Liyel Imoke, Cross River State Governor highlighted imperatives of the conference thus, “Today, digital revolution – as a fruit of ICT usage – has not only exerted a profound impact on modern business life or on our daily ways of working or living, but has also entered deeply into the public domain.
“Governance and administrative institutions – ranging from local to national – are steadily adjusting to the new potential offered by modern cyberspace (mainly software and cloud technology).
Imoke who was represented by Mr. Henry Asor, his Personal Assistant on I.T identified the theme for this year’s conference; “The Cloud andthe Future of Software Nigeria” and Ndukwe’s appointment as “Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador” as both significant and timely in many ways.
“It seeks to promote conscious national awareness on the imperatives for developing Nigeria’s indigenous intellectual property in the software knowledge space. It also aims to harness our collective IT potentials, resources, capacity and capability as a national priority for global competitiveness, and bringing the right frame of minds to explore the benefits, barriers and potential actions to consider when accelerating software engineering and cloud adoption in Nigeria”.
He expressed confidence that the knowledge conference and competition adventure will unleash the currently suppressed ideas and creativity of Nigerian Software Professionals and the entrepreneurial spirit and skills of her teeming youths, as well as create the platform for beneficial networking and business attractions.
Earlier, Dr. Chris Uwaje, Ispon’s president noted that Tinapa 2011 was a sell-out inaugural event with close to 1000 participants for the Conference and participant segments adding that 2012 event promises to be exceptional in all respects.
Uwaje said: “Cross River State Government – our main host and partner – has committed to raising the bar for quality of the conference and ensure a memorable, beneficial and sustainable experience.
One of the key factors behind last year’s success was the quality and range of individuals and organisations spread across Africa, Asia and the Americas. This enriched the Round table Interactive sessions and breathtaking presentations.
“The central challenge for 2012 is how to improve on the milestone and success of last year’s conference and competition. This is why we have completely re-strategized and revamped the entire branding, speaker, panel of judges’ faculties”. He added
He assured participants of an inspirational experience. “The Cloud and the Future of Software Nigeria addresses the overriding mission of the ISPON National Software Conference/Software Competition for tertiary institutions; is to promote conscious national awareness on the imperatives for developing Nigeria’s indigenous intellectual property in the software knowledge space,” he maintained.
In his acceptance speech, Dr, Ndukwe promised to leave above the mandate and responsibilities expected of him some of which include lead the ISPON National Software Conference and Competition 2012 Team to harness the potentials of Software Nigeria at local and International levels; ensure the Sponsorship and Promotional Success of National Software Competition 2012 Brand, at Public and Private Sector levels and unveil the National Software Competition 2012 Trophy to the Sponsors, Media and Public at large.
He will also serve as motivational speaker to the Nigerian Youth Competitors registered for the competition, among other expectations.