News
Ispon Strategies to Improve Software Competition Milestones
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.
British High Commission in Nigeria has reiterated the strong, long-standing relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria following the release of the UK Immigration White Paper earlier today.
A spokesperson for the High Commission stated that the UK remains a top destination for Nigerians seeking opportunities to work, study, visit, and settle, acknowledging the valuable contributions Nigerians make to the UK economy and society.
The White Paper outlines reforms to legal migration, aimed at restoring order, control, and fairness to the system while promoting economic growth.
The spokesperson assured that changes would be gradual, with further engagement between the UK and Nigerian government officials once implementation details are finalized.
“The UK has a proud tradition as an outward-looking nation, investing and trading abroad, and welcoming the creativity, ideas, and diversity of those who come to contribute here,” the spokesperson said.
The UK government has pledged to work closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure a smooth transition as the new immigration policies take effect
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed nine electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to compensate Band A customers residing in 557 streets across their franchise areas for failing to meet the minimum power supply requirement under the new electricity tariff regime.
According to NERC, the affected DisCos must implement compensation across 152 electricity feeders due to poor supply in April.
The compensation will be provided through electricity credit or improved power supply, as outlined in the April 2025 Multi-Year Tariff Order.
The directive affects the following DisCos:
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)
Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC)
Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED)
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO)
Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO)
Ikeja Electric (IE)
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)
Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)
The development follows a tariff hike of over 300% for Band A customers in 2024, which mandated a minimum daily power supply of 20 hours. Despite the increase, many consumers have continued to report poor service delivery, leading to the latest compensation directive.
NERC stated that affected DisCos must upgrade power supply in designated areas or provide electricity credits to customers who experienced service failures.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately disclose whether it has commenced the direct disbursement of allocations to the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, following the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment nullifying state governors’ control over LGA funds.
In a letter dated 10 May 2025 obtained by our correspondent, addressed to the CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group also demanded that the bank “widely publish the amounts, if any, so far sent directly to each of the local governments” and provide a detailed explanation of any payments already made—particularly to LGAs in Rivers State.
The group stated: “We are writing to request you to use your good offices and leadership position to immediately disclose whether the CBN has commenced the direct disbursement of allocations to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria from the Federation Accounts with the CBN, and to widely publish the amounts, if any, so far sent to each of the local governments.”
This request follows a Supreme Court judgment declaring the practice by governors and the FCT Minister of retaining and disbursing LGA allocations unconstitutional and unlawful.
The court ruled that no governor or agency has the authority to interfere with allocations meant for LGAs from the Federation Account.
Citing this judgment, SERAP argued: “Local government councils are entitled to a direct payment from the Federation Account of the amount standing to their credit in the said Federation Account. States should not be collecting, receiving, spending or tampering with the local government council funds from the Federation Account meant for the benefit of the councils.”
The advocacy group expressed concern that despite the ruling, many state governors have continued to “starve local governments of funds and put them in peril,” thereby undermining their autonomy and capacity to function as the third tier of government.
In the letter, the group warned that if the CBN fails to act within seven days, it would take legal action.
“If we have not heard from you by then, the Incorporated Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.
SERAP referenced a past revelation by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who in December 2022 described how governors allegedly short-changed LGA chairmen.
“If the money from the Federation Account to the state is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the chairman, but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with,” Buhari had said.
The organisation argued that the CBN has a constitutional and statutory obligation to protect the financial interests of all tiers of government.
“The CBN ought to act in the public interest to protect the allocations in the Federation Account and the public funds disbursed from that Account directly to each of the constitutionally recognised three tiers of government,” it said.
Highlighting the March 2025 revenue distribution by the Federation Account Allocation Committee, SERAP noted that a total of N1.578 trillion was shared among the three tiers of government. It queried whether the LGAs had received their fair share directly, as mandated by the court ruling.
“Ensuring that all restrictions against direct disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the 774 councils are lifted will comply with the orders by the Supreme Court and stop states and the FCT from tampering with the allocations ahead of the 2027 general elections,” SERAP warned.
The group further argued that Nigerians have a legal and moral right to know how their money is being managed, referencing several legal frameworks, including the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information. Nigerians are entitled to the right to receive information without any interference or distortion, and the enjoyment of this right should be based on the principle of maximum disclosure,” SERAP stated.
The group also reminded the CBN that “the Freedom of Information Act is applicable and applies to public records in the Federation, including those kept by the CBN.”
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