Members of the national information and communication professionals are still conspicuously missing from the list of delegates to the proposed National Conference.
The inauguration of the National Conference will hold on Monday, March 17 at the National Judicial Institute (Along Airport Road,), Abuja, beginning from 4.30 pm.
Meanwhile, the Presidency on Thursday made adjustments to the delegates list, by way of “updates, changes and adjustments”.
The modifications, as announced in a statement signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, are as follows: Elder Statesmen, Dr. Kunle Olajide from Ekiti State replaces Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
Traditional Rulers: His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro, the Etsu of Bwari replaces His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ismail Danlami Mohammed, Sarki of Karshi on the request of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.
Women Groups (National Council of Women Societies): Mrs. Millicent Okoronkwo replaces Mrs. Love Ezema on the request of the National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria.
Political Parties (APGA): The nomination of Chief Chris Ejike Uche and Dr. Sagir Auwal Maidoya to represent APGA is withdrawn to allow the Party resolve the issue of its nominees.
Socio-Political/Cultural and Ethnic Nationality Groups: South West Geo-Political Zone- Prince Rabiu Oluwa replaces Supo Sonibare, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle replaces Barr. Niyi Akintola, SAN whose nameis retained in the Oyo State delegates list, among other changes and addendum.
However, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) had express dismay over the nonchalant attitude of the conference conveyors who excluded IT professionals from the list.
NCS believes that the discussions on the future of the nation cannot be complete without IT applications.
Professor David Adewumi, president of the Society, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek exclusively, that the exclusion of IT professionals should be a source of worry to every right thinking Nigerian.
He said it was puzzling that IT professionals are missing from the list which recognized students and market women.
Adewunmi said: “On the national conference, our perception in NCS is that the exclusion of IT professionals in the composition of delegates is a clear indication of marginalization of the industry by the government. That is why they never thought of including the all important agents of change; the present and future drivers of the economy.
“No gathering in the 21st Century, particularly those aiming at development and improvement of the lives of individuals, which will not involve the IT, technology and the professionals. I wouldn’t know the thinking in the government that made them to push the professionals to the background. We are still insisting that we should be part of the gathering; so that we can add impetus to the gathering, by looking at building IT for our future existence.
“They involved professionals drawn from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), others from among architectural body in the country. Students and market women made part of the list. We are using this medium to call on President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider its position so that IT professionals can be represented on the national conference. We know that with IT being reflected on the national course a number of innovations and usage will reflect in building the future we crave for as a unified people,” he said.
“Should IT professionals not being recognized or engaged on the discussion, the implication for the country will not be palatable, in the sense that no country can survive today without a working IT ecosystem. I am sure the intention of the government is to ensure that all facet of the economy are improved upon. The improvement entails inter-tribal relationships, inter-ethnic and even inter-governmental, and then it should be inclusive. If we want to involve everybody without the IT, the implication may assume than what we are seeing today,” he argued.
Meanwhile, Anyim Pius Anyim, secretary general of the Federation while releasing the modified list comprising 492 delegates also announced that Invited to attend the inauguration ceremony are former presidents and heads of state; the leadership of political parties; members of the National Assembly; state governors; Hon. members of the Judiciary; members of the Federal Executive Council; members of the Diplomatic Corps; religious Leaders; and traditional Rulers.