ITAN @ Dinner, Tasks CT Minister on Moving Industry Forward

The Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) has listed job creation and capacity building, eGovernment and local content as some of the key ingredients to achieving the the ferederal government transformation Agenda.
ITAN at a an interactive dinner session in Lagos with Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, also appraised the minister with the harmonization that had taking place among all IT stakeholders and the preparedness of the industry to address its challenges with one voice.
Mrs. Florence Seriki, president of ITAN commended the minister for honouring the invitation to meet the industry.
She said that “this is the first time ever that a serving minister will be meeting the industry that falls within the purview of her ministry to seek ways of collaborating and addressing the challenges that the industry players face”
The interactive dinner session, organized by ITAN, was the  first ever in the industry and was designed to pave the way for industry and government to build a synergy to achieve clear cut goals on advancing the sector.
Seriki, who is also the CEO of Omatek Computers Ventures Plc said that “the industry is here tonight to speak as one voice on the challenges it faces. ITAN wants to key into the transformational agenda of the government and ITAN desires that the ministry will involve stakeholders in the implementation of the government’s transformational agenda.
Responding, the minister assured stakeholders of government’s desire to work with them and to create the right environment for the promotion of indigenous IT ventures.
She said ‘Guidelines for Local Content in the IT’ industry is set for release soon by the Federal Government as part of its policy to encourage growth of the local industry particularly the indigenous hardware and software sub-sectors.
In his contribution, Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Computer urged government to create demand for products of the local IT industry.
 “In every market, local industry players are protected because to recycle wealth, create jobs and build local content. Government must support the local OEMs – original equipment manufacturers- by driving demand,” said Ekeh. 
Adding his voice, Mr. Willy Aniebulam, managing director of Beta Computers Limited said that “I cannot produce and store up goods in the warehouse when government would rather buy from outside than from me. Government is the biggest spender in any economy therefore, only government can ensure greater patronage of local manufacturers.”
He said government has to lead in revving up demand for local computer manufacturers.
Also speaking for the industry, Dr Gabriel Obi, former head of the Computer Professional Registration Council (CPN) tasked the minister to end the disconnect between the local industry, the industry professionals, and government.
“We believe this will be the beginning of a more engaging relationship between the industry and the government through your ministry which creation we all canvassed for.  There has to be a strategic framework that is unique to Nigeria; a framework that addresses our unique circumstances. Government role is to promote strategic investment and to encourage the local industry to innovate and recreate solutions that address our unique needs,” said Dr Obi.
To Mr. Chris Uwaje, president of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), government must not relent in its efforts to support the local software industry through sufficient policy framework. He canvassed for a positive economic turn-around through the creation of a robust local software industry. Government must bring its weight and patronage to bear on the local software industry if it desires to expand national income beyond crude oil export.
The Minister acknowledged these points.
“I have to be the No.1 promoter of ‘made-in-Nigeria’ products. I have to lead the campaign in consumer preference marketing” she said;
She added that the “The ministry is resuscitating the policy of patronizing local brands. It is specifying the minimum specifications and the industry itself has a role to play to ensure enforcement of the policy.”
According to the minister, there is already a policy to encourage students in tertiary institutions to own devices: laptops, PCs and tablets worth over a million units. 50% of these must be local brands.
The onus is on the local players to make local brands cheaper and equally competitive in terms of quality.
Many key Stakeholders and elders in the industry like Chief Odeyemi – the first Provost, The current Provost – Alh Oguneye formally MD of Datasciences, Chief Ayodele of labyet Polaris, Mr Aghanenu of Innovative Computers equally spoke.  Mr Balogun of Brian spoke regarding how to assist local manufacturers  and those at the Otigba Ikeja market whilst Dr Emmanuel  Ekuwen supported the capacity building request by ITAN for its members