Itan Partners Mandriva Linux, Omatek, Zinox, others for OSPC

Making a presentation at the OS-CISI & Mandriva session at the just concluded 22nd National Conference and 30th Anniversary of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS),

Conference, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, president, Itan, indicated that the OSPCs are PCs, laptops, notebooks and thumb drives engendered by old students in the government both federal, states and local, private sector and in all areas of national life for primary, secondary and post secondary schools throughout Nigeria.

Through the OS-CISI model, at least one million OSPCs powered by ML and its suites of educational software are projected to be deployed to primary, secondary and post secondary schools in Nigeria by the year 2015.

Dr Olufuye further announced the accreditation of OSPC OEM Gold Partners which include Omatek Computers, Zinox Technologies, Brian Technologies and Beta Computers at the event.

The OEMs are certified to deliver the hardware powered by ML with embedded educational applications for Mathematics, Languages, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics among others.

Centre for Information and Technology Systems (CITS), the University of Lagos; Yobe State Government, Ogun State Government, Kano State Government, Education Trust Fund, ECOWAS Commission are among organizations and governments that were recognized as OS-CISI Strategic Partners in recognition of their support for the OSPC scheme. More organizations will be recognized as the scheme progresses Dr Olufuye indicated.

Similarly Mr. Dele Ajisomo, managing director, Mandriva West Africa, expressed appreciation to Itan for appointing ML as its software partner on the Project and assured of Mandriva’s full support and assistance throughout the OS- CISI project life cycle vis-à-vis train-the-trainer programme, research & development, technical and professional services through the Mandriva Academy that would be set up with Itan’s Strategic/OEM Partners on the Project.

Mandriva he said is the publisher of the award winning and easy to use Mandriva Linux Desktop and Server products (operating system, Open Office, educational and financial applications, games etc. "Mandriva is one of the most popular Linux editions in the world with a global client base in excess of 7 million" Mr Ajisomo said.

Dr Olufuye however encouraged all stakeholders desirous for the realization of the Vision 20 20 to embrace the scheme aimed at boosting human capacity beyond 2020 for sustainable national development.

"As a technology neutral platform, ITAN is prepared to partner with all hardware and software manufacturers, resellers and engineers to drive this intervention across the country. We therefore remain opened to new partners in whatever way they wish to contribute to the initiative", he said.