K-B Economy: Fulcrum of 25th Annual NCS National Conference

In 2014, when access to information is viral and open to an increasing number of the global populace, it is a paradox to think that ignorance would reign anywhere.

Truth be told, however, ignorance still reigns in our land. From public policy initiatives, private programmes and actions, the country’s economy is driven by oil exports and dependent on import for survival.

However, the 21st century experience is upon us. Nations all over the globe have continued to diversify and invest in information technology [IT] and knowledge as the bedrock of their economies.

With recent commercialization of leading global knowledge products/tools such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and others that are attracting multiple billions of dollars in revenues, it is clear that while mechanization propelled the eighteenth century and industrialization drove nineteenth and twentieth century economies, IT and knowledge are the vehicles driving the twenty-first century economy.

While Nigeria has generally tagged along, the idea of a large-scale investment in a knowledge-based economy is still a far-fetched ideal. Reversing this unwholesome trend was the key discussion at the Nigerian Computer Society [NCS]’s recent 25th annual national conference held at the prestigious Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria.

NCS’ task is cut out already: it is to challenge existing biases, confront actual and imaginary limitations as well provide a framework for the nation’s true transition to a fully-fledged knowledge-based and IT economy.

With the theme ‘Building a Knowledge-Based Economy in Nigeria: The Role of Information Technology’, NCS engaged industry stakeholders on how to develop effective initiatives that would help build partnerships that are necessary to support Nigeria’s transformation into an IT and knowledge-based economy.

To ensure this come into reality, NCS had sub-themes that focused on developing different aspects of the knowledge economy. Some of these include Broadband Access for All, e-Governance Solutions, Harnessing Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Mobile Applications Technology, IT Applications in Different Sectors of the Economy and Security Issues in a Knowledge-Based Economy, among others.

Two major themes, which dominated discussions at the conference were How Information Technology Could Promote Increased Transparency and Accountability in Government and How IT Could Assist Government in Managing the ongoing Toxic Security Situation within Nigeria’s Borders.

The conference agreed that NCS should continue to promote solutions that would assist the government to achieve these two goals in Nigeria, as it is acknowledged that government often drives transformation and that “IT is the hope of the modern day security officer”.

Representing the public sector, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, permanent secretary, Ministry of Communication Technology, who represented the keynote speaker, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the Honourable Minister, did promise an improved relationship with the NCS.

He therefore asked IT professionals to engage the government with solutions that would offer reprieve to pressing national issues such as security, unemployment, public sector inefficiency, etc.

The conference closed with an awards and gala night with a special recognition to former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, for his exemplary service through the deployment of IT solutions for the delivery of qualitative and contemporary education in Anambra State.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Obi appreciated the NCS Executive for the recognition of his achievements while in office.

He implored NCS members to continue to query government officials while charging leadership at all levels to invest in IT for education through the provision of laptops for students, internet access in schools and technology parks that would help the youths to discover and develop their skill towards the development of a knowledge-based economy.

CEOs, policy makers, industry icons, investors, government officials as well as IT experts from the Diaspora and the academia were present at the conference.

Meanwhile, Remita is one of the technology-driven solutions available to help governments in Africa and other emerging economies overcome major challenges militating against accelerated transition to knowledge based economies.

It has a successful track record of assisting governments at different levels [federal, regional, provincial, state &local government]to confront the ghost worker syndrome.

Remita has been adopted by many private and public sector organisations of different sizes for the management of all aspects of their e-payments, e-invoicing, e-collections, e-payroll and e-schedules.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also adopted the platform for the processing all e-payment and e-collection transactions of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Remita is developed by SystemSpecs, Nigeria’s foremost software house and currently processes about $ 3 Billion worth of transactions every month.

Lanre Adelanwa is a free-spirited, hearty-laughing and business minded go-getter currently having a seat, table and laptop to himself at SystemSpecs, Lagos-Nigeria.