NCS Reassures Nigerians on Building Knowledge Based Economy

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has reassured Nigerians on its commitment to facilitating the emergence of the country’s knowledge based economy.

To provide the strategies and solutions, NCS said that it will be organizing 2014 flagship conference under the theme, “Building a Knowledge-Based Economy in Nigeria: The Role of IT”.

NCS, the nation’s foremost and largest network of Information Technology (IT) Professionals, Interest groups and Stakeholders has been consistent in playing its change agent role in society through sustainable and inclusive Information Technology (IT) advocacy and empowerment.

In over 35 years of existence, NCS advocacy has led to the establishment of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Ministry of Communication Technology.

Jide Awe, chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services (NCS), reads that, “2014 is another year for the delivery of value to the Nigerian economy and society by the IT profession and industry, and for NCS the priority focus is on building a knowledge based society. Nigeria’s developmental challenges of unemployment, poverty, disease and low quality of life are daunting and must be resolved. This urgently calls for vision that is both audacious and innovative. Achieving social and economic development requires the building of a knowledge economy through significant IT driven change in finance, education, health, agriculture, governance and other critical sectors.

“For NCS, 2014 is a year of Innovative Vision and Opportunities requiring strategy and action to connect IT to growth opportunities for job creation, income generation, enterprise development, capacity building and export. Focus areas to enable such growth in 2014 include mobile apps, e-government, social media, software education and entrepreneurship, local content development, youth innovation, research/development and IT security. A strengthened and strategically positioned IT sector is integral to progress. The policy and environmental issues are also critical. In line with the vision of NCS the solution lies in actively facilitating the development of an inclusive, globally competitive and prosperous Nigeria that is significantly information technology-based and knowledge-driven”.

He added that aligning with this innovative vision, the NCS 2014 conference will therefore explore the challenges, opportunities and strategies.

The NCS conference is Nigeria’s largest annual gathering of high-level stakeholders in IT which brings together scholars, business persons, IT practitioners, government policymakers, educators, civil society and the general public.

“It will provide unique opportunities to share insights and experiences towards building a knowledge-based economy in Nigeria. What is the role of information technology? What are the priority issues? What are the critical success factors?

“Already a Call for Papers has been issued for the conference holding in July 2014. To ensure full stakeholder involvement NCS is seeking participation and submissions (papers, products, innovations etc.) from academia, industry and civil society related to the theme and sub themes. Sub-Themes include: “Broadband Access for All: Strategies and Tactics”; “Training and Education for the Youths and IT Industry in Nigeria”; “Mobile Application Technology in Nigeria: A Case Study for Innovation & Transformation”; “Application of knowledge Technologies and Engineering in National Development,”’ he added.

NCS is also looking forward to other stakeholders to join in embracing the possibilities, setting the agenda and shaping the future. For NCS building a knowledge based economy is not an end in itself.

It is a means to overall prosperity. It is about enabling Nigeria and Nigerians to live their dreams and fulfill potentials by making sure the nation effectively leverages on IT to survive, thrive and be globally competitive in the digital economy.