NOTAP DG Hosts New ISPON National Executive Council

Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim, Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) recently hosted the new National Executive Council of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

Receiving the ISPON NEC at the NOTAP headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Ibrahim congratulated and commended them for the strategic plan they have outlined to run the institute which centres on human capacity development, creating awareness on software and establishing trustworthiness.

He described the plan as laudable adding that with full commitment to the implementation of the plan, the narratives on software development will begin to change towards the technological advancement of the country.

Dr. Ibrahim informed the ISPON NEC that the Local Content Policy which the office is implementing with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is yielding positive results adding that requests for technology transfer registration from any government agency on software is strictly referred to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for clearance to avoid registering foreign software that are locally available.

The Director General recounted the hurdles NOTAP encountered in institutionalizing the Local Vendor Policy aimed at developing the capacity of local software developers stressing that the office had strong opposition but stood its ground to ensure that the policy is fully implemented for the technological development of the country.

He said NOTAP shares the same vision with ISPON on the development of indigenous technological capabilities and expressed confidence that working with the new ISPON team, the vision will be fully realized.

Earlier, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, President of the ISPON said the visit to NOTAP is the first that the new NEC is undertaking to any organization stressing that NOTAP was considered key because of its strategic importance, strength and capacity in intellectual property.

He identified areas that the new council will focus on which includes policy advocacy, employment and entrepreneurship, ICT education and community development.

The ISPON President said Nigerians are outstanding abroad by expressing great courage, determination and commitment in their various endeavors and sees no reason why these great values cannot be replicated at home for the rapid development of the country.

He also hinted on other plans of the institute which are human capital development, improved awareness on software, talent discovery and National priority for domestic export of technology products and services adding that these plans would be fully realized working with relevant Stakeholders like NOTAP.

A committee is expected to be set up to study the documented presentation of ISPON to NOTAP for a proper working direction.