Stakeholders Harp on Public-private institute

Information technology stakeholders have urged for the establishment an information technology public-private institute, which would be responsible for the digital transformation of Nigeria.
This was the view of participants at the 3rd information technology public-private forum organized by Information technology association of Nigeria (Itan) in collaboration with world information technology and service alliance, (Witsa), held in Abuja.
Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Itan President, identified ICT as the only key driver that can take the country to vision 2020, noting it should not be allowed to take the backstage.
He said that the only way out is for Nigeria to have an ICT institute that would provide capacity building, infrastructural development and promote transparency and accountability as well as empower the people digitally by the year 2020. He cited ICT Institute in Taiwan as example which transformed its citizens and developed the country within a short period of time.
He called on the delegates at the forum to adopt a strategy and a map out platform that would serve as effective mobilization for digital vision 20: 2020 for Nigerians.
In a key note address Dr. James Poisant, Secretary General Witsa who spoke through remote cable connection from far away Europe said that Nigeria must embrace the digital age, adding that they must place information and communication technology at the epic center of decision making and resource allocations in order to prepare the country to be capable of taking advantage of the many benefits that the new information age offers.
According to him, Nigeria ranks 90 out of 134 countries in Network readiness and need to create a sense of urgency to meet the challenges of the digital age; adding that failure to do that will hinder vision 20: 2020 from becoming a reality.
The Witsa secretary General also said that the technology revolution plays out differently around the world as not all countries will be capable of taking advantage of the revolution, because they don’t have the necessary infrastructure or resources to integrate the technology applications within there societies.
He called on Nigerian government to adopt policies that would promote the establishment of infrastructure and the use of information and communications technology to improving living condition of her citizenry.
Mr. Dato’Dan E.  Khoo, Chairman, Witsa who was represented by Mrs. Florence Seriki, Group managing director, Omatek and vice president Itan said that public private cooperation is critical for every developing nation. She stressed the need to work together as twin engines of growth to drive the economy and raise the standard of living of the country.
 She noted that Nigeria has set a target for becoming one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020, and that it is vital for ICT leaders and policy makers to ensure that structures are put in place to ensure that ICT plays its role in realization the vision.