Technology in Government Summit /Expo'16 In Line with ‘Change Agenda'- NITPCS

IT professionals in Government - Federal, State and Local Governments in Nigeria under the auspices of the Nigeria Information Technology Professionals in Civil and Public Service (NITPCS); an interest professional group of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) is taking the pull by the horn by standing up to be counted as the critical technology enabler to the current change direction of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria led government.

In an exclusive chat with Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, this new bold move on enabling the "Change Agenda” of Nigeria’s Governments as stated by Raphael Omosola, the NITPCS National President, is predicated on the fact that as civil and public servants and more importantly as IT professionals we are the fulcrum in which the successful implementation of policies and programmes of government rest upon, within government; government to business and to its citizens or otherwise.

NITPCS whose Vision remains to Promote professionalism, provide conducive environment for continuous career development and progression; protection of member’s interest and condition of their practice.

Its Mission: To enable the government to drive the Information Technology (IT) component of IT polices and professionalize “IT” practice in Nigerian Civil/Public services.

Omosola told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that ‎as part of the process of that change, NITPCS will be hosting Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious public sector ICT Summit/Expo in Abuja at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, FCT; April 13th - 15th, 2016. The summit/expo delegates will come primarily from Federal MDAs, State MDAs and Local governments as well as the Legislature and Judiciary.

"We are having over 70+ premium industry exhibitors for this event. The event includes plenary sessions, case studies, insightful and practical innovation roundtables, capacity building and industry based seminars with speakers from both the public and private sector". 

The event, he said, is endorsed and fully supported by Federal Ministry of Communications, Galaxy Backbone Plc (GBB), Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) powered by DMCL.

The three day Technology in Government Summit/Expo is Nigeria’s most prestigious public sector technology event that combines a high level conference with large scale exhibition, bringing together senior public sector leaders, IT professionals and Experts to learn, connect and solve.

"It is a platform that will showcase ICT solutions that will play an integral part in the on going ICT modernisation within the public sector.

"Governments are increasingly becoming smart, efficient and citizen facing with the adoption of appropriate technologies to drive governance and create the requisite enabling environment for national change and transformation.

"Meet over 2000 distinguished top government functionaries, Senior government policy makers, ICT leaders, professionals and stakeholders.
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"Because of the uniqueness of this event and the critical role IT plays globally today, particularly in governments, we are humbly expecting the gracious presence of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) as the Presidential Guest of Honour to declare the event open and a visit to the Expo halls while the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo is expected to grace the Summit Dinner/Awards Night as the Vice Presidential Guest of Honour".

The theme of the summit/expo, he disclosed, is "Information Technology: Enabling  and veritable tool to deliver "Change" in Governance” while the sub themes focuses on things that matter most to government:

Security and Protection of Key National Information Infrastructures

Delivering stream lined services 24x7 in an on demand society

Developing Smart government
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Enabling the strategic use of ICT to deliver on policy and effective governance

Engender Innovation and disruptive technologies

Engaging openly to build and leverage knowledge and foster collaboration

Revenue Assurance and Taxation

Enabling Strategic use of ICT to deliver free and fair elections

Government IT Spending: doing more with less

Intellectual Property Issues in Government with a view of the Cyber Crime Act in a technology enabled public sector

Treasury Single Account (TSA): Operation and Myth - Technology Enablers and Governance

Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Management System (IPPIS)

Nigeria ICT Policies: Impact on government IT Service delivery

He added that NITPCS has begun to collaborate with government entities whose mandate revolves around technology services in the public sector and also will be partnering with private sector technology providers to support government

"NITPCS is therefore fully geared up to support government at all levels to achieve its mandate to Nigerian citizens by ensuring that through the adoption of appropriate technologies governments will begin to realise the following: enhanced efficiency and timeliness
cost reduction in governance; citizen focused service delivery and government to business efficiency.

"Having said that, I on behalf of NITPCS wish to invite the general public to the summit /expo particularly to the expo halls. We are looking forward to welcoming and receiving the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and top government functionaries, IT professionals and Government and Industry Exhibitors.   Summit website: www.techingovt.org.ng", he said.