Diversification of Nigeria’s economy tops agenda at computer society’s confab

The 13th edition of the annual conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has come and gone, but it left echoes of a well organised event which drew participants from all walks of life to the Chida International Hotel, Abuja.
The 2017 edition was theme ‘Information Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development’. ICT industry players, academics, researchers and thought leaders spoke and proffered solutions to challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians; particularly as it affects the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and how far it could go to advance the course of the country, especially in the onerous task of diversifying the nation’s economy.
Other areas of concentration by participants, speakers and facilitators included Poverty Eradication, Food security and Digital inclusion eHealth, mHealth and Innovation Sustainable Healthcare for All, Digital Economies: Capacity Building, Startups and Youth Innovation, Sustainable Infrastructure for Innovation, Research and Development.
Others are closing the Digital Gender Gap, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change – the IT Innovation Imperative, Smart Cities, IT Parks and Digital Nations, E-Government, Digital Development and E-Readiness, Cyber security, Infrastructure Protection and Digital Privacy, Education for All through ICT Innovation and Disruptive Technologies for Sustainability: Mobility, IoT, Big Data and Cloud.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the NCS, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, said “We give thanks to God for making it possible for participants, presenters and resource persons to travel from all over the world to assemble for this most important event.
“Sustainability issues have both local and global dimensions. A world in which poverty, inequalities, environmental threats and human insecurity thrive, threatens the present and the future. Tech advances have obviously transformed the world, but very significant divides societal and digital remain and are expanding. The challenges are not new but innovative ICT oriented models, responses and culture are needed.
“Our present economic challenges show clearly that oil is not our future. A strategic ICT focus on sustainability through local content and other critical elements is the way forward. The conference will bring the issues of inclusion and sustainability to the front burner. The Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a huge agenda.
Tackling these huge challenges using IT innovation is what this year’s conference entails. It is an agenda for current and future generations. The goals are ambitious but achievable. The IT community is equal to the task,” he stated.
He acknowledged the role of their partners – National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Computer Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Sidmach Technologies, Data Sciences, MainOne, Zinox, SystemsSpec, DCK, RLG and Powersoft Ltd, among others.