Sofoluwe: IT pros condole UNILAG, say he’s thoroughbred

NCS president, Sir 'Demola, Acting VC, UNILAG, Prof. Ade-Bello, Dr. Salako

The leadership of the Information Technology profession under the aegis of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has paid a condolence visit to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) community over the demise of its Vice Chancellor, late Prof. Tokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe.

The NCS delegation led by its president, Sir ’Demola Aladekomo, described late Prof. as a thoroughbred Information Technology (IT) professional.

ITRealms Online recalls that Prof. Sofoluwe was pronounced dead at the early hours of Saturday, May 12, 2012 and is a Fellow of the NCS and a prominent figure in the Information Technology profession in Nigeria.

The NCS delegation led by its president, Sir ’Demola Aladekomo, were received by the University senate led by Professor Rahman Ade-Bello, the newly appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Later the delegation left to the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge to condole with the widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Funmi Sofoluwe, where they were received by Professors Olayide Abass and H. O. D. Longe.

The leader of the delegation and President of Nigeria Computer Society, Sir  ’Demola described the late Prof. Sofoluwe as a thoroughbred IT professional, an academic giant and an astute administrator who rose through the ranks through hardwork, commitment and dedication.

Prayers were offered for the repose of the soul and the well being of his family after the presentation of the condolence letter to the widow of the deceased, Dr. (Mrs.) Sofoluwe.

The delegation included the Vice-President of Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), Mrs. Sekinat  Yusuf, Immediate Past President of the Nigeria Computer  Society, Professor Charles  Uwadia, Provost of the College of Fellows, Alhaji  Oladimeji  Moshood  Ogunneye, Former  Provost of the College of Fellows and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria  Internet Registration  Association (NIRA), Dr. Isaac  Odeyemi.

Other members of the delegation include Dr. Abimbola  Salako, President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr.  Chris Uwaje and Mr. Sam Juwe, to name a few.

Remmy Nweke

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Support women, girls to embrace ICT – Mrs. Johnson

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has called on Federal, State Ministries, Departments, Local Governments, Private Sectors to support women and girls to take up career in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).

She described the theme of this year’s event, ‘Women and Girls in ICT’ as a wakeup call to all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Private Sector, civil society and other stakeholders

Speaking in her Office on Thursday, May 17, 2012 on the celebration of the 2012 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the Minister said that such support could be through scholarship schemes, special competitions in ICT amongst girls and women as well as employment opportunities to help empower them to live better lives and reduce poverty.

She also said that the demand for a range of ICT skills around the globe presents a unique window of opportunity to properly position girls and women in the industry and provide them with the tools necessary to succeed.

According to her, relevant government ministries and agencies should prioritise the implementation of policies that develop human talent and the rigid skill set for the building of a vibrant and diversified ICT sector, mostly by engaging women and girls at all levels in order to fully utilize and promote the full breadth of talent in the country.

She identified social behaviours, culture, and religious tradition as some of the challenges repelling women and young girls from pursuing careers in ICT.

Mrs. Johnson explained that women as the bedrock of society should be given all the necessary support needed to embrace careers in ICTs.

The 2012 World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) celebration marks the 44th Telecommunication and 7th Information Society Day. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has adopted the theme, “Women and Girls in ICT”.

The theme, she said, is aimed at harnessing the full potential of ICTs for the benefit of women and girls by eliminating gender disparities and empowering them to meet this goals and aspirations not only from the cradle but from antenatal health care, reaching out to the remote communities, with every mother, every girl and every woman guaranteed her birth right.

Mrs. Johnson also backed ITU's recent  International Girls’ Day initiative, an initiative launched through the  (ITU) Resolution 70 with the idea of creating a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field of information and communications technologies.

The union declared the 26th of April every year as a day of encouragement to girls and young women to consider careers in ICT, with a reminder on society to support them in their choice of career.

Remmy Nweke
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MTN denies PDP allegations of impropriety

Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, MTN Nigeria has described as ‘patently untrue’ the allegations made against the company in two fresh affidavits filed in support of a suit by the Ekiti and Osun State chapters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the company.

The industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was also joined as a defendant in the suit.

MTN’s Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Wale Goodluck, in a statement in Lagos made available to ITRealms Online, said the allegations made in an affidavit sworn to by a former General Manager of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Solomon Ogundele, were odious and reprehensible.

“MTN Nigeria is not at liberty to comment on the details of the matter of PDP V MTN&NCC, as they are sub judice. However, we reject in no uncertain terms the allegations made by the plaintiffs in this case and their agents. Not only are they patently untrue, they have absolutely no bearing on the issues in this case. They are designed to distract and muddy the waters. MTN Nigeria will make a detailed response to these odious and reprehensible allegations through normal court processes,” Goodluck said.

He further urged MTN’s customers and the general public to disregard the frivolous and mischievous allegations, stressing that the company remained committed to upholding the sanctity of the law of the land and would never infringe them under any circumstances.
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FG says non-patronage of local OEMs is economic sabotage

The Federal Government has said that non-patronage of accredited local Original Equipment Manufacturers in the country by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is economic sabotage.

It also said that violators of this directive are liable to imprisonment and fine or both.

Sounding this note of warning at the opening session of a two-day retreat for the National Technical Committee (NTC) on Development of Standards for Information Technology Hardware in Lagos on Tuesday, through the office of Director-General, National IT Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye, FG said that after the retreat and issuance of the guidelines it would be regarded as economic sabotage if MDAs do not patronize Nigeria IT products.

“Indeed the act will be an offence punishable by a prison term and fine under the NITDA Act,” he declared.

Angaye who was represented at the occasion by the Director, Standards pointed out that public procurement of non made-in-Nigeria computers and related IT products where the certified local brands exist is condemnable.

According to him, public funds should only be expended on locally manufactured products, stressing that in order to benefit from this policy; multinationals are invited to set up production or assembly plants in Nigeria.

“With more than half the population of West Africa, Nigeria has a large market to justify foreign direct investment in IT,” he said.

NITDA boss also insisted that display and use of non made-in-Nigeria computers in government offices and for government businesses where certified local brands are available is unpatriotic and act of sabotage.

A monitoring unit, he said, has been created within NITDA to undertake regular checks to ensure that this regulation is complied with throughout the Federal Public Service.

Additionally, he disclosed that by the time the new guideline would be issued, the use of non made-in-Nigeria computers in public schools nationwide, would be seen as anti-local OEMs, maintaining that accreditation of schools and renewal will depend partly on the establishment of IT labs equipped with locally manufactured IT products.

He recalls that NTC is a broad-based, stakeholder organ in IT governance established by NITDA, which was inaugurated last November by the Hon. Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson.

Members of NTC, he said, include 11 institutional members are the foundation members. They include: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ministry of Communications Technology, NCC, Galaxy Backbone plc, CPN, NCS, ISPON, ITAN, CAPDAN, NIG, ISPAN among others.

Remmy Nweke & Yinka Awosanya

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