Emma Okonji
Technology experts in the county are strongly canvassing for IT Development Framework Bill that will further drive Information Technology (IT) to take its rightful place as one of the veritable tools for speedy economic recovery and foreign exchange earner.
The experts said the bill will address all grey areas in the IT industry as well challenges that had bedeviled the industry for decades.
They took the decision during the IT CEO’s Forum, which held recently at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel. The event was convened by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).
The experts were of the view that government should urgently assemble IT experts group to formulate and draft a strategic national Information Technology Framework Bill, since Nigeria does not have a holistic national IT Framework Bill as a fundamental legislative vehicle to organise all other existing ACTs in isolation of each other.
The forum challenged the federal government, the Ministry of Communications, and IT professionals to rise to the task.
It also insisted that to effectively promote national Interest in the emerging knowledge society and new economy, there was need for constructive policy framework and strategies for the development and growth of local content in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
The forum, which was chaired by the Chairman, ZINOX Group, Chief Leo Stan Nnamdi Ekeh, had several captains of industry as well as several stakeholders in the IT industry in attendance.
In his opening remarks, Ekeh emphasised the need for the country to take advantage of the huge ICT market opportunities in the Africa and global IT environment and effectively deliver the benefits of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Nigeria and her people,
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman who talked on the relevance of government in facilitating the development of ICT in Nigeria. He further dwelt on the ICT aspect of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and enjoined the profession to play a lead role and also key into it by assisting the government in the implementation of the strategic items stated in the plan.
The roundtable was moderated by Mr. Chris Uwaje and paraded many quality speakers.
Industry CEOs and stakeholders at the roundtable endorsed the proposal of the CPN President, Professor Charles Uwadia, on the urgent need to establish a National IT Day as a platform for advancing the national IT awareness drive and to celebrate activities and innovation in the Nigerian IT development ecosystem.
The forum insisted that IT intervention for retooling the national workforce, remained a strategic imperative, adding that intellectual property in science, technology and promotion of indigenous research should be encouraged as fundamental to the development, progress, wealth creation and survivability of the nation.
