Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Vision 20:2020, MDGs unrealistic without ICT- NCS


 DigitalSENSE Business News


The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has warned that the pursuit of the Federal Government’s Vision 20:2020 objectives and the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) as set by the United Nations Organisation (UNO) may be a mirage if government refuses to develop an attitudinal change to the information communication technology (ICT) sector.
The NCS President, Prof David Adewumi, made this remark while speaking with ICT journalists in Lagos, expressing concern over what he described as 'the marginalisation' of the ICT sector by government agencies, and warned that the development portend serious danger to the attainment of the goals set down by the government.
He explained that the sector is concerned about the marginalisation of ICT today in the country which is the driving force and contributor to the digital economy, adding that it would be tragic if Africa lost out on the ongoing digital revolution, having already lost out in the industrial revolution.

 “Nigeria is not fully harnessing the growth opportunity of the IT sector. The academia, manufacturing sector, government and other stakeholders must take advantage of the enormous opportunities available in IT to drive growth and development.
“Local content needs to be enforced practically and those working and providing services in ICT in Nigeria should be encouraged and supported in providing the much-needed innovative solutions for job creation, security, governance, health and other challenges besetting the nation,” Adewumi said.
He assured of the commitment of NCS to embark on research and development (R&D), ICT-enabled employment generation, and promotion of excellence and professionalism in the industry and urged the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue to incorporate and prioritise the role of the ICT sector if Nigeria is to be a key player among the comity of nations.

AN/GEE

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: NCS President, Prof David Adewumi

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