Prof. Sola Aderounmu
Computer Professionals within the nation are anxious concerning the slow tempo of growth round digital inclusion. This, they claimed has relegated Nigeria among the many comity of countries.Under the aegis Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), these professionals, although claimed that the nation has leaped a bit, “but we are still far from where we should be as country.”
The President, NCS, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, addressing newsmen in Lagos, on Tuesday, stated a lot work nonetheless wanted to be completed to get Nigeria to its rightful place. Aderounmu, who used the event to announce NCS 27th National Conference scheduled for the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State from July 17 to 19, with the theme: ‘Digital Inclusion: Opportunities, Challenges and Strategies,’ stated the strategic and transformation function of IT within the financial system and society is properly recognised.
As acknowledged by him, within the quick paced digital period, there was a want for strategic actions and revolutionary practices to make sure the nation is aggressive, engaged and affluent.The NCS President famous that the alternatives expertise creates for employment technology, environment friendly and accountable governance, wealth creation and social growth can't be underestimated.
He cautioned that “as we invest in technology, we must not widen existing divides in society. The sustainability of our efforts requires inclusion. The excluded, the vulnerable, the rural populace all need to be part of the digital revolution for Nigeria to fulfill its immense potential. For example, can we really have e-government if the majority of citizens lack access to digital infrastructure and fall short in terms of required digital skills?”
On what would truly drive Nigeria’s digital inclusion, Aderounmu stated having ubiquitous broadband and at reasonably priced price was important to feeling inclusion throughout the nation.He nonetheless, lamented that not that the nation was not blessed with each human and materials sources, however that utilising the sources effectively, has been a problem. “For instance, companies including MainOne have brought submarine into the country with huge bandwidth capacity, but we have not been able to put it to efficient use. It is only the urban areas that are enjoying the benefit for now, these resources must move to hinterland. The task of moving the bandwidth capacities to other part of the country has been stalled by high Right of Way challenges. This must be address significantly.”
Citing instance of South Korea, the place residents get pleasure from fibre to house, Aderounmu stated, by now, “we should have fibre to home in Nigeria, not only in the urban, but rural areas as well. That is when we can say we have started inclusion.”NCS Chairman, Events and Conferences, Jide Awe, stated the inclusion hole within the nation was nonetheless very broad and getting wider each day due to the problem posed by insufficient infrastructure, which has restricted financial development.
As acknowledged by Awe, “we must fast track our development if the country must compete at the very top. The country is blessed; all we need is good management. At the conference, we shall be discussing some of these challenges and proffer ways of getting out of the wood.”
He urged the Federal Government to look into elementary areas that it may put money into to obtain the goal aim of inclusion. The NCS official acknowledged that when all Nigerians each in city and rural areas had been included in digital literacy, it might go a great distance in creating the nation.To the Chairman, Education and Manpower Committee, Rogba Adeoye, a part of driving inclusion could be to develop human capability.
As acknowledged by him, the nation should develop adequately its human sources and put them to judicial use if digital inclusion should be even.Furthermore, the NCS President disclosed that the convention is normally the most important yearly gathering of main IT professionals and stakeholders with nationwide and worldwide participation, stressing that attendee advantages embody distinctive alternatives for self growth, networking, collaboration, recognition and advocacy.
On getting the convention suggestions throughout to the authorities, Aderounmu reminded that NCS has been an advocate group, saying they may make the suggestions accessible to authorities and different related authorities, “It is left for them to adopt it.”
Aderounmu additionally careworn the necessity for abilities developments within the nation, stressing that “it wasn’t that the jobs are not there, but the skills to match have been the challenge. But technology can actually deliver us from these challenges if adequately explored.”