NCS President awards Ajimobi "Digital Governor of the Year"………………….says Digital Technology inclusion is key to rapid economic growth

The NCS President, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu has conferred on  the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi the award of “The Digital Governor of the year”.

The award was conferred on him at the 27th Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) National Conference held in Ibadan themed “Digital Inclusion, Opportunities, Challenges and Strategies”.
While presenting the award, Aderounmu said the award was approved by the National Executive Council of the Society to encourage the Governor whose administration has leveraged technology to enhance governance and productivity in the State.
He said that the society was also impressed with the ingenious ways the state had proffered digital solutions to the management of its key structures and units.
The NCS boss called on the federal government to formulate digital inclusion policy in order to overcome challenges confronting the country in the areas of health, economy, security and other facets of life.
He expressed concern that the benefits of information technology have not been fully harnessed, judging by the exclusion of a good number of women, children and the physically-challenged from the benefits of digitalization.
Aderounmu said, “Governor Ajimobi is deserving of this award because of his strides in deploying ICT to solve problems in governance. The success story range from administrative efficiency, prompt accounting system, effective health and education policies as well as security of lives and properties.
“When you talk of states that are peaceful in Nigeria today, you won’t count three before mentioning Oyo. The state uses CCTV to monitor flashpoints in Ibadan to nip crises in the bud.
“The resolve of the state to establish the first Technical University in the country and creation of technological hub in Ibadan for foreign investors to produce materials, which will engender massive employment opportunities and grow the local economy, is also commendable.
“But, I must say that the benefits of the internet have not been utilized as expected in Nigeria. The consequence is that women, individuals living with disabilities, the poor and the rural populace have become extensively digitally excluded.
“With nationwide presence and proper digital inclusion, healthcare delivery, poverty reduction, job creation, education, governance, food security and social harmony in the society will be greatly enhanced.”
However Aderounmu posited in his welcome address that although IT deployment and development in the country has gained some traction, experiences and benefits of IT and the internet have not been as widespread as they should be.
He emphasized that the consequences of this abysmal spread is that women, individuals living with disabilities, young people, the poor and the rural populace have become extensively digitally excluded.
He noted that as an umbrella organization of all IT professional, the conference is aimed to proffer solutions to all the challenges of digital inclusion in the country.
 
“It is our professional challenge in this conference to share ideas and insights, identify knowledge gaps, proffer solutions and instigate collaborative efforts to quicken the pace of digital inclusion forward for our country.
“With our nationwide presence, inclusivity is core to the mission of NCS.
Aderounmu, called on the federal Government to quickly formulate a new national ICT policy that will incorporate digital inclusion as a pivotal factor for driving our socio-economic and political development.
 
He added that the new policy should cover ICT infrastructure, broadband internet, fibre optic communication, local content prioritization and regulatory framework.
He noted that the three key action areas that can help digital inclusion become a reality in Nigeria are Access, Affordability and Application.
However, the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has said digital technology inclusion is the key to rapid economic growth in the state and the country at large.
He made this assertion  in his goodwill message at the conference.
According to him, digital inclusion is about everybody contributing.
He also said that his administration is deliberately transforming Maslow’s hierarchy of needs into contemporary needs through education, e-governance and security.
He said, “We believe that we should be knowledge driven, knowledge is a structured information that leads to skill which eventually leads to ability and capability.
Ajimobi also stated that the state has partnered with ICT firms to deploy CCTV in major areas in Ibadan and will be extended to other parts of the state as part of efforts at improving security in the state.
Moreso, he informed that the state has implemented biometrics in the civil services which has helped to curb ghost workers while automation of civil services has also impacted productivity in the state.
The government thereby urged both the government and the governed to be digital included.
He there fore enjoined participants to maximize the opportunities to make our society a smart hub.
Speaking earlier, Jide Awe, Conference Committee Chairman, said that Nigeria computer society will continually explore ways in which IT can be used to create a future beyond oil in Nigeria.
He noted that digital revolution is real and here to stay, adding that the potential of digital technologies for creating jobs and driving development is huge.
He added that NCS is committed to contribute towards building of a prosperous digital nation that works for all.
He said that apart from the regular conference features, they will introduce mentor-mentee forum, where seasoned professionals who have successful track record in their careers and fields will share useful perspectives, experiences and lessons to guide and inspire younger professionals and help them realize their promise.
He, also urged delegates and participants to engage and participate actively in discussions that would move digital inclusion forward in the country.