‘Strategic information technology panacea to economic recovery’
Expert in the telecom industry has said that Nigeria’s quick economic recovery lies in strategic information technology implementation schemes. This was the view canvassed by Professor Adesola Aderounmu, President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).
Prof. Aderounmu made the remark at the 19th National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), in Abuja, recently, adding that sustainability issues have both local and global dimensions.
He said that a world in which poverty, inequalities, environmental threats and human insecurity thrive, threatens the present and the future, technology advances have obviously transformed the world, but very significant divides – societal and digital – remain and are expanding.
According to him, the challenges are not new, but innovative IT-oriented models, responses and culture are needed.
He said; “Our present economic challenges show clearly that oil is not our future. A strategic IT which focuses on sustainability through local content and other critical elements is the way forward. The conference will bring the issues of inclusion and sustainability to the front burner.
“The Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a huge agenda. Tackling these huge challenges, using IT innovation, is what this year’s Conference entails. It is an agenda for current and future generations. The goals are ambitious but achievable. The IT community is equal to the task”.
According to him, the quest for solutions to the country’s challenges was aptly captured in the Conference, themed, “Information Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development”, envisaging that local players would continue to proffer ways to meet Nigeria’s needs to eradicate poverty, food security and digital inclusion; eHealth, mHealth and Innovation – sustainable healthcare for all, digital economies: capacity building, startups and youth innovation, amongst others.
The 13th International Conference, which is a multi -stakeholder event, brought together stakeholders from the government, industry, academia, the United Nations, multilateral agencies, International organisations, youth groups and civil society, to raise critical issues, debate, exchange information, conduct demos, share innovative ideas and produce clear and actionable recommendations that plot the way forward.
“This year, a session was dedicated to examining how new disruptive technologies can help the cause of sustainable development. Following impressive outcomes last year, the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform continues,” the NCS President said.
