For his efforts aimed at bringing in new innovation at the National Information Development Agency, NITDA, Professor Adeolu Akande has been honoured with the Outstanding Digital Leader award at the just concluded Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, 27th National Conference, taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This is coming few months after he took over the mantle of leadership at NITDA.
Akande, who is one of the aspirant jostling to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi, was said to have swung into action immediately he was inaugurated at chairman of the board.
President of the Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, Prof Sola Aderounmu, said he was impressed with what Akande, who teaches political science at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, is doing at the board.
Speaking at the event, which came to an end last night, Director General of NITDA, Dr. Isa Pantami, explained that proper regulation makes development easier to achieve.
As such, Pantami boasted, NITDA has renewed emphasis on regulation and developed standards and guidelines for different aspects of the ICT sector.
“In line with the moves, the Agency has put the necessary machinery in place to ensure compliance as compliance with boost efforts towards saving costs and expanding digital inclusion agenda of the Government.
“The efforts are yielding results as the Agency has saved over N10billion for the Federal Government in the past one year,” Pantami, who was represented by the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions (ITIS) Department at NITDA, Dr Agu Collins Agu, said in his goodwill message.
The DG said that as the clearing house for Information Technology Projects in Nigeria, “Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government now come to us for the clearance of their ICT projects.”
He added that the efforts were to eliminate duplication, ensure there is value for money and that the projects are sustainable.
“All the MDAs have been provided with a copy of the template and the IT clearance process will help in building standardized IT infrastructures as well as efficient IT systems and services. It will reduce the cost of IT investments and will ensure commensurate value is derived from every IT investment. Eventually, these efforts will spur innovations and enhance MDAs responsiveness to their obligations,” he submitted.
