SAN FRANCISCO, March 07, (THEWILL) – Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke , has been conferred with the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) Award of Excellence on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), while the state government was acknowledged as the only state with the Best Use of ICT & Promotion of Software in Nigeria.
The double honours bestowed on Imoke and the state government during the IPSON 2015 President’s DinnerAward at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Saturday, was in recognition of Governor Imoke’s consistent, exemplary and pioneering role in the deployment of Software technology in service delivery in Cross River.
Speaking at the ceremony, ISPON President, Mr. Pius Okigbo, Jnr. said the awards were to encourage states who recognise the strategic importance of ICT to governance as well as its cross cutting effect on various sectors and its catalytic effect on the socio-economic development of the state.
The ISPON President. who enumerated some of Governor Imoke’s giant strides in ICT revolution in Cross River to include Calabar Communication Infrastructure Project, Tinapa Knowledge City, Cross River State Open Data & Smart City Service, Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), the Electronic Transaction Processing & Financial Inclusion (SmartGov.CRSG) Projects, among others, described him as a man of initiative, innovation and vision, whose sterling contribution to the IT landscape in Nigeria deserved celebration.
According to him, other landmark achievements which stood the governor out are the statewide Digital Literacy Policy which has become prerequisite for employment and promotion for all public servants, the recent institution of state ICT policy & Institutional framework.
On Tinapa Knowledge City, Nigeria’s first ICT Park, the ISPON boss said: “Imoke made IT happen, creating a home for inspired innovation at Tinapa Knowledge City.”
Okigbo Jnr. further highlighted Imoke’s innovative feat on digitalising land acquisition in Cross River, describing it as “the most successful project of its kind in the country which has significantly reduced the time required for processing of Certificate of Occupancy in the state.”
Okigbo, who commended the governor for his foresightedness and quality leadership which has impacted positively on the ICT sector and software in particular promised to partner the state in realising its dream of becoming Nigeria’s first smart city.
On the choice of the theme for this year’s dinner: “Software & Local content in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Ecosystem,” the President noted that the institute holds dearly to the principles of local content and ultimately in the belief that software could be a major industry and a significant employer of skilled labour in Nigeria.
Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, who was also honoured with an Award of Excellence for her outstanding role in development of ICT industry in the country averred that: “Cross River State Government has played a pivotal role in encouraging and promoting software development in Nigeria in the last four years,” even as she lauded ISPON for its aggressive drive in building the capacity required to grow the local economy.
She noted that ICT plays a critical part in the development of the country and urged the body to take advantage of the available opportunity that abounds everywhere with a view of ensuring that they properly harness the potential to better the lots of the people.
Commending Imoke for the award, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, described the governor as an icon, a beacon of hope that has left an indelible footprint in the ICT industry in his state and country at large.
On his part, the immediate past President of ISPON, Mr. Chris Uwaje, described Imoke as “the only digital governor in Nigeria that someone can truly lay claim to at any time. I have worked with him for the past four years, and I can tell you that if anybody deserves to be called or addressed as a digital governor in Nigeria, with all sense of modesty, it is only Imoke that deserves to be so called.”
In his response, Governor Imoke disclosed that “ISPON is one institute that we have partnered with extensively in Cross River State because we share a common vision and we believe that that vision is realisable.”
According to him, “By working with them, we have been able to grow and strengthen our capacity to ensure that we take advantage of the tremendous opportunities in this industry. Working hand in hand with them and various parastatals of the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Communication Technology, we have been able to position Cross River State as a possible state that could be the leader, ultimately when it comes to application of ICT in service delivery.”
While appreciating the commitment and dedication of the institution in transforming the country through ICT, Imoke added: “I use this opportunity to thank the President and his team for using ISPON to do the good works recorded by the institution over the years. I also want to commend the immediate past president, Mr. Uwaje for his untiring effort and excellent work during his time as president.”
