Guardian

FOR its support towards the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the country, the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), has conferred the honorary fellowship of the society on the Chairman of Visafone Communications Limited, Mr. Jim Ovia,

With the award, Ovia became the 10th individual to be honoured with the title in the over 30 years of existence of the NCS.

Speaking at the award ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend, the President of NCS, Sir. Demola Aladekomo, said that the honour came the way of Ovia because of his contribution towards the advancement of ICT in the country.

He said that as the founder of Zenith Bank Plc and former Chief Executive Officer, Ovia introduced a great deal of technology driven innovations into the Nigerian banking industry.

Being the first President of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Aladekomo said that Ovia was not only an avid IT promoter, but had also invested massively in Nigeria’s technology sector.

The NCS president noted that Ovia had led several national IT-related initiatives such as the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI), the National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC) and the National Broadband Committee.

In addition, Ovia is also the founder of the Youth Empowerment/ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by inspiring and motivating them to embrace Information and Communication Technology.

It was learnt that the award ceremony for Ovia had been necessitated following his inability to physically present, due to some exigencies, at the NCS at the 2012 National Information Technology Merit and Fellowship Awards held at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on December 14, 2012.

Receiving the award, Ovia appreciated the NCS for the honour, promising to abide by all the rules and regulations of the NCS.

He also pledged to increase his efforts at extending ICT opportunities to more Nigerian youths through his foundation and other companies.

Meanwhile, the NCS has solicited the support of Ovia and other stakeholders for the realisation of its proposed ICT Park to be built in Lagos.

“We solicit the your companies’ partnership and support of NCS as well as that of other stakeholde4rs in the economy in building NCS IT Park. We also need support on our fouthcoming NCS International Conference in Osun State and the new NCS Building,” he said.

Aladekomo, however, emphasised the need to leverage ICT in addressing national security, noting that NCS had diligently, over the past few months, canvassed the use of IT towards resolving the issues of security in our country. He said that once that was done youth empowerment and employment would follow.