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Nigeria Computer Society NCS Kwara Chapter Pays Courtesy Visit to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology

The Kwara State Chapter of the Nigeria Computer Society paid a courtesy visit to the recently appointed Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology, Mrs. Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun, on Tuesday, 26th September 2023. The Chairman of the State Chapter, Engr. Taofik Abdulkareem (CEO of Plat Technologies Limited), led the executives and members of the State Chapter to felicitate the Commissioner.

Abdulkareem briefed the Commissioner and her Ministry on NCS's cardinal aim, which is the advancement and promotion of computing/information technology education and practice for the benefit of everyone. He also highlighted some of Kwara NCS's activities in pursuit of this aim, including:

1. Information Technology Whizkids Competition targeted at secondary school students.
2. Laying the groundwork for, and actively participating in NITDA’s stakeholders' engagement held in Ilorin last November
3. Active participation by members in the last National Conference in Bauch State
4. Proposed Hackathon among tertiary institution students in Kwara State, among other initiatives

The Chairman, Engr Abdulkareem, also presented some suggestions from the Kwara Chapter of NCS to the Kwara State Government in general and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology (BIT) in particular. These suggestions aim to advance and promote digital literacy, support tech startups, and enhance the overall information technology infrastructure of Kwara State. Some of these suggestions include:

1. Establishment of Directorates in charge of Innovation, Startups and Technology in the Ministry of BIT
2. The domestication of The Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) by the Kwara State Government
3. Establishment of an ICT Development Agency in Kwara
4. The Ministry of BIT should give more attention to startups, as policies for SMEs may not be suitable for startups.
5. Lobbying the Federal Government for the establishment of NITDA’s Nort-Central Zonal office in Kwara State.

Abdulkareem expressed NCS Kwara's eagerness to collaborate with the Commissioner and contribute expertise to initiatives that promote digital inclusion, foster innovation hubs, and create an environment conducive to technology-driven businesses.

The Commissioner, Mrs Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun expressed her appreciation and delight for the courtesy visit by the Nigeria Computer Society, Kwara State Chapter. She further emphasised the importance of technology in business growth and explained that the Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman-led government will continue to provide support for the tech sector in Kwara State. The Honourable Commissioner expressed her Ministry's readiness to work and partner with NCS to create a more prosperous environment for tech businesses in Kwara State.

The NCS’ team included Dr. James K. Ayeni, Secretary; Mr Ahmed Abiodun Taofik, Kwara PRO and HOD Computer Science Department Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies; Mrs Obisesan Financial Secretary and HOD Computer Science Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin; Dr Falilat Ajao Treasurer and lecturer Computer Science Department Kwara State University, Malete; Mr. Bolakale Zakariyah, a Director at COMSIT, Unilorin and Chapter Ex officio; Dr Ishaq Mope Rafiu Director ICT KWASU; Mr Habeeb Amao, Director E-Learning, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin; Mrs Hassanat Bello, Director Center for Digital Economy Kwara State University, Malete; Hajia Sefinat Thanni Director, DCIT Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

The team from the Ministry of BIT included the Permanent Secretary Mrs Mary Adeosun; the Director PFS Mr Tunde Thomas Amos; and the PRO Mrs Taibat Baba Adam.

The courtesy call concluded with a presentation of gifts from the NCS to the Honourable Commissioner and the taking of group photographs.