Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has said he aligns with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on the need eliminate the issue of quackery in the Information Technology (IT) profession.
The Governor promised to ensure that IT professionals in Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC) are certified and complaint with the standards of NCS.
Fubara gave the assurance during his speech at the just concluded NCS International Conference, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to the Governor;
“We have asked NCS to send us an official letter that will enable us mandate the Rivers State Civil Service Commission to ensure that civil servants in the state that are IT professionals must be certified before their next promotion. The essence is to eliminate quacks in the IT profession in the state. I was a civil servant before becoming a politician, so I understand the need for IT professionalism among civil servants in Rivers State. I am coming from somewhere and I understand procedures.”
He added:
“Rivers State government will provide all the necessary support to enhance the growth of IT professionalism in the state. Today the world is moving towards the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at work place in order to boost work efficiency and proficiency of workers, and I commend NCS for driving AI adoption in Nigeria.”
Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the president of NCS thanked the governor and the government of Rivers State for supporting in the growth of Information Technology (IT) practice in the state.
“We are in Rivers State for the NCS International Conference, and we have visited several places in the state and we are pleased with how the state is leveraging technology to boost development in the state. Rivers State has the potential to grow and become an ICT hub in Nigeria,” Aliyu said, while applauding the state government for maintaining peace and unity in the state, despite the political crisis that rocked the state in recent times.
The NCS conference focused on issues related to its theme: ‘Technological Solutions for Smart Economy (SmartEco 2024), which was scientifically chosen in order to provide the needed technological support for government drives and vision in the modern society.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Professor Adebukola Onashoga, chairman of the Conference, emphasized the theme as a call to action and expressed gratitude to all partners, executive members, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
The conference was a success, with the induction of 1092 new members, 53 corporate bodies into the NCS, including Michael Edafe, who won the Prof. Stella C. Chiemeke’s Prize for Best Research in Doctoral Consortium.
The conference also featured a cybersecurity awareness session, which included an online quiz and rewards for participants.
