All is now set for the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference tagged ‘SmartEco 2024’, Techeconomy can report.
Speaking during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the president of NCS, said the international conference holding from Monday 12th to Thursday 15th of August 2024, will have as the theme: ‘Technological Solutions for Smart Economy (SmartEco 2024)’.
In the last forty-seven years of NCS existence, the Conference venue has been rotated amongst the six geopolitical zones in the Country.
For instance, the 2023 conference was held at Bauchi, Bauchi State of Nigeria.
However, this year’s international conference will hold at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.
According to Dr. Aliyu, “Interestingly, the conference will be in hybrid form (Physical & Virtual attendance). The challenge posed by COVID-19 still reaffirms the need for Information Technology Professionals to change their strategies.
“The theme of the conference (Technological Solutions for Smart Economy (SmartEco 2024) was carefully and scientifically chosen in order to provide the needed technological support for Government drives and vision in this modern society”.
Why SmartEco 2024?
Highlighting further on the choice of the conference theme, the NCS president said:
“The emergency of connected cities and data-driven nations is making planning and decision-making easier at the global level. Different studies have ranked Africa low in adopting technology to build a safe, secure and sustainable economy. At the heart of the technology driving innovation is data and citizen engagement. In transforming our nation to meet future demand, we must use technology to create a more sustainable and liveable present and secure future for our citizens. We must change our approach and challenge the status quo.
“Our quest for innovation leveraging research and development must increase. We must develop effective strategies to achieve a Smart Economy Sustainable for the Nation. The government, the citizens and the business environment must invest in the relevant technologies to compete in the global space. This approach requires the right team with new mindsets and skill. The 2024 international conference on ‘Technological Solutions for Smart Economy (SmartEco 2024)’ will bring together policymakers within the government, business leaders, members of academia, professionals and practitioners to deliberate on broad social, economic, and technology trends relevant to the development and sustainability of our nation”.
Techeconomy gathered that the conference will focus on important issues related to the theme and sub themes such as:
- Intelligent Cities – Design and Regulatory Framework
- eGovernment and policy Framework
- E-health and smart healthcare
- Precision and intelligent Architecture
- Regulation and Digital Consumer Policy
- Smart Security and Surveillance System
- Application and Tools
- Big Data Analysis and Applications
- Artificial Intelligence and applications
- Critical National Infrastructure
- Call tracking and Counterterrorism
- Cybersecurity
- Computer Forensic and Information auditing
- IT Governance and Ethics
- 5G Technology and Industrial revolution
- Citizen Engagement: Security, Privacy and Trust
- Digital economy and Technopreneur
- ICT in Education – The future if learning
- Innovative Skills, Youth Innovation and Sustainable Productivity
- Media, Applied Technology and communications
- ICT Regulations
- Future of work: Ergonomics and Smart Culture
- Social Computing/Interactions
Also speaking, Mrs. Shulammite Ayobami Ilebiyi, chair, Publicity, Events and Trades Services Committee of the NCS, reiterated that this year’s International Conference will provide a multi-stakeholder forum to examine pertinent considerations for Technological Solutions for Smart Economy (SmartEco 2024).
“Engagement opportunities will be explored during the Conference to present and develop effective strategies, great approaches and practical solutions”.
Nodding in agreement, the President said that specific highlights of the conference include Official Opening and Keynotes, Plenary and Parallel Sessions, Technical Sessions, Seminars, Induction of New Members, Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform, Showcasing our IT Professional in Diaspora, Technology Innovation show, Exhibition and Products Launch, Public Sector ICT Showcase, networking, Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy session, National IT Competitions, Fellows’ Forum and Annual General Meeting
For Dr. Olusoji Babatunde Okunoye, chairman, Innovation, Research and Development Committee, “Most notable about the annual NCS conference are the unparalleled opportunities for self-development, networking, partnership, recognition and advocacy opportunities. It is hard to find any forum that will provide you with the unique one-to-one interaction and networking experiences as NCS Conferences
“Participants should look forward to amazing opportunities to exchange new ideas, gain new insights, build relationships with stakeholders, promote IT professionalism, share best practices, establish standards, develop business, or research relations and find global partners for future collaborations. “Manufacturers, industry experts, academics, professionals, innovators, service providers, researchers, suppliers, consultants, students, youth innovators and entrepreneurs, as well as policymakers in the government and business people will come together to connect for the betterment of our nation”, he said.
Earlier, Dr. Charles Onyeukwu, deputy president of NCS, said that high profile dignitaries from the international and global IT environment are expected to grace the event.
“NCS is preparing for the best and has assembled impressive lineup of leading researcher, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experiences on the theme and subthemes”, he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Aliyu, unveiled the confirmed guest speakers are for the event who include;
- HE, Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria
- His Royal Majesty,
Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, DSSRS,
Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom,
Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers
- Bosun Tijani, Hon. Minister of Communication and Digital Economy who is the Special Guest of the event
- Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General, National Identity Management Commission to give keynote address
- Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, National Information Technology Development Agency
- Aminu Maida – Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC)
- Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju – Managing Director/CEO, Galaxy backbone
- Abimbola Alale Managing Director NIGCOMSAT Limited
- Mr John Huggins President British Computer Society
- Bram Fudzulani- President ICT association of Malawi
- Heloisa Candello – ACM/IBM Brazil
- Mr Kola Okunola- federal Inland Revenue Service
- Stacey Hines- President Jamaica Computer Society
- Waudo Siganga- President Computer Society Kenya
- Ibrahim Gambari- Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria
- Anthony Wong- President, International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP)
- Hon Fenibo Fubara- Special Adviser on ICT Rivers State
- Hon Alh. Mohammed Tajo Othman – Commissioner for Science ,Technology and Innovation Kano State
- Amadi Chimezie – Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government
- Vincent Olatunji- National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NPDB)
- Sebastine Nzeadibe- Oracle Vice President (Technology Business)
