They spoke at the recent Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2024, themed “Technological Innovation for a Smart Economy,” held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, emphasizing that government should engage professionals on IT related projects to curb the level of project failures in the systems.

Dr. Aliyu Sirajo, president of NCS, welcomed attendees and encouraged participants to seek new insights and connections to foster a smarter economy.

Prof. Mike Hinchey, Director of IEEE Region 8; Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and other notable speakers discussed “Innovations in Software for Smart Economy.”

Earlier in her opening remarks, Professor Adebukola Onashoga, chairman of Conferences, NCS, 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 1092 new members, 53 corporate bodies inducted 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.

The conference emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders and intentional strategy development to ensure sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Heloisa Candello, Manager of the IBM Responsible Tech Group, discussed “Artificial Intelligence, Responsibility, and Social Impacts: A Human-Centered Approach to Conversational User Interfaces.”

Mr. Odutola Oluwatoyin, Relationship Manager at NIBSS, presented on “Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in the FinTech Ecosystem.”

Prof. Victor Ekong discussed: “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Financial Services,” identifying key drivers such as smartphone adoption and the acceleration of online transactions due to COVID-19.

Chief Babajide Apata, CTO/Co-founder of Gird Finance, presented on “Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: Transforming National Financial Systems.”

The conference featured a doctoral consortium where four doctoral candidates, including Peter Godfrey Obike and Adeola Kolawole, presented their research, receiving valuable feedback from both academic and industry perspectives.

The conference also featured a Business, Youth, and Entrepreneurship Session sponsored by Oracle Corporation.

Simeon Oyebola, Adaranijo Adedoyin, and Solomon Yateghtegh shared insights on empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Mr. Olunide Coker from NIRA stressed the need for adoption of .ng domain name identity.

The conference was formally closed with a conference dinner hosted by Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor, setting the stage for future advancements in Nigeria’s digital economy and the need to eliminate quackery in the IT professions, while Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, chairman, Senate Committee on ICT & Cybercrime, charged the state government and other stakeholders to driving the economy with technology and equally provision of hubs within the states.

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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.

During the two-day visit, the British High Commissioner visited Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor, and paid his respects to Sir Dr Peter Odili, the former State Governor.

They discussed the strong economic partnership that has existed between Rivers State and the UK, recent developments and future opportunities.

The High Commissioner also visited Shell Nigeria and Indorama at their operational bases.

Discussions focused on the opportunities for growth and improvements in the extraction and manufacturing sections.

He sought their views on efforts to advance UK investment in the state, and possible areas of partnerships to help boost economic growth and job creation.

The High Commissioner met with NGOs and Nigerian government actors working on oil clean up and representatives of civil society organisations, operating across rivers State and the wider Niger Delta.

Stakeholders gave a run down on the implementation of their programmes and some of the great opportunities for the state, to lead on efforts to combat environmental damage, climate change and improve sustainable livelihoods.

At the end of the visit, the British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, said:

“Rivers State is particularly important as a large economy, with strong assets and institutions, important for Nigeria’s national economy.

“My visit was a good opportunity to engage and interact with key players.

“I came to listen and learn about recent developments, and gather insights about some of our UK-Nigeria economic partnerships: the impact they have made so far, and the potential for more.

“We very much want to continue developing these bonds – both with governments and civil society – to enhance prosperity within the region.”