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Group worried quota system may override technology innovation
But along the line, only the quota basis for the selection were insisted by NITDA, while excluding the four representatives of CPN, which include the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN). This, however negates the NITDA Act that clearly states that four professionals representing each of the affiliate bodies of CPN will be nominated to the NITDA Board. – ISPON’s fmr president Emadoye
By Oluwatobi Opusunju
The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), an affiliate body of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) has condemned the exclusion of CPN member representatives on the board of the National Information Development Agency (NITDA). ISPON said the exclusion is against the NITDA Act of 2007.
The NITDA Act states that four CPN representatives selected from each of its affiliate member, which ISPON is part of would be on the board of NITDA.
But, in March this year, when the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu inaugurated a team of 16 board members to pilot the affairs of NITDA, no representatives from CPN were included. A situation, ISPON and other affiliates members have described as unconstitutional and negating the nation’s best interest.
NITDA is the government agency responsible for implementing the country’s policies on Information Technology, while CPN is a body responsible for registering and controlling all IT practitioners in the country.
The immediate past president of ISPON, Mr. James Emadoye while speaking recently in Lagos at the official handing over of the administration of ISPON to its new leadership led by Mr. Yele Okeremi, said stakeholders were concern over ‘a seemingly systemic plan to eliminate CPN’s constitutional seats from the board of NITDA.’
“Although the Minister of Communications did the proper thing by calling for the list of the four representatives of CPN, which was sent to him before the inauguration.
“But along the line, only the quota basis for the selection were insisted by NITDA, while excluding the four representatives of CPN, which include the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN). This, however negates the NITDA Act that clearly states that four professionals representing each of the affiliate bodies of CPN will be nominated to the NITDA Board,” he stated.
Emadoye, however called on the minster to address the situation in the best national interest, in line with NITDA Act.
Many industry stakeholders who are also members of ISPON said the industry must resist the attempt by government to bring politics into innovation and business. Quota system and narrowed regional reasoning which have been the bane of real development across Nigeria cannot override technology innovation and development,” said one angry member of ISPON IT Edge News in Lagos.
Similarly, newly appointed Okeremi, who also expressed worry over the exclusion of CPN’s affiliates in the inauguration of NITDA Board, promised to meet with the minister and resolve the issue as part of his mandates.
