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Plateau State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Dan Manjang and other stakeholders including the Chairman of Qitech Technologies Limited, Dr. Sola Afolabi and Chairman, Conferences Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Mr. Jide Awe as well as Co Founder and Group Executive Director Operations, Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN), Mr. Andrew Abu have applauded the appointment of Mr. David Daser as pioneer Director General of Plateau State Information Technology Development Agency (PSITDA) even as they commended Governor Simon Bako Lalong for taking a decision that reflects both the dynamics of the IT industry and a commitment to ability of young people to join in the task of building Nigeria at the forefront.
The NCS is the umbrella body for all IT professionals in Nigeria.
Manjang described the governor’s action as both progressive and proactive. His words: “It is a round peg in a round hole. This is the best thing that has happened to the state in this 21st century”
Mr Manjang, while thanking the governor, urged Mr David to take up the challenge to prove to cynics that his choice as Director General is well deserved. He urged the new director general “to bring to bear his wealth of experience to place the state in its rightful place when it comes to Information and Communications Technology, assuring that the government will do all in its power to provide the tools to make the agency function adequately.”
Manjang with DG of NITDA, Dr. Ibrahim Isa Pantami at eNigerian 2018 in Abuja
Awe described the choice of David as a fundamental push by the state to close the knowledge, skill and age gaps in its desire to enlist that part of the country in the fast evolving technology ecosystem in Nigeria. “Daser has the drive and the capacity to achieve results,” said Awe, a fellow of the NCS and founder of Lagos based Jidaw Systems.
Dr. Afolabi described the choice of David as ‘a surprising deep sense of understanding by the Plateau State government of the kind of leadership required to move an agency expected to drive an industry as dynamic and complex as IT.”
Afolabi, a fellow of the NCS and former Deputy Executive Secretary, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and also Chairman of Baobab Think Limited said the appointment is “a powerful statement by Governor Lalong that he believes Plateau State can be part of the digital or new economy.”
YIN’s Abu said he believes David, who has already built a reputation as a developer and a hub promoter, will achieve the mandate for which the agency was set up.
David was announced this week as the pioneer director general of PSITDA. He is expected to lead the new agency through its initial growth curve, pursue a workable framework to make Plateau State a technology and innovation hub as well as work with government and other stakeholders to attract technology investment into the state.
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David, in his 30s, is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos, and has had a vertical career change to become a software engineer since leaving school to pursue his passion in IT leading to his establishment of the first innovation hub in northern Nigeria; Nhub.
David has consulted on IT for the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Air Force including a number of public and private sector players.
David is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Technology & Creativity chaired by Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. The council is set up to provide specific solutions to several technology and creativity challenges in the country and help foster the advancement of the country’s entertainment and technology ecosystems. It consists of some of Nigeria’s brightest minds in the media, entrepreneurship, technology and creativity.
