Chioma Chukwuemeka/Hauwa Gold
Abuja – Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) says it is ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in developing Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the country.
Mr Olusegun Alabi, the Chairman of the society, gave the assurance while paying a courtesy call to management of the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that the society’s objective was to promote the new face of national digital economy through advocacy and offering needed professional guidance in ICT world.
He said that NAN was a reputable government agency, which has been praised for its objectivity in news reporting and active dissemination of ICT programmes for national development.
The chairman added that the society appreciated NAN’s support in the past in news coverage of the NCS’s national programmes and advocacy in national matters.
“This has made us to identify you as a major stakeholder with wealth of experience in professional journalism with use of information technology (IT) in programmes for individual and national growth.
“So, we have come as the chapter in the seat of power, to see how we as professionals could collaborate for a better Nigeria in some selected areas namely:
“Membership drives through registration and participation of your IT personnel in our programmes, Sponsoring of your IT personnel to our chapter and national programmes.
“News coverage of our activities across your platforms, Promotion of digital economy through advocacy on ICT as a tool for national integration.
“Donation of computers and peripherals for our computer-4-school initiative (C4S), Sponsoring and partnership with our innovations, most especially, Techies’ Hangout (explained overleaf)’’, he said.
Responding, the Ag. Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Mammaga, said that ICT takes about 80 per cent of our activities to ensure smooth running of the organisation.
“We provide a lot of services, sometimes we provide live coverage (Newsflash and SMS), and we have a YouTube channel that has enhanced our coverage in the area of multimedia.
“We are ready to support the society and also the NAN management will meet to discuss areas where we can give maximum support and collaboration.
“`We cover Nigeria, West Africa, Africa, and we have news exchange with many news agencies around the world, agencies like Reuters among others.
“We have reporters in all the 36 states of the country, districts and some local government areas,’’ he said.
Mammaga also commended the ICT staff in the agency for their dedication and diligence to duty.
Mr Aaron Miller, the Ag. Head of Technical Department, NAN, commended the late Head of Department Mr. Mathias Ajudua, for ensouraging them to enrol as members of the society.
(NAN)