By Emmanuel Elebeke
Following the successful completion of the first ever biometric voters’ registration exercise designed to produce a credible database for free and fair elections in Nigeria, IT processionals in the country have commended Zinox Technologies for making Nigerians proud.

This follows the recent announcement by the Independent National Elections Commission, INEC, that over 60 million Nigerians were registered after 21 days of the exercise, despite the initial hitches that characterized it.

The IT professionals said that  Zinox Computers deserve commendation for the high level of professionalism and patriotism it demonstrated in supplying the technological backbone for the registration. Professor Charles Uwadia, President of the Nigerian Computer Society, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria and Mr, Shehu Sikiru, Executive Secretary of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, were among those that expressed joy and satisfaction for the expertis exhibited by Zinox.

Professor Charles Uwadia said that the NCS was satisfied with the performance of Zinox in being the first of the three contractors to deliver fully. He said that Zinox set a record that justified the position of Nigerian professionals from the beginning that only Nigerian OEMs be short-listed for the supply of the DDC Machines. He added that Zinox supplied these machines in 2006 and had the capacity to deliver in 2010/2011. He said that Zinox virtually exceeded its mandate in terms of support, commitment and passion in a way that no foreign company would have done.

On his part, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, who is also Vice President of World Information Technology and Services Alliance, WITSA, said that he was very proud with the performance of Zinox, an ITAN member. Dr. Olufuye said that this feat by an indigenous company can best be appreciated against the background that Zinox supplied 80, 000 machines representing 60% of the entire order within the stipulated 35 days.

The ITAN president expressed his association’s  gratitude to INEC and the Federal Government for the confidence they reposed on local company to deliver. He expressed delight that the software used was written by Nigerians and expressed the hope that this achievement will evolve into appreciable patronage for the Nigerian software sector.

In the same light the Executive Secretary of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, Mr. Shehu Sikiru, gave kudos to Zinox for delivering 60 percent  of the Digital Data Capturing Machines ahead of the 35-day deadline, thereby bringing relief to an apprehensive nation.

He ascribed the initial hiccups to environmental problems. Mr. Sikiru said that the professional aspect came into play with the decisive way that INEC and Zinox resolved the issues.