With Chris

In his efforts to champion the accelerated enhancement of the e-Readiness mission and global Knowledge Agenda of the University of Lagos, Akoka and make the University the number one choice for high quality education in Africa, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, has established a strategic Framework to engage and enthrone an Information Society (IS) Revolution in Unilag. The mission is to accelerate the digital transformation of Unilag “ Learning Environment” for global compositeness.

To actualize the e-readiness vision, he has amongst other things endorsed my book “e-Knowledge – Time is Running Out”, during a comprehensive presentation on Dynamic ICT Solutions for Unilag, by Connect Technologies Solutions Consortium at the Akoka, Lagos Campus recently.

Having devoured the book since its public presentation two years ago, the IT Professor and VC, acknowledged that there were very sterling revelations in the Book worthy of acknowledgement and commendation. Top amongst them include, but not limited to: Need to establish a National IT Policy for Nigeria (1998);

In his “Nigeria and Information Overload”, Uwaje predicted that the average household in Nigeria will have at least,three phones; Predicting the Paradigm shift in the Information Technology Profession and Industry, Creating IT Knowledge Parks and Software Corridors and advocating the critical need for the establishment of a cabinet rank Institutional Framework – such as the Federal Ministry for Information Technology. (2003); Revealing the birth and arrival of e-knowledge Olympiad (2004) and many more – all of which have come through.

It will be recalled that the public presentation of the book, e-Knowledge – Time is Running Out – at the Institute of International Affairs of March 30th 2009 attracted the ICT Who-is-Who from Nigeria, ECOWAS, Africa, Europe and the USA.

To hear the IT Oracle speak on e-Knowledge were Dorothy Gordon, (Director General of the Advance Information Technology Institute (AITI), Accra – representing the Government of Ghana, Chief Sam Amuka, Chief Ebitimi Banigo, Prof Charles Uwadia, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof Cleopas Angaye, Jim Ovia, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Engr. Alfred Okoigun, Chief Benardino Doregos, Prof. Oye Ibidapo Obe, Chief Don Etiebet, Deacon Ojinta Oji Alala, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Dr. Issac Odeyemi, Alhaji Ladi Ogunneye, John Tani Obaro, Engr.Titi Omo-Etu, Mallam Muhamed Bulana, Gbenga Adefaye, Genga Sesan,, Victor Ebomoyi and a battalion of IT champions.

Ordering 25 copies of the book for various departments of the university, Professor Sofoluwe praised the author for the spectacular works, which undoubtedly has become a major landmark contribution and reference point to the body of ICT knowledge in Nigeria, ECOWAS and the World.

Recent close encounter with the Author, confirmed that the initial Print of the book has been sold out – with Orders from UK, USA, Germany, to say the least.

True to type Aaron Ukodie in the book’s prologue reveled that Uwaje is, severally, a repertoire and fountain of IT knowledge and a connoisseur of IT ideas and initiatives.

His cerebral exposition of IT trends and the perspectives he brings to development issues are professorial. Within the motley of canvassers of the benefits of IT to national development, Chris Uwaje’s voice is resounding and compelling.

He is always very zestful in putting forward new ideas, new propositions and directions that can take Nigeria into the Eldorado of the emerging information society.

Mission: Whether he is writing his numerous articles for newspaper publication or presenting position papers at the various IT fora, Uwaje sounds like a visionary lone voice in the wilderness crying; “prepare the way for Nigeria to emerge on the global information society stage”.

In the emerging work place where companies are now engaging Chief Knowledge Officers (CKO) to enhance the competitive edge and the increasing leveraging of IT knowledge and resources to position nations in the global information society, Uwaje would without any fear of contradiction appropriately and effectively take the position of Nigeria’s Chief Knowledge Officer.

An insight into the fertility of Uwaje’s mind on IT issues can be gleaned from the numerous articles and conference papers he has written and presented on topical issues, since 1997.

He pursues his positions on any IT issue with an infectious fervour and consistently marshalled arguments, creating models and scenarios to stage them.

For instance, though Uwaje had as far back as 1998 canvassed for the creation of a National Commission for Information Technology (NCIT), the establishment of NITDA, an offshoot of the IT policy in 2001 did not deter him from insisting on the benefits of an IT commission which he said would be charged with the duty of putting up a National Database structure among other National Digital Security functions.

TO BE CONTINUED.