By Emeka Aginam

The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has concluded arrangements to hold the first national software competition in Calabar, Cross River State in what can be classified as an IT-quest and knowledge encounter.

Following extensive interactions with university students and the leadership of National Association of Computer Students (NACCOS), ISPON rolled out strategies for the establishment of software development clubs in Nigerian universities as a foundation for building the collaborative communities and connections pivotal to the emergence of a sustainable knowledge culture and capability for software development.

At the last count, more than 32 Universities have either been registered or applied for registration.

In a special message to the established Software Development Clubs, the President of ISPON said; “I am convinced of the visionary fact that one day, this 21st Century Nigerian Developed Software will break the world record in form, content and quality.

“By merit, you are one of the few the chosen ones to supersonically volt Nigeria into the 21st Century INFORMATION SOCIETY (IS). Your contribution to our Knowledge Society through Software will definitely make Nigeria great. Remember you are one of the new chosen ones – by merit – drafted for the Nigeria Digital Knowledge Quest.”

The National Software Competition is informed by the strategic imperative to anchor Nigeria’s aspirations for global competitiveness in the Knowledge Economy on building capacity in knowledge industries such as software.

With 60% of Nigeria’s population under 30 years of age, ISPON believes that the dream of Vision 20:2020 is realizable only by accelerated efforts to build and unlock the innovation capabilities of our youth, who have propelled Nigeria over just four years to becoming the 10th largest internet user base in the world.