Emeka Aginam

As the National Software Innovation Cup (NASOFT), initiated by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, (ISPON) draws nearer, there appears to be growing anxiety among 15 teams from the Nigerians tertiary institutions currently struggling to win the One Million Naira (N1m) including IT tools prize.

At the last count, more than 32 universities have either been registered or applied for registration. The software competition was initiated by ISPON to discover indigenous software development talents and make students ready for entrepreneurship and global competitiveness in Information Communications Technology.

President of ISPON, Chris Uwaje, said that youths engagement in software development can earn Nigeria billions of dollars.

“ISPON had in the past year established about 32 Software Development Clubs (SDC) in our tertiary institutions. I am therefore convinced of the visionary fact that one day (and very soon), this 21st century, Nigerian-developed software will break the world record in form, content and quality.”

He advised tertially institutions to institute Software Development Clubs (SDC which seeks to develop and empower Nigerian Youths with Global Software Knowledge as strategic instrument for facilitating and building skilled capacities for self-reliance, wealth creation and national security, applying Global Information, Communications Technology best practices.

Billed to hold October 28th, 2011 at the Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, with the Cross River State Government as the Chief Host, he said with optimism that the competition was expected to attract an audience of over 1000 youths and will be supported by very formidable sponsorship endorsements from MTN, NITDA, Huawei, CPN, NCS, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other corporate and institutional top Brands.

For the Managing Director of Signal Alliance, Collins Onuegbu at a press conference on Monday, the national software competition aims to harness the potential skills of young and intelligent minds in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.

“Developing a national software strategy is fundamental. This is because Software innovation represents the mainstream of emerging economies and future businesses,” he said.