By Emeka Aginam

How best to advance the country’s digital future for social and economic growth was top on the agenda when the leadership of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, recently visited the Chairman House Committee on ICT, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau and other relevant stakeholders in the industry.

During the visit, the NCS President, Prof. David Adewumi said that, “We’re not being shy to say we feel strongly about the lack of professional representation in decision making in critical sectors, absence of follow-through as well as the digitally excluded.”

NCS, according to him was dedicated to ensuring sustainable technology impact and development that make a real difference to the lives and future of Nigerians.

Also at  separate visits to SystemSpecs CEO, John Obaro and Precise Financial Systems MD, Yele Okeremi, the NCS President said that despite some recent achievements and improvements in the digital landscape in Nigeria, the country needs to do more to sustain those achievements

According to him, the role of technology is vital in empowering citizens economically and socially and laying the foundations for sustainable development. “However, talk is cheap. We have had more discussions on technology than ever before. But NCS is concerned that there is too much talking without walking the talk. Digital Inclusion is still a challenge that can’t be covered up by empty sloganeering. Technology must transform people’s lives” he noted.

For  him, words will not secure or advance Nigeria’s digital future, adding that the visits and NCS’s upcoming conference were organized to sensitize stakeholders on the need to start embracing individual and organizational responsibility for technological growth that creates a better, brighter future for the nation. “NCS is walking the talk through inclusive dialogue and strategic initiatives, dropping the prevailing analogue mentality in leadership, starts with the mainstreaming of technology into all vital practices and programs.