By Emeka Aginam
Without a top down ICT strategies from the Federal to the State and local government levels, with executable implementation plan and projects tied to measurable outcomes; the digital Nigeria agenda would be far fetched,  participants at the just concluded  National Information Technology Public and Private Forum (NITPPF), held in Edo State, have  declared

The NITPPF is the premier event where IT public sector administrators, professionals, business leaders, high level public officials and opinion leaders from all parts of Nigeria come together to share and build a vision of a connected knowledge base with access for all.

‘Effective e-Strategies: Path to a Digital Nigeria’ as the theme of the event, participants at the forum spoke on effective e-strategies imperative for a digital Nigeria to be a reality by the year 2020 even with the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) 2015 goals in perspective.

Right: Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Executive Governor, Edo State, Mrs. Yemi Keri, Executive Director ICT, Edo State, Dele Akinsade, Technology Lead, Akin Akinwolere, Account Technology Strategist, Public Sector and Dan Ogbonna, Depth Segment Marketing Manager, all of Microsoft Anglophone West Africa at the 2nd Edo State Technology Day which held recently

For one thing,  the forum discussed among others, strategies and quick-wins in technology such as cloud computing and m-technologies that could fast-track our march to digital inclusion. is achievable with the right strategies, infrastructure and quality of service.

In the  Benin declaration jointly  signed by the Chairman, Dr Jimson Olufuye who is also  the President of Information Technology Association of Nigerian, (ITAN) and  Mrs Yemi Keri, the Executive Director ICT Directorate Edo State respectively, the forum reiterated that for Nigeria to achieve a vibrant IT sector, she needs to enhance the practice and deployment of ICT in all its affairs and also train its entire workforce to develop skills and competencies in Information Technology.

The present day government’s vision of transforming the economy of Nigeria, according to the Benin declaration  should be evident in all areas including the IT sector which is the foundation for development in every other field.

Based on the foregoing, participants at the event  hereby declared that:
*Nigeria should as part of its national strategies implement e-Skills frameworks and ICT Industry standards for IT Enabled Services/Business Process Outsourcing (ITES/BPO) in the area of ‘light’ CMMI to be digitally relevant and competitive.

*The Federal Government of Nigeria should abide by the Vision 20-2020 Blue print on the creation of a new Ministry and the harmonization of government agencies in the Communications and the Information Technology sector.

*There is need to measure progress along the 11 WSIS Action lines. Therefore, a yearly stock-taking report should be started by ITAN with support from NITDA, NEPAD, NCC, CPN, NCS and Galaxy Backbone on the lead to 2015 and 2020 to contain various ICT projects and initiatives by states and Federal government, civil societies, and businesses on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This report could readily feed to global stock-taking processes in which Nigeria development efforts are reported.

*All stakeholders should be guided by an appropriate IT Policy framework and the necessary legislation to protect gains achieved.

*There is need to deepen enlightenment and discussion on key issues such as broadband infrastructure, digital spectrum dividend, cloud computing, Cybersecurity, social networking, management of critical Internet resources, localization, cultural identity, IPR etc.

*The goals of Digital Nigeria should be better defined and made to be understood by all stakeholders: There should be clear definition and understanding of the goals of the digital age. Three goals of a digital age were outlined namely: sustainable economic growth, modern public services and a thriving local ICT sector. It was indicated that the best way to achieve these goals are to implement ICTs thoroughly in all areas of development. It is further to ensure digital citizens who are prepared to effectively compete in a digital world.

*There should be multi-stakeholder collaboration: For ICT development to grow and for Nigeria to achieve a modern economy where ICT plays a key role, government, the academic community, the technical community, the civil society and citizens must work smartly together.

*National Economic Development should be a priority to create jobs, wealth and improve the standard of living of the people.

*Qualified personnel should be engaged as heads of ICT Directorates: Well trained personnel should be placed in charge of ICT departments in various ministries and government parastatals for any meaningful results to be possible.

Meanwhile, the event was organized by the Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) and the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) in collaboration with the Government of Edo State, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), INTELLECT (the UK Technology Industry), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Galaxy Backbone Plc, and  Digital Bridge Institute (DBI),

Others include, the  Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) and the World Bank. Support and sponsorship for the event also came from Benue State Government, Osun State Government, National Defence College, Zinox, Omatek, Quanteq, MIS Software, Interra Networks, Jetlink, Kontemporary, AIT Infotech, ICT Publishers Alliance, Yobel, Omar, Gafunk, Programmos, Hamjos, Chace, Data Sciences,