By Prince Osuagwu

BASKING in the euphoria of winning two awards at the Beacon of ICT awards at the weekend, Executive Director, Sidmach Technologies, Mr Alao, said the local software industry could sustain the economy if appropriate support comes from both government and the private/public sectors. Alao’s Sidmach won the indigenous software company of the year while he clinched the ICT personality of the year award.

Organizers of the event said that while Alao merited the award for his resourceful leadership and excellent mentorship of indigenous software programmers, his company was honoured for doggedness and prompt p[rovision of ICT solutions that address specific customer needs in today’s highly competitive business environment.

Speaking to Hi-Tech on the award, Alao said: “This is the second time that the ICT award is given to my company. About two years ago, we also received this same indigenous software of the year award. Today we are happy that we again received the award for best indigenous software. I give credit to the team for being the brain behind the successes.

“There are a lot of things we have improved upon since we first won the award two years ago. Starting from our logo, if you look at our banner two years ago and now, you’d realize that it is not the same. There are a lot of improvements; a lot of transformation has taken place in Sidmach. “Beginning from this year, we are refocusing on our business, we are bringing in some professionals to also help to make sure that we remain the number one IT company in Nigeria.

We will continue to do that. In the last few weeks we have also engaged professionals in HR and marketing that will help us to remain on top. We are doing all these to make sure that we are on top”. He also noted that indigenous software companies are not being patronized. “That is something we are hoping the new government can help us with.

Patronage of indigenous software companies is very essential because the brains are here in Nigeria, the resources are here. The tools are with us. Most of the things we do at Sidmach technologies are done by the team. We have a highly dynamic team. We don’t need to bring software from India because they also started the way we started. The government should encourage us” he added.