…Charges on standards
By Micheal Eyibio
The Federal Government over the weekend constituted the 2021-2023 Council of Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) even as government urged the body on proper regulations to ensure standards and best practices in the Nigerian Information Technology landscape.
At the inauguration, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, urged informed the members that it is mandatory for all individuals and corporate organisations that are practicing information technology in the country to register with the Council, which is under the supervision of the ministry.
He said the Council has the ministry’ mandate in its fight against quacks, impostors and all irregularities in the IT industry.
He said that Nigerian government is committed to making Nigeria a giant IT compliant economy, adding: I enjoined the Council members to come up with initiatives that will help government achieve this set objectives.
Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, he enjoined the members to partner with government at ensuring that they turn out new generations of youths that are properly equipped with IT knowledge and skills and positioned for global competitiveness.
According to him, the establishment of the Council is government’s way of demonstrating its commitment to the development and deployment of IT in Nigeria.
He said: “Therefore, the establishment of CPN is Government’s way of demonstrating its commitment to the development and deployment of Information Technology in Nigeria. Today, the conduct of government business has become knowledge-intensive on account of the need for the deployment and application of ICT know-how towards our socio-economic growth and development.
“The task of nation building through Information Technology is an enormous one, but it is something we can do. We are all aware of what a dynamic and progressive policy in Information Technology has done for many countries around the world. With our determination, commitment and professionalism, we can attain and surpass their record.
“I wish to remind members of CPN that, the nation’s expectations and hopes are high, but the caliber of the Council members gives me confidence that this Council has competent hands to face the challenges of regulating the fastest developing profession in the world. It is a profession through which our lives have been affected and transformed by virtue of our deployment of Information Technology in the execution of our tasks.” He said.
In his remark, the President of Council, Mr. Kole Jagun, said the Council has come a long way in its efforts to reposition the IT industry for the sustainable developments of the industry and the country.
According to him, the Council was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 49 of 1993 to regulate and supervise the computing industry in Nigeria.
He added that the Council will leverage on the relationship between it and the ministry, adding that they are going to work more with the Minister and his Management Team to ensure that Information Technology Education is entrenched in the country.