GR Diary
NCS’s 27th National Conference to set new National Digital Inclusion Agenda
In line with thee emphasis on innovation, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) will be adopting various approaches through it most unique gathering of IT academia, industry and thought leaders to address challenges and highlight opportunities related to building a digital, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria that leverages on information technology to achieve Sustainable Development.
Speaking to the press ahead of NCS’ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Secretariat in Lagos, the President, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, described the Conference as the most important and influential event which is Nigeria’s largest event for the IT Industry and Profession, organized yearly by NCS.
NCS is the umbrella body of all IT professionals and organizations in Nigeria, with more than 20,000 members and major interest groups (ISPON, ITAN, ISPAN, WiTSoN, ITSSP, AITP, NITPCS).
Also inclusive of one hundred thousand Student body- NACOSS.
The Conference will hold from Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th of July, 2018, at International Conference Centre University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, under the theme “Digital Inclusion: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies”.
High profile dignitaries are expected to grace the event from government, private and educational sectors, as well as from the international and global IT environment with President Mohammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria is Guest of Honour, while Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State is the Chief Host. Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu and Director General of NITDA will be in attendance, Prof. Aderoumu said.
“NCS is preparing for the best ever conference and has assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experience on the theme and sub themes”, the NCS President disclosed.
Their experiences and expert opinions will be of immense benefit to attendees.
The conference, he explained, will focus on important issues related to the theme and sub themes such as: Poverty Eradication and Job Creation in the rural Economy.
“Internet and Broadband for All, e-agriculture, e-health, e-education for inclusion: Software and Local Content. Digital Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Tech Startup, SME and Youth Enterpreneurship. E-Voting and Election Management. New Technologies for Economic Growth and Diversification.
“Digital Literacy, Knowledge Culture and Human Capital Development. Policy and Regulatory Framework. E-government, Citizen Engagement and Open Government. Fintech, e-Commerce and Financial Inclusion. Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Innovative Collaboration and partnership. Cyber security: Awareness, Threat, Protection and Digital Rights. Innovation for the Elderly, Internally Displaced Persons and the Vulnerable, are subthemes to be discussed at the conference”, he said.
Setting the National Digital Inclusion Agenda: Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies and Networking
“The strategic and transformatory role of IT in the economy and society is well recognized. In the fast paced digital era, there is a need for strategic actions and innovative practices to ensure the nation is competitive, engaged and prosperous”, Prof Aderoumu said.
He said that the opportunities tech creates for employment generation, efficient and accountable governance, wealth creation and social development cannot be underestimated.
Meanwhile, the NCS cautions that as the nation must invest in technology, “we must not widen existing divides in society. The sustainability of our efforts requires inclusion.
“The excluded, the vulnerable, the rural populace all need to be part of the digital revolution for Nigeria to fulfil its immense potential. For example, can we really have e-government if the majority of citizens lack access to digital infrastructure and fall short in terms of required digital skills?”
“Through this conference, NCS and its members will again seize the initiative and play a major role setting the National Digital Inclusion Agenda.
“The multi-stakeholder forum will highlight challenges, opportunities and strategies. Networking avenues will be provided to share innovative ideas and research possibilities, examine existing interventions and create new initiatives and practical projects.
“The conference comprises plenary, parallel and technical sessions, networking meetings, panel discussions and special focus forums”, he said.
Specifically highlights include: Plenary and Parallel Sessions, Technical Sessions, Seminars, Research Consortium, Induction of New Members, Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform, Exhibition and Products Launch, Social Media Masterclass, Mentor-Mentee forum, NITDA session, National IT Competitions, Fellows’ Forum and Annual General Meeting, according to report by TechEconomy.ng.
GR Diary
TestNigeria 3.0 Conference: Elevate Your QA Practices to Prevent Outages like CrowdStrike’s
….Sen. Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybercrime, who will declare the conference open
The Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB) has announced plans for the TestNigeria 3.0 Conference, set to take place on September 26, 2024, at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, Lagos State.
With the compelling theme “Security in the Spotlight: Safeguarding Digital Frontiers through QA,” the conference aims to address the critical role of quality assurance (QA) in enhancing the security of digital ecosystems.
Why Attend TestNigeria 3.0?
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Boye Dare, president of NGSTQB, said that the recent CrowdStrike incident, where a defect caused widespread disruptions for banks, hospitals, and airlines, underscores the urgent need for rigorous QA processes.
“Millions of PCs displayed ‘blue screens of death,’ highlighting the essential role of comprehensive testing.
“CrowdStrike has since committed to enhancing their software testing protocols, improving error handling, and adopting staggered deployments to prevent future issues”.
Mr. Dare said that TestNigeria 3.0 will provide attendees with the insights and tools to prevent similar disruptions in their own organisations.
Key Benefits of Attending:
- Learning from CrowdStrike’s Experience: Gain valuable insights into preventing large-scale outages. Understand the importance of thorough testing, robust error handling, and strategic deployment to safeguard your organisation against similar issues.
- Expert-Led Sessions and Panels: Engage with industry leaders and experts in software testing and security. Participate in discussions covering the latest advancements, strategies, and technologies to enhance your QA processes.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals across various sectors. Exchange ideas, share experiences, and build collaborations that can drive innovation and improvement in your QA practices.
- Cutting-Edge Trends and Innovations: Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in software testing. Learn how to integrate security into your QA processes to protect your digital frontiers and ensure the resilience of your software systems.
- Professional Development: Benefit from the expertise of NGSTQB, a leading organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in software testing in Nigeria. Discover how the Test Maturity Model integration (TMMi) can aid in test process improvement and compliance.
Conference Highlights:
- Elevating Security Consciousness in QA Practices: Prioritise security at every stage of the software development lifecycle to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
- Integrating Security Testing into QA Processes: Incorporate methodologies like penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and code review into your QA processes to address security weaknesses before they can be exploited.
- Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Foster collaboration among QA professionals, cybersecurity experts, and industry stakeholders to collectively tackle evolving security challenges.
- Regulatory Compliance and Governance: Align QA processes with regulatory mandates such as NDPR, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO/IEC 27001 to demonstrate commitment to safeguarding sensitive data and protecting privacy rights.
- Empowering Stakeholders through Education and Training: Equip QA professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complex landscape of security and QA through continuous learning and professional development initiatives.
Special Guest of Honour:
“We are honoured to welcome Sen. Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybercrime, who will declare the conference open. We will also welcome Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, the Chairman House Committee for ICT and Cybersecurity who will deliver the Keynote Address.
“The presence of these great lawmakers underscores the importance of this event and the critical role of QA in national cyber resilience”, he said.
About NGSTQB:
The Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB) is dedicated to promoting excellence in software testing and quality assurance in Nigeria. As a member of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®) and the local chapter for The TMMi Foundation, NGSTQB strives to enhance professional standards and practices in software testing through certification, education, and collaboration.
For more information and to register for the conference, please visit https://www.ngstqb.ng/conference
Stakeholders in the education circle are warming up for the maiden edition of Southeast Educators’ Conference 2024(SEEC’24).
The two-day SEEC’24 scheduled to hold 18th & 19th, April 2024 at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu under theme: Future-‘Focused Learning – Igniting the Competitive Edge’ promises to host key players in the education sector with a potential attendance of over 500 delegates.
The conference will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, covering topics ranging from holistic learning approaches to cutting-edge technology integration.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Mrs Doris Chinedu-Okoro, CEO, Evergreen Group, said SEEC’24 is the first of its kind in the Southeast region, presenting a historic opportunity for stakeholders to pioneer positive change in the local education sector.
“It brings together diverse perspectives and innovative ideas,fostering collaboration and networking among educators and stakeholders.
Hundreds of delegates will be in attendance.
“SEEC’24 is dedicated to exploring transformative practices, emphasising holistic learning, technology integration, global citizenship, life-long learning, and community engagement”, she said.
Mr. Osita Chidioka, the former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, who recently launched an online mentorship and leadership programme for Nigerian youths named Mekaria Mentorship Programme (MMP) Foundation Course, will deliver the keynote at SEEC’24.
Prof. Pieter Verdegem; Dr. Joy Isa, Mrs. Bukola Adewuiyi, Lady Uju Dike, Fr. John Njorteah, Alex Onyia, Rotimi Eyitayo, Rhoda Odigboh, Elfrida Diete-Spiff Omole, Dr. ChibuezeLawrence Ofobuike, Ify Obidi-Essien, Dr. Abimbola Ogundere, Angelina Ikeako, Odetola Ebenezer Israel and OgochukwuOnyia, are some of the speakers lined up for the event.
The Evergreen Group CEO added that the conference thrives on a vision to create a dynamic platform that equips educators with the tools and knowledge needed to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of South-Eastern Nigeria.
SEEC’24 is open to School Owners, Heads of Schools (Public and Private), Educational Stakeholders, Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Investors, Startups, and others in the education ecosystem.
“Participants will have the opportunity to engage in two full days of conference sessions, diving deep into the future of Education.
“There will be ample networking opportunities with school leaders from across the geopolitical zone and beyond.
“The evening Gala Night promises a delightful atmosphere for dancing, dining, wining, and fostering deeper connections in a relaxed setting”, she further explained.
Registration is N100,000 via: https://bit.ly/3uTcv9e
· Experts to Discuss Trust, Security and Privacy in AI Era
Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON), the cross-industry platform focused on addressing issues that require broad cooperation and coordination across many constituents in the payments industry, has attracted sponsorships from Digital Encode Limited, Cybervergent and Payble.
Financial industry experts are warming up for the first edition of PAFON, scheduled to take place at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Lagos on Thursday March 21, 2024, by 9am.
The Forum aims at providing an inside-look at the industry, offering perspectives from key stakeholders, including payment networks, technology innovators, leading merchants, issuers, acquirers and payment processors.
Throughout the years, the finance world has shifted into something much more than just banking and big corporations.
Speaking ahead of the star-studded PAFON 1.0, with the theme: “Payments: Trust, Security and Privacy in AI Era”, Dr. Adewale Peter Obadare, the Chief Visionary Officer [CVO], Digital Encode Limited, said that customers want to be assured that their sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and personal details, is treated with utmost care hence security has become paramount in the payments industry.
“Secure payment processing ensures that data breaches are minimized, instilling confidence in customers to keep coming back. Nigerian financial institutions reported ₦159 billion ($201.5 million) lost to fraud cases since 2020, according to the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC). This is what the experts must tackle and customer awareness is key too”, he said.
Based on a report by Gartner, by 2024, 40% of privacy compliance technology will rely on AI, up from 5% in 2019, and by 2025, 60% of large organizations will use at least one privacy-enhancing computation technique in analytics, business intelligence, or cloud computing, and financial services industry is no exempted.
On the other hand, Roosevelt Elias, the co-founder of Payble, described PAFON as a ‘must-attend’ Forum due to the ‘issues listed to be discussed are germane and require critical attention. For instance, building financial inclusive products requires a mix of technology and illiteracy. The industry can’t achieve this by working in silos; we just have to unite to achieve the set target on financial inclusion, particularly for the rural dwellers.
Digital Encode (a leading consulting and integration that specializes in the design, management, and security of business-critical architecture); Cybervergent (a company dedicated to helping protect business sensitive data from cyber-attacks, including customer information, financial records and intellectual property); Payble (a fintech startup that modernises local government payments such as creating citizen-centric payment experiences, delivering flexible billing and simplified rate collection, will be joined at PAFON 1.0 by Inlaks, an IT company that offers core banking, fraud management, cybersecurity, cloud, data center, enterprise risk management, amongst other industry players.
“Our goal is to enable information exchange and knowledge sharing on key industry insights issues amongst key stakeholders, with the objective of ensuring a collaborative and proactive approach to push for policies that enable growth, tackling/mitigating fraud and limiting occurrences and losses”, said Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the co-founder of TechCastle Foundation, organisers of Payment Forum Nigeria (PAFON).
He said that the Forum is driven by the reasons to; “educate and inform financial service players and other stakeholders on various issues and trends (both locally and globally); proactively share data/information amongst banks, Fintechs and other service providers, to enable prompt responses to prevent and/or limit (customer-related) losses; and discuss key Payments security trends”.
“Speakers will be drawn among industry players such as banks, Fintechs, mobile money operators, blockchain experts, Cybersecurity, etc., as we expect attendees from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); e-Banking Heads; Chief Compliance Officers of banks in Nigeria; Chief Internal Auditors of banks in Nigeria; Office of The National Security Adviser; Switching companies; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Licensed Mobile Payment Operators; Electronic Payments Providers; Information Security Experts; Consumer Protection; Financial Policy and Regulation; Information Technology; Legal Services; Banking Supervision; Corporate Communication; Shared Services Office; Blockchain Security Experts, etc”, he added.
Participation:
Participation is free; however, you are required to pre-register using the link here: https://bit.ly/4c4N19H
For sponsorship, please contact: Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi via: 08123355522 or Peter Oluka: 08184346261 or email: [email protected].
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