Governor Imoke, Minister of Comm. Tech, Jim Ovia, Prof Megalos,Funke Opeke, Ndukwe for National Software Conference and Competition 2012.(#Tinapa2012)
National Software Conference and Competition 2012
Theme: “The Cloud and the Future of Software Nigeria.
Date: 28-30 October 2012
Venue: Tinapa, calabar,Nigeria
Tinapa Knowledge City 2012 – Software Nigeria at the World Stage: Nigerian IT Professionals and youths have in the past decades recognized the potentials of software as a dynamic tool to change the world and resolve the many challenging ambiguities associated with life and development. Last year, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) engaged the global knowledge community in her expression of interest as the organization to champion the future and its knowledge society development for Nigeria. All these happened at the Tinapa Knowledge City (TKC), Calabar, Cross River State in 2011.
Today, we are flagging-off perhaps the most significant, challenging and inspiring National Software Conference and Competition in the Nigerian ICT Landscape. The Theme is “The Cloud and the Future of Software Nigeria”. It is hoped that this knowledge conference and competition adventure will unleash the currently suppressed ideas and creativity of Nigerian Software Professionals and the entrepreneurial spirit and skills of our teeming youths.
Tinapa 2011 was a sell-out inaugural event with close to 1000 participants for the Conference and participant segments. The 2012 event promises to be exceptional in all respects. Cross River State Government – our main host and partner – has committed to raising the bar for quality of the conference and ensure a memorable, beneficial and sustainable experience. One of the key factors behind last year’s success was the quality and range of individuals and organisations spread across Africa, Asia and the Americas. This enriched the Round table Interactive sessions and breathtaking presentations.
The central challenge for 2012 is how to improve on the milestone and success of last year’s conference and competition. This is why we have completely re-strategized and revamped the entire branding, speaker, panel of judges’ faculties. We want to assure all the participants of an inspirational experience. This amongst other things is what informed the selection of the current Theme which is designed to explore some of the most critical challenges of the Software Profession and Industry – namely: software in the cloud and what Nigeria must do to survive.
One of the strong points and highlights of the Tinapa Knowledge City 2012 event is the appointment of Engr. Ernest Anene Ndukwe (OFR) – a world-Class ICT Brainbox as the “Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador” (DKA) for the 2012 National Software Conference and Competition. This is an ICT knowledge champion that has not only single handedly re-awakened the nearly comatose Communications Profession and Industry in Nigeria, but transformed it into a world class success story – ever before the promoters of the transformation agenda knew that the word and strategy exists!
The mandate and responsibilities of our “Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador” for Tinapa 2012 shall include but not limited to the following:
- Lead the ISPON National Software Conference and Competition 2012 Team to harness the potentials of Software Nigeria at local and International levels.
- Ensure the Sponsorship and Promotional Success of National Software Competition 2012 Brand, at Public and Private Sector levels.
- c. Unveil the National Software Competition 2012 Trophy to the Sponsors, Media and Public at large.
- Serve as motivational Speaker to the Nigerian Youth Competitors registered for the National Software Competition 2012 (Online and onsite where applicable)
- Any other effective strategy to make the competition a global success.
You will agree that ISPON is prepared to deliver an incredible change-maker event, ensuring that our existing sponsors and key industry partners across the board will earn immense benefits – through their sponsorships and partnerships. This Conference and Competition will create the platform and ensure that a lot of beneficial networking and businesses will be attracted and concluded. It promises to deliver “the magic of the potentials of Nigerian Software Initiative”
Tinapa Software Conference and Competition 2012: The hosting rights for this the 2012 National Software Conference has for the second time been won by Cross River State. His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State has executively endorsed and approved the event in his capacity as Chief Host. Dignitaries expected at the event includes, but not limited to: The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Engr. Namadi Sambo (GCON), Secretary to the Federal Government; Senator Anyim O. Anyim, The Honourable Minister for Communication Technology; Mrs. Omobola Johnson (CFR), The Honourable Minister for Education, State Governors, Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador for Tinapa 2012; Dr. Engr. Ernest Anene Ndukwe – Former EVC, NCC, Chairman Open Media Ltd, The Director General, Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) ; Prof. Cleopas Angaye, EVC of NCC ; Dr. Eugene Juwah, MD/CEO Main One Cable Plc. ;Mrs. Funke Opeke, Director General of Koffi Annan Centre for ICT Excellence Accra, Ghana; Mrs. Dorothy Gordon, DG NOTAP; Dr. Ahmed Brindi, President Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN); Mallam Ibrahin TIzhe, President Nigeria Computer Society (NCS); Mr, Ademola Aladekomo, President ATCON; Engr. Lanre Ajayi, Past President NCS; Prof. Charles Uwadia, President JACITAD; Mr. Shina Badaru, Chairman National Software Policy Committee; Prof Olu. Charles Akinyokun, VC-Administration, University of Benin; Prof Onibere, Captains of Industry and sponsors such as Airtel, NITDA, NCC, ZINOX, MAINONE, 21st Century Limited, and a host of others.
“The Cloud and the Future of Software Nigeria” addresses the overriding mission of the ISPON National Software Conference/Software Competition for tertiary institutions is to promote conscious national awareness on the imperatives for developing Nigeria’s indigenous intellectual property in the software knowledge space. It also aims to harness our collective IT potentials, resources, capacity and capability as a national priority for global competitiveness.
Last year, as part of our commitment to the local Software Content, ISPON launched its Software Knowledge Domestication and Capacity Building Program called “Software for life” by establishing Software development Clubs in 32 Locations of Nigeria’s Tertiary Institutions – in collaborating with NCS and NITDA as platform for engaging international competition.
In recognition that the emerging African ICT Market is big and growing very fast, ISPON’s goal is to become the continent’s Software Market leader – as a medium term goal and engage the global export market potential. ISPON’s “Software for Life” seeks to empower the Youths and emerging start-up companies to successfully handle the development, production, business management processes of products and services that will fulfill our national needs and export demands with quality assurance. That is why we are leading the advocacy for the establishment of National Software Policy and the creation of National Software policy and Innovation Fund.
Focus on Business Process Outsourcing Services – BPO: Over the years, one of the fundamental characteristics of the globally estimated US$ 800 billion Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry is the evolution from cost to quality. Nigeria, through the combined Tinapa Knowledge City and ISPON ‘Software for Life’ initiatives can take advantage of the new opportunities in BPO as significant contributor to our National GDP index.
Partnership Relationship with Global Players: ISPON has over the years forged constructive partnership relationship with International groups and corporate entities such as, Microsoft, Global University Systems, The Millennium University, Global Early Warning System, Korea University College of Innovation, Software Development Foru