The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, (CPN), has tasked all states in Nigeria to emulate the Lagos state government by replicating the Body of Computer Cadres in the Unified Local Governments (BCLG) at the grassroots level.
Recall that Lagos state setup the BCLG in 2020, and the body is instrumental in the establishment of Information Communication Technology Units (ICT Units) in all the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs by the state government. First of its kind by any state in the country.
Former registrar, CPN, Sikiru Shehu, who made the call, while giving his opening address at the symposium and local tech showcase (first edition) with the them: ‘Grassroots Data for National Development’, on Tuesday, in Lagos, said, it is crucial that local governments as government establishments should have a structure where there will be a technical IT department for each local government, from where IT supports will get to other offices within the local governments.
For the purpose of capacity building, IT infrastructural development, and resource sharing, the IT departments in the local governments should have a centralised coordination organ that will create an enabling environment that will ensure that the grassroots governments are flowing inline with the Lagos State Smart City agenda, Shehu advocated.
He averred that, a lot of data are being generated daily at the grassroots and if they are well managed and harnessed, they could be used to coordinate local communities, as these communities are the bedrocks of the nation.
“For a sustainable national development in this 21st century, data gathering, management and adequate usage is of high importance, and the easiest way to get reliable up- to -date data is through the closest organizations to the data subjects (the citizens that generates and owns the data).
The strongest in the value chain are the local governments, they should therefore be supported and empowered adequately,” he posited.
Shehu applauded Lagos state government for establishing ICT Units in local governments of the state, while urging other state governments to emulate Lagos, and start from somewhere.
Speaking on the Symposium, the former registrar said, the symposium is novel, adding that, it is an avenue for the professional bodies to get involved and engage the government on matters of IT profession. “It will also provide the opportunity for IT professionals in both the public and private sectors to engage on topics that are relevant to the development of Information Technology in Local Governments in the country.
“The showcase part of the event is to give opportunities to young Nigerians with IT hands on skills, who may have solutions for local governments or any government. We should all support these young chaps and give them the the opportunity to add their own quota to the development of the nation, and also get rewarded for their good works,” he said.
