- To induct 300 new members
The Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), the regulator of information technology and computation machinery, said it will advocate for Digital technologies to address Nigeria’s social and economic recovery challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Charles Uwadia, President and Chairman in Council of CPN stated this during a virtual press conference on the body’s forthcoming 2021 IT Professionals’ Assembly which will hold at NICON Luxury (Formerly Le ‘Meridien Hotel), Abuja on Thursday 8th April, 2021.
Drawing on the global, regional, and national experiences, the 2021 IT Professionals’ Assembly with the theme, ‘Harnessing Digital Technologies for Social and Economic Recovery’ will highlight the opportunities and challenges of building more innovations that can drive the economy of our nation.
“We envisage that in the years to come, Nigeria shall be a nation that has fully harnessed the potential of technological innovation to grow our economy and uplift our people. The Keynote address will be delivered by Dr (Mrs.) Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, Managing Partner, Compliance Professionals Plc and former Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).”
Uwadia further stated that the IT Assembly as a practice, will be preceded by the induction of about 300 new members into the IT profession. “Digital technologies have proved beyond measure, its applicability in achieving efficiency in all sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, playing an indispensable role in sustaining social and economic activities.
“Challenges and risks also emerged in the course of embracing various digital innovations. Drawing on the global, regional, and national experiences, the 2021 IT Professionals’ Assembly will highlight the opportunities and challenges of building more innovations that can drive the economy of our nation.
Uwadia emphasized that CPN established through Act No 49 of 1993, is a corporate entity that is charged with the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act. CPN is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The Act 49 of 1993 makes it mandatory for all persons and organizations seeking to engage, or engaged in the sale or use of computing facilities and the provision of professional services in computing as well as the use of computational machinery and techniques related thereto to be registered by the Council and licensed to carry out such activities.
Its functions and responsibilities include the following: 1.To determine the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the computing profession and improve those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit.
2.To secure, in accordance with the provision of the Act, the establishment and maintenance of a register of persons seeking to be registered under the Act to practice the computing profession and the publication from time to time of the list of such persons.
Consequently, the Council is responsible for the following among other things:
a. Organization of computing practice in Nigeria
b Control of the practice of computing in Nigeria
c. Supervision of the practice of computing in Nigeria
d. Screening of individuals or Corporate Bodies seeking to be registered to engage in the sale or use of computational machinery and techniques related thereto as well as provision of professional services in computing in the country.
e. Ensuring high computing professional Ethics and Standards.
f. Creation and sustenance of local and international contacts for our members,
g. Reduced charges for some specific professional services and facilities.
h. Determining academic standards in Computer Science, Computer Engineering and other related disciplines.
i. Accreditation of institutions’ courses and programmes as well as evaluation of certificates in computing.
j. Conducting professional examination in computing in collaboration with the Nigeria Computer Society.
k. Publication of the Register of Computer Professionals and other professional works like journals, books, magazines and newsletters.
In Nigeria, it is illegal to engage in computing and professional practice without satisfying these stated conditions – registration and possession of a current valid license, Professor Charles O. Uwadia, added.