News	<< Back to News link

OPERATORS CONDEMNS SHAM ICT AWARDS IN NIGERIA

This panel will source inputs from such organizations as the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Corporate Affairs commission (CAC), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Consumer Rights Groups, etc. during the process of evaluation of nominees for the awards. All the relevant industry groups – Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Association of Licensed Telephone Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Internet Services Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Nigerian Internet Registration Agency (NIRA), Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), Association of Cyber-cafe & Tele-centre Operators of Nigeria (ACTON), Nigerian GSM Association, and many others – should play a supervisory role in the evaluation, selection and award processes to ensure compliance to laid down standards.

ATCON recognizes the fact that any group, organization or individual has a right to reward a group, an organization or individual with recognition, honour, prize or award for patronage and support received or contributions towards a noble goal. Obviously, it is misleading and fraudulent to overtly or covertly design such a private business to portray an award organised by the Nigerian state or to attempt to give the status of a national award to a purely private award. It is also unethical for awards to be issued on ‘cash-and-carry’ basis. There must be some rational control over this ugly situation to save our dear nation the image of a country where just anything goes. Let it be very clear here that ATCON is not interested in the management or business aspects of the awards. ATCON’s concern is in standardization and adherence to due process in the entire evaluation and selection exercise. ATCON welcomes inputs into these suggestions to help remedy the deteriorating situation and recommends that these steps be applied across other sectors of our national economy to safe Nigeria from the embarrassment of scam awards.

<< Back

ADVERTISEMENT