Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Ogun State

Nigeria Computer Society, Ogun State Chapter was re-inaugurated in 2008 after about ten (10) years of inauguration with no activities and meetings. The re-inauguration became mandatory as NCS need to have its presence in all state of the federation.

The re-inauguration was made by the then executive secretary of the society, Dr. Oladunjoye and the then Dr. A. S. Shodiya  of the then University of Agriculture now Federal University of Agriculture was saddled with the responsibility of Coordinating the chapter. This appointment came with a heavy task of populating the membership of the chapter and bringing back those who were already registered members of the chapter.

Knowing the task ahead Dr. A. S. Shodiya took up the challenge and work rigorously with the few members present, hence the existence and population of the chapter today.  The chapter was not able to conduct election until after nine (9) month because of the number of members.

The election was conducted and presided over by Mr. Adegboye of Crawford University, Igbesa and Dr. A. S. Sodiya emerged as first elected Chairman after re-inauguration for the next two (2) years, Other members return elected includes:
Mr. Olushola Oteshile                  –        Vice Chairman
Mr. Dipo Diyan                           –        Secretary
Mr. Tunde Solanke                      –        Assistant Secretary
Mrs. M. K. Rabiu                         –        Financial Secretary
Mr. Johnson Shoboyejo               –        Treasurer
Mr. Abiola Ogundeko                  –        Public Relation Officer.

Since the election, NCS, Ogun State has embarked on series of activities like Software Development and Quiz Competition among Tertiary Institution, which we had the 10th edition in 2019, the maiden edition was hosted by BABCOCK University, Illisan, Remo, Ogun State; Seminar for Secretaries and Administrator; e.t.c.

For the past 22 years, NCS Ogun State has recorded tremendous achievements and still counting, some of the them are here under-listed:

1. Information Technology Development programme:
   This is one of the flagship programme of the chapter, which was introduced in 2009 and sustained till date. It is an annual event that involves all Tertiary Institutions in the South-West zone of Nigeria coming together to compete on IT Quiz, IT Innovation Presentation and Software Development. This event had been held in various institutions like Babcock University, Ilisan, Remo, Ogun State (2009), Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State (2010), Redeemers University Mowe, Ogun state (2011), Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun (2012), Covenant University (2013), Bells University of Technology (2014), Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (2015), Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (2017), Chrisland University (2018) and Crescent University, Abeokuta (2019).

2. Applied Information Technology Conference:
   The AIT Conference debuted in 2015. NCS Ogun State in its commitment to pushing the boundaries in IT research to drive improvements in the   nation   and   bring   together   group   of   researchers,   inventors, entrepreneurs and policy makers with interest in information technology and to provide an important channel for exchange of ideas and information collaborated with the Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to deliver the Applied Information Technology Conference. Three editions of the conference have been successfully held in 2015, 2017 and 2019 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta with participants gathering from across the country.

3. Young IT Brains Competition:
   The Young IT Brains  Competition  is designed for pupils of Primary Schools to compete on the knowledge an application of Information Technology. The programme which debuted in 2013 had always been held yearly till date. The competition, which is been sponsored by Dr. Yele Okeremi, CEO, Precise Financial Systems, Lagos, is still making waves with growing popularity and having direct impact on the pupils.

4. I.T. Talent Hunt:
   In order to increase the use and awareness of Information Technology among Nigerian youths, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Ogun State chapter in 2017 introduced a new competition tagged “I.T. Talent Hunt” for students of Junior Secondary School (JSS 1-3) in public & private secondary schools.

5. Computer Brains Club:
   Nigeria Computer Society, Ogun State Chapter launched the free Computer Club tagged “Computer Brains Club” for Primary 4, 5, 6 pupils to SS2 students in 2015 with about 1,500 participants in attendance. Going by the rapid growth of Information Technology and its importance in the society, Ogun State Chapter of NCS plans to pick youth from the cradle. We are proud to inform you that Ogun State won the first prize of the NCS Whiz Kid Competition for this category in 2012 and 2014 editions of the competition. The intention is to encourage the youths in the study and improve their orientation in the use of Information Technology by enlightening them from the cradle.

6. Ogun IT Merit Award:
   It is also worth informing you that we have a biennial event tagged  Ogun IT  Merit  Award  (OGITMA)  to  celebrate  and reward   outstanding   achievements  in   Information  Technology  (IT)  by corporate organizations and individuals. OGITMA recognizes the contributions of individuals to the State chapter of NCS, exceptional hard work and excellence in accelerating IT development in Nigeria.

7. PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS:
   The state chapter organises series of impactful I.T. professional trainings on different trending areas periodically both to members of the society and the general public.

8. I.T. STAKEHOLDERS FORUM:
   This is a programme jointly organized by the Ogun State chapter in partnership with a tech hub in the state, Lead Resources. The maiden edition was held in 2018 at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Youth Centre, Abeokuta with the theme: “Building the Technology and Innovation Ecosystem in Ogun State” and was well-attended. The well-drafted communiqué of that programme has been released to the Ogun State Government and is receiving attention and been implemented in phases. 

9. LANDED PROPERTY:
   In furtherance to the pursuance of a permanent secretariat to cement the presence of the Nigeria Computer Society in the State, the society is in possession of a government-allocated land in Magbon, behind Conference Hotel, Abeokuta. Government Survey has been produced for the land and beacons established. 

10. IT Pathway Bulletin:
    The society has published several editions of its Quarterly publication – IT Pathway Bulletin to educate, inform and sensitize members on latest news and trends in Information Technology. 

11. COLLABORATION, SYNERGY AND CORPORATE SUPPORT :
    The Society had enjoyed cordial relationship and support from Ogun State Government, particularly the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The Chapter also enjoyed immense corporate support from Precise Financial Systems, Bluechips Technologies, Lead Resources, Integrated Software Services Ltd, Accenture Nigeria and Ogun State Television. The list of supporting institutions include: Babcock University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Crescent University, Abeokuta, African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Egba High School, Asero, Abeokuta, Seolad International School, Mowe, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, Mayflower Secondary School, Ikenne and Ambassador International School, Ota and a host of other secondary and primary schools.

12. NCS NATIONAL ANTHEM
    The State Chapter at the 2018 National IT Merit Award (NITMA) held at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos blazed the trail with the presentation of an anthem written and composed by the current Southwest Coordinator/CPN Representation and former Chairman of the State Chapter, Dr. ‘Bukola Onashoga, which has now been adopted by the national body by the President Prof. Adesina Sodiya.

13. EMERGENCE OF PROF. ADESINA SODIYA AS THE NCS NATIONAL PRESIDENT
    During the period under review, the State Chapter had the honour of producing the current President of the society, Prof. Adesina Sodiya, FNCS during the National Conference held at the Gombe International Conference Centre, Gombe. Apart from the President, the state has the honour of having two other members on the National Executive Council namely: Dr. ‘Bukola Onashoga, Southwest Coordinator/CPN representative and Prof. Oludele Awodele, Chairman, Innovation, Research and Development committee.

14. MEMBERSHIP
    The Chapter’s membership size has increased over the years and has membership spreading across the public/civil service, tertiary institutions and private organizations owing to direct mobilization by our members and other programmes organized by the society.