NITTA 2008 Brings Completion to a Revolution

A life changing process that began seven years ago has culminated into a history that keeps unfolding each year – the Nigerian Information Technology and Telecom Awards; it is a part of Nigeria’s winning ways with ICT. NITTA 2008 brings a new dimension to the annual event.

Pioneering a life transforming movement could have its bagful of challenges. There were those days when only greys dominated the horizon and there seemed to be no glimmer of light; not even a tunnel for rays of such light to penetrate. And then, gradually pains transformed into hope and joined with faith, then dreams translated into reality. That was what the last seven years have meant in the life of Nigeria’s foremost ICT recognition award for an industry that is fast changing the way businesses are carried out in the country. NITTA has passed through these stages and now it is in its bloom.

To those gifted with discerning spirit, the number seven represents completion. Easily, the reference to this eternal truth is the wonderful work of the Almighty in the seven days display of infinite power of the word. And God said …Let there be …and there was and again, He said Let there be…These all happened on the sixth day. “On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day, and …”

The reward that NITTA brings to industry operators as it enters its seventh edition this year presents for the industry something to ponder. And that is that with vision, the highest of mountains can be surmounted. The Awards in this its seventh year serves as a reminder to Nigerians and the ICT industry players that at about this time in 2002 when NITTA first rolled out, the country has achieved a few million lines, but we were still grossly conscious of an earlier time that were dominated by hopelessness, fear, ineptitude, and unbridled lack of trust in an institution that ran the affairs of telecommunications and by extension the ICT industry.

Indeed, NITTA in 2002 and in the years that followed provided that much needed path on the back that will further fire the zeal of Nigerians and their friendly investors from other lands, to continue to trust in the country and what future lay ahead for a young industry as it was then and to a great extent is still even now.

In 2008, it’s a whole new world for NITTA and the industry that has made nonsense of earlier predictions that ‘nothing good could ever come out of Nigeria’. Providing a modest platform to show appreciation to a few men and women who often have to sacrifice time, money and at the extreme love, in order to bring joy and comfort into the lives of others would not be too much a thing to offer. That was the thinking of the magazine’s management when it instituted the NITTA awards.

Seven years after, that position has not changed, if anything it has become more fortified and strengthened by the size and dimension the industry has attained. Like most things big, it is quite easy for good works to pass unnoticed while those good souls that have done all the good go home and brood the seeming ‘lack of appreciation’ from the society. Thus, in 2008, NITTA will sustain the celebration of the champions of ICT in Nigeria.

Scheduled to hold at the now traditional venue of MUSON Centre, Onikan, on the Island of Lagos; NITTA 2008 will attract as usual and even more the society’s biggest contributors to this national success. Essentially an industry event, NITTA in recent time has also become the toast of the adjunct industries that have found the tools of ICT to be at the centre of their operations and successes. Thus, Nigeria’s newly capitalised financial institutions led by the banks, the numerous and tremendously creative IT firms headed by the OEMs, etc; they have come to find a place in NITTA.

November 14, 2008 however, just as it is with every edition of NITTA will introduce a new dimension to the awards as it will for the first time pay attention to the new area of rural underserved products that has been of primary concern to both government and the telecom industry regulator in the last one year; apart from the conventional awards categories that has become firmed up to reflect the changes taking place in Nigeria’s ICT.

An impressive number of categories have been lined up for contest for the Nigerian telecom corporate world. This news also signals the formal call for entries from operators and stakeholders alike while the full list of categories is to be released soon by the Board of Trustees through the NITTA administrators.

While entries are expected to start rolling in a few weeks, sponsorship has already witnessed interest from corporate bodies and institutions for the 2008 awards and this would be made public very soon, according to the organisers.

Instituted to show appreciation to players in the nation’s ICT and related industries; the NITTA awards in the last seven years has continued to positively influence the course of the industry by showcasing the accomplishments of the industry players and thereby encouraging even newer ones to improve on what they are doing knowing that a reward awaits their contributions.

This much was expressed by former communications minister, Chief Cornelius Adebayo when in 2005 he expressed support for what NITTA stands for. According to Chief Adebayo, “I believe everyone involved in our country’s ICT sector, be they telecom operators, experts, computer companies, governments or indeed the academia, must have realised by now the crucial role that NITTA plays in recognising players, companies, products and services as well as officials and governments that have helped in taking Nigeria to this enviable level.

“While we are not resting on our oars despite the achievements of the last four years, it is important to commend NITTA’s role in holding this growth for people to see and at the same time recognising those who have contributed in one way or another to the growth. This certainly also helps to ginger both companies and individuals to aspire to do more, a situation that benefits the country in general.”

Similar words of encouragement and expression of solidarity for the nation’s most outstanding award in the ICT industry has been expressed in the past by ministers and top government functionaries on the outstanding contributions of NITTA to the ICT success story of the country. Such dignitaries include former minister of communications, Obafemi Anibaba, current minister of communications and information, Mr John Odey; first Republic minister of information who also chaired the 2005 edition of NITTA elder statesman, Chief Matthew Mbu; another former minister of three ministries and a captain of industries who chaired the 2006 edition of NITTA, Chief Wole Adeosun and 2007 chairman of NITTA awards and former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade, former communications minister and NCC Board member, Dr. Olawale Ige; amongst others.

NITTA in its six years has hosted at least four state governors, past and serving state commissioners in science and technology, corporate leaders cutting across various sectors and the international community who have greatly supported Nigeria’s ICT revolution.

This commendation continues this year even as the preparations for the awards enter the final stages.

Already, before this formal announcement, the offices of IT & Telecom Digest, administrators of NITTA, have been inundated with phone calls and letters as well as emails by several companies which have expressed interest in being part of the annual event.

Background to NITTA
Instituted in 2002 just at the onset of the Nigerian ICT revolution ignited by the successful auction of the GSM license a year before, NITTA has remained the industry’s leading awards.

Funded in part by the award winning African ICT magazine published in Nigeria – IT & Telecom Digest magazine; the award first held at the Eko Hotel and Towers in 2002 and subsequently for three years. In 2005, the choice of venue shifted to the more central MUSON Centre and has remained there for the last three editions.

Funding for the event has in part, continued to come from several organisations and stakeholders who share in the dreams of NITTA and the need to keep competition in the sector high and healthy, while at the same time delivering quality services to the consumers.

In the six years history of the awards, more than 80 individuals, corporate bodies and government/institutions have received the awards plaques and prizes. And in 2008, about 20 winners are expected to be honoured at the elaborate ceremonies.

The awards winners are usually chosen by a Board of Trustees which comprise of eminent Nigerians including a former minister of information, former NCC boss, and is chaired by the former NBC chairman, Dr. Tom Adaba, among others. The Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest magazine, Mr Mkpe Abang is the chief host at NITTA awards.

NIITA 2007

Here are the Winners!!!!

Telephone Company of the Year (Fixed)
21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES

Telephone Company of the Year (Wireless)
STARCOMMS

Customer Care Company of the Year
CELTEL NIGERIA

Mobile Phone Company of the Year
GLO MOBILE

National Operator of the Year
GLOBACOM

Telecom Equipment Supplier of the Year
ACCAT

Network Company of the Year
ERICSSON

Telecom Personality of the Year
MOHAMED JAMEEL

Smart Phone of the Year
SONY ERICSSON P1i

GSM Handset Brand of the Year
NOKIA

Most Innovative Handset Maker of the Year
SAMSUNG

Telecom CEO of the Year
QUBAIN MAHER

VSAT Company of the Year
NETCOM AFRICA

Computer Brand of the Year
ZINOX

Indigenous Software of the Year
SYMBOLS – BY PROGENICS

New Technology Solutions Company of the Year
T3 COMMUNICATIONS

Broadband Company of the Year
DIRECT-ON-PC

WiMAX Company of the Year
DIRECT-ON-PC

e-Banking Product of the Year
ECOBANK NAIRA CREDIT CARD

Satellite Company of the Year
GILAT SATCOM

IT Personality of the Year
LANRE AJAYI

Internet Service Provider of the Year
DIRECT-ON-PC

e-Banker of the Year
JIM OVIA

ICT Reporter of the Year (Print)
ELVIS EROMOSELE

Computer Distributor of the Year
TECHNOLOGY DISTRIBUTIONS

Corporate Social Responsibility Company of the Year
MTN NIGERIA

Africa Telecom Regulator the Year
NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

ICT Governor of the Year
HIS EXCELLENCY DR. OLUSEGUN AGAGU
Governor, Ondo State

ICT Governor of the Year
HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR MAMMAN BELLO ALI
Governor, Yobe State

ICT Governor of the Year
HIS EXCELLENCY GODSWILL AKPABIO
Governor, Akwa Ibom State

Man of the Year
MIKE ADENUGA JNR.