General News
Right of Reply: SAHCOL Got it all Wrong
Indigenous Software: SAHCOL got it all wrong! The purpose of this write up is to present an empirically informed understanding of the processes inherent in software development dynamics as a professional response by the Institute of Software Practitioners’ of Nigeria (ISPON) to statements and opinion published in the Nigeria Communications Week – Online version of Friday, August 3, 2012 (Online News Letter August 3, 2012) and credited to one Adejare Adekitan, a staff and head information and Communications Technology (ICT) at Skyway Aviation Company Limited.
The views would definitely not go unnoticed by discerning I.T Professionals and indigenous Software Developers. This response therefore aims to correct the very misleading and ignorant impression by the source – Mr. Adejare.
Mr. Adejare in his remark emphasised the continued patronage of Foreign Software as against indigenous software-and a critical look at this statements did not present any argument on technicalities as to the reason why indigenous software is not of reckoning to the Aviation.
This is a fallacy and goes to a long way to publicly display the deep of ignorance of how software product functionality, quality and integrity emerges and are sustained. It is therefore constructive to emphasize that “No software in the World is perfect” – that is why continuous versioning of Applications and solutions are strategic imperatives. Software Engineering is about transforming organisational policy, functions, business-processes and operations culture into an automated systems solution.
It is important to emphasise the following to debug and debunk the fallacy embedded in the statement of Mr Adejare: 1. All Software Solutions of the world are delivered with one, many, and several process flaws or errors in them – that is why there are many versions, leading to system capability and maturity model (CMM). Even at that, the complexity of human needs continues to demand more perfection that makes flawless software process a mirage.
2. There are numerous Foreign Software – imported into Nigeria and deployed\implemented by the Aviation and Banking sectors and other core Industries at colossal cost to shareholders and national economy – that have either FAILED to perform, or fulfill the contract scope of works!
3. I doubt is Mr Adejare is listed in the membership registry of Professional IT/Software Practitioners’ of Nigeria and his opinion to say the least is grossly uninformed and a layman view. His views are grossly misleading, ignorant and should not be taken as expert opinion.
Least Mr Adejare forgets, that as an electrical engineering graduate who to my view had never ventured nor written any reasonable Software application for the Aviation industry, will arrogate to himself to be an expert judge on Indigenous Software. By extension, he missed the point by expressing the view that Africa has no credible Software Developers which is equal to saying that orthodox medicine cures all illnesses in Africa.
Nay, the matter is about human intellect and creativity – that is software and Africa/Nigeria have them plenty. Let is be said that indigenous software applications are driving the significant operations of some of Nigeria’s top performing industries, including Aviation banks, oil and Gas, and so on.
The critical issue of this subject matter is focused on the fact that Software development lifecycle has two fundamental elements: Domain Knowledge and Professional Expertise on Analytical Process to codify the required solution – applying specific tools and standard procedures. In that context, Aviation Applications are predominantly and indirectly address and specified by Domain Knowledge Resources from the sector (who generate the operational policy roadmap brief) working directly with Software Analysts’ Engineers and Developers who apply technology process logic and tools to deliver the assessed needs of the client.
Same applies to Space Exploration, Communications, Financial, Accounting, Payroll, Construction, Medical, Agricultural, Oil & Gas Solutions to mention but a few. Software from the above mentioned domain are often subjected to intensive domain research through various channels of investment –particularly encouraged by the financial institutions.
The gestation period is long – maturity timeline ranges from minimum 3 to 5 to 7 years. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any of such classified investment in the Software industry in Nigeria by the Banking Sector. What Mr Adejare seems to forget is that Indigenous Software Developers read from the same Universities, book and use the same tools as their foreign counterparts. Enabling environment may differ.
Indeed, the domain policy, operational requirements and briefs from the clients are then matched with the technology needs-assessment of the clients to enable the Software developers come up with the desired design and appropriate tools capable of delivering the solution.
Software – simply defined as computer software, or just software, is the collection of computer programs and related data designed to provide the logical instructions directing a computer hardware or related devices on what to do.
The term was coined to contrast to the old term hardware (meaning physical devices). In contrast to hardware, software is intangible, meaning it “cannot be touched”.
Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only. Most of these software applications are derived from DOMAIN needs and replicate the operational characteristics of such domain.
Coming from the banking sector which should be concerned about the growth of the economy, this is really heart breaking and goes a long way to show that majority of our financial institutions are not committed to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
Mr. Adejare of SAHCOL got it all wrong by while asserting that foreign software solutions are the answer to Nigeria’s Aviation Sector, he has not stopped to think of the peculiarity of adaptive technology which can only be guaranteed by the local developers. By extension, he might have become a paid ally of those countries who intend to box us into the Digital Colony Domain, where Aviaton Application software becomes the major tool to assassinate stubborn African/Nigerian President in Future.
He probably has not realised that the domain knowledge is most critical to the development of application software solutions and that Nigerian Developed Software is perhaps the most fundamental component for the future and survivability of the Nigerian nation.
His argument that the Software industry in Nigeria might be young, thus unable to handle enterprise software and solutions of ‘Aviation Proportions’ is flawed on the background of the cognate experience of Nigerian Software Developers which spans more that 30 years of the 50 years origin of modern software development culture.
Mr. Adejare has not taken into account of the fact that Nigerian software developers have worked and continue to support the sustainability of foreign software.
Indeed, these Nigerians still head those foreign software organisations operating in Nigeria.
Mr Adejare not only sleights the software industry which was given credence by the Obasanjo Administration when the then President directed all MDA’s to use Indigenous software but also berates himself as an IT professional for being incapable of meeting the technical and intellectual needs of an industry which prides itself on imported software.
Nigeria may not have dedicated tertiary institutions as concerns software development, but that does not mean that the higher institutions/indigenous companies are not meeting the software needs of discerning Nigerians. How much of investment has the bank committed into software development in Nigeria?
Mr. Adejare needs to sit with developers and let them showcase their milestones and challenges instead of insulting the intellectual capability of software practitioners by falsely asserting that indigenous application software are not robust enough to meet the rigours of enterprise demands.
Indeed that false statement becomes transparently misleading when weighed against the following false statements: 1. Nigerians are not capable of developing and managing Banking business!
2. Nigerian Pilots are not capable of flying an A380 Airbus!
3. Nigerian Lawyers and Judges are not capable of handling international judicial litigation!
4. Nigerian Scientists are not capable of making new discoveries! 5. Nigerian writers are not capable of writing internationally acclaimed books! 6. Nigerians are not capable of being the President of their nation!!!
ISPON demands and unreserved apology from Mr. Adejare for insulting Nigerian Software Developers. To SAHCOL, the employers of Mr. Adejare, ensure that your staff is registered to practice the ICT Profession in Nigeria, else, he is undertaking and illegal employment.
That the software industry in Nigeria is not being patronised is due to the subconscionable bias towards foreign goods which majority of colonised countries still carry.
They should liberate themselves from this mental slavery and wake up to the reality of Nigerian Entrepreneurial spirit.
Furthermore, the foreign exchange transfer factor of Foreign Software and services is why people like Mr. Adejare have become their spokesman.
The digital space and laboratory for the practice of Software in our nation is the client’s domain the is our current and future laboratory – and no one has the right to deny indigenous software developers the fundamental and intellectual rights (IPRs) to practice their profession within that digital/cyberspace.
It is a great illusion to belief that things will remain the way they presently are!
There is need to inform Mr. Adejare that our education system is currently producing Information Technology Practitioners in very large numbers.
And that the Nigerian code warriors have arrived and ready to take charge. Finally, Nigerian Aviation should open the digital space and create a level playing field for Indigenous Software developers – both at home and in the Diaspora.
They should proof their support for indigenous software by challenging them with project calls. The hide and seek game in defence of foreign software to corruptly earn foreign exchange is over! With the Local Content act, Game is up.
The dual of little Damilare Adeniran and Gold Obi Besong, students of Pastor Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School, Ketu emerged overall winners in this year’s KidsCook Showdown 2.0 held over the weekend.
KidsCook Showdown is an initiative of Dominion Consultancy Concepts, aimed at introducing children between the ages of 6 and 8 to household chores early.
At the grand finale of the contest that featured four schools with two cooking contests of pasta and swallow, Pastor Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School, Ketu secured the highest points by the three judges, Aina Memorial Nursery and Primary School was the runners up; while Oke-Ifako Nursery and Primary School, Gbagada took third place.
Mrs. Enitan Tanimowo, Director, Dominion Consultancy Concepts, organiser of the event, said the goal of KidsCook Showdown is to inspire children to see cooking not just as a chore, but as a fun, creative way to develop themselves, learn discipline, and build confidence and these skills help them into the future.
“It is a thing of joy for us. When we started, it was a case of what can these children do? After all they are too small. But, we found out that the children can do things, they are not babies. What we are doing today is to prove that our children can do much more if we entrust them with that responsibility.
“There are a lot happening in our environment especially as many adults lack responsibilities today which can be trace back to upbringing. This event reminds parents of the need to train their children the way they should go, so, when they grow up they will be balance by understanding what responsibility means.
Tanimowo added that the initiative directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)—by using hands-on, practical learning to promote balanced nutrition and social development. The event is bringing together parents, teachers, and professionals to champion the next generation.
Looking forward to 2027
She said the goal is to impact more children. This year, we worked with 6 schools in partnership with LASUBEB. And we want to impact more schools across different local governments in Lagos State.
“There’s need to equip our children to be hand-on, be diligent and responsible, it helps them. One research I read reveals that when children are taught how to be responsible at home, it helps them academically. This is one fact that many parents don’t know.
“One thing we have observed since the beginning of this initiative is that a lot of children within the ages of 6 and 8 are not taught how to be responsible at home.
These children should be capable at this age because their brain is already developing cognitive skills, the message is that parents need to do more in training our children better to be more responsible, be hands-on, it does help them. It helps the country as a whole because if we have more people that are responsible, they will be able to solve problems, take initiatives and as well build their businesses.
“We are excited by the level of participation in this edition and plans to reach out to more local governments in Lagos state. Our goal is to impact more children to be hands-on and responsible and in turn develop entrepreneurship skills in the children.
Paystack, one of Africa’s leading payments technology companies, has launched a programme to support Nigerian small businesses through a range of initiatives designed to help them grow, connect with relevant opportunities and access funding.
The scheme known as Paystack Small Business Programme will support businesses as they start, manage and grow their operations, starting with Paystack Small Business Bundle. The bundle gives eligible Nigerian merchants access to up to N4 million in discounts on tools and services from selected partners across key areas of business operations, including commerce, bookkeeping, logistics, design, workspace, customer communication and digital tools.
Small businesses play a significant role in Nigeria’s economy, but many still face daily operational challenges, from managing sales and records, reaching customers, handling deliveries, and accessing affordable tools.
The programme has been developed to provide practical support for these businesses as they manage daily operations and plan for their next stage of growth.
According to the firm, the Paystack Small Business Programme will start with different initiatives.
The firm explained that through the small business bundle, eligible merchants can access offers from partners including Bumpa, Ijeworks, Wiicreate, Flowcart, Simplebks, Africaworks, Paystack, Kindlybook, FezDelivery, Gamp, Pressone, Mercurie, Shuttlers and Canva.
Paystack is targeting 2,000 Nigerian SMBs for the small-business bundle, with additional partner offers expected over time.
Federal Government is considering the reintroduction of a stricter cashless policy as part of efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country.
Security sources said the proposal is being reviewed alongside ongoing military and intelligence operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks and disrupting their sources of funding.
The sources disclosed that limiting the use of cash could make it more difficult for kidnappers and other criminal groups to receive ransom payments without detection.
According to the officials, many criminal organisations prefer cash transactions because they leave little or no financial trail, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace payments and identify those involved.
They explained that ransom payments processed through formal financial channels are easier to monitor and investigate, thereby providing valuable intelligence for security agencies.
The sources noted that strengthening the cashless policy could improve the ability of authorities to track suspicious financial transactions and uncover criminal networks operating across the country.
Speaking on the development, security analyst Mr Iyke Odife described kidnapping for ransom as one of Nigeria’s most pressing security challenges.
Odife said victims of kidnapping now cut across various segments of society, including farmers, students, travellers, traditional rulers and residents of rural communities.
According to him, the widespread use of cash in the economy has continued to provide opportunities for criminal groups to receive and move ransom payments without attracting attention from security agencies.
He argued that reducing cash-based transactions could significantly limit the operational freedom of kidnappers and other organised criminal groups.
“The heavy reliance on cash makes it easier for criminal elements to collect and transfer ransom money without leaving a trace.
“A more robust cashless system could help security agencies track illicit financial flows and strengthen efforts to combat kidnapping,” he said.
The move comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in several parts of the country, where kidnapping for ransom has remained a major threat despite ongoing security operations.
Analysts, however, stress that any strengthened cashless policy should be accompanied by improved digital infrastructure, financial inclusion measures and enhanced cybersecurity to ensure its effectiveness.
The Federal Government is yet to make an official announcement on the scope and timeline of the proposed policy.
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