Sep 23, 2009 (Vanguard/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- The Information Technology Association of Nigeria, (ITAN) in collaboration with the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Kano State Government through the Office of the Hon. Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Bashir Galadanci, will next week in Kano hold a one day IT Public-Private Forum with the theme "Plucking the Low Hanging Fruits".

The President of ITAN Dr Jimson Olufuye in a statement said that the IT Public-Private Forum (ITPPF) is a forum of key Public Officers in Charge of IT in states, namely Commissioners for Science and Technology and IT Advisers with IT CEOs. The Forum he said was inaugurated on April 23, 2009 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja by WITSA Chairman Dato' Dan E. Khoo when he visited the country during ADIPENG 2009 - an International IT Conference organized by ITAN, in collaboration with WITSA, NCS and NITDA.

According to him, the objectives of the forum are to; a) connect government ICT initiatives with industry; b) support initiatives to increase government budgetary allocation for ICT; c) build skilled capacities for State Information Infrastructure (SII); d) create conducive atmosphere for FDI into States for development; e) fast track the attainment of the objectives of the MDGs; f) help governments to reduce the impact of the Digital Divide; g) Create a forum for networking and exchange of ideas among states and stakeholders.

He further said that the Honourable Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili as the Special Guest of Honour is expected to deliver a keynote paper on "Rebranding with ICT for V 20 2020". Also delivering papers are Mr Oluwole Owolabi CEO, Accenttech Corporation, UK, 'Oracle' Chris Uwaje, ITAN Past President and Mr. Abiodun Oladapo, the Permanent Secretary, IT Bureau, Osun State, Mr. Pius Okigbo Jnr, CEO Infosoft Ltd, Mr Dele Ajisomo CEO, Mandriva Africa, Mr Tani Obaro, MD Systemspecs among many notable speakers. His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shakarau is the Chief Host.

The Annual General Meeting, (AGM) of ITAN, he said, will hold after the IT Public-Private Forum next day (Sept 30) at the same venue, adding that key item on the agenda is the election of new officers of the association.

<<Vanguard. Distributed AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). -- 09/24/2009>>