ICT Journalists group changes leadership
Jonah Iboma
Journalists reporting telecommunications and information technology recently changed leadership of their reportorial group popularly called, the Joint Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD).
The group is particularly important as it consists of journalists that have been reporting the ICT sector that is one of the most viable in Nigeria over the past decade.
The amount of foreign direct investment witnessed in the sector is second only to that of oil and gas. According to figures released by Nigerian Communications Commission, the regularity body of Nigeria telecommunications industry, over $10bn of investment has flowed into the sector in the last 10 years.
The huge investment in the sector has led to creation of several thousands of direct jobs while many associated businesses have also been created in the process.
While, the sector has witnessed a lot of such growth, much of its success is down to the work of journalists- the IT journalists that cover telecommunication and information technology. Right from the January 2001 licensing of the digital mobile operators, otherwise called GSM companies, that raked in over $285m to the government to the recent milestone of the recording of over 100million mobile phone subscribers, Nigerian ICT journalists have been in the forefront of promoting issues in the telecommunications industry.
Given the importance that the ICT sector, the journalists 2003 formed a non-profit advocacy, JACITAD, to help further propel the industry. This group was formed in conjunction with the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), to empower journalists through requisite training and other means to excel in their profession.
However, the past three years have seen the group enmeshed in serious problems following an election that lead to the emergence of Prince Osuagwu of Vanguard newspapers as President.
Elected to head the organisation for the constitutionally stated period of two years, Prince successfully manipulated his ways to ensure that he remained in office for a three years. This period saw JACITAD fall down to its lowest level ever as the group recorded no tangible achievement either in form of training or economic empowerment of its members.
This development led to complaints from various members and in the process threatened to destroy the life of this once vibrant group.
However, much of the problems of the group were addressed recently following the conduct of elections to put in place a new leadership for the organisation. The election that held on Tuesday , February 21 witnessed a fierce battle between the members of the old executive and several formidable opposition members. The opposition group was bent on effecting a change in the several potions that were competed for including that of President, Vice-President, Secretary General, Financial Secretary, Chief Whip.
At the end of the day, Mr. Shina Badaru, a veteran ICT journalist emerged president after only one round of elections. The position of Vice-President went to Mr. Remmy Nweke of the Champion newspaper.
Meanwhile, some JACITAD members say that they are very elated at the change of leadership. According to Rommy Imah of ICT Today Magazine, the leadership change was long-overdue, especially given the poor performance of the previous leadership of the organisation.
Mr. Emmanuel Okwuke of Daily Independent Newspaper said he expected the new leadership to take the organisation to new heights.
Meanwhile a formal unveiling of the new leadership of the organisation is set to be done within a few days.
Journalists reporting telecommunications and information technology recently changed leadership of their reportorial group popularly called, the Joint Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD).
The group is particularly important as it consists of journalists that have been reporting the ICT sector that is one of the most viable in Nigeria over the past decade.
The amount of foreign direct investment witnessed in the sector is second only to that of oil and gas. According to figures released by Nigerian Communications Commission, the regularity body of Nigeria telecommunications industry, over $10bn of investment has flowed into the sector in the last 10 years.
The huge investment in the sector has led to creation of several thousands of direct jobs while many associated businesses have also been created in the process.
While, the sector has witnessed a lot of such growth, much of its success is down to the work of journalists- the IT journalists that cover telecommunication and information technology. Right from the January 2001 licensing of the digital mobile operators, otherwise called GSM companies, that raked in over $285m to the government to the recent milestone of the recording of over 100million mobile phone subscribers, Nigerian ICT journalists have been in the forefront of promoting issues in the telecommunications industry.
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| a voter casting her vote |
Given the importance that the ICT sector, the journalists 2003 formed a non-profit advocacy, JACITAD, to help further propel the industry. This group was formed in conjunction with the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), to empower journalists through requisite training and other means to excel in their profession.
However, the past three years have seen the group enmeshed in serious problems following an election that lead to the emergence of Prince Osuagwu of Vanguard newspapers as President.
Elected to head the organisation for the constitutionally stated period of two years, Prince successfully manipulated his ways to ensure that he remained in office for a three years. This period saw JACITAD fall down to its lowest level ever as the group recorded no tangible achievement either in form of training or economic empowerment of its members.
This development led to complaints from various members and in the process threatened to destroy the life of this once vibrant group.
However, much of the problems of the group were addressed recently following the conduct of elections to put in place a new leadership for the organisation. The election that held on Tuesday , February 21 witnessed a fierce battle between the members of the old executive and several formidable opposition members. The opposition group was bent on effecting a change in the several potions that were competed for including that of President, Vice-President, Secretary General, Financial Secretary, Chief Whip.
At the end of the day, Mr. Shina Badaru, a veteran ICT journalist emerged president after only one round of elections. The position of Vice-President went to Mr. Remmy Nweke of the Champion newspaper.
Meanwhile, some JACITAD members say that they are very elated at the change of leadership. According to Rommy Imah of ICT Today Magazine, the leadership change was long-overdue, especially given the poor performance of the previous leadership of the organisation.
Mr. Emmanuel Okwuke of Daily Independent Newspaper said he expected the new leadership to take the organisation to new heights.
Meanwhile a formal unveiling of the new leadership of the organisation is set to be done within a few days.
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