President of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Port Harcourt Chapter, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, professional bodies, and the private sector to accelerate digital innovation, capacity building, and sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria.
Davies-Dimkpa, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, made the call during separate courtesy visits to the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Rivers State Chapter.
She explained that the ISACA, Port Harcourt Chapter, serves members across the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones, while sister chapters are located in Abuja, Lagos, and Ibadan.
Ad space
According to her, ISACA is a global professional association that brings together information technology professionals, cybersecurity experts, auditors, risk management practitioners, digital transformation advocates, and other technology professionals committed to promoting digital excellence and innovation.
The Chapter President noted that ISACA, Port Harcourt, is dedicated to advancing digital education, technology awareness, and professional development, particularly among young people, persons living with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
She added that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation is leveraging technology to promote social inclusion, empower vulnerable populations, and improve service delivery across the state.
Davies-Dimkpa stressed the importance of equipping young people with relevant digital skills to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
She also highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, governance, business, and social development.
Accompanied by the immediate past President of ISACA, Abuja Chapter, Emmanuel Omoke, and the Chairman of Tech Innovate Group, Samuel Ubido, she emphasized the need for strategic partnerships to expand access to technology, innovation, and professional development opportunities across the region.
In their remarks, Omoke and Ubido advocated greater participation of indigenous IT companies in the implementation of information technology projects and programmes in line with Nigeria’s local content policy.
They noted that increased involvement of local IT firms would facilitate technology transfer, create employment opportunities, strengthen local capacity, enhance cybersecurity resilience, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic growth.
The duo also encouraged organisations to enrol their ICT personnel as members of ISACA to enhance professionalism and promote adherence to global best practices.
They further called on PETAN, SPE, and other interested organisations to partner with the ISACA, Port Harcourt Chapter, in hosting a proposed webinar focused on knowledge sharing, professional development, and emerging trends in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, governance, and other technology-related fields.
Responding separately, the Executive Secretary of PETAN, Engr. Kelvin Nwaze, and the outgoing Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Pringle Egbe, commended ISACA’s leadership for promoting digital knowledge, innovation, and professional excellence in the region.
They described the visit as timely, noting that stronger collaboration among government, technology professionals, and industry stakeholders is essential to addressing emerging digital challenges and unlocking opportunities within Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Both organisations expressed their willingness to partner with the ISACA, Port Harcourt Chapter, and the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation on initiatives aimed at promoting digital literacy, youth empowerment, cybersecurity awareness, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven community development.
The visits formed part of ISACA, Port Harcourt Chapter’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative to build strategic partnerships that will drive digital transformation, capacity development, and sustainable socio-economic growth across the South-South, South-East, and Nigeria as a whole.
Comments