The hosting rights for this the 2011 National Software Conference was won by Cross River State. His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State has executively endorsed and approved the event in his capacity as Chief Host. . Dignitaries confirmed to grace the occasion includes, but not limited to: The Vice President of the Federal republic of Nigeria Engr. Namadi Sambo,(GCON); The Honourable Minister for Communication Technology – Mrs. Omobola Johnson. The Honourable Minister for Education, State Governors, The Director General, Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) – Prof. Cleopas Angaye, EVC of NCC- Dr. Eugene Juwah, Director General of Koffi Anna Centre for ICT Excellence, Accra, Ghana, Mrs. Dorothy Gordon, Dr. Ahmed Brindi, DG NOTAP; Mallam Ibrahin TIzhe, President Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), President Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) – Mr, Ademola Aladekomo, Preisent ATCON, Engr. Titi Ommo Ettu, Prof. Charles Uwadia, Past President NCS, Chair FOSSFA, Mrs, Nnena Nwakanma, , Prof Onibere, University of Benin, Captains of Industry and sponsors such as MTN, Huwawe, NITDA, NCC, MAINONE Cable Network, ZINOX and a host of others.

The Theme of the Conference is: “A Framework for Software as a National Imperative for a 21st Century Nigeria.” The overriding vision for The ISPON National Software Conference/Software Competition for tertiary institutions is to promote conscious national awareness on the imperatives for developing Nigeria’s indigenous software development potentials, resources, capacity and capability as a national priority.

Today, Software is undoubtedly acknowledged as the backbone for 21st century national development and wealth creation as well as for national peace, security and global competitiveness. It is the key to responding to the complex challenges and sustainable development and national survivability in the emerging Information Society. The significance of this event is better understood within the context of Nigeria’s continental and global position, her ICT achievement and global e-readiness status

It is hoped that by exposing the issues, establishing the strategic relevance of the sub-sector in meeting the challenge of national growth and prosperity; and providing a continuous platform for interaction and articulation of industry’s needs amongst a diverse target audience, a specific momentum can be built to create an enabling environment for the growth of the sub-sector.

As Nigeria moves deeper into the 21st century information society, its wealth and international competitiveness will be significantly influenced by its ability to develop and exploit intellectual capital and to harness the power of information technology (IT). Indeed, many of the new business opportunities for Nigerian firms will depend on their capacity to develop new IT-based products and services which respond to the expanding role of IT across the economy and society.

Global trend today informs us that both government and the business world, the organizations which benefit most from the transformative role of IT are those which treat IT as a key strategic resource for achieving organisational goals rather than as a purely technical input.

This National Software Conference organised by the Institute of Software Practitioners in Nigeria (ISPON). Is focused on ISPON’s mission to promote the prioritisation of Software Engineering, Design, Modelling, Development and Deployment, as one of the best avenues to engage the challenges of global competitiveness, empower the citizenry and enthrone sustainable development, national security and progress.

It is our objective to organise a National Software Conference and Competition of international standard, befitting of Nigeria’s stature on the continent; and her standing in the international community of software developers and service providers. In order to achieve this, we packaged and ready to present a comprehensive and well planned National Software Conference and Competition in every respect.

Cross River State is located SE Nigeria at the border with Cameroun, with direct access to West Central Africa by sea and road Land mass over 23,000km2 A vibrant Population of 3,104,446. The Capital city Calabar is approximately 700,000), acclaimed cleanest, most orderly Nigerian city. It is 1-hour flight from Abuja and Lagos and a 2.5-hour drive from Port-Harcourt. Other major towns: Ugep, Ikom, Ogoja, Obudu, Akamkpa. Oil and gas deposits are in commercial quantities and under development. Cross River state is acclaimed the most beautiful, safest and orderly State in the Niger Delta and as a consequence, has become a destination for oil service firms. It is Home to Calabar Port, the nation’s first EPZ, Tinapa and now Calabar Energy City. Major investment in ICT and urban road infrastructure and adoption of investment-friendly policies and laws. It has 25 km rural roads and growing, upgrade of MEIA and a pool of educated, skilled and semi-skilled labour. 85% State-wide electrification and climbing.

Opportunities and Benefits of Software the Conference: Reliable studies have revealed that in the very near future, all human activities – in form and content – will be defined influenced, empowered, controlled and sustained by Information Technology Software – either as a process, product, application and/or service. This real world situation translates to immense opportunities for Africa. The Nigerian nation must engage these opportunities for global competitiveness. ISPON is now the professional champion and passionate advocate for the knowledge economy and information. We are the Software change agent in the Nigeria IP space.

This year’s Software Conference and Competition provides avenue for the demonstration, appraisal, endorsement and venture capital investment on Software Engineering initiatives, solutions Research and related developments by Writers/Developers, Companies, government officials especially policy makers, IT professionals, Diplomats, Bankers and other interest Groups to interact and chart a direction for the software development arm of the industry.

Today, every accredited and recognized Bank, Petroleum Exploring and Processing Outfits in the world runs on software; so do every Airline, every Automobile Manufacturing Company, every world-class Education institution, every insurance company and indeed, every conscious and serious government. Therefore developing a special national policy and strategy and making reasonable investments on software engineering development capacity in key industries constitutes an important part of a national software policy and strategy.

This strategy contributes significantly in making existing businesses more efficient and more competitive globally. Another critical importance of software is derived from the fact that many manufactured products – ranging from automobiles to toys - contain a lot of embedded software solutions.