The Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) has applauded the Federal Government’s approval for the implementation of a ‘White paper on Scheme of Service for Computer Professional Cadre in the Public Service’.
CPN was established by Act No 49 of 1993. The Act was passed into law on 10th of June and gazetted on the 9th of August that year.
It is a regulatory body charged with the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act, and is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The President and Chairman-in-Council, Professor Charles Uwadia, hinted on the new development during CPN’s Annual General Meeting, as part of activities for this year’s IT Assembly, held in NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Prof. Uwadia told the members that “the Federal Executive Council has finally approved the creation of Computer Engineer cadre in the Schemes of Service structured on SGL 08 – 17 for graduates”.
This is coming thirteen years after recommendations to that effect were made by the National Council on Establishments.
“Approval was also granted for the re- designation of the Data Processing Officer (Intermediate) and the Programmer / Analyst cadres as Programme Officer (SGL 06 – 14) and Programme / System Analyst cadres (SGL 08 – 17) respectively.
“The re-designation is with a view to aligning the nomenclatures with current global practices especially as regards job contents and definitions.
“We thank the Federal government for this laudable and landmark achievement, which will boost the morale of IT professionals in the public service, attract young and quality professionals into service, and act as a catalyst for the effective deployment of IT in the public service”, he said.
Earlier, the Council inducted 318 new members into the Profession. The President told the new entrants into the burgeoning world of Information Technology (IT), they must not take anything for granted regarding the knowledge of the profession.
“Act 49 of 1993, earlier referred to, makes it mandatory for all persons and organizations seeking to engage, or already engaged, in the sale and/or use of computing facilities, and in the provision of professional services in computing or related computing machinery in Nigeria, to be registered by the Council and licensed to carry out such activities.
“The Act makes it illegal to engage in computing and professional practice without satisfying the above condition -that is, registration and possession of a current valid license”.
The President further urged the new inductees to always display acts of professionalism while discharging their duties, stressing that the Council places high premium on ethical practices.
He said, “One of the hallmarks of professionalism, especially in Information Technology (IT), is training and retraining, given the high obsolescence of Information Technology and the need to be updated on regular basis, It is therefore your responsibility to keep yourselves abreast of current developments in the industry if you are to remain competent, relevant and competitive”.