John Awe, a Public Relations professional, has been inducted into the ICT Hall of Fame at an award ceremony for ICT icons organised recently by Titans of Tech, an initiative of TechTv Network, in collaboration with TechEconomy.ng.
Awe and a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), now MTN Nigeria Chairman, Eng. Ernest Ndukwe were among the 60 ICT industry players honoured at a ceremony held at the highbrow Virgin Rose Resort, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.
The 60 individuals according to the organisers of the event, have played various roles in stimulating growth in the Information and Communications Technology sector of the country especially in the last 20 years during which the sector has experienced unprecedented growth following the award of GSM licences to telecom operators by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Awe numbered among Nigeria’s pioneer ICT reporters whose robust understanding of the then just emerging sector, and their reportage of it set them apart in an era when ICT reporting was in its infancy.
Awe was the pioneer communications editor and anchor of the weekly ICT special publication of Nigeria’s oldest national newspaper, Nigerian Tribune, for many years before he left active reporting in 2006 for Public Relations, where he has continued to play a role in the ICT sector.
Others inducted into the Nigeria @60 ICT Hall of Fame were Current EVC of NCC Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, President of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Engr. Olawale Ige, Engr. Vincent Maduka, HRH Eze (Engr.) Ogbonna Cletus Iromantu, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, Chief Chris Uwaje, Tim Akano, Dr Yele Okeremi, Collins Onuegbu, and Abiodun Omoniyi.
Others include Lare Ayoola of Tranter IT group, Stanley Jegede, Globacom Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., Google Country Head, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Nkemdilim Begho, Dr Leo-Stan Ekeh of Zinox Technologies, Chief Chima Onyekwere, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Muhammed Rudman of IXPN, Emmanuel Amos of Programos, former ATCON President, Olusola Teniola, Prof. Engr. Mohammed Ajiya of Digital Bridge Institute, and Prof. Charles Uwadia of Computer Professionals Registrations Council.
Additional inductees included Engr. Ike Nnamani of Medallion, Chijioke Eke, Mkpe Abang, Aaron Ukodie, Ufuoma Daro, Dr Bayero Agabi, Shina Badaru, Abimbola Tooki, Don Pedro Aganbi, Ken Nwogbo, Remmy Nweke, Segun Oruame, Okoh Aihe, Sonny Aragba-Akpore and Hajia Hadiza Umar of NITDA among others.
Don Pedro Aganbi who spoke on behalf of the organisers at the event, congratulated the inductees, saying they were being recognised in their own right based on various contributions they made to the ICT industry.
He said the recognition was part of the commemoration of Nigeria’s diamond independence anniversary.
“It is beyond dispute that the work that you all do is essential to enhancing our quality of life as a nation and individual members of the Nigerian nation,” he said, noting that Titans of Tech is a flagship industry event that annually celebrates excellence in the Nigerian ICT space.
