By Steve Agbota

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The Sun Newspaper’s ICT Correspondent, Olabisi Olaleye has clinched this year’s Special Media Recognition Award at the annual prestigious National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA), organised by the highest regulatory body for computer professionals, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).
Other winners in the media recognition category included Messers Adeyemi Adepetun, The Guardian and Emeka Aginam of  Vanguard newspaper.
While Dr. Bukola Onasoga, a senior lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) received the IT Woman of the year award, IT Personality of the Year award went to Mr. Akpodigha Filatei.
Eleven personalities were also conferred with Fellowship awards while two Honorary Fellowship awards went to the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbanta and Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu.
Speaking at the ceremony held last Wednesday, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, NCS President, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, said NITMA is a platform to recognise, appreciate and honour excellence in the field of IT.
“It is an event to honour those who have made giant strides and significant impact in expanding the frontiers of Information Technology in Nigeria. This event is in line with the society’s strategy of celebrating heroes in the sector to stimulate outstanding performance that will drive real inclusive development and transformation in Nigeria, through IT.”
“There are special recognition award to individuals and organisations in the academic, private and public sectors that have consistently and uniquely contributed and made major and distinguished positive, long lasting impact over a significant period of time in Nigeria through IT and IT-related activities.
“We have Emeka Aginam (Vanguard newspaper), Erelu Bisi Olaleye (The Sun newspaper), Yemi Adepetu. (Guardian newspaper) and Nigeria Communications Week, an ICT magazine.  From public and private organisations are National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), Nigeria Communication satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT) and Abuja chapter of NCS.”
In his welcome address as chairman on the occasion, Zinox Technologies Group President, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh said: “This is the greatest association certified by God for Nigerians. The richest guys in the world come from this profession. For those who are here, I think it is a privilege to serve man and God. So, I want to congratulate you on behalf of all of us here. Every one of you deserves it. My message is that of hope. I have seen the current president and past presidents, people who lay the foundation for what we are doing today. I pray God will bless our lives with longevity to witness the glamor, the digital wealth our children and grandchildren would create through this digital world.”
The serial digital entrepreneur also tasked professional bodies to assist up and coming ones to achieve their dreams.