The Electronic Campaign and Marketing Summit (eCam) is set to push for public-private partnership (PPP) between policymakers and innovative experts from the private sector on methods of improving efficiency in election and campaign processes through maximum utilisation of information communication technology (ICT).
With collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Communications and other agencies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and National Orientation Agency (NOA), eCam hopes to explore how the use of advanced technology can better election process management in Nigeria.
The summit, starting today in Abuja, will bring together members of academia, local and international experts in the ICT field and government agencies, to discuss tactics and strategies of collaboration between organised private sector and the government, especially election umpire INEC, for transparency and efficiency in the election process.
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Speaking on the imperative need for technological advancements in the election process, Sola Oworu, CEO, eCam, notes that the world is now a global village and Nigeria needs to catch up.
“The world is not waiting for Nigeria and taking a cue from other countries like the US, India and even South Africa, ICT has played a significant role in their campaign processes for example 7D holographic technology. Social media has also allowed campaigns to be transmitted across borders simultaneously, the internet has also allowed for things like short messages unlike the past where the whole city is defaced with posters, which has reduced,” he says.
With Vice President Yemi Osibanjo set to attend, the summit is meant to be a unique fusion of insightful speakers and attendees sharing ideas and strategies while networking with one another.
Other attendees for the summit include INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, Garba Abari, director-general, NOA, Ali Pantami, director-general, NITDA, and vice chairman NCC, Umar Danbatta.
The two-day event scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, will also feature speakers like Larry Kim, John Rampton, Scott Stratten, Barry Shwartz, and Chris Ducker.
Stakeholders from relevant sectors and agencies will also grace the summit, as means of utilising technology to attain global standards of security and marketing during the 2019 elections will be analysed and explored.
On what would be the takeaway from the event, Oworu notes that the summit is a small part of a robust plan by eCam, in helping Nigeria attain an efficient standard of campaigning and coordinating elections.
“The takeaway should be that methods of improving our electoral processes using modern technology are devised with the help of experts and stakeholders, effectively implemented by the bodies involved in electioneering all in a bid to achieve a more democratic Nigeria,” he said.
