Professor Charles Uwadia emerges the new NCS President

At the 21st National Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Professor Charles Onuwa Uwadia, the Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Systems (CITS) of the University of Lagos was elected as the 10th National President of the Society. He took over from Dr. Chris C. Nwannenna after the latter completed two consecutive terms.

Born on June 7, 1956 at Ibadan in Oyo state, and a native of Ukala-Okpunor in Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State, Professor Uwadia holds a BSc. Degree honours in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan in 1979. He served at the Polytechnic Ibadan for his NYSC programme. He had his MSc. in 1983 and PhD in 1990 both at the University of Lagos.

Professor Uwadia joined the services of the University of Lagos as an Assistant Lecturer in 1983, and rose steadily to the post of a full Professor in the year 2004. His major area of specialization is Software Engineering with emphasis on compiling techniques and systems software.

He is an active member of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). He is also a Fellow of NCS. He had served NCS in various capacities including: Chairman Education Committee (1997 - 1999); Chairman Conferences Committee (1999 - 2003); Chairman Publications Committee (2003 - July 2007).

Besides his enviable service in Nigeria, Professor Uwadia has been a visiting Fellow to Universities and Institutions in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Italy and Australia.

Professor Uwadia is a detribalised Nigerian and holds liberal views about life. He is happily married with three children. His other areas of interest include International Relations and Sports.

Professor Uwadia feels highly honoured at being elected the President of NCS to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years, adding that it was something he looked forward to. Speaking on his priorities for the Society as head of the body's National Executive Council, Professor Uwadia said that he would work towards getting improved visibility for the NCS. "We will work towards establishing a harmonious relationship with other agencies, both public and private to uplift information technology in Nigeria, "he commented.

He added that he will work towards having some reforms while, "working towards having a strengthened NCS". According to him, "once we have a unified house, we will be in a position to influence-government policies as well as foster the development of Information Technology,” he affirmed. "I'd like to see an NCS that is very strong in advocacy, engaging the Nigerian government as well as the larger society, "he added.

Professor Uwadia also stressed that one special focal point of his administration would be to engage the youths and reposition the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS); the student body arm of the NCS. The don said that it was important to engage the youths in order to groom them for challenges ahead in an emerging competitive world.

He recently delved into the networking, congestion control and management aspects of information technology. With over 30 publications in both local and international journals, he has three books to his name.