It seems just like yesterday that I was given the onerous task of steering the ship of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association. It has been an eventful four years for us. We have witnessed tremendous growth and very productive engagement across the industry. It is time to take a bow and pass the baton.
The journey would not have been possible without the foundational trust of the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) who signed the MOU, tasking NiRA with this patriotic assignment. I enjoyed the support of the DG/CEO, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami and his management team, during my tenure and for this, I remain grateful. I sincerely appreciate the support of Prof. Umar Danbatta, the EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
I thank my immediate Past President, Mrs Mary Uduma for a sustained legacy and being a worthy predecessor. She is a bundle of energy and ideas. I am very grateful to the entire membership who elected me to continue from where she stopped.
I am but one man, but with the support of my able Vice President – Mr Muhammed Rudman, and the entire Board of Directors, we were able to get a lot of work done. We met face-to-face and online as many times as we needed to and not once did anyone I called to do more, fail to rise up to the occasion. I thank you all.
I am grateful for the Board of Trustees, led by Deacon Chima Onyekwere, for their contributions to the growth of NiRA during my tenure. The opportunities to glean from the combined experiences of its members were many and they were very forthcoming in their support for the growth of the organization.
The Accredited Registrars of NiRA are the eyes and ears of the organization in the market, sustaining the close engagement with the Registrants. I do appreciate how they have supported “one of their own” as we forged ahead with the various policies and frameworks to enable business for all Registrars. NIRA is not there yet, but with even better efficiency of systems within, the .ng Registry is surely headed for great success.
I thank the Staff, under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Edith Udeagu for their unflinching loyalty and support for my entire tenure. If I have seen far, it is because I am standing on the shoulders of giants. I am grateful to you all.
As I take my seat in the General Assembly in a few days, please let us support the new leadership. I wish the incoming President and the Board of this great organization all the best and look forward to NIRA achieving greater successes in the coming years.
Imeela, Nagode, Modupe!
Rev’d Sunday Folayan
President, NIRA Executive Board