Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), on Monday, gathered Information Professionals practitioners and the academia to pay last respect to the departed, Engineer (Mrs.) Florence Seriki, CEO of Omatek ]Ventures Plc.
Speaking at the commendation service held at the University of Lagos, Professor Sola Aderounmu, NCS’ President, said shocking and saddening are the words considered apt to describe the demise of Engr. (Mrs) Florence Seriki, FNCS, immediate past President of Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), former member of National Executive Council of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), who suddenly departed the world on Friday March 3rd, 2017 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Engr. Seriki was the founder of Omatek Group and until her death, she served as Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Omatek Ventures Plc.
On behalf of National Executive Council and members of the Society, he said the Society sincerely commiserates with her family and the entire IT world.
Prof. Aderounmu, said that Mrs. Seriki’s death has left a big vacuum in the quest for local content in the sector.
“She started one of the foremost indigenous OEMs in the country; a thoroughbred professional, energetic, astute manager, articulator, and indefatigable leader”.
Some of the past Presidents of NCS also spoke glorifying words about late Seriki.
“It is very sad indeed that we have lost our ICT originator; the first Nigerian IT woman entrepreneur and owner of the publicly quoted IT Company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. She was a rare model of diligence and hardwork, an epitome of humility who believed in perseverance and success. We shall surely miss her; she was a great ambassador of the Computer Profession wherever she sent. May her soul rest in peace”, said Chief Don Etiebet, the third President of NCS.
“Dear colleagues, that our Florence is gone, is unbelievable. The good Lord gives and he takes. This time around he has taken one of our very best. I pray God grants her success path to the paradise and also pray he kindly looks after those she has left behind,” said Alhaji Oguneye, eight president of NCS
“Florence, yours was a life well lived. May you find peace in the bosom of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen”, Sir Demola Aladekomo, eleventh President of NCS, among numerous tributes from past presidents and Fellows of the Society.
Also speaking, Professor Vincent Asor, president, Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) CPN, described her as one of the pillars and resonant voices of the Nigerian IT industry.
He said that until her death, Mrs. Seriki was an active and respected member of the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), [CPN].
“That she saw business opportunity even as a Corp member and turned same to become a business venture known as Omatek, shows how inspired she was and a trail blazer. She might have lived a short life, but her kindness, inspiring words, doggedness and crusading for local content development cannot be forgotten. She lives on in our hearts and we pray God condoles the family she left behind”, Prof. Asor prayed.
Orjinta Orji-Alala, provost, College of Fellows of NCS said that he received the sad news with a rude shock, “as I couldn’t send emails to our members without quoting my source. It was unbelievable to me”.
Giving words of exhortation to the family, friends and IT professionals gathered at the commendations service, Rev’ Professor Adebayo Akinde, urged all to engage on daily life appraisal hence death is inevitable.
Quoting from Philippians 4:8 he said, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things”.
Cross section of attendees at the NCS Commendation Service in honour of Late Seriki held at the faculty of Science, University of Lagos on Monday.