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COVID 19: NDA GIFTS NITDA LOCALLY PRODUCED AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CHECKERS, HAND SANITIZER MACHINES

COVID 19: NDA GIFTS NITDA LOCALLY PRODUCED AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CHECKERS, HAND SANITIZER MACHINES


As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and effort at reducing the spread of COVID 19 pandemic, the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA has donated some locally manufactured temperature checkers and hand sanitizer machines to the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.


The commandant of the Academy Major General, Jamilu Sarham, while donating the items to the Agency stated that the Department of Mechatronics and the center Innovation and Creativity produced the item ‘as part of research and development conducted to reduce the spread of the virus.
The Commandant said the academy produced 50 sanitizer dispensing machines which have been deployed to military barracks and formations across the country and some other governmental institutions.


While applauding NITDA for its various initiatives and efforts at deepening the penetration of Information Technology across the country, General Sarham noted that the Pandemic had changed the way things are done “and NITDA plays a crucial role at positioning IT as pillar of support at the peak of the pandemic.


Receiving the items on behalf of the Agency, Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solution, Dr Usman Abdullahi expressed the Agency’s profund gratitude on behalf of the Director General of Agency to the academy for the kind gesture.


Dr Abdullahi recalled that the Agency came up with different initiatives aimed at promoting ingenuity and innovations among Nigerians. He added the Agency organised competitions for Nigerians which had 15,000 entries and three innovative ideas were selected as winners.


He said the Agency has partnered with other relevant Agencies to help develop the ideas of the winners into products. “The solutions developed are smart disinfectant chamber, Ventilator and a portal for medical consultation myclinic.com app,” he noted.


While reiterating the Agency efforts during the peak of the pandemic, the Director said NITDA as the government’s regulatory Agency for Information Technology organised hackathon challenge and series of webinars aimed at coming up with innovative solutions to cushion the effect of the pandemic.


Dr Abdullahi used the occasion to inform the Commandant that as part of efforts to ensure Nigeria take an advantageous position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Agency would be commissioning the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics which would provide platform for Nigerians with creative ideas to enjoy government support and mentorship.


He stated further that NITDA would soon kickstart Technology Entrepreneurship and Support Scheme program aimes at identifying innovative Nigerians and give them opportunities to develop ideas and create opportunities that would reveal the potentials in them.

Food Security: Buhari Flags National Young Farmers’ Scheme

Food Security: Buhari Flags National Young Farmers’ Scheme

The need to diversify the naational economy and wean the economy from the crude oil dependence got a good nod as the adminstration of Muhammadu Buhari took the bulls by the horn by flaging of young farmers scheme!

Farming has been seen a druge and being unattractive to majority of the youths especially the urban and city dwelling ones. This the presidency is trying to change by making them understand that farming can be “cool”, a vacuum that this scheme is trying to fill.

Speaking via his social media handle , President Buhari said ” I flagged off the National Young Farmers’ Scheme, designed by the newly-revived National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), as part of our efforts to expand and modernize agriculture in Nigeria, and also increase opportunities for youth participation.”

“I have directed that all NALDA’s abandoned farm estates be retrieved to enable thousands of our young men and women to be engaged in modern, mechanized farming. I am confident that, under my watch, Nigeria will achieve food security; we will produce most of what we eat.”

Industry watchers and stakeholders in the agro ecosystem has lauded this project and opined that it will address the unemployment rate, deepen our strides in food security and most importantly make a great impact in the agro allied value chain.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

MSME: NITDA TO BUILD IT CAPACITY OF 200 YOUTHS

MSME: NITDA TO BUILD IT CAPACITY OF 200 YOUTHS

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has revealed its plan to train 200 youths to build their capacities in various IT skills so as to derive value from the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The training according to the Agency will center on computer administration, social media entrepreneurship and eCommerce fundamentals, networking fundamentals, introduction to emerging technologies, etc.

The Director General NITDA Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE represented by Director eGovernment Development and Regulation Dr Vincent Olatunji confirmed this at the Emerging Entrepreneurship Summit and Award with the theme “Micro Small and Medium Entreprises in Africa, Bridging The Gap Between Poverty and Wealth”.

The event was organized by Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation.

He said that one of the major tools that has now been identified in building capacity and driving MSME is digital tools, especially now everyone understands the language of digital technology.

“We are living in a digital era where the major language we understand is digital technology,” he said.

He stated that the youths consist of over 65% of the Nation’s population and since they are the leaders of today it is important to build their capacity for them to be good leaders.

Digitisation will make or break bond originators

Digitisation will make or break bond originators

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Bond origination companies not already forging a digitisation path in the present decade risk becoming obsolete, this is according to Andrea Tucker, Director, MortgageMe. Since launching in 2019, Tucker says that MortgageMe has built its offering digitally and it has intentions of continuing to evolve, innovate and build a more robust offering to effectively compete for business.

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As an e4 subsidiary, Tucker says that MortgageMe has access to market-first technology, giving consumers, conveyancing attorneys, banks and estate agents access to platforms and technologies that effectively digitise many of the manual tasks associated with bond origination.

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“We spent a significant amount of time researching and building a bond origination platform that directly addressed issues that consumers have with the manual process. This evolution continues as we add new service offerings and functionality, while tweaking the existing systems too.”

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Currently, MortgageMe is one of the most progressive bond origination platforms available today: “Our goal upfront was to put mortgage origination in the hands of consumers, and we’ve managed to deliver on that. We are gaining momentum and have plans to announce two exciting additional integration points soon,” says Tucker.

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Digitisation addresses issues ranging from customer experience, asset quality and regulatory compliance, to overall efficiencies and cost management: “A fully digitised bond origination process can provide significant value to bond applicants. Competing to gain customers using products and services is no longer enough. Consumers are now empowered to take bond origination into their own hands thanks to the advances in technology, but it was our responsibility at MortgageMe to ensure this process was a seamless and simple one,” says Tucker.

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According to the Walker study, Customers 2020, customer experience will overtake product and pricing as a key brand differentiator. It reports that a focus on customer experience improves customer satisfaction, customer retention, brand value and ultimately, sales.

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“We are confident that MortgageMe will continue leading as the most progressive technology-backed bond origination service in South Africa. Our focus is not only on digitising all services, but also on introducing integration services to allow more stakeholders to benefit from the solution. This will position our brand as innovative and forward-thinking,” says Tucker.

5G Consultation Ongoing –NCC

5G Consultation Ongoing –NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently published the Draft Consultation Document on the Deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) Mobile Technology in Nigeria and wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the Commission has not concluded plans for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) network.

The Draft Consultation Document for deployment of the 5G in Nigeria has been produced and uploaded on the Commission’s official website (www.ncc.gov.ng).

This document defines the implementation plan for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria. It provides a background into the benefits of 5G technology and outlines the Commission’s plans and strategies for a successful implementation of 5G in Nigeria.

It presents guidelines for the relevant areas of the technology and the expectations of the Commission from the operators. This Plan takes into account the expectations of all the stakeholders in the communications industry in Nigeria.

Nigeria undertook 5G trials in selected locations within the country in collaboration with an Operator in 2019. The trial, among others, was to study and observe any health or security challenges the 5G network might present.

The Commission also has an ongoing engagement with the academia while at the same time funding 5G related research projects, all in a bid to ensure the nation is provided with the best in terms of research findings and policy input, to drive the implementation and deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.

These engagements are targeted at enabling the development of robust policies, which will put Nigeria in the best place to contribute maximally to the digital economy drive of the nation.

The specific targets of these engagements include the development of policies which have the potential of accelerating the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria, maximizing the productivity and efficiency benefits of 5G to the nation, creating new opportunities for Nigerian businesses at home and abroad and encouraging in-country investment and ensuring the operations of 5G networks are in conformity with international standards

For the avoidance of doubt, as with the previous technologies such as 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G, the Commission will not commence 5G deployment without due consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

BREAKING NEWS:OÒNI, AKEREDOLU, SOUTHWEST GOVERNORS, LEADERS TABLE 13 – POINT AGENDA BEFORE BUHARI.

BREAKING NEWS:OÒNI, AKEREDOLU, SOUTHWEST GOVERNORS, LEADERS TABLE 13 – POINT AGENDA BEFORE BUHARI.

Southwest Governors and traditional rulers today advised President Muhammadu Buhari to reopen the prolonged border closure, saying it has caused untold economic difficulties to the people, especially those in border communities.

The southwest leaders also urged the Federal Government to come up with comprehensive programme that addresses youth employment and empowerment and a review of the curricular of tertiary institutions with emphasis on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

In a communiqué issued at the end of stakeholders meeting with President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ministers, Inspector General of Police, Director of Department of State Services (DSS), among other security agencies held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the Southwest Governors and monarchs also called for concerted efforts to urgently resolve the impasse between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government so that students can return to school in earnest.

All the southwest Governors and key traditional rulers were in attendance at the meeting, while the communiqué was jointly signed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State who is the Chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The communiqué is reproduced below:
Communique issued today (Sunday 8th November 2020) after a meeting of Governors and Traditional Rulers of South West States and Presidential delegation, including Minsters from the South West;

  1. We express appreciation to Mr. President and his administration on the responsiveness to the initial demands of the ENDSARS demonstrators and for his firm handling of the aftermaths of the protest.
  2. We endorse the call by traditional rulers call for regular consultations with state governors and federal authorities on challenges facing the state and for appropriate recognition of their role in the Constitution.
  3. The security architecture of the country requires adjustment to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country. There should be more police presence in communities in the South west states.
  4. While there are legitimate concerns contained in the initial ENDSARS movement, these have been hijacked by criminal and other elements with ulterior and negative forces and degenerated into anarchy.
  5. There is need to undertake preventive actions aimed at prevention of repeat of what happened in the country following the ENDSARS demonstrators. Security needs to be strengthened in all states.
  6. We wish to encourage the Nigeria Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and properties and enhance security all over the country.
  7. We call for specific measures and proposals to repair damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South West.
  8. Review of reports of constitutional conferences including 2014 National Conference and implement some of the recommendations especially with reference to security, economy, equal treatment for citizens all over the country.
  9. We believe that the prolonged closure of the border has caused economic difficulties and should be re-examined to alleviate problems of the people in the border communities and prices of some essential commodities. There is need to review the closure and permit resumption of economic and trading activities.
  10. A comprehensive programme that addresses youth employment and empowerment should be prioritized. Closer coordination and complementarity between the states and the Federal Government. In this regard, the curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
  11. We recognize the damaging and negative impact of fake/false news and worry about its destructive and dangerous potency of fake news. We call on federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. 2015 Cyber Act will also be fully used.
  12. Federal Government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian Security and not its destruction by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gate keeping should be fully employed.
  13. We urge that every effort should be made to resolve the impasse between ASUU and the federal government so that students can return to school in earnest.

ENDSARS PROTEST:Makinde inaugurates eleven man judicial panel of inquiry

ENDSARS PROTEST:Makinde inaugurates eleven man judicial panel of inquiry

….name Justice Badejoko Adeniji (retired) has chair

Oyo state Governor, H.E. Engr. Seyi Makinde today inaugurated an eleven man judicial panel of inquiry inline with the Federal Government directives, to investigate human right violation, police brutality and extra judicial killings as an aftermath of the #ENDSARS protest.

The Governor in his address while inaugurating the panel made it known that members of the panel are drawn from the Legal community, Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), National Human Rights Commission, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Youth Representative of #EndSARS protesters and the community.

He noted that slightly less than 50 petitions had been received so far, while urging other residents who might have issues of human right violation, police brutality and extra judicial killings to seek redress through the panel.

The Governor added that those responsible for the deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, Adeoye Taiwo and others killed during the #ENDSARS protest as well as police officers would be thoroughly investigated and brought to book.

He aswell clarified that Governors of South West in a recent meeting held in Lagos did not vote in favour of a clampdown of social media, but agreed that the current cyber crime act should deal with issues in that regard.

The Governor also charged the panel to be objective, by ensuring that fairness, justice and equity prevail.

Also, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo earlier in his address also assured that the panel would discharge their functions meritoriously.

NTITA: NCC, Danbatta Bag Fresh Awards for Broadband Development

NTITA: NCC, Danbatta Bag Fresh Awards for Broadband Development

The critical role being played by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in advancing the frontiers of broadband development has been recognised at this year’s edition of the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecoms Awards (NTITA), 2020.

Regarded as the Oscars of Nigeria’s telecoms industry, the awards, powered by Instinctwave, Africa’s leading business-to-business event organizer in collaboration with the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Abuja at the weekend, saw the Commission and other industry stakeholders, including the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, carting away distinguished awards.

Danbatta was honoured with the “Broadband Oxygenator of the Year” for his remarkable role and commitment to the development of broadband infrastructure to support the country’s digital economy drive while NCC, as a corporate organisation received the “Outstanding Contribution to Driving Greater Broadband Penetration Award of the Year.”

Through the articulation of a Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) for the fiscal years 2015-2020, which symbolises the focused leadership Danbatta brought on board as the chief telecoms regulator in the country, broadband penetration increased from 6 percent in 2015 to 45.43 in September, 2020.

Also, basic active internet subscription grew from 90 million to 143.7 million while active voice subscription increased from 151 million to 205.25 percent during the same period with teledensity also reaching 107.53 percent as at end of September, 2020.

The last five years have seen the number of licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCo) increasing from two in 2015 to six currently. The InfraCos are to deploy broadband infrastructure, on a wholesale basis in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. 

The Commission is currently reviewing the framework for the licensing of InfraCo to ensure sustainable funding options for effective implementation of the proposed national fibre project towards increasing broadband penetration to 70 percent target, as set in the new national broadband plan by 2025.

The ongoing review of the InfraCo framework is to cater for the delays in take-off, change in exchange rate, supply chain and other challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to InfraCo implementation.

NCC and Danbatta’s recognitions at the NTITA 2020 were also hinged on the increase in the contribution of the telecom sector the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 8.5 percent in 2015 to 14.30 percent as of the second quarter of 2020, translating to N2.272 trillion in financial value.

In the last five years, under Danbatta leadership, telecoms investment grew from around $38 billion to over $70 billion currently with appreciable remittances in spectrum fees and operating surplus by the NCC into the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

Increased e-commerce services, other digital services and more access to financial inclusion were also enabled through increased deployment of broadband infrastructure being promoted by the telecoms regulator through a number of regulatory initiatives.

Speaking on the significance of the NTITA, President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, said: “Our thinking is that if we decide to ignore the contribution that our sector has made to the development of Nigeria by not recognizing the actors that made it possible, what we are saying invariably is that we are unappreciative of their concerted efforts in changing the story of our industry.”

He hoped that the awards would spur the Nigerian government to pay more attention to the sector and that state governments would continue to support the efforts of the industry to transform their various states into digital cities.

FG SIGNS MOU FOR LOCALLY MADE VACCINES, DR. EHANIRE DESCRIBES OCCASION AS MILESTONE FOR NATIONAL DESIRE IN VACCINE PRODUCTION

FG SIGNS MOU FOR LOCALLY MADE VACCINES, DR. EHANIRE DESCRIBES OCCASION AS MILESTONE FOR NATIONAL DESIRE IN VACCINE PRODUCTION

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Biovaccine Nigeria Limited (BVNL) giving rise to a joint venture between the Federal Government and May & Baker Nigeria Limited for the production of locally made vaccines.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire who signed the MOU on behalf of the Federal Government on the 5th of November, 2020, at the Federal Ministry of Health Conference Room, Abuja described the event as “a milestone in our national desire for self-reliance in vaccine production.”

He said the Covid-19 pandemic brought the attention of the country to the need for domestic production capabilities of vaccines among other commodities as well as self-sufficiency in other endeavors with efforts being made to support home grown manufacturing of healthcare commodities.

The Minister informed his audience that the MOU which was being signed has undergone various appraisals and amendments by the Legal Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) as well as the Federal Ministry of Justice before arriving at the final draft.  “The MOU will serve as an implementation frame work for guaranteeing market access, which is conditional for transfer of technology to indigenous vaccine manufactures.”

Speaking further, Dr. Ehanire disclosed that BVNL has been working with the Federal Government through the FMoH and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to ensure that the hitherto moribund Federal Vaccine Manufacturing Laboratory in Lagos is resuscitated for the production of safe and affordable vaccines for Nigeria and prospectively for Africa.  He expressed optimism that with the signing of the MOU, BVNL can now start work fully in the process of vaccine production in Nigeria.

The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGoN) and Biovaccine Nigeria Limited (BVNL) on Thursday, 5th November, 2020.

The Minister revealed that the Joint Venture Agreement which was signed on the 25th of July 2017 has the Federal Government owning 49% shareholding being the value of Land and Real Estate assets of former Federal Vaccine Production Laboratory (FVPL) with May & Baker owing 51% share.

The BVNL is charged with the mandate to attract technology, build and develop capacity for research and development and local manufacturing of vaccines. Members of the board of the BVNL constituted in 2017 include: Professor Oyewale Tomori as Chairman; Director, Food and Drug Services Department, FMoH as member; the Executive Director, NPHCDA also as a member amongst others.

Those who were present to witness the MOU signing were the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdullazi Mashi; the  Director, Legal of the Ministry, Alhaji Diri; and a member of the Board of BVNL, Professor Oyewale Tomori; and other Directors of the Ministry.




By Blessing Efem
Signed: Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Media & Public Relations, FMOH.

CHALLANGES,DOUBTS, STANDARDS AND TRILLS OF MAKING DOUBLE FIRST CLASS AS A YOUNG LAWYER

CHALLANGES,DOUBTS, STANDARDS AND TRILLS OF MAKING DOUBLE FIRST CLASS AS A YOUNG LAWYER

This day last year, I went for an interview; one of the many law firms I applied to in Lagos. One of the interviewers said: “we hope you repeat this first class again at the law school”. It was one of those interviews I left, flattened with doubts, and feeling blue. I got home and slept off in my gladrags.

That same night, law school results came out and it was again a first class! As I stared at the “First Class”, it was a wistful sense of fulfillment and gratitude. It was quiet, but intense.

That result seemed to have changed many things. A double first class honours, seemed to have forcefully opened a few more doors. In two weeks from that day, I went from actively seeking job placements for my NYSC programme, to rejecting offers for better ones.

I did not have the typical story of excellent skill sets or a truckload of previous internship experiences. God was kind to the little I had to show for. He worked wonders with my story, I was never most deserving. It’s been one year and my most felt emotion remains gratitude. The message here is simple: the biggest stories we have to tell are mostly inexistent without God’s providence. We’re never the most qualified for anything. Keeps me humble.

Destiny Ogedegbe