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LAGOS RESTATES COMMITMENT TO QUALITY EDUCATION

LAGOS RESTATES COMMITMENT TO QUALITY EDUCATION

The Provost of the Lagos State Cooperative College (LASCOCO), Mr. Akorede Ojomu, has disclosed that all academic programmes of the institution will comply with the requirements of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to make it a foremost training ground for cooperative education and management learning in the country.

Ojomu, who disclosed this during a working visit of the NBTE Accreditation Panel to the College, stated that working with the Board had helped the institution in appraising and upgrading the state of learning facilities in the College, in conformity to the realities and demands of a 21st Century educational system.

He stated further that the institution’s academic programmes, which are all in line with the requirements of the NBTE, were painstakingly conceived to make the College a hallmark for cooperative education and related studies.

The Provost maintained that the Institution would provide qualitative entrepreneurial education to the youthful and enterprising populace while at the same time mobilise cooperative financing for start-ups and business growth.

His words: “Our decision to commence the National Diploma programmes in Cooperative Economics and Management, as well as Micro Finance and Enterprise Development, stems from our desire to carve a niche for the college as a specialised Institution of learning with a special focus on the provision of entrepreneurial education for the youthful and enterprising population whilst also mobilising cooperative financing for start-ups and business growth”.

“Towards this end and in appreciation of our emerging status, we are leveraging opportunities available to us as an educational institution of the Lagos State Government to take deliberate actions that would help to enrich the contents of these programmes in line with the guidelines and curriculum of the NBTE”, he added.

Disclosing that the institution plans to increase the number of buildings on the existing facility, the Provost also hinted that the college would ultimately move to a permanent site.

“We are not unaware of the need to plan for our expansion in the nearest future and in this respect, a proposal for the development of an additional block within this facility is already being presented to the State Government for inclusion in the Year 2022 Budget of the institution. Also, it must be stated that we are equally making frantic efforts to facilitate the allocation of 10 hectares of land by the State Government to the institution for the establishment of our permanent site”, the Provost revealed

Mr. Oyebowale Raji, Chairman, Governing Council of LASCOCO, disclosed that the accreditation exercise was a major milestone in the life of the college and is very crucial to the achievement of its mandate as stipulated in the enabling Act.

Raji noted that the accreditation process of the College’s programmes stemmed from constant liaison with the NBTE and other similar sister organisations, as well as collaboration with the Lagos State University both as a mentor and partner.

On his part, the leader of the NBTE team, Mr. Aliyu Lemu, expressed optimism on successful accreditation for the college with the existing facilities, adding that the sole aim of the visitation panel was to assess how far the institution had gone and also advise on areas of improvement before final communication from NBTE.

LAGOS TO DEPLOY TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL-YEAR FARMING SEASON

LAGOS TO DEPLOY TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL-YEAR FARMING SEASON

The Lagos State Government is working towards the deployment of technology that will enable farming all year round in order to achieve food security and self-sufficiency in the State and Nigeria as a whole.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, made the disclosure at a press briefing to herald the activities lined up for the celebration of Y2021 World Food Day, explaining that an all-year farming season would ensure that Lagos attains the desired sustainable agri-food systems.

Olusanya noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has occasioned the need for an urgent change of route to bring about food security and safety, due to effects of the pandemic on agriculture.

Her words: “This year has been an exceptional year with the world trying to recover from the COVID-19 global pandemic which ravaged the world last year. Suffice it to say that the food we eat and the way we eat it affect our health and that of our planet and, in return, this has a direct impact on the way agri-food systems work.

Maintaining that the theme of this year’s World Food Day Celebration – Our Actions are our Future: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – is indeed apt, the Commissioner stated that it focuses on the efforts being made by the State Government to ensure that a variety of sufficient, nutritious and safe foods are available at affordable prices to everyone.

She explained that Lagos currently produces about 20% of its total food demand leaving a gap of 80% to be imported from other States of the Federation and other countries, stressing that concerted efforts and increased investments in the agricultural sector are essential to bridge the gap and improve food production, food security and supply.

The Commissioner pointed out that new policies are being adopted for sustainable production of affordable nutritious foods and promotion of farmers’ participation to promote equality and learning, drive innovation, boost rural incomes, offer safety nets to smallholder farmers and build climate resistance.

She added that multiple linkages between areas affecting food systems such as health, education, energy, finance, social protection, among others, would also be reconsidered with a view to making solutions fit together.

Olusanya averred that the World Food Day is celebrated annually on the 16th of October, worldwide, to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945, adding that the day is also recognised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), among others.

“All member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), including Nigeria, annually participate in the events which focus primarily on the state of food security, raising awareness on the issues behind poverty and hunger as well as the efforts of different sectors to meet its challenges,” she said.

The Commissioner listed some activities lined up for the celebration in the State including a Road Walk/Sensitisation on Friday, 8th October; an Interactive Farmers’ Forum on Tuesday, 12th October; Ofada Rice Day Symposium on Wednesday, 13th October; School Agric Quiz Competition slated for Thursday, 14th October and the grand finale on Saturday, 16th October, 2021.

NCC’s Outreach Programme, Campus Conversation, Debuts in Abuja

NCC’s Outreach Programme, Campus Conversation, Debuts in Abuja

Following the re-structuring and re-branding of its existing consumer outreach programmes, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has held the maiden edition of the Campus Conversation at the University of Abuja. Campus Conversation is featured as an important part of NCC’s new Telecom Consumer Conversation (TCC).

Speaking at the event, which held at the Main Campus of the University of Abuja at the weekend, NCC’s Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, said the Commission, as a consumer-centric regulator, has always been at the forefront of protecting the interest of the consumers.

He said the Commission has, over the years, embarked on many initiatives and programmes to deliver on its consumer protection mandate, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 and in line with other subsidiary legislations, guidelines, directions and determinations, in order to proactively address consumer concerns.

Idehen stated that, as a modified outreach programme, Campus Conversation takes life from NCC’s consumer protection and empowerment agenda as stipulated in the Commission’s Strategic Management and Vision Plans, as well as extant policies and well-conceived decisions of Management.

The objective of the Conversation is to ensure that the telecom consumers on university campuses are adequately informed and educated on their rights and privileges to acquire knowledge they require to take informed decision and protect themselves from unwholesome practices from service providers.

“Essentially, this maiden edition of our Campus Conversation is kicking off here at the University of Abuja today, as part of our strategic effort at creating awareness among the university students on their rights and obligations as telecoms consumers, as well as sensitising them on the many initiatives of the Commission designed to enhance consumer protection and empowerment,” Idehen said.

At the event, the NCC team led by Idehen, took turns to educate the campus community on Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration, the Benefits of National Identity Number (NIN)-SIM Integration, Cybersecurity and related online protection issues, among other initiatives of the NCC.

Participants were also enlightened on the various consumer-centric activities of NCC such as the NCC Consumer Complaint Toll-free Number 622; the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Short Code 2442 instituted to manage unsolicited messages; the National Emergency Toll-free Number 112 which every citizen is expected to know and use during emergencies. Over twenty Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs) where 112 calls are received and escalated, have been constructed by the NCC and operational in different states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Other Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials printed in bookmarks, handbills and stickers were distributed. The IECs cover a wide-range of topics on consumer concerns, including Consumer Bill of Rights, Complaints Management Process, Mobile Number Portability (MNP), SIM Registration, Obligations of Telecom Service Providers and the Consumers, and Tips on Managing Data Usage.

The event provided a rare opportunity to the students and other members of the University community to interface with the Commission. The NCC team responded to questions and comments relating to the participants’ experience with telecom services.

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, who was represented at the forum by the University’s Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, Dr. Evans Ashigwuike, commended the NCC for the elaborate enlightenment programme hosted in the university community, which he described as highly beneficial to the students.

Na’Allah assured the Commission that the University will ensure that students, who attended the Consumer Conversation pass the knowledge gained and the IEC materials circulated by NCC to their fellow students for effective knowledge-sharing and education.

The TCC, now segmented and targeted at different consumer groups, comprises: The Village Square Dialogue, The Telecom Public Sphere, The Professionals’ Dialogue, Campus Conversation, Market Conversation and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Sensitization.

Aside the TCC, other strategic outreach programmes of the Commission, delivered through its Consumer Affairs Bureau, include Consumer Telecom Town Halls on Radio, a phone-in radio dialogic programme to educate consumers at the grassroots; Telecom and The Citizen, a bi-monthly Twitter Live Chat targeting telecom consumers that are active on the social media; and Telecom TV Dialogue, a monthly television-based discourse on topical telecom issues.

AFRICAN WATCHMAKERS MAKING IMPACT IN THE ECOSYSTEM

AFRICAN WATCHMAKERS MAKING IMPACT IN THE ECOSYSTEM

Switzerland is a world leader in watchmaking, with iconic brands like Rolex, Omega, TAG, etc. However, according to Euromonitor, exports of Swiss watches to Africa have fallen by up to 47% between 2017 and 2020. While lower purchasing power in Africa are easy explanations for this decline, an exciting new opportunity appears to be opening up for African watchmakers.

Local African luxury watchmakers like #Caveman in Ghana, #Asorock in Nigeria, and #Bettél in South Africa are taking on international watch brands and forging a reputation for artistry and reliability.

But while watch sales by global brands are declining on the continent, these local watchmakers — whose timepieces sell between $75 and $350 — are ramping up their production and taking a foothold in the market, especially among urban, aspirational, and fashion-conscious middle-class customers.

Globally, watch sales are proving resilient even in the era of the smartphone, with the global market valued at $62bn in 2020 by Business Wire. While Africa’s watchmaking industry is still in its infancy, it appears the time has come for timepieces made in Africa to share shelf spaces with Swiss-made brands.

John-Paul Iwuoha

SANWO-OLU SAYS LAGOS IS RESILIENT, INNOVATIVE IN TACKLING ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

SANWO-OLU SAYS LAGOS IS RESILIENT, INNOVATIVE IN TACKLING ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

… Joins Others across the World to Mark World Habitat Day

The Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the resilience and innovativeness of the State in tackling environmental challenges confronting its development as a low-line, coastal Megacity.

Speaking during the World Habitat Day Celebration held on Monday at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa in Ikeja, the Governor noted that in line with the celebration’s theme, “Accelerating Urban Action For Carbon-Free World”, Lagos State, through a compact city planning, aimed to reduce emission by targeting critical sectors such as housing, energy and waste management, among others.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, said: “We have retrofitted our economy by adopting energy-saving alternatives as a decisive step towards reducing carbon footprint in the State”.

He added that initiatives like Tree Planting Campaigns, Landscaping and Beautification of open spaces, climate change advocacy summits and the promotion of waste recycling have become institutionalised in response to the environmental challenges in Lagos State.

Noting the inherent opportunities resulting from Climate Change in the State, Sanwo-Olu said his administration has recently signed the N25 Billion Green Bond Market Agreement to galvanise viable financing options for green and sustainable projects in areas such as climate change adaptive transportation, housing, health and agriculture among others.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako stated that successive topics of the celebration had underscored the importance of the environment, particularly the built environment, as a superstructure interconnecting other important sectors.

While calling on stakeholders to reflect and take progressive steps forward in the vanguard of a livable and sustainable city that is carbon-free and climate-resilient, Salako stated that the theme of this year’s celebration is a clarion call for actionable plans and strategies for the achievement of a truly sustainable world for all.

The Guest Speaker from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos, Prof. Taibat Lawanson, noted that carbon emission was prevalent in urban centres, such as Lagos, with high population density, small landmass as well high commercial and industrial activities.

She called for proactive measures in accelerating action for a carbon-free State, through sustainable measures in transportation, energy, agriculture and other areas.

FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH MARKS THE FLAG-OFF OF EXERCISE STILL WATER IN CROSS RIVER STATE

FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH MARKS THE FLAG-OFF OF EXERCISE STILL WATER IN CROSS RIVER STATE

The Nigerian Army field training exercise code named Exercise STILL WATER was flagged off in Cross Rivers State with free medical outreach targeted at hundreds of residents living in Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.

In his remarks, the Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Brigadier General Peter Malla said during the exercise troops will be practised on the preparation, planning and conduct of operations in both land and riverine area. He request all stakeholders to cooperate and support the successful conduct of the Exercise.

The Governor of Cross Rivers State represented by Dr Patrick Mboto, Permanent Secretary Services delivered the goodwill message of the state for the Exercise commending the troops for their conduct in the state.

Highlight of the flag-off ceremony include unarmed combat demonstration and guided tour of the step up Headquarters.

Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook Outage, His Impact In Our Lives and How He Can Decide The Fate Of Millions Of People and Businesses – Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook Outage, His Impact In Our Lives and How He Can Decide The Fate Of Millions Of People and Businesses – Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Millions if not billions of users were stranded following as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp go down across the world. This has shown that Mark Zuckerberg he is one popular man that has come to change our lives, he can be called the turning point of this century. The founder and top executive of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and still counting has shown that he has the capacity to affect the lives of billions of people. In modern history, no individual has shown the capacity to altar the way humanity communicates, engage and possibly do business as Mark have done recently.

“So, one of the things that I’ve been lucky about in building this company is … I kind of have voting control of the company, and that’s something I focused on early on. And it was important because, without that, there were several points where I would’ve been fired. For sure, for sure,” Mark Zuckerberg

The impact of social media was felt globally when his platforms were down for hours, in information parlance, it can be called downtime, but globally, we have come to see how social media especially Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp have come to affect our lives either positively or otherwise. Speaking on the massive outage, Mark Zuckerberg said “Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger are coming back online now. Sorry for the disruption today — I know how much you rely on our services to stay connected with the people you care about.”

Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram down globally - Daily Post Nigeria

Industry watchers and stakeholders have opined that this massive outage might start affecting the social media giant negatively by making people or users to start looking for alternative but unfortunately, just like opium, many people are addicted to the blue app and will require some doses of antidepressants when they are weaned from the app.

According to Lois Beckett of Theguardian an online journal, he asked critical questions on the effect of this outage. But there are still many questions unanswered, about what caused the outage, “what effects the service disruption had for the around the world, and what the consequences of the outage will be as Facebook faces increasing public pressure over its impact on everything from US teens’ body image to the survival of democracies around the world.”

In a world that we are increasingly getting connected and distances are click away, it is expected that Facebook should give explanation of what happen but as it stands now, Facebook and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg have offered no public explanation for what exactly went wrong, just a simple apology for the disruption.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu (@anthony_nwosu) | Twitter

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

COAS FLAGS-OFF EXERCISES GOLDEN DAWN, ENDURING PEACE AND STILL WATER NATION WIDE

COAS FLAGS-OFF EXERCISES GOLDEN DAWN, ENDURING PEACE AND STILL WATER NATION WIDE

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya will on Monday 4 October, 2021, perform the flag-off of Exercises GOLDEN DAWN, ENDURING PEACE and STILL WATER nation wide. The COAS will symbolically flag-off all Exercises at the venue of Exercise GOLDEN DAWN which will take place at Ovie-Emene, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. For all intents and purposes, it should be noted that these Field Training Exercises (FTEs) are routines conducted yearly by the Nigerian Army (NA), designed to effectively check all forms of criminality and allow for free movement of persons during the Yuletide.

Additionally, the FTEs will equally provide a platform to sharpen the skills of participating troops on the conduct of Internal Security Operations. The exercises will run concurrently in 2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions Areas of Responsibilities(AOR) in the South West, South South and South East regions respectively. It will also be conducted in Headquarters Command Army Records, 401 Special Forces Brigade and Guards Brigade Areas of Responsibilities (AOR) in the North Central States of Kogi, Benue and the Federal Capital territory respectively.

Expectedly, troops will be taken through operational rigors to effectively respond to security challenges, ranging from kidnapping, banditry, thuggery, brigandage, armed robbery, cultism, communal crisis, violent secessionist agitations, farmers-herders clashes and insurgency, amongst other sundry crimes. This will be complimented by robust Civil-Military relations activities in identified communities in the envisaged AORs. This intervention calls for critical stakeholders to support the NA and other security agencies to stem the tide of crimes and criminality across the areas, particularly as the Yuletide approaches.

Consequently, members of the general public are please enjoined not to panic at sighting the movement of troops and equipment. They are also urged to please continue to support the NA and other security agencies with credible information on the activities of criminals in their vicinity. Nigerians are please encouraged to take ownership of the exercise for a seamless celebration during the yuletide.

Cyber Attacks: Upgrading CERRT will save Nigeria — Pantami.

Cyber Attacks: Upgrading CERRT will save Nigeria — Pantami.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has said that the establishment of Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Team, (CERRT) will reduce cyber attacks and make Nigeria’s cyberspace safer.

The Minister stated this while inaugurating the Nigeria Communications Commission’s Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Team (CERRT).


He said the project was strategically built in line with Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) of President Muhammadu Buhari for a Digital Nigeria.


According to Pantami, the facility was initiated and executed in accordance with international best practices and meet the needs of the present reality of mitigating and reducing further attacks on the country to a bearable minimum.

This he said, will go along way in complementing the efforts of the administration in tackling the high wave of insecurity in the country and put the economy on a better footing as well as boosting the anti corruption war.

“The CERRT is in alignment with the three priority areas of President Muhammadu Buhari namely security, job creation and fighting against corruption,” he said.
He further stated that, “today there are many challenges with regards to security based on what is happening online.With CERRT Teams, we will be able to be the watchdog of the Federal Government, monitor and protect cyber crime attacks on our country.

The Minister added that, “What we want to achieve with these projects is to ensure that these key areas are in tandem with President Buhari’s Digital transformation policy.”

“Part of what agreed with stakeholders is to build Digital Economy. The journey started in October 2019, which led to the approval for thelaunching of the Digital Economy Policy for Digital Nigeria. Now it is no longer about ICT but Digital Transformations,” Prof. Pantami stated.

He said, “for us, there is need to rebrand all parastatals because they are key to our goals. It gives impression and projects the vision and mission of the organizations. Prior to this NCC and NITDA were mandated to create independent department for Digital Economy.

“With the outbreak of the COVID-19Pandemic, we are trying to fast track the entire policy and see how we will be able to attain them by 2025 rather than 2030 earlier scheduled, though,some had already been attained but we are optimistic that they are achievable.”

Earlier in his address the Executive Vice Chairman Nigeria Communications Commission Professor Umar Garba Danbatta alluded to the importance of the Centre to the nation’s security measures, the digitalisation of the country’s economy and the rebranding of the Commission.

Prof. Danbatta said with establishment of the Centre, the Cyber space will be insulated from frequent attacks and save the country from loss of huge resources.
In his goodwill messages, the Chief Executive Officer, National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE said there will never a more perfect time of this digital center than now.

He noted that, “last year, there was a disruption to the country’s journey to digital economy, as COVID 19 sent us off the streets, we rushed to our systems and smart phones to keep in touch with loved ones for education, entertainment and any other transaction we can not do physically. The new normal made us to understand how convenient the online life is.

Kashifu added that the most important thing is to secure our digital space so that people will have trust in it. He added that the Centre is the kind of facility that will help in achieving that.

He congratulated the Minister for the milestone, and also extend same to the management and staff of NCC for making sure that they are securing our telecommunications infrastructure.

NITDA PARTNERS MASS CHALLENGE TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NITDA PARTNERS MASS CHALLENGE TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In order to help entrepreneurs in Nigeria grow their brands and initiatives locally while having easy access to the global ecosystem, the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) has forged partnership with MassChallenge by offering support with the purpose of creating jobs and wealth for the Nation.

NITDA Director General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE who was represented by the acting National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovations, Mr Yakubu Musa expressed his optimism at the collaboration during a virtual meeting with the MassChallenge Global Partnership Manager, Kevin O Reilly.


The DG stated that, as part of efforts of the Agency in implementing the promotion of indigenous content, a strategic pillar of the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024, the MassChallenge Nigeria will help create and further promote a vibrant start up ecosystem which can create lasting solutions to some of the economic challenges being faced currently.

He stated that nnovation is a prominent way of creating prosperity for all and lifting countries out of poverty.

The NITDA boss disclosed that the MassChallenge Nigeria competition will identify and accelerate top startups in Nigeria while exposing them to NITDA’s facilities and connecting them to the global network.

“Startups participating in the program will have access to facilities such as our National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for their prototyping”, Abdullahi noted.

He further promised the Agency’s facilitation of incentives for startups participating in the program such as experienced mentorship from multinationals.


He averred that the product support teams from these multinationals will help the startups develop technical marketing which will help in building their businesses.


MassChallenge Product Manager, Mr. Reilly while giving his presentation earlier said that the MassChallenge looks forward to working with NITDA to continue to support and grow the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.

He stated that all startups participating in the MassChallenge Nigeria 2021 will have access to tailored mentorship and coaching from NITDA and MassChallenge mentors.