National New Year Prayer for Nigeria: A Call to Unity and Faith in Troubled Times

National New Year Prayer for Nigeria: A Call to Unity and Faith in Troubled Times

 

In light of the prevailing challenges facing Nigeria, including soaring inflation, widespread insecurity, and a concerning exodus of human capital, the imperative for collective prayer has never been more apparent. Recognizing this urgent need, the esteemed Apostle Edith Grace Ministries, also known as Pray for Nigeria, convened a distinguished gathering of Nigerian leaders and spiritual figures for the National New Year Prayer for Nigeria.

Themed “Joy Cometh in the Morning,” the prayer convention aims to unite the nation in fervent supplication, seeking divine intervention amidst the current tumultuous circumstances. Grace Edith, the visionary behind the event, emphasized the significance of proactive engagement with faith in addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges. “We are compelled to act, to beseech the Almighty for His guidance and protection,” she remarked.

The event drew a diverse array of participants, including prominent dignitaries and revered spiritual leaders. Notable figures in attendance included Apostle Edith Enajemo, Prophet Emmanuel Effa, De Sax Preacher, Molly B, Chris Morgan, Pastor Kemi Otunla, Pastor Mary Jonas, Pastor Francis Onwufor, and numerous other esteemed individuals revered for their spiritual guidance and leadership.

Reflecting on the urgent need for divine intervention, Dino Melaye, former Senator, emphasized the gravity of Nigeria’s current predicament. “We find ourselves in perilous times, grappling with economic turmoil and pervasive insecurity. In these trying moments, our faith in God must serve as our anchor,” he asserted. Echoing this sentiment, Clement Jimbo emphasized the importance of entrusting Nigeria’s fate to the Almighty.

The National New Year Prayer for Nigeria serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Through collective prayer and unwavering faith, Nigeria stands poised to overcome its challenges and embrace a future characterized by prosperity and peace.

Apostle Edith Grace Ministries (Pray for Nigeria) is dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and societal transformation through prayer and advocacy. With a steadfast commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, the ministry serves as a beacon of hope and unity for the nation.

BTOPEX Asia: Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Summit by Confexco events

BTOPEX Asia: Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Summit by Confexco events

 

 

 

Save the date: 23rd February 2024, wherein The Conference and Exhibition Company- Confexco events will offer unparalleled opportunities to discuss the business world’s most pressing operational challenges and focus on transformational solutions.

 

After more than 12 months of hosting virtual conferences, webinars, one on one discussions and creating a community of business visionaries, BTOPEX ASIA 2024 is paving the way for BTOPEX series of physical gatherings across Asia, EMEA and the US. We invite you to join us virtually or physically at this gala event.

 

The conference is designed for the Entire Transformative Executive unit including: Continuous improvement leaders; those driving the operations function; broader business leaders who own the critical processes within their organizations and who are challenged to find new ways to solve problems and building capabilities. Transformation leaders have seen tremendous changes and disruptions in the past few years. Businesses don’t run the same way; every year it’s “orthodox obsolete process: the new OOPs in the industry unlike the JAVA” that needs to be transformed.

 

This invite-only exclusive gathering of senior leaders will focus on the latest trends, solutions, and tools that can help organizations drive sustainable growth, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experience. Our esteemed speakers, who are renowned for their expertise and experience in business transformation and operational excellence, will share their knowledge and insights on various topics such as digital transformation, process optimization, change management, and more.

 

Confirmed speakers include senior leaders from Global brands like Samsung, Amazon, Google, Capgemini, IBM and United Nation to name a few. “Excited to be part of this knowledge sharing initiative by Confexco and look forward to making meaningful contributions to the community of continuous improvement leaders.” Said Abdullah Saleem, Group CIO, Incor hospitals group.

 

Formats at the BTOPEX, Asia:

The BTOPEX, Asia 2024 will  serve as a marketplace for ideas and create space for as many relevant and consequential debates as possible. The conference’s program is charted as follows: Keynote presentation, Panel sessions, Roundtable and networking session. All formats are governed by Confexco, which calls for maximum interaction between speakers and participants, true to the motto: Engage and interact with each other.

 

About Confexco Events:

Confexco is a leading conference and exhibition organizer, helping organizations achieve business transformation and operational excellence through innovative event solutions and expert services. With a proven track record of success and a focus on customer satisfaction, Confexco is committed to delivering the highest quality solutions and services to all its Stakeholders. To learn more: visit www.confexco.com or event website: BTOPEX ASIA

 

Social Media:

For updates and insights follow us on linkedin/instagram/youtube. Join us in commemorating the #BTOPEX event and deep dive into our wide range of offerings, for efficient management and coordination of various business functions, including supply chain, healthcare, corporate governance, and enterprise service.

 

Nigeria Showcases Commitment to Digital Transformation at Digital Cooperation Organisation General Assembly

Nigeria Showcases Commitment to Digital Transformation at Digital Cooperation Organisation General Assembly

 

The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital, Dr. Bosun Tijani, was represented by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, at the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) General Assembly held in Manama, Bahrain. The event served as a platform for Nigeria to underscore its dedication to digital transformation on the global stage.

Aligning seamlessly with the DCO’s vision of achieving social prosperity and fostering the growth of the digital economy, Nigeria’s active participation resonates with the nation’s comprehensive digital strategy, which includes President Bola Ahmed @Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan.

The DCO’s core focus on bridging the digital divide and empowering various demographics such as youths, women, and entrepreneurs closely mirrors Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in digital literacy and the development of tech talent. This alignment emphasizes Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are accessible to all segments of its population.

Nigeria’s participation at the DCO General Assembly also underscores the nation’s recognition of the importance of staying abreast of global digital trends. Furthermore, it highlights Nigeria’s dedication to achieving its national development goals by creating robust legislative and policy frameworks that facilitate and accelerate the digital transformation journey.

This collaborative effort reinforces Nigeria’s pivotal role in shaping a global digital economy that is not only inclusive but also equitable and sustainable. The nation remains steadfast in its pursuit of fostering international cooperation to build a digital landscape that promotes innovation, accessibility, and shared prosperity.

Exclusive Networks Africa bolsters security portfolio with HCLSoftware agreement

Exclusive Networks Africa bolsters security portfolio with HCLSoftware agreement

 Exclusive Networks Africa has secured an agreement with HCLSoftware, the software business division of HCLTech, which will see the global trusted cybersecurity specialist for digital infrastructure add the HCLBigFix endpoint management platform to its existing cybersecurity offering.

According to Anton Jacobsz, Managing Director of Exclusive Networks Africa, the agreement came about due to HCLSoftware’s requirement for a distribution partner with extensive reach into the African continent.

“Exclusive Networks Africa’s local footprint, which spans South Africa, the Southern African Development Community(SADC) and Indian Ocean Islands, as well as both West and East Africa, was especially attractive to HCLSoftware due to the company’s focus on local market penetration.”

Says Pravesh Gosain, Associate Product Management Director – HCLSoftware Intelligent Automation Cloud: “In today’s complex, hyper-connected and dynamic technology landscape, it’s important for companies to harness the power of digital transformation, data, security and artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver excellence at scale and speed.

“With its rapid adoption of digital transformation projects, HCLSoftware has identified Africa as one of the focal areas for growth across many of its solution verticals, including Digital Workplace and  Enterprise Security, prioritising digital experience, cybersecurity and ensuring personal data protection.”

HCL BigFix: a centralised approach to manage and secure diverse endpoints

“The addition of intelligence-driven automation and cyberfocus security to remote endpoints has become necessary in our digital world,” Gosain continues, “as has governing your entire enterprise infrastructure with automated workflows, connectors, data sources and end-to-end monitoring, to align with the digital transformation strategy of an organisation.“

HCL BigFix provides a unified architecture leveraging AI technology to effectively manage and ensure compliance of all servers, desktops and mobile devices, whether in the office, at home or in the cloud. It streamlines management processes, reduces operating costs and enhances endpoint security across nearly 100 operating system versions. For this reason, BigFix is used across all industries globally.

 

“Aligning with Exclusive Networks Africa is critical to HCL BigFix’s growth on the continent,” Gosain comments. “With dedicated regional resources across the continent, Exclusive Networks Africa is able to stay connected to market demands via its vast local partner networks, continually helping customers to accelerate toward a trusted, more secure digital world. Particular focus will be given to the financial, manufacturing, retail, telecommunication and government sectors within the region.

“Exclusive Networks Africa is also a distribution partner of exposure management company Tenable. This is important, as HCL BigFix is fully integrated with Tenable out of the box, meaning that our customers have the added benefit of a single touchpoint for two market-leading, complementary solutions. The HCL BigFix and Tenable integration helps organisations see everything, predict what matters, and act confidently to reduce risk quickly.”

Enhancing Exclusive Networks Africa’s portfolio

“From an Exclusive Networks Africa standpoint, the addition of HCLBigFix helps to round out our current portfolio,” explains Jacobsz. “In line with our strategic focus on bringing the industry’s top cybersecurity products to African businesses, HCLBigFix is able to offer the world’s fastest vulnerability remediation, which helps IT operations teams to discover, prioritise and patch critical vulnerabilities, reducing cybersecurity risk in real time. This is of particular importance to today’s CISO in terms of providing cost efficiencies and removing the risk of human error.

“In addition, the solution ensures continuous configuration compliance aligned with industry-standard security benchmarks, and is able to manage every workstation, server and mobile device during its entire lifecycle – from provisioning through retirement,” Jacobsz adds. “These benefits also support the Exclusive Networks global mission of building a totally trusted digital world for all individuals and organisations.”

HCL BigFix secures over 100 million endpoints globally because of its unprecedented vulnerability remediation, maintaining continuous endpoint compliance and managing endpoints of all types, operating systems and locations. “With the assistance of Exclusive Networks Africa, we plan to increase local awareness and knowledge of HCL BigFix, aiming to participate in more industry events, as well as holding our own partner and customer events across the continent,” says Gosain. 

“Furthermore, through our currently free online instructor-led training, combined with our certification programmes, we also plan to upskill as many customer and partner resources as possible, while replicating learnings from global success stories to ensure expedited adoption and assured results.”

Tinubu Condemns Unfounded Labeling and Stereotyping of Nigerians in Cybercrime Matters; Pledges Government Support to EFCC’s Digital Offenses Combat

Tinubu Condemns Unfounded Labeling and Stereotyping of Nigerians in Cybercrime Matters; Pledges Government Support to EFCC’s Digital Offenses Combat

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed dismay over the widespread mislabeling and blanket stereotyping of Nigeria as a nation associated with rampant cybercrime and corruption. President Tinubu emphasized that such generalizations undermine the majority of citizens who uphold principles of integrity and diligence. He made these remarks during a Public Engagement on Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption, along with the Launch of the Inter-Faith Manual and Fraud Risk Assessment Project for MDAs at Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on Wednesday.

The event, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), gathered stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes. President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, argued that Nigerians are hardworking, honest citizens making significant contributions globally, and associating the entire populace with internet crimes lacks statistical evidence.

In his speech titled, “Youth, Religion, and Our Battle Against Corruption: A Call to Action,” President Tinubu commended the EFCC for its role as a moral compass and pledged the government’s support in combatting digital offenses. He stressed the importance of fostering trust and integrity in eradicating internet offenses and corruption, acknowledging the interconnectedness of cybercrimes globally.

President Tinubu also highlighted the government’s efforts to provide opportunities for lawful enterprises, citing the establishment of a Students Loan Board to address financial needs and discourage criminality among the youth.

The President lauded EFCC’s initiatives, including the Inter-Faith and Fraud Risk Assessment Projects, recognizing the potential of religion for ethical reformation and the importance of fortifying institutions against corrupt practices. He urged religious leaders to guide their followers in the fight against corruption.

In his welcome address, EFCC Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede emphasized the importance of engaging critical stakeholders in the renewed anti-corruption fight. He expressed concern over the prevalence of cybercrime among the youth and highlighted the need for proactive measures.

Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stressed the importance of preventive measures in the anti-corruption crusade, urging various leaders to take ownership of the renewed fight.

Leaders from religious groups, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Ooni of Ife, commended President Tinubu and EFCC’s commitment to fighting corruption, pledging their support.

The event was attended by notable figures such as Sen. Emmanuel Udende, representing the Senate President, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, Prof. Lilian Salami, Mr. John Momoh, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and heads of government agencies and parastatals.

FINTRAK Demonstrates Commitment to Capacity Building through Partnership with EITECH in Benin Republic

FINTRAK Demonstrates Commitment to Capacity Building through Partnership with EITECH in Benin Republic

 

FINTRAK, Nigeria’s leading fintech firm, has reaffirmed its commitment to corporate social responsibility by hosting EPITECH, a prominent educational institution in Benin Republic. This collaboration is part of FINTRAK’s initiative to contribute to capacity building in the ECOWAS subregion.

As a key component of this partnership, FINTRAK has established a collaboration with L’école Epitech Bénin, the educational institution’s campus in Benin Republic. The goal is to provide specialized training and opportunities for students excelling in tech-related courses, fostering their exposure to real-world software development and building experiences.

Bimbo Abioye, The GMD of FINTRAK, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We have a strategic understanding and partnership with L’école Epitech Bénin. Our organization is dedicated to building capacity not only in Nigeria but also in other African countries. We have been actively absorbing students from L’école Epitech, and this collaboration aligns with our commitment to continuous capacity building.”

Abioye further highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “We are pleased to host these students, providing them with hands-on experience in the fintech ecosystem. Our objective is to offer exposure and guidance, shaping them into adept software developers.”

L’école Epitech, a premier institution for IT expertise and innovation, has been at the forefront of technology education since 1999. The school emphasizes a forward-thinking approach to IT and innovation, focusing on original teaching methods that go beyond rote learning.

The school’s management shared insights into their educational philosophy, stating, “At Epitech, students don’t just learn to be developers; they are equipped to anticipate problems, find solutions, and develop new skills across various disciplines. We prioritize teaching how to learn, fostering a mindset that goes beyond repetitive tasks.”

FINTRAK Software Company Limited is a leading fintech firm offering services to financial institutions. The company has evolved into a powerhouse with a trademark registered as Fintrak Software, specializing in delivering technology solutions to enterprises in various sectors, including Insurance, Commercial Banking, Mortgage Banking, and Manufacturing. With over 160 staff members, including 120 Software Engineers, FINTRAK has successfully implemented over 200 technology solutions across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, Congo, Zambia, and beyond.

UPDATED TELECOM INDICATORS: NIGERIA SEES STEADY INCREASE IN ACTIVE VOICE AND INTERNET SUBSCRIPTIONS, DROP IN TELEDENSITY

UPDATED TELECOM INDICATORS: NIGERIA SEES STEADY INCREASE IN ACTIVE VOICE AND INTERNET SUBSCRIPTIONS, DROP IN TELEDENSITY

 

 

Nigeria has witnessed a steady increase in active voice and internet subscriptions, including a drop in teledensity as contained in the latest telecommunications statistical indicators released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which have been adjusted to reflect the latest population growth figures and align with international best practices.

 

The adjustment which is reflected in the telecom industry statistical reports of September, October, and November 2023 published on the Commission’s website, was predicated upon the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC)’s projection of Nigeria’s population at 216,783,381, as of 2022, replacing the previously used 2017 projection of 190 million people.

 

With the consequential adjustment, which is in line with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s calculation of teledensity, the nation’s teledensity dropped from 115.63% to 102.30% in September, while Broadband penetration witnessed a similar drop from 45.47% to 40.85% in the same month. However, the active voice subscription statistics witnessed a marginal growth from 220,361,186 to 221,769,883 as of September 2023. In addition, Internet subscriptions also enjoyed a marginal growth, from 159,034,717 in August 2023 to 160,171,757 in September 2023.

 

In October 2023 the industry also experienced a 0.19% growth in Active Voice subscriptions while teledensity stood at 102.49% with Internet subscriptions increasing by 0.60% compared to September 2023.

 

In November of the same year, the industry also experienced a 0.46% growth in Active Voice subscriptions. Teledensity stood at 102.97% with a 0.57% increase in Internet subscriptions when compared to October 2023.

 

Teledensity is an index prescribed by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, for the measurement of telephone penetration in a population by a factor of one line per 100 individuals in the population.

 

The adjustment by the Commission is consistent with Section 89 Subsection 3(d) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), in which the Commission is mandated to monitor and report on the state of the Nigerian telecommunications industry, provide statistical analysis and identify industry trends concerning services, tariffs, operators, technology, subscribers, and issues of competition.

 

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, affirmed the nation’s telecom statistical adjustment process as an appropriate step to maintain the integrity of data about the Nigerian telecom industry as collected, collated, and published by the Commission. He noted that this will also ensure the accurate measurement of the Commission’s progress towards attaining increased broadband penetration rates, improved quality of service, and increased population coverage, among other targets set out in the Strategic Plan for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

 

He also said such data provides information for both the International Telecommunications Union to which Nigeria belongs, and other development agencies as well as the operators, investors, multilateral agencies, and the public.

President Bola Tinubu Commits to Youth Empowerment and Collaboration with Mastercard Foundation

President Bola Tinubu Commits to Youth Empowerment and Collaboration with Mastercard Foundation

 

President Bola Tinubu, in a meeting with Ms. Reeta Roy, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard Foundation, affirmed his belief in the vibrancy and talent of Nigerian youths. The President expressed his administration’s commitment to supporting public-private partnerships focused on creating dignified work and employment opportunities for the nation’s youth.

Applauding the Mastercard Foundation’s initiative to generate 10 million jobs for young Nigerians, President Tinubu remarked that the program aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda for economic development and job creation. He emphasized the importance of an inclusive government that fosters change and reshapes the perception of the country, highlighting Nigeria’s position as the largest economy in Africa.

“We believe in what you are doing. We are determined to run an inclusive government and change the dynamics and perception of this country. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and, as such, must take its leadership of this continent very seriously,” stated President Tinubu.

The President underscored the potential of Nigeria’s youth population, expressing confidence in their readiness to learn and compete globally. He emphasized the role of leadership in nurturing this vibrant youth demographic and acknowledged the positive reputation Nigeria is gaining in various sectors of the economy.

President Tinubu welcomed Mastercard Foundation’s emphasis on digitization, recognizing technology as a potent tool against corruption. He assured collaboration and the removal of impediments to advance the shared goals of sustainable growth and prosperity for the youth.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the Mastercard Foundation’s significant impact across Africa and its capacity to transform human capital development in Nigeria. He stressed the alignment of the Foundation’s goals with President Tinubu’s commitment to reforming social intervention and health service delivery.

Ms. Reeta Roy, CEO of Mastercard Foundation, reported progress on the Foundation’s target of impacting 10 million young Nigerians. She outlined achievements in the ‘Young Africa Work Strategy,’ noting that 2.1 million young people are already engaged in dignified work, with seven million benefiting from various work enabler programs.

While acknowledging the Foundation’s historical focus on education and financial inclusion, Ms. Roy expressed excitement about venturing into the healthcare sector. She commended President Tinubu for prioritizing young people in economic growth agendas and highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to being a steadfast, open, and ready-to-learn partner.

President Bola Tinubu assured ongoing collaboration with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to leverage the Mastercard Foundation’s contributions to advance the economic growth agenda, particularly in healthcare and education.

Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Commends Milestone Achieved in Broadcasting Audience Measurement Report Presentation

Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Commends Milestone Achieved in Broadcasting Audience Measurement Report Presentation

 

The Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed satisfaction as he presided over the presentation of the comprehensive report and findings of the Task Team on Audience Measurement in Broadcasting. The event, which took place on Thursday, January 25th, 2024, in Abuja, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of Nigeria’s broadcast industry.

In his remarks, Minister Idris highlighted the importance of the Audience Measurement System in shaping the future of the media and creative industry. The system, which plays a crucial role in ensuring impactful and audience-centric broadcasting, empowers stakeholders to understand and respond to the dynamic preferences and needs of the audience.

Minister Idris commended the dedicated members of the task team for their tireless efforts in designing the framework that led to the comprehensive findings presented. He acknowledged their commitment to excellence and thoroughness in examining the intricacies of the broadcast audience, stating that the report stands as a testament to their hard work and will serve as a guiding document for future media policies.

The Minister provided context to the journey, revealing that the initiative began in 2020 under the former administration. A task force, led by Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, former Chief Executive Officer of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, was appointed to design the framework for the Scientifically based Audience Measurement System in Nigeria. The Task Team submitted a 182-page report to the Federal Government.

Highlighting the outdated nature of the current Audience Measurement System, Minister Idris noted that it relies on a two-decade-old Diary method (pen and paper) for collecting data on TV viewership and radio listenership. This outdated method does not provide an accurate reflection of people’s viewing and listening habits, hindering the growth of the entire Entertainment and Media ecosystem.

Addressing these challenges, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) appointed First Media and Entertainment Integrated (Nigeria) Limited, a Lagos-based marketing research company. The task team was subsequently established to supervise and ensure the implementation of an accurate, reliable, and timely audience measurement system for the Nigerian broadcast and advertising industry.

Minister Idris emphasized the imperative need for the Audience Measurement System, pointing out that Nigeria’s television advertising market revenue is underperforming despite the country’s large population. The comprehensive insights from the report, he believes, will strategically position the broadcasting industry as a catalyst for economic growth.

The Minister highlighted the present administration’s commitment to promoting innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic development. He stated that data-driven decisions derived from the report will enhance the quality and relevance of broadcasts, unlocking new avenues for investment, advertising, and content creation.

In closing, Minister Idris expressed optimism for the future of the broadcast industry, noting that armed with the knowledge from the Audience Measurement System, policies promoting diversity, quality content, and inclusivity can be shaped. He pledged further engagement with regulatory agencies and critical stakeholders to ensure the effective utilization of these findings for the betterment of the advertising and broadcasting industry.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NASENI Collaborate to Revolutionize Agriculture Through Technology

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NASENI Collaborate to Revolutionize Agriculture Through Technology

 

 

In a strategic move to propel advancements in the agricultural sector, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has joined forces with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). The collaborative effort, marked by the inauguration of a dedicated committee, is poised to expedite the adoption of cutting-edge technologies with the overarching goal of bolstering food production for both domestic consumption and export.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, featured remarks from Mr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi, the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS. He underscored the timeliness of strengthening collaboration with NASENI, emphasizing the pivotal role that innovation and technology play in the contemporary world.

Mr. Fashedemi articulated that integrating technology into agricultural practices is integral to realizing the current administration’s objectives of achieving food security, job creation, and industrialization nationwide. He revealed that the National Agriculture Technology and Innovation plan for the years 2022-2027 is anchored in ten thematic areas, encompassing stakeholder synergy, knowledge creation and transfer, rapid mechanization, agricultural development fund establishment, extension service delivery revitalization, and livestock development.

The technical committee, comprising directors from key FMAFS departments and representatives from NASENI, is entrusted with the responsibility of redefining and positioning the agricultural sector through innovation. The committee members are tasked with aligning their efforts with the President’s eight-point agenda.

Engr. Garba Abdullahi, Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, expressed the committee’s commitment to diligently fulfilling its mandate. He specifically highlighted the committee’s dedication to achieving food and nutrition security.

The committee’s terms of reference encompass a thorough examination of programs and projects within relevant FMAFS departments and agricultural research institutes. Key collaboration areas identified by NASENI include Technology Transfer, the Rice Storage Project (converting waste to recycle for building materials), and the Assembling of farm implements. The committee’s role extends to clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, and benefits of both parties across these collaboration areas.

This collaboration signals a pivotal step toward harnessing technological innovations to address challenges in the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to the realization of food security, job creation, and industrialization objectives in Nigeria. The establishment of the committee with specific terms of reference reflects a focused and strategic approach to implementing innovative solutions in agriculture.