The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) for the training of 500,000 public service workers on digital literacy and skills.

The Director-General, BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi inaugurated the team on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, in Abuja.
According to him, the training is to close the growing gap in digital literacy among public service workers.

He said digital literacy proficiency was vital to a 21st century public service regime, as such all federal workers should be conversant with digital service development, security and innovation.

Arabi said the 500, 000 civil servants drawn from 794 MDAs, would go through Learning, Practice Test and Certification in a maximum of four competency areas.
Arabi said the areas include ICT Digital Literacy, Communication Skills for Business, Entrepreneurship and Small Business and Career Specific certifications.

The D-G said members of the IMTT, drawn from the private and public sector, would work with the BPSR in driving the implementation process.

He said the team was expected to achieve the vision of a modern public service in Nigeria that is digitally literate and ready to rise to challenges of work, life and advancement in the decades to come.

He added that it was also to “improve the digital skills of public servants to help supercharge efforts to modernize governance.

“Align Nigerian Public Service workforce with the standard of 21st century public service regime.

“So that they are better able to sustain the underlying cultural change that needs to be sparked to create a government that can operate effectively in the digital era.”
Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, President, Digital Bridge Institute commended government plans to ensure effective service delivery.

“The launch of the IMTT is a clear demonstration of the BPSR’s foresight and proactive approach to addressing the digital skills gap that exists among public servants in Nigeria.

“The enhancement of the digital skills and competence level of public servants has become imperative, especially in today’s world where organizational processes are hugely dependent on ICT tools and platforms.

“Government operations and processes significantly impact all other sectors of the nation; therefore building the digital competence and capacity of public service officers would go a long way to simplify government operations.

“It would eliminate bottlenecks and deliver the needed value-added services to the public and private sector.’’

Also, Mr Umar Yakubu, Executive Director, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch, said digital skills would enhance public service delivery.
“We are hopeful it would enhance the skills to empower the public servants and enhance more transparency in MDAs,’’ he added.

Aliyu Umar

The NEMA NW Zonal Coordinator, Mal. Abbani Imam Garki has attended a One-day Stakeholders Forum on the Rising Fatalities Involving Haulage Trucks Carrying Passengers held in Kaduna.

The Meeting with the theme: “Reducing Road Traffic Crashes Through Stakeholders Engagement” was organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna Command.

The gathering witnessed the presence of the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer RS1HQ, ACM Godwin O. Omiko, the Kaduna Sector Commander, CC Zubairu Mato and other top ranking officers from other stakeholders respectively.

The programme is designed to counter the high frequency of road traffic accident and high fatality rate involving overloaded vehicles with goods and passengers on Nigeria roads, particularly trucks and trailers.

The FRSC has been observed with dismay that this category of vehicles in the event of crash or vehicle roll over, the fatality index is aggravated by goods crushing passengers embedded among perishable goods, farm animals and sundry haulage items.

The FRSC stated that it’s pertinent to come together and remind stakeholders of their collective responsibilities in ensuring the situation is put under control and reduce to the barest minimum.

However, delegated officers from the FRSC, NEMA, NURTW, KASTLEA, NARTO, NUPENG, RTEAM, NPA, Kaduna Inland Dry Port Authority, NUPENG, MEDIA and Legal Practitioners were all present at the meeting.

Sigma Software Group, a leading global IT consulting company, expands its footprint to Africa. The Swedish-Ukrainian company will present its ecosystem at its own booth at the upcoming GITEX Africa 2023 (www.GITEXAfrica.com), held from May 31 to June 2 in Marrakesh, Morocco. It is the continent’s largest digital summit that connects tech giants, governments, SMEs, start-ups, coders, investors and academia.

GITEX is an excellent opportunity for the companies like Sigma Software to present their innovative products and solutions to a broad public. The company’s experts will be on hand to demonstrate how their technologies can improve various aspects of businesses and industries, from finance to public services, from education to cybersecurity.

At the conference participants will have a chance to meet Sigma Software family and its partners:

• Sigma Software University – the company’s educational wing;
• Sigma Software Labs – an innovative hub focused on supporting startup community and investments;
• IdeaSoft – a software development partner focused on FinTech, Blockchain, Telecom and related verticals;
• Eventyr – a software and gametech development company focused on Web 3.0, NFT gaming, and Metaverse vectors;
• Datuum.ai – an AI-powered no-code tool that accelerates data onboarding from various data sources into one place;
• Black Snow Games – digital entertainment studio focused on AR products;
• GeekPay – a payment platform that helps companies to streamline crypto payments to contractors in an easy, fast and riskless way.

“At Sigma Software, we create best-in-class tech solutions and integrate 25+ existing products of our portfolio, thus helping enterprises to digitize their businesses and supporting startups in their growth. That is why we firmly believe that our solutions backed by more than 20 years of experience, can have a significant impact on the digital transformation of Africa, and we can’t wait to meet with potential clients and partners at the exhibition,” said Valery Krasovsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Sigma Software Group.

Visit Sigma Software’s booth at GITEX Africa to learn more about the company’s unique product line and explore how their technologies can help transform your business.

Promedius Inc., a medical imaging AI startup, is expanding to Africa with its cloud platform AIdant, which offers advanced medical imaging AI solutions and will be showcased at GITEX AFRICA 2023 (https://GITEXAfrica.com/); AIdant aims to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility by providing cutting-edge AI to assist diagnosis in countries with limited access to diagnostic imaging and radiologists.

Download document: https://apo-opa.info/42luvEL

Promedius Inc., a medical imaging AI startup founded by radiology specialists and AI researchers from Asan Medical Center, one of Korea’s top-tier general hospitals, has announced its expansion to Africa with its cloud platform AIdant.

AIdant is a cloud-native medical imaging AI platform, which connects healthcare professionals (HCPs) with cutting-edge AI solutions. The company will debut its AI technology* at GITEX AFRICA 2023, the largest tech exhibition in Africa.

Advanced AI-Powered Solutions of AIdant

• Medical Image Reconstruction: CXR Bone Suppression
• Medical Image Analysis: CXR Pneumothorax, CXR Osteoporosis, CXR Infectious Disease, CXR Cardiothoracic Ratio, CXR Cobb Angle
• Parameter Measurement: Whole Spine Lateral, Lateral Cephalometry

AIdant enables HCPs to spend more time on patient care, by reducing time-consuming medical image analysis. By providing DICOM medical imaging viewer and AI analysis directly on a web browser, AIdant eliminates the need to install or invest in new equipment. HCPs can also share medical images and patient data with peers for second opinions and remote collaboration.

“We are thrilled to expand our reach to Africa and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in the region,” said Dr. Hyun-Jin Bae, CEO and co-founder of Promedius Inc. “Our vision is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all. We believe AIdant will play a crucial role in achieving our goal, by bringing cutting-edge AI everywhere patients seek care.”

Promedius Inc. has already seen success in Southeast Asia (SEA) and Latin America (LATAM) with AIdant, and the expansion to Africa marks the company’s continued commitment. Through the power of AI, Promedius Inc. aims to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility and contribute to improving healthcare outcomes for patients globally.

GITEX AFRICA will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, from 31 May to 2 June, 2023. Promedius Inc. invites visitors to experience the power of AIdant at booth 5D-52. For more information, please visit their website at www.Promedius.ai.

Rear Admiral YEM Musa, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of The National security Adviser (ONSA) has pledged that the country’s working group on Criminal Justice and The Rule of Law (CJROL) in the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) is dedicated to supporting the development of effective criminal justice systems within a rule of law framework and fully respecting human rights in the efforts to stem the negative tide of terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

The National Coordinator at the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum in St. Julian’s, Malta on Thursday 27 April opined that the government of Nigeria is throwing its weight behind the efforts of the GCTF in line with good practices by focusing on key areas within the existing framework tosupport practitioners in the implementation of good practice recommendations to ensure that the case of terrorism and violent extremism is addressed in Nigeria in order to reaffirm the commitment of the Federal of Government of Nigeria to make the country secure and safe enough for all to live and do business.

YEM Musa while addressing the Forum stated that the determination of the Government of Nigeria in its concerted effort to making Nigeria a safe place further resonates its commitment to be at the forefront of counter terrorism and violent extremism by the recent inauguration and commissioning of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, established by the Act of Parliament, 2022. A purpose-built African Hub with a view to facilitating a more robust coordination of the activities of stakeholders designed to defeat violent extremism organisations and other such criminalorganised groups.

The National Coordinator in his remarks echoed the fact that this 7th Plenary Meeting is the first plenary under the new co-chairs Nigeria and Italy and saw the partnership as a unique opportunity to partner in order to ensure that they continue to drive the agenda of the working group in collaboration with other working groups in the Forum in line with established tenets of GCTF to make the global place secure and liveable.

YEM Musa in the same vein, re-emphasised that since inception, the Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group has accomplished a lot through the development of Recommendations and Good Practice Memoranda, notable amongst which is the popular Rabat Memorandum on Good Practices for Effective Counterterrorism Practice in the Criminal Justice Sector and the Abuja Recommendations.

The National Coordinator also affirmed that as the new co-chairs (Nigeria and Italy), they intend to build on the accomplishments of this important working group and further the knowledge and good practice to support the effective dispensation of effective criminal justice, rule of law and human right based responses to terrorism.
Rear Admiral Musa in his conclusion expressed his gratitude on the success of the Working Group over the years, the other relevant working groups within the GCTF, all the participating countries and other international organisations present at the plenary. Hefurther commended and thanked the former Co-chairs of the Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group, Switzerland with whom Nigeria had the pleasure of working together and had recorded severalachievements in the previous tenure. And in particular,the International Institute of Justice and Rule of Law (IIJ) for their support over the years and in organising the 7th plenary Meeting.
Segun Imohiosen

Director of Financial Services at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Yakubu Gontor, has been honoured the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for his exemplary professional conduct.

NYCN is the umbrella body of youths across the 19 northern states including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja (FCT) with one of the objectives being the promotion of national integration and enhancement of investment in Northern Nigeria for sustainable development.

A delegation of the organisation led by the National President, Dr. Isa Ododo, presented a plaque for award of Garwuwan Matasan Arewa Nigeria (literally translated as ‘Shield of Niger Northern Youth’) during a visit to Gontor in his office at the Commission in Abuja recently.

Ododo said the recognition was based on Gonor’s professionalism and his standing as civil servant of repute that has made himself a role model to the Nigerian youth.

He said the NYCN promotes policy formulation and implementation on issues relating to youth development in Nigeria as well as identifying and recognising exemplary personalities whose conducts in their professional calling are worthy of emulation by the youths.

“The conferment of the title on our honoree was based on his visionary leadership in the industry as well as his selfless service and immense contributions that have enhanced youth development in northern states of Nigeria,” Ododo said.

Ododo also used the opportunity of applaud NCC Management for its efforts in enhancing digital skills in Nigerian youth through projects such as the Digital Nigeria centre (DNC), among other interventionist projects, which Ododo said, have been put in place to encourage youths to harness their digital skills for self-development.

In his acceptance speech, Gontor appreciated youth organisation for promoting the youths of northern extraction, urging NYCN executives to use their connections and network with the governments across the country to carry out more awareness on skills acquisition and functional education and need to be professional in all their dealings.

The recognition by youth council gives credence to the important role being played by Gontor not only as Director in charge of financial matters at NCC but also as a man of integrity managing all financial matters of the Commission, especially with respect to issue of revenue generation and financial prudency required to sustain the independence of the Commission as an impartial telecom industry regulator and arbiter.