NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Politics

Group to launch Election AI tool to bridge election information gap

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By Abdul Hassan

The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), an NGO, says it plans to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, designed to bridge the electoral information gap among Nigerians, particularly youths.

Bukola Idowu, Executive Director, KDI, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

 “Over the years, citizens in Nigeria have been faced with the challenge of misinformation and disinformation in processing electoral data. 

“In a bid to bridge the electoral information gap in Nigeria, the KDI, with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is elated to announce the development of her innovative Election Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool.

” It is designed to bridge the electoral information gap among citizens, particularly the youth.

“This innovation aims to empower electorates with accessible simplified, accurate, and comprehensive electoral information, advancing informed decision-making in the electoral process.

“The innovative Election AI tool, which is being developed by KDI’s Tech4Democracyteam, will serve as a reliable source of electoral information, offering simplified real-time data-driven information.”

He said that the launch would take place on June 13 in Abuja.

“By leveraging the power of AI, KDI is committed to providing a platform that ensures every citizen has access to accurate information to participate fully in electoral and democratic processes.

“The Election AI tool represents a significant leap forward in how citizens can understand the election framework from the Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Election guidelines among several others.

 “The launch event will take place on June 13, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Abuja, and will feature a live demonstration of the tool.

“KDI is committed to advancing democracy and civic engagement in Nigeria and envisions this Election AI platform will serve as an incentive for driving a positive change in electoral engagement and information dissemination.” (NAN)

Ali Baba-Inuwa

 

Economy/Business

Okomu Oil seeks govt, stakeholders support amidst bandits attacks

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By Lucy Ogalue

The management of Okumu Oil Palm Company Plc. has urged Federal and State Governments to support the company in tackling the bandits whose activities are affecting the company’s operations.

They spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the multi-million naira company had threatened to shut down operations in Nigeria following a recent attack by militants on its staff on May 6.

One of the recent attacks led to the death of three of the company’s workers inside the plantation.

The company’s Managing Director, Graham Hefer, told NAN that insecurity posed one of the major challenges for the company.

“It is a very difficult task for the company because we are not a security outlet but rather deal in oil palm production.

“So we have to look to the government to assist us in this kind of situation, be it federal or state,

“We need the government to step in and to protect us because that is part of the provisions in the constitution to protect properties and lives.

“The Edo State government has done quite a lot to help us. These workers need to be protected to do their work,” he said.

He said the company was also making efforts to collaborate with the local community to ensure security.

Hefer said: “on our part, we are having a lot of discussions with the local community. They have also been attacked by the same youth. It is not just Okomu oil.

“So everybody is trying to work together to ensure that this does not happen again; we are taking a holistic approach.”

The managing director said that in addition to insecurity, the devaluation of the naira, lack of forex, and poor infrastructure, among other things, affected the company.

Hefer said some government policies and regulations, especially multiple taxation, were other obstacle facing the firm.

He expressed hope that the government would tackle these to make it easier for businesses to perform better and attract more foreign investors.

The managing director said there were no immediate plans to expand the company’s business unless its board decides otherwise.

“At the moment, we have a good market for what we are producing, and we are happy within that market; we feel we are comfortable with that.

“But if later on, my board decides to look into different things, we may, but right now, we are happy with where we are,” he said.

Hefer said rubber production was strategic in the firm’s operations because it is one its major sources foreign exchange earnings.

However, he decried some losses encountered in its production, which he said were also a result of insecurity.

“Last year, we also had attacks. The same people were attacking us last year, so we had to stop our rubber farming.

So we did not fulfil our obligations in terms of our commitment because we could not tap at that stage,” he said.

Hefer, who said the company was keen on quality products, said it was also part of a Compliance Certification Scheme such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Oil Palm (RSPO).

“We are with the European Union Deforestation Recertification (EUDR) and have all of these available. We are also certified ISO for our environment, so we are very cognizant of afforestation.

“Remember, being an agriculture company, it is critical that we keep our soil and environment safe because, without that, we do not have a company,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, chairman of the company, reiterated the importance of tackling insecurity around the environs of the company’s plantation.

Oyebode said: “we will continue to do what we have to do, and we are working very hard to reduce this incidence of insecurity.”

On climate, he said the company’s activities had no negative effects on its environs, adding that they would continue to plan sustainably to drive their business. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

General News

Aeroport launches new courses to boost capacity in aviation

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By Taiye Olayemi

An aviation institute, Aeroport College of Aviation and Travel Management (ACATM), has introduced additional three professional courses to boost manpower development in the sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Dr Oludayo Taiwo, made this known in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

He listed the additional courses as Aviation Management, Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) course and Drone Piloting.

Taiwo explained that the additional three specialised aviation courses were expected to have a value chain curriculum that would help the aviation and travel sector to produce professional workforce.

He said that the courses would provide opportunities for students interested in building a career in the travel and aviation industry.

According to him, the college has experts in the field to start training.

Giving an overview of the HLO course, Taiwo said that the course was designed to equip students with the basic skills required to perform the role of an offshore helicopter landing officer.

He said that theoretical knowledge would be balanced with practical training.

“Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) can pursue exciting careers in various sectors, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue operations and executive transport. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ijeoma Popoola

Health

Group urges FG to encourage development of traditional medicine

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By Taiye Olayemi

The Patriots for the Promotion of Black Culture Foundation (PPBCF) has urged government at all levels to encourage the development of traditional medicine for local use and export.

Prince Ayinla Oniru, founder,PPBCF, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

Oniru said that every part of Nigeria is blessed with herbs to cure numerous ailments.

According to him, traditional medicine is an aspect of African cultural heritage that must be developed for global acceptance.

He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which sought to bolster the economy by prioritising Universal Health Coverage aimed at adequately tackling Nigeria’s health challenges, had not been achieved.

Oniru emphasised the need for the Federal Government to take giant steps to invest in training local herb sellers.

He advised Nigeria’s traditional herb experts to engage in constant research to enable them standardise their expertise and align with international best practices.

“To develop traditional herbal medicine for local use and commercialisation, collaborations between modern medical practitioners and traditional medicine is quite important.

“African herbs are our heritage and we have not been able to tap from its enormous potential.

“As a traditionalist, I can tell you that we are yet to tap from our huge herbal resources, there are many local leaves, sticks that are of immense health benefit which Africans are unconscious of.

“We have herbs capable of curing fibroid, asthma, arthritis and many other ailments but our government have a lot to do to open this space up.

“If the space is opened up, then we can generate the needed revenue from herbal medicine as a country,” he said.

Oniru noted that the greatest setback for the growth of herbal medicine was faith-based as many believe herbs contain some fetish substances.

The founder, who said this perspective was not true, however, cautioned local herb sellers to desist from cutting corners and extorting their clients.

He said that they should rather make deliberate efforts to minimise cost of these herbs to encourage patronage.

The traditionalist also said that people’s inordinate consumption of sweet substances keeps them in bondage of health challenges.

He, however, advised Nigerians to minimise consumption of sugary drinks to stay safe. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Folasade Adeniran

Metro

FCT: Public toilets not shelters for hoodlums – Association

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Public Convenience Maintenance Association (PCMA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has denied claims alleging misuse of public toilets as shelters by hoodlums in the nation’s capital.

The Secretary of the association, Malam Usman Umar, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

Umar said, ” The attention of the association has been brought to a recent report in one of the national dailies alleging misuse of public toilets as shelters by hoodlums.

” The reporter claimed to have visited some public toilets at Area 1 Roundabout and Lugbe close to car wash, alleging that belongings of hoodlums in different bags were seen within the facilities.

” We firmly deny these claims. We want to emphatically state that our inspections haven’t revealed any evidence supporting the reported concerns.”

Umar said that the association would continue to maintain its commitment to providing clean and functional public toilets.

This, according to him, is with a view to eradicate open defecation by year 2025 inline with Presidential Executive Order 009 throughout the FCT.

He reiterated that the association was committed to collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and proper use of public facilities in Abuja.

Umar said, ” We encourage anyone with real information about misuse of public toilets to contact us directly.

” We also restate our appreciation for the government’s initiative (Presidential Executive order 009) to build public toilets and eradicate open defecation.

” The association uses this opportunity to express its satisfaction with the leadership style of the FCT Minister, Nyeson Wike; the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Bunkure and Executive Director of FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).

” We are also grateful to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), the FCT Commissioner of Police, Director of DSS and other security agencies for their hard work to secure the lives of FCT residents and keep Abuja clean.” (NAN)

Edited by Taiye Agbaje/Bashir Rabe Mani

Culture & Tourism

FG establishes institution on innovative studies for culture, history

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By Taiye Olayemi

The Federal Government has introduced the Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS) as a specialised institution to train individuals for innovative studies and development of Nigerian culture and history.

Chief Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), disclosed this in a statement by his media aide, Caleb Nor, on Saturday.

Ajiboye said this was to encourage cultural renaissance.

He said the specialised academy would be known as the nation’s citadel of cultural training.

He said the institute had been approved and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run the programme and award National Diploma in Cultural Administration & Human Resources (NDCAHR).

According to him, the Postgraduate Diploma programme is in affiliation with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

“Already, the accreditation and affiliation have provided an opportunity for certification of individuals who have obtained Diploma to proceed for higher education in cultural studies.

” While using the Academy’s Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration to enroll for their Master’s degree.

“According to the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the institution will be situated in four geographical locations of Nigeria with campuses in Abuja, Northern Zone, Southern Zone and Eastern Zone.”

Ajiboye said that process was currently ongoing to sensitise the Head of Service of the Federation to ensure that such certificates emanating from the academy were employable in the civil service.

He noted that the certificates would also be honoured for cultural workers, entrepreneurs, hotels and tourism agencies among others.

Ajiboye said that the rebranding and elevation of the institution, known as the training school of NICO, to a full-fledged higher institution for cultural education and training, was a clear indication that the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had come to fully recognise culture.

He said the administration had also realised the need for cultural renaissance to take the center stage in its policy making processes.

“The nation has seen the need to incorporate adequate cultural content in our school curriculum both in the primary, secondary and tertiary education systems.

“What this means is that once we are able to shed off the foreign cultural antecedents, that we have inadvertently imbibed over the years, we will then begin to realise the importance of our innate cultural essentialities.

“These essentialities will confer on us as a people, a great dose of originality, thereby paving way for adequate cultural identity,” he said.

He said that no nation could attain a state of national identity without cultural identity.

“This first specialised institution to teach culture-NACUS- is a bold step and innovation of the Tinubu administration.

“With the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the consent of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, it is here on note that the government of Nigeria will begin to view culture as an important element in Nigerians’ daily lives.”

Ajiboye explained that the move to rebrand the institution was one of the biggest efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to ensure Nigerian youths were made proficient and prominent in issues of entertainment and fintech.

He said this would also ensure the creation of job opportunities through the nation’s cultural heritage. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Metro

2024 Hajj: NAHCON’s advance team departs for Saudi, Sunday

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says a group of 43 Advance Team of the commission will on Sunday depart Abuja for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to mark the commencement of the 2024 pilgrimage.

Malam Mousa Ubandanwaki, Deputy Director, Information & Publications, Division, NAHCON, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission had scheduled May 15 for the inaugural flight for the 2024 hajj.

Ubandanwaki explained that the team made up of 35 NAHCON officials and eight Medical Personnel would be in Saudi Arabia for the final preparation to receive the first set of Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State, who would be arriving the Kingdom on May 15.

He said that the Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, while addressing the team urged them to live up to expectation by discharging their duties in accordance with their mandate.

Arabi noted that the performance of the team could make or mar the success of the exercise.

” You are the first point of call or contact with the pilgrims. Their impression and perception of your action or activities will go a long way towards assessing the commission.

“If you get it right, we get it right and on the contrary, if you get it wrong, the rest will just be about crisis management.

“Therefore, you must be up and doing in order to earn our reward here and that of Allah in the Hereafter, for treating His Guests well.

“They are the reason you are there, so at every point in time, make sure you attend or treat them with courtesy and respect,” he said.

Arabi, however, warned that the commission would take drastic step against anyone who may be reported to have deviated from the rules of engagement.

The NAHCON boss stated that he would not hesitate to recall any staff accused of dereliction of duties.

He further called on them to “take the admonition seriously” stressing, “the bar has been raised and the expectation is high”.

” You have been carefully selected because of the trust we have in you and as such, you need to brace up.

” Laxity and procrastination will not be tolerated.”

Arabi also stressed the need for the medical personnel to respect their patients and pilgrims ” on whose essence they were going there.

Responding on behalf of the team, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud, who is the Madina Coordinator, expressed appreciation to the management for the trust and confidence reposed in them.

He assured of their determination and readiness to make this year’s hajj more successful than the previous years.

“We will ensure that pilgrims get value for money and also do everything possible that pilgrims perform their Hajj rites without hitches Insha Allah.”

NAN reports the team is to organise and coordinate the reception, accommodation, feeding and transportation, health and general welfare of the pilgrim held in the Holy land throughout the Hajj period. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Politics

Constitution review should make Local Governments truly autonomous—Ex-lawmaker

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By Uche Anunne

A former member of House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says the review of the 1999 Constitution will not be incomplete without true devolution of powers to Local Governments.

Onuigbo who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency at the 9th National Assembly, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

The local governments are recongnised by the Constitution as the third tier of government but their functionality has been largely undermined by state governors who are practically in charge of their administration.

Onuigbo said previously efforts had been made to review different segments of the constitution considered to require an amendment.

He cited the case of movement of electricity from the exclusive list to the concurrent list by the 9th National Assembly as an example.

“It is important absolutely important that in the current review they have to take a critical look at the local government system’’, the former legislature told NAN.

He said the local governments should be separated from state agencies such as civil service commission, while elections for their chairmen and councillors should be handled by the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure transparency.

According to him, allowing state independent electoral commissions to handle local government elections exposes the system to manipulation by governors whose parties win virtually all available chairmanship and councillorship seats.

“It is the party at the Government House that wins all the elections; so that is a problem.

“So I say that we have to take the out (state independent electoral commissions) or let INEC conduct the election so that we can have some balance… to have some competitive spirit’’, he told NAN.

Onuigbo also frowned at the practice whereby state governors run a joint state-local government joint account, adding that it did not augur well for judicious use of local governments’ resources.

“It is, therefore, important that we a review that truly guarantees the independence of the local government, so that all the monies accruing to them be put to use to the benefit of the masses.

He said making local government truly independent would make more resources available at their disposal to carry out their functions such as mobilising grassroots participations in policies as actions such as climate change.

“When we talk about emissions they are coming out from communities where local governments are supposed to in charge. You are also talking about nature-based solutions.

“Therefore, it is important that we allow local governments to play their roles’’, he said, adding that under normal circumstances, timber merchants get the permission to fell trees from local government authorities.

He said it was to encourage local government participation in efforts to mitigate climate change that the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) was made a member of National Council on Climate Change.

“We need awareness that is why in structuring the Act (Climate Change Act) we gave different roles to every stakeholder. We want to carry everybody along’’, Onuigbo said.

NAN reports that frontline politicians and rights activists have been vocal about the need for the reviewed to make local governments truly independent

They include former governors of Edo and Kaduna State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole and Malam Nasir el Rufai and Mr Shehu Sani . (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

General News

We must be guided by ethics in adopting Artificial Intelligence – CBCN

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By Philomina Attah

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) says the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (Al) must be guided ethical principles, in spite of its enormous benefits.

The President, CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji said this in Abuja at the Maiden Communication Week (COMWEEK) Public Lecture by Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN).

The theme of the lecture was ” Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Evangelisation and Social Development.’’

” Artificial intelligence is a subject of debate and labelling it as artificial suggests a replication or limitation, as it is derived from human intelligence.”

Ugorji, also the Archbishop of Owerri, said that in spite of its versatility and technological prowess, the AI remained a facsimile of the original, namely human cognition

“AI is a term born from advances in computer science and digital technology. It endows machines with the capacity for intelligent behaviour through sophisticated algorithms.

“Today, computers can perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognising patterns, learning from data, and making decisions.

“This has turned out to be a cause for joy and a reason for worry at the same time.

“It is a thing of joy because of the enormous positive possibilities as a result of the digital technology and worrisome because of the grave life-defining dangers they pose at the same time,” he said.

” We must strive for a balance that prioritises human welfare alongside technological progress, being mindful of ethical and moral dilemmas as well as risks such as job displacement.”

He said that the church had ceaselessly emphasised that collaboration between Al experts and social development practitioners was crucial.

According to him, Al could significantly contribute to the common good of the people.

“At this gathering, we hope to learn from experts the responsible and ethical use of Al not only to benefit the society but also to support the Church’s evangelisation efforts.”

He said that the Al should be a tool for empowerment and progress and not a source of division or destruction.

He said that the CBCN plans to create a forum for experts to discuss issues concerning not only the church and its mission but also the broader welfare of the society.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said the position of the Pope had been in line with the constant magisterium of the church.

He said that all scientific progress was gift from God to humanity and to be used for human well-being to the glory of God.

“The latest in the world today is bringing out machines that try to imitate human thinking. We don’t know how far developments in this regard will go.

“But the warning of Pope Francis remains valid: that it is not everything that we can do that we should do. Even scientific progress must be subject to human, moral, and ethical control.

“This is a responsibility that humanity abdicates at its great peril,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Akinwale, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, said that artificial was not intelligence because it lacked self-determination.

“My argument so far has been, if it is intelligent, it is not artificial and if it is artificial, it is not intelligent.

“Artificial intelligence is not intelligent because of its privation of self-consciousness and self-volition. That raises a question: Where does this lead us?

“The submission in the preceding section of this paper neither diminishes nor denies the astounding accomplishment of science and technology in the area of computational informatics.

“It only serves to call attention to a misnomer conventionally taken for granted. This misnomer, if ignored, will have, and in fact, already having precautions in the arena of ethics in which we human beings find ourselves, the arena of inter-relationship.

“The pertinence of these remarks stems from the fact that artificial intelligence is a tool and not a substitute for the human person,” he said.

He, however, added that the technology could be used properly if well understood because communication was not just about dissemination of information. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Metro

2024 Hajj: NAHCON tasks media team on accurate, objective reportage

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has implored members of the 2024
Hajj Media Team to ensure accuracy and objectivity in their reportage throughout the hajj operation.

The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, made the call while inaugurating the National Media Team for
the 2024 Hajj on Thursday in Abuja.

Arabi also emphasised the need for members of the media team to “be upright because so much depends on what you report.

“You are in a position that can make or mar a community. The concern is to ensure that you do what is right to the best of your
ability and conscience.

“I have no doubt in my mind that you have proven your worth in all spheres, but there is no harm in being reminded as to the high
expectations from you to do the right thing throughout the pilgrimage.

“The commission is open to constructive criticisms and guidance.”

Arabi also urged the media team to be participatory, saying “don’t just think you are going as media team only. You also have the
responsibility to participate and guide other pilgrims where necessary.”

Earlier, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, the Commissioner, Planning Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, had enjoined members
of the media team to protect the interest of Nigeria and project the image of NAHCON positively.

Yagawal also reminded the media about the principle of information dissemination, set by Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him).

He said Prophet Muhammad said “whoever believes in Allah and the last day should either say what is good or keep quiet.”

Also, the NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Mr Anofi Elegushi, said the media had been an important part of hajj operations,
adding that “whatever we do in Saudi Arabia must be reported back home.”

Responding, the Chairman of the media team, Mousa Ubandawaki, also the Deputy Director, Information and Publications Division, NAHCON,
assured the team’s readiness to work for the interest of pilgrims and the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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