By Grace Alegba

President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, on Thursday said Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a major technological component needed to achieve food security in Nigeria.

Oguntala said this in Lagos at the investiture of Mr Oluseun Faluyi as the fourth National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), a division of the NSE.

“I can confirm that AI cannot be relegated as one of the major technological components required to achieve food security in Nigeria,” she said.

Speaking on the investiture of Faluyi, she said the theme of the event, “Leveraging the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Safety Engineering: Prospects and Potentials” was apt.

Oguntala, who is the first female president of the NSE, said the theme had direct relevance to our economic and technological development as a nation.

“Sustainable national growth, advancement and productivity are increasingly dependent on improved capacity in all spheres, which include the deployment of artificial intelligence in crucial fields such as safety engineering.

“We will all agree that this lecture is coming at a period when we are experiencing a gamut of challenges in different sectors of our economy – financial, agricultural, medical and even engineering – all with challenges that have direct underlying safety issues.

“Artificial Intelligence will come in handy to help tackle some, if not all, of these challenges. Therefore, there is not a more appropriate time for this discourse than now,” Oguntala said.

She announced that the 2024 National Engineering Conference of the society will hold in November, and will deal with issues of food security.

The President, who was among dignitaries inducted fellows of NISafetyE, said the theme for the conference will be ,”Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change”.

Newly inaugurated chairman, Faluyi, reeled out his plans toward bringing positive changes to the institution by focusing on increased financial resilience, organisational, inspiring stakeholders engagement and nurturing , learning, growth and development.

Also, the outgoing National Chairman, Mr Akaninyene Ekong, reeled out achievements of his administration.

The guest lecturer, Adeyemi Adetunji, called for improvement in safety culture practice in Nigeria to curtail avoidable accidents, untimely deaths and disasters in the nation.

Adetunji, who is the former Executive Vice President, Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd., said safety should be a watchword in all branches and arms of engineering because engineers were problem solvers.

He cited examples of petroleum tank fire disasters, road crashes and building collapses which were avoidable if engineering codes and standards as well as ethics were upheld.

He called for more focus on safety across sectors of the economy for safety and preservation of lives, property and the environment.

He listed factors inhibiting adherence to safety rules in Nigeria to include poor regulatory environment, bureaucracy, low emergency response, lack of punishment for offenders, and corruption among others.

He called for commitment on the part of engineers in applying their knowledge and skills to solving societal problems.

He also called for regular ICT training and retraining in addition to applying codes and standards for infrastructure to prevent disasters.

“In wrapping-up, I would like to submit that I am a strong believer in Goal-Zero. It is possible. The members of the Institution have to roll-up their sleeves and commit to action.

“And knowing that it is only through focus and perseverance in “doing” that will deliver results. The NISafetyE must set for itself quarterly goals and track performance on same.

“Nigeria needs you all as we cannot afford any more loss of life and scarce resources through failure in any Engineering Safety-related activity,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Patricia Amogu

No fewer than 350 Nigerian youths will benefit from the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) initiative, a World Bank supported Technology Skills Scholarship 2024.

The Founder of Gallery of Codes, Mr Oscar Ekponimo, in an interview said the Cyber School Africa, a technology driven initiative, would train the youth on digital skills and literacy through the IDEAS initiative.

Ekponimo spoke on the side-line of the orientation and inaugural ceremony to flag off the programme on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the initiative is to harness and explore the Nigerian digital economy while enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian skills development system.”

He said the idea of the programme was to plug the unemployment gap and encourage people, especially the youth, vulnerable groups and People Living with disabilities (PLWD) to participate more in the digital economy.

Ekponimo stated that the objective of the programme was to enhance the capacity of the Nigerian skills development system to produce relevant skills for the formal and informal sectors.

According to him, the programme which will offer internship and mentorship for beneficiaries is supported by the World Bank, Gallery Of Codes and implemented by the Ministry of Education.

“The CyberSchool training programme is designed to align with the IDEAS objective and serves as a catalyst for innovation and job readiness through the acquisition of skills in emerging technologies.

“Over 350 trainees have been onboarded for the programme to be trained on User-Interface designs, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cloud Engineering and Software Engineering and multifarious digital skills.

“This is the first cohort who will take between three to six months in these different courses and beneficiaries will be certified both by us and also by international certification bodies,” he said.

While urging young people to tap into digital skills to create solutions that will affect the society positively, he stressed that the need for possessing strong digital skills in the rapidly evolving job market, has become more than just an advantage.

“As industries embrace digital transformation and technology continues to reshape the way we work, individuals who are proficient in digital tools and technologies stand out as highly desirable candidates for employment.

“In a digital-first world, enhancing job readiness through digital skills is not just advantageous, it’s essential for staying competitive in the job market and future-proofing your career.

“I encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity for growth and upgrade your skills deposit to improve your earning capacity,” he added.

The National Coordinator, National Talent Export Program of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Dr Femi Adeloye, said the Cyber School Africa programme was very important.

Adeloye said that Nigeria could only compete globally when we have highly skilled and competent hands in the digital space.

“There are countries like India, Philippines, Bangladesh that are making a whole lot of money comparable to what we use for our budget, and they are getting it from talent export and outsourcing.

“So, if we want to be able to capture these markets they already have, we must have highly competent hands.

“I am excited about this programme, I want to thank the organisers, World Bank and Gallery of Codes for achieving this great initiative and giving this opportunity to many young people out there.

“The World Bank is gearing towards ensuring that by 2025-2030 Nigeria has a technical capacity that can be exported and also drive the human capacity development sector.”

Also speaking, Cyber School Africa (Gallery of Codes) Lead Technical Project Manager, Onisudumeya Hamilton said the IDEAS Project is geared towards ensuring that there is a fundamental level of capacity development in Nigeria.

“In improving the local content you have to train, if you don’t have the human capacity, you cannot improve the local content.
“So, the World Bank decided to assist Nigeria to see to the actualization of that goal.

“Through this programme, we are supporting the Federal Government to facilitate the goal for concomitant actualisation.

“After the first and second cohort, there will be a series of technical internships, laboratory sessions, mentorship programmes, and immersive projects which they will be working on, and at the end of the day, they will be plugged into jobs.” he added (NAN)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Isaac Aregbesola

By Angela Atabo

Stakeholders in the mining sector have called for the use of web and mobile apps to foster sustainable development in mining host communities.

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday at a two-day Collaborative Meeting on Sustainable Development in Mining Host Communities (Hostcommunities.ng app familiarisation and onboarding workshop) in Karu, Nasarawa State.

They said the use of apps, which could be downloaded at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrisasek, would improve the rights of host communities and enable them to receive maximum benefits from mining operations.

The meeting was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), under the auspices of the Ford Foundation BUILD Initiative.

Mr Monday Osasah, Executive Director of Centre LSD, said the centre had been actively engaged in initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development in mining host communities across Nigeria, in partnership with the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development (MSMD).

Osasah, represented by Dr Emenike Umesi, Director of Leadership, Centre LSD, said the centre developed an app called hostcommunities.ng to ensure adequate development of the mining host communities.

According to him, the app is designed to empower members of mining host communities and the public to report on community development projects undertaken by mining companies.

He said it was necessary to address the ills caused by the impact of mining on host communities leading to environmental degradation, social disruption, and economic inequalities.

“This is to ensure that communities will maximally benefit from mining operations.

“We believe that this platform has the potential to enhance transparency, accountability, and community engagement in the mining sector.

“We envision improved frameworks, enhanced livelihoods and increased awareness on gender issues as concrete milestones that can be achieved through collaborative action and pragmatic solutions.

“By focusing on practical interventions, we aim to equip our partners with the tools and knowledge they need to drive lasting change on the ground.’’

Osasah said that the aim of the meeting was to identify real gaps, implement practical solutions, and measure tangible progress in the sector.

“Let us draw on our collective expertise and practical experience to generate innovative ideas and pragmatic approaches that can drive real change in mining host communities,’’ he said,

Dr Vivian Okono, Director, Mines and Environmental Compliance Department, commended Centre LSD for the initiative to transform the mining sector.

Okono said the purpose of the meeting was to explore innovative approaches to foster sustainable development in mining host communities.

“The app, hostcommunities.ng is coming at the right time in the sense that the protection of rights of host communities is very critical.

“You have done so much and there is still so much to achieve and in the face of the renewed hope agenda, I will urge everyone to think outside the box.

“This will help us to contribute our quota to achieve progress and protection so host communities can benefit,’’ she said.

Mr Taiwo Otitolaye, National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) commended Centre LSD, Ministry of Solid Mineral,and the Ford Foundation for the initiative.

Otitolaye said the development of the software has transformed engagement in host communities as it gave evidence-based interventions where host communities could monitor, report, and give feedback on happenings in communities.

He urged that the initiative be cascaded across Africa for sustainable development in mining host communities.

The Programme Coordinator of Centre LSD, Mr Vincent Dania, said hostcommunities is a web and mobile application platform that empowers members of mining host communities and the public to monitor and report progress of Community Development Agreement (CDA) projects.

Dania said the app was developed by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), adding that the hostcommunities app was now available on play store. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Shelter Afrique and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) have formed partnership to address housing gaps and revamp abandoned projects across the country.

Shelter Afrique is the only pan-African finance institution that exclusively supports the development of the housing and real estate sector in Africa.

This was disclosed when a delegation of Shelter Afrique, an African continental bank, paid a courtesy call on the new management of FMBN on Thursday in Abuja.

The Managing Director of the continental bank, Mr Thiemo-Habib Hann, said the bank was focused on affordable housing and urban development across the continent.

He said it was ready to collaborate with FMBN and other institutions across Nigeria to really address housing gaps.

According to him, there are both challenges and opportunities in the sector and as a development finance institution, it is well positioned to collaborate with the government.

Hann said housing had potentials to create jobs and address security matters in different parts of the country.
The bank wants to intervene to resolve the crisis by investing massively in the housing sector.

“FMBN is strategically positioned to address the challenge in the sector it was set up exactly to address its challenges and it will be important if the new management could work very closely together.

“The first thing is to entrench corporate governance in the bank; it’s important to bring back that trust in the institution so that people can believe in investing in the institution.

“At shelter Afrique Developmemt Bank that has been our mission since the first year, FMBN should be the same, fix the corporate governance and bring back trust and partners like us can be with you to move forward.

Hann said Nigeria, being the second largest shareholder with 15.2 per cent of shares worth $220 million, they want to deepen collaboration and assist it in achieving its Renewed Hope Agenda in housing.

He outlined areas they intended to explore to include Financial Institution Group, Project Finance Group, Sovereign Public, Private Partnership and Fund Management Group.

Mr Shehu Osidi, MD, FMBN, was however optimistic about the partnership to help revamp abandoned estates tscattered across the country.

“One of the funding options that is available in Shelter Afrique actually provides infrastructural financing. We need to explore the possibility of that to revamp those estates.

“it is not just the construction and financing of houses, but that you know from day one that these houses are constructed for specific target under an off taker guarantee provided by the bank.

“Also, the students housing scheme is one of the options that the Shelter Afrique is coming on the table with and we will be happy to explore that.”

Dr Akinola Olakunle, Director, Urban and Regional Department, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, said the bank wanted to leverage its construction finance to help Nigeria actualise the renewed hope cities.

“Shelter Afrique Developmemt Bank has been investing in Nigeria for a long time, having about 54 housing finance loans in Nigeria, totalling about $220.5 million.

Olakunle represented Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

The Chairperson, Board of Directors, Shelter Afrique, Dr Chika Akporji, said they came to identify areas of collaboration so that they could work together.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shelter Afrique is an African housing institution that was established in 1982 by 44 African countries and had the mandate to finance affordable housing on the continent (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has inaugurated a facility to test generators and power transformers sold in the market to ensure they are of the right standards.

The Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, inaugurated the”SON Mobile Generators Testing Laboratory and Mobile Transformer Equipment” on Thursday in Lagos.

Okeke said it was no more business as usual for assemblers and importers of these products , stressing that buyers must have value for their money.

According to him, all information supplied on generators and transformers will be verified and tested for compliance with Nigeria’s industrial standard.

He noted that Nigerians depended on the use of generators to power homes and industries, adding that there was need for SON to ensure that the quality of generators in the market comply with standards.

“As a support to the Federal Government’sc power improvement plan, SON has identified power transformer as an important component of power supply chain that requires monitoring.

“This will ensure that compliance with Nigeria industrial standard requirements,” he said.

The Director-General noted that in fulfillment of SON’s mandate, the agency had invested in both stationary and mobile testing facilities to conduct on- the -spot testing of transformers and generators.

“The mobile testing facility is equipped to carry out tests on generators such as load testing, protection test, generators efficiency, power factor, voltage regulation test, insulation test, emission test of generators exhaust and noise level check.

“These are critical tests that will determine the quality of the generator and will supply information to our product certification department for MANCAP certification.

“The mobile testing on the transformer will include insulation resistance, winding test, ration test, polarity test, leakage resistance, partial discharge test and no-load loss and excitation current among others,” he said.

Okeke said the provision of these mobile testing facilities would assist SON achieve total coverage of Nigeria, full implementation of MANCAP for local assemblers, importers, and sellers of the two products in Nigeria.

He added that it would also assist in sanctioning all suppliers of substandard generators and transformers and conduct spot tests at the entry point of such products into Nigeria.

According to him, it will ensure that all measuring equipment used are calibrated and resolve all complaints received from buyers of such products.

Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to ridding the market of substandard products, while advising Nigerians on the need to patronise certified Made- in- Nigeria products.

Similarly, Mr Richard Adewunmi, Director Lab Services, SON, said the mobile laboratory would save time, money and reduce the number of complaints received from customers.

Adewunmi said the lab would assist SON begin implementing recall policy on transformers and generators that could not pass conformity and certification tests.

Also, Chief Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), commended SON for the achievement, noting that it was an incentive to manufacturers and importers of transformers and generators. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Buhari Bolaji

By Yahaya Isah

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) says it will deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) around some road interjections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enhance free flow of traffic.

Mr Kalu Emetu, the Head, Public Relations and Enlightenment, DRTS, FCT, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

NAN reports that Artificial Intelligence is a robot that thinks like a human and can take the responsibility of a human.

Emetu said that with the growing traffic in the city centre, it had become imperative for DRTS to deploy AI to complement the effort of its personnel in ensuring that motorists obey traffic rules and regulations.

He said that the machine had not been put into use because its partners had not concluded their arrangements.

“Once our partners are done from their own end and the project comes on stream, definitely, the new way of ensuring a seamless traffic flow in the FCT, especially in the city will come to life.

“Traffic monitoring, which you know is one of our primary responsibilities, is one area we ensure that the city is clean and there is free movement.

“We have even gone as far as mounting all that is required and the recording is already on.

“So, what we need now is only very little time to perfect the whole process and then, we are good to go,” he said.

The spokesperson further said that traffic offenders would henceforth pay fines for traffic offences committed, including those that broke the traffic rules during the test run.

According to him, the service will start by contacting the offenders when, where, and how they beat the traffic.

“However, a lot has been done as we speak; the recording around the areas we have mounted the gadgets are already working.

“That is why we have been mounting serious pressure on our partners, a Chinese company, Huawei and Chit-Up to tidy up their own end, so it can take-off in no distant time,” he said.

Emetu expressed optimism that the interface between the personnel of the service and motorists would end by the time the project is completed.

He noted that new technology would give motorists more confidence than the usual interface with their personnel.

“At the same time, our officers will not be seen everywhere like before in most parts or interjections in the city centre.

“Since it is the machine that will be monitoring such activities, any offender will be picked, numbers picked and a message will be sent to the person’s cell phone for the necessary fine.

“This will be done in line with our e-booking and e-ticketing that was launched recently.

“When that is done, you will have no option than to use any of our payment channels to pay to the government,” he said.

Emetu added that when motorists pay the fine, the person would not be in doubt where the money had been sent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey and Emmanuel Afonne

By Abiodun Azi/Funmilola Gboteku

The Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have called for increased collaboration between the business community and science and research sector in Nigeria.

According to them, this will help to close the gaps in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially in reducing neonatal mortality.

They made the call at the public presentation of the winning work of The Nigeria Prize for Science 2023.

The work, by Prof. Hippolite Amadi, focused on three technological innovations aimed at saving the lives of neonates by making the delivery of oxygen cheap and easy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presentation was organised in collaboration with LCCI.

It also reports that the guests at the event include the General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, represented by Yemi Adeyemi, Acting Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, NLNG.

Others are the 2023 winner of the Nigeria Prize for Science, Prof. Amadi; the LCCI President, Mr Gabriel Idahosa; the LCCI Director-General, Dr Chinyere Almona and other LCCI executives.

In his remarks, Odeh said a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023 ranked Nigeria as the country with the second highest number of maternal, neonatal and child deaths worldwide.

According to him, Nigeria stands the risk of normalising neonatal mortality if nothing is done to stop it.

“The groundbreaking innovations of Prof. Amadi, as recognised by The Nigeria Prize for Science, are not merely a step forward for our nation but a beacon of hope for the countless newborn lives that hang in the balance.

“We cannot afford to let the cries of our newborns fade into the background of our daily lives.

“The urgency to combat neonatal mortality is a solemn duty to safeguard the future of our nation’s children, and we must answer that call with unwavering determination and immediate, decisive measures.

“NLNG is very proud of Prof. Amadi’s discoveries through The Nigeria Prize for Science.

“Our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria is the core of the prize, and we believe strongly that the 2023 winning entry speaks in unambiguous terms as one of the ways we can achieve this vision.

“NLNG remains committed to the prize and will not relent in finding solutions to the nation’s development issues,” he stated.

The LCCI Director-General, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, stated in his address that the business interactive forum provided a unique opportunity for the Nigerian business community to learn from Amadi’s work.

Idahosa said that if Nigeria, given its natural endowments, was to successfully transform its economy and achieve significant growth, science and technology and its integration into the socio-economic development process must be accorded the highest priority.

“It is important to note the recognition of Prof. Amadi’s work in the field of newborn and child healthcare, which was selected from over a hundred entries.

“The work is not only based on how it can significantly advance neonatal care in Nigeria but also on how it can improve access and reduce neonatal care costs.

“We urge the government to provide targeted funding toward the local production of healthcare and pharmaceutical devices, as this will help reduce the burden of foreign exchange spent on importing most of our healthcare needs in Nigeria.

“Several lessons can be drawn from this achievement regarding our daily business and personal life,” he said.

He applauded NLNG, the prize sponsor, for being one of the best-run public-private partnerships that has consistently contributed to the Nigerian economy through dividends and taxes.

In his presentation, Amadi stated the prize had helped the expansion of his research project in Nigeria, of which led to the creation of additional advanced respiratory devices for neonates operable by nurses and local practitioners.

He said that the Nigeria Prize for Science was a 100,000 dollar award sponsored by NLNG to promote innovations in science and technology that will solve age-long problems and drive development in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu