By Grace Alegba

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has  inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence Girls in Engineering Club aimed at grooming young experts to drive the nation’s rapid industrialisation process.

The inauguration took place on Saturday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 300 undergraduates and young female engineers were inaugurated under the APWEN Lagos Skill Up Initiatives tagged “Skill Development on Industry Trends And Cutting Edge Technologies”.

Speaking at the event, APWEN Lagos Chapter Chairperson, Mrs Atinuke Owolabi, described Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative force helping to reshape industries, solve complex problems and enhance living and livelihoods.

Owolabi said AI was helping humanity to address complex challenges in various sectors, but there had been gender disparity in the field, hence inauguration of the club to bridge the gap.

She explained that with AI, young engineers would be able to apply their techniques into machines and get things done within a short time.

She said that the selected female engineering students would be taught in many areas of artificial intelligence disciplines in order to be employers of labour rather than looking for jobs.

“Artificial intelligence is a transformative force in today’s world, and it has the potential to reshape entire industries, solve complex problems, and enhance our lives in ways we could have only dreamed of a few years ago.

“It is no exaggeration to say that AI will play a pivotal role in addressing some of the greatest challenges facing humanity, from climate change to healthcare, from transportation to education.

“Yet, for too long, there has been a gender disparity in the field of engineering and AI.

“But today, with the inauguration of this club, we take a decisive step towards changing that narrative. We firmly believe that diversity drives innovation,” she said.

Owolabi said empowerment of young female engineers would provide a level playing field and ensure that innovations to shape Nigeria’s future were driven by inclusive innovations.

She told the young engineers that the world needed their unique perspectives, creativity, and unwavering determination to lead innovations for Nigeria’s development.

“Embrace challenges, seek knowledge, and never be afraid to ask questions. In this club, you will have access to resources, mentors, and a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion.

“Together, we can harness the power of artificial intelligence to create a brighter, more inclusive, and more innovative world,” she said.

On his part, an ICT expert, Mr Haastrup Adesoji, who is also a member of the faculty, said the training would give the students about six months opportunity to learn different skills.

Adesoji said Nigeria had a lot of talents but there was a vacuum in harnessing technological opportunities, hence the intervention by APWEN to close the gap between the academia, industry and government to drive innovations.

Dr Imhade Okokpujie, Senior lecturer/researcher, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, and Mrs Oluwatosin Essien, a software engineer, said women engineers should take the lead in mentorship of the younger generation.

This, they noted, would help Nigeria catch up with the rest of the world, to take its pride of place in the fourth industrial revolution for rapid development and quantum leap of the country’s GDP.(NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Isaiah Eka

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has organised its first-ever cultural carnival in Akwa Ibom to promote national unity and its diverse cultures and traditions.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, disclosed this on Saturday during the ceremony at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Vamp in Nsit Atai Local Government Area for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ stream II corps members.

Ekwe said that the reason behind the carnival was to promote the oneness of Nigeria and bring the corps members together.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colourful cultural carnival display by various platoons showcased multiple ethnic groups

The coordinator said that the NYSC carnival coincided with the host community’s festival day, adding that it would avail the corp members an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the cultures of their host communities.

“NYSC scheme is a trailblazer in the promotion of the unity and integration of Nigeria and has been at the forefront of preserving our rich cultural heritage.

“Hence the introduction of the cultural carnival in the orientation course.

“Today’s event is also embellished with the Local Government Day Festival for the host communities to showcase their cultures.

“A clear understanding of the culture and traditions of the host communities where the corps members will be posted to serve is very important in ensuring a successful year.

“It is meant to remove prejudice, eliminate ignorance, and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.

“My dear corps members, I wish to inform you that though our tradition may vary from one ethnic group to another, the operational norms and cultures are similar all over the state,” Ekwe said.

In her remarks, the Nsit Atai Local Government Council Chairman, Ms Emem Ibanga, commended NYSC for commencing the cultural carnival during the orientation course.

Ibanga said that the introduction of the cultural carnival for corps members would continue to promote national unity and integration among Nigerians from various ethnic backgrounds. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

A university don, Prof. Michael Ikupolati, has tasked President Bola Tinubu not to listen to unnecessary criticism but focus on goals that will birth a new Nigeria.

Ikupolati, who is also the Provost, the University of America, said this in Abuja on Saturday at the convocation ceremony of the university in Nigeria.

While urging Nigerians to give the president the opportunity to settle down and find solutions to the challenges currently facing the country.

“The current president should be given some time to settle. What he has started to do now is what we call the foundational aspect of economic or national development.

“When you are building up your foundation, nobody can see the building, all you can see first is people labouring and that is exactly what is happening now.

“We can’t see the beauty of what he is doing but I can tell you that he is leading a foundation for the geometrical growth in the economic development of Nigeria if he does not derail and focus on the future,”he said .

According to him, any leader that holds yesterday too tight to his chest will not see tomorrow, but if you can focus on tomorrow and the goal and the general good of the people, will see the beautiful job .

“So I advise the president not to listen to unnecessary criticism but focus on the goals and look at Nigeria as one entity so that he can put things in place for the purpose of development.

“You can see that the country is destroyed for over 63 years, and to rebuild it cannot take 63 days, it is take some time.

” He must also make use of a good people, people that can deliver, people that have the ability to do and the willingness to do the work.

” We need leaders that have the willingness and the ability to perform and if you can just get them, we will be able to move forward.

“Pareto Principle says you only need 20 per cent of your resources to achieve 80 per cent of your goal, so he can identify 20 per cent of Nigerians with technocrats, he will be able to achieve the goal,” he added.

The President and Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Prince Gamaliel, said the America brought the institution to Nigeria to contribute to its manpower.

Gamaliel noted that there was need to give unparalleled education to Nigerians and not allowing students to rely on their certificates but ensure they possess the skills needed to transform their lives

“We are contributing something to Nigerian society and one of the most important things Nigeria needs is leadership. After independence, we left the education system in Nigeria in what I called indigenisation of education.

“We have now brought it back to take Nigeria forward. Every problem of Africa and Nigeria inclusive begins in the classroom because all the politicians come from the classrooms.

“If they are better equipped in the classrooms they would come out to be better leaders but if we have failed in the classroom what we see outside is the product we have from the classrooms.

“We must give unparalleled sound education and not just certificates but give them the experience that is needed for life. And that is why we are here to give people the skills,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Simeon Obida, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the Convocation Ceremony called on the government to make education compulsory, affordable and accessable to all Nigerians.

Obida also called on Nigerian leaders to give the educational institutions a facelift, especially in the area of research to enhance a learning and teaching activities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says postage stamps are essential assets in the components of the economy of every country and a crucial infrastructure for development.

The Postmaster General (PMG) of the Federation/CEO of NIPOST, Dr Sunday Adepoju, stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the unveiling of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) commemorative stamp.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African commemorative postage stamp was launched on Saturday to mark the inauguration of the PAPU tower in Arusha, Tanzania .

The PAPU tower is a new 17-story building for Africa’s continental body. PAPU is responsible for coordinating postal development in Africa.

Represented by Dr Thomas Gaga, NIPOST’s Director of Planning and Business Development, Adepoju said: “Today, we are celebrating the history, cultural heritage and diversity of the African continent.

“NIPOST in conjunction with PAPU member States today released a single postage stamp that is N 250 in value with a surcharge of N5.

“ Being an African Joint Stamp Issue, all member States of the Union are required to incorporate into the design, an iconic emblem or national natural artifact of their choice in their respective countries.”

He added that the Nigerian version of the Stamp depicted the historic Zuma Rock, juxtaposed against the PAPU Tower located in Arusha, Tanzania.

Adepoju said that PAPU chose postage stamps as part of the activities lined up, adding,”because postage stamps are an effective means to supply information about a country’s history, culture and people.

“Postage stamps are often described as miniature encyclopedias and living reminders of events.

“ The aim of the joint stamp issue is to promote African heritage and events.”

Adepoju promised that NIPOST would be consistent in ensuring that major events in Nigerian history were documented for posterity through the issuance of commemorative stamps.

NAN reports that a total of 250, 000, horizontal format stamps were released on September 2, they were designed and printed by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

TOLU/BRM

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) is set to collaborate with an Information Communication Technology (ICT) company known as ‘Educatial’ to have a skilled, competent and responsible public service.

The Director-General of BPSR, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, on Friday in Abuja said the collaboration was a development to revolutionise the public service.

According to Arabi, the e-government master plan of the Federal Government has pre-empted Educatial’s initiative.

“The collaboration is solidified in the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bureau and Educatial.

“So our engagement, discussion and work with you are based on the tenants of e-government Master Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I stand before you with a great sense of optimism and purpose as we normalised our partnership through the signing of this MoU,” he said.

He said that the agency understood that a well-equipped and skilled work force was the backbone of every thriving nation.

“It is imperative to equip them with skills to exceed the ever overloading demands of the world.

“Educatial with it comprehensive solution encompassing hardware, software infrastructure, housing and support, share a vision for a more capable and competent public service.

“This partnership is not just about acquiring technology.  It is about equipping our work force with the tools and skills necessary to excel on the global stage,” Arabi stressed.

He explained that the Bureau had clear expectations that `Educatial’ would deliver specialised courses that are tailored to unique means of the public servants.

Arabia stressed that the courses should serve as catalyst for enhancing public servants’ skills, competence and professionalism.

“It is our firm believe that investment in our work force will lead to improved quality of government services, greater efficiency and 0increase effectiveness in our citizens.

“We look onto you not only as an education resource, but as partner of a journey to transform and elevate the standard of public service of the country.

“Let us remember that signing of the MoU is not a mere formality. It is a commitment and an affirmation of our shared vision for a more skilled, competent and responsible public service,” Arabi said.

Speaking earlier, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Educatial, Mr Fancis Muofunanya, said his company dedicated to revolutionising the education landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our commitment to transformative learning has led us to develop a cutting-edge ‘EdTech SaaS Ecosystem’, tailored to meet the unique challenges of education in Nigeria and Africa.

“We come together with a shared purpose, to harness the power of education and technology to empower government employees and enhance their capabilities.

“We recognize the immense value of a skilled and efficient public workforce in shaping the nation’s trajectory. Our partnership will see the integration of Educatial’s advanced tools into the training programs for government employees.

“This integration will not only equip them with cutting-edge skills but also optimize their performance in service delivery,” Muofunanya said.

He explained that Educatial was committed to tailoring bespoke solutions that cater to the specific training and development needs of various government agencies.

He added that Educatial’s objective aligns seamlessly with the Bureau’s mission to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service through skill development.

“As we unite our expertise and resources, we have the potential to create a more responsive and adept public sector workforce, capable of steering Nigeria toward its rightful place of eminence on the global stage.

“As we embark on this journey of collaboration, innovation, and progress, let us remember that the transformation of our nation’s public service is not just a task but a collective responsibility.

“Together, we have the capacity to mould a public sector that is not only proficient but also visionary, a sector that leads by example and sets new standards of excellence,” Muofunanya said.

News Agency reports that the MoU was signed by Arabi, Muofunanya and the legal advisers from the Bureau and Educatial. (NAN)

CMY/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola