By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Mr Christopher Ugbebor, a software engineer, has commended the Federal Government over the suspension of the proposed cybersecurity levy, saying it showed that government was responsive to public concerns.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, Ugbebor said by suspending the levy, the government had demonstrated willingness to listen to feedback from various stakeholders.

Such stakeholders, he said, included businesses, consumers, and cybersecurity experts.

“This decision reflects an understanding of the potential impact of the levy on electronic transactions and the broader economy, particularly in terms of cost implications for businesses and individuals.

“‘Furthermore, the suspension of the levy underscores the government’s recognition of the need for a balanced approach to cybersecurity funding.

“While cybersecurity is undoubtedly a critical priority, it is essential to explore alternative mechanisms for financing cybersecurity initiatives that minimise the burden on businesses and consumers,” he said.

Ugbebor said government’s decision also sends a positive signal to the business community, demonstrating a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and collaborate on finding effective solutions to cybersecurity challenges.

He said by suspending the levy, the government has created an opportunity for further consultation and deliberation on the most appropriate strategies for enhancing cybersecurity resilience while supporting economic growth and digital transformation.

Ugbebor said the effectiveness and implementation of cybersecurity levies and related measures vary dependent on political will, resource availability and stakeholder engagement.

He said some countries may explore alternative funding mechanisms or public-private- partnerships to support cybersecurity initiatives and address evolving cyber threats.

NAN reports that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrew its circular to banks and payment service providers to collect and remit the cybersecurity levy proposed in the Cybercrime Prevention and Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024.

This was announced in a revised circular dated May 17, which was released by the CBN.

The circular was signed by Mr Chibuzor Efobi, Director of Payment Systems Management, and Mr Haruna Mustafa, Director of Financial Policy and Regulation, CBN.

The withdrawal follows the decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to suspend the levy as it has generated public outcry. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reconstituted the National Blockchain Policy Steering Committee (NBP-SC) to validate trends in blockchain technology and incorporate new stakeholders for inclusive adoption and implementation.

Its Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said this on Tuesday while inaugurating the committee at a three-day co-creation workshop for the implementation of the National Blockchain Policy (NBP) in Abuja.

Blockchain technology is an advanced database mechanism that allows transparent information sharing within a business network. A blockchain database stores data in blocks that are linked together in a chain.

The purpose of the blockchain is to share information amongst all parties that access it via an application. Access to this ledger in terms of reading and writing may be unrestricted or restricted.

Represented by Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, Director, IT Infrastructure Solutions, Inuwa recalled that the committee was initially inaugurated on May 16, 2023.

He added that the agency constituted the committee to oversee the implementation of the National Blockchain Policy (NBP) and ensure its alignment with the overall goals and objectives of the policy.

The director-general said that blockchain technology was evolving, had increasingly transformative applications, hence the need to leverage the dynamic potential it possessed.

“Presently, we are at the initial stage of blockchain technology implementation and because of that many people are not aware of the potential of the technology.

“Blockchain technology is so vast and can used in any industry and that is why the policy was developed to ensure we tap into the full potential of blockchain technology.

“The continuous evolving nature of blockchain technology and its increasingly transformative applications across diverse sectors necessitate a commensurate evolution in our leadership.

“We realised that there was a need to infuse some more members into the committee to ensure that we have full membership from the public and private sector to prevent anything that occurred in the past,” Inuwa said.

Inuwa said the strategic reconstitution of the committee would bring together a fresh wave of experienced professionals and leading minds in the blockchain space.
According to him, their diverse expertise will be instrumental in crafting a robust implementation plan for the National Blockchain Policy.

Inuwa cited a report by Price Waterhouse Coopers, an audit firm, titled “Time for Trust:The Trillion-Dollar Reason to Rethink Blockchain” which projected that blockchain technology could boost the global economy by 1.76 trillion dollars by the year 2030.

He emphasised that Nigeria needed to be strategic and take advantage of the offerings from the potential in blockchain technology.

“Together, we can leverage its potential to propel Nigeria’s socio-economic engine, enhance the transparency and efficiency of governance.

“Blockchain can empower our citizens and businesses with secure and inclusive digital solutions in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” Inuwa said.

Dr Ayodele Bakare, Head of Digital Technology Development Division, Digital Economy Development Department of NITDA, said the workshop would build the capacity of participants towards having the knowledge on modern day blockchain technology.

“Blockchain technology has new realities and we have included new members with fresh ideas that will help for the implementation plan.

“The workshop is also an opportunity to build the capacity of the committee members because majority of the members are not operating within the IT space.

“We are also going to have partners in the implementation of blockchain used cases for different sectors of the economy,” Bakare said.

Mr Yau Garba, of the Digital Economy Department, NITDA, said the Federal Government had identified blockchain technology as a tool for developmental governance in boosting the economy, and addressing insecurity.

The members of the committee were drawn from government agencies, institutions, private sector, academia and the industry involved in the blockchain ecosystem. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Sylvester Thompson

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director-General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), has called for adequate support for biotechnology to facilitate speedy economic recovery and development in the country.

Mustapha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that for speedy economic recovery and growth, Nigerians, corporate bodies and organisations needed to support biotechnology.

Biotechnology is a technology that harnesses biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop innovative products and solutions.

The director-general said that biotechnology served as a catalyst for economic development by addressing national challenges, fostering innovations and promoting sustainability.

“To leverage on biotechnology means to advance and empower nations to build resilient economies, improve living standards and to achieve sustainable development.

” Therefore, strategic investment in biotechnology research, infrastructure, and human capital is essential for unlocking its full potential and driving economic prosperity,” he said.

With statistics gotten from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) ,2017, Mustapha said the report mentioned the contributions of biotechnology crops to food security, sustainability and climate change.

He disclosed that between 1996 till 2016, biotech crops increased crop productivity up to 186.1 billion dollars, derived from farm income gains globally.

He said in the same period, there was less pesticide applications to biotech crops, which helped to decrease environmental impact of herbicide and insecticide use, leading to enhancement of better environment.

The director-general said accordingly, the productivity gained through biotechnology saved 183 million hectares of land within the periodic years.

Mustapha assured that biotechnology enhanced agricultural products and resilience.

“These include genetically modified crops for increased yields, pest resistance and drought tolerance.

“Biotechnology-driven agricultural solutions contribute to food security, farmers livelihoods and economic development,” he said.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has granted licence to the Institute of Information Management (IIM), to conduct examinations and certify data protection professionals for global competitiveness.

The National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, who said this on Monday while presenting licence to IIM in Abuja, said granting of licence was part of the commission’s measures to implement Executive Order 003 and 005.

Olatunji said certifying data protection professionals in the country would reduce capital flight, create over 500,000 jobs in the sector and encourage more people to be certified.

“We are trying to ensure implementation of Executive Order 003 and 005 to promote local contents in Nigeria.

“Most of us who are certified data protection officers have international certifications; we paid some dollars to write exams as well as maintain the certificates.

“We are trying to domesticate this in Nigeria by having a national certification process.

“Looking at our population, we need over 500,000 certified data protection officers. We cannot afford to allow capital flight in this area,” he said.

The national commissioner also said that the commission was considering adopting the licensing across Africa.

“We are looking at a way this initiative will become a pan-African initiative, whereby data professionals have the national certification we have in Nigeria and can also practise in any part of Africa.

“It is a way of creating jobs for our people, reducing capital flight, and developing global human capital in the data protection ecosystem.

“We have also gone further to develop the training model which is unique to us and that is what all the trainers in Nigeria will be using,” Olatunji said.

He added that the licensing would also create jobs for already licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), who would be accredited to train prospective professionals to sit for data protection examinations.

According to him, the national data protection certification will be a historic legacy that will transcend administrations and meet global standards.

Dr Oyedokun Oyewole, President of Institute of Information Management, recalled that the certification process commenced in 2021.

He said the licence would bridge the gap in the data protection ecosystem.

Oyewole assured Nigerians of the institute’s commitment to be the best in the education system of data protection in the country.(NAN)(6www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidi Opara/Deji Abdulwahab

By Chidinma Agu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

For the past 20 years, the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Ltd. has piloted practical scientific approach to solving  Nigeria’s problems through sponsorship of the Nigeria Prize for Science.

The prize celebrates excellence in scientific breakthroughs and honours scientists who help to find solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

The annual award  is  aimed at stimulating advancement and application of science and technology in Nigeria.

The prize is administered on behalf of NLNG  by the Advisory Board for Science.

It is expected that the quest for the prestigious prize will improve application of science and technology in Nigeria, resolve issues that are germane to development of the country and help to improve  standard of living.

Winners have been emerging in  the annual competition, taking home whopping sum of $100,000 dollars, which can be won as an individual or a team.

Analysts have adjudged the competition transparent, consistent and successful so far.

Recently, a total of 153 entries was handed over to the Advisory Board for Science in Lagos, after the April 30 deadline for submission of entries for the 2024 edition.

The award is open to scientists and innovators worldwide (Nigerians and non-Nigerians) involved in the application of science to proffer innovation and technologies for reducing the effects of climate change.

The theme is ” Innovations and Technologies for Reducing the Effects of Climate Change”.

According to Mr Andy Odey, the NLNG General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development,  a total of 153 entries for the Nigeria Prize of Science 2024 was submitted.

He says the entries have been handed over to the Advisory Board for Science.

The 153 entries  show 53 per cent increase over those of 2023.

“This is the highest  number of submissions in the life of the Nigeria Prize for Science.

“It shows that scientists’ interests in the prize have doubled,” he says.

Odey emphasises that any winning entry must have a solution to a problem in Nigeria.

“No matter who or where the entry is coming from – an individual or a team within or outside the country – the entry must have a solution,” he says.

Odey believes that the theme of the 2024 edition  underscores the critical importance of combating climate change, not only for Nigeria’s future, but also for the survival of humanity.

“It will be of unquantifiable value as climate change arising from green gas emission remains a major setback to the development of humans,” he says.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board for Science, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who received the  entries for the 2024 competition, says they will be handed over to judges who have been carefully selected to do justice.

He also emphasises that the winning entry must  demonstrate capacity  to solve Nigeria’s problem.

“The transparency in handling the prize has given scientists, worldwide, the zeal to submit their works,” he says.

Nnaji says the winning entry is not expected to be  a good research project.

“A good research project? No. It is an innovation  that has already demonstrated impact.

“Scientist(s) would have shown in the public, how the product or process or innovation has been able to work in the lives of people,” he says.

Dr Nike Akande, Nigeria’s former Minister of Industries, is convinced that through the competition NLNG has been touching lives in various ways.

According to Akande, the winning prize relates with the business world through Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to ensure that there is mass production for it to get to the areas it is needed most.

“The 2023 winning prize, a small-sized incubator for babies, is aiding babies’ survival in hospitals, especially in teaching hospitals,” she notes.

A Professor of Medical Engineering and Technology, Hippolite Amadi, emerged the winner of the 2023 edition with his scientific work  on low-cost respiratory technologies that keep neonates alive.

The innovation comprises a non-invasive neonatal ventilator, an oxygen delivery blender system, and an oxygen splitter system, all powered by solar energy.

In 2022, two scientific works won the prize.

Two most outstanding works on “Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions” by Muhydideen Oyekunle and Shehu Ado; and “Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour” by Sesan  Ayodeji and Emmanuel Olatomilola won the $100,000 prize money.

The 2020 and  2021 cycles ended without  winners.

In 2019, Prof. Mehong and Dr Matthew Aneke, emerged winners with their entry: “Carbon Capture, Carbon Utilisation, and Biomass Gasification and Energy Storage for Power Generation”.

In 2018, Peter Ngene emerged the winner with his  entry: “Nanostructured Metal Hydrides for the Storage of Electrical Power from Renewable Energy Sources and for Explosion Prevention in High Voltage Power Transformers”.

According to Prof. Yusuf Abubakar, also a member of the Advisory Board of Nigeria Prize  for Science, through  the competition, NLNG is rewarding research efforts and innovativeness.

“The bane of research institutes in Nigeria is to market their inventions.

“NLNG is linking research with the industry.

“It is left for government to fund research and innovations adequately,” Abubakar, a former Executive Secretary of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, says.

He strongly believes that the  focus of the 2024 competition on climate change is commendable.

Abubakar is a professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics and the Coordinator of Agricultural Group, R and D Standing Committee, Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

It is expected that  in September, when the winning entry for the 2024 edition will be announced,  Nigerians will be presented with an innovation that is clearly aiding in reducing effects of climate change. (NANFeatures)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

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***If used, please credit the writer and the agency **

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has inducted nine scientists as Fellows to propagate science knowledge across the country.

NAS President, Prof. Ekanem Braide, said this in Abuja on Thursday at the Induction of Fellows and Public Lecture titled “Kicking Sexual Harassment out of Higher Education Institutions: Options and Challenges.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, a scientist with the Research and Development Centre of NASRDA, was among the inductees.

Braide told the new inductees that their induction into the academy was a call to join in addressing several national and international issues, according to the NAS Strategic Plan 2024-2028.

“You will be required to increase visibility, impact of science, conduct strategic advocacy at the highest level, strenthen the academy’s advisory function, strengthen strategic partnerships.

“Your induction today is a call to service at a higher level and not a signal for rest, you will be required to implement tasks assigned to NAS by government, industry and other stakeholders and promote the visibility of our academy,” Braide said.

The president urged the new inductees to uphold the tenets of the academy, adding that NAS was a respectable institution.

According to her, NAS has engaged in several initiatives targeted at advancing science and technology.

The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Halilu Shaba, said the induction of a scientist from NASRDA, was an indication that the academy still upheld its standards, adding that the agency made a good choice by choosing Rabiu.

“Anywhere you go, Prof. Rabiu is a world class scientist and it is an honour to the agency and we are so proud and happy.”

The director-general said that the inducted scientists had bridged the gap in unpopular areas of science, hence the need for them to be celebrated.

Prof. Pius Okeke, a renowned Asyronomy Physicist and mentor to Rabiu, said he wasn’t surprised at Rabiu’s achievements.

“I am happy for his achievements and I pray he achieves even greater things.”

Okeke called on the government to  invest in space, science and technology, saying that the sector required huge funding.

“The individual scientists are doing well, but the government should help and increase the science budget as obtainable in other climes.”

Prof. Grace Kyomuhendo, President, Ugandan National Academy of Science (UNAS), while delivering a lecture on the theme, called on scientists to fight against sexual harassment in their different institutions.

Kyomuhendo pointed out that sexual harassment could be addressed but must be fully institutionalised within structures and policies in the universities.

“Gender norms that define, prescribe behaviour, positions and entitlements must be addressed and sexual harassment is a whole university approach,” she said.

Rabiu, who is also the Executive Director, UN African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education-English(UN-ARCSSTEE),

felt elated on his induction

He said his induction would encourage and energise to do more for the country and for mankind, while calling on other scientists not to despair.

“I feel fulfilled in my country, because this is the highest scientific academic body in the country.

“Scientists should continue to be diligent and we should not allow some predicaments to hold us down.

“Our delivery should not depend on the resources that are freely available, we should put in our best, sacrifice, strive to make global footprints.

“While you are working for the system, you are also working for yourself because your productivity speaks for you at the end of the day, so strive to be more productive, diligent, focused and not to be demoralised,” he said.

Prof. Olapeju Aiyelaagbe, another inductee and only female, said young female students should strive to do more, adding that science was not as difficult as portrayed.

It would be recalled that the scientists were nominated, voted for by colleagues and inducted following their feats they recorded in their different areas of specialisation.

These included space physics, organic chemistry, neurology, medicine, among others.

Other inductees were Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran, Prof. James Olopade, Prof. Rufus Akinyemi, Prof. Fabian Ezema, Prof. Nnabuk Eddy, Prof. Etinosa Igbinosa and Prof. Zubairu Iliyasu. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Dr John Nwafor, Managing-Director of Metro Digital Limited, operators of SLTV satellite television network, has offered subsidised packages to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Nwafor, in an interview with NAN on Monday, said the subsidy was the company’s way of ameliorating the economic challenges Nigerians face daily.

He also said that the cost for SLTV dish, decoder and subscription package would remain stable for a period, to encourage other local players in the satellite television industry.

According to him, in the next two weeks when stock will be available, the outfit will be offering a special package to NAN staff members.

”We will work very hard and demonstrate to the country that we can do this business very well and that will encourage other Nigerians to come in for healthy competition.

”Nigerians will benefit at the end as the subscription will come down. We are here to let our people know that we are for them; we are not going to start raising prices because of the economic situation.

”We are assuring Nigerians that our prices will be stable for a reasonable length of time and show example to other Nigerians to come into the industry to make it more vibrant.”

The managing director, while clarifying the claims of SLTV connection to MultiChoice’s DSTV, said that the paid television industry had always contributed to the economy of any nation.

He said that Nigerians had been prevented from being part of the industry by dominant players and there was the need for the government to put an end to that.

”Paid TV industry is always a major part of the economy of any nation and if you look around in the Nigerian industry, there is almost no industry that is actually participating.

”Recently, the government decided to work on that problem by making some changes to the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Code to outlaw exclusivity.

”Exclusivity to content is one of the things that have discouraged all the indigenous players that wanted to come on board in the industry,’’ he said.

He added that the amendment of the NBC code was followed with a court injunction to further enforce sub-licensing and avail them of television channels exclusively held unto, in the past.

He explained that SLTV was formed in the wake of what the government did and the objective was to provide quality programming for Nigerians.

Nwafor revealed that available channels included contents on football, movies, news, children’s cartoons, all kinds of programmes at reasonable prices.

”Right now, we have a package that starts from N2,500, while the full package is only N5000; we believe that is actually affordable for our people.

”We have created five local channels and three are in the major Nigerian languages, while two are in English, based on our local content.

”We are going to be creating more eventually in the next one or two years and we are looking at establishing a studio where we can engage creative people for interesting contents.

”People are looking for things that they can relate to; they want familiar content. We are passionate about producing that for our people,’’ he said.

He added that investing in indigenous satellite television would reduce capital flight and ensure that resources were deployed into developing infrastructure within the country.

He also said that the company was considering floating other initiatives like the Pay-As-You-View, which he said would end exploitation of Nigerians.

He called for the support of Nigerians in ensuring that indigenous satellite television networks thrived in the country, as it had the capacity to create massive employment.

“The industry needs liberalisation and it is our people that will make it work,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker and Ephraims Sheyin

By Sylvester Thompson

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has restated its commitment to enhance production of Nigeria’s branded products, technology transfer domestication, commercialisation and stimulation of indigenous socio-economic advancement.

Its Executive Vice Chairman, Mr Khalil Halilu, said this on Thursday while unveiling NASENI’s branded products at the agency’s quarterly media briefing in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new products include car battery, laptop, smartphone and Solar-powered street light.

Halilu said that the feats were recorded in line with the agency’s 2023-2027 strategic launchpad to fit into the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the present administration.

He said the launchpad was to enhance Nigeria’s manufacturing capacity, reduce the country’s import bill, reposition the agency to leverage on the comparative advantage of the 36 states.

The NASENI boss disclosed that the agency was working assiduously to bring in more products to create a national brand that every Nigerian would love to see.

He said that the agency embarked upon in its launchpad to improve the livelihood of Nigerians and foster national development.

“What we are trying to do is to open our doors to people that will contribute to our activities and development of our nation.

Halilu said that the areas of focus of the strategic launchpad were agriculture and food manufacturing, defense and aerospace, sustainable transportation and mobility.

He said others included renewable energy and sustainability, health and biotechnology, information technology and software, construction and smart city.

NASENI boss also presented the agency’s proposal evaluation portal, a website for those who intend to work with the agency.

He said the NASENI Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) would soon be launched for task tracing within the agency.

He said that the agency’s e-procurement portal, an initiative in the launchpad, was to enhance transparency.

According to him, the NASENI youth empowerment programme consists of schemes with the prospect of creating 18,000 direct jobs.

He said the vehicles to drive the project included skills acquisition centres, trainings, stem box innovation hub and campus.

The EVC said the work of Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) and the Delt-Her initiative programme was geared towards encouraging female participation in the engineering sector.

He added that the agency also trained 20 Nigerian engineers in Indonesia on equipment fabrication under the agency’s full acquisition saputra coal fertilizer project among other ongoing achievements.

NAN recalls that in February, the agency launched three sets of its branded products which were solar powered irrigation system, electric motorcycles and tricycles, and off-grid solar home systems. (NAN)(www nanwews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Deji Abdulwahab