By Ifeanyi Nwoko
The Federal and States Governments have been urged to use satellite technology and other available technologies to harness disasters such as flooding for positive economic purposes.

The Executive Director, Centre for Space Science and Technology Education (CSSTE), Dr Ganiyu Agbaje, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Agbaje made the call on the sidelines of the on-going three-day Online Regional Training on Flood Monitoring and Forecasting Modelling organised for Disaster Management Organisations.

He said that the use of new technologies would make it easy to predict flood and harness the water for many economic activities including ranching that had become topical in Nigeria.

Agbaje explained that with technology such as satellite technology, which the CSSTE would partner with disaster management agencies on, patterns, timing and volume of flood can be predicted early and preparation made to utilise the water.

“We need to support our rural communities on how best to use flood when it occurs because at times if it’s coming far away from this country, you can harness the water overflowing for many other things in agriculture.

“When you know that the flood will last for three months or five months for instance, you can use the water to plant rice, or you can gather it into a reservoir that can be used during the dry season.

“There are so many things that can be done with this, and if you know that certain places are lacking water, you can channel it to those farms that need those water.

“Like all these ranches that we have been talking about, that river is coming from the north, if you have a ranch there, when the water is coming, you will channel it and store it.

“You can purify the water and it becomes drinking water, so why are we not using the flood water to make life easier,” he said.

Speaking on the training which held simultaneously in four other West African Countries, Agbaje, said it was aimed at equipping participants with skills and requisite tools to identify flood-hotpot areas.

He said the tool would further equip them to make quick flood damage assessment, identify flood monitoring and forecast model as well as hydrological and hydraulic modelling.

He, therefore, advised governments to embrace technology for creative solutions and consider stronger laws to control the indiscriminate dumping of refuse which is a major cause of flooding in Africa.

“Human beings are somehow meant to be unruly. So, the society needs to be guided by law, else I can go to your house and just mess it up. If there are no laws to say ‘you cannot dump refuse here’ then everywhere will be messy. We need to abide by the regulations and rules.

“Also, it has been said that the whole of Netherlands is on a flood plain but they use engineering and other means to ensure that they stay afloat most of the time.

“We lose millions of dollars every year to flooding in Africa, forcing ECOWAS to make a policy on disaster risk reduction but more has to be done to ensure that the impact is lower in Nigeria and other countries,” he said.

According to him, the training is not to teach the over 300 participants who have benefitted on how to predict but to show them how to use additional satellite data to predict and support other methods.

He said the technology had been on for a while around the world, adding that African leaders in collaboration with the EU initiated the training to help Africa better monitor the environment and mitigate disasters.

Agbaje said that with the data, rainfall, rivers and the environment would be better monitored, adding that in the case of Nigeria, more information on the activities of River Niger would be known using the technology.

The three-day training was backed by the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) under its Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES & Africa) initiative and conducted by the CSSTE.

On his part, the GMES & Africa Programme Coordinator at the AU Commission, Dr Tidiane Ouattara, who joined via video conferencing, expressed joy that the activities of the CSSTE consortium was able to continue in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emphasising on the need for constant training of young people and experts on the African continent, he described the training as a major achievement to help Africa build infrastructure and reduce the economic damage of flooding.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian Emergency Management Authority and the Federal Ministry of Environment.

By Jessica Dogo

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure citizens with Bank Verification Number (BVN) are automatically provided with the National Identification Number (NIN).

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, disclosed this on Monday when he led a delegation of chief executive officers on a visit to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and a private enrolling center in Abuja.

Pantami said after making a presentation to National Economic Sustainability Committee, his attention and that 0f the CBN Governor were drawn to the need to replace BVN with NIN.

He said since then, the two  establishments had been working on the initiative, adding that CBN had more workload to facilitate the process in order to make it much easier for Nigerians.

According to Pantami, the challenge is that the BVN records may not be 100 per cent the same as the NIN, but what is most important is that the NIN is the primary identity of every legal resident in the country.

He said “BVN is a policy of a bank and has not been established by law.

“The NIMC Act 2007 provides that all our citizens must enroll and the law gives them 60 days to enroll from the time the law was enacted and a maximum of 180 days.

“All permanent residents in the country and legal residents that have to stay here for a minimum of 24 months must enroll so that the primary identification of all and all other databases are supposed to utilise this and not for NIN to utilise the BVN because it is the primary one.

“Some of the challenges encountered, NIMC produced the template for registering citizens in passport, BVN and others but some institutions did not comply with the requirements.

“Even in biometrics, some will just take four, some two, so you cannot harmonise without upgrading and integrating the system.”

He listed members on the board of NIMC, which include CBN Governor, DG SSS, Chairman FIRS, INEC Chairman, Office of National Security Adviser, National Population Commission and Nigeria Immigration Service as members.

He hinted that the Federal Government had accredited 203 operators that would help enroll citizens to secure their NIN, adding that the visit was to oversee how the exercise had been.

Mr Okechukwu Ikpe, the Chief Executive Officer of Office Machines Nigeria Limited, one of the accredited operators center that was visited by the minister expressed delight and assured that the center would do its best to meet with expectations.

On her path, Mrs Regina Omenogor, Stock Controller, Gloworld, Abuja, showed appreciation and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative, adding that a lot people can just walk in and register.

“It is accessible now and since we work for private organisation, we maintain all the COVID-19 protocols as directed by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and the presidency, ” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation included the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). (NAN)

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Federal Government on Thursday, launched the country’s pioneer National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre to create an atmosphere that would usher in innovation driven culture among citizens.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, performed the ground breaking ceremony of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre championed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.

Pantami said the centre was critical for digital economy and would play a huge role in creating value and prosperity among the people.

He assured that the centre would be replicated at least in the six Geo-Political zones of the country, beginning with the pioneer centre in the FCT.

‘‘Digital Innovation and entrepreneurship are globally recognised as two prerequisites for achieving an indigenous digital economy.

“A successful digital innovation and entrepreneurship programme will support us in the development of our digital economy and this is exactly what we want this centre to achieve.

‘‘Today’s event is critical for our journey to digital economy because in digital economy, innovation and entrepreneurship play huge roles in creating value and prosperity. That is why we are investing in this initiative.

‘‘Our journey started in Oct. 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari re-designated and expanded the mandate of our ministry to cover digital economy.

“To sustain and consolidate the growth, we need to ignite innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital space,” he said.

The minister said that COVID-19 had impacted our lives in an unprecedented way, hence the need to leverage on skills and innovation.

Pantami said that in building the centre, the Federal Government was not undermining certificates but trying to redirect citizens toward soft skills which were recently valuable.

He, therefore, enjoined states and the Organised Private Sector to key into the establishment of ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship parks to address unemployment and other social challenges in Nigeria.

He said this had become necessary to complement the present administration’s resolve to diversify national economy, generate employment and wealth for the country.

Pantami who listed benefits of the centre, argued that the economic challenges facing Nigeria provided opportunities for the people to embrace digital platforms for self empowerment.

“President Buhari approved the building of this centre on Nov. 11, 2020, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“Prior to that, I made a detailed presentation to council on the project and successfully answered around 22 questions in the robust debate that followed the presentation.

“The idea received overwhelming support of FEC because of the huge positive impact it can have on the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

Earlier, in his address, the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, said the objective of the centre was to serve as a catalyst for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship among both public and private sector organisations and the academia.

Inuwa said it would foster development along with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) Quantum Computing and Smart Energy Solutions to drive ICT.

According to him, it will provide enabling environment for technology startups to accelerate and experience innovations, foster the development of indigenous businesses to become world class service providers. (NAN)

By Naomi Sharang/Jessica Dogo

Mr Bright Echefu, the Managing Director, TStv, an indigenous digital service television has said that the company was not “threatened” by the presence of other digital TV operators in the country.

Echefu who said this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday added that the Pay TV had a national spread across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He said that with its modern facilities, TStv was well-equipped to compete with other Pay TV operators in the country.

Echefu said competition in the industry would improv quality of services offered to Nigerians.

“So it creates market for improvement for us where it gives us the urge to improve on what we have to just get an edge over what other people have.

“So competition has created some kind of zeal in us to get what we are doing and we don’t see our competitors as a threat at all.

“The landscape is big for everybody. So there is large market. TStv comes handy for those who want value for money in such situation. So the competition is not in any way a threat to us.

“It has created a standard for us that we must carry at any point in time,” he said.

The managing director added that one of the benefits of owning a TStv decoder was that it was “a Pay Per View model for subscribers.

“Subscribers can pay as low as N2 per day. What we have done is to put those channels; put some figures around them. Some channels are N1, some channels are N2 per day.

“The maximum on our bouquets is 2 naira per day. If u pick some channels, at the end of the day you are practically spending N50 a day.

“So if you put it up together for a month you are spending just about N450 and you able to satisfy a heavy need of yours.

“That is what Nigeria needs and that is what we have offered our people,” Echefu said.

Also speaking, Director Engineering and Technology, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mrs Victoria Eke said that Nigeria was glad to have an indigenous Pay TV.

“It has been our yearnings to have such a service; the Pay As You View.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the packages offered to subscribers by the company include Cinemachi Comedy and Cinemachi Romance among others. (NAN)

By Jessica Dogo
The Federal Government has extended the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) integration by eight weeks with a new deadline of April 6.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde on Tuesday.

He said the extension was ordered by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, after the meeting of the Ministerial Task force on NIN-SIM registration.

Pantami stated that the extension was to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.

“It was reported that a total of 56.18 million NINs have been collected by the mobile network operators. Each NIN is usually tied to an average of 3 to 4 SIMs and this infers that the current figure accounts for a significant portion of the existing SIMs.

“This number of NINs collected represents a significant increase when compared with the 47.8 million reported by the Technical Committee on Jan. 18.

“Furthermore, over 1,060 registration centres for NIN have been activated and made operational by NIMC across the country.

“Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have opened hundreds of centres and are rapidly deploying resources to open thousands of other NIN enrolment centres across states of the country.

“This is in line with the policy of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance security and make the process of obtaining NINs easier for Nigerians,” he said.

The minister reiterated the need for Nigerians and legal residents who were yet to register for the NIN to be diligent and take advantage of the extension to enroll for their NIN and link with their SIMs.

He encouraged citizens to take advantage of the extension to fully participate in the process and follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centers and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.

“This protocol is in line with the executive order on COVID-19 2020, signed by President Buhari on Jan. 27, 2021, in keeping with the provisions of the quarantine Act 2004.

“It will be recalled that Feb. 4, 2020 was the initial date of the commencement of the National NIN-SIM Registration Policy.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria applauds all Nigerians and persons of other nationalities for their understanding, cooperation and for enthusiastically participating in the exercise,” he said.

The minister also commended efforts of NIMC, NCC, MNOs and all other relevant government and private sector organisations for their unflinching support toward the success of the exercise.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders including the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta and Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Aziz.

Other members in attendance are the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo.

By Stellamaris Ashinze

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says GSM operators have collected 47.8 million National Identification Number (NINs) from subscribers as at Jan. 18.

This is contained in a statement by Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director, Public Affairs on Tuesday in Lagos.

Adinde quoted Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami as saying that the figure showed that many Nigerian subscribers would be linked to their NINs before the Feb. 9, deadline.

Pantami said that the collection of NIN was at an average of three to four SIMs per subscriber.

He expressed the Federal Government’s appreciation for the commitment shown by stakeholders and citizens and urged them to submit their NINs before the deadline.

Pantami called on the technical team to fast-track the processes so that the project would be delivered soonest.

“The Technical Implementation Committee, under the Ministerial Task Force reported significant progress in the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage,” he said.

The minister drew attention of Nigerians to the App developed by federal government which allowed subscribers to link up to a maximum of seven SIMs to their NINs.

He, however, urged Nigerians to secure and protect their NINs, urging subscribers to desist from selling their numbers or allowing others to use them for registration.

“For any action committed with the SIM, good or bad will be officially traced and attached to the NIN owner,” Pantami said. (NAN)

By Sylvester Thompson

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has urged  young  Nigerians to contribute to nation building by producing some of Nigeria’s imported products.

Onu made the call on Monday in Abuja at the unveiling and demonstration of a Made-in-Nigeria car invented by 30-year-old Auwal Hassan from Bauchi State.

He said the young people remained the treasure of the nation, constituting about 60 per cent of the entire population, urging them to take advantage of science and technology.

“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to all our young people all over the country, because there are so many things that we import into the country now.

“So every young person should be looking at all these things and find out how they can be produced locally,” the minister said.

According to him, Nigeria will benefit more if many of the products are made and used locally.

He described Nigeria as a large market, and the ability to satisfy the market would lead to exportation into 54 other African countries.

“Science and Technology holds the key to the greatness of Nigeria. No other key because using science and technology will solve virtually every other problems, whether food security or housing,” he said.

He said his ministry was ready to encourage and assist Nigerians with genuine intentions of contributing to nation building.

“As soon as we get evidence that there is any person in the country who has made progress, you don’t need to do everything, we are ready to assist,” he said.

The minister commended Mr Hassan the inventor of the Made-in-Nigeria vehicle over his ingenuity, telling him his invention was a product of investigation.

“We have seen evidence of your invention and from the technical analysis we have received, at least the chassis is completely your own, the body is also yours and some parts, so that’s important.

“The innovation is bringing in other parts and fitting them together. Though you did not pay attention to the safety, perhaps because resources may not have been available to you,” Onu said.

The minister directed that the inventor should be included in the grant to be paid to beneficiaries either in 2021 or 2022.

He said the money would assist him in research, adding that the National Agency of Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) would also assist the inventor in the technical aspect and design.

“What is really important is what NASENI will help you do and you will be in a position to further your research and developmental work to have a better product,” he said.

Earlier, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, Director-General of NASENI had read out the technical composition of the unveiled vehicle.

The inventor also said the car was not his only project, that since 2018 he had been trying to build ultra high helicopter, but the materials were expensive. (NAN)

By Jessica Dogo

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has approved the setting up of a National Identity Number (NIN), Enrolment Centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant on Information Technology to Pantami, who made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the desk would be set up on Jan. 19.

Adeluyi said that the centre, which would provide support for members of the Diplomatic Corps, would be managed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Identity Management Commission.

“The centre is being set up based on the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.

“The NIN is mandatory for diplomats residing in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more.

“It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country, as stated in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007.

“The Law has made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain NIN since 2007. However, compliance has been low, until recently.

“The federal ministry of communications and digital economy remains committed to creating an enabling environment for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their Digital Identity Number,” Adeluyi said in the statement. (NAN)

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isah Ali Pantami, has approved the activation of 20 NIN enrolment centres within the FCT, to make the process easier, beginning from Jan. 18.

Mr Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications of NIMC, Abuja, said in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

Adegoke said the minister has also approved the closure of enrolment activities at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) office.

“Members of the public, residents and visitors to the FCT, wishing to enroll for the National Identification Number (NIN), should use the NIMC centers,” he said.

He identified the locations of the centres as: NIN State offices in Wuse, Abaji area council, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Kuje, alongside special centers at Dei-Dei, Dutse and Federal Housing Authority, Gwarinpa.

Other centres, he said, include: High Court, Lugbe, AEDC office Jiwa, Women Development Secretariat Karshi, Kenuj Angles Schools, Jikwoyi, Chief’s Palace, Kurudu, Nigerian Custom Service, Karu and NIPOST Kubwa.

The statement further identified other approved centres, run by licensed private agents, at NIN Enrolment Centres Ibro Hotel, Wuse 2, Afritech multi Concept, Gwandal plaza adjacent EFCC, Wuse 2, and NIN Enrolment Centre at No 8, Nairobi Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

“Members of general public within the FCT are hereby advised to visit any of the above listed enrolment centers closest to them for NIN registration and issuance,” the statement said. (NAN)