By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) says Nigeria could generate $20 million from the launch of one satellite if it develops its Assembly, Integration and Testing Laboratory (AITL).

Dr Halilu Shaba, Director General of  NASRDA, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja the agency  was confident that the 25-year Space Policy Roadmap could be achieved.

Part of the content of the roadmap which included launching satellites into the orbit from Nigerian soil, Shaba said was crucial to the development of Space Science and Technology.

He added that achieving such facility was a humongous project that required huge resources which their annual budgetary allocation could barely handle.

He explained that they were engaging in advocacies to investors and  other countries to see how partnerships could float the project because the government might not have the sole capacity.

“We are thinking out of the box because it can bring money and we are letting people know that this can bring money.

“The government can partner with the public on that because for you to launch any satellite, the initial deposit you give for the launch of the satellite minus the kilometres you cover is $20million to launch one satellite.

“We are also at the equator and getting windows for launch are higher and then the distance to the orbit is shorter.

“ If we can be a launching destination, it means that if we are launching 20 satellites from Nigeria every year, that gives you about $400million.

“Let’s start and then identify the other issues, and Nigeria will be launching destination for other African countries and the world,”Shaba said.

The NASRDA boss further said the agency  was talking to other countries due to their interests.

He added that they were making offers to some other countries that would want Nigeria to develop the AITL and grant them access over a period.

Shaba said: “They can come, we develop this together, we share the profit, they can launch and as well have a launch pad.

“Whatever option we are looking at, it has to be to the benefit of Nigeria.’’

Shaba disclosed that the agency was developing on its Rocketry and Propulsion experience, although its profits were coming in trickles.

He said that the agency was exploring to engage every platform to educate Nigerians about Space Science and Technology.

The avenues they were exploring, Shaba said included expanding the scope of their social media engagements targeted at the youths and the banks for development of visibility tools.

“We are also looking at expanding broadband reach to rural areas which we got the approval from the Federal Executive Council in November 2022.

“We are already ahead with that, some of the equipment are here already and we are testing the broadband to see its speed.

“When you talk of digital economy, you cannot remove satellite and we want our youths to identify with all these areas because we are open to anyone,” Shaba said  (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Dr Halilu Shaba, Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), on Sunday said that Nigeria’s space industry could be valued at 1billon dollars.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Shaba explained that the agency had developed the critical mass required for the sector to thrive.

Another factor he explained that determined the value of the sector, he said, was the position of Nigeria at the equator which gave it an advantage over some other countries.

“ The value of Nigeria space industry should be worth one billion dollars because we have developed the critical mass, we already have a design of what our next satellite will look like, but we need funds.

“ Again, because we are sitting at the equator, all our communications satellites used to have very wide coverage, they are more than any other country.

“ Angola launched but the footage is not all over Africa but our satellites will always have footage all over Africa, not only for West Africa and that gives us the market.

“ We value ourselves as the only operators at the equator and because of that we imagine our reach, that alone gives us a unique position,’’ Shaba said.

The D-G further said that the agency was putting measures in place to liberalise space technology and engage more Nigerians to be more aware to ensure transparency in its service delivery.

Shaba said: “A lot of people use this technology without knowing, they use Global Positioning System (GPS), hand-held phones and they don’t even know that these are space technology.

“ In everything we do these days, technology is being used but the common man is not even aware that this same technology is brought to fur.

“ We are talking to the people who will break it down to the citizens through the relevant institutions.”

He added that the agency had overtime strengthened partnerships with universities to transform the culture of research.

He explained that the issue of security had been a setback to achieving a 24-hour research culture.

“ We are working to change the culture of research because you must have security.

“Comparing with some other countries that are into space science technology, you see that they have about a 24-hour research culture but in the case of Nigeria, we just have about eight hours and yet we are competing.

“ We have been consistently trying to see how our centres and campuses located sometimes in the outskirts of town can improve on research by having 24 hours, ” he said.

Shaba said the agency had also been encouraging its researchers to further their studies by undertaking Masters and Doctorate Degree programmes for more in-depth knowledge, hence the critical mass. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Deborah Coker

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Saturday donated a N30 million ICT centre to the Richard George Foundation (RGF).

The Director- General, NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi made the donation at the formal inauguration of Gala/ Fund raising of RGF in Abuja.

Abdullahi explained that part of the agency intervention programme, which was also part of President Bola Tinubu ‘s “Renewed Hope” agenda was to provide infrastructure that could be used to promote innovation and entrepreneurship for people.

“We call it digital economy centre. We provide such centres to schools and communities.

“The centre comes with computers, furnitures, internet connectivity, printers, photo copiers, air conditioners, solar power, generators, and all necessary equipment needed for a centre to function,” he said.

The NITDA boss also said that the three strategic pillars of the foundation, which included education, skills and entrepreneurship,connected with his life story.

”I was born and raised in Jigawa, in a community full of artisans. But most of the people don’t go to school.

”But I was opportuned to go to school because my parents, especially my father insisted that we must finish university before we start anything.

”So I was brought up with two core values, which were my home core values, and my community ‘s core values, ” he said.

Abdullahi said that his father instilled that in him the core values, and that in all sincerity, the RGF strategic pillars connected and aligned with that value.

He narrated how he was inspired to become a computer scientist.

“The education I got in school is what gave me the knowledge, and I turned that knowledge into skill.

“But on that skill I needed to stand out and get noticed to become an entrepreneur, and so I did my first job, which was to design a web.

“I gave out the web for free, which eventually led to the people inviting me to design a similar web for them, and I was paid N1.5 million,” he said.

The NITDA boss said that money should not always be the main focus but skills acquisition.

”Try and develop skills, and with skills, money will come naturally.

“My story is to inspire the young people, that its not about the morning all the time, but about the skills, and its not about just education, but also the skill.

“When you have education, you need to have the skills to validate the education, without the skill, you cannot validate.

“And also to be an entrepreneur, you need to have that spirit to start and do something,” the NITDA boss said.

Earlier, Mr Richard George, Founder, RGF, said that the event of the day marked a milestone in his life because it birthed a dream.

According to him, the dream is to give back to his community through mentoring young and talented African graduates with a vision “To Raise Africa’s Change Makers”.

He said that the RGF summarised his humble beginnings.

Meanwhile one of the mentee, Mrs Ibigotemieari Adebiyi, described her journey with RGF as one of self-discovery and transformation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Jessica Dogo

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said that financial inclusion would eradicate poverty and improve access to financial growth of the country.

Tijani said this at the unveiling of Kayi Bank App, a pioneering fintech solution committed to security, speed, and customer satisfaction on Thursday in Abuja.

The programme was tagged: “Unlocking a Digital Finance Revolution”.

He said that financial inclusion contributes significantly to economic growth by increasing the number of individuals and businesses that can participate in the formal economy.

Tijani said: “As we all know, Nigerians are extremely entrepreneurial and while they are entrepreneurial, there is also a significant amount of entrepreneurs that are not included in the formal economy.

“If these entrepreneurs are not included in the formal economy, we will struggle to actually be able to drive strong and inclusive economic growth to true financial inclusion.

”We can bring more people into the economy. And by bringing more people into our economy, we stand the chance to reduce poverty.”

The minister said that entrepreneurship can be fostered by having a strong financial inclusion in the society.

He added: “When we have a strong financial inclusion in society, you can also foster intrapreneurship and there is no other way we can grow without entrepreneurship.”

Tijani said that the agric sector contributes significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that good financial inclusion will ensure farmers have access to resources they need as inputs.

The minister said: “They can manage income better, they can manage their sales better, but they also can access credits that can help them to do what they need to do.”

He urged investors to invest more as there was a lot of money to make from the bottom of the pyramid.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the bank, Yunusa Mohammad, said it would explore core features and capabilities to reshape financial transactions, broaden accessibility and empower users to take charge of their financial destinies.

“We will explore the core features and capabilities of the Kayi app, illuminating how this mobile application will reshape financial transactions, broaden accessibility and empower users to take charge of their financial destinies.

“We are also unveiling the future where financial transactions are simplified, more accessible and empowering for all,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, the Director Generally of theNational Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said the initiative would help institutionalise investment in Nigeria’s startups.

“This will really help us and institutionalise investment in startups in Nigeria.

“Kayi is about job creation. It is about empowering our people to build the next digital bank,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Jessica Dogo

The Africa Internet Governance Forum (AFIGF) has identified cybercrime as a big threat to Africa’s digital transformation strategy.

This was contained in a communiqué presented at the end of the 12th AFIGF, with the theme: “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security and Innovation”, which ended in Abuja, Nigeria.

The forum urged governments across the continent for an urgent need to increase their investments in cybersecurity.

In a recommendation signed by all the members said, AIFG said: “Cybercrime remains a potential threat to the implementation of Africa Union (AU) 2063 agenda and its digital transformation strategy.

“AU and African government to ensure adequate investment to fight cybercrime activities, ensure international cooperation, and capacity building for lawmakers and enforcement actors, the judiciary and other necessary actors,” AFIGF said.

The forum said that Africa’s digital workforce strategy was reactive, and that urgent investment was required to bridge the digital divide and to develop the digital workforce needed for innovation.

The participants stressed that it was vital to penetrate into Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital solutions be grown from African datasets, and tailor AI models to the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.

They said the dearth of research in AI on the continent focused on the uniqueness of Africans, leaves a huge gap and stifles the ability to develop solutions that identify its culture and people.

In his remarks, the Secretary General (AIGF) and a member Ghanaian Parliament, Hon. Samuel George called for free internet that.was inclusive, safe and secured for all the citizens in Africa.

He said: “This can only be achieved through collaborative effort by coming together to build an Africa that is inclusive.”

George said for Africa to be self sufficient, it must create an enabling environment and laws , as well as provide digital infrastructure for young innovators to thrive.

This, he said, would in turn promote indigenous and local content development in technological development.

George appreciated the vital role of the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Africa IGF Secretariat and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

He also thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), partners and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the forum this year.

Meanwhile, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said that Africa Digital transformation can only be achieved by creating enabling laws, institutional changes and provisions of Digital Public Infrastructure.

“We can create enabling laws and institutional changes to respond to dynamics of the internet movement, recent discovery in AI, Blockchain technology, 5G technology and course a vibrant communications industry.

“These are the drivers of a digital transformation and also human capital with the capacity to ensure transformation takes place in all the sectors of the economy as well as in governance.

“These will drive Africa’s digital transformation agenda,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was a United Nations initiative hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Other hosts were: Africa Union (AU), Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The programme was sponsored by MTN Nigeria, Huawei, Meta, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), German Cooperation and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), accordingly.

The event brought together political leaders, intellectuals and experts in information and communication technologies (ICT) within the African continent. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Jessica Dogo

Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says Africa can overcome challenges of poverty, food insecurity, healthcare, and others, if she adopts and deploys Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Danbatta stated this on Wednesday in his keynote address at the 11th Edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition holding in Abuja.

The theme of the 3-day annual event is: “Artificial Intelligence and Africa”.

He said that AI had the potential to provide solutions to major challenges faced by African countries.

“AI-powered solutions have the potential to address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development,” Danbatta said.

He, however, said, for Africa to fully embrace the benefits of AI, several critical factors must be addressed.

The EVC added: “First, we must invest in building the necessary digital infrastructure. This includes expanding broadband connectivity.

“In Nigeria, as of July 2023, the broadband penetration stood at 47.01 per cent.

“Also, the continent must commit to ensuring reliable power supply and fostering a conducive regulatory environment.”

According to the EVC, without robust infrastructure, the potential of AI will remain untapped, and the digital divide will further widen.

Danbatta said: “Secondly, we must prioritise digital skills development. AI technologies require a skilled workforce capable of developing, deploying, and maintaining these systems.

“We need to invest in education and training programs that equip our youth with the necessary skills to participate in the AI-driven economy.

“By nurturing a generation of AI experts, we can elevate Africa’s position in the global AI landscape and create job opportunities for our youth.”

He said that ethical considerations must underpin the approach to AI as its systems were deployed, adding that transparency, accountability, and fairness must be ensured.

“We must guard against biases, protect privacy and data security, and uphold human rights.

“AI should be a force for good, promoting inclusivity and leaving no one behind.

“Collaboration and partnerships are also crucial in unlocking the potential of AI in Africa.

“We must foster collaboration among governments, regulatory bodies, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

“By working together, we can share knowledge, pool resources together, and leverage expertise to drive innovation and create an enabling environment for AI adoption,” Danbatta said.

The EVC assured Nigerians and Africans of the readiness of the NCC to fully support the adoption and deployment of AI.

Danbatta said: “NCC is fully committed to supporting the development and deployment of AI technologies in Nigeria and across the continent.

“We are working to create an enabling regulatory framework that promotes innovation while safeguarding the interests of consumers and citizens.

“We are also collaborating with stakeholders to establish AI research and development centres, incubation hubs, and startup ecosystems to nurture homegrown AI talent.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Digital Africa, Dr Evans Woherem, said Africa once led the rest of the world and can still bridge the gap to the world in regards to technology and development.

He said: “There was a time Africa was leading the whole world in regards to technology but after some years, as a result of so many things that happened to her.

“Slavery and colonialism had been unfortunate to have had some series of leaders that did not see the urgency in regards to development.

“As a result of that, we have underperformed all these years but many of us are pointing out that the gap can be bridged.

“We can only do so through technology. And AI is one of those technologies we just have to pay attention to.

“Make sure Africa bridges the gap between itself and the rest of the world regarding technology and therefore regarding development.”

Woherem said that was the reason why Africans were still crying, adding, “We are raising all these points for people to realise that there are somethings we need to do in order to budge the gap.”

On AI adoption and deployment he said: “You need to understand that this is a very important technology that is going to determine the countries that will be winners in this 21st century.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Funmilola Gboteku/ Stellamaris Ashinze

The U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, says the U.S. government will be investing in small, medium, and large enterprises to boost Nigeria’s economy.

Adeyemo disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking with the media  during his visit to some tech founders at the Vibranium Tech City, Ikeja.

According to him, three out of five Nigerians are under the age of 25 , and by 2050 Nigeria will be about 400 million people, which will be bigger than the U.S.

“We don’t only share economic prospects, but we share values with more than 500,000 Nigerian -Americans, who go between Nigeria and America on a regular basis.

“Our goal is to make sure that the talented people who live here in Nigeria have the opportunities to realise their dreams here and be able to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on brain drain, Adeyemo, said that the exit of many Nigerians to the U.S. was now yielding positive results for Nigeria as many of them were returning to establish businesses in the country.

The Deputy Secretary of Treasury, who is in Nigeria to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries, said he had met with many Nigerian-Americans who had just returned to the country to set up businesses.

He said that most of them were coming back because Nigeria had lots of prospects.

“Today, I had an opportunity to meet with a number of Nigerian- Americans, who have actually moved back to Nigeria to start companies, “he said.

Adeyemo said that one of reasons for coming to Nigeria was for partnership, noting that there were lots of talents in the country and the U.S. government would be happy to invest in them to help the economy grow.

On removing barriers for investment, Adeyemo noted that the U.S. government would work with the Nigerian government to ensure that barriers to investments between the two countries were removed.

He explained that this would ensure that investors in both countries had easy access to the markets.

“I am excited to be here today because it has given me a chance to see Nigeria and Innovation at its best and to see the innovative companies that are being built here and I must say there are lots of potentials in Nigeria.

“American investors and companies want to be partners in doing that work.

“We want to make sure that we are partnering with the government to remove barriers to ensure that Nigerian investors have the ability to access the U.S. markets and vice versa.

“We are encouraged by the early steps of the new Nigerian administration, and we look forward to working with them, ” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Vivian Ihechu

By Jessica Dogo

The President of the Senate,  Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the 10th National Assembly will not review the social media regulation bill since there are laws already guiding the use of the media.

Akpabio was represented by the Senate Committee Chairman on ICT, Sen. Shuiab Salisu, at the Parliamentarian Symposium of Africa Internet Governance Forum (AIGF), hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme of the programme is: “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation”.

He said that the theme was a reflection of the deepest yearnings of all Africans for concerted efforts to keep in step with the rest of the world in the ICT race.

Akpabio said: “I am not sure that there is going to be a specific bill on social media regulation. However, there are emailing laws in various areas, social media is just one space.

.

“So, rather than having a specific legislation on social media. I will rather say social media is just one platform. The same way people have used regular media platform, to commit libel.”

Speaking on the youthful age of the African population, he said: “Africa may have missed out in the first, second, and third Industrial Revolutions but on the fourth is based on digital competence and knowledge system.

“Africa is placed in position to lead this digital revolution.

“I think a lot of things are happening that we need to also create awareness among the citizens.

“I will work together with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to drive an agenda that will ensure our country, Nigeria begins the trajectory to greatness using technology as an enabler to regulate social future.”

Akpabio said that this reality had compelled convocation to seek ways to develop, apply and arrive at shared norms, rules, decision-making procedures and other activities that would impact on the evolvement and utilisation of the internet.

The Secretary-General (AIGF), Hon. Samuel George, member Ghanaian Parliament, who spoke on internet Governance in Africa, said that Governments on the African continent are doing a fantastic job when it comes to the processes of digitalisation.

George said that people would like politicians to focus more on bricks and physical infrastructure than putting in more resources into digital rights.

He added: “We are seeing a lot more government services becoming digitalised; social services, government services, health care, justice, are becoming digital platforms.

“West African sub-region Nigeria, is a big leader in that so we believe that governments are doing well

“As a politician, I know that we have challenges and that is one of the things we reach out to the media that citizens need to understand the value of digital infrastructure.

“If politicians come in and say that they have passed a digital rights bill to the citizens, they have not done anything but when they build a hospital they have done something.

“So those are the things that influence the decisions that politicians make.”

According to George, instead of putting in more resources into digital rights, which affect everything done online now, focus is rather placed on bricks and physical infrastructure.

He said: “So, you help us to raise the issues of digital rights and digital frameworks.

“You are talking about legislation and creating safe spaces on the internet and making sure that governments have the right framework for internet problems and the safety of citizens digital rights.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Jessica Dogo

Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged telecom stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that would promote digital inclusivity, protect online freedom and ensure security of interconnected world.

Danbatta, represented by Head, Internet Governance Unit, NCC, Ibiso Kingsley-George, made this known at the opening ceremony of the 12th edition of 2023 Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum (AfYIGF) on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is: “Emerging Technologies: Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable Development and Youth Empowerment”.

He said the commission amongst many other initiatives, had promoted Child Online Protection through various programmes and activities, providing direction on protecting children online.

”Africa has a burgeoning youth population which represents both an opportunity and a challenge.

According to Danbatta, harnessing the energy and creativity of Africa’s youth is crucial for the continent’s development.

He added:“We are in the era of rapid technological growth which is key to unlocking our continent’s untapped potential and transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape.

“Emerging technologies have emerged as a beacon of hope, offering transformative solutions to these issues.

“With their disruptive potentials, they offer a range of tools and solutions which have the power to propel Africa towards sustainable development and youth empowerment.

“Also of high importance is the concept of multistakeholderism in Africa’s digital and cyberspace.”

The EVC said that the goal was to foster an open dialogue that transcends borders and boundaries to forge a path toward a digital future that would reflect values and addresses concerns.

Danbatta said that Internet Governance Forum served as a nexus of diverse perspectives, a crossroads where governments, civil society, academia, the private sector, and technical experts converge.

He urged the stakeholders to seize the opportunity and learn from one another, collaborate and leverage on emerging technologies that promote innovation for sustainable development and youth empowerment.

The United Nations representative for the programme, Anja Gengo called on the youths to take up the responsibility in aggregating these technological changes .

He said: “As we all recognise the internet and its associated sources of services are ever amazing, and had adequately quite transformed our lives.

“Your generation inspite is responsible and to an extent filled with conditions as you are leading the charge in navigating this technological moment in ages.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Nigerian Government has partnered with 39 other AU countries to ensure that environmental issues bedeviling the continent were ameliorated using Earth Observation Satellite data for policy making.

The countries gathered in Abuja on Monday for the second edition of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Western Africa Regional Exchange workshop under African Union Commission.

The 3-day workshop was organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in collaboration with University of Ghana and Centre de Suivi Écologique de Kenya (CSE-Environmental Monitoring Centre).

Dr Halilu Shaba, Director-General of NASRDA, said the workshop gathered experts to evaluate areas of insecurity and monitoring of the environment.

Shaba said that insecurity was a common problem among African countries and Earth Observation (EO) had been able to provide data to monitor the movements of bandits.

In the area of environmental sustainability, Shaba said that in 2022, the agency provided maps of areas that were flooded.

“We have done so much in the area of flood, what we are trying to do now is bring other African countries to speed, they may not have the capacity, facilities to deal with this.

“Nigeria for over 15 years have been serving as the regional support office for UN-SPIDER and UN-SPIDER activates chatter anytime there is flood.

“We have been doing so much but we need to engage in advocacy with actors that are managing these disasters,’’ he said.

Dr Tidiane Ouattara, Programme Coordinator for GMES and Africa, said the workshop served as a crucial platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and fostering regional partnerships.

Ouattara said it was through such gatherings that the continent strengthened its collective commitment towards sustainable development and the protection of invaluable natural resources as stated in the AU Agenda of 2063.

“It is through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cross-fertilisation of ideas that we can collectively tackle complex environmental issues.

“We encourage active participation and partnership from all stakeholders present here today and beyond, as we strive to build a sustainable and resilient Africa,’’ he said.

The programme coordinator recognised inputs from different stakeholders engaged in GMES, saying that AU commission placed great importance to their services.

Ouattara said: ”We expect them to serve as catalysts for transformative action, empowering member states, specifically the beneficiary end-users to make informed decisions that positively impact our environment, economy and society at large.

“By harnessing the knowledge and resources offered by these services, we can address the pressing challenges we face, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.”

Ouattara also said the AU was committed to gender equality and inclusivity, adding that it underscored dedication to promoting equitable opportunities, empowering women in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

He added: “We want to hear from our Western African GMES and Africa stakeholders, the concrete actions and the way forward with respect to human capital development and utilisation.

“We are here today because someone, yesterday, gave us our chance when we were students, looking for our first job, hence we should give more opportunities to our youths for the better future of Africa.’’

Dr Cheikh Mbow, Director-General of CSE, said the risks relating to the African environment were an impediment to continental development.

Mbow said that GMES was trying to take profit from modern technology like Artificial Intelligence, satellite data, new algorithms and big data analysis.

According to him, this will help to bring the evidence and device ways to invest in environmentally sustainable development.

He added that the workshop was held in Nigeria because it was the hub for human capacity and it is playing a frontline role in the climate change area, among other areas.

According to him, Nigeria will help champion the cause of mitigating environmental challenges.

Goodwill messages were made by Dr Benjamin Botwe from University of Ghana and Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director, Strategic Space Application of NASRDA. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani