Innovation - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Jul, Tue, 2025

Team HEDA wins all-female hackathon on rangeland innovation, data science in Kaduna

147 total views today

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Team HEDA has emerged victorious at an all-female Hackathon on Rangeland Innovation and Data Science, designed to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

Team CODE came 2nd place, while Team HERDATA, clinched 3rd place in the just- concluded event on Tuesday in Kaduna.

The participants worked in teams to generate data-driven insights from an open Rangeland and Pasture Dataset on Kaggle.

With mentor guidance, the participants developed gender-responsive policy action recommendations to transform rangeland management and the livestock sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was hosted by Omeva Consulting, a firm promoting the use of data in sustainable agriculture, including the livestock sector across Africa.

The initiative was funded by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

The hackathon tagged, ‘Women Transform Rangelands’ and with the theme, “Harnessing Data to Drive Policy Action”, combined virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

Speaking at the closing of the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, Maria de la Puerta, noted that food production systems were under unprecedented pressure.

Puerta pointed out that data and technology revolution has already transformed agriculture, adding that “in many parts of the world, sensors tell us when and how much to irrigate.

“Satellites and drones help plantation managers monitor fields, plan harvests, and reduce waste.

“However, this revolution has barely touched the livestock sector, despite being responsible for feeding millions, sustaining rural economies, and supporting over half of the world’s land through rangelands.”

She argued that most hackathons chase business ideas or applications, but this one was deliberately focused on policy saying, “we are here to advocate for the use of data in the livestock sector.

“But why a female hackathon, especially since, in many cultures, women are not allowed to own livestock, or at least not the most valued ones, like cows.

“Yes, women may not own cows, but they are expected to feed their families; women are central to the food chain, yet too often left out of the conversation.”

The CEO stressed that women need platforms where they could thrive, be themselves and shine; and where their talent, too often overlooked, would be amplified.

She added that women equally need a platform where new role models could emerge, and where their voices were not just heard, but included into policies and solutions.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr Latifah Abdulkarim, a Strategic Programme and Development Manager, said that lack of data significantly affects livestock production.

Speaking on the topic, “Harnessing Data to Drive Policy Action in the Livestock Sector”, Abdulkarim stressed the need to build data systems that transform livestock systems.

She added that data innovation could bridge raw data into actionable insights. connect technology with local realities, transform data into tools that inform policymakers, empower farmers and improve market efficiencies.

Also, Eva Barta, the Cultural Advisor, Embassy of Spain, said the embassy in Nigeria participated in the all-female hackathon to promote women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and Agenda 2030 priorities.

Barta said that the event showcased Spain’s commitment to inclusive solutions for global challenges.

“The hackathon highlighted the potential of data and digital technologies to improve quality of life and safety, particularly in sensitive topics like pastoralism and rangelands in Nigeria,” she said.

Barta congratulated the participants, thanking partners like Omeva Consulting, ACESDA, DSN, Farm4Trade, and Almara hub for their support in empowering women through data science.

In a goodwill message, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the hackathon was a timely innovation for the livestock sector.

Dabo, represented by Mr Amwe Akos, Deputy Director, Livestock Service at the ministry, said they were open to partnerships and data sharing, hoping the hackathon’s outcome would inform policy formulation.

The commissioner charged the participants to utilise the generated data-driven solutions for self-development and societal growth, thanking organisers and partners for the event.

Naomi Bitrus-David, the Project Manager of the hackathon, expressed gratitude to participants, partners, highlighting the importance of data, collaboration, and people in driving meaningful work.

She thanked the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and partners for their support, and jurors, mentors, and volunteers for their ingenuity and commitment.

Bitrus-David believed that the ideas generated would shape conversations, drive implementation, and inspire other women, to mark the beginning of a promising journey.

One of the participants, Hadiza Ismail, a member of Team HEDA, said that she would use her data analytics skills and contribute to solving world problems.

Ismail encouraged other women to be diverse, learn, and take on new challenges.

“In spite of studying mass communication, I developed a passion for data analytics and have been doing projects since then,” she said.

Ismail believed in pushing beyond her comfort zone and engaging in projects that challenge her, which has helped her grow and develop her skills in data analytics.

The highlight of the grand finale was the presentation of gifts and cheques to the winners at the event. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jul, Thu, 2025

Gender

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science

164 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Omeva Consulting, a firm specialised in data science and communication across Africa, is hosting an all-female hackathon in Kaduna, to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maria de la Puerta, said at the ongoing event in Kaduna that the goal was to put women and data science at the centre of policy making for the livestock sector.

She said that the event, which runs from June 26 to July 8 with 30 participants, would set a bold new standard on how people think about rangeland, data, and gender inclusion.

The CEO said that the hackathon, tagged “Women Transform Rangelands”, would combine virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

She added that participants would work in teams to explore the Rangeland and Pasture Open Dataset on Kaggle and, with mentor guidance, develop practical solutions to transform rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“With guidance from experienced mentors such as Ms Zainab Idris from Creativity Enthusiast Network and Mr Emmanual Gabriel from Paragon Analytics Ltd., the women would develop practical solutions and revolutionise rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Beyond technical training and skills development, the hackathon seeks to amplify the visibility of Nigerian women in data science, showcasing their potential as innovators and leaders in sustainable rangeland management,” she said.

The CEO added that effort was building on the firm’s ArewaLadies4Tech mentorship programme, where it mentored several students, with many of them participating in the hackathon.

According to her, informed policy decisions require data, yet rangeland, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are often left out of the data revolution that has transformed agricultural crop management.

She said that the gap limits the development of sustainable policies and solutions for livestock and pastoralist communities.

Puerta added that women remain underrepresented in both data science and policy making, despite their critical role in shaping resilient food systems.

According to her, the absence of women’s insights may lead to policies that may overlook key gendered and community-specific perspectives.

She said that the all-female hackathon addresses the challenges by empowering women in data science, strengthening female representation, and demonstrating how data informs policy decisions.

Puerta said that the initiative was supported by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

“This aligns with the EU-funded PRISMA programme, which promotes agroecological transformation and climate resilience through data-driven solutions.

Also, Mr Juan Dembour, First Secretary of the Spanish Embassy, who officially opened the event, reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to leveraging data in the livestock sector and promoting gender equality across Africa.

Dembour added that by supporting initiatives that place women at the forefront of science, technology, and environmental innovation, Spain would continue to promote inclusive, forward-looking solutions to global challenges.

“The Spain Embassy and the Spanish Cooperation Office remain dedicated to strengthening partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and gender equality in practice.

“Beyond its technical aims, the hackathon reflects Spain’s dedication to women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and the agenda 2030 priorities,” he added.

Also, Valerio Perucci, from the Italian-based Farm4Trade, sponsor of one of the hackathon prizes, said that the participants would work with the Namibia Rangeland Dataset, a field-verified resource developed under the Lacuna Fund.

Perucci explained that the dataset included detailed data on biomass, vegetation cover, and grazing patterns across 20 sites.

“This hands-on engagement with real data will enables the teams to explore practical pathways for using evidence in policymaking, ensuring that the voices, knowledge, and priorities of women are no longer left out of the conversation,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, founder, Women’s Initiative for Sustainable Environment lauded the deliberate choice of women for the hackathon.

This, she said, would create a safe and inclusive space where women could speak freely, lead confidently, and innovate without the social pressures that often limit women’s engagement in mixed settings.

“Women often hold back, not because they lack ideas or ability, but because of social pressure, especially in mixed settings.

“We are raised to stay quiet, not to take the lead. This hackathon creates a space where women do not need permission to speak up, try bold things, or lead with confidence,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

UAE strengthens global leadership in metrology to drive innovation

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Tue, 2025

Foreign

UAE strengthens global leadership in metrology to drive innovation

200 total views today

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday said it is reinforcing its global standing in the science of measurement or metrology as a drive to sustainable growth.

According to the UAE, this step is the cornerstone of its national strategy to build a knowledge-based economy fueled by innovation, advanced technology, and international quality standards.

This is reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.

The new initiatives are aimed at creating high-tech laboratories in strategic sectors of the economy, the government said.

As part of its mission, the UAE says it is implementing a portfolio of advanced national projects aimed at enhancing the accuracy, reliability, and global recognition of UAE-based measurement systems.

According to official data, these initiatives focus on establishing high-tech laboratories across strategic sectors of the economy.

Key projects include the mass, volume and flow laboratory to support industrial and commercial measurement systems.

It also includes electricity, time and frequency laboratories to guarantee the precision of measurements in the energy, telecommunications and defence sectors.

The other is the length and angles laboratory to serve construction and precision engineering industries.

According to the data, further facilities in development include laboratories for thermal and humidity measurements supporting environmental and industrial applications.

It also includes the development of a force, pressure and torque laboratory to ensure accuracy in infrastructure, and the oil and gas operations.

According to the source, a feasibility study is also underway to establish a National Chemical Metrology Laboratory that will benefit healthcare, food safety and environmental monitoring. (Tv Brics/NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Deborah Coker

FG to explore biotech innovations to transform agric sector

Ismail Abdulaziz
May, Tue, 2025

Science & Tech

FG to explore biotech innovations to transform agric sector

310 total views today

By Sylvester Thompson

The Federal Government said on Monday in Abuja that it would take steps to build public trust in biotech innovations to grow the nation’s agriculture sector.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director-General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), said this at a public forum it hosted in collaboration with African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

The forum had as its theme: “Advancing Agricultural Biotechnology for Food Security and Economic Growth in Nigeria.’’

Mustapha was represented at the event by Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA.

He said the Federal Government was conscious of the transformative potential of agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria.

“Biotech innovations hold promise for tackling agricultural challenges such as pandemics, offering solutions, for a better future.

“Through the harnessing of science and technology, we can develop resilient crop varieties, improve pest and combat disease resistance in crops.

“We can also enhance nutritional content, while ensuring that our agricultural practices are sustainable and environmentally friendly,’’ he said.

Dr Emmanuel Okogbenin, Director, Product Development and Commercialisation, AATF, said agricultural biotechnology, when responsibly developed and effectively adopted, offered a powerful set of tools that could help to address food insecurity.

“Nigeria and Kenya, along with Ghana, stand out as leaders on the continent having made significant progress in commercialising biotech crops such as Bt Cotton, Bt Maize and PBR Cowpea.

“These innovations are not just scientific milestones, they represent real opportunities to transform lives, improve farmer livelihoods, and enhance national food systems,’’ Okogbenin said.

The AATF Director, who was represented by Yarama Ndirpaya, AATF Tela Programme Manager/Out-Grower Strategy Lead in Nigeria, said it was imperative to acknowledge food security hurdles on the continent.

According to him, they included regulatory uncertainties, persistent misinformation, and public scepticism which he said, had continued to slow adaptation of scientific innovations.

“That is why this forum is so important, it offers a platform for evidence-based dialogue where diverse voices can engage, ask questions, share insights, and build common understanding,’’ he said.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar, said agriculture in Nigeria faced monumental challenges with potential for food insecurity.

According to her, some of the challenges are climate change, pest infestations and soil degradation, adding that these factors threaten the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.

She said that in spite of these challenges, opportunities still existed for innovation, collaboration and transformation.

Represented by Prof. Ahmed Dan-Kishiya, Dean, Faculty of Science, Lar expressed optimism that the power of agricultural biotechnology could be harnessed to save Nigeria from hunger.

Edited by Halima Sheji/Uche Anunne

Entrepreneurship: Glisten Int. Academy wins FCT-Brunel innovation challenge

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Mon, 2025

Education

Entrepreneurship: Glisten Int. Academy wins FCT-Brunel innovation challenge

347 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Glisten International Academy, Abuja, has emerged the winner of the FCT-Brunel Innovation Challenge, organised to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among secondary school students.

The challenge, titled “Building a Better Abuja,” was organised to encourage young Nigerians to explore their local environment, identify needs, and develop solutions using entrepreneurial skills.

The programme was a collaboration between Brunel University Business School, London, and the FCT Administration to foster entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation among Nigerian students.

Announcing the final results, via zoom, Dr Nan Jiang, Lead, Entrepreneurship Education Programme, Brunel University, explained that the Glisten International Academy won the challenge with a low-cost water purification solution initiative.

Their idea involved the use of chemical-free purifiers made from moringa oleifera, activated carbon, fine sand, and gravel, designed to provide affordable clean water to residents.

Jiang added that Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwagwalada came second with its plastic waste management and recycling innovation.

The concept involved collecting plastic waste and transforming them into useful products such as bags, flower vases, skipping ropes, baskets, torchlights, pencil and brush holders, and room decorations

The initiative aimed to provide sustainable income for the students while addressing plastic waste in local communities.

She also declared that the third position goes to GSS Kwali, for introducing a nutrition-rich poultry feed project aimed at improving poultry production in communities.

The feed is made from locally sourced ingredients like maize, papaya leaves, moringa, grain bran, soya beans, groundnut, and animal bone.

Jiang explained that the students were rated based on the statement of the problem, solution, target market business model, social and environmental impact, and alignment with SDGs.

Other criteria, she said, included team entrepreneurial experiences and skills among others.

The coordinator of the competition in FCT, Mr Musa Zuru, said that 26 schools sent entries for the competition, out of which five schools were selected.

Zuru added that the winner, the first and second runner up were selected from the five schools that scaled through the final.

He said that the goal of the challenge was to prepare future entrepreneurs who would use their creative thinking to solve societal problems.

Also, Mr Victor Oriafor, Principal, GSS Gwagwalada, said that the FCT Administration was determined to nurture the entrepreneurship mindset of students.

“What we want to see is a society where our young ones will become employers of labour rather than waiting for white collar jobs,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the winning school, Fatima Abubakar of Glisten International Academy, who could not hide her excitement, described the feat as a “new journey” for the team.

She said that the FCT entrepreneurship development programme has given students a chance to bring out their creativity and scientific minds.

“The programme has given students a platform to express themselves and create something beneficial to the world.

“It has given room for students to express their creative thinking – what they want to add to the world and what they want to innovate for the world,” she said.

Similarly, Alade Joshua of GSS Gwagwalada, who spoke on behalf of the team, said that the school emerged the first runner up due to the commitment of the team.

Joshua, who commended the FCT for the opportunity to test their innovation and creativity skills, said that the school would do better in the next competition. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Entrepreneurship: FCT students present innovative solutions to societal problems

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Tue, 2025

Education

Entrepreneurship: FCT students present innovative solutions to societal problems

562 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Some secondary school students from five schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, presented innovative and entrepreneurial ideas to solve societal problems.

The presentations were made to officials of Brunel University, London, via Zoom, under the Nigerian-Brunel Innovation Challenge in Abuja.

The participating schools were Government Secondary School (GSS) Gudun-Karya, GSS Gwagwalada, GSS Kubwa, GSS Kwali, and Glisten International Academy, Abuja.

The challenge, titled “Building a Better Abuja,” encourages young Nigerians to explore their local environment, identify needs, and develop solutions using entrepreneurial skills.

Students from GSS Gudun-Karya presented a sustainable agriculture idea called “Project Green Tuition,” which aims to raise funds for education, especially among students from low-income households.

The project integrated palm farming with educational support, using income from palm products like palm oil, palm kernel, broom, and basket to pay school fees, targeting N2.17 million annually from 29 palm trees.

GSS Gwagwalada students introduced an idea on plastic waste management and recycling.

The concept involved collecting plastic waste, sterilising it, and transforming it into useful products such as bags, flower vases, skipping ropes, baskets, torchlights, and pencil and brush holders, room decorations.

The initiative aimed to provide sustainable income for the students while addressing plastic waste in local communities.

The GSS Kubwa team, “Team Lumina,” presented a mobile application that connects school dropouts with individuals, NGOs, and institutions to help them return to school and complete their education.

The app would generate revenue through subscriptions and downloads.

Students from GSS Kwali introduced a nutrition-rich poultry feed project aimed at improving poultry production in communities.

The feed is made from locally sourced ingredients like maize, papaya leaves, moringa, grain bran, soya beans, groundnut, and animal bone, and would be sold for N15,000 per 25-kilogram bag, generating a N2,000 profit margin.

Students of Glisten International Academy, Abuja, tagged “Cleandrops Initiative Team, presenting a low-cost water purification idea, designed to provide affordable clean water to residents, during the final lap of the Nigerian-Brunel Innovation Challenge, in Abuja.

The Glisten International Academy team, known as “Cleandrops Initiative Team,” proposed a low-cost water purification solution.

Their idea involved the use of chemical-free purifiers made from moringa oleifera, activated carbon, fine sand, and gravel, designed to provide affordable clean water to residents.

Dr Mohammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, said the programme was collaboration between Brunel University and the FCT to foster entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation among Nigerian students.

He noted that 26 schools participated in the competition, out of which the five schools that scaled to the final stage emerged and presented their innovative ideas for assessment.

Ladan said that the challenge was designed to empower students to develop sustainable businesses that could thrive in both local and international markets.

He added that the FCT Administration was committed to ensuring that no student would graduate from secondary school without acquiring a skill.

“With these innovative and creative ideas displayed by the students, I am very confident that we will achieve that.

“We are also exposing students to international packaging for global markets, so whatever they produce will meet international standards,” he said.

Mr Musa Zuru, the coordinator of the competition, highlighted that the goal of the challenge was to uncover hidden talents among school students, enabling them to initiate and nurture business ideas for the benefit of their communities.

Mrs Helen Idakoji, Coordinator of the FCT-Brunel Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme, stated that the innovation challenge would become an annual event aimed at sharpening students’ creativity and critical thinking.

She said that the top three schools would be exposed to industries in London, where they would receive support to turn their ideas into tangible products for both national and international markets. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Apr, Tue, 2025

Education

FCT-UBEB promoting entrepreneurship in basic education for self-reliance

460 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) says it is entrenching innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in basic education to promote self-reliance.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, FCT-UBEB, stated this in Abuja on Monday, at a two-day training of FCT teachers on innovation and entrepreneurship education.

Wenegieme, who represented the acting chairman of the board, Dr Dr. Alhassan Sule at the event, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the move was for children to drive solutions to societal problems.

She said that the innovation and entrepreneurship education was critical to achieving President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

“FCT UBEB is building the capacity of our children to make them self-reliant such that a child that finished primary and junior secondary school should be able to do something for him or herself.

“We don’t want a situation where children will graduate from school and become redundant, after obtaining a certificate in basic education, a child should be able to fend for himself,” she said.

She said that initiative focuses on relevant vocational and entrepreneurial skills such as welding and fabrication, fashion design, plumbing, brick laying, electrical fittings, and hair styling among others.

According to the director, acquiring such skills will not only enable the children to be self-reliant, but also employ and train others.

She explained that the two-day training would equip the teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to entrench innovation and entrepreneurship among pupils and students.

Wenegieme said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, was doing everything possible to transform primary and secondary education in the FCT with focus on functional skills for national development.

Her counterpart at the FCT Education Secretariat, Mr kolawale Olobashola, said that the goal was to implant entrepreneurship education in the heart of school students.

Olobashola, the Director, Science, Technology and Innovation, added that with entrepreneurial skills, no FCT child would be a nuisance on the street. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

FCTA building entrepreneurship skill centre for secondary schools – Director

Philip Daniel Yatai
Apr, Tue, 2025

Education

FCTA building entrepreneurship skill centre for secondary schools – Director

311 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it is building an Entrepreneurship Skills Development Centre to promote entrepreneurship education in secondary schools.

Dr Mohammed Ladan, the Director/Secretary, FCT Secondary Education Board, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, on the sideline of a two-day training of FCT teachers on innovation and entrepreneurship education.

Ladan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the centre, sited at Government Secondary School Giri, was expected to be ready by end of the year.

He said that the centre was being built in collaboration with Brunel University Business School, United Kingdom, which promised to furnish and equip it when completed.

He explained that the centre would serve as hub for entrepreneurship education for the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

He added that the centre would also be used in the training of stakeholders and other entrepreneurship teachers in skill acquisition centres across the country.

He said “we are tired of students graduating without a job; we are tired of saying no job, no job, no job. Our students, this time around, will begin to create jobs for Nigerians.

“We want to tackle the problem of unemployment with Abuja as the lead.”

The director explained that what the FCTA was doing was to prepare school children to identify societal problems that could be solved with resources in the environment.

According to him, some of the students are already providing solutions, particularly in converting waste to wealth.

He identified some of the products being produced by the students as interlocks using waste nylon and polyethene bags, toilet paper from used cartons, sweet syrup from date fruits, and flowerpots, among others.

He added that the students were being equipped with entrepreneurial skills in welding and fabrication, fashion design, plumbing, brick laying, electrical fittings, shoe making, and hair styling, among others.

The director explained that the teachers training was the third in the series of training conducted to reposition FCT schools for innovation and entrepreneurship education.

“The first training was conducted for school principals, that is the administrators who are the accounting officers of schools.

“The second phase of the training was conducted for vice principal academics, who are the custodians of the entrepreneurship curriculum.

“The third batch, taking place today, is for teachers who would drive the programme and we have more than 400 of them from junior secondary schools, senior secondary schools and teachers from private schools,” he said.

Ladan added that the fourth batch would be organised for artisans to help in deepening skills development and help school children to realise their potential. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

UNESCO, UK, others provide £1.9m grant to boost tech, innovation

Tosin Kolade
Mar, Fri, 2025

Science & Tech

UNESCO, UK, others provide £1.9m grant to boost tech, innovation

481 total views today

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

UNESCO in collaboration with its partners have inaugurated the Sankore project in West Africa, to boost economic diversification and development.

The programme, was inaugurated on Thursday in Abuja in partnership with Results for Development (R4D), and the UK International Development.

The programme comes under the Strengthening UK-West Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development initiative.

Sankore is a new grant delivery mechanism of up to £1.9 million supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), said the Sankore project resonated with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda on economic growth.

“The Sankore project promises enhanced economic growth in improving public service delivery and raise strong partners across our region.

“Importantly, it seeks to address and establish through both frameworks to ensure coordinated project delivery and results monitoring of outcomes and impacts,” he said.

He said that a steering committee would be set up and saddled with the responsibility of providing strategic direction and ensuring accountability.

Ms Susan Mshana, Deputy Director and Head, Integrated Strategy and Delivery Unit, British High Commission, said that they were aligning with the national mandate of both Ghana and Nigeria.

“The programme compliments other UK funding interventions and programmes like Manufacturing Africa, Global Innovation Fund, British International Investment and many others.

“Specifically, Sankore will be supportive in operationalising the Ghana National Research Fund, the Nigerian National Research Fund, facilitating the commercialisation of innovation solutions in priority economic sectors such as agriculture and energy.

“It will enhance the innovation and technology policy and regulatory environment, including improving data accessibility and transparency in policy implementation to grow productivity of innovation ecosystem,” she said.

Dr Ibrahim Murtala, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ghana, said poor investment in Research and Development (R&D) had led to stunted development on the continent.

“The average investment for R&D stood at about 0.42 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa and 0.3 per cent of GDP in Ghana after more than four decades of the Lagos Declaration.

“The declaration enjoined African countries to invest at least one per cent of GDP in Research and Development (R&D).

“Patents filings for the whole of Africa is less than one per cent and publications in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotechnology remain low in comparison with global publications.

“Sankore will be a catalyst to securing Ghana’s future as a hub for scientific advancement and technological innovation in the region,” he said.

He also said that with commitment countries in Africa could surmount the numerous challenges bedeviling the continent.

Ms Kornelia Tzinova, Head, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO Regional Office for West Africa, Dakar, Senegal, said the project would last till March 2026.

“We will be ensuring that we strengthen the National Science Technology and Innovation systems in both Ghana and Nigeria.

“The two countries have been chosen also to strengthen the UK, Nigeria and Ghana bilateral strategies in science, technology and innovation,” she said.

Earlier, Mr Edmond Moukala, Head of UNESCO Office, Ghana, said the project would assist Ghana and Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He recalled that UNESCO had been designated as the lead agency for the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development 2024 to 2033.

“The decade represents a unique opportunity for science to serve humanity and to protect our planet.

“It is also an opportunity to force societies to solve the most pressing challenges in West Africa. The Sankore project, therefore, presenst a platform that will foster the ideas of the decade.

The Sankore project was expected to support Nigeria and Ghana in navigating ways to address critical national challenges related to economic diversification, job creation, climate resilience, among others using STI initiatives.

The project is being implemented by UNESCO and R4D, in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) and relevant stakeholders. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Copyright law crucial in protecting creative works – NCC D-G

Philip Daniel Yatai
Mar, Thu, 2025

Entertainment

Copyright law crucial in protecting creative works – NCC D-G

393 total views today

By Priscilla Osaje

Dr John Asein, the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), says copyright law plays a crucial role in protecting the creative works of authors, artists, and innovators in this current digital era.

Asein said this on Wednesday when the commission sensitised the students of Lead British International School, Abuja, to the infringement of copyright law and its consequences, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the copyright awareness and sensitisation programme organised by the NCC focused on educating the students on basics of copyright law, its importance as well as its impacts on individual daily lives.

Asein, in his remarks, said that the NCC’s mandate was to promote copyright awareness and education in Nigeria.

According to him, copyright law plays a crucial role in protecting the creative works of authors, artists, and innovators in today’s digital age.

“Students are not only consumers of copyright materials, but also potential creators and innovators.

“It is therefore necessary that you understand your rights and responsibilities under the copyright law.

“This programme is aimed to educate you on the basics of copyright law, its importance, and how it impacts your daily lives,” he said.

The director-general commended the management of Lead British International School for allowing its students to be sensitised.

“We believe that education and awareness are key to promoting a culture of respect for intellectual property rights

“Let us work together to promote a culture of creativity, innovation, and respect for intellectual property rights,” he emphasised.

Also speaking, Mrs Funmilayo Adewale, Director, Nigerian Copyright Academic (NCA), said the programme aimed at sensitising and creating awareness for youth about copyright laws.

Adewale said students need to know their rights as well as their responsibilities in this digital age, because things are done differently now.

According to her, in this current digital era, the youths particularly students need to know that they cannot go online and use people’s work anyhow; they have to be responsible in the way they use people’s work.

“They need to know some essential basic things as young creators as regards to their rights and expectations.

“You heard them (students), saying that they are taking certain things for granted, things that are against the law. But coming to this place, we are able to sensitise them during this programme,” she said.

The director therefore urged the students to respect people’s creative works as well as authors’ rights.

“You should be careful, responsible and acknowledge people’s work when used. Using people’s works for research purposes is not a bad idea, but those people need to be acknowledged because they are the owners of the work,” she said.

Mr Abraham Ogunkanmbi, Head of School, Lead British International School, commended NCC for organising the programme that exposed the young creative minds to copyright laws.

Ogunkanmbi, who was represented by Mrs Eugenia Essell, Deputy Head of School, Early Year and Primary, said that the sensitisation programme helped the students to know how to protect their intellectual properties.

“Even we, the adults, have learnt that there is a time limit to intellectual property rights.

“It has come to our knowledge that using works by other people without their approval attract a penalty. So, it is proper to recognise the people’s works in order not to be charged with plagiarism,” he said.

He appealed to the management of NCC to continue to convey the information to the young ones by going to schools and universities where projects are written.

“You see people writing things without mentioning where they got the information from,’’ he said.

On her part, Miss Khadija Bello, a student, described the programme as a great privilege for students to be enlightened on the copyright laws to avoid violation.

“Knowing how to protect my own creative work from being pirated is a good one to me personally.

“This experience has served as a form of encouragement to me, because it has taught me on how to be creative and express my ideas without fear,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab