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Tag: Technology

  • Attract, engage youths with technology, #SMWLagos panelists urge governments

    Conference participants in Lagos on Thursday called on governments to deploy technology to attract and engage the youth in governance.

    They said that governments should also use technology to ensure transparency in governance as well as correct societal ills.

    The discussants spoke on the topic: “Technology and Improving Governance’’, at the sixth edition of the 2018 Social Media Week Lagos which began on Monday.

    Dr Udy Okon, Founder, Youth Alive Foundation, said that many Nigerian youths did not know about governance and how to get involved.

    Okon said that there was the need to actively engage youth who, she said, constituted 60 per cent of the nation’s population, in governance to give them a sense of belonging.

    She said that her foundation invented a mobile application known as ‘Your Excellency’, which could educate the youth on rudiments of governance.

    “Technology and the use of mobile phones have brought the youth together under one space; that space can be used to attract and engage them actively in the processes of governance.

    “Many youths use their mobile phones to form a coalition of voices against ills. They record videos on some ills and upload on social media. This has helped to expose ills in the society.

    “This app will provide opportunities for the youth to speak to the government, influence policies, make demands, push campaigns and tag the government, especially now that many government officials are on social media.

    “If this technology is well explored, it will strengthen engagement between government and the youth in the area of governance,” Okon said.

    Mr Bob Etemiku, Communications Manager, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, said that some government officials laundered money through acquisition of property.

    Etemiku said that such people used technology to move money within and outside the country in a corrupt manner.

    He said that the trend prompted the invention of a device called ‘Property Tracker’ to expose illegally acquired property.

    “This device has created an avenue for citizens to be aware of these corrupt practices, and it can be taken as evidence for investigation.

    “This has shown that technology can be used to foster governance,” he said.

    Mr Seun Onigbinde, Lead Partner, BudgiT, claimed that the Nigerian budget had become a tool for fund disbursement rather than planning.

    Onigbinde said that governments must run transparent budgets in the interest of national development.

    According to him, a technology device called – ‘BudgIT’ has been invented to make Nigerian budget and public data more understandable and accessible.

    “BudgiT focuses on creating demand for government information, driving accountability and transparency needed to draw attention to inadequacies in governance,” Onigbinde said.

     

  • Take advantage of international funding for your research projects – Expert

    A researcher, Dr Eric Mwangi, has advised researchers to take advantage of the international funding to overcome the critical challenges of funding facing research projects.

    Mwangi, who is a lead researcher in Kenyan Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, gave the advice in a paper entitled: “Strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) between Europe and Africa’’.

    He presented the paper at the ongoing First International Workshop on Science Parks and Innovation Eco-system for National Development (SPIE4ND) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), on Saturday.

    Mwangi regretted that many African researchers were yet to be part of the collaborative and joint international research work that got funding through donor agencies and developed countries.

    “Though, we may not have enough money to run serious and far-reaching researches in Africa, we can tap from some existing and functional international funding from donor agencies, foundations and governments of developed world.

    “Nigeria and Nigerian researchers must come up and take advantage of these and improve the environment and add value to lives of people in the country,’’ Mwangi said.

    Also, Dr Dan-Azumi Ibrahim, the Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), said that Intellectual Property (IP) made innovation to work.

    Ibrahim said in his paper, “Intellectual Property, Promotion and Protection; Pros and Cons’’ that intellectual property guarantee reward for the researcher after years of sacrifice to get results.

    According to him, universities need to partner NOTAP to ensure that their research findings and innovations can transform to business and profit.

    “With intellectual property, a university can create wealth and be highly financially independent since innovation from its researches can turn to real-time business and profit.

    “NOTAP is always on hand to assist institutions to protect their intellectual works as well as promote them to create wealth and jobs within the country.

    “The agency is already developing a website where abstracts of research findings, developed models and innovation can be uploaded.

    “They will eventually be showcased for industries, donor agencies and international agencies and government to see,’’ Ibrahim, represented by Dr Isaac Nwaedozie, said.

    The workshop, which started on Feb. 21, is organised by UNN, Ideon Science Park, Sweden and LundaVision AB from Sweden.

    No fewer than 100 lecturers from Nigerian and African Universities, including investors are attending the workshop.

     

  • 2019: INEC deploys website technology for electorates, candidates – REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed a website technology to ease its dealings with electorate, candidates, political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the new INEC website is http://www.inecnigeria.org

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Mr Emeka Ononamadu, stated the development in an interview with NAN in Enugu on Tuesday.

    Ononamadu said that the whole essence of the deployment of the website technology was to make the electoral process less stressful and less cumbersome.

    He said people could get the information they wanted it instantly online.

    “The new website is interactive and user-friendly; while allowing visitors to subscribe to INEC’s newsletters.’’

    The REC said the website had detailed information under the following heading – INEC Youth Ambassadors; Electoral Officials; INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC); INEC LGA Offices; Political Activities and The Media.

    Others are Aspirants and Candidates; Election Management Bodies; Registration Area Centres Nation Wide and Check Your Voter Registration Status.

    Ononamadu said Nigerians could use the website to update their knowledge as well as check their status and that of their aspirants and candidates.

    “The new website – http://www.inecnigeria.org, which has improved features that is interactive and user-friend, is made to ease the electoral process by giving usable and up-to-date information concerning aspects of the electoral process and developments to Nigerians.

    “Like in the provision for Checking Your Voter Registration Status; you can check your voter status by entering your details in the form on this page through imputing your state of residence; surname; and Voters Identification Number (VIN) – last 7 digits.

    “We also have provision for our newsletters as well as important online news and articles on special INEC events nationwide or in some states as the case might be,’’ he said.

    The REC said that the commission would continue to do its best to evolve easier, far-reaching and better ways to enlighten and educate Nigerians on their electoral obligations.

    INEC is one of the leading electoral bodies in Africa that had been introducing cutting edge technology to better the electoral process.

    The commission introduced the electronic voters’ registration, which involves electronic data capturing for voters’ nationwide over 12 years ago.

    About five years ago, it introduced the card readers, which is a technological devise that authenticate the voter’s Permanent Voter Card (PVC) against the electronic thumb print of the voter at the polling booth.

    A visit to the website shows that the commission has a countdown clock to he February 16, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

     

  • FG ready to hold Technology, Innovation Expo’s 2018 in March

    The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) says it will hold Technology and Innovation Expo 2018 to promote commercialisation of research and development results to aid diversification of the economy.

    The Ministry in a statement said the theme of the Expo 2018 would be “Fast tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria through Science and Technology“.

    The expo is scheduled to hold from March 5 to March 9 in Abuja.

    It said the success achieved at the 2017 edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo held from April 3 to April 7, 2017 had further spurred the interest of the investors to commercialise research and development results to aid diversification of the economy.

    “The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology wishes to inform the general public of the next edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2018 coming up from the March 5 to March 9, 2018 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, Nigeria.

    “Expo 2018 will build upon the objectives of the foregoing Expo of 2017, “ the statement read.

    According to the statement, main objectives of the 2018 edition will include follow-up on Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed as a result of the previous expo and promoting collaborations among research institutions and researchers/inventors.

    It said that the event would encourage interactions between researchers and investors with a view to commercialising research results, inventions and innovations from Nigeria’s research and tertiary institutions.

    It said the Expo 2018 would facilitate growth of indigenous manufacturing hinged on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as well as generally promoting STI culture in Nigeria.

    “Fast tracking the implementation of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Road Map -2030 to bring to fore capabilities of Nigerian Scientists, Engineers, and Inventors/Innovators in contributing to economic diversification of Nigeria,“ it said.

    The ministry said the 2018 edition of the Technology and Innovation Expo would feature exhibitions of research and development results, inventions, innovations, STI Products/Services.

    Others are researchers/investors forum, technical sessions on emerging issues, Special Days for States, conglomerates, awards of prizes, certificates to outstanding exhibitors and researchers.

     

  • Onu launches Roadmap 2030 on Science, Technology, Innovation

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has launched the South-South Sensitisation Programme on Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap 2030, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Mr Abdul-Ganiyu Aminu, the Deputy Director of Press in the ministry, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday quoted Onu as saying the effort was to ensure scientists harnessed innovation by utilising roadmap as an instrument of providing jobs.

    He said the roadmap would also create wealth and reduce poverty in the nation.

    He said the ministry would harness invention and innovation in order to catapult the nation toward economic recovery.

    According to him, the present administration has accorded priority to science and technology in the economic recovery and growth plan.

    He said with the reduction in the importation of raw materials, Nigeria would save about N3 trillion in the next five years.

    “The savings will be utilised to service other critical sectors of the economy such as job creation, social and infrastructure development,” he said.

    Onu said that local contents would now be encouraged in all Science and Engineering contracts in the country.

    He appealed to staff to study and be guided by the Roadmap in their Scientific and Research endeavours.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Science and Technology Promotion, Mr Ekanem Udoh, said unlike past policy guidelines, the roadmap was infused with practicable timelines to boost Scientific, and Technological Development of the country.

     

  • FG targets technology-based economy by 2030

    The Federal Government says it is fully committed to revamping the nation’s economy from a resource-base to a science and technology-based economy by 2030.

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, gave the assurance at the South-South Sensitisation to the National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (NSTIR) 2030 on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that NSTIR, when fully implemented, would enable Nigeria to become a major exporting nation rather than its dependence on importation of raw materials and finished products.

    According to him, the Buhari-led administration is fully focused to end the nation’s over reliance on crude oil and gas as its major exchange earner.

    “Recently, we got an information that, between 2010 and 2015, Nigeria imported raw materials and finished products worth over N43 trillion.

    “The statistics did not come from us (Ministry) but came from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Nigerian Custom Service, which is quite disturbing.

    “This explains why the Naira is growing weaker and weaker; we cannot sustain importation because our population is growing.

    “So, if we do not chart a new course, then we will keep importing far more and there will be a point where we cannot pay for it,” he said.

    Onu said that Nigeria’s reliance on importation of goods and services had damaged the nation’s economy and led to non-creation of new jobs.

    The minister expressed optimism that the policy (on importation) would save the nation at least N3 trillion (10 billion dollars) in the next five years.

    “This huge sum, rather than being used to import raw materials and products, would be used to build new roads, schools, hospitals and water and electricity infrastructures

    “So, this is what the Buhari led administration is determined to achieve and as such, the ministry is working very hard to give him the support to reverse the trend,” he said.

     

  • FG mulls maximum benefits from STI-based economy

    FG mulls maximum benefits from STI-based economy

    The Federal Government said it would intensify efforts toward employing the right policies to access the benefits to be derived from a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)-based economy.

    Mr Abayomi Oguntade, the Director of Bio-Resources Technology Department, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), made this known on Thursday.

    “Employing right policies in science and technology will help to meet Sustainable Development Goals as it affects women and the girl-child.

    “There is gender inequality in science and technology education as a result of few national policies that address gender equality the sector,’’ he said.

    Oguntade said that participation of girls and women in on STI remained lower than that of men.

    He said that the ministry was proactive in assisting in dissemination of all Research and Development (R&D) outputs from its agencies.

    “The Gender Desk of the FMST aims at assisting in the dissemination of all R&D outputs from the agencies through initiating mentorship programmes for the girl-child and women.

    “Gender mainstreaming is a new concept in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and the desk officers are acquiring a proper understanding of the concept.

    “FMST and its agencies have several research and development outcomes which are documented but yet to be fully harnessed by women in the country, ‘’he said.

    He said that girls and women in Nigeria faced worse development outcomes than their male counterparts, most importantly in the science and technology sector.

     

  • WAEC will be 100 per cent technology driven in 2018 – Official

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it will sensitise and train its workforce on key areas of technology deployment in order to improve its operations in 2018.

    The council’s head, National Office, Olu Adenipekun, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    According to him, the council has organised series of retreats for both management staff and the workforce in preparatory to deploy technology in its operations.

    “We have worked hard in sensitising the workforce of the council and prepare their minds because it is one thing for one to strive to do something

    “But if the people that drives the system are not attuned psychologically, to doing that all such efforts will be fruitless.

    “So, we want to prepare our psyche on the need to sharpen our tools in preparation to move over to a 100 per cent technologically driven WAEC and of course we have done that and we are going full blast,” he said.

    The HNO noted that already, the council’s budget for 2018 had been fully designed to support the introduction of technology into the various aspects of its operation in Nigeria.

    He explained that the move would put WAEC at the level it is expected to be in the comity of examination bodies worldwide.

    “Members of staff of the council must be able to go beyond being a staff of the ICT Department. Even if one is a messenger, one should be able to ask how he can deploy technology to carry out his duties and this applies to all other operational components of council.

    “So, this is an era where we are looking at 2018 as a year where we will be deploying technology in all facets of our operations, not just in conducting examination, processing of results and printing of certificates but in all areas of our operations,’’ the HNO said.

    On the possibility of introducing Computer Based Test (CBT) platform for its examination, Mr. Adenipekun said the CBT was not an examination mode that was limited to any particular examination body.

    According to him, WAEC also has a section called the Aptitude Test department that can equally use the CBT platform in conducting examination for candidates.

    He, however, said that the main point was that the mandate of WAEC makes it difficult to go the whole hug as it was different from that of other examination bodies like JAMB.

    “It will interest you to know that WAEC conducts achievement tests to ascertain the level of achievement of a candidate or student after attending secondary school for a six-year period.

    “So, if you want to test knowledge for English Language for instance, we do so without bringing about any complications.

    “We are aware of the operational environment. WAEC examination is not a selection test, it is an achievement test and so in doing that, we will have to deploy all facilities available to ensure that we help that particular candidate to prove himself or herself,’’ he said.

    The WAEC boss explained that if in a school, a candidate or student had not been exposed to the use of a computer in any form for the six years he had been attending school, it would be unfair to subject such candidate to the CBT platform in an examination.

    “So what we are then doing as an organisation and as part of our step forward is to come out and encourage state governors, school owners, communities, individuals and of course the generality of education stakeholders on the need to see how we can encourage secondary schools.

    “This, we should do starting from Junior Secondary 1, to see how students can deploy computers in writing their internal examination.

    “Once we are able to identify schools that are favourably disposed to this and we are convinced that they can meet our terms, we will start looking in the direction of introducing them to some aspects of our examinations which is the objective questions, which can be done on the CBT platform to start with.

    “We have some papers that have three components and others two. Those with two components, objective and essay and for schools that are ready for CBT, we should be able within the next two years to encourage them to present their candidates,” Mr. Adenipekun said.

    (NAN)

     

  • NiMES 2017: IT expert calls for Technology Development Fund for start-ups

    Information Technology expert, Dr Chris Uwaje has called on the Federal Government to create a National Information Innovation Technology Development Fund for start-ups.

    Uwaje, a former President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) made the call on Thursday in Lagos, during the 2017 Nigeria Mobile Economy Summit and Expo (NiMES).

    He said that the fund will be used for those who were creating hubs to be able to train start-ups.

    According to him, the cyberspace is a ”weaponized knowledge domain,” hence, the need for trained people to be in the space.

    “We need to understand how this weaponized domain can be curtailed and there are advantages challenges and risks.

    “The new fourth industrial revolution is about the knowledge realm and that frontier is where Nigeria has advantage, if it is properly groomed.

    “This is because the youths that are embodied in population of the country constitute a very good advantage for Nigeria.

    “A lot of youths are hungry for this magnitude but the institutions that would teach them are not there,’’ he said.

    He said that government needed to be digitally retuned because the world was in a new revolution.

    “You cannot use the traditional norms of responding to challenges of yesterday to respond to challenges and advantages of today.

    “Government should retune the workforce, everybody must be digitized and everybody must have digital literacy.

    “It must be mandatory that before you enter the civil service, you must be certified.

    “Government should create a National e-Government Academy, where all civil servants will be retuned for the new challenges of the future.

    “When the cyberspace is weaponized, they will have the knowledge,’’ Uwaje said.

    Dr Bayero Agabi, the president of Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), said that NiMES was not about the technology of things but about what technology could do for people.

    Agabi, who is the convener of NiMES said that the programme was about how technology could make lives better.

    He called on Nigerians to collaborate and birth ideas that would lead Nigeria into a knowledge and digital country.

     

  • FG to set up leather technology centres across geo-political zones

    The federal government, in efforts to advance leather production in Nigeria, has finalized plans to create leather research and development centres across the geo-political zones of the country.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at the matriculation of trainees and inauguration of Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), North Central Leather cluster extension centre as well as leather training infrastructure.

    He said the process of creating additional leather research and development centres in other geo-political zones had reached advance stage.

    The minister said such serious steps to promote leather production would quicken Nigeria’s industrialisation process.

    “By doing this, we will also strengthen our capacity to convert our rich agricultural products into viable economic goods and services that we need for both domestic consumption as well strengthen export earnings.

    “This will help in job and wealth creation, help restore national self-reliance and self-confidence, enhance prosperity and boost our economy,” he said.

    The minister said the Ministry was determined to use Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s economic diversification.

    According to him, the day’s event is an affirmation of the resolution.

    The minister said the Federal Government’s new national development order on STI would help move the country from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.

    “It is expected that this will help strengthen greater grassroots participation in leather technology, thereby helping to stimulate more indigenous capacity for the ultimate benefit of our people.

    “Finally, I urge the trainees of this institute to take the vocation seriously.

    “Nigeria will look up to you on the completion of your training to help in her efforts to use leather technology to create wealth and job, reduce poverty and enhance prosperity for our people.’’

    Earlier, NILEST Acting Director-General, Dr Eucharia Oparah, said NILEST was the only tertiary institution in Nigeria engaged in the training of middle-level manpower for the leather technology sub-sector of the economy.

    “We have been training artisans, technicians and technologists at different levels since the inception of the institute.

    “Also, we have been collaborating with the tanneries, leather manufacturers, government and private organisations within and outside the country, “she said.

    According to her leather has become the major earner of foreign exchange after oil.

    She added that for a sustainable growth NILEST should be given the needed support to carry out its mandate of training and research in the field of leather and leather products.

    She said the institute ought be empowered and converted to a degree awarding institution as the highest qualification currently awarded by the institute was Higher National Diploma.