News
Lagos Harps on Research to Drive Development
Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, chairman, Lagos Research and Development Council, said that the establishment of the council is a demonstration of the resolve of the State to provide support for basic and applied research, and most importantly commercialization, which in itself, is a key mission of the Lagos Innovation project (INNOVATELAGOS).
He stated this at the just concluded sensitization workshop for stakeholders in the area of Research and Development in Lagos.
The workshop, organised by the Lagos Research and Development Council brought together stakeholders from government, academia, research and development agency, non government organizations (NGO) and the organized private sector.
He said: “of equal interest to the council is support for institutions of higher learning in the performance of their key functions of teaching, research and community service geared towards the production of human capital to drive the State’s economy”.
Bamiro added that through a globally tested and trusted strategic collaborative model referred to as Triple Helix Model, comprising the government, academia, research and development agency, non government organizations (NGO) and the organized private sector, the focus of the Council is to become an instrument for the transformation of Lagos State into an innovative and knowledge-driven economy.
Bamiro said, like the South African government did, the Lagos State government is bringing about strategic collaboration amongst small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), academia, and research agencies to foster industrialization.
According to Fatai Olukoga special sdviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Education, who represented Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), governor of Lagos “Nigeria’s future economic growth will increasingly have to come from innovation in products services and business models, This is why innovation has been placed at the heart of the Lagos Project for growth and jobs.
Also speaking at the workshop, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, Lagos State commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension, emphasized that the main objective of the Lagos State government in setting up the council is to catalyze the transition of great ideas to innovations, products and services that would instantly positively impact the lives of Lagosians.
The Council Chairman said following the successful hosting of this workshop, the council will soon commence the disbursement of funds to tertiary institutions to support Research and Development (R&D) in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Transportation, Science, Technology, Environmental Science and Climate Change, Housing, Agriculture and Agro-Allied Projects.
The fund will provide higher education institutions with a platform to transform their ideas into commercial products and services for Lagos and also facilitate collaborative partnerships with government, private sector, domestic and international research institutions.
Other dignitaries present at the interactive workshop included the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahaman Bello, Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, Vice Chancellor, Pan Atlantic University, Professor Juan Elegido, Director, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Mrs. Eugenia Abu, Council Secretary, Ms. Mojisola Rhodes.
Also in attendance were representatives of research agencies, Student Union leaders of all Lagos Tertiary Institutions, PZ Cussons, Stanbic IBTC, Nokia, Guaranty Trust Bank, Julius Berger, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, IBM, First Bank, Fidson Healthcare and many others.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
- Telecom2 days ago
World Earth Day: Kuda Partners with Wecyclers to Clean up Communities in Lagos
- Telecom2 days ago
Airtel Boosts NIPR Public Relations Week with Onsite Unlimited Data Connection
- News2 days ago
UK Pledges €1Bn to Fight against Malaria in Nigeria
- Editorial2 days ago
Telcos Ask NCC to Allow Them Hike Tariff
- Broadcasting2 days ago
NCC Seeks Media Collaboration on Copyright Infringement
- Broadcasting2 days ago
FCCPC to Review Multichoice’s Tariff Hike
- E-Business3 days ago
Confronting the Google Monolith: Survival Strategies for Online Businesses
- Broadcasting2 days ago
MTN and its FY2023 Financial Results Abracadabra