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FG Inaugurates Committee on Proposed ICT University of Nigeria
The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja inaugurated an implementation committee to facilitate the establishment of the proposed Information Communication Technology (ICT) University of Nigeria.
Mr Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications said the committee, which has former Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Julius Okogie as Chairman, has six weeks to produce its report.
Shittu said that the members of the committee were carefully selected comprising men and women who had made their marks in ICT development in the country and pledged the ministry’s support for the assignment.
The minister said that as demand for ICT products and services in the country increased rapidly with the emergence of a digital economy, the demand for ICT skills was expected to also grow exponentially.
He said that there was, therefore, need for capacity of ICT education in Nigeria to be strengthened by people who were well grounded in the field to provide the required skills.
“The linkage between the academia and industry as a result of the establishment of the university will not only lead to constant improvement of the curriculum but also drive innovation through joint research and development programmes.
“Research and development, human capacity building are key focal areas critical for the full development and harnessing of ICT toward fast-tracking socio-economic progress in Nigeria.
“Research and Development propels innovation while human capacity building helps to equip the people with necessary skills and literacy to innovate and use ICT for further development.’’
Shittu said in the past, researches had been carried out without recourse to the relevant industries.
He said that consequently, many outcomes of such researches had remained in the laboratories and not in the industry where they would have been exploited.
“The university will offer variety of programmes aimed at providing specialist knowledge and expertise required for a professional career in the broad field of Information Communication Technology.
“In fields such as Telecommunications, Internet of Things, cyber security, robotic, embedded systems, computer forensics, digital media and entertainment technology.
“The university will also be expected to offer skills development programmes in emerging and transformation technologies such as Cloud Computing and Big Data,’’ the minister said.
Shittu said it was expected that each of the six campuses of the present Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) would be transformed into a centre of technological excellence in specific areas of ICT.
He said that teaching experience in the new university would include a blend of theory, analysis, innovation and hands-on activities such as project-based learning and live industry-led projects.
In his remarks, Okojie said the project was a laudable one, noting that Nigeria was far behind technologically.
He said that there was that need to join the rest of the world to get on board the technological train.
The chairman said that members of the implementation committee were already aware of the challenges of the gap in the digital divide and promised that the report would be delivered shortly.
In his goodwill remark, Mr Yusuf Kazauri, the Director-General of Galaxy Backbone, an agency under the Ministry, said the establishment of the university would herald a new era in the country’s development.
He said that ICT was an important catalyst to attain economic advancement for nations of the world.
“In today’s world, without a good knowledge of ICT, it will be impossible to attain the desired height, especially with Nigeria’s youthful population.’’
Members of the committee were drawn from both the private and public sectors and other stakeholders in the industry.
The university will be the first of its kind in Africa but not the first in the world.
Some of such institutions around the globe include the Multimedia University of Malaysia; IT University of Gutenberg, Sweden; IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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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.
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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.”
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