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NITDA Mulls Sponsoring Youths in Nigerian Universities

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KashifuInuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that the Agency is considering sponsoring Nigerian Youths to further their education in Universities residing in Nigeria, adding that Nigerian students who travel out of country to study should stay at homeland to master their academic career.

 

Mr Inuwa said this when he received the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Professor OsmanNuri Das, who paid him a visit today.

 

The DG stressed that it is time for Nigerians studying abroad to consider looking back at their own country for furthering education, according to him, huge amount of money is being spent annually in foreign shores while there are Universities in Nigeria that offer same courses.

 

He said, “In my opinion, I see no reason why we spent our money to study outside our country while we have institutions that offer same courses in Nigeria.

 

“According to statistics, Nigerians spend 500 million US Dollars annually to study in the United State of America.

 

“Imagine if these funds were invested in the nation’s educational sector, a lot could have been achieved,” he lamented.

 

The DG averred that, while studying abroad is good, but the wave of students going abroad to study constitutes magnificent backward movement for Nigeria, as it drains the system of funds and creates a dichotomy between the generations of Nigerian students.

 

“I don’t think it is good for local and international universities who invest hugely to the development of educational sector.

 

“For instance, NITDA sent some Nigerians on scholarship programme to Turkey, some of them are even complaining because of the language barrier.

 

“In Nigeria, we have Nile University which is owned by Turkish, I believe it is for the benefit of us all to consider enrolling them here,” he said.

 

Mr. Inuwa also gave a hint on the importance of introducing extensive Information Technology courses in Nigerian Universities.

 

He said, “We need to come together and form a framework to continue our collaboration with Nile University.

 

“We can nurture our students here by introducing courses about Emerging Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing to further strengthen Nigeria’s journey to achieving Digital Economy.”

 

In the area of Capacity Building among students, KashifuInuwa reiterated his commitment in training both the under and post graduate students especially in emerging technologies.

 

He said NITDA is currently building a Centre in Wuye District, Abuja, which is almost completed and it will be dedicated to Nigerian students crazy ideas to harness, innovate and incubate their ideas in order to grow the country’s economy through digital technology.

 

In his remarks, Professor OsmanNuri Das, vice chancellor, Nile University, thanked the Director General for his continued support especially in the area of scholarship.

 

The Vice Chancellor pleaded with NITDA boss to consider renewing and possibly increasing number of students sponsored by the Agency currently undergoing Masters and PhD studies.

 

“We are here to thank you for all the support you have been given to us. Over the years NITDA remains one of our truest collaborative organisations. We have achieved a lot, and we want to achieve more,” the VC said.

 

He also assured the DG his total commitment in introducing courses on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence that can be taught in Nigerian Universities

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“Though we have been giving special treatment to our students particularly in IT related course, I assure you Nile University will do its best in actualising this dream.

 

“It will interest you to know that no post graduate student leaves Nile without developing software application or portal that can impact on the society. It is our norm to put things in practice after learning basic theory of its aspect”, he added.

 

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Airtel Nigeria Leads Telecom Market Surge

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In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.

According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.

In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.

Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.

Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.

This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.

Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.

 


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Airtel Boosts NIPR Public Relations Week with Onsite Unlimited Data Connection

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Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.

The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.

“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”

According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.

Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.

With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.

Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.


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World Earth Day: Kuda Partners with Wecyclers to Clean up Communities in Lagos

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In a landmark partnership aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices, Kuda Microfinance Bank and Wecyclers collaborated to commemorate World Earth Day on April 22, 2024. The collaboration featured a series of impactful activities designed to raise awareness and foster environmental stewardship.

The activities on the day included a webinar session facilitated by renowned expert in environmental management and head of ESG at Wecyclers, Omobolanle Olowu, during which she shared startling data on plastic pollution in Nigeria. She also discussed the importance of proper waste management and its significance in preserving the planet for future generations, providing valuable insights and practical tips on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.

In a published study on plastic pollution in Nigeria, the country ranked ninth globally for plastic pollution with an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually and less than 12% of those waste materials recycled.

Also on the day, Kuda staff volunteered for an environmental cleanup exercise, during which they took to parts of Apapa Road, Ebute Metta to empty gutters and collect plastics and other recyclable materials for recycling.

In addition, volunteers from Kuda gained firsthand knowledge of innovative waste management solutions during a guided tour of Wecyclers’ facility in Ebute Metta. The tour showcased Wecyclers’ pioneering efforts in recycling and waste upcycling, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to address environmental challenges effectively.

Speaking about the collaboration, Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi, Senior Brand Manager at Kuda, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential to drive positive change. “We [Kuda] are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. We also believe that our responsibility is not only to our customers and other stakeholders but also the environment that we all share. Partnering with Wecyclers allows us to inspire communities to adopt eco-friendly practices,” he said.

“Our initiatives towards achieving a sustainable environment and achieving a green earth goes beyond just recycling. We aim to inspire a broader commitment to waste minimization, reusing materials and proper sustainable waste management. As we commemorate World Earth Day, we encourage our staff, customers and general public as a whole to embrace actions that promote a green, safe earth for all,” he added.

Likewise, Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Head, Human Resources and Partnerships at Wecyclers, emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental issues. “It is very important for organisations to collaborate on initiatives that help save the environment. We are excited about this partnership because such partnerships are crucial to creating awareness and educating people about the impact of plastic waste on the planet and how they can contribute to a change that we all deserve.”

Kuda’s collaboration with Wecyclers emphasises its commitment to sustainability and championing proactive efforts through education, engagement and action to create an environmentally conscious population and a sustainable tomorrow.


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