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Anambra ICT Agency, Activ8 Hub Partner to Empower Media Professionals on AI

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In line with its vision aimed at digitally revolutionizing the media landscape, the Anambra State ICT Agency, in collaboration with Activ8 Hub, on Thursday, hosted an enriching workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Journalism for media professionals.

Th workshop took the practitioners through emerging AI models, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Bing AI, Microsoft Copilot, among others, with the aim to enhance their journalistic practices, ensure more efficient, accurate, and compelling reportage.

The workshop facilitated by experts including Mr. Chukwuma Mezie-Okoye, co-founder of Activ8 Hub, and Nehemiah Onyekachukwu Emmanuel, an AI Engineer with Microsoft, offered deep insight into the transformative impact of AI in journalism. With a focus on leveraging AI to bolster productivity, fact-checking, and narrative crafting, the session illuminated the path for journalists to integrate these cutting-edge tools into their work responsibly.

The event also marked a significant stride in Anambra’s technological advancement, as was highlighted by Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, the MD/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency.

Agbata shared insights into the progress of work on the state’s ICT infrastructural development, which he noted, has vastly improved internet connectivity, thus facilitating more innovative initiatives.

According to him, the digital revolution ongoing in the state, is only possible because Mr Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, understands the 21st Century technology demands and is providing the support and political will required to guarantee such advancements.

“This workshop not only signifies Anambra State’s commitment to empowering its journalists but also reflects the government’s dedication to leveraging technology for societal advancement.

“As AI continues to evolve, Anambra’s media professionals need to be better equipped to navigate the digital age, ensuring the delivery of credible, insightful, and engaging content to their audience.

“This training further underscores the state government’s undertanding of the critical role of media practitioners in the digital revolution in the state and our commitment to “EverythingTechnology, Technology Everywhere” in the state.

“AI is getting more sophisticated by the day and journalists must make the most use of the tool because it has the capacity to make enhance productivity, Agbata concluded.

In his words, Co-Founder, Activ8 Hub, Mr. Chukwuma Mezie-Okoye, expressed profound appreciation for the partnership and pledged continued support towards the advancement of digital revolution in the state.

“The message is clear: embrace AI, not as a replacement, but as a complement to journalistic excellence, shaping a more informed, discerning, and connected world, welcome to the future”.

Ogemdi Ozoemenam expressed gratitude on behalf of all participants, thanking the Anambra State Government and Activ8Hub for the crucial training on AI in Journalism. ” We are optimistic that it will enhance our professional endeavors” he concluded.


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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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Multiple Taxes, RoW Challenges Hurting Telecom Sector – ATCON

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Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised alarm over persistent challenges threatening the telecom industry’s growth and sustainability.

Multiple Taxes, RoW Challenges Hurting Telecom Sector – ATCON

The association highlighted multiple taxation, Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks, and infrastructure vandalism as major impediments to the sector’s progress.

Mr. Tony Emoekpere, president of the association, speaking during ATCON’s 31st-anniversary celebration in Lagos at the weekend, called for urgent action to address these issues, emphasizing their critical impact on Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts.

Mr. Emoekpere outlined the following obstacles: The telecom sector is burdened with excessive and overlapping taxes levied by federal, state, and local governments, creating a hostile business environment that discourages investment and innovation.

Lengthy and costly processes for obtaining RoW permissions delay infrastructure expansion, hindering broadband rollout and network upgrades.

Frequent attacks on critical assets like fiber cables and base stations cause financial losses, disrupt services, and negatively impact both operators and consumers.

To overcome these challenges, Emoekpere advocated for collaborative efforts between government agencies, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. He proposed:

Harmonized Taxation Policies: To reduce redundancies and attract more investments.

Streamlined Right-of-Way Approvals: To accelerate the deployment of infrastructure.

Enhanced Security Measures: To safeguard telecom infrastructure from vandalism.

“These challenges require immediate attention and collective action. Only through unified efforts can we create an enabling environment for telecommunications to thrive and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy,” Emoekpere stated.

He also emphasized the immense potential of emerging technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), which present unprecedented opportunities for the sector. However, he warned that foundational issues must be resolved to fully harness their benefits.

“The Nigerian telecom industry is at a critical crossroads. We must address these systemic challenges to unlock the full potential of telecommunications and transform Nigeria into a leading digital economy in Africa,” Emoekpere concluded.

The continued development of the telecom sector, he added, is vital not only to the industry but also to the broader goal of positioning Nigeria as a digital leader on the continent.


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Nigeria Risks Missing out on $1.2 Trillion AI Opportunity- NigComSat

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Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), the country’s satellite operator, has warned that Nigeria may lose a $1.2 trillion share of the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) economy by 2030.

Nigeria Risks Missing out on $1.2 Trillion AI Opportunity- NigComSat

Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director, NigComSat made this known in a statement issued at the weekend.

Egerton-Idehen’s comment followed her participation in the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, held in Makurdi, Benue State.

She also emphasized the urgent need for policy action to harness the potential of artificial intelligence.

The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy with the theme “Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”

According to Egerton-Idehen, AI is transforming industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections indicating it will contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Africa is expected to gain $1.2 trillion of this, but only if the right policies and innovations are put in place.

Egerton-Idehen highlighted AI’s transformative potential in agriculture, particularly in Benue State, Nigeria’s “food basket.”

She noted that machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.

 

“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly,” she added.

However, Egerton-Idehen also pointed out that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria. As of early 2024, only 45.5% of Nigerians had access to the internet.

She stressed the need for a coordinated effort to expand access to digital infrastructure while enforcing relevant policies.

“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority,” she said, stressing the need for a coordinated effort to expand access to digital infrastructure while enforcing relevant policies.

Reflecting on the discussions at the meeting, Egerton-Idehen expressed both optimism and urgency, noting the rapid pace of AI advancements globally.

“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance,” she said.

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy has released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.

The draft strategy outlines strategic pillars for responsible AI development and seeks to foster a robust ecosystem for innovation.

This initiative builds on earlier efforts, including the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in 2020 and various funding programs for AI research and startups.

While the NAIS is still in draft form, it reflects Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging AI as a transformative tool for economic and social development.

 

 


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Digital Literacy Initiative: NITDA and Ministry of Education Join Forces

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As part of its mandate to foster digital literacy, cultivate talents and empower Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has initiated a partnership with the Ministry of Education to revolutionise Nigeria’s educational system.

This visionary effort to integrate digital literacy comprehensively into Nigeria’s educational framework came to light during a courtesy visit to the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, by DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa and his management team on Friday.

The partnership forms a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, an ambitious vision to equip young Nigerians with the critical skills required to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

This initiative seeks to embed digital literacy across all levels of education in Nigeria, starting from the foundational stages in kindergarten through to secondary schools and tertiary institutions, in order to achieve short-term target of 70% and long-term target of 95% digital literacy by the year 2030

During the meeting, Inuwa underscored the urgency of fostering a digitally literate population, highlighting the potential of digital skills to transform lives and economies.

“The future is digital, and the world is evolving faster than ever. If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow’s challenges, we must begin with today’s education.

“This collaboration with the Ministry of Education is a bold step toward ensuring that no Nigerian child is left behind in this journey toward global competitiveness and innovation,” he remarked.

According to Inuwa, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every child in Nigeria is adequately prepared to participate in a global economy increasingly defined by digital transformation.

In his response, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa praised NITDA’s forward-thinking approach and affirmed the Ministry’s unwavering support for the initiative. “Education remains the foundation upon which national development is built.

“We are ready partner with relevant stakeholders to embed digital literacy into our educational framework, empower our children with the tools and skills they need to not only adapt to change but to drive it,” he said.

With CISCO, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), and other stakeholders involved, there is already shared commitment to creating an inclusive and technology-driven educational ecosystem.

This ecosystem will empower young Nigerians to not only consume technology but to innovate, lead, and compete on the global stage as the nation progresses into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The collaborative effort is set to tackle various dimensions of digital literacy, ranging from curriculum development to teacher training and capacity building.

It will also involve the deployment of state-of-the-art digital tools and infrastructure across educational institutions.

This holistic approach is designed to provide students with hands-on exposure to technology, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills from an early age.

Furthermore, the partnership aims to create a ripple effect that goes beyond the classroom, it sets to empower educators with the requisite skills to teach digital literacy effectively and transform the entire teaching and learning process in Nigeria.

It will also focus on addressing regional disparities by ensuring equal access to digital resources in underserved and rural communities, leaving no child or teacher behind.

The involvement of key stakeholders like CISCO, NBTE, NUC, NTI, NMC, and UBEC further strengthens the initiative.

Their combined expertise and resources will provide a robust framework for implementing the partnership’s goals. From introducing cutting-edge technology in schools to fostering a culture of innovation, the collaboration is poised to redefine what education means in Nigeria.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of positioning itself as a continental leader in digital transformation and innovation. With technology increasingly shaping the global economy, Nigeria’s youth stand at the forefront of this revolution, ready to harness the opportunities presented by a digital-first world.

The partnership further indicates federal government’s commitment to achieving inclusive and sustainable development through digital literacy, and reshaping the very fabric of Nigerian education, ensuring it aligns with the demands of the modern era.


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