Ict/Telecom
RSG Begins Laptop Distribution In Schools
The Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi-Ied administration has commenced distribution of free laptops in Secondary Schools across the State.
Represented by Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi, Governor Amaechi flagged-off the exercise and unveiled a “Swart Class” at the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu, Eleme on Monday, saying other Secondary Schools will benefit once the state completes the new schools and renovation of the old ones.
“The world has gone dynamic and so Rivers State should follow suit”, Amaechi remarked, noting that “if you are not ICT literate you will find it difficult to get admission in the new schools”.
Further underscoring why the State Government embarked on the project, the Rivers State Governor said it forms part of the vision of his administration to revolutionaries the state through ICT, maintaining that it will help raise the students to be completive among their peers across the world.
He, however, pointed out that students, parents and guardian have huge role to play in the state’s free education policy, “the State Government has done its bit by making everything free and ensure that education is free … So you have serious role to play to make sure you make us proud and take your studies serious”.
The Governor disclosed that by September about four of Model Secondary Schools will be unveiled, while about two will be opened in December, as he hinted that four of the schools will be managed by the Indian firm.
Amaechi also assured of government plans to rehabilitate old schools across the state in line with the vision of the administration, while commending Educomp for their hardwork and being able to sustain quality and standard in the running of the new schools.
Earlier on, Managing Director of Educomp, Mr. Shantany Prakash commended the vision of Governor Amaechi in driving the State through ICT.
Mr. Prakash said education stand to benefit from the vision enormously positing that, “it will put the students at international level to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world”.
Already, he noted that the school has trained its teachers and students to be able to use the ICT facility, and stressed that the responsibility to utilise rests on them “to unlock the huge potentials in them”.
“This is the time of building those capabilities and things you want to see in the world”, Prakash further charged.
In her address, Director of Academics at the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Mrs Snapndaa Das expressed hope that the inaugurating of the Educomp Smart Class and distribution 0 the laptops will upgrade the school to a world class institution.
Mrs Das believed that technology will help students and teachers in learning and teaching in line with what is obtained in other parts of world today.
She commended the Rivers State Government for the project and for upgrading education facilities emphasizing that technology is ongoing process of development.
Later on, Paramount ruler of Ebubu Alesa, Eleme, Chief Emperor J.B. Mgbe said the gesture of the Rivers State governor has made him a great leader.
“Many Governor has come and gone some of them have vision but of this kind”, Chief Mgbe said and called on the students to utilize the laptops to better their future.
The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, said Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water asset, has recorded major milestones, due to effective leadership, cutting-edge technology, continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders.
She noted that since coming on stream in November 2005, Bonga has maintained a track record of production that saw it achieve one-billion-barrel export on February 13, last year.
In her presentation, titled “The Bonga Journey to a Billion Barrels”, at the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, United States, Aiboni, said: “SNEPCo is grateful for the contributions of all the parties to the Bonga story and we can all be proud of the milestones.
“Bonga has been consistent. In 2014, nine years after coming onstream, it achieved half a billion barrels of crude and doubled it in 2023. We have worked relentlessly to ensure excellent asset management, project and wells delivery and deployment of technology and innovations in our operations”.
According to her, these factors, “coupled with the supportive partnership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and our co-venturers – TotalEnergies, EP Nigeria Limited; Nigerian Agip Exploration; and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, make Bonga stand out as a world-class investment case”.
She continued that, “SNEPCo also enjoyed the support of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the success of Bonga operations”.
Aiboni also listed the challenges of keeping the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel full as the asset ages and dealing with unexpected developments with subsea wells and equipment.
She said: “SNEPCo responded with a campaign of operational excellence, which among other initiatives, led to the creation of a programme known as the Bonga Business Improvement Plan that continually reviews and identifies improvement initiatives and drives sustainability in operations and upskilling of staff.
“The Bonga success story has been led by Nigerians who have been managing directors of SNEPCo since it was established in 1993, in a deliberate policy by Shell to develop indigenous manpower for deep-water operations in Nigeria.
“Today, some 97percent of the SNEPCo workforce is Nigerian and overall, Bonga has helped to create a new generation of Nigerian deep-water professionals.
“Our vision at SNEPCo remains to be the best deep-water business, powering growth and achieving net zero emissions in line with Shell’s Powering Progress strategy”.
Banks’ borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fell month-on-month, (MoM) by 44 percent to N12.16 trillion in April from N21.7 trillion in March.
Analysis of latest data from the CBN shows that the 44percent drop represents the first MoM decline in banks borrowing from since January when it increased by 268.7 percent to N3.6 trillion from N976.29 billion in December 2023.
However, further analysis showed that banks’ deposits in the CBN SDF grew MoM by 118.4 percent to N428.97 billion in April from N196.37 billion in March 2024.
Banks make use of the SLF to access liquidity to run their day-to-day business operations while the Standing Deposit Facility window (SDF) on the other hand, is an overnight deposit facility that allows banks to lodge excess liquidity (money) with the CBN and earn interest.
The decline in banks’ borrowing from SLF may reflect an increase in banking system liquidity and also the decision of the apex bank last year to remove the limit on the remunerable daily placements by banks at the SDF.
According to the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN removed the cap on the remunerable SDF to increase activity in the SDF window and manage liquidity.
A Financial technology expert, Olatunji Akinrinola, has highlighted the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, which according to him, was driven by technological advancements.
Akinrinola made this assertion in a press release recently, where he stressed that the role of technology in driving this exponential growth in the FinTech sector was very outstanding.
According to him, Technology has revolutionised the way financial services are delivered, making them more accessible, efficient, and inclusive.
“Through innovations such as mobile banking, digital payments, and blockchain technology, FinTech companies have been able to reach a larger population and provided them with access to financial services”, he stated.
Akinrinola emphasised the role of technology in enabling financial inclusion, adding: “Technology has democratised access to financial services, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
“Mobile money platforms and digital wallets have empowered individuals to conduct financial transactions conveniently and securely, without the need for traditional banking services”.
He also underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in driving innovation within the FinTech industry, noting: “AI-powered algorithms and predictive analytics have revolutionised risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer personalisation in financial services.
“These technologies enable FinTech companies to provide tailored solutions and mitigate risks more effectively, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience”.
Akinrinola stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks in fostering the growth of the FinTech industry.
“While technology has accelerated the growth of FinTech, it is essential to establish robust regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer protection and maintain market stability. Regulators play a crucial role in balancing innovation with risk management, thereby creating a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the FinTech sector”, he stated.
Akinrinola underscored the role of technology in driving the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, saying, “Technology has been a game-changer for the FinTech sector, enabling innovation, expanding access to financial services, and driving economic growth.
“As technology continues to evolve, the FinTech industry will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of financial services ecosystem”.
Corlins Walter