Ict/Telecom
Don Harps On ICT Importance
A lecturer at the Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria, Prof. James Samuel Oludotun, has harped on the importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Educational Technology, and instructional materials as important tools to ameliorate and shore up physics as a subject at all levels.
Oludotun, a Professor of Physics, disclosed this at a valedictory lecture organised in his honour as he retired from the university, recently.
In his lecture title, “Improving the Teaching and Learning of School Physics in Nigeria”, he said for the love of Physics as a subject/course, which serves as a bedrock for professional careers in natural and applied sciences, government at all levels, stakeholders in education, universities, tertiary institutions and teachers in secondary education teaching and learning processes must comply with application of up-to-date instructional gadgets and ICT resources.
Such persons in natural and applied sciences include academic researchers, acoustics consultants, clinical scientists, and geophysicists.
“In addition, teachers, educational facilitators and lecturers are to be exposed and equipped with ICT knowledge and capacity building in order to ameliorate and shore up physics as a subject at all levels”, he said.
He recalled that in 1985, the then Director of NTA’s Education Programmes, and late news broadcaster, Mr Bode Alalade, wrote an article in one of the Daily Newspapers on the establishment of Instructional Television (ITV) to assist science learners (both young and old) in the society, in the study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
“In response to the article, Dr A. O. Adeagbo, a Research Fellow in Mathematics Education and I, a Research Fellow in Physics Education, responded by showing our interest to take part in the NTA (ITV) project.
“It was observed that Physics and Mathematics were produced and transmitted from Lagos, while Chemistry and Biology were produced and transmitted from Kaduna.
The production and the presentation of the Physics programme were part of my contributions to the improvement of teaching and learning of the new Physics School Curriculum in Nigeria.
“The objectives of the NTA’s ITV programmes were as follows: to supplement and complement the efforts of the teacher in the field and not to replace him; to broaden and deepen the scope of knowledge available through formal school channels; to encourage and teach vocational skills at various levels; to relate learning to contemporary life and enhance the inculcation and application of general principles as opposed to rote learning.
“These objectives were laudable for the development of the country in terms of the communication necessary for science (Physics) and Mathematics”, he said.
Prof. Oludotun said the goal of the NTA ITV was focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning of the New School Physics and Mathematics Curricula through broadcasting, which is a massive and effective mode of reaching a large audience.
Recall that the Science (Physics) and Mathematics programmes were transmitted in the evenings, 4.00 pm to 6.0 pm, Monday to Friday each week.
“The Physics and Mathematics NTA ITV programmes were on for almost three years, from 1986 to 1988 when they were stopped for lack of fund to keep them in the air”, he added.
Oludotun concluded that, “The use of ITV and other forms of scientific video-films in the classrooms will be added material for teachers to enrich the teaching and learning of Physics and Mathematics.
“It is hoped that the above prospects will open the doors to better research into learners’ perception of the world around them and the subject evaluation in terms of skills, comprehension and application”.
In response, Crawford University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Reuben Jiya Kolo, presented an award of meritorious service to Professor Oludotun for his contribution to the growth and development of Crawford University.
Kolo advised lecturers and all participants to make good use of ICT infrastructure, educational resources and facilities provided for teaching and learning activities in various teaching and learning processes in the University system.
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
