Niger Delta

Jonathan, Diri Charge NASENI Trainees On Starter Packs

Published

1 year ago

May 12, 2023

Former Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, have cautioned trainees taking part in a four-day skills acquisition training programme organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) not to sell off their starter packs at the end of the exercise.
The two leaders, who made the call at the opening ceremony of the training programme holding at the Federal University, Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the State, midweek, noted that the success of the programme largely depends on the attitude of the beneficiaries.
Speaking as special guest at the event, Jonathan commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving his approval for the training exercise, which draws participants from all the three senatorial districts in the state.
While calling on NASENI and the Local Content Board to establish a functional institute in Bayelsa for quality training in the oil and gas, and other critical areas, the former President stressed that vocational skills training was the way to go for Nigeria to meet its industrial development target.
He, however, sounded a note of warning that the objective of NASENI would be defeated if the trainees sell off their working materials procured for them.
Dr Jonathan said: “While I join others to call on NASENI to increase the number of trainees, I’m mindful and more interested in the quality of the training.
“I’m happy to hear from the CEO of NASENI that they are planning to set up an Oil and Gas Engineering Materials Development Institute in Bayelsa State.
“So, now that President Buhari has mandated me to coordinate your (NASENI) activities, I urge the two of you (NASENI and NCDMB) to work together to make sure that one excellent and functional training centre is built in Bayelsa.

“That will help to churn out our youth every one or two years so that after a period of 5 to 10 years, we will have enough people to work in the industrial parks that are being built”, he said.
On his part, Governor Douye Diri urged governments at all levels to strive to build a massive pool of highly skilled manpower to drive the nation’s industrial development.
Diri, who spoke at the event through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, disclosed that his administration had trained thousands of youths through its skills acquisition and training programme in the state so far.
The Bayelsa helmsman, who called on the beneficiaries to take the training seriously, tasked NASENI to follow up and track the beneficiaries to ensure that the starter packs that would be given out did not end in markets.
He commended the NASENI for putting up the four-day specialized youth training and empowerment programme together in the state, and advised the Agency to partner the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on capacity-building programmes for youths.
”A foolish man sells his seed, a reasonable man eats his seed, while the wise man plants his seeds. You are here today with a seed in your hand.
“If you plant this seed, it will germinate, bear fruits and you will become a seller of fruits. If you eat this seed, your stomach will be full but after some time, you will visit the toilet and that will be the end of it.
“If you sell it, you will get some money and spend and that will be the end, and you will never be a seller of fruits. So, you need to know what you are here for”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engineer Simbi Wabote, said specialized youth training was critical to the industrial development of the country.
Describing the theme of the training programme, “Modern Methods of Electrical Installations and Maintenance”, as apt, Wabote commended the NASENI for the capacity-building exercise aimed at promoting economic development through science, technology and engineering.
In her welcome address, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the NASENI, Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, said the first phase of the programme was aimed at training 100 Bayelsa youths, as a step towards the fourth Industrial Revolution.
Mrs. Nonyem, who expressed gratitude to former President Goodluck Jonathan for his massive support for the Agency while in office, urged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the expensive tools that would be given to them as start-up enablers.
The Director General, Douye Diri Economic Empowerment Programme, (DDEEP), Mrs Charity Godwin, and the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Otuoke, Prof. Teddy Charles Adias, represented by the Deputy VC, Prof Chris Onyema, also delivered goodwill messages at the programme.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Featured

Planned Protest: We’ve Uncovered Plot To Use Hired Thugs To Cause Anarchy In Rivers – Fubara …As CSOs, NANS, Youth Groups, Others Shelve Action

Published

1 day ago

July 31, 2024

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that there is credible information that some mercenaries and thugs have been hired from outside, in the guise of protest, to destroy valuable infrastructure assets in the State.

The Governor maintained that this is in spite of the fact that Rivers residents have already resolved not to participate in the planned 10 days of nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1.

Governor Fubara made the revelation when he addressed representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stakeholders of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, among others at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The Governor insisted that several public and clandestine activities of the self-styled detractors over the last months are clear indications that Rivers State does have unrepentant enemies who will do everything possible within their means to destabilize the State.

Governor Fubara said: “You are already aware of the political situation of our State where people are looking for every avenue to destabilise this State. We don’t need to give them that opportunity to carry out that act.

“And that is the reason why I, representing the government, and the service commanders, have always been in touch with you all, pleading that we should shelve this protest. And even if you have to do it, we should do it in a way and manner that it will not get out of control.

“I have information that you don’t have. I am aware of the people that are being hired to come into this State to cause mayhem. If anything happens here, we are going to be the greatest losers. Our property will be destroyed. Our economy will be destroyed. And when they finish, they will go back to their states.

“Look at what has happened in Kenya. It will take them another 20 years to rebuild those things that are being destroyed. In Rivers State, we are not that financially bouyant to now start retrogressing where we have already passed. Instead of maintaining and increasing what we have, we will be thinking of rebuilding, if destroyed. Let us not allow it happen.”

Governor Fubara acknowledged the prevailing economic hardship that Nigerians are facing but quickly added that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is taking believable actions that are geared towards addressing the current hardship and securing a better future for the people.

The Governor urged the activists to look at all the angles to the reasons proffered by the organisers of the planned protest so that they do not just embrace it to please persons who are aggrieved because the system does not favour them.

Governor Fubara pointed to steps administration has taken to meet the expectations and address challenges of Rivers residents while also supporting what the Federal Government is doing.

He said, “In your demands, one has to do with CNG cars and buses to ease transportation costs. We are the first government in Nigeria to roll out free buses for students and the people of Rivers State. And up till now, we are still sustaining it. It is a sign of our commitment to our people.

“We know that the cost of living is very high and that is also one of the reasons why we floated the N4billion loan for traders and small businesses in the State. You are witnesses to it. This facility is to help our traders; mothers, fathers, and also to help the youths in the business line. You can see our concerns for our people.”

Governor assured that their position letters have been received, and will be forwarded to Mr President but quickly added that some of their complaints have been noted, promising that the ones that could be addressed immediately will be attended to.

The Governor said the Rivers State Scholarship Board will be constituted in August, which is the reason why payment of bursary to students and scholarship awards have not commenced.

Governor Fubara warned that scholarship award will only be available for highly technical and specialised courses like nuclear sciences, engineering and medical studies, pledging that students’ bursary would be payable only at the beginning of academic sessions.

The Governor thanked Rivers people for their sustained support to his administration, which he noted, has remained a major backbone.

Governor Fubara pointed to deliberate actions of his administration to ensure quality infrastructure delivery in the health and education sectors, stressing that such actions will eventually provide affordable services to all residents in the State.

Briefing newsmen on the decision taken after the security council meeting with service commanders at Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara said they are aware of the planned 10-day protest beginning from August 1, saying that everything is being done to contain it.

He agreed with canvassed reasons by the organisers that they are hungry as well as other issues of governance but added that the timing of the planned protest was wrong, and therefore, advised them to shelve it in order not to play into the hands of the enemies of the State.

Governor Fubara explained that the key stakeholders have committed that nobody will be involved in acts that will bring destruction to the State, emphasising that security agencies have also assured that they will be guided by the rule of engagement.

In his presentation, the leader of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Women Groups, Artisans and Traders, Comrade Success Jack, said they are not participating in the planned protest because of the delicate and tensed political atmosphere so that they do not give opportunity to detractors to tilt the political balance that will embolden anarchists to exercise premeditated crisis.

Comrade Jack, however, demanded that the Federal Government should immediately reduce the pump price of petroleum products to what it was in April, 2023, among others.

Also speaking, Zone B Coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Levy Okuru, demanded actual payment of bursary to students, engagement of past student leaders in the ongoing recruitment of staff at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and construction of more hostels for students on campuses, among others.

Leaders of youth groups also expressed their resolve not to participate in the planned protest in the State, saying that the peace, stability and prosperity of the State and its people were paramount to them.

They further advised the good people of the State to support the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led government and security agencies to secure the State and ensure the safety of everybody, irrespective of social and political leanings.

Niger Delta

Uniport Calls For Inclusion Of AI In Nigeria’s Educational System

Published

2 days ago

July 31, 2024

The Tide

The Department of Computer Science, University of Port Harcourt, has advocated for the advancement of Artificial intelligence (Al) in Nigeria’s educational system.

The initiative was highlighted during a National Artificial lntelligence workshop which took place at the University of Port Harcourt, last weekend.

The workshop was sponsored by the International Development Research Center, Canada, and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency,SIDA, with funding managed by African Center For Technology Studies (ACTS), under the Artificial lntelligence For Development Africa initiative.

The Head of Department, Computer Science, at the University of Port Harcout, Dr. Ugochi A. Okengwu, in her opening remarks, emphasized the need to accelerate the advancement of Artificial lntelligence in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dr. Okengwu, who is also the branch Co-ordinator of the Organization of Women In Science for the Developing World, Uniport Chapter, said that AI was a revolution and urged the federal government to create an enabling environment ensure its growth.

“We are trying to see how Al development will be faster in Africa, because Africa is a very crucial place, because we have the population. It is a good ground for a lot of technological advancement to come in.

“So, Al as we said earlier, it’s not just technological advancement, it is a revolution”, she said.

Also speaking, the Director, Center for Information and Telecommunication Engineering (CITE), at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, said plans had been concluded to launch a catch-them-young programme for children in primary and secondary schools in few weeks time.

He, therefore, enjoined the general public to embrace Artificial lntelligence to ensure that Nigerian youths were not left behind in the rapidly advancing world.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari A. Georgewill, in his welcome address, had urged the participants to take the workshop seriously, saying the world is rapidly shifting towards AI.

Dr. T.P. Singh of Bennett University who delivered the keynote speech, discussed the benefits and challenges of AI.

He highlighted AI’s applications across various fields and addressed some of the challenges it presents.

Tonye Lekara from Rivers State gave a technical presentation on AI in health applications. He also covered topics such as AI in health has a lot of setups, role in detecting medical imaging analysis, to detecting cancer, malaria parasites, and other health challenges, its applications in other fields.

According to him, AI in health involves using advanced algorithms, hardware systems.
Kaggle, fig.1, Humata are AI Assisted Research Tools.

He also talked about Future Trends and Roles of Government.

A question-and-answer session followed, allowing participants to interact with the facilitators and ask relevant questions, which were addressed comprehensively by the speakers.

The second technical presentation focused on the application of AI in research, delivered by Ediong Umoh from Nigeria.

He discussed the importance of AI tools such as plagiarism checkers, reference managers like Zotero, and AI writing assistants like QuillBot and Trinka, Grammar for enhancing research quality and data representation.

The third technical presentation on AI in agriculture was done by Tonye Lekara.

He demonstrated how AI could be used to analyze agricultural images using apps like Picture, Pop apps used in teaching farmers how to manage machine and other toolkits such as plantify, plantix used to identify crop, plants, analysis of images for signs of mold, rot, insects and other threats.

Second question-and-answer session followed, with participants engaging with the lecturer and having their queries addressed.
The panel session on AI ethics, moderated by Dr. C.B. Marcus, featured Dr. Legbors Barikpoa Emmanuel, Professor Laeticia N. Onyejegbu, and Dr. Ugochi A. Okengwu.

The panelists who were subjected to thorough questioning on AI ethics, responded adeptly.

Prof. Omijeh discussed the topic: “Embedded AI and Education 4.0,” explaining how the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is driven by digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and robotics.

He encouraged collaboration between the faculties of engineering and computer science to integrate AI into education.

In his vote of thanks, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Professor Laeticia N. Onyejegbu thanked all those that contributed to the success of the workshop.

Niger Delta

Diri Warns Youths Against Unlawful Removal Of Rulers … Cautions Against Violent Protests

Published

2 days ago

July 31, 2024

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has read the riot act to youths of Ogboinbiri Community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other communities in the state to desist from unlawful removal of paramount rulers.

He also advised youths to conduct themselves peacefully during protests in order not to cause chaos or destruction to government and private properties.

Governor Diri gave the warning recently at a meeting with Ogboinbiri Community, which had been embroiled in crisis, in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Governor noted that there were laws guiding chieftaincy issues in the state and that any chief or traditional ruler recognised by the government cannot be removed without following the due process, noting that the youths of Ogboinbiri Community infringed on the state’s chieftaincy law by attempting to forcefully remove their paramount ruler.

While condemning the action of the youths and the Community Development Committee (CDC), the Governor, said the youth President and CDC Chairman as well as the Paramount Ruler would remain in their positions, but directed that the Youth President and CDC Chairman write a letter of apology to the State Government with a promise to work with the Paramount Ruler.

Diri further warned that the full weight of the law would descend on anyone who forcefully removes a government-recognised paramount ruler, explaining that the interest of his administration was to maintain peace in the state in order to engender development.

“Henceforth, we will not take it lightly with community youths that contravene our laws. They will face the wrath of the law in court. Enough of the brigandage in our communities.

“Across the length and breadth of Bayelsa State, any youth who takes the law into his hands on the issue of removal of chiefs would be prosecuted.

“The moment a chief is recognised by the state, whether he is Third Class, Second Class, or First Class, you cannot remove him again.

“Our law states that he is the Chief of that community for life. Unless he has contravened the law, involved in financial mismanagement, absent from his domain and he cannot discharge the duties and functions of a traditional ruler. Even at that, you are not the one to remove him.

“The Paramount Ruler still remains the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri, and he should work with the Youth President and CDC Chairman to bring peace to the community”, the Governor said.

While calling on the youths to unite and work for the development of their communities, Diri enjoined paramount rulers to be exemplary in their conduct and maintain peace in their domain.

He also called on youths to avoid being used by disgruntled politicians to cause trouble in the name of protest.

The Governor, who acknowledged the hardship being faced by citizens in the country, and state governments, commended Bayelsa youths on their peaceful conduct during the EndSARS protest, saying that the state was one of the most peaceful at the time.

The Bayelsa helmsman also called on security agencies, local government chairmen and traditional rulers to be vigilant with a view to curbing actions that would lead to breakdown of law and order during the proposed national protest.

“I like to call on you again to remember the EndSARS protest and be disciplined and keep our state safe.

“We are getting reports about some politicians that lost elections and want to use the protest to cause havoc. We will not accept that in Bayelsa State.

“Every local government chairman and every king in their domains have to be vigilant. We are a state that needs development and we should not allow anybody to thwart the developmental efforts of our state”, the Bayelsa Governor added.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa