Rivers
VC Makes Case For Technology-Based Human Capital Development
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, has harped on the need for technology-based human capital development in Nigeria.
Onuchuku, who made the call while declaring open the 5th International Conference of the Faculty of Humanities of the University, midweek, charged stakeholders to focus on the development of citizens at all times.
Focusing on human capital development through Artificial Intelligence (AI), he said, “development without human capital development amount to a waste of valuable resources.
“No matter the sector, every development must be geared towards improving the welfare of citizens for progress and growth in that sector according to him”.
While referring to Artificial intelligence as computer systems capable of performing complex tasks that historically only a human could do, such as reasoning, making decisions or solving problems, he allayed fears that jobs of humans will be completely eroded.
The Acting Vice Chancellor added that though computers, through programming, are mimicking human intelligence processes and built to think, act like humans, and replicate problem solving abilities, they cannot completely take over the job of humans.
Humans, he said, “will use artificial intelligence to develop whatever Unit, Community, State and Nation that they find themselves in”.
Professor Onuchuku informed that it is for economic growth and development that humans are confronting the environment with a view to producing those services that can create comfort, stressing that Artificial intelligence is one way to do that.
In his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Kingdom Eke Orji, affirmed that in the 21st century’s globalised society, “knowledge has been identified as the indisputable fifth factor of production and the pivot on which meaningful holistic development resolved”.
He stated that a knowledge-driven economy is a brand in the production, distribution, and exchange, while consumption of goods and services are anchored strategically on the threshold of intellectual property that dovetails into the acceleration of scientific innovation.
According to the Dean, “the integration of Artificial intelligence into the realm of the Humanities marks a watershed in repositioning erstwhile research mechanisms for digitalization and automation.
AI, he said, has the capacity of assisting scholars in the Humanities with data analysis and decision-making, breaking of communication barriers through Artificial intelligence powered language translation tools, the creation of functional robotic systems amidst others.
Professor Orji emphasized that the unique feature of the Conference is its noble attempt to mainstream the “Gown and Town” symbiotic relations.
He expressed gratitude to the Acting Vice Chancellor for what he described as his “steadfastness and unflinching commitment to the maximum successes of all conferences at the Departmental and Faculty levels”.
Speaking on, “The Promises of Artificial intelligence in the Humanities: An African Perspective and the Charge for IAUE”, the Acting Director, ICT Centre, Dr. Nathaniel Ojekudo, highlighted the gains of a high level understanding of Artificial intelligence concepts, applications and implications, particularly within the African context.
He explored the transformative potentials of generative Artificial intelligence and it’s impact on academia, governments, industries and society.
He also reflected on the ethical considerations and challenges associated with Artificial intelligence and identified opportunities for IAUE to leverage Artificial intelligence for innovation, education and societal benefits.
The Natural Ruler and Nyeweli Ali Rumuolumeni Kingdom, His Royal Highness King Chukwuemeka Victor E. N. Woji Okocha Olumeni, Olumeni XII, was conferred with an award of honour for his role in keeping peace and security which has translated in the giant strides recorded in the University Community.
In his response to the award received, the Nyeweli Ali, Rumuolumeni Kingdom, expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Humanities for the honour done him and pledged his support and that of his Council of Chiefs towards all university activities.
He also stressed the essence of Artificial intelligence in the new world of technology and advised staff and students to key into it, adding that technology is the way to go.
Professor Tunde Ope Davies of the Centre for Digital Humanities, University of Lagos presented the lead paper at the conference which focused on “The Role of New Technologies in Reconfiguring and Retooling the Humanities: Exploring DH and AI”.
The theme for the conference was “AI and the Humanities” .
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Rivers
Emulate Fubara’s Transformation Agenda, LG Boss Urges S’South Leaders … Calls For Investment In N’Delta
Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Enyiada CookeyGam has called on leaders in the South-South states of Nigeria to emulate the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in evolving policies that would transform and develop their various states, and the Niger Delta region in general.
This, he said, they should, do through industrialization and infrastructure development of their respective states.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port Harcourt on the performance of the Fubara-led administration and pace of development in the State, CookeyGam also urged Niger Delta sons and daughters to see the need to woo investors to invest in the zone to enhance aggressive infrastructural and human capital development.
He expressed the need for Governors in the zone, stakeholders and leaders at all levels to pull their resources together and establish industries in their different areas, which will ultimately manifest in the region.
“Unity of purpose with shared motivation, mutual survival and benefits would offer us the opportunity to pull our resources, talents, and ideas together for the well-being of the people of the States and region”, CookeyGam said.
According to him, within the past one year of his governance, Fubara has instituted many transformational projects and development programmes that has direct bearings on people’s lives.
He said, “on assumption of office in 2023, Fubara was confronted with the challenges of uplifting the living standard of the people of the state, but with the support and collaboration of stakeholders in the state, he was able to ease the financial plight of Rivers people.
“Fubara is ready to woo investors into the state, with varieties of industries that will create employment opportunities for the people of the state, in terms of human capital development, industrialization, entrepreneurship, health, education, agriculture and other sectors.
“Fubara is poised to attract participation of the private sector and divest government interest to private sector, hitch has resulted in the State being rated as the fastest developing economy in Nigeria”.
CookeyGam, who said South-South governments should provide industries and infrastructure to develop the region, lamented that in spite of the federal allocation to states, governments in the region failed to harness the economic opportunities of the zone.
He recalled that visionary leaders such as Fubara, former governors of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili and Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi performed well in developing the state through the provision of infrastructure and the setting up of industries.
“Leadership must create environment that would compliment the efforts of others”, he said, and appealed to Niger Delta people to rally support for their Governors to help them develop the region for posterity.
Bethel Toby
The Chief Executive Officer of Young Founders Business Reality TV Series, Mr. Reuben Ebitari T. has advised Nigerian Youths to be consistent and diligent in order to succeed in any business venture.
The CEO who stated this during the launch of the organization in Port Harcourt, described diligence and consistency as necessary for success.
Mr. Ebitari stated that his organisation’s goals were to empower young entrepreneurs, provide training and mentorship to scale their business ideas into sustainable ventures.
He explained that he knew that there were people who genuinely wanted to engage in business but the fund to start was not available, noting that such individuals were the target of his organisation.
He stated that the sponsorship for the project was drawn from their individual contributions as members of the group and expressed hope that government, corporate bodies and individuals would partner with his group to achieve desired goals.
According to him, we are looking forward to expand the project.
He, however, expressed misgivings that his organization would be able to reach those that had little or no education, saying that today’s world was technology-driven.
Also speaking, a prominent and founding member of the group, Queen Adaeze Chineme, hailed the objectives of the organization.
She said her organization was inspired by its passion for empowering the youths.
She emphasized that there was need to provide capital for Youths who genuinely want to engage in business ventures.
Miss Chineme said primarily the beneficiaries of their capital support would be drawn from those with existing business outfits and noted that youths from 18 to 35 years were eligible.
She also called on government, corporate bodies and individuals to support the venture.
Rivers
Immunization: Rivers Records Decrease In Women, Infant Mortality … As OPTS Donates Cold Chain Refrigerators To PHCMB
Rivers State has recorded reduction in mortality of infants, children, and women who die during pregnancy and childbirth.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, who disclosed this, Tuesday, during a media briefing, in Port Harcourt, by the Primary Healthcare Management Board (PHCMB), at the donation of World Health Organisation (WHO) Prequalified Cold Chain Refrigerators, said the decrease spans the last three months.
According to her, an analysis of relevant data in the last three months from which report was presented to the State’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, who is the Chairman of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Taskforce, showed an increase in immunisation, which resulted in the decrease in the mortality of infants, children, and women in the State.
“As we were analysing the data in the last three months, and providing report to Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, we were pleased and delighted to share with her and onward to the State Executive Council that we have seen an increase in immunisation coverage by virtue of the work the management and staff of the PHCMB have been doing.
“Significant increase in immunisation coverage, reduction in mortality and in newborns, in infants, below the age of one, and children under the age of five”, she said.
Dr. Oreh continued that beyond the stated reductions, there were also “reductions in the number of women who died during pregnancy and childbirth”.
In spite of these, however, the Health Commissioner emphasized the need to sustain efforts being made to ensure that “we get to the point in Rivers State where there are no Zero Dose Children, that there are no more children who don’t have access to vaccines appropriate for their age to save their lives from common childhood illnesses that threaten their survival”.
Making the donation of the WHO Prequalified Cold Chain Refrigerators, the Executive Director, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), the donor of the refrigerators, Mr. Gwueke Ajaifa, said the donation is in the spirit of giving back to the people.
Noting that OPTS is an association of oil and gas companies in Nigeria, comprising five International Oil Companies (IOCs), and 25 Nigerian Companies, Ajaifa explained the reason for the donation.
“As individual companies, we recognise the need to take care of the people who live in our communities, because without healthy communities, there can be no progress in terms of business.
“Individual companies have been reaching out to the State, but collectively, we also see the need to reach out and ensure that we take care of our people, and Rivers State is one of the States we believe deserves our attention.
“So, this equipment has been donated to support the immunisation programme, in order to maintain the potency of vaccines, because it’s important that we store them properly”, Ajaifa stated.
Explaining the function of the WHO Prequalified Cold Chain Refrigerators, the State Immunization Officer, Dr. Inwom Joseph Urang, said it’s basically to maintain the potency of the vaccines.
“When vaccines are brought, we maintain their potency at a particular temperature, usually +2 to +8 degrees centigrade. So, you don’t allow the temperature to go beyond that.
“Once the temperature goes beyond that, the potency of the vaccines might be compromised. So, we need this equipment to actually help us maintain these vaccines.
“If anything happens to the Cold Chain, we call it ‘breakage of the Cold Chain’. Once the Cold Chain is broken, the potency of the vaccine is gone. Instead of the vaccine being a life-saver, it will now be a killer.
“This is a modern equipment with ten years warranty”, Dr. Urang explained.
Sogbeba Dokubo