National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), through the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), has awarded a N70.5 million grant to six female engineers.

This is contained in a statement issued by NASENI’s Director of Information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ayeoyenikan said the grants were awarded to the six winners under the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) project, with a call for proposals launched as part of NASENI’s Delta-2 programme.

He recalled that on March 8, the agency had introduced the DELT-Her project, aimed at addressing gender imbalance in the engineering and technology-based businesses in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of NASENI, Mr Khalil Halilu, represented by the Coordinating Director of the Planning and Business Development Directorate, Dr Nonyem Onyechi, noted that the DELT-Her initiative sought to empower young women in engineering and technology.

He stressed the importance of providing women with necessary tools, platforms, and support to excel in the fields that had traditionally been male-dominated.

“I encourage the awardees to see their success as a beacon for others and a commitment to fostering environments where women can thrive in engineering and technology,” Halilu said.

Chairman of PICTT, Dr Mohammed Dahiru, said that after evaluating over 120 applications, six innovative projects were selected for funding, with each receiving grants, technical support, and partner connections for commercialisation.

Dahiru added that some of the awardees had also been selected to participate in the upcoming AFRI Lab Annual Gathering in Cape Town, South Africa, based on their projects.

The grant recipients, with their projects, included: Rukkaya Abdulmutalib, ‘Artificial Intelligence Censored Machine to Monitor Soil Health for Green-Houses (N3 million) and Patience Ibrahim-Janda, ‘Automobile Brake Pads produced from Organic Waste (N10 million).

Others were: Amina Khaleel, ‘Drone for Intelligent ReaL-time Security and Target Tracking’ (N17.5 million) and Kudirat Jimoh, ‘Electronic Training Board/Device for Science and Engineering Students’ (N16.5 million).

The remaining grant recipients were: Ikechukwu Francisca, ‘Automatic Bambara Flour Processing Machine’ (N8.5 million) and Abisola Olayiwola ‘Solar-powered Snail Shelling Machine’ (N15 million).

Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi State, on Wednesday, flagged off the construction of a 20 kilometre Obajana-Uro-Aku rural road linking parts of Lokoja and Adavi local government areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was part of interventions by the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) supported by the World Bank Group and other stakeholders.

The 20km road was the first phase of an over 65km network of rural roads in the state aimed at creating access to farms, farming communities, and markets to ensure food security in the state.

Gov. Ododo, while flagging off the construction, emphasised the pivotal role of rural roads in the development agenda of his administration.

Ododo stated that rural roads would not only enhance transportation but would serve as catalysts for rural economic growth and food security in the state.

“This administration believes that rural roads will provide access and connectivity to farmers and traders as part of his administration’s broader strategy to enhance rural development and bring governance closer to the people.

“We are appealing to benefiting communities to take ownership of the project and ensure its good usage and management,” he said.

The governor, however, advised contractors handling the project not to divert project funds but should demonstrate a high level of integrity and professionalism.

Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Mr Abdulmutalib Mohammed, said the project was meant to benefit farmers by reducing the cost of transportation.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Mr Aminu Bodinga, represented by Mrs Joy Amadi, commended Gov. Ododo for his unwavering commitment to rural development.

Bodinga noted that rural development would enhance connectivity and access to markets, social services, and opportunities that were previously out of reach by rural dwellers.

The State Coordinator of the project, Mr Sheidu Obansa, said the network of rural roads would expose the communities to opportunities and promote agricultural development in the state.

The Olu of Oworo, Muhammed Baiyerohi, commended Gov. Ododo on the road project and noted that the project would enhance agricultural development and reduce vehicular traffic along Obajana Road.

The Apata of Apata, Oba Frederick Balagun, who spoke on the development, said the initiative would help rural dwellers, who are mostly farmers and traders in the state.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, says the Federal Government is implementing several initiatives toward achieving inclusive and integrated urban development.

Dangiwa stated this in his address at the 2024 Conference of Directors and Heads of Town Planning Organisations in Nigeria on Tuesday in Akure.

The minster said one of the foremost efforts was the comprehensive review of the 2012 National Urban Development Policy, which was ready for approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Dangiwa also said the ministry was actively involved in the implementation of transformational physical programmes targeted at promoting sustainable settlements growth and development across Nigeria.

He said the ministry had made substantial progress in increasing the stock of affordable and decent housing stock for Nigerians with the ground-breaking of 6,612 housing units across 13 locations nationwide.

According to him, the programme is under the ministry’s Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.

”The programme includes; 3,112 housing unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana Abuja, under Public Private Partnership (PPP).

“Twelve other locations are being funded under the 2023 Supplementary Budget and they include the 500 Renewed Hope City in Kano and 250 Renewed Hope Estates in Katsina.

”Other’s are in Yobe, Gombe, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Benue, Nasarawa, Osun and Oyo,” he said.

Dangiwa said the cities would be designed and managed in a way that fosters integration, sustainability and inclusivity.

“As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation, let us commit to building cities that work for all Nigerians – cities that are resilient, productive and sustainable.

“Once more, I challenge you all to participate actively and maximise the benefits accruable from discussions at this meeting. I look forward to receiving your decisions and conclusions,” he said.

Speaking, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, urged the Directors and Heads of Town Planning Organisations to build a system of accountability that would seamlessly see to the running of the activities of the country.

Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Commissioner for Urban and Regional Planning, Mr Gbenga Olaniyi, said effective physical planning was a tool to control flooding.

This, he said, would enhance the projections on global warming and spatial land use management in Nigeria.

“We need to remedy many of our spatial challenges, such as land management and resource handling, without which no development can be attained.

“Integrating this for equitable sustainability calls for all hands to be on deck at the accurate application of land planning tools and spatial land use.

”This will give us the pathway to sustainable planning development in Nigeria,” he said.