Headlines

Degrees not enough to equip youths in 4IR – Pantami

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2023

The minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has called for inclusion of digital skills in the school curriculum of African undergraduate students.

He said the inclusion of digital skills training became necessary because degrees were no longer enough to equip the youths for the task ahead of them in labour market.

The minister made the call on Tuesday at the first West Africa Digital Economy Conference themed: Positioning West Africa Digital Economy for the Future, organised by the ministry in Abuja.

He said countries that prioritised the 4th Industrial Revolution like US, Japan Germany, China and India, which are the largest economies in the world have grown their economies through the adoption of digital economy and for Africa to compete globally, the continent must brace up with the challenge of adopting digital skills in the training of youth people to prepare them for new tasks at wor place.

‘‘There is a serious mismatch between the quality of certificate from our institutions and output at work place. The focus is not about certificate but ability to do the job. It is not about employment, the most serious challenge is unemployability of the youth because of that mismatch, when those employed cannot do the job.

‘’If you look at it today in the world, we need a minimum of 8.1m world class cyber security experts, not everybody is needed. What we have today is only 4.7m, so by implication we have another 3.4 vacancies.

‘’Degrees are not enough to equip the youth, they must be supported with digital skills to be able to compete globally. It is because of this mismatch that we came up with this initiative of building a Digital and Innovation Centre in all states of the federation to compliment the degrees.

‘‘In this 4th Industrial revolution, degrees are not only needed but skills to compliment them. Degrees must be supported with relevant skills, either soft skills or hard skills. It is only innovation that is the way to go. In addition to that about, 15 digital innovation centres have been built across the states. For this, government is building World class digital and innovation centre in FCT in addition to National Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence’’.

He called on Africacountries to prioritise flexible regulation that would attract investors and empower youth and women with digital skills that would make them job creaters rather than job seekers.

The minister also challenged African leaders to collaborate in the area of skill development. If this is done, he said citizens will not complain of unemployment.

‘‘African countries have series of regulations. My focus is to make them realise that regulation should be about flexibility, they must learn to amend their laws within 24 hours when the need arises they must try to change the perception of restricting investors but rather support development. Also prioritise long term benefit rather than short term benefit.

‘‘Again Africa must collaborate in the area of skill development. If this is done, citizens will not complain of unemployment. Certification should validate skills, if they don’t they have lost their essence. Focus should no longer be on certificates but prioritise skills, and that skill should not be inter-mediary but long lasting skills that will enable them create jobs.

‘‘I encourage African countries to come up with laws that will support young innovators to be job providers rather than job seekers. This is the way I feel Africa can come together to identify our talents, identify our young innovators, give them support they need to be able to make us proud.

‘‘Let us prioritise manufacturing what we consume and not what we import. There is no developed nation in the world that relied on what others produced but it produced’’

‘’‘Our population is very important but we must take the advantage and the age advantage by being very proactive in adopting emerging technologies. Today, Africa has over 430 million unemployed youths, some underemployable and others unemployable. From this population, only one third of that population is underemployed, and by implication, only 140 million of that number is underemployed and remaining are unemployable.

‘‘Unemployment is a time bomb in Africa. We must leverage our population and age advantage to achieve the much desired growth and development.’’

On effort in empower youth/women, he said, ‘’we have many programmes to support women ICT. From committees, boards and managerial positions, women are well represented. Over 600 citizens so far have been trained on digital skills. Our target is to train 1m software developers.’’

Speaking on his performance on broadband/internet penetration, the minister said, ‘‘prio to taking over as minister in 2019, the annual broadband penetration was less than 2 to 3 % but from 2019 to 2020 it was increased broadband penetration by more than 8% in one year.

Other initiatives taken to ensure broadband penetration increased was to address the issue of Right of Way, we engaged state governors who cooperated with us and reduced cost to laying Optic Fibre to N145 per linear metre and some free. This action led to reduction in cost of production in the sector.

‘‘Another major challenge was vandalisation of telecom infrastructure. Within one year, 113 cases were reported in one year, after looking into it the cases have been brought down by 80%, after engaging the minister of works and housing.’’

‘‘Today, we provide satellite Broadband services, first in Africa. This provides services in any part of Nigeria to compliment efforts of Network Service Providers, who provides fibre optics.

‘‘The whole country is now covered with broadband services, either through fibre optics or satellite broadband, there is no part of Nigeria that is not covered with broadband penetration’’.

Other initiative by the administration, according to him, is building 33 ICT Backbone infrastructure. The Federal government is providing optic fibre into each state of the federation and as at today, 33 have been completed and by March this year, the 36 states and FCT will be covered.

On data Protection, Pantami said, ‘’Data protection is not optional but our fundamental rights. It is the duty of government to ensure protection of data of citizens unless a crime is committed, security agencies are empowered to go into private data as long as prima-fase’ is established.

The new Data Protection Bill will give incentive to investors and will help create awareness among citizens on how to secure their data’’.

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Headlines

North Hails Tinubu’s Marching Order to End Banditry by 2025

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Stakeholders in northern Nigeria have applauded President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the military to end banditry and insecurity by the end of 2025, describing it as a necessary step toward restoring peace and stability.

The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, who announced the directive recently, assured that the military would sustain its aggressive operations against criminal elements.

“The bandits are now on the run, but the military will not rest until we end this thing. The president has given us marching orders to end insecurity in every part of our country by the end of this year.

“The Chief of Defence Staff and the National Security Adviser are working day and night to actualize that target. As you have seen, we are putting pressure on all the theatre operations,” Badaru said.

Citizens across the North-East and North-West welcomed the development, stating that insecurity remains a major obstacle to progress, particularly in food security and economic activities.

A Borno-based farmer, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the presidential order gave hope for a return to normalcy. He stressed the need for a massive military push to clear insurgents from the Lake Chad region, which is crucial for all-year-round farming.

“We are happy a deadline of December is given. There’s always a need for a timetable to get things done. Rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement programmes are ongoing in Borno, but we still face challenges from remnants of terrorists that need to be cleared,” Ibrahim said.

In Adamawa, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, also commended the presidential order, emphasizing its potential to restore economic activities.

“It is indeed very comforting to hear the Commander-in-Chief issue a direct order to the troops. Flushing out bandits has multiple benefits, including the restoration of productive activities such as farming and trading. That is the real import of the President’s directives.

“While expressing total support for this bold decision, it is also necessary to advise that the President should equally give another directive for the non-kinetic component of the fight against banditry and insurgency. A robust public enlightenment campaign should accompany this renewed onslaught,” Sajoh said.

In Zamfara, residents of Shinkafi Local Government, including Salisu Tunga and Aminu Bello, praised recent military gains but urged for intensified operations.

“Bandits are still harassing some communities in Shinkafi, raising the need for more intense military operations to complete the job. Up to now, travellers need military escort in areas like Dansadau, Magami, Dangulbi, Zurmi, Kauran Namoda, Shinkafi, Moriki, Maradun, and Maru,” Tunga said.

He further lamented that some communities in Tsafe, Zurmi, and Bukkuyum LGAs were still being forced to pay levies to bandits, stressing the need for decisive action.

In Kebbi, the Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Tafida, confirmed that bandits were infiltrating from neighbouring states and Niger Republic but assured that security measures were in place to counter the threats.

The Director in charge of Security at the Kebbi Cabinet Office, Alhaji AbdulRahman Usman, highlighted significant progress in securing the state.

“They used to attack Argungu, Augie, and Arewa Local Government Areas but have been chased away and dealt with,” Usman said.

In Sokoto, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, Col. Ahmad Usman (Rtd), described the presidential order as timely, noting that military operations were yielding results.

“Many terrorist enclaves were identified and destroyed, with several bandits neutralized. Hundreds of kidnapped victims are also being rescued in the ongoing operations,” he said.

With the military intensifying its offensive, residents remain hopeful that the December deadline will bring an end to the scourge of banditry and pave the way for lasting peace.

Headlines

Oyebanji Warns Ekiti Pilgrims Against Tarnishing Nigeria’s Image in Israel

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged 17 Christian pilgrims traveling to Israel to uphold Nigeria’s reputation and avoid any actions that could bring embarrassment to the country.

Speaking during a prayer service held in Ado-Ekiti ahead of their departure, Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, emphasized the importance of spiritual rebirth in shaping a nation’s development through attitudinal change and character rebranding.

He encouraged the pilgrims to remain dedicated to the spiritual exercise, ensuring that the benefits reflect in their personal lives and society at large.

“We desire a society that is corruption-free, where people can imbibe the fear of God in their operations and daily lives,” Oyebanji stated.

“I therefore charge you to pray not only for yourselves, but for our dear state, nation, and the world at large. We live in times that require our collective prayer and unity more than ever.

“I plead that you do not engage in any act that can jeopardize the intentions of this pilgrimage and put our nation into unwarranted international embarrassment,” he added.

The governor reminded the pilgrims that the journey was not just physical but spiritual, urging them to make the necessary sacrifices and embrace piety to maximize the benefits of their participation.

In his exhortation, the Government House Chaplain, Segun Awolumate, described spiritual voyages as a source of blessings, emphasizing that true transformation would only come through holiness.

“I expect you to be holier and believe more in God after this journey. You have to be fully revived. Your prayers too must bring revival to Ekiti and Nigeria.

“The land you are visiting is not ordinary; it is filled with the spirit and covenant of God. Make good use of this opportunity,” Awolumate said.

Also present at the service were the Secretary of the Ekiti State Christians’ Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Sunkanmi Adu, as well as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Chairman of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Emmanuel Aribasoye, among others.

Headlines

Fintiri pledges more digital, self-employment opportunities for youths

Published

2 days ago

February 6, 2025

Saadatu Sahabo

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has pledged to continue to provide world class training opportunities for youth, civil servants and entrepreneurs to make them competitive in the global digital economy.

Fintiri said this at the graduation of 50 youths on digital skills in Yola on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the beneficiaries was presented with a starter pack.

Fintiri, who was represented by his Special Adviser on ICT and e-economy, Hammanjam Adamu, said the initiative aimed to empower youth to be self-reliant and employers of labour.

“We have embarked on an ambitious journey to position Adamawa State as a digital hub, fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

“The State Government remains committed to supporting your growth with initiatives like the ICT Technical Talent Program.

“We aim to train 100,000 youth in Adamawa State in various technical and digital skills over the next few years,” he said.

Fintiri encouraged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge acquired to stay connected and to continue learning for more success.

Hammanjumba Gatugel, Commissioner for Ministry Entrepreneurship Development, said the participants were drawn across 21 Local Government Areas.

They said they were under gone intensive training on Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Website Development and Modern workplace Digital Communication Courses.

“The training has provided the beneficiaries with Digital skills to enable them compete with their counter-part globally, also with the knowledge make informed decision in the Digital world,” he said.

According to him, the programme will enhance their employability and readiness to open wide range of employment opportunities including media, advertisement, marketing and design.

The commissioner also advised the beneficiaries against selling their starter kits so as not to defeat the aim of the training.

Arabo Ishaq, Chief Executive Officer, Datarose represented by Abdulmalik Adamu, a resource person, appreciated Adamawa government for the opportunity.

He said, the beneficiaries could now develop website among others skills acquired.

“We have a beneficiary that is about to get married and designed his invitation letters with the skills he acquired he acquired during the training,” he said.

Iya Bamalam who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries appreciated the opportunity and assured to apply the skills effectively.