Experts have suggested an inventory of sources of all hardware and software consumed in the “digital economy” to ignite possible solutions. One such initiative is the Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) which offers training in 12 tech fields, including Artificial Intelligence. It is a major move to improve digital skills and grow the tech industry in Nigeria. Also, in March 2024, Tinubu’s administration introduced another initiative named the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) whose goal is to open up opportunities in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Information Technology (IT)-enabled sectors. The Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) is a privately driven, government-enabled national job creation effort anchored by the Presidency under the Office of the Vice President and initiated by Outsource Global, Nigeria’s leading BPO provider.

The Director-General, National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, has given the assurance to partner with organisations ready to support government’s drive towards addressing the critical need for cleaner, more efficient transportation systems in Nigeria. Dahiru lauded the effort of Bibigizer Africa on its innovative power capsule aimed at sustainable environmental-friendly atmosphere in Nigeria, stating that the project would lead to greenhouse gas emission reduction and contribute to the nation’s quest to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Speaking on the innovation of the capsule, the Managing Director, Bibigizer Africa Limited, Garba Zakariya, said his organisation is set to refine the landscape of transportation and energy efficiency in Nigeria. “We are determined at revolutionalising the transport sector by significantly reducing carbon emissions and enhancing engine performance through effective decarbonisation by the introduction of the capsule.”President/Chief Executive Officer, Greenplinth Africa, Project Developer and strategic partner to Bibigizer Africa Limited, Dr. OlawaleAkinwunmi, stated that the capsule is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in the automotive industry.

Then, in March 2023, Gray sensationally departed Whitehall to become Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. But her reputation as an inquisitor has helped Gray immensely when it comes to influence on junior staff and MPs. The first is shadow cabinet ministers, especially those bruised by negative briefing, such as Louise Haigh, Lisa Nandy and Angela Rayner, of whom she is a particular champion. Even among the most senior staff, there is barely anyone who has been promised a particular role in government, and the majority are in the dark about the future. One senior Labour figure said Gray and Starmer had connected because of their acutely similar backgrounds.

View image in fullscreen Pastor Darrell Scott at New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. View image in fullscreen Scott after speaking at the Republican national convention in Cleveland in July 2016. Now Scott contends that Black voters, for so long unshakably Democratic, are moving towards Trump largely because they are struggling under Biden’s economy. View image in fullscreen Trump shakes hands with Scott in the Rose Garden at the White House on 3 May 2018. “To this day, I’ve not received one dime from Trump, not one free hamburger at the Trump hotel,” he said.

One Boko Haram member, Bayanze Mustapha, fleeing from the massive incursion of troops into the Sambisa Forest, has surrendered himself to the troops of the 2 Armored Brigade, Bama. It was gathered that Bayanze was among the terrorists who fled the forest due to the fear of battlefield elimination after dozens of their camps were captured and razed by the troops. Security and Intelligence expert, Zagazola Makama, reported that he surrendered with his rifle on June 1 and told the troops that he ran out of ‘Garin Ali’ in the Sambisa Forest. Bayanze reportedly told the troops that everyone was running for safety as the troops kept invading their camps. As you know, ISWAP elements are also hunting to kill us,” he said.

A significant gender gap in digital technology adoption and skills among young African women was threatening to limit their access to education, employment, and economic empowerment, a new report has warned. The report, released by Caribou Digital and the Mastercard Foundation on Friday, found that young African women face a range of barriers to digital inclusion, including limited access to digital infrastructure, lack of digital literacy, and societal norms that discourage them from pursuing careers in technology. According to the report, the gender gap in digital technology adoption and skills could have far-reaching consequences, including limiting the ability of young African women to access information, networks, and opportunities, and potentially exacerbating existing gender inequalities. “Key findings from the report show a concerning gender gap, with young African women lagging in digital technology use. Commenting on the report, Research & Insights Manager, Caribou Digital, Grace Natabaalo, said the report was a collection of voices empowered by the benefits of digital access and marginalised by the significant barriers preventing their full participation in this burgeoning technological age.

Speaking at the ongoing GITEX AFRICA 2024 in Marrakech, Akhannouch stressed the significance of technology and innovation in forging alliances for Africa’s future. GITEX Africa 2024 serves as a convergence point for tech experts, innovators, policymakers, government leaders, and investors to explore Africa’s digital opportunities and economic growth prospects. According to Akhannouch, digital transformation is imperative for enhancing cooperation among African countries, providing solutions to the continent’s challenges, and promoting sustainable development. He reiterated the importance of embracing and advancing digital transformation to unleash Africa’s full potential in the 21st century. The CEO of KAOUN International, Trixie LohMirmand, said: “This sequel of GITEX Africa Morocco this year follows the upbeat trend of tech discovery we created last year in its inaugural edition.

Segun Adeyemo, a Nigerian-born doctoral student at Mississippi State University, has made significant strides in applying machine learning techniques to enhance forest regeneration and restoration efforts in the United States and other countries. His recently published research showcases the potential of cutting-edge technology in tackling the urgent issues of forest restoration and changing climate. Adeyemo’s innovative approach involves utilizing advanced machine learning algorithms to identify suitable habitats for key tree species, such as American chestnut, butternut, and oaks, in the context of climate change. His innovative application of machine learning in forest restoration has reached a global audience of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. His groundbreaking applications of machine learning in forest restoration serve as an inspiring example of how cutting-edge technology can be leveraged to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday, announced that international oil companies can sell their retained 50 per cent of repatriated export proceeds in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market. This decision comes after the CBN placed limits on the transfer of crude export proceeds by IOCs to offshore parent company accounts on February 14. The apex bank noted that these transfers affected domestic foreign exchange market liquidity and sought to reverse the trend through ongoing reforms. Kanya, banks can only transfer 50 per cent of repatriated export proceeds to IOCs’ offshore parent company accounts, with the remaining 50 per cent repatriated after 90 days. Providing more clarifications, the apex bank said the “50% balance of the repatriated export proceeds may be sold to Authorized Dealers or eligible users of foreign exchange with eligible transactions”.

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has said that 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide. The Service Public Relations Service (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The CG however, appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced to go for pick-up at the various Passports Issuing Centres across the country. The NIS CG directed that all Passport Offices in Lagos should operate on Saturdays between 9am – 2pm. This, she said would enable officials to attend to applicants coming for the collection of their produced passports only.

The health system, education system, transport, and justice systems to mention a few just simply aren’t working…as they ought to! The education system needs to be overhauled from primary right through tertiary! When employers complain about the employability of Nigerian graduates, it is a damning assessment of the education system, and by extension, the curriculum that supports this system. At present, we have Universities, Universities of Education, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, Univeristies of Agriculture, and Universities of Technology. The youths stand as the bridge between the present and the future as they presently constitute the strength of the nation, whilst in the future, will occupy leadership and parental positions.

The Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Kemi Nandap has said that 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide. The Service Public Relations Service (SPRO) Mr Kenneth Udo said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The CG however, appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced to go for pick-up at the various Passports Issuing Centres across the country. The NIS CG directed that all Passport Offices in Lagos should operate on Saturdays between 9am – 2pm. This, she said would enable officials attend to applicants coming for the collection of their produced passports only.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared a nationwide strike over a proposed new minimum wage. The union accused the government of impoverishing the people further and denying them a decent living, especially through the tariff hike. “Today’s meeting further demonstrated the unseriousness and apparent contempt with which the Nigerian state holds the demands of Nigerian workers and people. “Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the current economic realities. The welfare of Nigerian workers and people is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.

Medical experts and Civil Society Organisations have called on the Federal Government to fully implement the graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging and labelling. While the 2024 yearly graphic warnings will begin in June 2024, experts and CSOs urge the FG to implement graphic health warnings on 60 per cent of display areas of tobacco products, including shisha and others. Fagbule said findings have shown that graphic health warnings have helped people quit taking tobacco products. “I advocate that the government’s regulatory body should look at the contents of these things and implement the graphic health warnings and labelling on them,” Dr Akintade said. “There is no full compliance to the graphic health warnings yet.

Mastering words such as “cricetine” and “indumentum”, 12-year-old Bruhat Soma clinched victory Thursday in the United States spelling bee. “Bruhat Soma from Florida cemented his win by correctly spelling his final word, ‘abseil’,” organizer Scripps National Spelling Bee announced on X.Soma, who also competed in the past two annual competitions, will take home a $50,000 prize and a championship trophy. Soma correctly spelled 29 words in 90 seconds during the competition’s second-ever “Spell-off” tiebreaker, US media reported. In earlier rounds, Soma correctly spelled 10 words right, including “coulisse” — defined as a backstage area — and the Dutch town Hoofddorp. Children have participated in US classroom, school, and regional spelling bees in hopes of making it to the national contest since 1925, according to Scripps National Spelling Bee.