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Don  Harps On ICT Importance

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A lecturer at the Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria, Prof. James Samuel  Oludotun, has harped on the importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Educational Technology, and instructional materials as important tools to ameliorate and shore up physics as a subject at all levels.
Oludotun, a Professor of Physics, disclosed this at a valedictory lecture organised in his honour as he retired from the university, recently.
In his lecture title, “Improving the Teaching and Learning of School Physics in Nigeria”, he said for the love of Physics as a subject/course, which serves as a bedrock for professional careers in natural and applied sciences, government at all levels, stakeholders in education, universities, tertiary institutions and teachers in secondary education teaching and learning processes must comply with application of up-to-date instructional gadgets and ICT resources.
Such persons in natural and applied sciences include academic researchers, acoustics consultants, clinical scientists, and geophysicists.
“In addition, teachers, educational facilitators and lecturers are to be exposed and equipped with ICT knowledge and capacity building in order to ameliorate and shore up physics as a subject at all levels”, he said.
He recalled that in 1985, the then Director of NTA’s Education Programmes, and late news broadcaster, Mr Bode Alalade, wrote an article in one of the Daily Newspapers on the establishment of Instructional Television (ITV) to assist science learners (both young and old) in the society, in the study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
“In response to the article, Dr A. O. Adeagbo, a Research Fellow in Mathematics Education and I, a Research Fellow in Physics Education, responded by showing our interest to take part in the NTA (ITV) project.
“It was observed that Physics and Mathematics were produced and transmitted from Lagos, while Chemistry and Biology were produced and transmitted from Kaduna.
The production and the presentation of the Physics programme were part of my contributions to the improvement of teaching and learning of the new Physics School Curriculum in Nigeria.
“The objectives of the NTA’s ITV programmes were as follows: to supplement and complement the efforts of the teacher in the field and not to replace him; to broaden and deepen the scope of knowledge available through formal school channels; to encourage and teach vocational skills at various levels; to relate learning to contemporary life and enhance the inculcation and application of general principles as opposed to rote learning.
“These objectives were laudable for the development of the country in terms of the communication necessary for science (Physics) and Mathematics”, he said.

Prof. Oludotun said the goal of the NTA ITV was focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning of the New School Physics and Mathematics Curricula through broadcasting, which is a massive and effective mode of reaching a large audience.

Recall that the Science (Physics) and Mathematics programmes were transmitted in the evenings, 4.00 pm to 6.0 pm, Monday to Friday each week.

“The Physics and Mathematics NTA ITV programmes were on for almost three years, from 1986 to 1988 when they were stopped for lack of fund to keep them in the air”, he added.

Oludotun concluded that, “The use of ITV and other forms of scientific video-films in the classrooms will be added material for teachers to enrich the teaching and learning of Physics and Mathematics.

“It is hoped that the above prospects will open the doors to better research into learners’ perception of the world around them and the subject evaluation in terms of skills, comprehension and application”.

In response, Crawford University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Reuben Jiya Kolo, presented an award of meritorious service to Professor Oludotun for his contribution to the growth and development of Crawford University.

Kolo advised lecturers and all participants to make good use of ICT infrastructure, educational resources and facilities provided for teaching and learning activities in various teaching and learning processes in the University system.

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NCC Assures Safe, Accessible Digital Space

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians of accessible, resilient and safe digital space in the nation’s digital economy.
The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Rimini Makama, gave the assurance at the NCC’s Digital Economy Sensitisation Forum, with the theme, “Leaving No One Behind: Digital Access, Equity and Empowerment” in Abuja.
Makama said that the commission remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s national telecommunications infrastructure remained resilient, accessible and secure.
“Digital empoScientists Advocate Shared Responsibility To Boost Food Securitywerment must be inclusive. Without inclusion and equity, the benefits of the digital economy will remain unevenly distributed.
“The commission, through its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and other initiatives, is actively extending digital opportunities to the unserved, underserved, physically challenged and vulnerable groups through several impactful programmes,” he said.
The Publicity Expert for the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr Nihinlola Fefa, said that the association had been an advocate of cyber security awareness and sensitisation over the years.
“ATCON has been a very key stakeholder in the ICT and telecom industry. We have always advocated for cybersecurity awareness and sensitisation.
“We have been giving our own input over the years. We interface with all the telecom companies. We do a lot of studies, and we also give our contributions in so many ways,” she said.
She commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for deploying technology into rural communities.
According to her, though Nigeria is doing well in the area of cybersecurity, there is room for improvement.
“We are in a good position right now and we can do better from the government side,” she said.
Also speaking, the Head, IT and Cybersecurity, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Olorunisomo Isola, said that the commission had rolled out the necessary framework.

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Expert Tasks Nigerians On AI

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An economist, Dr Chinedu Amadi, has urged Nigerians to leverage the opportunities inherent in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become competitive in the global business and social spaces.
Amadi, who is also the President, Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC), gave the urge during an interview with newsmen , in Abuja, Monday.
Amadi noted that humanity has always advanced by expanding its intelligence and capabilities through technology across different eras pointing out that AI now drives economic systems, social interactions and competitive advantage among nations globally.
“The world is entering a phase where humans and intelligent machines will share cognitive functions, so Nigeria should innovate or risk being sidelined in the emerging global digital order.
“The next frontier extends beyond AI tools to a deeper relationship between human consciousness and machine intelligence. This phase has the dawn of shared human machine cognition shaping future innovation and development worldwide,” he said.
Amadi noted that countries like the U.S., Japan and China already integrated AI into national planning, logistics and defence operations.
He warned that a deeper wave of collaboration between humans and intelligent systems is rapidly emerging
urging Nigeria and other African nations not to remain passive observers in this technological transition.
“Nigeria must innovate urgently or risk missing another major industrial revolution. Future global leadership will favour nations that create, regulate and ethically manage advanced technologies,” he added.
He said that the youthful population is viewed as a potential cognitive economy capable of driving digital creativity.
He advised policymakers and institutions to develop indigenous technologies, reflecting national priorities and moral values.
The president, however, noted that energy and agricultural sector can gain efficiency through predictive AI and advanced computation, adding that governance can also benefit from digital systems that strengthen transparency and curb corruption.
While noting that neural interfaces and quantum processing would soon merge human thought with computationAmadi said that the evolution demands ethical guidance, empathy and deeper human conscience in education system.
According to him, nations worldwide are racing to regulate AI and Nigeria also needs to define its strategic position.
“The future beyond AI will favour societies that balance innovation with wisdom and uphold human dignity,” he said.

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NIGCOMSAT Expands Nigeria’s Digital Broadcast Subsector By 35%

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The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited says the country’s digital broadcast subsector  has expanded by 35 per cent to 75 per cent utilisation in two years.
This, it said, represented a milestone in the country’s digital transformation drive.
The Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, made the remark  at a retreat with the theme: ‘Aligning for the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainable Growth”, in Abuja, Monday.
According to her the theme reflects NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and positioning itself as a global satellite industry leader.
She said one of the notable achievements in its broadcast segment was the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, describing it as not just a technical milestone but also a national service.
“This growth is a testament to the organization’s improved service delivery and stronger engagement with partners and clients.
“The DSO project, a collaborative effort with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is a key milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“NIGCOMSAT’s contribution to the project is enabling digital broadcasting penetration across the federation, cementing the organisation’s position at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation,” she said.
Egerton-Idehen said the achievements were expected to drive revenue growth, with target of three billion naira in annual revenue and eight billion naira in revenue within three years adding that the organisation’s expansion of broadband services and private sector partnership was key to achieving the goals.
“We cannot move boldly into the future without addressing the weight of the past. Our debt profile — both financial and operational — is a reality we must confront with strategy, discipline, and creativity.
“These are our headwinds. We acknowledge them openly because honesty is the first step toward transformation.,” Egerton-Idehen said.
She said in spite of challenges such as economic barriers and competition, the organisation remained optimistic about the future.
“We must out-innovate the market, deepen partnerships, and build a culture of solution-focused, profit-driven, and people-centered excellence.”
“The key initiatives include transitioning to software-defined satellites, expanding broadband services, and the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator for the Space Ecosystem.
“The organisation is prioritising public-private partnerships, branding, and communication, as well as investing in its people,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Data Science Nigeria, Olubayo Adekanbi, said satellite-based economy could revolutionise key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, creating new job opportunities and increasing productivity.
“By providing internet access to remote areas, satellite technology can bridge the digital divide and ensure no one is left behind.

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