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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Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.
The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.
The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.
Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.
He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.
According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.
Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.
Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.
Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.
He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.
A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.
Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.
He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.
In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.
Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector, particularly between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board.
She made the call today, during the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care, held at Government House, Port Harcourt.
She emphasized the importance of honesty in addressing challenges within the healthcare system, urging all parties to remain open and truthful in their engagements.
According to her, transparency is critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting service delivery.
“If we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up,” she stated.
The Deputy Governor recounted a personal experience at a primary health centre, where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCHPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to pay for services.
She explained that intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, thereby exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.
Prof. Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme and ultimately undermine its objectives.
“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stated.
While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, the Ministry of Health, development partners, and other supporting units for their efforts, Prof. Odu cautioned against complacency.
She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and ensure lasting positive impact within the healthcare system.
As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, about 600 experts are billed to converge in Port Harcourt in a business conference to uplift middle-class businesses in the Niger Delta region.
The convener of the convergence, Lanre Oluseye, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said the conference, scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt for the first time, would equip middle-class businesses with the knowledge required to overcome challenges and scale up their businesses.
He explained that the convergence was conceived in response to challenges stalling business growth, particularly at the mid-level.
Oluseye noted that while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefited from various interventions, middle-class businesses were often neglected despite facing significant constraints.
He added that the conference would bring together accomplished professionals and business leaders to mentor mid-level entrepreneurs on how to overcome barriers and attain greater heights.
“Convergence is a conference where thoughts, ideas and strategies come together to create a catalyst that enables business people to move to the next level.
“It is a platform that accelerates growth by bringing great minds together to chart a course for others to follow.
“Our objective is to move the Port Harcourt-based middle-class businesses to cross the barriers that are holding them down”, he said.
Oluseye continued that the conference, slated for April 18, would attract about 600 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and middle-level managers to address business challenges in the Niger Delta through innovative ideas and strategies.
He emphasised that the event would not be a mere social gathering, but a knowledge-driven platform designed to transform participants and provide networking opportunities to enhance their businesses.
He assured that participants would gain new insights, build valuable networks and engage with like-minded professionals.
Oluseye further said that top industry leaders expected at the conference included the Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Leye Falade; former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and the MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings Plc., Gbite Falade.
Others are Tope Aladenusi of Deloitte Africa; the Partner, Chief Economist and Lead, Strategy and West Africa, Segun Zaccheaus; and a global thinker and futurist, Olakunle Soriyan.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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