Niger Delta

Uniport Calls For Inclusion Of AI In Nigeria’s Educational System

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2024

The Department of Computer Science, University of Port Harcourt, has advocated for the advancement of Artificial intelligence (Al) in Nigeria’s educational system.

The initiative was highlighted during a National Artificial lntelligence workshop which took place at the University of Port Harcourt, last weekend.

The workshop was sponsored by the International Development Research Center, Canada, and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency,SIDA, with funding managed by African Center For Technology Studies (ACTS), under the Artificial lntelligence For Development Africa initiative.

The Head of Department, Computer Science, at the University of Port Harcout, Dr. Ugochi A. Okengwu, in her opening remarks, emphasized the need to accelerate the advancement of Artificial lntelligence in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dr. Okengwu, who is also the branch Co-ordinator of the Organization of Women In Science for the Developing World, Uniport Chapter, said that AI was a revolution and urged the federal government to create an enabling environment ensure its growth.

“We are trying to see how Al development will be faster in Africa, because Africa is a very crucial place, because we have the population. It is a good ground for a lot of technological advancement to come in.

“So, Al as we said earlier, it’s not just technological advancement, it is a revolution”, she said.

Also speaking, the Director, Center for Information and Telecommunication Engineering (CITE), at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, said plans had been concluded to launch a catch-them-young programme for children in primary and secondary schools in few weeks time.

He, therefore, enjoined the general public to embrace Artificial lntelligence to ensure that Nigerian youths were not left behind in the rapidly advancing world.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari A. Georgewill, in his welcome address, had urged the participants to take the workshop seriously, saying the world is rapidly shifting towards AI.

Dr. T.P. Singh of Bennett University who delivered the keynote speech, discussed the benefits and challenges of AI.

He highlighted AI’s applications across various fields and addressed some of the challenges it presents.

Tonye Lekara from Rivers State gave a technical presentation on AI in health applications. He also covered topics such as AI in health has a lot of setups, role in detecting medical imaging analysis, to detecting cancer, malaria parasites, and other health challenges, its applications in other fields.

According to him, AI in health involves using advanced algorithms, hardware systems.
Kaggle, fig.1, Humata are AI Assisted Research Tools.

He also talked about Future Trends and Roles of Government.

A question-and-answer session followed, allowing participants to interact with the facilitators and ask relevant questions, which were addressed comprehensively by the speakers.

The second technical presentation focused on the application of AI in research, delivered by Ediong Umoh from Nigeria.

He discussed the importance of AI tools such as plagiarism checkers, reference managers like Zotero, and AI writing assistants like QuillBot and Trinka, Grammar for enhancing research quality and data representation.

The third technical presentation on AI in agriculture was done by Tonye Lekara.

He demonstrated how AI could be used to analyze agricultural images using apps like Picture, Pop apps used in teaching farmers how to manage machine and other toolkits such as plantify, plantix used to identify crop, plants, analysis of images for signs of mold, rot, insects and other threats.

Second question-and-answer session followed, with participants engaging with the lecturer and having their queries addressed.
The panel session on AI ethics, moderated by Dr. C.B. Marcus, featured Dr. Legbors Barikpoa Emmanuel, Professor Laeticia N. Onyejegbu, and Dr. Ugochi A. Okengwu.

The panelists who were subjected to thorough questioning on AI ethics, responded adeptly.

Prof. Omijeh discussed the topic: “Embedded AI and Education 4.0,” explaining how the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is driven by digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and robotics.

He encouraged collaboration between the faculties of engineering and computer science to integrate AI into education.

In his vote of thanks, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Professor Laeticia N. Onyejegbu thanked all those that contributed to the success of the workshop.

Niger Delta

24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 THE Rankings … 4 S’South Versitieis Pull Through

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.

The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).

The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.

The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.

Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.

The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.

The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.

Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.

The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.

Niger Delta

‘Ogbolo ’26’: Bayelsa Community Revives Heritage, Strengthens Unity

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”

Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.

The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.

Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.

He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.

Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.

“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.

“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.

The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.

Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.

Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.

For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.

Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.

The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”

The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.

The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.

VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.

Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.

Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.

He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”

Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.