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Minister Lists Gains Of Science, Entrepreneurial Education

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8 years ago

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello says science, entrepreneurial and vocational education subjects will create jobs and financial independence for young Nigerians.
Bello made the assertion at the closing of the 4th edition of the FCT Science and Technology EXPO (FASTECH 2018) with a theme: “Technology and Society in the 21st Century” last Thursday in Abuja.
The minister, who was represented by the FCTA Secretary of Education, Sen. Isa Maina, called for more attention to the nation’s indigenous technology in the face of the present challenges.
The minister, who appreciated the organisers of the event, said that the EXPO had created awareness and sensitised participants to the role of science and technology in national development.
“I would like to convey our commendation to the Education Secretariat and the Department of Science and Technology for making the FCT proud at the just concluded Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award.
“At the award, Master Daniel Idakoji of the GSSS Pyakassa came first, defeating 773 other students selected from all the local government areas across the country.
“His impressive performance is a great testament to the high standard of public education in the FCT.
“His performance is one of the fruits of the particular attention the administration pays to science, entrepreneurial and vocational education.
“We do so because we believe these subjects are the surest path to job creation and financial independence for young Nigerians,’’ he said.
Bello called on Nigerians to look inwards to harness and improve the indigenous technology by promoting and encouraging innovation, creativity and value addition.
“It also involves linking research results and school projects to industries and markets, all geared towards self-sufficiency and wealth creation.
“I am aware that competent resource persons had spoken on the theme and sub-themes of the expo. We will work towards their suggestions and recommendations.
“We also hope these recommendations would assist government in policy formulation as well as evolving ways and means of improving science and technology in our society.
The minister assured the Department of Science and Technology and the Education Secretariat of the unwavering support of the FCT Administration towards the realisation of our collective dreams.
Bello said that the EXPO has shown the administration’s resolve to make the FCT a model in the development of science and technology.
According to him, FCT will encourage youths to realise their potentials, get involved in skill development activities with a view to adding value to the society at large.
He urged that organisers to ensure that the outcome of the event was properly documented so that it could translate into concrete, actionable and productive projects.
Earlier, the FCTA Secretary for Education, Sen. Isa Maina said FASTECH had become a platform designed to identify and bring together all stakeholders, public and private artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their products.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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3 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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3 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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3 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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