Niger Delta

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

Published

10 months 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

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.