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Prof. Ibrahim Garba, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, says the institution had secured over N53 million from UNESCO-ICHEI for the establishment of Smart Classroom.
Garba disclosed this at the 2nd International Conference of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) at the main campus of university in Samaru, Zaria, in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day conference was organised by IEEE Nigeria, Computer chapter, in collaboration with the Department of Computer Engineering of the institution.
The theme of the conference is: The Role of Computing in the Evolution and Development of Emergent and Alternative Technologies.
Garba was represented by the Head, Department (HOD), Computer Engineering, Prof. Mohammed Mu’azu.
According to him, it is understandable that the emergence of some of the disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications can be developed to facilitate blended or online teaching and learning.
“We look forward to such outcomes from this conference.
“The university is committed to this kind of initiative and has recently secured over N53 million intervention fund from UNESCO-ICHEI for the setting-up of Smart Classroom in the university,” he said.
This, according to him, holds very important infrastructure for the development of online content, adding that the university will also sign partnership with the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE).
He said it was an initiative of the UNESCO-ICHEL and the Centre for Higher Education Research (CHER) of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China.
While appreciating the decision of the institution’s Computer Engineering department to host the conference, the vice chancellor also said it was a welcome development and a boost to the department.
Garba observed that the theme of the conference was very apt as the university was keen on exploring the full potentials of ICT in enhancing teaching and learning experience.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), said the commission was collaborating with Nigerian universities on funding telecommunication industry-focused research and innovation.
Danbata, who was represented by Alhaji Abubakar Maina, office of the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, said the NCC through its Department of Research and Development, which is a creation of the present CEO, is extensively collaborating with the academia.
“This collaboration is in the area of development of emergence and alternative technology by promoting and funding telecommunication industry-focused research and innovation.
“This year alone, the commission received a total of 63 research proposals from the academia all over the nation and these proposals are currently being evaluated by a competent committee for possible funding,” he said.
Danbatta assured the academic community that the commission would gladly welcome more telecommunication industry-focused innovation and research proposals in the area of emerging and alternative technology.
Dr Tunde Salihu, the Chairman, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) Nigeria, Computer Chapter, said the choice of the theme was conceived to reflect relevant modern trend and technology in the practice of computer engineering.
He also said it was also relevant to Computer Science and Information Technology toward national development.
He debunked the saying that IEEE had not been active in the North, noting that the maiden edition of the institute’s international conference was held in Ilorin, Kwara, in Nov. 2016.
Salihu lauded members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and others who contributed to the success of the occasion.
The chairman said IEEE is the largest professional body worldwide with about 430,000 members, adding that the institute controlled over one-third of all the information in relation to electrotech in the world.
“Here I am talking about standard, I am talking about proceedings, I am talking about any information in electrical engineering.
“And some-how, we have not been collaborating enough with ABU; however, I stand here as one of the two active IEEE heads in Nigeria that we are going to be working with ABU more than what we have done in the past.
“One of the easiest ways to be working with you is to have more of your members joining IEEE. I invite both students and lecturers to come and join us,” he said.
Earlier, the HOD, Computer Engineering, Mu’azu commended the IEEE, the ABU management and NCC for the support and confidence reposed on the department to host the conference.
He pledged the department’s commitment to offer students and the entire community the benefits of its knowledge and skills to ensure that they became competitive in the 21st century workplace.
“This is reflected in the content of our programmes and the support system in place to encourage students with innovative ideas.
“We produced two of the three students that were in the team that came 3rd in the Huawei local ICT Skills Competition finals that took place in Shenzhen, China in May.
“We also produced one of the 10 students that represented Nigeria at the `Seeds for Future’ training tour of China last year orgnised by Huawei,” he said.
NAN reports that the conference also featured exhibition where recent research findings in computer engineering were displayed.

Abuja’s 1st and most indigenous Beauty Pageant, Most Beautiful Girl In Abuja-MBGA, will be holding the grand finale of its 19th edition, alongside “One Nation Award” on the 26th of October 2019, at Chida International Hotel Event Center, Abuja. About 35 Contestants have been unveiled to contest for the prestigious and historic Crown.

With over 19 years of consistent empowerment, training and nurturing of young, iconic, vibrant and outstanding Beauty Queens, the Director of MBGA, Hon. Ejiro Okphiwo told our reporters that this edition amongst others will be quite significant, eventful and responsively inciteful.

He stated that “One Nation Award” which is a side event of the 2019 Most Beautiful Girl In Abuja grand Finale and crowning ceremony will be recognising the impact-efforts and contributions of distinguished Nigerians who are committed to building bridges that will ensure the continuance of peace, unity and development in Nigeria.

Hon. Ejiro noted that the magnificent and delightful Contestants of the 19th edition will showcase their capacity, as MBGA organization has already made provsional efforts with development partners to ensure that projects of emerged Winners are promoted, supported and implemented to fruition.

Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja has been the most recognised pageant event, hosted in Abuja and for Nigeria. It has crowned several outstanding and iconic Beauty Queens, who are brand ambassadors of multibillion international agencies across the world. Some of the confirmed nominees for One Nation Award is Niger Delta Royal Father, Ateke Tom and Nigeria billionaire bussinessman and politician, Hon. Prince Ned Nwoko. According to the organising committee, other award nominees will be released soon.

Doctors at Cedarcrest Hospital, in Abuja, have successfully operated on a 13-month-old baby, who was viciously attacked by a pit bull at Mambilla Barracks, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 8.

It was reported that the black dog, believed to be a pit bull, reportedly broke free from its cage and wandered off into the block where little Michael was playing with his four-year-old brother.

Upon seeing the dog, his older brother immediately fled into the house, but Michael was not quick enough as the dog pounced on him.

The dog subsequently grabbed Michael by the head and pulled him about 30 metres away and had bitten him repeatedly.

The dog began feasting on the 1-year-old boy, using its teeth to tear into the boys skull. A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said she quickly raised the alarm.

Residents rushed to help the 1-year-old boy, but their efforts seemed unsuccessful, as the dog refused to let go of the boys head.

The dog had to be killed before the baby could be rescued from its deadly grip.

A man on Monday drove a body to a police station in northern California and claimed he killed four people, authorities said.

The man was arrested by Mt Shasta Police, near California’s northern border with Oregon, who in turn alerted Roseville Police, some 300 kilometres south of Mt Shasta, police spokesman Josh Simon said at a press conference.

“He showed up at the police department in this car, with the body,” Simon said.

Roseville Police said in a Facebook post that the man “claimed to have murdered individuals at his residence in Roseville.

One of the possible victims was inside his vehicle at the Mt Shasta Police Department in Siskiyou County and other victims were at an apartment in Roseville.”

Simon told journalists that police believed “the suspect and victims were known to each other.”

Police said the only suspect is in custody and that they don’t believe there is any ongoing threat.

Access Bank Plc. has hit one billion naira daily in loan value through its expanded digital lending portfolio.

Mr Victor Etuokwu, the bank’s Executive Director, Retail Banking, stated this in Lagos on Tuesday.

Etuokwu said its expanded digital lending portfolio, which gives Nigerians quick and 24/7 access to funds for emergencies without any collateral, had recorded N1 billion daily in loan value.

He stated that the bank was at the forefront of digital lending across the continent.

“This is a deliberate choice we made when we introduced the first USSD-based digital lending product in Nigeria based on our deep understanding of our operating environment.

“In the past two years, we have disbursed over 3.5 million loans to individuals.

“We acknowledge it is no mean feat when compared to where the market is coming from, but this is still a scratch in the overall potential of this market,” he said.

Etuokwu said that the bank had disbursed over N45 billion in over two million disbursements to individuals this year alone.

“This year alone we have disbursed over N45 billion in over 2 million disbursements to individuals and have recently witnessed a spike in our volumes hitting N1 billion daily.

“This achievement and our focus on retail lending reiterate our commitment to democratise access to financial services leveraging digital technology,” Etuokwu said.

He said that the bank had continued to expand its loan portfolio using its proven innovative algorithms and deep machine learning capabilities.

According to him, Access Bank has continued to do so since the launch of its digital loan portfolio, with PayDay Loan as the flagship product.

“The bank’s retail innovation journey has led it to expand its digital loan offerings to other multi-tenured variants to fit the needs of its diverse retail customer segments,” he said.

Etuokwu said that the bank also launched a dedicated loan application platform known as QuickBucks in the third quarter of 2018.

According to him, QuickBucks is a Mobile Banking Application for digital loans aimed at improving customers borrowing experience for retail loans.

Also speaking, Mr Chinedu Onuoha, Head Digital Banking Business Development, Access Bank, lauded the bank’s achievement in digital lending.

“Our objective is to ensure that there is a digital loan product for every adult Nigerian who has proven means of livelihood because we know that every individual at one point or another requires some form of financial support.

“Our flagship digital loan product, PayDay Loan, is tailored to help individuals meet their urgent cash needs.

“Though the tenor for this loan is 30 days, we also have loans with tenors of three months and six months,” Onuoha said.

(FLOWEERBUDNEWS) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, presented Certificate of Discharge to Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp).

A certificate of discharge is a written statement of satisfaction that a party has discharged its obligations credibly.

The Group Chairman of Transcorp, Tony Elumelu was accompanied by the group Chief Executive Officer, Val Ozigbo, and Chief Executive of Transcorp Hotel Plc, Owen Omogiafo to receive the certificate.

Speaking with State House correspondents afterwards, Elumelu said the event was at the instance of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

“We were invited and presented with certificate of discharge, meaning when you privatise government assets, when you sell government assets or companies, you have certain obligations.

“What you must do to improve the assets, to create jobs, to enhance the tax you have to pay to government, enhance the value of the property itself.

“You know that in 2005, we acquired Transcorp Hotel and we had certain obligations as core investors to meet.

“I am happy to say we have met those obligations, strengthening corporate governance practices, how the company is run, improving revenue for the company, increasing our tax payment to government, creating employment for Nigerians.

“ Most importantly, helping Nigeria to experience 7-Star Hotel in this country, some of you who have been to Transcorp Hotel in recent times will see that we have spent a lot of money, hundreds of millions of dollars to refurbish the hotel.

“So that when presidents come to Nigeria, like during the independence anniversary and the May 29 event, you will be proud to see that all these presidents stay at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, world class 7-star experience and quality.

“So, we are happy that the Nigerian government, through the NCP, recognises what we have done and invited us to discharge us of the obligations.’’

He said that the discharge meant a validation of what Transcorp stood for and that it had creditably acquitted itself.

Elumelu said the group was used to turning around businesses, creating value and improving lives.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for being an appreciative government that recognised what the firm was doing in the private sector.

“The development of our country must be led by the private and public sector working together.

“ So, the private and public sectors must work together to move this country forward.

“ We are grateful to the Federal Government, we are grateful to the NCP for this, that’s why we are here to see the vice president.’’

On the business environment in Nigeria, Elumelu said that the ease of doing business was improving in the country.

He said that the presidential team that was driving the ease of doing business was doing a great job as Nigeria had moved to a higher ranking.

The chairman said, however, that more needed to be done for Nigeria to become more competitive.(NAN)

(FLOWERBUDNEWS) A Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of 45 bank accounts belonging to three companies allegedly  involved in smuggling of rice into Nigeria.

The companies whose accounts were domiciled with ten commercial banks in Nigeria are Sun Sam A1 International Limited, Sun Sam International Limited and Sunchrist O. Trans Nigeria Limited.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed directed the Head offices of First Bank Nigeria PLC, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Union Bank PLC, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank PLC, Sterling Bank, Access Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Polaris Bank and Eco Bank Nigeria to freeze forthwith all transactions from those accounts for 45 days.

Justice Mohammed said that this was pending the outcome of the investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Ruling on an ex-parte application on behalf of the apex bank by its counsel, Nosike Nicholas, to freeze the accounts for 90 days, the Judge granted the apex bank permission to freeze the accounts for only 45 days.

He said that the order of freezing for 45 days was subject to renewal for further days upon an application by the CBN, in the event that its investigation could not be concluded within the first 45 days.

Nosike anchored the application on section 60, Paragraph (B) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 1991 as amended.

He told the court that there was an ongoing investigation against the defendants who are customers of the commercial banks.

According to him, transactions under the accounts can cause significant financial loss to the rice industries in particular and the Nigeria economy in general.

The case was adjourned to Dec. 12 for further hearing.