NEWS
Unilorin to Benefit from FG’s High-Speed Internet Connectivity Plan
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Federal Government has made known plans to connect University of Ilorin students with their counterparts across the country and the world through a high-speed broadband initiative inspired by the international WiFi network, ‘eduroam,’ widely used in UK campuses.
The Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy Minister, Bosun Tijani unveiled this during a visit to the Vice Chancellor of the university.
The visit which preceded his participation in the 6th Africalics International Research Conference held at the University Auditorium.Bosun who was represented by his Special Assistant on AI Research, Olubunmi Ajala, highlighted that the initiative would link all hostels in the University to a robust internet network that would enable seamless connectivity between institutions in Nigeria and other.
According to him, the project aims to make high-speed internet accessible and affordable for students while fostering collaboration and innovation within and outside Nigeria.
While commenting on the 6th Africalics International Research Conference, themed “The Africa We Want: Leveraging Innovation and Digital Transformation”, he lauded the University of Ilorin for demonstrating its global relevance by hosting innovation and development scholars from across Africa.
He further talked on the importance of addressing what he termed “wicked problems” i.e complex challenges where solutions evolve and often generate new issues, added that such problems require innovation and technology.
The minister thanked the Africalics for providing a platform that drives innovation and intellectual engagement and bridges the gap between research and practical application, particularly in internet technology, emerging fields, and Artificial Intelligence.
“You cannot solve wicked problems without innovations and technology and the good thing is that digital technology is becoming easier to implement as Africalics provides a platform to drive these technological innovations.
“If we talk about the internet, new technology, or even Artificial Intelligence, we find out that research has been ongoing for a long time, and now we are moving towards application. We cannot exclude the academic environment from this transition from research to application, and Africalics has offered a collaborative space for scholars, especially those focused on innovation and digital technology.”
In his Welcome address of the delegates to his office, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, expressed the University appreciation for the role the Minister and his ministry played in hosting the conference.
He then requested the Minister’s support in equipping the University’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre and the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) with more computer systems to enhance teaching and learning activities.
Prof Egbewole added that the University recently held an AI workshop, where students who performed exceptionally well were selected for additional mentorship and opportunities; he therefore sought for advancing the University’s Artificial Intelligence initiatives from the Ministry.
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)
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