Month: October 2023

Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Merck Foundation, says improved access to quality and equitable healthcare will foster social stability, individual prosperity and economic growth of nations.

Stangenberg-Haverkamp said this at the 2023, 10th edition of Merck Foundation-Africa-Asia-Luminary conference, organised in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre, Department of Atomic Energy and India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He noted that the foundation has offered scholarships to African health workers to strengthen the quality of healthcare deliveries to individuals and families across developing countries.

This, he said, would improve overall health and productivity in the continents.

“We are working with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education and Gender, Academia, Policymakers, Medical Societies, Media and Art communities to lead Africa and Asia to a healthier and better future.

“This will not have been possible without the efforts and continuous support and dedication of these stakeholders and we will continue to work closely with them in our full capacity to overcome healthcare and social challenges in the continents.

“Over the years, I have visited many countries and personally met with many of the doctors who received these scholarships, they shared their experiences and the huge impact they have made on their patients and communities, after their graduation.

“I must say that I am impressed by their unwavering dedication and commitments. I will continue visiting and meeting with them in their countries to update myself about the impact of our programmes. Their success stories are inspirational,” he said.

Sen. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, in her address, noted that the foundation has achieved great success in improving and amplifying efforts of health challenges year on year.

“We have come a long way and have together with our partners, made significant impacts by building healthcare and media capacity.

”We are also breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, especially childless women, supporting girl education and raising awareness on a wide range of social and health issues.

“I feel proud to share with you that we have provided more than 1,700 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties,” she said.

Kelej listed those critical areas to include Diabetes, Endocrinology, Oncology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Paediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, general surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, and Pain Management, Emergency and Resuscitation.

“Others are Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and many more,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 11 African First Ladies were among the dignitaries that graced the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on the Federal Government and security personnel to leverage the power of emerging technologies to address security concerns in the country.

The Giri, Abuja branch of the society made the call on Wednesday at their 8th conference, annual general meeting and presentation of awards.

The theme of the conference was “Emerging Technologies: A Panacea for Tackling Insecurity in Nigeria’’

Dr Sadiq Umar, Director, Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), in his lecture, defined emerging technologies as innovative advancements, tools and scientific discoveries in early stage of development.

Umar said they had the capacity to significantly impact various aspects of the society, industry and daily life.

He said that emerging and digital technologies could enhance communication, navigation, provide remote sensing and geospatial intelligence, biometric identification, among others.

Umar identified some of the prospects of emerging technologies in national security as, smart surveillance, data analytics for predictive policing, community policing with technology, border and coastal surveillance.

He recommended that optimising emerging, digital technologies required enhanced cybersecurity capacity which would ensure investment in building cybersecurity capabilities to protect critical infrastructure and data.

“Engage in digital literacy programmes, regulatory frameworks, national, regional and international collaborations, as well as Public-Private Partnerships.

“Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in its security journey and the integration of technology is pivotal in creating a safer and more secure nation,’’ he said.

Chairman of the branch, Dr George Okpanachi, earlier in his welcome address, said science and technology had undergone significant transformations in the 21st century.

According to Okpanachi, the rapid growth of science in this century has given rise to a new type of technology known as emerging technology.

“The emerging technology is constantly evolving and is closely linked to previous technologies.

“Today, sophisticated technologies are transforming every aspect of our daily lives and technology has been helping to mitigate security threats through various ways,’’ he said.

Okpanachi listed the technologies as Cyber security, Autonomous Drone Technology, use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to interpret Satellite Images, AI Video Surveillance and Internet of Things connectivity.

Okpanachi added that security personnel do not need to be physically present to deploy most of the digital technologies.

Dr Umar Abdullahi, National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISEng), without undermining conventional security measures, said there was need to align with global approach of addressing security issues.

Abdullahi,also a member of the branch, said that if the country implemented emerging technologies in its security approach, it would be an opportunity for engagements with stakeholders.

“There has to be an interplay of everybody leveraging this technology, we hope the players will come up.

“We hope the government will play the key role in investing in Research and Development, because in as much as we want to use emerging technologies, we want to use indigenous ones.

“When we use indigenous ones, we are growing capacity, we are keeping confidential information at home rather than abroad, the local content perspective is very key,’’ he said.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, lamented that the country had lots of unmanned land border areas through which foreigners gain access into the country.

Represented by Air Commodore Gowon Sule, Abubakar said that the only approach to checking those borders was through the use of AI.

According to him, installation of working cameras across cities, will also help check blind spots.

He said that the Nigerian Air Force had always capitalised on capabilities provided by technology and engineering systems to advance the course of national security of the Nigerian Airspace for enhanced protection. (NAN)www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday pledged continued support for the maintenance and development of the Abuja National Mosque.

Wike made the promise when the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe (the chief of Nupe people), Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, visited him in Abuja.

The minister assured the board members that the FCT Administration would not hesitate to support the maintenance of the Mosque, having been declared a National Monument.

“No government will hesitate to support the maintenance of a National Monument, be it for Christians or Muslims.

“I will always give support to anything that has to do with Islamic affairs.

“Whatever assistance the previous administration has been helping, if we do not surpass it, we will continue to do that,” Wike said.

The minister also extended the three months grace period for the development of undeveloped plots for the religious body considering how they generate resources for projects.

The extension was for Plot 99, belonging to the National Mosque, which was currently being developed.

“For Plot 99, we will extend the date for you as a religious group because your project depends on donations and support from people,” the minister said.

Wike also gave Mr Shehu Ahmad, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, 24 hours to explain the position of Plot 63, also belonging to the Mosque, but situated on a road corridor.

He directed Ahmad to consider providing an alternative plot or determine the portion of the land that would be affected by the road, including the compensation.

Earlier, Abubakar explained that the visit was to congratulate Wike on his appointment as the minister of the FCT and pray for God’s wisdom and strength to enable him to deliver his mandate.

He pointed out that the National Mosque had been declared a National Monument, adding that the structure needs to be maintained and sustained.

The chairman disclosed that the FCTA had made a commitment to support the maintenance of the Mosque, noting however that the rehabilitation and renovation of the mosque had stopped.

He added that Plots 99 and 63, belonging to the National Mosque, were among plots that were given three months to commence development or face revocation.

He said that plot 99 was receiving the needed attention, adding however that work on plot 63 was suspended based on the directive of the FCTA.

He said that the suspension was on the ground that an expressway passes through the plot based on the Abuja Master Plan.

“We are hoping that by the time that portion of the land that would be affected is removed, we will know what remains and then how to be compensated by the authority.

“We crave your indulgence to let us have the position of the authority on that land,” he appealed. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria