Science and Technology
Research Confirms Nigeria, Dumping Ground for Obsolete Technologies

According to a research carried out by the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM). Nigeria is now a recipient of obsolete and misfit technologies.
NACETEM, an agency of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science and Technology that provides critical knowledge support in the area of Science, Technology, Innovation (STI) management for sustainable development in a report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the centre said the development was due to reliance of the country’s manufacturing and service firms on imported technologies. googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Speaking to NAN on the issue, Dr Abiodun Egbetokun, Assistant Director of Research in NACETEM said a survey was jointly carried out by NACETEM and Centre for Innovation Indicators (CesTII) at the South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council.
He said the research focused on the innovation performances of Nigeria and South Africa and how the productive sector of the economies of both countries fare particularly in relation to the creation and application of knowledge.
He said findings revealed that both countries use technology acquisition as the key innovation strategy but South Africa used more technology in the manufacturing sector than Nigeria.
“We compared innovation in manufacturing between both countries; we found a slightly higher rate of innovation in South Africa than in Nigeria.
“But, firms in both countries rely on technology acquisition (that is, the purchase of embodied technology through machinery, equipment and software) to innovate.
“In the specific case of Nigeria, most of the technology is imported.
“In the comparison of service firms, the difference in innovation rates between both countries is not noticeable.
“While Nigerian service firms still rely on technology imports, South African firms emphasise staff training as the main innovation strategy,’’ he said.
The director said both countries used technology acquisition as key innovation strategy to improve the quantity and quality of their value propositions.
He noted that the two countries faced critical financial and other barriers to innovation.
On services sector, the official said the two countries used training and technology acquisition as key innovation strategies to improve the quantity and quality of their proposition.
According to him, the findings of the research show that the Gross Domestic Products (GDPs)of the two countries were stalled in recent years.
The director said there were several reasons why GDP growth rates could be stalled but the most plausible in the case of both Nigeria and South Africa is what economists term “middle income trap”.
“This happens when a country grows rapidly and attains middle income status (according to World Bank classification) but is unable to grow beyond that status.
“Often, what drives the pre-middle-income growth is connected to specific advantages that the country has, for instance in the export market for primary commodities (in the case of Nigeria, crude oil, and in South Africa, gold).
“Due to local wage increases that accompany middle income status, the country tends to become less competitive in the export market and is, at the same time, unable to compete with more advanced countries in the market for finished goods.
“That is the story of Nigeria and South Africa.
“Currently, both countries grapple with poor domestic labour market conditions, evidenced by incessant wage increases, worker protests, large share of workforce in indecent employment, etc among other characteristic middle income trap problems,’’ he said.
Egbetokun said data from the research was drawn from the South Africa Business Innovation survey (2008) and the Nigerian Business Innovation Survey (2010)
“These are the latest available data. The surveys stopped since then because funding of the NEPAD African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative (ASTII) stopped and each country needed to fund its own innovation surveys.
“Unfortunately, NACETEM did not receive funding for the surveys from the Nigerian government until in the 2018 budget year.
“We are now embarking on the data collection process for another round, but any analysis for now will have to rely on the old 2008-2010 data.
“For comparability, we chose 2010-2012 data for South Africa. Other years would have been too far apart between both countries,’’ the director said.
According to him, an innovation survey is normally conducted periodically (typically once every three years) to assess how the productive sector of an economy fares, particularly in relation to the creation and application of knowledge.
“These surveys are useful because they help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the industrial sector in a country, with a view to designing appropriate policies and structures to initiate and sustain growth.
“Innovation surveys have been carried out in Europe, where they are commonly known as Community Innovation Surveys (CIS), since 1991/92.
“In 1996, South Africa was the first African country to implement an innovation survey.’’
NAN reports that the recent research emerges from Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint research and training that NACETEM signed with CeSTII in 2017.
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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News
Renewable Energy Has Enormous Potential To Grow The Power Sector – Expert

An energy experts and the President REEEA-A, Prof. Magnus Onuoha, say that renewable energy has enormous potential to grow the power sector, hence, promoting national development.
He reiterated this in Abuja on Tuesday 1st August, 2023 at the inauguration of the newly elected members of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance ( REEEA-A)/ a one-day media training. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Prof. Onuoha, further said that renewable energy and energy efficiency had so much potential for women empowerment, youth development and national growth.
“But we barely have a cadre of local indigenous developers as most of the products and finance were not accessible to Nigerian developers.
“Here in Nigeria, the fuel subsidy removal, the Electricity Act recently signed into law, rising cost of energy dominant systems and measures, have showed that it is time for a critical rapprochement and behavioural change toward renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“Not just as a policy document but as an implementable system for domestic, rural, urban, commercial and industrial development, ‘’ he said.
Onuoha said that in 2019, seven associations came together and saw the need for a common voice in the renewable energy and energy efficient sector.
He listed the associations as Association of Energy Engineers – AEE, Council for Renewable Energy Nigeria – CREN, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria –REAN, Renewable Energy Associations Society of Nigeria – RAESON.
Others he said were the Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria, – SEPAN Women in Renewable Energy Association – WIRE-A
According to him, with the generous support of development partners the associations had remained strong.
“And after three years of trying to get everyone on the same page, representing the industry and associations within the industry and at the same time sensitising government on the roles Nigerian developers have to play.
“We are taking it not just one step further but reinforcing the foundation that has been laid, and building multiple stories of vertical integrations that will change the industry, ”he said.
Onuoha said that there was the need to develop the capacity of developers, installers, advocates and policy formulators. If we do not have capacity, we shall be at the mercy of others.
He said that without the requisite capacity, indigenous expertise could not be built to sustain national growth.
“With enough capacity, we can create green jobs, create employment, create entrepreneurs and evolve women and youth empowerment.
“As the President of REEEA-A, I, alongside my colleagues on the Governing Council pledge to work assiduously to ensure that renewable energy and energy efficiency become the go-to technologies to power Nigeria, ”he said.
On her part, Mrs Joy Ogaji, the Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), said that the introduction of consolidated power framework that includes cleaner renewable energy sources in Nigeria’s energy mix would facilitate the development of renewable energy solutions.
Ogaji said that there was the need to introduce cut–edge technology to improve power distribution and monitoring and also encourage private sector investment.
She said that the proposed reforms are expected to improve the competitiveness, financial viability and service delivery in the sector.
According to her, the payment/liquidity and security of supply as major challenges in the region should be looked into to ensure that the region realise regional power integration to its fullest potential.
“There is the need to put in place several measures to improve confidence in the regional power market such as
”Improving sector creditworthiness, through a well-designed and securitisation model to encourage the provision of guarantees.
Ogaji said that for West Africa to ensure energy security for her growing economies, developing a strategic framework through regional integration coordinated and bench marked must be promoted when developing respective energy sectors.
“There is also urgent need to encourage move towards willing seller/willing buyer contracts to effectively balance risk and reward in the sector, ‘she said.
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Science and Technology
Meet The Youngest Nigerian Certified AWS Developer Associate In Africa

A 13-yr-old Computer Programmer Joshua Agboola from Nigeria has emerged the youngest Certified Amazon Web Services Developer Associate in Africa .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agboola achieved the feat after a grueling two-hour examination that tested his skills and knowledge in deploying, troubleshooting, and development on the AWS cloud platform. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Agboola, in an interview with NAN in Lagos on Sunday 30th July, 2023 said he was inspired to achieve the feat because of his outstanding performance in his AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner examination earlier in the year.
He said that as a result, he was encouraged by his father to take his pursuit of a cloud career further by sitting for the next level certification.
Agboola said that though he had developed an interest in DevOps, the popular progression was to go for the Solutions Architect Associate certification, and this was what he did.
“I was initially preparing for the Solutions Architect Associate certification which is the next certification most people take in their AWS cloud journey, but had a change of mind for a tougher developer associate certification due to encouragement from an older friend programmer.
‘’The light bulb went up in my head, and I began studying the next day.
‘’The possibility of clinching the title of the youngest Developer Associate in the world, which is an equivalent of a world record in the cloud space, also became a strong motivation for me,’’ he said.
According to him, I prepared for the test by studying for about two to five hours daily for about six weeks.
Agboola said the first two weeks of study was to appreciate the core concepts of the course and also gain knowledge of all the topics that could come up in the exam.
According to him, this turned part of study time into revision time and had to cover the content of the Solutions Architect course earlier which gladden me because my practicing has paid off.
The 13-year-old internet sensation said his achievement in the cloud space had gotten noticed, saying “A tech. company in Lagos has already offered to provide me with further technical mentorship”.
He dedicated his achievement to young people who wish to build a career in technology while encouraging the young ones to go for their dreams.
According to Amazon, getting certified as an AWS Developer Associate showcases knowledge and understanding of core AWS services, and proficiency in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications.
Amazon said the organizations with AWS certified developers have the assurance of having the right talent to give them a competitive advantage and ensure stakeholders and customers satisfaction.
“Preparing for and attaining this certification gives certified individuals more confidence and credibility,” it added.
NAN reports that earlier, Agboola had taken and passed the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification becoming the youngest in Africa to do so.
Likewise, on July 17, 2023, he sat for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate examination and passed with flying colours which is another first for Africa.
Cloud services are infrastructure, platforms, or software that are hosted by third-party providers and made available to users through the internet.
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Science and Technology
What this Radiologists revealed about the controversial 5G Technology..

A radiologist from University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr Wilson Effiong said 5G is non-ionizing radiation, which means it lacks sufficient energy to break apart DNA and cause cellular damage, saying that 5G had more speed and capability. push({}); adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ,’
Effiong made this assertion as Electrical and electronic experts have called for adoption of 5G mobile technology for Nigeria not to be left out of the ongoing global technological industrialisation and development evolution.
Effiong said it was also an improvement of all other technologies , which Nigeria must adopt for growth.
He said that 5G does not cause COVID-19 stating that, “5G is non-ionizing radiation, which means it lacks sufficient energy to break apart DNA and cause cellular damage,’’
Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) made a 5G Health Symposium webinar on Saturday to clarify some myth about the 5G technology.
Speaking on controversies around 5G and radiation from antennas, they said that 5G mobile technology was faster and safer and used less oxidation and energy, making it safer than its predecessors.
Mr Bako Wakil, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said Nigeria had no 5G technology at the moment and stressed the need for policy formulation towards its adoption.
Wakil said that MTN was given the opportunity to try the capability of the network in two cities in 2019 after which the 5G was “decommissioned“.
He explained that 5G was safer than its predecessors because it has far less radiation than that of 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
Wakil said that NCC was measuring exposure limits from mobile frequencies in line with global standards, to ensure safety stating that, as safe as water was for human use, its abuse could cause harm.
“In NCC we have been measuring and assessing base station radiations. All equipment coming into Nigeria are allowed after they are certified.
“Radiation coming from mobile base stations or mobile sets are not harmful. We should as a country have a policy, 5G is going to transform our people and country.
“We have been carrying out measurements of 5G radiations at NCC and it is safe. Although it is safe, it is important to adopt safety measures, even water, if not properly used can harm you.
“NCC has feedback mechanisms where we go round the country in our consumer outreach programmes as well as our town hall meetings, where we ensure stakeholders and consumers meet to address all consumer needs and complaints,’’ he said.
He said that by 2025 over a billion machines were expected to be connected globally carrying out complex operations like surgeries, self-driving cars, etc which Nigeria must key into.
While taking questions from participants, Wakil said that radiation from microwave ovens was far higher than that required by the 5G mobile network.
He noted that microwave ovens needed more than 10 times the energy frequency needed by 5G mobile technology to function, thereby making 5G much safer.
Earlier, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, Chairman House of Representative Committee on Communications, while declaring the webinar open, said that there was currently no approval for 5G in Nigeria.
Mr Uwazie Kingsley, Technical Director, Huawei Technical Support Centre, Nigeria, while making his presentation, said that 5G had the key to the fourth industrial revolution driven by efficient effective machines operations.
Kingsley said that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the need for working remotely, adding that 5G was the platform needed for other industries to inter-twine with telecommunication.
Citing drones as example, Kingsley said that the device was limited because it uses Wifi adding that, 5G would remove the current limitation of heights and speed to drones operations.
“5G is going to remove those limitations of height and speed, it will mean that the drones can no longer be brought down and the Police can use it for surveillance,’’ he said.
He said that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind as researches have begun into 6G, which is expected to use holograms.
Dr Abayomi Afe, Public Health Physician, a specialist in infectious diseases, a researcher and Consultant, said that disease needed an environment, agent and a human host to enable it to thrive.
Afe who spoke on the topic, “Health and Radiation Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic“ said COVID-19 was a new pattern of the respiratory disease, which is unknown.
“The only way to know anyone who has the virus is through laboratory test which includes collection of swaps from the nose and deep down in the throat,” he said.
He said that the country was making progress in its effort to flatten the COVID-19 curve, while listing various health guidelines on curbing COVID-19 and how to stay safe.
“As at last week a new symptom was discovered in children that is why you must seek medical help for all health issues and not self-medication,” Afe said.
Author Profile

- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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