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Introducing Robots to Our Industrial Process Lines

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I listened with rapt attention over this weekend, to the lamentation of an erstwhile staff of a multinational manufacturing company in Nigeria. What was he talking about? The man was a front line worker on the production line that initially ran a 3 shift of 6 hours but was subsequently reset for 2 shifts of 12 hours each.

That was about 2 years ago. Nothing to it, you might say, but the job required that the worker keeps standing for the 12 hours duration of his shift! This eventually adversely affected his spinal cord to the extent that he could no longer turn his neck to the left or right as well as serious damages to his spine.

The company did the little it could do to have him treated but he is now abandoned to his own fate as help is no longer coming from his employer. He has been laid off from work, utilizing the final entitlement paid to him in settling huge hospital bills.

Now he has no more money to pay for his hospital bills or to feed and take care of his family. Many Nigerian workers are suffering this same fate across many of our industries today as I write.

I really felt pity on the man as he related the story. Although, there may be nothing I can do to help him, I, however, think that future occurrence can and actually be averted. I am one that believes that technology is capable of solving many of our day to day challenges both at the domestic and industrial level.

Robotics is one of the gifts of technology to us and I think we should take full advantage of it. Robotics is a branch of Artificial Intelligence that is concerned with making different kinds of Robots that are capable of carrying out physical tasks that are normally identified with humans.

These Robots are used in carrying out tasks on the production lines in industries with the displacement of human workers, hence, enables industries to achieve cost reduction in the area of human resources in the long run. The human workers are, therefore, restricted to supervisory roles. This has not yet taken root in Nigeria and most African countries, but is already on the increase in the western world and Asia.

The emergence of these robotic humanoids is, however, raising concerns in various climes as to the fate of humans when they are displaced at work by these Robots. The truth is that these robots are here to further make things easier for us.

There will always be humans working alongside these robots to oversee and easily shut down and take over the tasks in case these robots malfunction and start to develop technically issues. This, the humans working along-side the Robots will do in a relaxed manner.

As they are machines, Robots are capable of breaking down. To take care of those that will be displaced from work, however, there will be the need for them to be re-trained in other job areas aside from those that the robots take-over.

I know that many reading this now will doubt if we have the capability of introducing Robots to the production processes of our industries in Nigeria just yet, but, I daresay that there is no right or wrong time to start.

We only have to put our mind to it and start from somewhere. Our industries should create Research and Development departments in their organizations with one of the mandates being to introduce the use of Robots in their production processes, especially, the most difficult tasks currently being handled by humans.

Many of them that are multinationals have parent or sister companies in their various countries of origin that have embraced Robotics.

All they need to do is to import the Robotics technology and apply here too. It could be a gradual process and can take some time because of the likely huge capital outlay to set the process up, although, in the the long run it will be worthwhile.

I am sure that going this route will save us the lives of countless of our youths that are dying gradually, striving in a bid to make ends meet, standing for hours in the name of working on rigorous tasks that Robots can easily carry out.

CFA is the Founder, www.CFAtech.ng & Co-producer/ Presenter, Tech Trends on Channels Television

 

 

 

 

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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E-Business

Court orders Binance to release data of Nigerian Users to EFCC

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Binance Holdings Limited has been ordered by Justice Emeka Nwite of a federal high court sitting in Abuja to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the comprehensive data or information of all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform.

The order was granted following an ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho. In the motion deposed to by Hamma Bello, an operative of the EFCC attached to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the commission domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), he stated that they “received an intelligence stating the nefarious activities (money laundering and terrorism financing) on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform.”

He added; “That on receipt of the Intelligence, the team began investigation by conducting surveillance of the activities of the platform.

“That the team uncovered users who have been using the platform for price discovery, confirmation and market manipulation which has caused tremendous distortions in the market, resulting in the Naira losing its values against other currencies.

“That the damage the platform has caused was clearly explained to the operators of the platform and they were requested to delist the Naira and avail the ONSA on the activities of the Nigerians on their platform.

“That from the information afforded to the team by Binance shows that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 (twenty one billion, six hundred million dollars).

“Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1 is a copy of the document from Binance to the ONSA stating this fact amongst others. That the commission will ensure that investigation is conducted within such reasonable time.”

Bello also said that it is utmost urgent public interest, that the data be provided to enable the commission accomplish its investigation activities. He said refusal of the request woulf largely hamper the commission’s investigation.

Granting the application, Justice Nwite said; “The applicant’s application dated and filed 29th February, 2024, is hereby granted as prayed. That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the operators of Binance to provide the commission with comprehensive data/information relating to all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform.”


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Moove Unveils ‘N500M Moove Cares Program’ for All Customers in Nigeria

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Moove, the world’s first mobility fintech platform, has announced the launch of its ‘Moove Cares’ program, introducing a substantial support package aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of ongoing inflationary prices in Nigeria.

Recognising the challenges posed by rising fuel prices for its customers managing their businesses and the additional burden of inflationary food prices on household budgets, Moove is providing support both at work and at home. This program includes fuel subsidies to assist with business operations and a comprehensive care package to support households during these difficult times.

This program underscores Moove’s dedication to ensuring its positive impact in the lives of its customers, especially against the backdrop of Nigeria’s challenging and chronic economic landscape.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is grappling with an acute cost of living crisis and food prices, exacerbated by a confluence of factors including severe inflation, currency fluctuations, and logistical disruptions. This crisis has pushed essential food items beyond the reach of many, with the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics reporting a staggering 35.41% food inflation rate in January 2024 alone.

In the wake of the removal of the fuel subsidy in May, fuel prices in Nigeria have soared to an all-time high, reaching N610 per litre, marking a significant increase from the previously subsidised price of N264 per litre in March 2023.

This sharp increase of fuel costs by 131% has had a ripple effect across various sectors, notably leading to increased transportation fares and a substantial hike in the prices of food and other essential goods.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Moove has committed to distributing free-of-charge ‘Moove Cares’ packages worth over N150,000 to each of its customers. Starting next week, the program aims to mitigate the impact of high fuel prices and escalating food prices, particularly during the critical periods of Easter and Ramadan celebrations.

‘Moove Cares’ is a testament to Moove’s proactive approach towards corporate social responsibility and customer focused support in these challenging times for the country.

Taiwo Ajibola, Moove’s Regional Managing Director for Nigeria, elaborated on the program objectives, “As a listening organisation, we understand from our customers’ feedback the pressing need for support amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting both fuel and food prices.

“Our Moove Cares program is our small way of providing some much needed support to our customers amidst this extremely challenging economic  environment.”

Since its inception in 2020, Moove has been at the forefront of democratising access to financial services for mobility entrepreneurs. With a presence in 9 markets globally, Moove’s innovative platform has facilitated over 30 million trips, significantly impacting the lives of 80,000 of its customers and their dependents.

As Nigeria navigates through these turbulent economic times, the ‘Moove Cares’ campaign stands as a vital lifeline for Moove’s customers, further solidifying the Company’s position as a socially responsible leader in the mobility fintech sector.

Through this comprehensive support package, Moove reaffirms its dedication to fostering a resilient and thriving community, capable of overcoming the current economic challenges.

 


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Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 31.7 %

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A report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that the headline inflation in the country increased to 31.7 per cent in February 2024 from 29.9 per cent recorded in January 2024.

The recent figure is the highest level of inflation recorded in the country for 28 years. In the Consumer Price Index report for February 2024, it was also stated that food inflation increased to 37.92 per cent in February from 35.41 per cent in January 2024.

It read; “In February 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 31.70% relative to the January 2024 headline inflation rate, which was 29.9%. Looking at the movement, the February 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.8 % points when compared to the January 2024
headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the headline inflation rate was 9.79% points higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2023, which was 21.91%.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (YoY basis) increased in the month of February 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., February 2023).

“Furthermore, on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, the headline inflation rate in February 2024 was 3.12%, which was 0.48% higher than the rate recorded in January 2024 (2.64%).

“This means that in February 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is more than the rate of increase in the average price level in January 2024.

“The food inflation rate in February 2024 was 37.92% on a YoY basis, which was 13.57% points higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2023 (24.35%).

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in the prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, oil and fat, meat, fruit, coffee, tea, and cocoa.

“On a MoM basis, the food inflation in February 2024 was 3.79%; this was 0.58% higher compared to the rate recorded in January 2024 (3.21%).

“In February 2024, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi (46.32%), Rivers (44.34%), and Kwara (43.5%), while Bauchi (31.46%), Plateau (32.56%), and Taraba (33.23%) recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.

“On a MoM basis, however, February 2024 food inflation was highest in Adamawa (5.61%), Yobe (5.60%), and Borno (5.60%), while Cross River (2.08%), Niger (2.56%), and Abuja (2.60%) recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a MoM basis.”


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