E-Business
Onu Hails NOTAP for Building IPR Culture in Nigerian Knowledge Institutions
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), for creating Intellectual Property Right (IPR) awareness across Nigerian Knowledge Institutions.
Dr. Onu made this commendation while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the new Office complex of the agency. He added that this IPR awareness has resulted in an increase in the number of Patents Certificates secured for Nigerian inventors and innovators by NOTAP free of charge.
He said NOTAP as an agency of government saddled with the responsibility of facilitating the development of indigenous inventions and innovations, it is only natural that the Officers deserve a conducive Office space and working environment for a better and result oriented intellectual work.
The Minister further stated that through the registration of technology transfer agreements between Nigerian entrepreneur and their foreign counterparts, NOTAP has saved the country over a whooping N240 billion that would have gone out of the country as capital flight.
He reiterated that during registration of technology transfer agreements, NOTAP observed that some of the agreements submitted were crafted with little or no regards to the development of indigenous skilled manpower therefore, NOTAP declines to register such agreements leading to the savings.
The Minister further stated that NOTAP had suffered inadequate Office space but he was delighted that under his administration, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the building of a befitting Office complex, hence the foundation laying ceremony.
He express delight on the efforts of NOTAP in creating awareness on patenting of innovations and invention through establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) across some knowledge Institutions in the country.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu who is also the Chairman of NOTAP board thanked the Honourable Minister for facilitating the approval of NOTAP Office building by the FEC, adding that with the enormous responsibility shouldered by NOTAP in developing indigenous skilled manpower, it was only fair and natural for it to have a good working environment.
He stated that NOTAP was one of the agencies under Science and Technology Ministry that if well funded, will lip-frog the techno-economic advancement of the country and project the country into the global limelight.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Minister for ensuring that the proposal for new Office complex for NOTAP was approved. He said inadequate Office space had been a big challenge to the Office and with the laying of the building foundation, execution of duties would be more expeditious as officers will put in their best for a better output.
He decried a situation whereby very senior Officers share offices owing to lack of accommodation, adding that “for you to engage in any meaningful intellectual work, a conducive working environment was required”.
The DG further requested for more support from the Minister in area of improved budgetary allocation to ensure that the building is completed in a record time.
E-Business
Dexude Secures Funding to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria, Beyond
Dexude, a leading edtech platform with operations in Nigeria, has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Business Finland TEMPO funding.
This significant funding injection marks a pivotal moment in Dexude’s journey towards transforming education through its AI-powered, live-first, expert-led, and community-driven platform.
The Business Finland TEMPO funding is specifically designed to support startups and SMEs aiming for international growth by building their expertise and solutions into international success stories in innovative ways.
Dexude’s commitment to innovation, coupled with its vision to enable a billion learners worldwide, aligns perfectly with the objectives of the TEMPO funding.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude, remarked, “We are incredibly honored and excited to receive the Business Finland TEMPO funding. This funding is not only a validation of Dexude’s mission to reinvent education but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. With this support, we are poised to accelerate our efforts in democratizing access to quality education and empowering learners across Nigeria and beyond.”
Kelvin Chikezie, co-founder of Dexude, added, “Securing the Business Finland TEMPO funding is a significant milestone for Dexude. It underscores our commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to revolutionize the way people learn and grow. We are grateful to Business Finland for believing in our vision, and we are excited to embark on this next chapter of Dexude’s journey.”
Dexude is on a mission to redefine education by providing learners with access to influential experts and thought leaders, live interactions, and a vibrant community-driven learning experience.
Through its platform, Dexude aims to break down barriers to learning and empower individuals to pursue their passions and unlock their full potential.
E-Business
SOPHiA GENETICS Announces Syndicate Bio as First Liquid Biopsy Customer in Africa
SOPHiA GENETICS, a cloud-native software company in the healthcare space and a leader in data-driven medicine, has announced that Nigeria-based Syndicate Bio has signed on to implement MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™.
Syndicate Bio is the first lab in Africa to adopt the MSK-ACCESS® assay via the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform, and the first company to make comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsy widely available to patients throughout the entire continent.
The implementation of this new technology will further existing work from SOPHiA GENETICS, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and Syndicate Bio to advance health equity on a global scale.
There are roughly 1 million new cancer patients each year in Africa and currently, comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsy testing options are not widely available.
This means that patients are forced to forego this testing or travel out of continent for these testing options. Syndicate Bio’s implementation of this new offering will provide cutting-edge liquid biopsy testing to many of these patients and will help progress the company’s goal of advancing genomics and precision medicine in an area of the world that has been historically underserved in these areas.
“Partnering with SOPHiA Genetics to bring MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ to our lab is a monumental step in accelerating the cancer treatment and research landscape across Africa, beginning in Nigeria. Next-generation sequencing technologies in oncology and liquid biopsy, which this collaboration enables, hold the potential for creating a leapfrogging opportunity in the oncology treatment and research landscape in Africa,” said Abasi Ene-Obong, PhD., Founder, Syndicate Bio.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to enable the widespread application of precision medicine in oncology across Africa, and thus contributing to the improvement of patient outcomes across the African continent.
“We believe our scientific expertise, combined with AI-enabled technologies and data-driven solutions enabled by SOPHiA GENETICS, presents a unique opportunity to fundamentally transform the journey of cancer patients through non-invasive cancer analysis, predictive genetic testing, and effective precision medicine.”
Syndicate Bio is driving genomics and precision medicine initiatives across the world’s most diverse regions through large-scale partnerships with governments, industry, and other stakeholders. Through its work, Syndicate Bio is making local impact while accelerating drug discovery and development.
By focusing on Africa, Syndicate Bio is poised to make a significant impact, starting with Nigeria, by introducing its pioneering clinical oncology offerings in an underserved region.
Through this endeavor, Syndicate Bio aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for African patients. This initiative not only facilitates local next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing and liquid biopsy testing but also extends access to clinical trial participation, empowering patients and healthcare providers alike.
MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ is a decentralized version of a highly validated ctDNA test developed by MSK that involves the deep sequencing of 146 key cancer-associated genes, and will augment Syndicate Bio’s tumor profiling capabilities, allowing them to utilize a small blood sample to generate a comprehensive report in an efficient and expedited time frame.
The use of liquid biopsy is less invasive than traditional biopsy, and can help simplify patient monitoring, whilst driving the uptake of precision medicine.
The offering combines the sophisticated analytics, state-of-the-art algorithms, and decentralized, cloud-based offerings of the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform, with the scientific and clinical expertise of MSK in cancer genomics to provide a best-in-class liquid biopsy solution.
“In our mission to democratize data-driven medicine, our decentralized global network and unique set of partnerships enable us to help reach underserved populations, just as those that are served by Syndicate Bio,” said Philippe Menu, MD, PhD., Chief Medical Officer, SOPHiA GENETICS.
“By implementing this solution, Syndicate Bio will make a measurable impact throughout Africa, while also helping to generate an unparalleled and comprehensive dataset and provide invaluable insights and knowledge to shape the future of global healthcare.”
In late 2023, SOPHiA GENETICS and MSK announced they are working in partnership with AstraZeneca to bring the world-class MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ testing solution to countries and regions around the globe, including underserved areas where access to testing remains scarce.
E-Business
Abdullahi, NITDA Boss Harps on Partnership to Drive Advance Digital Transformation Agenda
Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Abdullahi disclosed this during a strategic engagement with participants of the 2024 Senior Executive Course 46 from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), a delegation led by Brigadier General Abdulrahman Idris.
Abdullahi emphasised that no organisation can achieve its goals in isolation, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to harness ideas, experiences and insights for national development. He highlighted the potential of collaboration between NITDA and NIPSS to leverage technology and digital innovation for driving economic growth, creating job opportunities and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
“At NITDA, we have re-imagined our social contract with Nigerians, focusing on improving service delivery and fostering the swift growth of the ICT sector,” said Abdullahi. He emphasised the agency’s commitment to serving Nigerians and outlined the strategic direction outlined in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027) 2.0. The SRAP is structured around eight pillars aimed at fostering digital literacy, building a robust technology research ecosystem, strengthening policy implementation, promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, forging partnerships and cultivating a vibrant organisational culture.
The brigadier-general provided insights into NIPSS’s role as Nigeria’s foremost policy think-tank, tasked with developing top-class technocrats to drive national development initiatives. He highlighted NIPSS’s contributions to policy formulation and implementation over the years, emphasising the institution’s mandate to address issues of national interest, particularly in the digital economy sector.
The collaboration between NITDA and NIPSS underscores the importance of synergistic efforts in harnessing technology and innovation for national development. By leveraging each other’s expertise and resources, both organisations aim to drive economic growth, foster job creation, and position Nigeria as a leading player in the global digital economy.
Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, NITDA and NIPSS are poised to chart a path towards sustainable development, leveraging digital innovation as a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation and inclusive growth.
- Telecom3 days ago
Telcos Record N27Bn Loss from Damaged Fibre Cables
- News3 days ago
FG to Secure Fresh $2.25Bn World Bank Loan
- Telecom3 days ago
NCAIR Relaunch: Pantami, Tijani Fight for Credit
- News3 days ago
Wema Bank Launches 5th Edition of Youth-Focused Hackathon, “Hackaholics”
- Telecom3 days ago
ABoICT Lecture 2024 to Focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) In A Digital Economy
- News2 days ago
NERC Cedes Regulatory Oversight of Enugu Electricity Market to State Government Agency
- News2 days ago
GPA Raises Alarm, Says Malaria Vaccine Can Cause Meningitis
- News2 days ago
Students Loans’ Beneficiaries to Start Repayment 2 Years after Graduation- NELFUND: