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TETFUND Researchers want FG to Invest in Technology
The federal government has been urged to invest more in technology such as drones, implementing satellite enhanced surveillance and monitoring of hard-to-reach locations to tackle banditry.
These were part of the research recommendations presented at an online validation workshop from university researchers who investigated armed bandits and banditry in Nigeria; the history, character and panacea, funded by TETFUND grant.
To reduce bandit attacks in communities around Nigeria, the researchers tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to charge his service chiefs to deepen the use of non-kinetic rather than kinetic approaches.
“While banditry has led to displacement, unemployment and poverty in some of the affected communities, the affected people want government to adopt non-kinetic alongside with kinetic approach by building community resilience through the provision of communication gadgets to community members for the purpose of gathering intelligence and reporting incidences,” the researchers revealed.
Led by Olajide Akanji, a professor and the principal investigator, the researchers (Rasidi Okunola, Bentina Mathias, Bukola Adesina, Nathaniel Danjibo, a doctorate degree holder, Adebimpe Adenugba and Oludayo Tade, all professors), argued that the absence of such gadgets has hindered evidence gathering, reportage, and investigation of perpetrators in communities.
They also called on the government to empower communities and individuals to be able to defend themselves rather than feel helpless when attacked.
The research participants also called for the creation of community policing to promptly attend to bandit attacks in local communities more effectively. More importantly, communities prone to bandit attacks need regular security awareness and sensitisation training.”
While speaking further, Akanji stated that participants called for strict penalties such as death penalty for bandits and their informants within the community to serve as deterrent to others.
They likewise called for increased collaboration among traditional institutions, security agencies and community leaders to nip activities in the bud.
They found out that where reported success was made, interagency collaboration was used in the fight against bandits, hence they advised governments at the federal and affected states to ensure that adequate support for long term rehabilitation and resettlement of victims of banditry are made.
The researchers who collated data from the Northwest, Northcentral, Southeast and Southwest zones, noted that there was the need for regular deployment, monitoring and surveillance of communities prone to bandit attacks adding that data have shown that bandits attack communities very early or late in the night while others attack communities on market days with a view to hijacking food, kidnap and displace communities.
While noting that it was important for the government to prioritise the welfare of security agents who work in bandit affected communities nationwide, they noted that the government needs to invest in technology such as drones and implementing satellite enhanced surveillance and monitoring of hard-to-reach locations.
Participants argued that the absence of such gadgets has hindered evidence gathering, reportage, and investigation of perpetrators in communities.
The study also found lapses in the government responses to the fight against banditry to include the practice of releasing and returning arrested bandits back to communities, which have undermined trust in the legal and security frameworks, deterring individuals from reporting suspicious activities due to fear of reprisal.
Others are: lack of implementation of decisions reached during investigations, leading to disconnect between government promises and actionable results; poor and lack of evaluation and adaptation of governments’ responses to evolving banditry threats and delays in aid delivery to victims.
The validation workshop was attended by the representatives of the Nigeria Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Office of the National Security Adviser, UNDP and Amotekun from Oyo and Ekiti states, among other stakeholders.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, has confirmed his participation as the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, launches a book on Information and Communications Technology evolution.
The book, ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens,’ will be launched on September 17, 2024, at an exaugural lecture to mark the end of Oketola’s time as Editor, The PUNCH and celebrate his nearly 20 years in journalism and leadership practice.
The Head, Media Relations at the NCC, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, who communicated NCC’s support to the author, said, “It is a consequential work. Congratulations.”
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Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and the CEO, MainOne, an Equinix Company, Ms. Funke Opeke, have also thrown their weight behind the book launch and exaugural lecture while congratulating the author.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the invitation to your upcoming exaugural lecture and book launch. Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone,” MainOne said in a letter.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, will be the Special Guest Speaker at the event.
Oketola said the evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, which began with the introduction of GSM in 2001 by Obasanjo, had attracted over $70bn in investments and created over 500,000 jobs in the country.
He highlighted the bold initiatives that opened the sector to private investment, from 450,000 telephone lines before 2001 to a vibrant market today, and also charts a path through which Nigeria can maximise its digital economic potential.
Oketola, now a senior member of the PUNCH Editorial Board, left as Editor of The PUNCH in June.
While serving as editor, he won the Editor of the Year prize at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in December 2023.
He also led the organisation to win the Newspaper of the Year at the same award ceremony.
Oketola, a consistent journalism prizeman, also won Editor of the Year Award at The Industry Awards 2022.
He is a two-time winner of the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg 2015 and Nairobi 2016, among numerous awards during his illustrious journalism career.
In a statement, Oketola said, “I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of my book, The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through A Journalist’s Lens, scheduled for September 17, 2024.
“On the same day, I will also be hosting an exaugural lecture to celebrate my tenure as Editor of The PUNCH and nearly 20 years in journalism.”
Speaking further, the former editor described his years in journalism as one that had driven advocacy and impacted different sectors of the economy.
“My 20 remarkable years of stewardship to the nation via media and leadership practices have driven advocacy and impacted areas such as business and economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, social inclusion, anti-corruption, drug trafficking prevention, and nation-building, a testament to the power of journalism in shaping our society,” Oketola remarked.
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Other influential guests hosted at the media event are a former Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki, who will chair the occasion, and the Convener of the Centre for Social Media Research, Dr Akin Olaniyan, who will be the book reviewer.
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, will grace the occasion as the Chief Host.
Similarly, the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adeyeye Joseph, is the host, while the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, is the co-host.
DLM Asset Management, a subsidiary of DLM Capital Group, in collaboration with Your Study Path, is excited to announce the “School is an Asset” webinar, scheduled for September 19, 2024.
This engaging virtual event will spotlight the crucial role of education as a foundation for a prosperous future and spotlight the Child Education Plan designed to help parents secure their children’s educational opportunities.
The “School is an Asset” webinar will emphasize that education is not just a path to personal success but a significant investment with lasting benefits for individuals, families, and communities.
As the world evolves, the importance of education in fostering personal and professional growth cannot be overstated. This event aims to inspire students and parents to fully embrace and leverage their educational opportunities.
We are pleased to feature an esteemed lineup of speakers, including Egunjobi Daniel Ololade, CEO of Your Study Path; ThankGod Ojabugbe, Portfolio Manager at DLM Asset Management; Goziem Nancy Idonor, Business Development Manger at DLM Capital Group; and Gbotemi Kolowale, Digital Marketer at DLM Capital Group.
Each speaker will provide valuable insights into the significance of education and discuss the Child Education Plan designed to assist parents in financially planning for their children’s education. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with the experts during live Q&A sessions to receive personalized advice and answers to their questions.
The webinar will take place on September 19, 2024, from 11:00 AM (WAT). It will be hosted virtually, and free registration is available here. Join us for the “School is an Asset” webinar and take an essential step toward securing a brighter future through education.
Vale Finance has launched a new business banking web app. The app is designed to provide innovative financial solutions to empower businesses to thrive amidst the current economic landscape.
According to Sola Adeyinka, Managing Director and Co-founder of Vale Finance Limited, the company has positioned itself as a key partner to Nigerian businesses by launching the new web app. He noted that Vale Finance Limited became fully operational in January 2022 and has since demonstrated its resolve to be a bank that truly pays its customers.
Natasha Atirene, Head of Strategy, Innovation, and Products, emphasized that the Vale Business Banking app is designed to address the challenges faced by Nigerian businesses, particularly the lack of accessible financing options with competitive interest rates. She highlighted that the platform offers quick and easy access to low-interest loans, enabling businesses to secure the necessary capital for growth.
Ayodele Adebayo, Business Development Lead at Vale Finance Limited, stated that the company’s mission has always been to leverage technology to bring financial freedom to businesses and individuals. He added that the launch of Vale Business Banking is a crucial step towards empowering business owners across the country.
Segun Ojo, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder, spoke about the app’s capabilities, stating that Vale Business Banking offers seamless transaction capabilities, ensuring that every business owner can manage their finances and customer interactions efficiently. He added that the web app provides a user-friendly interface, allowing businesses to easily register and set up accounts.
Patrick Osadebe, Director of Business Banking at Vale Finance Limited, concluded by saying that the launch is a testament to the company’s commitment to supporting Nigerian businesses. He emphasized that Vale Business Banking is providing businesses with the tools they need to overcome challenges and achieve sustained growth.
The Vale Business Banking web app is now available for registered businesses, marking a new era of financial empowerment for entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
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