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NCDMB Opens Submissions for Technology Contest

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Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in partnership with Learners Support Consultancy Company has called for submissions from innovators, technologists and other young science enthusiasts to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Technology (NOGTECH) programme.

NCDMB Opens Submissions for Technology Contest

The NCDMB initiative is the first ever technology hackathon in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry and is aimed at fostering innovations in the oil and gas industry as well as creating a platform for the proliferation of Local Content.

The NOGTECH programme aims to address the challenges faced by the nation’s oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors by ideating, developing and prototyping digital technology solutions that solve pertinent problems.

A statement by the Board explained that the programme will promote innovation by offering seed funding, business mentorship and incubation to the winning ideas. It will also provide an opportunity to create world-class solutions for operators and service organizations within the industry, and other linkage sectors.

Engr. Simbi Wabote, executive secretary of NCDMB, revealed in a webinar session in May that “five winning teams will get $10,000 equity-free grants each. They will also get work-space, expert mentors, global partners and unprecedented market access over three-months, ensuring they become commercial and investor-ready.”

He explained that submissions into the programme will be scrutinised based on several factors, including that “Participants must be a team/company of at least two or more members with at least 75 percent of the founding team as Nigerians. The team/company must be a registered, or intending to register as a profit/business entity.

“The solution described in response to the challenge must be driven by digital technology – Software, Hardware or both.”

He also disclosed that “the solution must either be at the ideation stage, prototype level or a launched solution that hasn’t gained commercial traction. The team must be available to participate in a three-day hackathon as well as a three-month incubation programme, if selected.”

NCDMB is determined to unearth scalable solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges. Some of the identified problem areas include the rising problem of pipeline vandalism, increase in cyber-physical risk, widening skill gap, supply chain and logistics inefficiency, rising carbon footprint and issues surrounding transparency, accountability and civic engagement.

These challenges have been identified by industry professionals and academia as the most pressing issues for digital innovators focusing on the sector.

The NOGTECH programme is set to take place over several weeks with the chosen ideas advancing on a stage by stage basis. The first stage involving the call for submission will last for 30 days in which teams and startups are encouraged to submit their ideas.

Shortlisted teams in each of the challenge areas will first be invited to present online to a team of experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals. The most promising teams will then be selected to participate in an all-expense paid 3-day hackathon.

During this time, shortlisted participants will have 72hrs to collaborate and build their prototypes or fine-tune existing prototypes with guidance from industry stakeholders, experts and mentors. At the end of the bootcamp, teams will revalidate their solutions and have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of judges.

The team of industry experts, legal veterans and technology enthusiasts will select the best ideas going into the next phase based on predetermined criteria which include: relevance of solutions to presented challenges, domain expertise of the founding team, feasibility and scalability of solution, and uniqueness of solution.

The winning five teams will undergo a 3-month incubation program where each team will get a $10,000 equity-free grant, a work-space, expert mentors, global partners and unprecedented market access to the Nation’s oil and gas industry over three-months, ensuring they become commercial and investor-ready.

At the end of the incubation, the teams will participate in a showcase day to demonstrate their progress. This showcase will aim to connect them with investors and industry stakeholders where they can further amplify their market access.

In order to participate, innovators are required to register and fill in the application at www.nogtech.ng on or before the submission deadline of July 14, 2020.


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NiRA Announces First Edition of The Tech Convergence: A Gathering of Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

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The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the official registry for the .ng country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), is proud to announce The Tech Convergence 1.0, a two-day conference and exhibition set to take place on the 28th and 29th of November 2024 at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The Tech Convergence 1.0, commemorating its inaugural edition this year, will become a conference and exhibition held each year. For this year, it will precede the 7th edition of the awards also being held in November.

Why Tech Convergence 1.0?

Over the years, Nigeria’s digital scene has seen an explosion of innovators, showcasing how rapidly our digital and internet space is evolving. However, numerous challenges still limit its potential for growth and global competitiveness.

The Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA) recognizes that to ensure Nigeria’s digital future is secure, sustainable, and globally competitive, there is a need to address these issues collectively.

The Tech Convergence 1.0 was conceived by NiRA to serve as a collaborative platform where stakeholders can explore synergies, foster innovation, and collectively drive Nigeria’s digital landscape forward. This ground-breaking event will bring together key stakeholders, innovators, creators, and tech enthusiasts within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

The event, themed “Innovating Nigeria’s Digital Future Through Tech and Creativity,” will explore how technological advancements, particularly in the DNS industry and digital content, can accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a digital powerhouse. It will also create an enabling environment for innovators and creators to thrive.

Additionally, it provides an avenue for stakeholders to explore synergies that will drive the growth of Nigeria’s digital space and contribute to the growth of our internet and DNS industry by promoting the adoption of the .ng domain.

Speaking on the upcoming event, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of NiRA, noted: “The Tech Convergence 1.0 is a pivotal moment for us to come together as a digital community and chart the course for Nigeria’s digital future.

“Our digital future depends on how well we adapt, innovate, and collaborate today. Through the .ng domain, we have a powerful tool that can drive not only business growth but also our nation’s global digital presence.”

The event will feature key activities such as exhibitions, plenary sessions, masterclasses, networking sessions, VR games, raffle draws, and a meet-and-greet with our partners. The event is free and open to the public to attend.

Registration for The Tech Convergence 1.0 is now open, and we invite businesses, innovators, digital creators, government agencies, corporate organizations, tech enthusiasts, and others to register and participate in shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital space.

The Tech Convergence 1.0 will also feature insightful panel sessions on both days, led by top industry leaders and experts. These sessions will explore crucial topics such as digital innovation, content creation, and the adoption of emerging technologies.

Exhibitors are encouraged to showcase their products and services, as The Tech Convergence 1.0 offers an ideal platform to present the latest innovative products and technologies in Nigeria’s digital space to a wide audience of tech enthusiasts and industry leaders.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, NiRA is seeking sponsors and partners to help make this event a success. We invite you to visit our website to explore sponsorship options or learn how to partner with us.

By partnering with NiRA and other key ecosystem players, you will not only expand your network but also collaborate with influential figures in the Nigerian digital space and showcase your brand to the right audience.

For more information and details on The Tech Convergence 1.0, please visit the official website.

For enquires on sponsorship, partnership and how to be an exhibitor at The Tech Convergence 1.0, contact Ms. Abimbola Aderibigbe at [email protected].


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FDA Okays Elon Musk’s ‘Blindsight’ Brain Chip to Restore Vision for the Blind

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Neuralink, the brain-chip company co-founded by Elon Musk, has achieved a significant milestone with its latest device, “Blindsight,” receiving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) breakthrough designation.

FDA Okays Elon Musk’s ‘Blindsight’ Brain Chip to Restore Vision for the Blind

This recognition highlights the potential of Blindsight to restore vision to individuals suffering from complete or partial blindness, including those with damaged optic nerves.

Blindsight is designed to help even those who have been blind since birth, provided their visual cortex remains functional.

Initially, the device is expected to offer low-resolution vision, but over time, it holds the potential for users to perceive advanced wavelengths like infrared and ultraviolet, offering possibilities beyond natural sight.

Neuralink, established in 2016, is pioneering brain-computer interfaces aimed at addressing neurological disorders. Its technology includes brain implants capable of reading neural signals and wirelessly transmitting them to external devices.

The company is also working on devices to assist paralyzed individuals in controlling digital tools using their thoughts.

Recent developments include the successful implantation of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface in a second patient, who is now able to control video games and design 3D objects using thought alone.

 

 

 


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Nigeria’s Mpox Cases Mostly Affect Children, Men – NCDC

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Mpox infections are disproportionately affecting children and males in Nigeria, according to recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Nigeria’s Mpox Cases Mostly Affect Children, Men – NCDC

Pix Credit: Sky News

Since January 2024, males have accounted for 67% of Mpox cases, with men making up approximately 70% of the 6,001 suspected and confirmed cases recorded since September 2017.

The disease is spreading rapidly, with 1,031 suspected cases reported across 47 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Children under five years old are among the most affected, followed by the 26-30 and 46-50 age groups.

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, characterized by a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. While most people recover fully, some may become seriously ill.

The disease can spread from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.

To combat the outbreak, Nigeria has received a donation of 10,000 doses of Jynneos, a Mpox vaccine, from the United States government.

 


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