Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

General News

Panic as Report Says Ebola Cases Could Hit 1.4m

Published

on

Ebola Patient
Kindly share this post

Ebola cases could reach 1.4 million by late January 2015, up from the current total of 5,800, according to a new study by a US medical agency.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on Tuesday suggesting that Ebola cases could increase to between 550,000 and 1.4 million in four months, based on several factors including how many people are infected by Ebola carriers.

The report questions whether the official number of deaths recorded by the World Health Organisation, 2,800 out of at least 5,800 Ebola cases, has been underreported.

CDC has said it is likely that 2.5 times as many cases, or nearly 20,000, have occurred so far.

“Extensive, immediate actions – such as those already started – can bring the epidemic to… a rapid decline in cases,” said CDC in a statement.
 
Sierra Leone, one of the five west African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, is considering another nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the disease, following a three-day quarantine last week, in which they say they confirmed 130 cases and are awaiting tests on another 70..

President Ernest Bai Koroma said on local radio on Tuesday that he was “mainly satisfied with the whole process, as it has helped reaching more homes and bringing to the fore many sick people and corpses”.

The unprecedented nation-wide lockdown saw visits to more than one million households that were given information on the disease.

“It’s important for African governments to innovate and find new ways of getting messages out to the people,” David Heymann, an Ebola expert, told Reuters news agency.

Ongoing efforts to tackle the disease may hamper its spread. The report released by CDC does not account for measures recently announced by the US.

The US plans to send 3,000 members of its armed forces to the region as well as training 500 healthcare workers per week.

Nonetheless, experts from the WHO said on Tuesday that the outbreak could reach 20,000 recorded cases as soon as early November if rigorous control measures are not put in place.

In August, the WHO predicted it would take until the middle of 2015 for the virus to strike 20,000.

Meanwhile on Monday, the WHO said that outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria were “pretty much contained”.

The following day on Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s army announced that it had “sealed off” its borders with Liberia and Guinea in a bid to halt the spread of Ebola.

Looking to the future, WHO’s Director of Strategy Christopher Dye said that “this is a bit like weather forecasting. We can do it a few days in advance, but looking a few weeks or months ahead is very difficult.”


Kindly share this post

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.

General News

Nigerian Tech Prodigy sets World Record with Smallest GPS Tracker

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Young Nigerian tech genius, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, has developed the world’s smallest GPS tracking device, a prototype measuring just 22.93 x 11.92 mm.

Recognised by the Guinness World Records, the device was created at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, on April 27, where he is employed as a researcher.

It has been hailed for its potential across industries, from logistics and personal safety to medical devices and wildlife monitoring.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated the feat in a post on X, praising Oyinlola for showcasing the ingenuity of the West African country’s youth. “You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” he wrote.

Adding to the accolades, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, lauded the innovation as a symbol of national pride and technological potential.

He commended Oyinlola’s journey, noting his early support for the young inventor’s IoT startup. “Long before this global recognition, I had the privilege of backing Oluwatobi. His journey, now continuing at MIT, is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary potential of our people,” Tijani said.

The prototype not only marks a leap in miniaturised technology but also highlights Nigeria’s growing footprint in global innovation. Bosun added that as Nigeria intensifies efforts to nurture homegrown tech talent, Oyinlola’s success is a beacon for the next generation of innovators.

“The world is only beginning to see what you’re capable of,” said the Minister.

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Africa Looks to Solar Amid Electricity Challenges

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Africa is becoming a global hub for solar energy development. The commercial and industrial sectors are driving this trend, with photovoltaic systems being installed on-site at businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities to meet energy demands.

This is according to CBi-electric: low voltage, which manufactures and supplies low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment.

2.5 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of solar capacity was built across Africa in 2024, with 194.34 GWp expected in 2025, according to the company.

Dr. Andrew Dickson, engineering executive of CBi-electric: low voltage, outlines how several reasons are hastening the continent’s transition to solar. “Energy poverty remains a major issue across Africa, with reliable grid electricity reaching only 14% of Zimbabweans, for example.”

He goes on to say that inconsistent power supply is another significant contributor, stating that “Persistent nationwide blackouts are affecting countries like Botswana, disrupting day-to-day operations. And in hydro-electric dependent countries such as Zambia, climate change is reducing water levels, leading to lower electricity generation and higher prices.”

Dickson believes that strategic system design and management are critical to realising the full potential of solar energy on the continent.

He said: “As Africa’s solar energy market continues to expand in 2025, organisations have an opportunity to capitalise on its long-term benefits. With the right technologies and safeguards in place, solar is not only a clean energy solution it’s a strategic asset that pays off.

“By combining surge protection, DC breakers, and monitoring tools, businesses can reduce unexpected costs, minimise downtime, and extend the life of their investment.”


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Nigeria Trains 200,000 Citizens in AI to Drive Innovation and Sustainability

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a major initiative to train over 200,000 Nigerians in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, aiming to build a digitally skilled workforce and position Nigeria as a continental leader in AI-driven innovation.

The announcement was made by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, during the 10th Annual Symposium and Awards of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter, held at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.

AI’s Role in Sustainability and Economic Growth

Chief Nnaji, represented by Dr. Patricks Oghuma, Special Assistant to the Minister, emphasized the transformative power of AI, particularly when integrated with chemistry to address sustainability challenges.

“We are at the intersection of a revolution where artificial intelligence and chemistry converge to create new frontiers,” he stated. “This powerful synergy offers a vision of the future where innovation and sustainability work hand in hand”.

He also highlighted the gap between scientific research and real-world application, stressing the need for transformational research that directly solves real-world problems through AI.

Academic and Industry Collaboration

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, noting that AI’s ability to model, predict, and optimize is vital for reducing waste, conserving energy, and enhancing chemical processes.

“At NOUN, we remain committed to providing accessible, technology-enhanced education that directly addresses national and global challenges,” Prof. Peters said.

The symposium gathered key stakeholders in science, technology, and academia, focusing on leveraging AI to drive sustainable solutions and calling for stronger collaboration between research institutions, industry, and government.

Building a Knowledge-Driven Economy

Prof. Edu Inam, Chair of the ACS Nigeria Chapter, reinforced the society’s commitment to research mentorship and student engagement, noting that ACS continues to host campus events and outreach programs aimed at nurturing young scientific minds.

The initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI adoption, fostering economic growth, sustainability, and technological advancement across multiple sectors.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending