Author: Sunkanmi Onifade

Budget
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Engineering has called on the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to science and technology research to boost the country’s socio-economic development.
Chairman of the committee, Inuwa Garba, made the call during the oversight visit to Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) in Abuja.
“We are not impressed by what we are seeing here because as a research complex, the government should make a very robust and effective budget system to this institution to make it work.
“We all see the kind of investment that is here, running into billions of naira but nothing positive is happening, maybe due to lack of proper funding or lack of other issues,” he said.
Garba said that based on what the committee had observed at the complex, there was the need for discussing how to ensure proper functionality of the organisation, in line with international best practices.
“Looking at what is happening globally in the area of science and technology, Nigeria should not be left behind because that is what is moving the entire world now.
“Without research, there will be no development; without development, there will be no positive change in any country,” he said.
Garba stressed the need for taking science research seriously, stressing that the complex was a good initiative but that due to negligence, it had not achieved its purpose.
He said that science research was important in the area of agriculture, healthcare, housing and automobile industry, adding that it also enhanced opportunities to solve problems.
The lawmaker called for strategic approach to addressing the challenges in the science and technology sector.
The Director-General of SHESTCO, Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, commended the committee on their visit, expressing the hope that they would address the pressing challenges of the organisation.
He commended the committee for its objectivity, dedication and passion for science research in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OEO/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Cybersecurity

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has called on relevant stakeholders to be proactive in preventing cybersecurity threats in the country.

Ribadu said this on Tuesday at the Cybersecurity Forum, organised by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in Abuja.

The theme of the forum titled ” Intelligence Initiatives and Strategies for National Cyber Security Management’.

The NSA was represented by the Director of Communications, Office of the National Security Officer (ONSA), Maj.- Gen. Samad Akinsode,

He said: “Effective cyber security management hinges on robust intelligence. Others have invested in advanced straight intelligence platforms that enable us to gather, analyse and share critical threats intelligence with the relevant stakeholders.

“By leveraging on artificial intelligence, and machine learning, these platforms can predict potential cyber attacks and provide actionable insights.

” Cyber security is a collective responsibility that requires a whole of government and a whole of society approach. This simply tells us that cyber security is not one man’s business,” Ribadu said.

He said there was need to continue to conduct sensitisation and awareness programmes by educating citizens and businesses on cyber security hygiene while engaging public private sector collaboration as well.

Ribadu said NCS emergency response team known as the engine search which was the foundational component of the national cyber security coordination centre was the focal point for the national cyber incidents management.

“The engine search facilitates real-time exchange of threats intelligence best threats practices on cyber security related incidences with various stakeholders in the public and private domain.

“Furthermore, the engine search operates the national cyber emergency monitoring system for effective detection, identification and interception of cyber threats.

” It shares cyber threats intelligence with the sectoral computers security incident response team and other relevant private sector players for comprehensive responses as appropriate,” he said.

The Director-General, State Security Security (SSS), Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, said the importance of cyber security could not be over-emphasised, adding that the world continue to face different dimension of cyber threats.

Bichi, who was represented by the Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communication of DSS, Mr Peter Afunanya, said cyber security was meant for possible reasons but the criminally minded people had exploited the good purposes.

He said NCS was a strategic partner to DSS, saying that there was need to mitigate the challenges emanating from the cyber space particularly in area of national security management, financial crime, fake news and other manipulations .

Bichi called on NCS to look inward by carry out research to bring up solution to solve all activities of criminality, adding that the nation would be safer place.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented, DSP Usman Iman, said cybercrimes being  committed had necessitated for countries, agencies, organisations to come together to deliberate on safety and security in the cyber space.

The Director-General, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, advocated process improvement online as well as automation processes.

” Automation is double edge sword which presents the opportunity for service excellence and process improvement.

” The only mitigation we have is capacity training and building of our people both the end user and professionals and that is why this forum is of utmost importance because the human resources involved.

” It is not just investing naira on cyber security tools without building the capacity of the people,the investment will come to waste.”

The director-general was represented by the Director, Intelligence Strategic Data Mining and Analysis Development of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mr Kola Okunola.

He said the forum would give stakeholders opportunity to brainstorm on strategies on insider control, tools, techniques used in cyber space.

The President of NCS, Mr Muhammad Aliyu, said the purpose of the forum was to gather together to discuss national issues related to cybersecurity in the country.

He said NCS is an umbrella of all ICT professionals which thrives over the decades in promoting different ICT advancement in the country.

According to him, the cybersecurity forum and others are key flagship programmes of NCS. (NAN)

OEO /ADA

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Institute seeks support for government policies to boost food industry

Food

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Abuja, has sought stakeholders’ support for government policies in research and innovation to ensure favourable regulatory environment for food industry.

The President of NIFST, Prof. Joseph Abu, made the call during the 10th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit (ReFOST), and NIFST’s Day celebration in Abuja.

The theme of the Summit is “the role of food science and Technology professionals in the sustainability and security of food with high Nutritional Benefits to man’’.

Abu regretted that in the face of abundant natural resources and a rich agricultural heritage, Nigeria was still grappling with the challenges of ensuring that every citizen had access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food.

According to him, food security and nutritional wellbeing are fundamental human rights and represent the cornerstone of sustainable development.

“This partly explains why the role of food scientists and technologists is indispensable.

“We can still achieve together with other stakeholders in our collective quest to bring all forms of hunger to an end in this country and beyond,’’ Abu said.

He emphasised that through research development and deployment of existing and new technologies, food professionals must strive to enhance the nutritional profile of foods.

He added that foods professionals must scale up relevant innovations that would make food nutritious more accessible to every segment of the population.

“As the challenges we face in achieving sustainable food and nutrition security are complex and interwoven, fostering collaboration among stakeholders is essential.

“In addition, government policies must support research and Innovation, provide incentives for sustainable practices and ensure a favorable regulatory environment for the food industry,” Abu said.

He, however, said academic institutions and research organisations must continue to lead scientific research, development and innovation, providing the knowledge and tools needed to address current and future challenges.

Abu said that private partners sector, including food producers, processors and retailers, should play the critical role of bringing innovations to the market and ensuring their widespread adoption.

He said NIFST remained committed to supporting educational initiatives, professional development programmes, and research endeavors that empowered members, adding that capacity building was also important.

Abu, who said investing in the education and training of the youths was necessary, added that the country was preparing the next generation of food scientists and technologists as well as entrepreneurs who would move the food industry forward.

The Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Mrs Agnes Asagbra, said some of the challenges of food security include climate change impact, erratic rainfall patterns increased frequency of droughts and land degradation.

Asagbra, represented by an Assistant Director from the Agency, Mrs Blessing Aligwekwe, said millions of metric tons of food were lost or wasted in Sub-Saharan African each year.

The Director-General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Ifeanyi Okeke, said food safety was paramount and directly impact the health and wellbeing of individuals across the country

Okeke, represented by the Principal Standard Officer of SON, Mrs Chiamaka Anyagwa, urged all Food Science and Technology professionals to uphold the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability in production and distribution of food products.

The FCT chapter Chairman of NIFST, Mrs Promise Ogbonna, said the food summit was organised annually for the celebration of the birth of NIFST by deliberating on vital and current issues that affect food safety, food security advancement in food science and technology.

She said the chapter had engaged in sensitisation campaigns at market places and abattoirs.

“Our food safety approaches must be measured by evaluating our processes, products, ingredients, packaging materials, processing aids and product contact surfaces.

“We must identify potential hazards and put action in place to eliminate them,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OEO/OIF/AMM

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Abiemwense Moru