Tech
FG lauds FGGC Sagamu on development of robots
(Photo: Mr Andrew Adejoh, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Kiki Saggy during the event in Abuja)
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejoh has lauded the efforts of students of Federal Government Girls’ Colleges (FGGC) Sagamu, for the development of a robot named Okikiola Sagamu aka ‘Kiki Saggy’.
Adejoh gave the commendation in his speech at an event to present and demonstrate how Kiki Saggy operates in the area of Artificial Intelligence on Tuesday in Abuja.
The permanent secretary congratulated the school’s leadership and the Robotics Team of the school.
He added that he was thrilled by their human minds and effort in the development of Kiki Saggy.
“I have seen same technology twice. Today, I am seeing this. I want to congratulate the unity colleges community for coming out with these ideas.
“Unity colleges should be taking the lead, and robotics is happening to present that opportunity for us to be number one.
“And like I have always challenged others, I am challenging Saggy Queens on this robot; think of extending your effort to also include something that will serve food in your cafeteria.
“If you succeed in doing that, a bigger and brighter opportunity will open for you to explore. So this is a big job and I congratulate you.
“I know you might have spent a lot of resources and thinking. This is what you should do more, because technologically speaking, the world is going to be driven by artificial intelligence in the next five years,” he said.
According to him, it is already happening in advance countries, stressing that in other countries in Asia there is a restaurant where everything is done by robots.
“So it is good that you students are catching up and we as a ministry are also trying to look at our curriculum. We have discussed with NERDC and they said they have done that for secondary schools.
“But we said that if you have done that for secondary schools, what about the base (primary schools); the base is also necessary. Children in developed world begin playing with computer in primary school,” he said.
Speaking, the Director/Principal of FGGC Sagamu, Dr Muyibat Olodo, said she led the college’s Robotic Team which consists of some students and members of staff who are coaches to the ministry.
“I led them here to present to you an innovation of the college, a HUMANOID named Okikiola Sagamu aka Kiki Saggy.
“The reason for the name is that FGGC Sagamu has been known for many initiatives and innovations since I assumed duty in the college.
“Okikiola means “the game of wealth”. Definitely, FGGC Sagamu has a wealth of knowledge in its students and teachers and the same time, Okikiola Sagamu is bringing the college to the limelight.
“We pray that FGGC Sagamu in particular will continue to remain in the limelight for the good of and all Federal Unity Colleges across the country,” Olodo said.
Meanwhile, one of the students, Miss Esther Ogunaike said Kiki Saggy is purposeful, stressing that it can bend and pick things, and can be used for industrial purposes.
According to her, the version of Kiki Saggy is the first, adding that the team hopes that in the next version, it will be improved upon.
“We have a big plan for it,” she said.
However, the SS 2 student explained that the process of building Kiki Saggy was not an easy task.
“Building was a bit challenging, especially the software, hardware, programming, cutting and drilling of holes. It is not easy.
“A foundation helped us. Also, Madam Lisa from the United States was of assistance to us.
“We are hoping that the Ministry of Education will give us the support and encouragement for us to make a better version of Kiki Saggy,” Ogunaike said.
The event attracted officials of the Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders.
NAN also reports that high point of the event was the demonstration by the team where stakeholders interacted with robot.
The digital landscape in Nigeria has seen significant growth over the years, with more citizens gaining access to the internet.
This has been largely driven by improved telecommunications infrastructure, affordable mobile devices, and the growing digital awareness among the population.
As of the fourth quarter of 2023, data on internet usage across the country reveals fascinating insights into which states are leading in digital connectivity.
According to the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) internet subscriptions in the country stood at 163.8 million at the end of 2023.
Based on the NBS data, here are the top 10 states with the highest number of internet users in Nigeria as of Q4 2024:
10. Delta (4.4 million)
Rounding off the list is Delta State, with 4.4 million internet users. Known for its oil production, Delta is also making strides in the digital world, contributing to the diverse landscape of internet users in Nigeria.
9. Katsina (4.6 million
Katsina State, with 4.6 million internet users, is another northern state on the list, showcasing the expanding reach of digital connectivity beyond Nigeria’s major urban centers.
This growth is a testament to the increasing awareness and adoption of digital technologies in the state.
8. Adamawa (5.4 million)
Adamawa State stands out in the northeastern region with 5.4 million internet users. Despite facing challenges, the state is making significant progress in digital inclusion, bridging the digital divide in the region.
7. Rivers (5.6 million)
Rivers State, with its capital in Port Harcourt, is not just an oil-rich state but also a burgeoning center for technology and innovation in the southern part of Nigeria, with 5.6 million internet users.
The state’s efforts in leveraging digital technology for economic development are evident in its internet usage figures.
6. FCT (5.8 million)
The FCT, encompassing Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, boasts 5.8 million internet users. As the administrative and political heart of Nigeria, it’s no surprise that the FCT is among the leaders in digital connectivity, with many government and private sector initiatives pushing for greater internet penetration.
5. Kaduna (7.4 million)
Kaduna State is another northern state making waves in the digital world, with 7.4 million internet users. The state has been proactive in embracing technology, aiming to become a northern tech hub, which is reflected in its growing internet user base.
4. Oyo (8.4 million)
Oyo State, known for its rich cultural heritage, is also making strides in digital engagement with 8.4 million internet users. Its capital, Ibadan, is becoming a significant tech cluster, fostering digital education and innovation.
3. Kano (9 million)
Kano, one of the largest cities in Nigeria’s northern region, comes in third with 9 million internet users. The state has historically been a center of commerce and trade, and its adaptation to digital transformation has been commendable, making it a leading state in the north for internet usage.
2. Ogun (9.5 million)
Following Lagos is Ogun State, with 9.5 million internet users. Ogun’s strategic position as a neighbor to Lagos and its efforts in improving its ICT infrastructure have made it an emerging center for technology and industrialization, attracting more people to the digital space.
1. Lagos (18.9 million)
Topping the chart is Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria, boasting an impressive 18.9 million internet users. The state’s advanced infrastructure, coupled with its status as a business and tech hub, significantly contributes to its high internet usage.
Lagos is not only the most populous city in Nigeria but also a melting pot of cultures and businesses, making it a hotspot for digital activities.
Nasir El-Rufai may no longer be the Kaduna State governor and has missed a controversial ministerial appointment, but he certainly has not lost his zest for taking on big projects. The former governor is going into the private sector with a loud statement.
El-Rufai plans to launch a $100 million venture capital fund for startups in Nigeria, particularly those in the Kaduna tech ecosystem. He plans to match his ambitions with actions. He is willing to stake $2 million of his money for the offtake of the fund. He plans to convince investors to provide the remaining funding. The investors will mostly be those “who believe in us but don’t have the capacity or the time to do the analysis and evaluation. But they trust our judgment and they will come with us.”
He was in Marrakech in November for the Africa Investment Forum where he spoke to BusinessDay.
The former governor who played a significant role in the emergence of the current Nigerian president as the party’s candidate, seems to have put his disappointments behind him.
In Marrakech, there was no trace of the man who became the target of much social media trolling. The El-Rufai that showed up in Marrakech was looking spritely and took part in all the sessions of the Africa Investment Forum, a multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary platform with the vision to channel capital towards critical sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Development Bank’s High 5s, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
According to him, he wants to set up a venture capital fund or private equity that will invest in young Nigerians with innovative ideas. It doesn’t matter what segment of the economy the ideas are. It could be in agriculture. ICT or the creative industry, so long as it has the potential to add value to the world, these are the ideas that El-Rufai and his fund will target.
During his tenure as governor of Kaduna, El-Rufai said he met many students in Kaduna who had great ideas and were creating innovations. However, many of them did not have someone to mentor them and help those ideas grow.
“What young people need is essentially mentoring and financing to get things going. They develop the idea and see whether it is viable. And we will open doors for them because they don’t have contact. They don’t know or have access to ministers, presidents, or regulatory agencies. We do. We know the minefields that they have to navigate. We know that they need to give them appointments and we can provide them with the startup funding and in return we take an equity position.
We don’t want to take your business; we want to develop it. But if we take the risk on you, we will take a percentage of the business,” El-Rufai said.
He is working with select private sector partners, including Eyo Ekpo, co-founder of Excredite Consulting Limited, and their primary focus is on Nigeria but the ambition is Africa because he projects from a report that Africa will be supplying the world with a significant portion of the workforce it needs by 2050.
According to a report by the Guardian, by 2050, Africa’s population is expected to reach 2.5 billion, which is about 25 percent of the world’s population.
El-Rufai says such projections call for more investments in the younger demographic. However, his fund will not just be focusing on new startups, there is also a plan to engage established companies with management problems that are still viable. The VC fund will invest in such companies, get them sorted out and take them to exit.
“We don’t intend to remain in any business. We want to catalyse growth in these startups,” he said.
One of the goals of being at the African Investment Conference was to seek continental partnerships, and investors and to explore opportunities with climate-focused investors.
“Nigeria has a lot to offer Africa and the world. Our population, entrepreneurial capability, the innovation of our young people and their boldness and courage to find success. We just felt that we have a duty to encourage,” he said.
The first fund will be investing for three to four years. The fund is expected to launch early next year and the company will be headquartered in Abuja. This is to diversify the funding beyond Lagos because there is already a lot of interest in funding innovation in Lagos. El-Rufai and his partners want to spur startup funding interest in ecosystems in Kaduna, Abuja and other parts of the country.
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