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By Emmanuel Daudu

As Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the long-standing Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue handed over today, Monday, 29th January, 2024, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi has mounted the saddle.

The new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi upon taking over, has pledged that the tempo of activities to support the structure of the two ministries which is still undergoing approval at the Service Policy and Strategy Office (SPSO) in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation will not decrease.

According to Report by Gift Osima, Chief Information Officer, Press Unit, signed by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press and Public Relations, the assumption of office in the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy of Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi is sequel to the recent deployment of federal permanent secretaries to man various Ministries.

According to Oloruntola Olufemi, “the biggest room for all of us, is the room for improvement.” He therefore, urged the Management and staff of Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy to cooperate with him, by working hard as a team. 
He described the two Ministries as being pivotal to the focus of the present federal administration in its renewed hope agenda and economic growth of the country.

Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary said, “I also pledge that in everything we do, we will do it together, but our duty comes first.”

Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi was the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategy Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.  He is a registered Town Planner.

The outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani in her remarks, expressed her appreciation to the Management and Staff of the Ministry for the support and cooperation she received from them, while enjoining everyone to accord the new Permanent Secretary the same cooperation given to her.

While Oloruntola Olufemi was meeting the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali immediately after taking over, he got a charge to strictly abide by Financial Regulations and other extant rules guiding financial dealings in the Federal Civil Service.

Senator Said Alkali charged the new permanent secretary to also make it his immediate assignment to help evolve the new transport policy, and get the proposed cascading retreat for the transport sector through the works, since his predecessor, Dr. Ajani has already signed the performance bond.

The Honourable Minister of Transportation while wishing the departing permanent secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani well in her future endeavours, asked her to always prioritize national interest and development.

OPPO and Counterpoint has unveiled in-depth industry report on adoption, tech advances of telephoto lenses in smartphones
The report looks into the rising popularity of telephoto lens-equipped smartphones and the reasons behind it
OPPO leads the trends and continues to bring the technology from flagship to mass-market models
January 2024 – A new report by market research firm Counterpoint sheds light on the evolving landscape of smartphone photography. According to Counterpoint Research’s most recent report, over 200 million telephoto lens-equipped smartphones were sold globally in 2022, with that figure expected to rise even further by 2024. The reason for this growing trend is because of consumers’ growing desire for telephoto photography, something that was once exclusively found in professional cameras. This emphasises the lens’s critical significance in current mobile photography as well as its widespread appeal.

Rising popularity of telephoto lenses in smartphones Camera-related innovations have been a major factor guiding the direction of smartphone evolution over the past decade. Among them, the telephoto lens has become an important factor that determines how far the camera system can go. The penetration rate has increased over the years to more than 19 per cent in H1 2023, nearly 3 per cent higher than in H1 2022. This growth indicates a larger trend in consumer behaviour, showing a preference for smartphones with enhanced photographic capabilities.

The telephoto lens feature was initially available exclusively on premium smartphones. However, the study has also found that mass-market adoption of telephoto lens is increasing, particularly among sub-$400 segments. The increasing popularity of telephoto lenses in affordable smartphones mirrors consumers’ inclination for advanced features without the accompanying high cost. In acknowledgment of this demand, smartphone manufacturers have promptly responded by enhancing their mid-tier line-ups with telephoto capabilities, enabling a broader audience to partake in upgraded photography experiences that were traditionally exclusive to high-end models.

The significance of telephoto lens in mobile photography
The telephoto lens has become a staple of mobile photography, allowing users to capture images that stand out for their precision and elegance. Beside capturing a distant landscape, telephoto lens also stands out in shooting portrait as it can compress the subject and background and create dramatic bokeh effect, and the 50mm or 85mm equivalent focal length provides a field of view similar to human eyes with minimal distortions.

According to Counterpoint’s analysis, these lenses are becoming increasingly integrated into smartphones around the globe. The ability to zoom without sacrificing image quality, combined with the unique visual effects a telephoto lens can produce, has made it a popular choice among smartphone users. The proportion of smartphones equipped with a telephoto camera has increased both internationally and in China, reaching 19.3% and 24.4%, respectively, demonstrating the importance of telephoto lenses in today’s mobile photography environment.

OPPO’s pioneering role:
The report also looks at OPPO’s role in popularizing telephoto lens technology. OPPO has been instrumental in making high-quality mobile photography accessible to the masses. The newly launched Reno11 series, positioned as “The Portrait Expert”, has been instrumental in bringing high-end telephoto lens features to more affordable smartphone models with the innovative “Telephoto Portrait” feature. This strategic move by OPPO has not only democratized access to professional-grade photography features but also underscored the brand’s position as a leader in mobile photography innovation.

The Reno11 series boasts features such as a 32MP 2x optical zoom camera powered by Sony IMX709 flagship sensor, enabling users to capture sharp, detailed images from a distance. The series also integrates advanced AI algorithms to enhance image quality, especially in portrait photography, providing users with the tools to capture life’s moments with unparalleled clarity and creativity.

Future outlook Counterpoint’s analysis anticipates a positive outlook for telephoto lenses, affirming their pivotal contribution to the progression of mobile photography. The integration of telephoto lenses is just the beginning of a larger trend. The future of mobile photography is expected to see continual advancements, with telephoto lenses playing a significant role in how consumers capture and engage with the world around them. This trend is poised to redefine the standards of mobile photography, pushing the boundaries of what smartphones can achieve.

-ENDS-

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a leading weather intelligence company, Tomorrow.io.

The MoU with Tomorrow.io, a leading weather intelligence company based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, with footprints across Africa and the Middle East, will see NiMet and the firm collaborate on a whole range of areas including commercializing weather data, improving accuracy of weather and climate forecasts, and application of artificial intelligence (Ai) in weather and climate intelligence.

Speaking at the MoU signing at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, 24th January, 2024, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike said; “We have found good partners in Tomorrow.io. We are aspiring to actualize the mandate given to NiMet by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on revenue generation and improved safety of the aviation sector. This MoU will help us achieve that”.

“As an agency, NiMet is already doing a lot. We are always on the lookout for partners that will help us improve and expand on our services. Ai and technology are playing leading roles in weather and climate forecasts. This partnership with Tomorrow.io will help us to do more for our various stakeholders across the socio-economic sectors we serve including aviation, agriculture, marine, oil and gas, construction, academia etc”.

Speaking, Mr Yaniv Gelnik, Director of Africa Expansion at Tomorrow.io said that experience from Kenya and in the other countries they serve shows that it’s possible to downscale weather and climate information daily to users especially farmers in usable formats. This will help them in planning. Farmers will be able to receive via their mobile handsets weather intelligence daily, wherever they are and in a language of their choice. That’s part of the value proposition that Tomorrow.io is bringing to the partnership with NiMet. Ai allows for precise, unique, efficient and faster weather and climate forecasts compared to current systems and models. This will be of immense value to NiMet’s value-chain stakeholders”.

Maryam Aminu

Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim , the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, has been conferred with the position of patron for the North Central People’s Forum (NCPF) by the National Executive Committee of the forum, in recognition of her personal integrity and sterling qualities.

The investiture ceremony was performed in her office in Abuja when the leadership of the forum paid her a courtesy visit.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister in her acceptance speech called on the forum to focus mainly on harnessing the natural resources in the zone to prosper the people of the region instead of solely depending on the government.
“If I were not a minister, I would have still be blaming the government for not bringing development to the North Central Zone, but now that I am on the drivers seat in this Ministry, I have a different perspective” She added.

The Minister emphasized that because of the strategic location of the zone in the country, it requires more allocation of funds, especially for road construction and rehabilitation, because North Central is the link way to the South and North, hence the roads are more plied.

The Minister expressed her readiness to see that the North Central Development Agenda becomes a reality .

She advised the leaders to make sure that the agenda reflects all the challenges from insecurity, unemployment, poor engagement of young people, and poor infrastructures.

She enjoined the leadership to rise up to its vision and face their challenges head long while assuring them of her sincere and unflinching support in achieving their mandate.

Earlier, Engr. Sani Ndanusa (Marafa Nupe), Chairman of the forum, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of the youth minister, which he described as a round peg in a round hole.

He pledged the forum’s support to the minister to ensure that she delivers on the expectations of the office and the aspirations of Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Engr. Ndanusa further stated that the forum was established as a voluntary, non-profit, making organisation with the aim to enhancing the sustainable socio- political and economic development of the zone

Maryam Aminu

The federal government has expressed its willingness to work with the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Indigenous Youth Association for Peace and Justice to ensure their adequate representation and inclusiveness in the government in the FCT.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim stated this when she received the leadership of the group in her office in Abuja.

According to a statement by Maryam Umar Yusuf, the director of press in the Ministry, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim disclosed that the FCT indigenes, especially the youth, will be included in the Ministry’s programmes.
“I am here to work with the indigenous people, and I will link them up with the Director of Network and Social Mobilisation to work with her team.”she said

She craved their understanding as the resources of the Ministry is limited, adding that the Ministry would want to do a lot of things, but it constrained with limited resources
“we hope the little we do goes a long way” she added.

Reiterating the readiness of her ministry to support youth entrepreneurs, the Minister cited an example of a youth entrepreneur, Hasiya, who set up a garment factory in Abaji with 50 sewing machines for training and empowering women and youth in FCT. Dr. Bio-Ibrahim gave the assurance that the ministry will help her to find partners who will be willing to support her, as the ministry may not be able to finance the project.
“We are here as a catalyst to support and implement programmes to ensure that the youth are empowered financially, physically, and education wise,” she stated.

Reacting to issue of drug abuse amongst youth in the FCT, she gave the hint that the Ministry would partner with NDLEA to tackle drug abuse among the youth.

She further mentioned that there is a team on mental health, working on holding its summit within the year.
“It is a disturbing issue among the youth, and we believe that it is only when people are of sound mind that they can be productive. We don’t want to be judgemental. We understand that times are hard and people are going through a lot. We are here to work with the young people” she emphasised.

Earlier speaking on behalf of the group, Abdullahi Yahuza Shawai (Madakin Matasa) stated that he believed that through collaboration with the ministry a lot could be achieved.
“we can harness the energy, creativity, and potential of our fellow youths in the FCT region, enabling them to become active contributors to the nation’s development”

Also speaking, the team lead and Chairperson of the Association, Hajiya Farida Odangi Suleiman
(Gimbiyan Abaji) called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a genuine presence of the government in FCT by setting up programmes in the interiors of the federal capital territory instead of the cities alone.

She emphasised that the youths in the FCT have all it takes to work, as they are literate enough to handle any assignment and programme.

Maryam Aminu

Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim , the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, has been conferred with the position of patron for the North Central People’s Forum (NCPF) by the National Executive Committee of the forum, in recognition of her personal integrity and sterling qualities.

The investiture ceremony was performed in her office in Abuja when the leadership of the forum paid her a courtesy visit.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister in her acceptance speech called on the forum to focus mainly on harnessing the natural resources in the zone to prosper the people of the region instead of solely depending on the government.
“If I were not a minister, I would have still be blaming the government for not bringing development to the North Central Zone, but now that I am on the drivers seat in this Ministry, I have a different perspective” She added.

The Minister emphasized that because of the strategic location of the zone in the country, it requires more allocation of funds, especially for road construction and rehabilitation, because North Central is the link way to the South and North, hence the roads are more plied.

The Minister expressed her readiness to see that the North Central Development Agenda becomes a reality .

She advised the leaders to make sure that the agenda reflects all the challenges from insecurity, unemployment, poor engagement of young people, and poor infrastructures.

She enjoined the leadership to rise up to its vision and face their challenges head long while assuring them of her sincere and unflinching support in achieving their mandate.

Earlier, Engr. Sani Ndanusa (Marafa Nupe), Chairman of the forum, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of the youth minister, which he described as a round peg in a round hole.

He pledged the forum’s support to the minister to ensure that she delivers on the expectations of the office and the aspirations of Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Engr. Ndanusa further stated that the forum was established as a voluntary, non-profit, making organisation with the aim to enhancing the sustainable socio- political and economic development of the zone

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has inaugurated the National Committee for the review of National Youth Policy (NYP) 2019 -2023.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim who inaugurated the committee in her office via Zoom said that the National Youth Policy serves as the national framework for youth development, which will guide the operations of the Ministry, while embodying the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration for the youth sector.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations Maryam Umar Yusuf, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim said that the Ministry is committed to engaging with stakeholders across the youth sector in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, as the review approach will be inclusive, extensive, global in view and local in implementation.

“This engagement is critical to ensure that the revised policy is responsive to the evolving needs, challenges, and opportunities facing our young people,” she said.

According to the minister, the committee’s mandate includes the development of a National Youth Policy that broadly addresses youth priorities in key areas such as education, employment, health, and civil engagement; emphasising inclusivity and intergration of modern technologies and social considerations in youth development.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim charged the committee to apply international best practices in carrying out their responsibilities drawing valuable insights from sources such as the UNESCO Youth Policy Toolkit to ensure that the policy aligns with global standards while reflecting the unique context of the Nigerian Youth.

She added that the review process is expected to involve a series of activities including development of inception draft and consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders across target priority sectors as well as in the 6 geopolitical zones.

The Minister disclosed that the process will culminate with a national validation workshop for the final draft document, which will be presented for the approval of the National Council on Youth Development and the Federal Executive Council.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim assured the committee members of the ministry’s confidence in their capabilities while urging them to dedicate their utmost effort and expertise to this important national assignment.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Ahmed Umar in his welcome remarks, explained that the National Youth Policy, like other government policies, constitutes the guide document on youth development as it represents the declaration and commitment of Nigerian government to the practical support it intends to give to its youth.

The inaugurated steering committee which is dominated by young people, is constituted by 38 members made up of government representatives and local and international youth organisations such as UNFPA, UNESCO, Commonwealth Youth Council, NESG, LEAP Africa, Youth Alive Foundation, Mind The Gap, FlexiSaf Foundation, Oxfam in Nigeria and others

Maryam Aminu

It is becoming common place to hear violent attack on hospital.
When hospitals are damaged or destroyed in conflict, the loss is far greater than the physical structures: safe spaces are lost, health outcomes worsen and trust in health institutions is undermined

The Nigeria Youth Congress, Kogi State Chapter has condemned the recent violent attack on the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State on the 22nd January, 2024.”

In a statement signed by the State Co-ordinator, Comrade Ebune Alfa,
and made available to journalists, he urged patients and their relatives to always channel their grievances through the constituted authority or better still change hospital rather than resort to the use of physical violence in seeking to redress their grievances

” The Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja is an institution that has a constituted authority that can look into grievances of clients or patients as the case may be, and get them resolved amicably. People should not take laws into their hands at anytime at all.
Also the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and law courts are also always there for the individuals that may be aggrieved to vent their grievances if need be” he said

It was gathered that the hoodlums who carried out the ugly incident were allegedly sponsored by a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly

“We in the Nigeria Youth Congress are compelled to respond to this ugly and dastardly development because it is now becoming a recurring tradition for the perceived number one ranking hospital in the State, owned by the Federal Government, to be attacked by thugs in recent years.”he said

The State Co-ordinator angrily expressed that similar shameful incident had happened about four years ago in which the hospital infrastructure was destroyed and staff molested physically by alleged sponsored thugs, and the hospital suffered closure for so many months.

“To us in the Nigerian Youth Congress, this kind of horror and senseless attacks on medical facilities and personnel are uncalled for, cruel and barbaric, not minding the level of provocation.” He said

“As we speak, the health-givers are overwhelmed in their various departments and offices, patients are coming in their droves for one health challenge or the other – this we all need to understand clearly. The number of doctors have reduced while the number of patients have increased.”

While condemning the act, he disclosed that the group doesn’t support indolence or dereliction of duty by doctors and nurses of the hospital as alleged by the patrons of the thugs, but rather the group wants a peaceful resolution of thorny issues that may lead to chaotic situation around human relationship.

He called on those encouraging and engaging in attacks on the hospital to desist from this primitive and unwarranted abuse of power because the angers of God and that of the masses will soon visit them.

While calling on the government to solve some of the current pressing challenges of the hospital to improve healthcare delivery at the centre, he tasked the public to remain calm and patience with one another