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Maryam Aminu

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has inaugurated the committee for the review of the Nigeria Youth Investment fund (NYIF)

Dr. Bio explained that the review had become necessary due to the fact that the fund, which was established in 2020 to provide funds for youth led enterprises, falls short in terms of Youths reached and jobs created.

Bio-Ibrahim in a statement by the Head Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf attributed the failure to the stringent conditions attached to having access to the fund.

In her words, “While the Nigerian youth investment fund aims to provide capital for youth-led enterprises, its impact, though commendable, falls short in terms of the number of youths reached and jobs created. A strategic overhaul is necessary to alleviate the challenges faced by Nigerian youth in securing financing, along with fostering entrepreneurial skills, market access, and membership for sustainable growth.”

She added that upon assuming duty in the Ministry, she observed that among the Ministry’s programs, the NYIF has the potential to tackle youth unemployment and poverty if properly managed.

The Minister therefore, charged the committee members to take the assignment seriously and give it their best.

Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Dunoma Ahmed Umar, reiterated that the fund is dedicated to investing in the innovative ideas, skills, and talents of Nigerian youths.

Dr Umar stated that the target of the fund is youths within the age group of 18 to 35 years.

He added that the Honourable Minister deemed it wise to review the NYIF so as to achieve better results.

The Chairman of the committee Mr. Hakeem Olopade praised the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu led administration for its focus on youth empowerment.

Mr. Olapade noted that there is a need to engage the youth in all productive sectors of the economy, especially in view of the prevailing security challenges in the country.

He pledged the readiness of the committee members to implement their assignmen assiduously and therefore called on the Ministry to avail them with all necessary support to succeed especially in the area of Youth documentation and provision of information at the disposal of the Ministry.

The committee, which was inaugurated via Zoom, has the following members: Hakeem Olopade, chairman, Olufela Olatoye-sosan, secretary, Prof. Ahmed Kumshe, member, Ms Ebiho Agun, member, Mr Rijo Shekari, member, Mr Samson Itodo, member, Ms Angel Adelaja, member, Ms Amaka Okechukwu, member, Dr. Ezekiel Oseni, member, Dr. Emeka Henry Inegbu, member, CBN representative, and DBN representative.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called for collaboration amongst relevant agencies with a view to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Professor Anosike was speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, 31st January, 2024, at the ‘Technical Workshop On Sendai Framework Monitoring And Reporting’, organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

According to Prof. Anosike, “Disasters pose significant challenges to our nation, and we must work together to enhance our coordination mechanism with disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for better understanding and communication of cost benefit. By fostering partnerships and collaboration, we can collectively strengthen Nigeria’s resilience and effectively mitigate the impacts of disasters”.

Professor Anosike said that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recognizes the vital role it plays in providing accurate and timely weather information, forecasting, and climate services.

“By utilizing the Sendai Framework Monitor, we can develop data-driven strategies that will lead to informed decision-making, more resilient communities, and sustainable development”, Professor Anosike concluded.

In a shocking turn of events, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is embroiled in controversy as the promotion of Dr. Rebecca O.J. Oamen, the Director of Administration and Finance, has been reversed by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) three years after it was granted.

The conflict centers around Dr. Agnes Asagbra, the Director General of NBMA, and Dr. Oamen, who are on one side of the dispute, and several other top civil servants on the other.

According to sources, the disagreement began when Dr. Asagbra allegedly facilitated the appointment of Mr. Ehikhamenor Steve Ehiochoya from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) as the agency’s Director of Administration and Finance.

According to sources, Dr. Oamen had voiced her concerns regarding the appointment to several government offices, including the OAGF, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Ministry of Environment, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offices Commission.

However, in a document obtained by our reporter, Dr. Oamen was redeployed to the FCSC as an accountant in the deputy director cadre, implying a demotion. This transfer is contradictory to Dr. Oamen’s previous promotion to a substantive director by the NBMA board.

Documents from 2016 and 2020 confirm her initial appointment as deputy director of finance and subsequent promotion to director, both under the tenure of former NBMA Director General Dr. Rufus Ebegba. However, the FCSC claims that her transfer to the agency was an error and directed her immediate recall to her previous position as Chief Executive Officer (Accounts) GL. 14.

As a result, Dr. Oamen’s salary for December 2023 has allegedly been withheld, according to an anonymous source within the agency.

This development has prompted calls for intervention from prominent figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to address the perceived injustice.

While Dr. Asagbra was not available for comment, Ugo Agwu Nnachi, Head of Human Resources Management at NBMA, and Gloria Ogbaki, Head of Communications, denied any wrongdoing on her part. They emphasized that the DG has no authority to reject postings made by the OAGF and that the agency cannot be faulted for the actions taken by the FCSC.

The former NBMA Director General, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, supported Dr. Oamen’s promotion and commended her professionalism.

However, Dr. Oamen herself declined to comment on the matter, redirecting inquiries to the appropriate authorities.

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”.