Infotech
Space engineers call for spy satellites to address security challenges
The Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISEng) on Tuesday inaugurated its sixth National Chairman, Dr George Okpanachi, and called for a specialised reconnaissance satellite to address national security.
The inauguration held concurrently with a One-day Public Lecture with the theme: “Space Technology and National Security: Opportunities and Limitations” in Abuja.
Prof. Lazarus Ojigi, Director, Mission Planning IT and Data Management of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), was the guest lecturer.
He said that space technology had become the driving force behind scientific, socio-economic, military and intelligence supremacy of developed nations of the world.
Ojigi said that national security was all about national safety with food security, economic, social, physical, energy, environmental, border, cyber securities as components.
A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite (spy satellite) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications.
“We must deploy specialised satellite, reconnaissance satellite that will assist the armed forces in detecting danger locations.
“We need to invest in satellite infrastructure, ground segment infrastructure; you must not have satellite just to harvest information from satellites in the orbit.
“Having the ground segment will help us to subscribe and optimise; you will have enough information for your security agencies and those information are encrypted for them to use.
“We also need to develop our Inertia Navigation System (INS) and Guidance; that means that we must be able to detect where criminals are using global navigation techniques added to INS techniques,” Ojigi said.
He added that the country needed to invest in infrastructure across Nigeria, train manpower and build a level of confidence with confidential security information.
He said that there was need to increase the number of communication satellites to improve surveillance.
“Now we have one communication satellite and the proposal is to have three prototype to create an overlap to cover the whole world.
“By that architecture, Nigeria will not only provide satellite signals but services in terms of telecommunications, internet and augmentation services to Africa and other parts of the world.
He further said that if the country could not provide three communication satellites, it could optimise the available one.
According to him, it is better to scale up the satellite asset and get better services.
Okpanachi, in his remarks, said he was going to galvanise relevant stakeholders in the space sector, the National Assembly, and agencies to get the needed support for NASRDA and Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited.
He expressed the hope that NISEng would advance to compete with other engineering bodies in the country in the future.
“We will be paying courtesy visits to relevant agencies and letting them know that we have the capacity to deliver if given the necessary assistance particularly the funding aspect.
“If we are well funded with the capacity and capability, it can help in tackling the security challenges and this includes having more satellites in space, synthetic aperture satellites, going into drones and cube satellites,” he said.
Dr Sadiq Umar, the immediate past chairman of NISEng, encouraged the incumbent and his executive members to push for the institution to participate in the Group Dynamics competition for all Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
He also called on the new helmsmen to as well ensure that the institution stood out.
Umar said that he was grateful that he enjoyed great support from the incumbent chairman as his vice and other past chairmen during his tenure from 2019 to 2020.
He, however, encouraged his colleagues and the space industry stakeholders to extend same support to Okpanachi to ensure the institution helped in developing robust space technology programmes in the country.
Rtd. Major Gen. Michael Agu, the pioneer chairman of NISEng, recalled that the institution had a Memorandum of Understanding with NASRDA on corporation and space activities.
According to Agu, same understanding and working relationship can be extended to the Defence Space Administration (DSA) and other stakeholders to ensure that issues on security are addressed.
Other goodwill messages included from the DSA, National Productivity Centre, NASRDA and other past chairmen of the institution, a who called for more funding for space programmes.
They also called for collaboration among space technology stakeholders to boost development in the sector.
As part of preparation for a new phase of business transformation, the Board of Directors of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), operating as 9mobile, today announced the appointment of seasoned telecoms expert and technology business leader and advisor; Obafemi Banigbe as the Chief Executive Officer of the company.
He succeeds the outgoing CEO, Juergen Peschel, who will be retained as a Consultant to support the business transformation process initiated under his leadership. This transition is consistent with 9mobile’s tradition of business continuity to ease the start of the holistic business transformation for the company.
Banigbe possesses extensive experience at the C-suite level and brings a profound comprehension of the intricate African business landscape, emphasizing the critical translation of business objectives and commercial imperatives into comprehensive strategies that drive successful execution.
Banigbe commenced his career in the telecoms industry at Celtel now known as Airtel Nigeria as the Director of Operations, preceded by significant contributions at Ericsson across various roles within the Sub-Saharan Africa Market Unit, culminating in the esteemed role of Network Support Group Manager for Access and Transport Networks.
He was previously the Chief Operations Officer at Millicom Ghana, charting the operational strategy for the business in Ghana. His journey within the Millicom Group spans pivotal positions such as Interim CEO and earlier responsibilities as Chief Technical Officer for Millicom Ghana and Millicom International Cellular Tanzania.
Banigbe’s diverse international experience transverses countries such as the United States and several African countries. He was previously the Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Silver Rock Technology Services Ghana, a strategic advisory firm specializing in the Telecom, Media, and Technology sectors. He also served as a Non-Executive Director at Amplitude Telecoms, a tower infrastructure provider in Nigeria.
As an Advisory Board member for Telecel Group, Banigbe played a pivotal role in guiding the group’s successful acquisition of Vodafone Ghana. He further enriches his advisory portfolio by contributing insights to Nsano Group, a leading Fintech platform operating across multiple African countries, and previously lent his expertise to the Kirusa group in New Jersey, USA, providing invaluable guidance on product development and market entry strategies.
Board of EMTS (9mobile) said, “We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the positive impact that Obafemi will have on shaping the future of 9mobile. He brings along the vision, passion and years of experience from diverse environments, which will consolidate our priorities to provide superior customer experience and sustained network quality. Obafemi is expected to work closely with the Board of Directors and all stakeholders to define credible and achievable long-term business plans, through the introduction of solutions to address the evolving needs of the Nigerian telecommunication market.”
“The Nigerian telecoms industry is characterized by strong competition, but it is also an industry that provides opportunities for different stakeholders. I am delighted to join the 9mobile family and I look forward to using my experience and unique value propositions to lead the company in the next exciting phase of its journey. The goal is to build on the existing foundation of the company to create value that will transform the Nigerian telecoms sector. Banigbe said.”
Banigbe holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria. He augmented his expertise through the Ericsson Management Development Program, the Advanced Management Program at the London Business School, and culminated his academic journey with an MBA from Manchester Business School, U.K.
eTranzact, a leading provider of innovative financial technology solutions, has announced its role as the technology solution provider for the Military Pensions Board’s new digital verification system for military pensioners, officially launched on July 1, 2024. This initiative marks a significant milestone in leveraging technology to streamline pension verification processes and enhance the welfare of military retirees across Nigeria.
With Federal Government approval, the Military Pensions Board is transitioning from traditional physical verification methods to an advanced electronic system developed and deployed by eTranzact.
This transition aims to minimise travel risks, reduce transportation costs, and accommodate the advanced age of many pensioners. Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson, Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, emphasised the necessity of this transition, stating that the move to electronic verification is crucial for the safety and convenience of military pensioners.
This innovative solution will ensure that retirees can verify their status from anywhere in the world, significantly reducing the burden of travel and associated risks.
The successful pilot exercise conducted between February 15 and March 1, 2024, demonstrated the efficiency and reliability of the new system. In addition to developing the verification system, eTranzact has managed salary payments for other government agencies.
The implementation of this electronic verification system is a critical step towards ensuring foolproof and seamless payment processes within the Military Pensions Board.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, have endorsed the electronic verification exercise, recognizing its potential to revolutionise the military pensions system.
The key benefits of the digital verification system include enhanced security by reducing the risk of identity fraud and impersonation, convenience by allowing pensioners to complete verification from their homes, cost efficiency by eliminating the need for travel, and accessibility by accommodating pensioners residing both within and outside Nigeria.
CEO of eTranzact, Niyi Toluwalope, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are honoured to collaborate with the Military Pensions Board on this transformative project. At eTranzact, we are committed to harnessing the power of technology to solve critical challenges and improve the quality of life of Nigerians. This digital verification system affirms our dedication to innovation and excellence.”
eTranzact is a leading financial technology company providing innovative payment solutions and technology services. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, eTranzact continually strives to develop cutting-edge solutions that address real-world challenges and drive economic growth.
The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Inuwa has explained how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other transformative technologies can optimise the operations of small scale farmers in the country.
Delivering a keynote speech in Abuja at the launching of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply-Chain in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms Project organised by AGROVESTO (an Agritech startup and a beneficiary of the iHatch Incubation Programme Cohort 2) in conjunction with NITDA, Office for Nigeria Digital Innovation (ONDI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) as partner, Inuwa, who was represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of Digital Economy Department lamented that “small-scale farmers are the backbone of crop production in Nigeria.”
“Still, they face numerous challenges including limited access to technology, high production costs, limited financing, high post-harvest losses, poor market access, labour shortages, and high labour costs. These issues he noted hinder their productivity and economic potential.”
The event’s purpose was to launch a project that will enable smallholder farmers in Nigeria to thrive, increase their income, and expand their market opportunities thereby creating wealth and prosperity for the country through agriculture.
Inuwa stated that agriculture employs a significant number of Nigerians and accounts for 25.18 percent of Nigeria’s GDP in 2023 through crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with crop production taking the largest share; maintaining that digitising the supply chain for small-scale farms offers a transformative solution to the challenges of food security in the country.
Inuwa affirmed that supply chain optimisation will ensure that small-scale farmers can meet the increasing consumer demands, enhance food quality and safety, and promote and utilise sustainable practices.
“This can be achieved through the adoption of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can handle time-demanding tasks using machine learning and predictive modelling; the Internet of Things (IoT), which can monitor crops and generate real-time data to inform automation and best practices; and blockchain, which can provide end-to-end traceability in supply chains with shareable data, building consumer trust and even making it easier to isolate and manage disease outbreaks in crops,” Inuwa said.
He said, “NITDA has been actively supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. One key initiative is the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) which has engaged 965 farmers in integrating technology into agriculture.
“Our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, 2024 – 2027 (SRAP 2.0) also highlights our focus on promoting technology in agriculture to boost food security, increase the sector’s GDP contribution, drive economic diversification, and create jobs, aligning with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Citing a good use case of the digitised agricultural sector, Inuwa disclosed that according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), agriculture contributes 33 percent to Kenya’s GDP.
He divulged that JICA, through its Small Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion (SHEP) Approach, doubled the income of 2,500 small-scale farmers between 2007 and 2009 alone.
During his presentation, Co-founder/CEO AGROVESTO, Bayo Adewoye said that 63.5 percent of these farmers earn between N20,000 and N100,000 monthly during the sales season while 63 percent take their products to the open market to sell.
He added that the project has been designed to address these challenges, and the expected outcomes include; improved farmer income by connecting farmers to wider markets through digital tools and increasing their bargaining power and sales, boosting their incomes.
Furthermore, efficient Supply Chains by digitising agricultural value chains can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the flow of goods, benefiting farmers and markets.
He said the initiative enhances digital literacy, empowers farmers with digital skills to enable them to leverage technology to access information and expand their market reach.
He further explained that the next step is to rollout digitisation of access to the market which entails the design and integration of a tailored digital platform for market access. And the onboarding of cooperatives and SHEP graduates to the platform. Then monitoring and evaluation activities which includes review meetings with JICA and ONDI, webinar and knowledge sharing.
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