TECHDIGEST – In another giant step towards addressing security challenges bedeviling the country, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, through its National Center for Artificial Intelligence Robotics and Robotics, NCAIR, is to collaborate with the Nigeria security operatives in the manufacture of locally made military equipments to tackle insecurity.

The initiative was to provide first hand intelligence gathering to the Nation’s security architecture using technology and digital driven methods aimed at bringing an end to the incessant security threats in the country.

Director, National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Engr. Ya’u Garba Isa disclosed this when he received the Rector Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology, NACEST, Markudi, Benue State, Brigadier General Yahaya H Abdulhamid at his office.

Engr Garba, while welcoming his guests said, NCAIR is among NITDA’s key drivers, established primarily to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of national interest.

He said; “collaboration with the military will open huge opportunity for the Center explore manufacturing of locally made military hardwares that will be used in fighting criminal elements”.

Garba informed his audience that, NCAIR as digital innovation and research facility, is focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Drones, Internet of Things (IOT) and other emerging technologies that can be deployed to a mission area so as to provide intelligence report which, he said, can be manufactured at a low cost.

He added that, the Center is also looking into the possibility of producing what they termed as ‘Digital Grenade’ that can be use with ‘Wireless Censored Network’ which will be utilize in detecting some vital information in the field during operations.

“NCAIR focuses on creating a thriving ecosystem for innovation driven entrepreneurship IDE, job creation and national development”, he explained.
Garba then assured the management of the Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology of his office’s unflinching support towards the realization of the mutual collaboration that will bring about a suitable environment for discovery and harnessing the abundant creative ideas of Nigeria’s teeming youth through the promotion of innovative technologies.

Earlier, the Rector of the College, Brigadier General Yahaya H Abdulhamid, said the idea to partner with the National Information Technology Development Agency was borne out of observing the serious impact the Agency have been making to Nigerians in areas of Emerging Technologies.
NITDA, as the nation’s apex IT regulatory body, is capable of enhancing the ability of the students of the Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology in areas of Innovation, Digital Literacy and Skills Acquisition of modern technology.

He emphasized that his students are eager to learn various innovative ideas so as to align with the present reality for the overall development of the country.

Brigadier General Abdulhamid described innovation as key to the attainment of any meaningful development. He called on NCAIR to fast track the process of incorporating NACEST into its plan.

“These are the things that you must embrace in order to achieve national security and development, as it is not an adventurous thing, but rather a must”, he submitted.

The visiting Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology, NACEST, entourage was conducted round the NCAIRs innovation laboratory, a make space and fabrication laboratory (FabLab) 3D Printer and Printed Circuit facilities.

Mansour Aliyu Hassan
NITDA

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TECHDIGEST – With the advent of artificial intelligence, automated vehicles and drones amongst many other hi-tech innovations in fighting war, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE has said that the use of technology in combating insecurity in the country can never be overemphasized.

The DG made this known when he played host to the Rector of the Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology (NACEST) Makurdi, at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The DG said, “It is important to know how to use technology not just as an enabler but as a strategic design for your strategy in general which will inspire you to do more”.

“NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) is built on seven pillars with their respective goals and objectives, which are; Developmental Regulations, Digital Literacy and Skills, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies, and Promotion of Indigenous Content,” he added.

Abdullahi noted that the Agency’s focus is improving how things are being done using technology and innovation by creating an enabling environment and an innovation ecosystem that will allow a smooth digitized process, adding that the Agency is ready to collaborate with NACEST to deploy technologies to combat and proffer solutions to the country’s rising issue of insecurity.
He averred that innovation does not happen in isolation but rather, with proper alignment and positioning in a relevant ecosystem which necessitates the proposed collaboration between the two parties, adding that there is cross pollination between ICT and the Nigerian Army College of Environmental Sciences and Technology (NACEST).

“The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, a subsidiary of the Agency is fostering the development of emerging technologies in preparing Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in which NACEST can partner in research, development of technologies like drones, robotics, Artificial Intelligence etc as a veritable tool in combating National insecurity,” he elucidated.

The Rector Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology (NACEST) Makurdi, Brigadier General Yahaya Abdulhamid in his remark noted that the school is one of the Polytechnics that run Diploma Programme in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

He said the College is regulated by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), a National body mandated with the responsibility to ensure the quality of all Diploma certificated programmes in Nigeria.

He further disclosed that the school employs the Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the Computer Engineering laboratory, Computer Science Laboratory, E-Library, ICT centre, Management Information System (MIS), editing and Advertising Laboratory, Resource centre, Television and Radio Studios among others.

“We cannot have the best in what we are doing until we link our activities, operations and processes to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which will provide us a path way towards achieving our goals and objectives, which everything we do technology drives in achieving it.”

“Nigerian Army College of Environmental Sciences and Technology is diverting from the theoretical process and focusing more on the practical aspects to enable us provide solutions to our problems, he stated.

Abdulhamid commended NITDA for the various IT interventions deployed across the country towards the growth and development of IT which plays a critical role for the advancement of the country and also towards National security.

By PRNigeria

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