TECHDIGEST – PRNigeria’s Head of Fact-Checking and Special Investigations, Dahiru Lawal Mohammed has bagged the Professor Ali Pantami Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Digital Economy in Information and Media Studies, while another graduate, Muhammad Salisu Danmande bagged Professor Muhammad Bashir Ali prize for best graduating student in Public Relations in Mass Communication.

The awards were conferred on them at the Grand Finale of the 37th Convocation of Bayero University Kano for the 2019/2020 academic session.

Other Awardees are Professor Balarabe Maikaba Prize for best graduating student in mass media research won by Fatima Idris; Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero Prize for the best graduating student in Broadcasting in Mass Communication won by Yakubu bn Adam.

READ ALSO: Two Nigerian Startups Win $300,000 At LEAP’s Competition in Riyadh

Other included Professor Musa Muhammad Borodo Prize for the best graduating student in MBBS won by Aminu Salisu Haruna; L&Z integrated farmers prize for the best graduating student in Animal Science won by Hauwa Yusuf Ibrahim and BUK Sassakawa African Fund Prize in Agricultural Extension won by Idris Yakubu Ya’u.

Similarly, Engr Ibrahim Khalil Inuwa Prize for the best graduating student in medical engineering is won by Jamilu Danjuma; Intergraph Consultants Prize for the best graduating student in Architecture won by Abdulrahman Isa among other prize winners of the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic session.

Reacting, Mr Dahiru appreciated his lecturers for their mentorship and supports and vowed to continue breaking new grounds in Digital Media Economy.

Meanwhile, the convocation also witnessed the investiture of the 4th Chancellor of the University, His Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin who was conferred with an Award of of Doctor of Law Honoris Kausa.

While speaking, the Oba commended the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas for his untiring effort in sustaining BUK as one of the top universities in Nigeria.

Oba Ewuare 11 proposed the establishment of the council of university chancellors to interface with the Federal Government in order to promote industrial harmony and prevent incessant strikes.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas congratulated all graduates and prize winners, urging them to represent the university well in making positive difference in their respective communities.

Prof Abbas has established world class digital TV and radio broadcasting station among other achievements.

He also announced that the university would soon acquire broadband infrastructure for unlimited internet connectivity on the campuses.

At the 36th/37th combined convocation, 16,581 bachelor’s degrees from 16 faculties were awarded while 8,771 higher degrees and Post Graduate Diplomas were also awarded to graduates.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has authored another on skill acquisitions.

The Minister who recently released two books: ‘Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country’ and‘Datafication of Society to Foster an Internet Economy,’ will unveiled “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees” at an event to commence disbursements of funds to deepen broadband penetration in Abuja.

In a statement by Spokesperson, NITDA,
Mrs Hadiza Umar the unveiling of the book is part of programme aimed at signaling the commencement of landmark broadband initiatives to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria and advance the course of digital economy for the nation.

The statement stated that “Following the Honourable Minister’s presentation of the programme at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the 26th October 2022, an approval was given for N16.7 billion to be used to provide broadband access for 20 markets and 18 schools across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.

READ ALSO: Data Governance will Ensure Maximum Value Derivation from Digital Economy – NITDA Boss

“Furthermore, as part of efforts to implement the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP, 2020- 2025), the Honourable Minister secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council on the 8th of December 2021 for N1.96 billion to be used to purchase 6,000 e-pad mobile devices for students in tertiary institutions. Both projects are to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and supervised by Pantami.

The book focuses on the importance of skills and its potential impact in addressing the problems of unemployability, unemployment, and underemployment. The book is a research and productive work implementing the paradigm shift being advocated by Professor Pantami.

The Foreword to the book was written by US Attorney Brad Smith, the President of Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Smith, who the New York Times described as “a de facto ambassador for the technology industry at large” stated that the book is so important, in part because it addresses critical opportunities for individuals, and also because it points the way towards steps that can unlock the potential for the African continent and the world.

Some Vice-Chancellors also reviewed the book. Prof. M.A. Abdulazeez, Vice Chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University said the book amplifies the need for the institutionalisation of the triple helix model as a veritable tool to recalibrate our participation in the knowledge-driven global economy. Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Vice Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt, said the book greatly enhances the understanding of how skills can solve challenges like unemployment and underemployment. Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, called the book work of an erudite scholar that will serve as reference material for scholars, researchers, students and society at large.

The unveiling of the book on skills and the launch of the programme to support broadband initiatives in the country are all part of efforts to implement the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria.

The unveiling will take place on Thursday, 24th of November, 2022 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

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TECHDIGEST – The Image Merchants Promotions Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential has instituted annual Prizes/Awards for Best Graduating Students in Public Relations and Digital Economy at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

The awards which are named after a former Head of Department of Mass Communication at the university, Professor Bashir Ali and Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami will run for 10 years from 2022 to 2032.

While receiving a cheque of one Million Naira for the prizes in his office, the BUK Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas commended IMPR for its various interventions in the mentorship of students and young communicators on modern skills. He added that the prizes will be presented to the first set during the forthcoming convocation in March 2022.

He added that the Faculty of Mass communication would soon unveil its television station after the success of a full-fledged radio station with support from the McArthur Foundation among others.

Earlier in his presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Yushau A. Shuaib said the awards were instituted to motivate and inspire students to develop interests in Public Relations practice and innovations in digital activities that are key sectors of today’s globally evolving economy.

Shuaib who recently bagged the award of excellence in PR and Digital Journalism at the 40th Anniversary of the Bayero University Mass Communication Alumni Association (BUMCAA), said the prizes were instituted in the names of individuals who made outstanding contributions on the respective fields.

He said: “The Bashir Ali Prize for Best Student in Public Relations instituted by PRNigeria is to honour the PR scholar who encourages students to develop keen interest and passion in the field of PR. In fact, he was my supervisor when I conducted PR Research Project as an undergraduate student in 1991-1992.

“The Ali Pantami Prize for Best Student in Digital Economy instituted by Economic Confidential is in recognition of Minister’s unparalleled dedication to public service on account of his blazing Digital economic reforms, innovations and strategies, which were not only instrumental in cushioning the negative impact of economic disruptions caused by the Global COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020 but has on the same margin, widened the skills and employment prospects in the country while accelerating Nigeria’s path to economic independence and growth.

“We will continue to sustain these efforts in motivating our students and youths towards excelling in the chosen endeavours,” he concluded.

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TECH DIGEST – The Bayero University Kano said all Post Graduate programs in the university especially at Ph. D level will be holding lectures online, beginning from second semester.

TECH DIGEST reports that this was contained in a weekly bulletin released by the University on Friday.

According to the bulletin, the vice chancellor of the University Sagir Adamu Abbas revealed this on Monday when he went round to monitor the commencement of lectures and assess the level of compliance with the Covid-19 protocols by both staff and students.

Mr Adamu a professor of education said the Centre for Information Technology of the University is making frantic efforts to kick start the virtual learning.

He added that the University has secured a license for zoom meeting, as the management is putting adequate arrangement with a view to starting the online teaching beginning from second semester of the current academic session.

He also revealed that the license was the largest in the country amongst the tertiary institutions with the capacity of holding twenty parallel sessions simultaneously with about 500 participants.

The Vice Chancellor, acknowledged the quantum of challenges facing tertiary institutions especially in developing countries on how to conduct their academic activities in conformity with the protocols of Covid-19.

Particularly given the fact that the system was not designed for an online mode of conducting lectures.

“However, as it is now, and for us to survive, it becomes imperative to devise a means to adapt to the new normal caused by the global pandemic of Covid-19,” He said.

He added that apart from the Ph.D degree programs, others that would be conducting their lectures via online mode are the General Studies Program (GSP) at undergraduate levels.

He said this was specifically introduced as part of the response by the government on the need for educational institutions to rise up to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic without making the students miss their lectures.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the virtual mode of lecture would be gradual.

He said it was hoped that in the very near future all courses and programmes would be taught virtually in which case all the needed facilities would be provided.

Professor Abbas charged students to observe all the protocols of curtailing the spread of the virus through wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular washing of hands and the application of hand sanitizers at all the times.

He said the University management would not hesitate to sanction any staff or student who refuse to obey the protocols.

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