News
18 Nigerian Lecturers Get $250,000 Grants to Develop Prototypes into Commercially Viable Products
18 Nigerian Lecturers Get $250,000 Grants to Develop Prototypes into Commercially Viable Products
By: Michael Mike
Eighteen lecturers from Nigerian higher institutions of learning have gone through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)’s Research for Impact Initiative (R4I) have received a grant of $250,000 from the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) to develop four prototype projects into commercially viable products
The 18 lecturers, who were distributed into four groups were assisted at Innov8, an innovation hub in Abuja to come out with four prototypes; Development of Technology to Mitigate the Effect of Drought in Desert Areas of Northern Nigeria, Development of Automated Garri Frying Technology (Jollyfryer), Creation of Biosensor Device for Water Purification Using Solar Energy, AirVolt: An Affordable Access to Electricity with Vertical Axis Wind Turbines.
The SGCI is a multi-funded initiative aimed at strengthening the capacities of 17 Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan African, with the councils contributing significantly towards strengthening national research and innovation ecosystems in their respective councils.
The Management of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, representatives of the Science Granting Council Initiative, representatives of the Association of African Universities, members of the academia, partners in research and development, esteemed guests, I welcome you all to Innov8 Hub.
Speaking at the SGCI Launch Event in Abuja on Monday, the Deputy General Manager, Innov8 Hub, Mr. Deji Ige said the landmark event of today marks the beginning of new possibilities. “It is a testament to the power of foresight, the power of commitment, and collaboration. On the mandate of TETFUND, a journey began about three years ago called the Research for Impact- R4i initiative, later, the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research- TETFAIR. These two initiatives have tremendously instigated a paradigm shift in the Nigerian academia, where lecturers are now researching for solution, innovation, venture creation and impact, as against the previous pattern of researching just for the sake of publication and promotion.
“As the technical partner and collaborator to TETFUND on the implementation of R4i and TETFAIR, Innov8 Hub is delighted and grateful for leadership and commitment of TETFund to these collaborative initiatives that are now yielding fruits of Human Capital Development, R & D Advancement, Home-Grown Solution, Economic Growth and National Development. One of such fruits is the reason we are here today. It may interest you to know that 18 participants (Grouped into 4 Teams), in the TETFund Research for Impact- R4i programme were selected as recipients of R&D grant from the Science Granting Councils Initiative.
“These 18 members of the Nigerian academia will use the grant to advance their innovations already developed at Innov8 hub during their R4i programme. The beneficiaries, from various tertiary institutions across Nigeria were selected after critical assessment of their projects developed at R4i. This success story would not have been possible without TETFund, and the paradigm shifting collaboration with Innov8 Hub; through which Nigerian academics are now translating their ideas into innovations, solutions and prototypes, worthy of advancement to the next level of Minimum Viable Product.”
Ige added that: “By championing the current positive change in the landscape and output of R&D efforts in Nigeria, it is evident that TETFund is more than an agency of government, but a light in the tunnel of the academia, a lamp unto the path of Nigerians, and a champion of national development; while Innov8 Hub is the oil that fuels the lamp.”
On his part, the director of research and development, TETFund, Dr. Saliba Bakare said, though Nigeria joined the SGCI in 2020—five years after the program’s inception—the impact of this collaboration is poised to be transformative.
According to Bakare, the $250,000 grant will support four Nigerian research teams, each working on projects with the potential to drive significant change.
He noted that among these initiatives are advancements in the processing of garri, a staple food, and pioneering efforts in renewable energy, amongst others.
He said the funding aims to bridge the gap between research and practical application, fostering innovations that can be commercialized.
He explained that: “The essence is to help them transform their research findings into commercializable goods and services in this country.”
He further explained that a critical component of the grant is its focus on helping research teams develop their innovations into market-ready prototypes.
This, he said involves not only technical development but also pitching these products to industries, ensuring that the research translates into tangible economic benefits.
“Four teams are going to use this money to develop their research into prototypes and pitch them with industries so that there will be take-off of the product coming out from the research,” he noted.
18 Nigerian Lecturers Get $250,000 Grants to Develop Prototypes into Commercially Viable Products
Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have repelled an attempted kidnapping along the Makurdi–Kura road in Benue State, but a driver was killed during a crossfire between soldiers and suspected bandits on Wednesday evening.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. when a group of engineers travelling from Kura to Makurdi encountered armed men who had blocked the road, intending to abduct passengers in a bus ahead of them.
According to a local source, soldiers on routine patrol were behind the engineers’ vehicle and immediately engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing the assailants to flee into the bush.
During the exchange of fire, Ochoche Otokolo Ekwu, the driver of the engineers’ vehicle, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.
The source said the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division mobilised a patrol team alongside tactical units to the scene, where the corpse was evacuated and deposited at a mortuary in Makurdi.
The source added that security operatives are currently combing nearby bushes to track the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks along the route.
Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire
Police Officer goes missing after signing out rifle in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
A police officer has been declared missing in Katsina State after signing out a service rifle for duty and disappearing without a trace.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Nov. 23 when PC Ahmed Tukur attached to the Danmusa Division, reported for duty at about 6 p.m. and signed out an AK-47 rifle with breech number 13492 for standby duty.
Shortly after collecting the weapon, the officer left the station for an unknown location and has not been seen since.
A source told Zagazola that all efforts to contact him, including visits to his residence and reaching out to relatives, have yielded no clues about his whereabouts.
The source said the command has launched sustained efforts to trace the officer and recover the missing rifle, describing the situation as “a serious operational and security concern.”
Police Officer goes missing after signing out rifle in Katsina
News
Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini
Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON has said that the security challenges in the nation need to involve community leaders and individuals for intelligence gathering so as to cut off sources of illegal arms supply in the country.
He said by involving the community leaders and individuals for intelligence gathering, it will arrest the sponsors in order to restore peace and stability to Nigerians.
Governor Buni disclosed this today when he received members of the forest guards training and evaluation committee at the Government House, Damaturu.
Ably represented by his Deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune). He urged Nigerians to emulate the sacrifices made by our forefathers to end security challenges and build a better Nigeria.
The governor assured that recently the service chiefs have given assurance that they will do everything possible within their reach to bring to an end the current insecurity, especially in Northern Nigeria.
He informed the delegation that the Yobe state government has been working tirelessly to improve the security situation in the state.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Major General H. I. Mabeokwu, told the governor that they were in Yobe State to brief the governor on the ongoing training of 865 forest guards in the state.
According to Major General Mabeokwu, the committee had earlier visited the Yobe state camp to monitor the ongoing training and inquired about the needs of the trainees and the standards set for the training.
“Your Excellency, we have made significant strides in not only training those forest guards but also raising their awareness about the importance of forest conservation.” Major General Mabeokwu said.
He commended the governor for his generosity in terms of welfare for the instructors and trainees as well as relocation and renovation of the training camp and facilities used to enhance the training.
The committee members comprise the Nigerian Army, Navy, DSS, NNSBS, and NPS across the security agencies.
Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini
Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire
Police Officer goes missing after signing out rifle in Katsina
Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini
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