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Gov. Buni to Award Youths on Science, Research and Innovation
Gov. Buni to Award Youths on Science, Research and Innovation
By: Kolo Gulani
The Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni will present awards to youths from different parts of the state on science, research and innovation.
This was disclosed on Monday 22nd July, 2024, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research and Innovation, Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina, during the closing ceremony of a Workshop on Artificial Intelligence, organized by Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) of Yobe State University in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Science, Research and Innovation at the Desert Hall Damaturu.
The call for applications tagged “Yobe State Research and Innovation Challenge 2024” was announced in January 2024 which ended on 31st of May with the award categories which includes; Brilliant Innovations and Top Research Paper Award.
Dr Maina revealed following a detailed presentations and a thorough review by two expert judges; Eng. Abubakar Gambo, Software Architect/Programmer and Co-founder of Cerebro Information Systems Ltd., along with Dr Ali Bukar Maina, a Machine Learning Expert and Principal Vision Scientist based in the United Kingdom, the winners were selected based on rigorous criteria. These criteria included the local relevance of the innovation, its functionality, and the strength of its business case. Mohammed Auwal from Bursari Local Government Area emerged as the first-place winner in Brilliant Innovations, with Muhammad Mustapha from Geidam Local Government Area securing the second spot, and Adamu Aliyu from Nangere Local Government Area taking third place.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research and Innovation also explained that the other category of the award winners were selected after receiving numerous submissions of high-caliber research papers, each paper underwent an extensive review to assess its eligibility, significance in the field, and the contribution of the authors.
The panel of judges, include Dr. Karen Marshall and Dr. Andre Maia Chagas from the University of Sussex, UK, along with Dr. Murtala Isah Bindawa from Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, Nigeria. The winners are Idi Mohammed from Yobe State University, taking first place, followed by Mohammed Bukar Maina, also from Yobe State University, in second place, and Harisu Abdullahi Shehu, receiving an honorary award for his outstanding research contributions from the diaspora.
Dr Maina also disclosed that the award winners will be awarded during the 2024 Summer School Workshops which will come up in August of the year. He further explained that winners of the awards will receive cash prize by the Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni.
On his part, the facilitator of the workshop, Dr. Ali B. Maina, emphasized that the session focused primarily on AI. He highlighted the vast possibilities of integrating AI technology within various organizational processes. Dr Ali explained that participants were equipped with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to implement AI solutions across a range of applications. They learned how to utilize AI for creating meeting notes, interacting with PDFs or websites, and using AI to impartially mark examination scripts.
He added that the workshop covered the innovative use of multi-agent systems, where AI agents are tasked with specific roles such as developing course curriculums or managing complex workflows within their organizations.
Meanwhile, participants were drawn from different parts of the country in which 70% of the participants were from Yobe State.
Gov. Buni to Award Youths on Science, Research and Innovation
News
Zulum Calls for AI-Driven Security Reform at Kogi Summit, Urges Tackling of Root Causes of Insecurity
Zulum Calls for AI-Driven Security Reform at Kogi Summit, Urges Tackling of Root Causes of Insecurity
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy, urging greater adoption of advanced technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address escalating security challenges across the country.
Speaking at the Kogi Security Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, Zulum warned that conventional security approaches are no longer sufficient to confront increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. He advocated the integration of modern surveillance systems, including drones, biometric tracking technologies, and predictive analytics to detect and prevent attacks before they occur.
“For us to address insecurity, we need to possess modern technological warfare. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics are now being deployed globally to combat crime,” the governor said.
Beyond technological investment, Zulum emphasised the importance of citizen participation in security management, insisting that communities must take greater responsibility in intelligence sharing and local vigilance rather than relying solely on security agencies.
He further stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without addressing the socio-economic drivers of insecurity. According to him, widespread poverty, unemployment, infrastructural decay, and environmental vulnerabilities continue to fuel recruitment into criminal groups.
“While it is critical to purchase equipment such as vehicles, MRAPs, drones and other facilities to confront insecurity, most importantly, without addressing underlying factors such as poverty, road infrastructure, agriculture, among others, insecurity will not end,” Zulum said, urging policymakers to channel part of security funding into development-focused interventions.
He added that “understanding the socio-economic and political dimensions of every crisis is very important. Increasing poverty, climate vulnerabilities, infrastructural deficit, illiteracy, among others, have to be addressed if we want security in our communities.”
Reiterating the link between peace, security, and development, the governor noted that no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of instability.
“The security of lives and property is the cardinal objective of any administration. The nexus between peace and security cannot be overemphasised. It is only when there is security that there will be peace; and without peace, there will be no development,” he said.
Governor Zulum was accompanied at the summit by Hon. Engr. Bukar Talba, member representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai Federal Constituency
Zulum Calls for AI-Driven Security Reform at Kogi Summit, Urges Tackling of Root Causes of Insecurity
News
Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara
Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
A violent clash between residents of Boko and Jaya villages in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara state has left at least five persons injured following a dispute at a stone mining site.
Sources said the incident occurred on April 20 at about 11:00 a.m. at the Kwanza Stone Mining Site, located between the two communities.
According to the sources, the clash began when members of both villages engaged in illegal mining activities at the site, leading to a disagreement that escalated into violence, with both sides allegedly using firearms.
The sources said the injured victims include Sha’aibu Adamu, 30; Shakiru Suleiman, 26; Kasu Boko, 27; Abdullahi Dahiru, 25; and Ibrahim Usman, 25, all from the affected communities.
They added that the exact number of persons killed could not be immediately confirmed at the time of filing the report.
A joint security team comprising troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA. police personnel and community protection guards was swiftly deployed to the area to restore order.
The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda for medical treatment.
Security authorities said normalcy had since been restored in the area, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the violence.
They also confirmed that investigation into the incident had commenced.
Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara
News
Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community
Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have attempted to abduct residents in Unguwan Yamma, Amada area of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 3:20 a.m. when the attackers stormed the residence of one Alhaji Muhammad Abba, who narrowly escaped the attack.
According to the sources, the assailants proceeded to a neighbouring house where they abducted a child after the mother raised alarm.
The sources said the kidnappers, however, abandoned the child and fled the scene following the commotion.
A divisional patrol team, alongside hunters and local vigilantes, was immediately mobilised to the area and is currently on the trail of the suspects.
Police authorities said investigation was ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing attackers and prevent further incidents in the area.
Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community
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