AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have joined forces to empower West African youth with the skills and knowledge needed to safeguard the region’s cyberspace.

Winners of the 3rd ECOWAS Cyber Security Hackathon competition.

August24news.com gathered that the regional security hackathon was held in Abuja, Nigeria, showcased the talent and potential of young participants from across West Africa.

The event aimed to identify and nurture cybersecurity experts who can combat the growing threat of cybercrime in the region.
NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, emphasised the importance of harnessing the energy and creativity of young people to address cybersecurity challenges. He stressed the need for countries to adhere to regional regulations and implement robust measures to protect critical institutions.

Olawumi stressed the importance of tapping into the region’s youthful talent to combat cybercrime.

He emphasised NITDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting future initiatives and stated, “The vibrant competition within the technology sector is encouraging. By harnessing the energy and creativity of our youth, we can effectively fight cybercrime and prevent them from engaging in criminal activities.”

On his part, the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted the urgency of protecting the region’s cyberspace and the role of the hackathon in identifying and supporting talented individuals.

He emphasized the collaboration between ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, private sector, and academia in making the event a success.

The hackathon, which was the third in the series, attracted participants from 12 West African countries. Winners and participants received cash prizes and gift items as recognition for their achievements.

In addition to the competition, the event included training programs sponsored by donors and partners to further enhance the skills of the young participants.

After 30 hours of intense competition, the TeamERROR from Nigeria emerged third and got a cash prize of $6000 with laptops for each member of the team.

The M3V7R team from Benin Republic came second with a cash prize of $8,000 and laptops for its members, while the First Prize went to Shell X Roots from Cote d’ Ivoire with a cash prize of $10,000 and laptops for members of the group.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone, who won the Best Female Participant award. Her achievement underscored the growing influence of women in the field of cybersecurity across West Africa.

Earlier at the opening of the competition in Abuja, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, commended ECOWAS for its commitment to promoting regional unity in addressing cyber security. 

He emphasised that the Hackathon represents a powerful symbol of unity and cooperation among ECOWAS member states, noting that “As threats become increasingly sophisticated and transnational, collaboration between nations is no longer optional, but essential. “Making partnerships with relevant Cybersecurity outfits in various countries and a call for global Cybersecurity strategies is vital.”  

Inuwa explained that the global Cybersecurity workforce places a gap with billions of jobs unfilled for the coming years, noting that the Hackathon is a response to that challenge. 

Represented by the Director of IT Infrastructure Solution Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, Inuwa explained that participants need to be provided with opportunities to showcase their abilities to ensure that the youths have pathways to recognition, employment, and growth in this field. 

“Our efforts also extend to fostering home-grown solutions towards our annual Hackathons, which offer startups to showcase real world problems. 

“This Hackathon coincides with the National Cybersecurity Awareness month, during which we conduct extensive awareness to educate the public about the trending cyber threats and how to stay safe,” Inuwa said. 

He added that the Hackathon competition saw 1,500 teams participate, including 139 teams led by female captains. With 1,362 female participants out of 5,341, the event highlighted the significant contributions women make to Cybersecurity in the region. 

ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Mr. Seido Douko, while welcoming the participants, commended their dedication to addressing the pressing Cybersecurity challenges affecting the region.

He stated that “ECOWAS passionately believes in harnessing the power of innovation and collaboration to drive progress. As technology continues to evolve, mere vigilance is no longer enough.

To stay ahead of emerging threats, we must foster adaptability, creativity, and collaboration across borders, building a robust and resilient cyber ecosystem that benefits all member states.”

“Today’s event embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation, bringing together talented young minds to tackle a critical regional challenge. It is not just about competition, but about collective contribution and creativity, fostering innovative solutions that will drive meaningful change and resilience in our region,” he added.

While maintaining that the competition is more than just a contest but a collaborative effort to combat cyber threats, he advised for a push to the boundaries of what is possible, harnessing collective creativity and expertise to develop innovative solutions. 

The 30-hours ECOWAS Cyber Security Hackathon competition brought together over 40 young tech talented enthusiasts drawn from fourteen countries in the West African sub-region. 

Transcorp Group Champions Nigeria’s Energy Future at the 2024 Nigeria Energy Summit

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

At the recently concluded 2024 Nigeria Energy Summit, Transcorp Group reaffirmed its leadership in shaping the future of Nigeria’s energy sector, with two of its key executives driving the conversation on building infrastructure for gas-to-power projects. 

Vincent Ozoude, MD/CEO of Transafam Power Limited, and Christopher Ezeafulukwe, MD/CEO of Transcorp Energy Limited, were at the forefront of discussions aimed at tackling the critical challenges and opportunities for Nigeria’s gas sector, alongside Dr. Joy Ogaji, MD/CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC).

The session was moderated by Gbemisola Abiola-Ige, Head of Risk Management & Portfolio Optimization at Nigeria LNG Limited.

The summit highlighted the growing importance of gas in Nigeria’s energy mix and the urgent need to address infrastructure gaps, funding issues, and security concerns to unlock the country’s gas-to-power potential fully. The panel focused on how strategic investments and partnerships, driven by both public and private sectors, can pave the way for a more robust energy future.

Addressing Key Risks: Funding, Security, and Market Volatility
During the panel, Christopher Ezeafulukwe emphasized that Nigeria must find homegrown solutions to secure funding for gas-to-power projects in an era where fossil fuel investments are declining globally.

He highlighted the concept of Africapitalism, which calls on African nations to take charge of their own development through partnerships that prioritize local growth and long-term sustainability. “We cannot rely solely on external funding. Africa must lead in building its infrastructure by leveraging both the private and public sectors,” Ezeafulukwe said.

Vincent Ozoude highlighted the persistent security risks in Nigeria’s oil and gas regions, noting that traditional methods of policing infrastructure are no longer sufficient. He advocated for a more strategic, intelligence-driven approach that includes local operators in the solution, thus formalizing and leveraging their skills to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Both leaders also pointed out the market risks plaguing Nigeria’s gas-to-power sector, particularly inefficiencies in the electricity market and the slow pace of industrialization. They stressed the need for the power sector to transition to bilateral contracts, which would stabilize demand and unlock growth potential for the gas sector.

Gas: The Bridge to Nigeria’s Energy Future
A recurring theme during the session was the crucial role that gas plays in Nigeria’s path towards energy sufficiency. Ezeafulukwe reminded attendees that gas currently powers 70% of the national grid, making it the backbone of Nigeria’s energy supply.

He noted that even as renewables gain traction, gas-fired plants will remain essential for maintaining stability in the country’s power generation. With Nigeria ranking third in Africa in terms of gas reserves, the country has a unique opportunity to harness this resource to fuel its economic growth and industrial development.

Vincent Ozoude added that addressing infrastructure gaps is crucial to realizing this potential. He specifically pointed to the delayed OB3 pipeline, designed to link Nigeria’s eastern and western gas markets, as a key project that must be prioritized.

“We have the reserves, but we lack the infrastructure to connect gas-rich areas to demand centres. This inefficiency is holding us back from achieving energy sufficiency,” Ozoude explained.

A Call for Policy Re-evaluation and Immediate Action
The discussion ended with a call to revisit Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan and the Decade of Gas initiative. While these policies were developed with the right objectives, the panel agreed that they require reevaluation to reflect current realities. The leaders emphasized that addressing infrastructure gaps, improving security measures, and adopting modern market frameworks are critical to positioning Nigeria as a true gas powerhouse.

For Transcorp Group, the message is clear: gas-to-power is more than an energy solution—it is a driver of economic transformation. By investing in strategic infrastructure and partnerships, the Group is committed to playing a central role in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape and contributing to long-term value creation for the country and its people.

As Transcorp Energy and Transafam Power, subsidiaries of Transcorp Group, continue to lead the charge, their efforts will ensure that Nigeria maximizes its gas potential, fueling industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

GOVERNOR ODODO FLAGS OFF 20KM OBAJANA-URO-AKU RURAL ROAD

HAMZAT ACHIMOGU LOKOJA

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has flagged off construction of the 20KM Obajana-Uro-Aku rural road linking parts of Lokoja and Adavi local government areas.

The project is part of interventions by the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) supported by the World Bank Group and other stakeholders in the agricultural development value chain and it is the first phase of the over 65KM network of rural roads in the state intended create access to farms, farming communities and markets to ensure food security in the state.

Governor Ododo who performed the Flag-off at a ceremony in Apata near Obajana emphasized the pivotal role of rural roads in the development agenda of his administration, adding that the rural roads will not only enhance transportation but also serve as catalyst for rural economic growth and food security in the state.

He noted that the roads will also provide access and connectivity to farmers and traders as part of his administration’s broader strategy to enhance rural development and bring governance closer to people in local communities.

While appealing to benefiting communities to take ownership of the project, Governor Ododo gave a stern warning to contractors handling the project not to divert project funds, urging them to demonstrate high level of integrity and professionalism in project delivery.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Engineer Abdulmutalib Mohammed said the project is meant to benefit farmers especially by reducing cost of transportation and accessibility for both farmers and traders in the state.

In his remarks, the National Co-ordinator of RAAMP, Engineer Aminu Bodinga represented by Mrs Joy Amadi commended Governor Ododo for his unwavering commitment to rural development which she noted would enhance connectivity and access to markets, social services and opportunities that were previously out of reach by rural dwellers.

Similarly, the State Coordinator of the project, Sheidu Obansa says the network of rural roads will expose the communities to opportunities and promote agricultural development in the state.

Speaking on the development, the Olu of Oworo, Muhammed Adoga Baiyerohi who commended Governor Ododo on the road project, noted that the project will enhance agricultural development and will also reduce vehicular traffic along Obajana road.

Other traditional rulers who spoke on the development commended Governor Ododo for the initiative to help rural dwellers who are mostly farmers and traders in the state.