Technology

Bluetti Changing Lives in Rural Nigeria with Solar Power Kits

Published

1 year ago

January 22, 2024

Bluetti, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, has undertaken a philanthropic move by donating 50 solar power kits to impoverished rural families in Ilaro, Ogun State. This initiative, known as the “Lighting an Africa Family” (LAAF) project, aims to address energy deficiencies in Africa, particularly in underdeveloped and developing regions.

The strategic donation is a response to the power challenges faced by rural communities, striving to enhance access to clean and reliable energy. The LAAF project is part of Bluetti’s corporate social responsibility, focusing on sustainable energy solutions to mitigate the severe impact of power shortages on daily activities.

During the donation event, Bluetti distributed solar power kits to selected residents based on their commitment to community development and their need for a reliable power source. Each solar power kit includes a battery pack, solar panel, and LED bulbs, providing households with electricity during outages.

In addition to the solar kits, Bluetti also distributed T-shirts to every family and provided notebooks and pens to the children present during the event. The hands-on training conducted by Bluetti’s Country Manager, Jefferey Zhang, aimed to educate the community on the optimal use of solar power kits.

Jefferey Zhang expressed Bluetti’s commitment to philanthropy through the LAAF project, stating, “Bluetti is firmly committed to fostering improved life for African rural dwellers, particularly those who have long faced issues of power supply.”

Mrs. Christianah Oduoye, the Otun-Iyaloja of Ilaro markets, who sought Bluetti’s intervention, expressed gratitude for the generous support. She highlighted the positive impact on residents’ lives, including improved access to information through radios, enhanced safety at night, and better opportunities for children’s education.

Nigeria, along with several other African countries, contends with power shortages due to challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and insufficient investment in the power sector. The LAAF project stands as a beacon of hope, bringing electricity to African households and symbolizing a step towards sustainable development.

Bluetti encourages regions and institutions in need to reach out for support through their website https://nga.bluettipower.com/.

This initiative reflects Bluetti’s dedication to making a lasting impact on the lives of millions, contributing to the socio-economic development of rural communities in Africa.

News

Nigeria’s First AI University to Open in Lagos

Published

2 days ago

January 23, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Our Correspondent

Nigeria is set to open its first artificial intelligence (AI), university in Epe, Lagos, marking a significant milestone in advancing AI education across Africa.

Named Wini University, the institution aims to equip young Nigerians with advanced AI skills, addressing unemployment and positioning the continent as a hub for technological innovation.

Inspired by the first AI university in Qatar, Wini University aspires to attract top-tier academics and innovators from around the globe.

The project, initiated in 2016 by a visionary collaboration between Nigerian and Boston-based experts, has undergone years of planning, securing National Universities Commission (NUC), interest, and building stakeholder support.

Wini University is envisioned as Africa’s first AI-focused institution and the foundation for an AI-powered Silicon Valley on the continent.

It aims to foster a thriving community of academics and students passionate about leveraging AI and quantum computing to drive progress in Africa and beyond.

Beyond academics, the university seeks to transform Lagos into Africa’s innovation hub, where technology is harnessed to solve real-world challenges.

The curriculum will include cutting-edge fields such as blockchain, cloud computing, generative AI, data science, and machine learning, preparing students to lead in the global AI market.

This bold initiative underscores the growing importance of AI, echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2013 declaration that dominance in AI would define the next global superpower.

Abuja Reports

CNG Conversion Will Cut Costs, Boost Local Content, PiCNG Boss Assures

Published

3 days ago

January 22, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ade Iyamoye

The CEO of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Initiative, Engr Michael Oluwagbemi, has assured Nigerians that the government’s CNG conversion program will significantly reduce transportation costs while fostering local content development in the sector.

Speaking during an exclusive interview, Oluwagbemi outlined ambitious plans to expand the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles nationwide.

He revealed that over 10,000 commercial vehicles in Abuja and Lagos are targeted for conversion within the next 10 weeks under the “10 for 10” program, with projections to increase this figure to 250,000 vehicles within a year.

“We are starting with critical urban centers like Lagos and Abuja to achieve the critical mass needed to lower transportation costs,” he said.

To sustain the initiative, Oluwagbemi emphasized the importance of local content, noting that over 80% of the program’s spending so far has been directed toward Nigerian companies.

He also highlighted growing investments in local manufacturing of CNG kits, cylinders, and vehicles.

“This program has created over 9,000 jobs and attracted $470 million in investments, with more opportunities on the horizon,” he added.

The CEO acknowledged the challenges of scaling up, such as increasing conversion centers and training technicians.

Plans are underway to double the current 193 conversion centers to 500 by year-end, with a capacity to convert 250,000 vehicles annually.

Additionally, partnerships with state authorities aim to implement CNG policies at the local level, with Abuja poised to become a model for full adoption of CNG-powered taxis.

Oluwagbemi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing energy transition policies and urged Nigerians to embrace the program.

He assured that ongoing investments in refueling stations and modular refilling units will ensure adequate CNG supply across the country.

“CNG conversion is not just about reducing costs; it’s about driving local capacity and positioning Nigeria as a leader in energy transition,” Oluwagbemi said.

Technology

Meta to Replace Fact-Checkers with Community Notes

Published

3 weeks ago

January 7, 2025

Admin

By Njoku Chijioke

Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg has announced a major policy shift, revealing that the company will eliminate fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram in favor of community notes, similar to those used on X.

Zuckerberg stated that the move aims to reduce errors, simplify policies, and restore free expression on Meta’s platforms.

The decision follows longstanding criticism that Meta’s fact-checking system was biased and used to suppress certain viewpoints.

The shift coincides with the appointment of UFC CEO Dana White, an ally of President-elect Donald Trump, to Meta’s board, signaling a possible ideological realignment within the company.

While community notes could offer a more decentralized approach to content moderation, concerns remain about their effectiveness in curbing misinformation.

As Meta implements these changes, users and regulators will be watching closely to see how the new system balances free speech with responsible content oversight.