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Tag: Drone

  • Drone inventor, 29 other youths bag U-30 Arewa Star Awards

    Drone inventor, 29 other youths bag U-30 Arewa Star Awards

    Shamsudeen Jibril, a Kaduna-based prodigy, won the Innovator of the Year at the 30 Under 30 Arewa Stars Award and Conference for developing handcrafted drones, IED detectors, robotics, and providing solutions in security, agriculture and logistics.

    The 2023 award ceremony, which took place at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano, was organised by Arewa Agenda owned by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and others, in collaboration with Daily Nigerian.

    Chairman of the occasion, Mallam Sule Yau Sule, said the event was timely considering there are many young unsung heroes who are making remarkable impact in different fields of human endeavors across Northern Nigeria.

    “This is in addition to the fact that we have elders who are also inspiring the youth to excel. We can’t be here forever so we need to groom the younger generation to take over from us,” Sule emphasised.

    Chief Host and Managing Director of IMPR, Yushau A. Shuaib explained that the essence of the gathering was to honour young, talented and productive professionals and individuals making positive impacts in the country and overseas.

    “Arewa is occasionally underrated and underreported on many giant strides undertaken by young minds. This event is to recognize outstanding contributions and promote excellent performances by these role models from this part of the world,” he noted.

    Shuaib, however, decried Northern elite’s lack of support for the media industry, among others, and urged leaders to invest heavily in the productive sector to promote excellence and professionalism.

    Read Also: Olashore wins 2023 Drone Soccer Competition

    PRNigeria’s Head of Investigation and organising committee chairman, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal said the ceremony was not only to honour greatness and inspire Arewa youths but also to create a point of convergence for potential mentors and mentees of northern origin.

    Ismail Bello, founder of Youth Entrepreneurship Support Hub (YES-Hub), made a presentation on accessing global opportunities. Dr Musa Sufi of Sufi Innovation and Development Solutions (SIDES) spoke on Innovation and Development; a panel moderated by Khadija Bawas discussed leveraging technology for innovation and sustainable development.

    Pharm Aminu Hashidu Danjuma bagged the Public Health Award for huge impact in the pharmaceutical sector through his Getwell Innovations; Khadijah Aliyu Ammani won the Humanitarian category for raising funds for essential medical care for vulnerable children.

    Rabiu Aliyu won the Fintech category for inventions such as Pruber – an app that helps businesses to manage products, sales and customers; Lenos – a checker which analyzes the source code of a YouTube channel and reveals whether it is monetized; Phopis – a resource registry and management system for individuals and businesses.

    Other winners include Mathias Manch Pwol (Agriculture); Maimuna Abubakar “Mommee Gombe” (Acting); Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim (Media); Sunnah Tech Lab (ICT); Aliyu Idris (Education); Zainab Yau (Politics); Amina Aliyu (Event Management); Bitrus Sale (Hotelier), Huzaifa Jamil (Social Activism); Maryam Abbas Bichi (Social Media Influencer); Muhammad Mukhtar Garba (Real Estate);16-year-old student Muhammad Umar (Fashion & Design).

    Ahmad Umar Aliyu (Engineering); Maryam Mohammad Korau (Entrepreneurship); Josiah Innocent (Entertainment); Jamila Farouk Jamo (Photography); Abdulwahab Aminu (Sportsperson); Sanusi Bature, DG Media & Publicity, Kano State Government (Political Communicator); Kano Commissioner of Police CP Muhammad Usaini Gumel (Heroes Award for Security); Abnur Entertainment’s “Manyan Mata” (Social Impact Movie).

  • Insecurity: Army deploys drone in Ondo, Ekiti forests

    The 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army (NA) Owena Barracks, Akure, has deployed the use of technology to fight the scourges of kidnapping and banditry within the Ondo and Ekiti States axis.

    The Brigade Commander, Brig-Gen Zakari Logun Abubakar, disclosed this on saturday during the launching of a high tech drone device in the Osi community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State to combats the criminal activities in the vast forest of the two states which has become a den of kidnappers.

    Abubakar explained that the drone, a Phantom 5DGI, procured by the Army would assist the military formation of the Anti-kidnapping Squad in identifying the movement and activities of suspected bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.

    Read Also: ‘Insecurity can cause revolution if unchecked’

    According to him, the device which would also help the survey targeted areas in the two states is the latest technology in aerial surveillance and can cover up to seven kilometer radius with capabilities of recording and transmitting report back to the base.

    He said “There are thick forests in these states and that is the advantage some of the criminals are using because some of the places you cannot penetrate them easily. So in line with the Chief of army Staff directive to have a responsive Nigeria Army in the discharge of its constitutional role, we decided to use technology in addition to the Anti-kidnapping Squad. We have two of this drone, one for Ondo and the other one for Ekiti State which would easily help us to fight the issue of this kidnapping headlong.”

  • Buhari inaugurates locally made drone, restates commitment to security

    Buhari inaugurates locally made drone, restates commitment to security

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Kaduna inaugurated a new drone developed by the Nigeria Air Force ( NAF ) for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance.

    The Unmarked Areal Vehicle, named Tsaigumi, was to boost the capacity of the military.

    “From the military perspective, the added capacity for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance provided by the TSAIGUMI will boost ongoing and future security operations.

    “As this project moves into the next stage, which is mass production, it would create employment and possibly generate revenue as Nigeria’s first military export product,’’ the President said.

    According to him, the technological feat is an indication that there is potential to apply the same innovative mindset to addressing other areas of indigenous technological needs.

    “While I commend the Nigerian Air Force for this accomplishment, I enjoin you not to rest on this achievement but to strive harder in your research and development efforts for greater innovation.

    “Be assured of this administration’s support towards the attainment of greater technological milestones for our nation.’’

    Buhari reiterated the commitment and firm resolve of his administration to take Nigeria to the next level of growth and development.

    “We remain determined to overcome all challenges to our security and development as a nation. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with us to make our collective dreams of greatness a reality.’’

    He added: “Government remains determined, despite numerous challenges to bring about the much-needed CHANGE that will lift our beloved nation to its rightful place as a major economic and political force on the world stage.

    “Part of our drive to achieve this goal is to enable enterprise and the improvement of the quality of life through massive improvement of national infrastructure.

    “Accordingly, as I outlined in my New Year Day broadcast to the nation, this Administration has designed series of key projects to dramatically overhaul national infrastructure and overcome the deficit in that vital area.

    “The role of the military as an enabler of national development cannot be overemphasized, as efforts would be futile if national security is not first guaranteed.

    “In this regard, let me once more commend the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, for their tireless efforts towards defeating Boko Haram and all other threats to our nation’s security, thus ensuring that the government can proceed with its developmental activity without hindrance.

    “Let me again commend the Nigerian Air Force leadership for the unprecedented feat it has attained on Research and Development.

    “I am aware that the Air Force was the overall best in the recently concluded 2017 National Technology and Innovation Exposition under Research Institute category.

    “Accordingly, its drive, determination and unwavering support brought about numerous significant innovations, not least of which is the TSAIGUMI which I am inducting today.

    “It is indeed most gratifying that the Nigerian Air Force has gone a step further than simply acquiring them, to developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capabilities with indigenous technology.

    “This outstanding accomplishment, which we are gathered today, holds promise of both military and economic benefit to the nation.’’

    Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, said the unmanned vehicle has a “mission range of 100 km, a service ceiling at 15,000 feet and operational endurance of about 10 hours.’’

    He pledged NAF support “to harness, promote, commercialise and diffuse locally developed technologies for the production of globally competitive goods and services that intensively utilise Nigeria’s raw materials for national development.

    “ This is necessary because it is through R&D that nations technologically advance and enhance their productivity, spur economic growth and address societal concerns such as health, energy, environment, defence and security.

    “Besides, to be effective and efficient in dealing with contemporary security challenges posed by non-state actors, there is the need to build capacity to develop smarter and highly sophisticated indigenous platforms as well as compact and mobile forces that use information technology to get real time intelligence necessary for military operations.”

    Sadiq added that the NAF Research and Development Centre established in 2015, “has so far successfully repaired the CH-3A Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) that had been grounded for over four months due to the lack of spares.

    “Since its reactivation on 2nd January 2018, the UCAV has conducted several missions which have positively impacted on our Operations in the North East. As I speak, the UCAV is engaged in combat missions in the North East.

    “Only last week it acquired and destroyed Boko Haram Terrorists and their equipment in the Sambisa general area.

    “We have also tasked the centre to address gaps in specific areas of operational needs of the Service.

    “One such area of need has been that of enhancing NAF’s Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to meet national security imperatives.

    “In this regard, AFRDC has been charged to build capacity to maintain all ISR platforms that are currently in the Service.

    “Similarly, the AFRDC was tasked to operationalise the Gulma UAV prototype taking into cognisance the peculiar challenges associated with our operating environment.

    “It is gratifying to state that the efforts in this direction have, yielded positive results which include among others, the production of the TSEGUMI UAV.’’

    NAN

  • Ambode: we’ll deploy LASPOTECH drone for aerial surveillance

    Ambode: we’ll deploy LASPOTECH drone for aerial surveillance

    Drone, a plane-like object made by Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) staff and students, is to be used for aerial surveillance, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.

    Speaking at the institution’s 25th convocation in Ikorodu, Ambode hailed the staff and students for being innovative, promising that government would promote and fund the project to encourage them.

    Ambode also approved the construction of a new main auditorium, administrative block, the renovation of the sports complex and the facelift of facilities on the campus. The new School of Technology Building (Block A) will also be equipped and ` furnished.

    The Governor said it was worthy of note that the 40-year-old LASPOTECH occupies a pride of place among state-owned polytechnics in the country.

    He said efforts must be made to build on the school’s successes in order to make it a true centre of excellence in technological education and research.

    He said being an emerging mega city, tertiary institutions and services in the state must be of acceptable global standards, adding that this was important for the state to compete favourably with other mega cities in the world.

    “Lagos State Polytechnic must rise to the challenge of meeting the technical manpower requirement of both the public and private sectors in not just Lagos State but in the whole nation.

    “We must rise above just providing education for the sake of acquiring a certificate to providing knowledge which will empower our youths to become champions of their generation, to chart their own course and establish enterprises that will create jobs and generate wealth for all.

    “Education is high on the priority list of this administration, and a significant portion of the state budget every year is allocated to education. We recognise the fact that a citadel of learning is as good as the quality of its learning environment in terms of infrastructure, academic and administrative faculties. Our government has invested massively in upgrading the infrastructure and other learning tools in all our tertiary institutions, including this institution.

    “The ultimate goal of this investment in tertiary institutions in Lagos State is beyond meeting the requirements for the accreditation of courses; it is to ensure that tertiary education in Lagos State becomes a benchmark in Nigeria, ranking comparatively with global institutions and producing the leaders of tomorrow,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, LASPOTECH Rector Samuel Sogunro hailed Ambode for his passion for education, noting that he is the first governor to participate in the institution’s convocation in the last 27 years.

    He said despite the prevailing economic reality, the governor raised the institution’s monthly subvention from N153.731million to N210million.

    The governor also allocated N750million for the accreditation of courses billed to take place in the institution, among other interventions, the rector added.

    A total of 9,228 students graduated from 32 departments, with 273 of them bagging distinctions.

    Ambode offered the overall best graduating student, Ejire Adedolapo Abdulazeez, from the School of Pure and Applied Science instant employment in the civil service.

     

  • My drone is better than yours

    Hardball has built a drone. No, I take that back. He has conceived a super-drone in his head. Now what is this fellow called Hardball up to? You might be asking. And the answer is never mind; he can be wacky sometimes and at other times, he suffers grand illusions of grandeur. This must be one of such moments dear reader, bear with him.

    Now just because the other day he saw a news photograph of some Nigerian policemen fiddling with the console of a supposed drone, his head is tizzy about drones. In that photo, it had been said that the cluster of policemen were trying to send a drone after a band of marauders who had attacked and gotten the better of an estate in Lagos and fled through the creeks.

    Yes, those unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), otherwise known as drones which over a decade ago, were the exclusive playthings of the US military/intelligence establishment have today become as common as ‘pure water’. Almost everyone (including men of the Nigeria Police) have them. Today, it comes in all shapes and sizes and from being a precise, predator war machine, it has grown to something closer to that paper kite children play with.

    Most remarkably, everyone seems to be able to make his or her own drones now. Microsoft Corporation is advertising what it calls a Ghostdrone. Here is the sales pitch: “This versatile, easy-to-fly drone is fully controlled by your android or windows smart phone, and features a built-in camera and experienced avatar control.”

    Wow! Isn’t that a mind-blowing idea: to be able to own your own drone and control it with your phone! But wait a minute; this Microsoft toy is called a Ghost drone: haven’t ghosts wreaked enough havoc on non-ghosts already?

    Nigeria’s public service probably has more ghosts than the entire workforce of the rest of the continent. How we have managed to co-habit with so many apparitions is beyond comprehension. But if we thought ghost workers were ghoulish, now that we have ghost drones we are sure in for a most invidious time.

    I imagine ghost drones getting into the mind of the paymaster-general or even ‘sorting out’ the payroll themselves. That would be the day.

    Hardball therefore contemplates a SuperGhostDrone – SGD, for short. You must have guessed it –  a deus ex-machina! As we have explained, a drone is an unmanned aircraft and there are drones for nearly every human activity today – from combat drones to weather monitors and terrorists muggers.

    But Hardball is working on SGDs that may be able to infiltrate the meeting of say, militants in their coves or even detect all the currencies buried in farms and abandoned buildings across the country. Why can’t we have a ghost drone spooking Aso Rock Villa and getting to tweak the president’s mind occasionally? And how about this: imagine a super ghost camera drone in the hands of a rascal paparazzo! All our bedrooms would be endangered and the world would become one huge pornographic enclave isn’t it!

     

  • My drone is better than yours

    Hardball has built a drone. No, I take that back. He has conceived a super-drone in his head. Now what is this fellow called Hardball up to? You might be asking. And the answer is never mind; he can be wacky sometimes and at other times, he suffers grand illusions of grandeur. This must be one of such moments dear reader, bear with him.

    Now just because the other day he saw a news photograph of some Nigeria policemen fiddling with the console of a supposed drone, his head is tizzy about drones. In that photo, it had been said that the cluster of policemen were trying to send a drone after a band of marauders who had attacked and gotten the better of an estate in Lagos and fled through the creeks.

    Yes, those unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), otherwise known as drones which over a decade ago, were the exclusive playthings of the US military/intelligence establishment have today become as common as ‘pure water’. Almost everyone (including men of the Nigeria Police) have them. Today, it comes in all shapes and sizes and from being a precise, predator war machine, it has grown to something closer to that paper kite children play with.

    Most remarkably, everyone seems to be able to make his or her own drones now. Microsoft Corporation is currently advertising what it calls a Ghostdrone. Here is the sales pitch: “This versatile, easy-to-fly drone is fully controlled by your android or windows smart phone, and features a built-in camera and experienced avatar control.”

    Wow! Isn’t that a mind-blowing idea: to be able to own your own drone and control it with your phone! But wait a minute; this Microsoft toy is called a Ghost drone: haven’t ghosts wreaked enough havoc to non-ghosts already?

    Nigeria’s public service probably has more ghosts than the entire workforce of the rest of the continent. How we have managed to co-habit with so many apparitions is beyond comprehension. But if we thought ghost workers were ghoulish, now that we have ghost drones we are sure in for a most invidious time.

    I imagine ghost drones getting into the mind of the paymaster-general or even ‘sorting out’ the payroll themselves. That would be the day.

    Hardball therefore contemplates a SuperGhostDrone – SGD, for short. You must have guessed it –  a deus ex-machina! As we have explained, a drone is an unmanned aircraft and there are drones for nearly every human activity today – from combat drones to weather monitors and terrorists muggers.

    But Hardball is working on SGDs that may be able to infiltrate the meeting of say, militants in their coves or even detect all the currencies buried in farms and abandoned buildings across the country. Why can’t we have a ghost drone spooking Aso Rock Villa and getting to tweak the president’s mind occasionally? And how about this: imagine a super ghost camera drone in the hands of a rascal paparazzo! All our bedrooms would be endangered and the world would become one huge pornographic enclave isn’t it!

  • Airspace violation: NCAA to sanction illegal drone operators

    • Issues safety guidelines

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned over growing proliferation of the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), otherwise known as drones in the airspace.
    The NCAA said the useof drones without approval/ permit in the Nigerian airspace constitutes threat to safety,
    It  has,  however, issued safety guidelines over the use of the equipment in the airspace without permission.
    Spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye in a statement yesterday  said in recent times, RPA/UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are being deployed for commercial and recreational purposes in the country without adequate security
    clearance.
    He noted that with the preponderance of these operations particularly in a non – segregated airspace, there has to be proactive safety guidelines.
    The authority further stated that the development of the use of RPA nationwide has emerged with somewhat predictable safety concerns and security threats.
    He said: “The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as far as certification and operation of civil use of RPA is concerned.”
    He noted that the NCAA has therefore put in place Regulations/Advisory Circular to guide the certification and operations of civil RPA in the Nigerian airspace.
    “This is contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015 Part 8.8.1.33) and Implementing
    Standards (Nig.CARs 2015 Part IS.8.8.1.33).
    “Therefore no government agency, organisation or an individual will launch an RPA/UAV in the Nigerian airspace for any purpose whatsoever without obtaining requisite approvals/permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
    (NCAA) and Office of National Security Adviser (NSA),” he added.
    Adurogboye reiterate that all applicants and holders of permits to operate RPA/Drones must strictly be guided by safety guidelines.
    In addition, he said operators must ensure strict compliance with the conditions stipulated in their permits and the requirements of the Nig.CARs.
    Violators shall be sanctioned according to the dictates of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.