Experts seek leveraging of innovation, data for nation building

• IGP congratulates, assures Nigerians of hitch-free celebration

As the country celebrates its 59^th independence anniversary today, professionals have urged Nigerians and organisations to leverage innovation, data and the nation’s young population to build a united and economically viable country.

Speaking at this year’s General Assembly of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Michael Oluwagbemi, said with five million people joining the labour force each year, there was the need for Nigerians to innovate to create jobs and overcome poverty.

He noted that innovation would be driven by big data, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to increase productivity, and as such, the country could not escape the reality, as it would either innovate and prosper or prepare to collapse under unrest.

He said the United States of America (U.S.A.), with an economy 25 times the size of Nigeria’s, barely produces 2.5 million jobs yearly, adding: “If we don’t want to be a burden to other countries, we need to reinvent how to take the country out of poverty and instil spirit of innovation in the younger generation.”

Oluwagbemi charged professional bodies to help revamp education and innovate for peculiarities by developing national occupational standards instead of copying others.

Also speaking, President of APBN, Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, said all hands must be on deck to change the poverty narrative and inability to meet infrastructure and economic needs of Nigerians exacerbated by high unemployment.

“It is necessary for the government to engage with professionals to realise sustainable ‘next level’ advancement in all areas of our national need,” he stated.

Ajibola said it was high time the country looked inwards for solutions rather than rely on foreign entities, “who pretend to be our friends while piling burden on us.”

“Our country needs a truly professional-based economic and development team to support the government in raising the quality of the nation’s economy.”

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has assured Nigerians of hitch-free celebrations across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the country marks its 59^th independence anniversary today.

Consequently, all Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in states and zonal commands have been directed to ensure necessary security measures towards a peaceful and smooth celebration.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the IGP also directed that special attention should be paid to all parade grounds, government and private property, as well as all places of public resort and recreation centres.

They have been directed to also intensify patrols along all major highways in the country.

The IGP, on behalf of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force, heartily congratulates Muhammadu Buhari and the entire people of Nigeria, on the nation’s 59^th independence anniversary and salutes the determination of Nigerians to build a strong, united and secure nation, in spite of the challenges.