By Our Correspondent

Busness activities and traffic flow were paralyzed in Ibadan on Monday as scores of members of the civil society groups stormed the streets of Ibadan in continuation of the protest demanding the immediate release of the 38 school children and teachers being held in captivity by terrorists.

The protests which caused temporary shut down of commercial activities at the ever busy Iwo road , Ibadan saw the road leading to Ife barricaded by the aggrieved youths.

Also, the Challenge Roundabout leading to Lagos Expressway was barricaded by the protesters calling on government to end worsening insecurity across the state.

Led by Take It Back Movement , a human rights group, the protest held at different locations in the city was peaceful.

The mass movement also witnessed gridlock at other major roads within the Ibadan metropolis . It was a mix of youths, artisans, market men and women .

The demonstrators blocked busy intersections from about 8:30am with placards carrying various inscriptions such as ; “Bring back our children now , “Oyo Blood is Not Cheap”, and “End Kidnapping Now”.

Vehicles entering the ancient city from Challenge ,Ring Road, and Iwo Road were forced to turn back, causing long gridlock.

The protesters said kidnappings, banditry , and farm invasions in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, and Ibadan have made daily life unsafe.

Men of the Oyo State Police Command, Amotekun Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen in strategic positions to prevent looting, violence and break down of law and order.

While speaking, the National Coordinator of the Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, in a chat, said the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.

“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 38 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.

He said politicians are busy strategizing for the 2027 elections when the country is not secure.

Sanyaolu added, “We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive. So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act or they will continue to witness mass action.”

By David Owei

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem have called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, academia and innovators to accelerate digital transformation and position the country for sustainable economic growth.

The call was made at the two-day Port Harcourt Tech Expo 2026, organised by TechNexus Limited in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Tech Expo 2026 was also supported by Renaissance Africa Energy, the Pana Holdings and the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service.

Held at the EUI Events Centre under the theme “Syntropy,” the expo brought together policymakers, technology experts, investors, entrepreneurs, academics and young innovators to deliberate on the role of technology in governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, energy, finance and the creative economy.

Opening the event, speakers said Nigeria must move beyond consuming technology to becoming a producer of digital solutions capable of driving economic development.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Aristotle Onumo said the country’s digital future depended on inclusive development, digital literacy, artificial intelligence governance, startup growth and public-private partnerships.

He said the global economy was increasingly driven by knowledge, data and digital skills, urging Nigerians to embrace innovation and artificial intelligence.

Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, described technology as a critical tool for tackling unemployment, urging young Nigerians to acquire digital skills to remain competitive in the evolving global economy.

According to him, intellectual property has become the new wealth creation platform, warning that while artificial intelligence may replace some jobs, it will also create new opportunities for those adequately prepared.

Representing the Rivers State ICT Department, Mrs. Aleruchi Elizabeth Akani identified poor coordination among stakeholders as a major challenge facing the state’s technology ecosystem and called for stronger collaboration to deepen digital development.

Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), Sir Israel Egbunefu, advocated a governance model anchored on digital transformation, accountability and innovation, saying technology should be deployed to improve public service delivery and revenue administration.

Panel discussions on the opening day focused on education technology, cybersecurity, agriculture technology and the creative economy.

Participants urged schools to move from theoretical teaching to practical digital learning, improve teachers’ digital capacity and strengthen technology integration in classrooms.

Cybersecurity experts warned about the growing threat of cybercrime, calling for stronger national cyber infrastructure, improved identity management and greater investment in cybersecurity talent.

The Alliance Française advocated greater integration of French language education into Nigeria’s academic curriculum to improve global competitiveness and cross-border opportunities.

As part of its digital inclusion initiative, the organisers presented tablet computers to students of the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma.

Participants also urged youths to deliberately develop practical skills, embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), and strategically position themselves to remain competitive in today’s evolving job market

Speaking to participants, the facilitator, Mr. Iyene said individuals should see themselves as products whose success depends not only on acquiring skills but also on effectively packaging and presenting their value to employers and clients.

The expo later shifted attention to LegalTech, MedTech, EnergyTech, FinTech, data governance and innovation.

Speakers at the LegalTech session called for increased investment in digital education, stronger public-private collaboration and technology solutions tailored to African realities, while emphasising compliance with data protection regulations and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Delivering a keynote address on energy and sustainability, the Vice-President, Relations and Sustainability, Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, Igo Weli urged stronger collaboration among government, energy companies and host communities to ensure responsible resource development and environmental sustainability in the Niger Delta.

Healthcare experts identified fragmented medical records, poor infrastructure, unstable electricity supply, weak internet connectivity and inadequate funding as major obstacles to quality healthcare delivery.

They advocated integrated national health records, telemedicine, unique patient identification systems and closer collaboration between health technology and financial technology to improve healthcare access.

Zipline Nigeria showcased its drone-powered medical logistics system, saying it had completed more than 190,000 medical deliveries and served over six million patients.

Energy technology experts argued that affordability should take precedence over mere access, recommending decentralised solar systems, lithium-ion batteries and battery-swapping technology for electric vehicles while calling for policy reforms to address financing and regulatory challenges.

Geo-spatial technology specialist Ross Alabo George highlighted the growing application of drones and mapping technologies in agriculture, urban planning, environmental monitoring and infrastructure development, encouraging young innovators to build expertise before developing technology solutions.

The FinTech session focused on improving access to finance for small businesses through digital payments, proper record-keeping, tax compliance and data-driven credit assessment, while speakers urged African startups to build products capable of serving continental markets.

Representing PanaHoldings, Victor Itota described data as the foundation of Nigeria’s future industrial development, stressing that execution, rather than ideas alone, will determine national competitiveness.

Participants also attended masterclasses on career development, job readiness and startup pitching before young innovators showcased technology solutions during the Expo’s hackathon and pitch competition.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was that technology alone cannot transform society without skilled people, strong institutions, enabling policies and sustained collaboration among government, industry and academia.

Participants agreed that innovation, human capital development and effective implementation of policies remain critical to unlocking Nigeria’s digital and economic potential.

By David Owei

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), has commenced a 12-month Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with critical competencies required to support supply base operations within the oil and gas industry.

The programme, which kicked off on Tuesday, at the LADOL free zone, Apapa, Lagos, will train 12 beneficiaries through a structured combination of classroom learning and practical industry exposure in specialised areas that support logistics, trade, procurement, and supply chain operations.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Ms. Alexis Emelle, described the initiative as more than a training programme, noting that it is an investment in people and the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.

She stated that the programme reflects the Board’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of the industry and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive in specialised fields.

Emelle reminded the trainees that being selected for the programme comes with responsibility and urged them to approach the training with discipline, commitment, and a willingness to learn.

According to her, the industry requires professionals who are dependable, adaptable, and solution-oriented, adding that every assignment, lesson, and practical experience should be seen as an opportunity to build competence and character.

Speaking on behalf of SNEPCo, the Nigerian Content Manager, Mr. Obiajulu Onochie, described human capital development as a key component of operational excellence.

He noted that the success of Nigerian Content is closely linked to the work of NCDMB and commended the Board for establishing itself as one of the most professional institutions driving capacity development in the industry.

Onochie added that SNEPCo remains passionate about developing Nigerian talent and has implemented several training initiatives this year in areas including cybersecurity, NEBOSH, blockchain architecture, and subsea disciplines.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to local content development, stressing that investing in people is essential to building a sustainable energy industry.

In her remarks, a representative of LADOL underscored the significance of Nigerian Content to indigenous businesses, stating that without local content, “LADOL would not exist in its present form”.

The representative added that the organisation remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen local capacity and prepare young Nigerians for meaningful careers within the sector.

Following a rigorous two-stage selection process, the 12 beneficiaries will undergo training designed to equip them with practical skills required to support supply base operations and strengthen Nigeria’s local content capacity.

Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mr. Olaniye Sodiq expressed appreciation to NCDMB, SNEPCo, LADOL, and all the training partners for investing resources in their development.

He said the beneficiaries were eager to learn and looked forward to contributing meaningfully to LADOL and the wider oil and gas industry upon completion of the programme.

The Human Capacity Development initiative reinforces NCDMB’s commitment to building sustainable local capacity by aligning training programmes with industry needs and creating pathways for young Nigerians to access high-value career opportunities within the energy sector.