Bangladesh has been bracing for a searing summer after record-shattering heat last year.
Heatwave in South Asia
Mild to moderate heatwave is already sweeping over parts of the South Asian country including capital Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has already issued a “heat wave alert’’.
Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist who works at the BMD’s Storm Warning Centre, said on Thursday, April 4, 2024, that several mild to moderate heat waves may occur this month.
Also, this month, he said there is a possibility of one to two severe to very severe heat waves, with maximum temperatures reaching 40 to 42 degrees Celsius.
On Wednesday, Mallik said, Bangladesh’s highest temperature was recorded at 38.5 degrees Celsius in Ishwardi under Pabna district, some 216 km west of capital Dhaka.
He said in Dhaka, the temperature rose to 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
According to the meteorologist, the maximum temperature may hit 40 degrees Celsius somewhere in the next three days.
In the current season, the mercury rose to 39 degrees Celsius on Monday.
“The prevailing heat wave over Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka and Barisal divisions may continue and may spread for the next 72 hours commencing today (Wednesday),’’ reads the BMD’s “Alert Message for Heat Wave”.
Due to increasing moisture incursions, it said the discomfort may increase.
Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka experienced 40.6 degrees Celsius on April 16 last year, the highest in the capital in 58 years.
Experts said heat waves in Bangladesh would likely escalate in this and coming years due to erratic rainfall and high temperatures, posing a threat to the country, one of the worst victims of global warming.
The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has said that the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have lost the right to simply divest in Nigeria, as they cannot be allowed to leave the communities they have subjected to environmental and human right abuses, without addressing the issues.
ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Chima Williams
ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Chima Williams, stated this at a webinar discussion themed: “Time for a legislative Pathway on IOC Divestment in the Niger Delta”, which was attended by civil society groups and media practitioners across the country.
Speaking on the topic, Williams stated that the divesting IOCs are not totally leaving Nigeria as they want the public to believe but are only moving their operations offshore where their operations cannot be monitored, and their environmental crimes can remain hidden.
According to him, ERA/FoEN is leading the campaigns against IOC divestments in the Niger Delta in its current form, due to the impacts of oil exploration on the local people in host communities, even as he added that ancestral lands have been taken away from the people, waters polluted, farmlands destroyed and livelihoods eroded in these communities, subjecting them to untold poverty.
“Oil companies are at liberty to dispose their assets as permitted by the law, but, as they have caused damage to the people and their environment, there are requirements that must be met. The environment must be returned to status quo, and the livelihood of the people restored before divesting.
“They must settle the crisis they have caused with the divide and rule style they introduced to the communities, as one of the antics they used to overshadow the voice of the people. Rather than being a blessing to Nigeria, oil has become a curse to the people of Nigeria, unlike other oil producing countries in the world.”
While reacting to questions of the benefit of divestment to the country as the assets are being sold to domestic oil companies, Williams opined that the oil multinationals could not manage the environmental issues caused by their operations, despite their financial war chest and technological muscle, stressing that this questions the ability of these indigenous companies to handle the environmental crisis with their limited financial power and technological strength.
He called on the National Assembly to start a legislative process that will hold IOCs accountable for the environmental damages they have caused. He also called for the establishment of an environmental restoration fund, to tackle the issues of environmental pollution before proposals for divestment are concluded.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director of Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDC), Tijani Abdulkareem, drew attention to the euphoria about the discovery of oil in Bauchi and Gombe states, revealing that tensions are already building up in the local communities, as they bicker over where the oil is actually located.
Abdulkareem stated that a recent town hall meeting organised by ERA/FoEN which held in Bauchi state has exposed to the people the social impacts of oil exploration, even before the environmental impacts begin.
“The discovery of oil is already creating tension between Bauchi and Gombe states because the oil wells are within the boundaries of both states. Because of that, there is already a conflict going on among the border communities on who really owns the oil wells.
Because of the oil derivation funds at the federal level that has been sold to the commoners, the people are seeing oil as a blessing but are ignorant of the effects of oil exploration on human rights. If you go to these communities in Alkari and some parts of Adoh in Gombe, the idea of oil as a blessing is changing every day because of the social impacts on the people, rising from the attitudes of the oil workers in the community, immorality of the oil workers, slave burden on community youths, kidnapping, boundary tensions, land grabbing and other issues.”
Abdulkareem called for more engagements from the civil society organisations, community-based organisations and the media to ensure that the human rights and the environment of the people are protected.
He also called for the establishment of a national guideline that looks at the issues of divestment in the oil and gas sector.
The Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Joseph Onoja, has appealed to the Federal Government and states to implement laws on forest crimes to curb the menace.
The Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, alongside the Commissioner for Agriculture, Miss Abisola Olusanya, among other dignitaries at the event to commemorate the International Day of Forests at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos
Onoja made the appeal at a programme to celebrate the International Day of Forests at the Lekki Conservation Centre on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in Lagos.
The programme, with the theme: “Forest and lnnovation: New Solution For a Better World,” was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.
According to Onoja, there are laws on forest crimes, but implementation is the problem.
“We have laws that are not really implemented. Forest crimes like any other crime should be punished but the enforcement of these laws is the issue we are having.
“We have our partners who are working with the National Assembly to bring up the forest and wildlife crime laws that will be able to bite harder.
“But even with all the beautiful laws that we have, the other part of it is the implementation.
“There is a need for the Federal Government, states, agencies and other partner agencies that are involved in enforcing these laws to be empowered,” he said.
He added that those in charge of enforcing these laws should be given the necessary equipment and tools they need to carry out their mandate.
While talking on the theme of the programme, Onoja said the day was established to continue to create awareness about the importance of the forest.
“Stakeholders need to find innovative ways to continue to protect and sustainably manage the forest so that it can play its ecosystem roles by preserving our lives as humans.
“When we protect nature, nature will play its role in helping us live a conducive life.
“If we don’t have forests again, then we are doomed because forest produces a lot of things for us, from food to raw materials and habitat to animals that play ecosystem services to us.
“So, forests are very important and that is why this theme is all about forest innovation,” he said.
He added that bringing up innovative solutions was key, so everyone could know the importance of the forest and apply the innovative ways towards preserving it.
“One of the innovative solutions is to find alternative energy source, especially in the local areas.
“When we talk about deforestation, it does not only end at environment point of view, but it also has effect on the health and development of women and the girl child.
“The time the girls need to develop themselves, they are using it to scout for firewood.
“And when they have done this, you find these women with children at their back cooking and inhaling the smoke which also cuts their live span.
“By the time we bring some of these innovative solutions in trying to get alternative sources of energy; solar and cooking stove, it helps us which also preserves the forest,” he said.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Miss Abisola Olusanya, during her welcome address, said the day was aimed at harnessing the power of innovation to protect and sustainably manage the forest.
“Every March 21, just like our individual birthday, is a special day that should be taken as an opportunity to raise public awareness about taking responsibility for our environment and our future.
“This year’s theme, ‘Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” highlights the critical need for us to harness the power of innovation to protect and sustainably manage our forests,” she said.
Olusanya who said the population of Lagos State, presently estimated to be 22 million, and still growing would undoubtedly exert tremendous pressure on natural vegetation.
“As we all know, forests are not only essential for biodiversity conservation but also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
“They also provide livelihoods for millions of people, ensuring the overall well-being of our planet.
“In Lagos State, we recognise the significance of our forests and the urgent need to adopt innovative solutions to address the challenges facing them,” she said.
She added that rapid urbanisation, deforestation, illegal logging and climate change were threatening the very existence of the forests, putting the ecosystems and communities at risk.
“I am committed to working tirelessly with our government, stakeholders and partners to promote sustainable forest management practices and drive innovation in the conservation and restoration of our forests.
“We must strive to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection, ensuring that future generations can inherit a world rich in biodiversity and natural resources,” she said.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Rotimi Fashola, in his goodwill message, said the forest was something everyone needed to think about.
“In our small gathering, let’s start to think about nature, you cannot kill nature, it will always fight and win but we all want to be on the positive side of nature.
“When nature fights, it sweeps everything and I hope nature will not sweep us away,” he said.
The Special Adviser, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPLCE), Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, in his goodwill message, said the forest was life.
“When the last tree is cut, the last man on the earth dies. Why don’t you go back to your house and plant trees there?” he asked.
Afolabi, who also is the National President of Forestry Association of Nigeria, added that there should be sustainability in tree planting, enjoining everyone to protect the environment.
Some power experts have expressed their dissatisfaction with the 300 per cent increase in electricity tariffs approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
A power grid
In separate interviews on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in Lagos, the experts lamented that such an increase would further burden electricity consumers across the nation.
The announcement of the tariff hike was made by Mr Musiliu Oseni, the Vice Chairman of NERC, in Abuja on Monday.
Oseni clarified that the 300 per cent increase would specifically impact Band A consumers, constituting only 15 per cent of the total electricity customers nationwide.
As a result, power distribution companies (DisCos) will be permitted to raise electricity prices to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N68 for urban consumers, effective April 1.
Reacting to the development, Mr Adeola Ilori, the National Coordinator of All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, condemned the sudden tariff hike, asserting that it was implemented without due process.
Ilori emphasised that the increase should have followed the prescribed procedures outlined in NERC’s regulatory directives, as mandated by law.
He said that the magnitude of the increase, purportedly a minor review, was like a major review, necessitating thorough scrutiny and consultation with all stakeholders.
Ilori hinted at potential legal action by the group to challenge the tariff hike, citing violations of the Electricity Act 2023 and consumer protection regulations.
Meanwhile, Mr Lanre Elatuyi, an electricity market analyst, acknowledged the inevitability of the tariff increase, attributing it to fluctuations in the dollar and gas prices.
Elatuyi explained that, with the government unable to subsidise electricity for all consumers, the burden falls on those capable of bearing the actual cost of electricity, particularly Band A customers.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that Band A customers receive the promised hours of supply, urging strict adherence to service standards.
However, Mr Chinedu Amah, founder of Spark Nigeria Ltd., raised concerns about the clarity and monitoring of Band A classification, warning of potential exploitation if not properly defined and regulated.
The night rains come as soothing relief to many homes and families in Ghana.
Above-danger heat stress: A man cools off amid searing heat wave
But soon, the land is heated up, consuming the little moisture in the atmosphere to expose the real element of an unexpected changing weather.
The discomfort of the night’s heat is telling in many homes: children, couples, and everyone’s comforting sleep is tormented.
And when there is no electricity to offer some succour in fanning the hot air, anger is provoked in the land.
This is the reality of today’s hassling weather.
Ama runs a beauty salon in the densely populated Ayigya suburb of Kumasi. When there is an erratic power supply in what has become known as “dumsor”, the operation of her small salon comes to a halt. Earning enough to pay her four other hands becomes a challenge.
Ama is already thinking of investing in small solar systems as an alternative source of electricity to power her hairdryers. She is hoping to access support for the alternative renewable energy source.
For many small and large-scale businesses, the recent unannounced power outages have been frustrating to their income generation and limiting productivity at the workplace.
But when they return from a day’s unproductive work to a dark hot home at night, their anger peaks.
“I will sleep tired and wake up tired because of this heat. It’s suffocating when there is no light to turn on the fan,” said Ama.
“Can you believe I’ve not been in the mood for sex for almost three weeks? My husband does not even come close to me,” the mother of two sounded seriously jovial.
She explained how she had to soak towels in water to cool her sweaty children after hand fanning them for several minutes.
The common scenes
Heavy rains and heat waves are among hazards faced by the ever-growing global population.
Parts of Ghana, for instance, have experienced the rains in March, yet heat waves – that cut deep into the skin – abound.
With urbanisation and the spread of megacities, communities are exposed and vulnerable. And people get worried about the unbearable heat during the daytime and at night.
In the past couple of months, especially in February, the heat intensity has pushed an increase in the use of umbrellas in the afternoon.
The marketing and purchasing of air-conditioners are rising for homes and offices, as more motorists are getting their ACs on.
The voluntary use of nose masks in densely populated environments is on the ascendancy, as dust particles increase in the atmosphere.
And there is also an increase in the consumption of water to overcome dehydration and exhaustion.
The heat-induced anger
Electricity supply in most parts of Ghana has been erratic in recent days. This has got consumers angry, especially when the power outages come without notification of a planned schedule for load shedding.
Interestingly, street talk on the impact of the current erratic power supply is more profound at the household level than the commercial impact.
Obviously, the recent public anger towards “dumsor” is induced by the unfairness of the heat to the skin and inner being, especially at night.
Amid the power outages, a couple of mothers have attributed the death of their children on admission at the hospital to heat exhaustion.
Indeed, the extremes of the weather are here.
At the recently held inter-schools’ athletics competition in the Ashanti region, fire officers had to intervene in rescuing students from heat exhaustion at Baba Yara Stadium as they deployed fire tenders to spray water into the crowd. Temperatures rose 36°C, high above bearable limits, and the students suffered discomfort under the unbearable heat of the scorching sun.
The intimacy between some couples have been strained by the heat waves as their romantic intimacy of cuddling suffers in the hands of a discomforting night sweat under the hot still breeze.
The rising temperatures in parts of the world have been a threat to religious activities, especially in the period of fasting. Some fasting Muslims, for instance, have been advised to increase their intake of water at pre-dawn meals for energy to prevent dehydration.
Already, authorities at the Kintampo Health Research Centre are embarking on a study to measure the impact of climate change, particularly heat waves on the health of the local populace.
The move is to assess the risk of illnesses caused because of increasing temperatures fuelled by climate change.
Humid heatwaves driven by climate change
February this year was the hottest February on record globally and the ninth consecutive month in a row that a hottest month record was broken.
Climate change has an influence on extreme weather events such as heatwaves and excessive rains.
Climate change, caused by burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, and deforestation, has made heatwaves more frequent, longer and hotter around the world.
According to a study by leading climate scientists from the WorldWeatherAttribution group, human-caused climate change made the humid heatwave in southern West Africa during February ten times more likely.
Ghana is among countries in West Africa hit by an unusually intense humid heatwave and has broken temperature records above 40°C in February 2024.
The researchers say developing heat action plans will help protect vulnerable people from dangerous heatwaves in West Africa.
The study also found that if humans do not rapidly move away from fossil fuels, causing global warming to rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, West Africa will experience similar heatwaves about once every two years.
This “global boiling” as termed by UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, became profound during the recent African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament as a “cooling break” was introduced to allow players to dehydrate from the humid conditions.
Long-term climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of the humid environment. Urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to reduced vegetation and increased heat-absorbing surfaces.
The sixth report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the urgency of climate action.
The energy in the heat
The high temperatures come with heat-related illness, especially respiratory and other chronic diseases.
Because they may be extremely fatal for the elderly and other persons with underlying health concerns, heatwaves are often referred to as “silent killers.”
Preterm contractions, general discomfort, and spontaneous abortion in the early stages of pregnancy might possibly result from the heat wave.
If left ignored, dehydration can result in more severe issues including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, skin infections, mental health issues, and even death.
Experts advise the intake of adequate intake of water to remain hydrated and stay safe from headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, and dizziness.
And when people are unable to sleep well at night, workplace productivity and academic performances are adversely impacted.
But there could be opportunities.
The most reliable source of clean energy in most African nations is solar power. According to Global Energy Monitor statistics, by the end of 2023, solar is estimated to account for 67 per cent of the growth in renewable energy capacity globally, with Africa accounting for a 1.7 percent.
Clean energy advocates believe it is time to turn to solar power by taking advantage of the abundant sunshine.
Perhaps, the anger in the voice of Ghanaians will be better managed if the country takes the lead in adopting or increasing new energy sources that are clean and sustainable.
Small business managers like Ama, the beautician, will be glad to adopt such energy sources.
But this will require major investments in Africa to build resilience to dangerous heat. TheUNhas estimated that the cost of adaptation for developing countries is between US$215-387 billion per year this decade.
However, rich countries haven’t yet met the financial promises they have made to help developing countries become more resilient to the growing risks of climate change.
In addition, these commitments fall drastically short of the finance required – in 2021, the global community delivered just US$21 billion to help developing countries adapt to climate change.
Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, in acknowledging the latest temperature increases that have been off the charts, spoke about a world where clean energy is abundant and affordable.
He emphasised the need to make climate finance bigger and better to undo the deadlock between developed and developing countries for “a world where every nation is safe, opportunities are shared, and 10 billion people are protected from climate impacts”.
Kofi Adu Domfeh is a Journalist, Climate Reality Leader and Green Advocate. Email: adomfeh@gmail.com
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, declared Zimbabwe’s drought a national disaster and said the country needed more than $2 billion in aid to feed millions facing hunger.
Drought in Southern Africa
Mnangagwa’s statement follows similar announcements by Zambia in late February and Malawi in March, as drought, induced by the El Nino global weather pattern, triggers a humanitarian crisis in southern Africa.
More than 2.7 million people in Zimbabwe will go hungry this year, Mnangagwa told journalists at the state house in Harare, adding that 80 per cent of the country had received poor rains.
“Preliminary assessments show that Zimbabwe requires more than two billion dollars towards various interventions we envisage in our national response,” Mnangagwa said.
He said the government would prioritise winter cropping to boost reserves and work with the private sector to import grains.
El Nino is a naturally occurring weather phenomenon associated with a disruption of wind patterns that means warmer ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific.
Most provinces in Zimbabwe have experienced crop failure since November, with hotter areas declaring grains such as maize a write-off.
Humanitarian agencies including the World Food Programme, which fed 270,000 people between January and March in four districts, have described the hunger situation as “dire”, calling on donors to provide more aid.
The drought in southern Africa has reached crisis levels with Botswana and Angola to the west, and Mozambique and Madagascar to the east also facing hunger.
The Deputy Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Zissimos Vergos, has urged all stakeholders to collaborate in efforts aimed at eliminating waste and environmental pollution.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, with some EU Nigeria officials at the event in Abuja
Vergos made the call at an event in commemoration of the 2024 International Zero Waste Day, on Wednesday, April 3, in Abuja.
The theme of the event is “Beat Waste”.
He stressed the urgency of the situation, shedding light on the alarming statistics of global waste production and its grave implications for the future of humanity.
Emphasising the importance of strengthening waste management worldwide, he highlighted the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
“Each year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste, yet global waste management services struggle to cope, leaving 2.7 billion people without access to proper waste collection.
“Only about 60 per cent of municipal solid waste is managed in controlled facilities, exacerbating the threat of waste pollution to human well-being and economic prosperity.
“This issue is intertwined with the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution.
“Without immediate action, annual municipal solid waste generation is projected to soar to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, further exacerbating the environmental challenges we face”.
According to him, the EU’s relentless dedication to waste reduction is evident in efforts to implement the waste hierarchy and setting ambitious targets for waste prevention and management.
He said the proposal to revise the Waste Framework Directive is ongoing, aiming to significantly curb waste generation by 2030.
Vergos shed light on collaborative initiatives like the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE), uniting nations in the fight against plastic pollution and championing sustainable practices.
He announced the EU’s partnership with Nigeria through the Circular Economy Working Group, a testament to joint efforts in fostering green growth and inclusivity.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Environment for their unwavering dedication, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping policies and regulations to combat waste.
The deputy ambassador underscored the importance of collective action in embracing the zero-waste culture and urged everyone to “Beat Waste” together.
Ms. Val Ahmadu, Policy Advisor at the Netherlands Embassy, emphasised the International Day of Zero Waste’s significance in promoting global waste management and sustainable consumption patterns, highlighting collaborative solutions over blame.
She hailed Nigeria’s circular roadmap launch as a significant stride toward sustainable development and lauded recent partnerships with Dutch firms for waste management initiatives.
Ahmadu stressed that these efforts not only address waste but also fostered economic growth and job creation.
She said that Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy was an opportunity to combat climate change and waste issues.
Ahmadu reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to global collaboration, expressing pleasure in working with the EU.
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, highlighted innovative strategies to address the global waste crisis, advocating for reduced single-use plastics, increased recycling, and composting.
He said Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world with a population of over 200 million, generating about 32 million tonnes of solid waste per year.
According to him, the large volume of waste being generated in the country presents circular economy business opportunities across the waste management value chain.
He urged a recommitment to zero waste living, emphasising the importance of sustainable practices and policy changes to drive progress towards a circular economy.
Lawal stressed the power of community and collaboration in minimising waste and preserving resources for a healthier environment.
He explained that the alarming statistics underscored the urgency of action to mitigate waste pollution’s impacts on human well-being and the planet’s health.
Lawal also emphasised the need for immediate intervention to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap, aimed at guiding the country’s transition while defining the government’s role in enabling the private sector to drive implementation through policy.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, received wildlife monitoring and enforcement equipment from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro
The Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said while receiving the equipment in Abuja that the equipment would be used to combat wildlife crime in the country.
Jauro expressed appreciation to the development partner for the donation of the gadgets.
“Traffickers have adopted sophisticated methods of trafficking wildlife.
“However, the provision of real time equipment will greatly enhance wildlife monitoring, investigation, intelligence gathering, enforcement, evidence collection, data generation, data management and transmission,” he said.
The NESREA boss said that Nigeria was taking all the necessary steps to rid the country of wildlife crimes.
He said the recent destruction of seized wildlife stockpiles was intended to discourage perpetrators of the crime.
He said it was also meant to send out the signal that the country would not tolerate any form of wildlife crime on its soil.
Jauro said that the necessary checks had been put in place at the Nigerian border posts to frustrate the activities of those who sought to use the country as a transit hub for illegal shipment of controlled wildlife and their products.
“The gadgets will be deployed to the agency’s zonal and state field offices, particularly, those that have been identified as hotspots for traffickers.
Responding, the UNODC Country Representative, Dr Oliver Stolpe, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Government in reducing the rate of wildlife crime in Nigeria.
He said that NESREA as the enforcement authority would continue to receive the support it needed to achieve its mandate.
Stolpe reiterated UNODC’s commitment to continue to support Nigeria to combat all forms of wildlife crimes against the environment.
“We pledged to continue to support Nigeria to combat all forms of wildlife crimes as well as deepen our collaboration to rid Nigeria of wildlife crime,” he said.
Stolpe was represented by Folusho Adelekan, National Programme Officer and Lead, Wildlife and Forest Crime.
The equipment donated to NESREA include GPS trackers, digital binoculars, digital video camera, laptops, desktops, weighing scales and walkie –talkies.
Others are foot wears, magnifying lens, digital camera binoculars, calipers, among others.
An Information Communication Technology (ICT) expert, Oluwafemi Osho, says the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can aid the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda of 2030 in Nigeria.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Osho, in an interview on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Abuja, said that AI was dated back to 1950, with the Turing Test or imitation game by Alan Turing.
He explained that AI are computer systems, capable of performing complex tasks that historically only a human could do, like thinking, decision making or problem solving.
The expert said that machines’ ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour comparable to that of humans, had evolved over the years and had proven to ease work systems.
According to him, AI has evolved in complexity, capacity, applications, compared to the time of using systems that were symbolic and had rule-based reasoning.
“The proliferation of the Internet, availability of large volumes of data, innovations in computing hardware, development of more advanced algorithmic techniques have further revolutionised AI across various domains.
“AI offers significant opportunities and benefits for Nigeria if adequately harnessed. AI can drive economic growth through industrial innovations, leading to job creation.
“AI technologies can be applied to enhance our healthcare services, improve agricultural productivity and food security, revolutionise our educational sector, and drive financial inclusion.
“In summary, there is so much AI can contribute to Nigeria achieving SDGs which we barely have seven years to the targeted time,’’ Osho said.
He blamed poor AI education, low internet penetration and the lack of a comprehensive AI policy as the bane to AI growth.
According to him, most people today often equate AI with Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), AI chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue.
Osho said the potential of AI is beyond ChatGPT, adding that embracing AI required education on its potentials and risks.
“To embrace and adopt AI, Nigerians must be educated on its potentials and risks. AI should be integrated into school curriculums.
“There is also low Internet penetration that is limiting the capabilities of AI, because the internet essentially serves as a core infrastructure for AI in today’s world.
“Low Internet penetration will lead to low awareness of AI, low awareness will stifle AI development in the country. So, the government must invest more in expanding access to the internet.
“Nigeria also needs a comprehensive AI policy. One of the first responsibilities of the Nigerian government in developing AI is to formulate an AI policy,’’ he said.
Osho added that a good AI policy would attract significant investments to the country.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has a subsidiary, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR).
NCAIR has the mandate to promote research, development and adoption of AI, robotics and the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies for economic growth, improve quality of life and promote global competitiveness.
Australia will soon face megadrought that will last for decades, a new study shows.
Drought
In the study, researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) used multiple climate models to simulate droughts that occurred in Australia between the years 850 and 2000.
They found that droughts in south-western and eastern Australia in the 20th century were longer on average than those in pre-industrial times.
They warned that Australia could soon face megadrought that last up to 20 years, with expected exacerbated effects due to climate change.
Georgy Falster, Co-Lead Author of the research from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences, said: “One of the confronting findings of our work is that it is possible for droughts in Australia to be much longer than any of the droughts that we’ve experienced in recent times.
“Droughts that would continue for 20 years or more are something that we should expect to happen.
“Megadroughts are part of the natural variations in Australia’s climate.
“But worryingly, we are now also adding human-caused climate change into the mix, and that is probably increasing the chances of the next megadrought here.’’
According to the study, a mega drought is an exceptionally severe, long-lasting and widespread drought.
The researchers focused their efforts on the Murray-Darling basin, Australia’s largest agricultural area including parts of South Australia (SA), New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
They found that human-caused climate change was already contributing to longer droughts in the basin as well as southwestern Australia and that those regions could expect future declines in rainfall.
This will be due to climate change and increasing the risk of droughts.
In order to reduce the impact of future droughts, the researchers said Australians should be prepared with water storage and management plans and community support networks.
