TOPFAITH UNIVERSITY BOSS CAUTIONS JOURNALISTS AGAINST OVER-DEPENDENCE ON AI
Dr. Emmanuel Abraham
Dr Emmanuel Abraham, the founder of Topfaith University at Mkpatak, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has cautioned journalists against over reliance on Artificial Intelligence for their news reportage.
The Topfaith Schools group B O T Chairman who was responding to the lecture on “Ethical Issues: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Journalism in the 21st Century,” delivered by Dr. Uduak Akpan of Akwa Poly, Ikot Osudua, Ikot Ekpene, agreed AI has come to restructure, disorganize and refocus on the learning process, but rather advised that the pen pushers also identify with Original Intelligence.
“As journalists, while celebrating AI, remember that it: is artificial, we have identified Original Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence, AI should be derivative of OI, if you throw away the thinking cap because of AI is good, enhances efficiency and speed, can create content effortlessly, we should be careful on how we use AI.
“We must continuously emphasize original intelligence, when you use AI to break the news, be careful , break the news but don’t break the rules.
He said while using the AI as a tool, journalists should not surrender their intellect , he urged the media practitioners to stick to the ethics of the profession.
The event was an award night and the unveiling of a magazine The Critique published by members of the correspondents chapel of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom.
Senator Ekong Sampson representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District had earlier told the gathering that the Tax Reform Bill has passed through the second reading on the floor of green chambers amid opposition by a section of the North, will be specially subjected to public scrutiny.
While widespread opposition to the bill has come mostly from the northern states of the country, saying the bill would worsen the current economic hardship in the north.
After it went through its second reading in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly amid opposition from a section of the North, the Tax Reform Bill sponsored by President Bola Tinubu will be subjected to a thorough public scrutiny, Senator Ekong Sampson has said.
While widespread opposition to the bill has come mostly from the northern states of the country, saying the bill would worsen the current economic hardship in the north. For instance, why should the oil companies operate on our shores but pay their tax elsewhere.
“I want to assure us that the Senate will spare no effort to ensure that Akwa Ibom south has its inputs into the bill.
“I will make sure that Akwa Ibom interest is protected and this reflects the opinion of the senators from Akwa Ibom State including Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President who is our leader to ensure that Akwa Ibom interest is protected as the senate will subject the bill to full public enquiry.
For instance, why should the oil companies operate on our shores but pay their tax elsewhere.
“I want to assure us that the Senate will spare no effort to ensure that Akwa Ibom south has its inputs into the bill.
“I will make sure that Akwa Ibom interest is protected and this reflects the opinion of the senators from Akwa Ibom State including Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President who is our leader to ensure that Akwa Ibom interest is protected as the senate will subject the bill to full public enquiry.”
NGO ORGANIZES TRAINING ON MODERN OIL PALM IMPLEMENTS, CALLS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM A’IBOM GOVERNMENT
Akaiso Eyo-Akaiso
Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) Foundation has held a one day training workshop on the proper use of modern machines for Oil Palm farmers in Akwa Ibom State. The training which drew participants across the state took place at WOCLIF foundation oil palm plantation in Mbioto 1, owned by Mrs Uduak Umoh in Etinan local government area..
Setting the tone for the long awaited training which took place Thursday, whose trainees included oil palm plantation owners, administrative managers and other sundry staff who defied the African time disease syndrome to attend as early as 9.00 am in the morning, Mrs Benerdette John Ekanem appealed to His Excellency Pastor (Dr.) Umo Bassey Eno to come to the aid of oil Palm farmers in Akwa Ibom State by providing them with grant to enable them buy fertilizer and other inputs.
Mrs Ekanem who is the NGO Farm Service Provider in charge of Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa state and Cross River state, hailed the governor on his ARISE blueprint agenda which begins with “A” standing for agriculture, describing him as a farmer friendly governor.
She opined that a grant to oil palm farmers in the state, like is being done in other states like Edo, will make Akwa Ibom State able to diversify her economy back to agriculture which had been the mainstay of our economy before the advent of crude oil.
Madam Ekanem who emerged Chairman of Akwa Ibom State chapter of National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) in a keenly contested election about a fortnight ago, noted that Akwa Ibom State could be great again if government of the day can throw its weight behind the oil palm growers by giving them the needed financial backing to buy inputs such as 1212, 17, 2, fertilizer which is very scarce in the state and also very expensive.
“We call on our dear Governor who really likes agriculture to at least provide this incentive to farmers as price is so exorbitant.
Or, if there’s a way to bring down the price for farmers to buy it will go a long way and will be very nice.”
The NPPAN State chairman recalled that Malaysia who is now number one world producer of palm oil came to Ibesit in Oruk Anam some years back to get the palm seedlings, saying before then Nigeria was world largest palm oil producer but now is nowhere
.
She promised that if oil palm farmers in Akwa Ibom State could be well funded by government, NPPAN under her watch can make Nigeria to regain her lost glory. Mrs. Ekanem joined myriad of sympathizers to condole His Excellency Pastor Dr Umo Eno over the death of his beloved wife, late Pastor Patience Umo Eno whose remains are to be buried this week end.
Bopin c Nigeria represented by Impact Manager, David Adeiza spoke extensively on the benefits of donated farming implement which included Palm harvesters, also used in pruning the palm trees.
Also, among the pack was grass cutter used in cutting grasses in the farm, do palm suckling and fertilization.
While doing the demonstration on those tools, the training Manager Engineer Prince Njoku from PIND, Port Harcourt, said the grass cutter is of a dual purpose which when fixed with a long pole could be used as harvester too.
