Recently, reports revealed that the Nigerian Army made a major aerial onslaught on the Boko Haram base suspected to be the hideout of Shekau, their leader. This further informs the need for intelligence and surveillance in the troubled North-East Region, and the North West region of Nigeria. In order to improve the surveillance capacity and to contribute to intelligence, and industry, the Nigerian Army with funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) launched the first Unmanned Aeriel Vehicle (UAV) Challenge at the Jaji military cantonment, Kaduna. The event showcases functional UAVs from youths who had been selected from a group of applicants.
The Defence Research and Development Bureau, Defence Headquarters event was witnessed by top military brass, members of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Representatives of the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), and dignitaries in the Kaduna. They saw and lauded the display of functional self-made drones, small-sized surveillance aircrafts, made from durable materials with autonomous control.
Prof. Abiodun Musa, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, on the 2020 UAV challenge, noted that applicants went through stages of screening before 18 participants were shortlisted. The process included an online application, scrutiny and selection by a team of assessors, before the 18 participants scaled through to the competition.
Musa noted that the nation is giving young people the oppourtunity to showcase their talent. The FG is also investing in them by taking further steps to train them on UAV development and deployment for Nigeria. The chairman believes that this will go a long way to improve intelligence, communication and service delivery.
Apart from the defence needs for the gadgets, they can also be used to deliver quality services for private businesses.
‘The UAV can be used in deliveries by online markets and payments made on board upon arrival, it has come to stay and can be used in many other areas of human endeavour not only for security’, Prof Musa said.
Emeka Akagwe, one of the participants of the UAV showcase said that the project was a laudable initiative that has given him the platform to make the most of his gifts. He also said that autonomous drones will go a long way to fight insurgency in the country.
It was revealed that the winner of the UAV competition would take home N6 million, while the second runner-up will receive N3million, and N2Million for the third runner up.
Femi Morgan
Photocredits: The Guardian Nigeria