Today’s edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. Two presentations were made covering China and Middle East.
The first presentation was by Subject Expert on China. Maj Gen Nwosu discussed the China’s belt Road Initiative (BRI). He referred it as the New Silk, which he also discribed it as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever conceived in the world. He said the project which was Lunched in 2013 by president Xi Jinping, was originally devised to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure. He added that Successive US presidents have tried to discredit its real intentions, but yet to offer a more appealing economic alternative. He further said according to the report,
Over two-thirds of EU member Countries have formally signed on to BRI which has also funded a number of projects even in Europe. Adding that 147 Countries, accounting for two-thirds of the world’s population and 40 percent of global GDP have signed on to the projects, including Nigeria. He also discussed the accusation of China using BRI as “Debt trap diplomacy’ to achieve global manipulation strategy. While domesticating, Gen Nwosu acknowledged the support of the Nigerian government on the Chinese loans initiative.
The second presentation by Maj Gen JG Mohammed the Subject Expert for Middle East. He critically examined Iranian Net Tightens which pushed to take up homegrown Apps. He stated that Iranian, having been banned from using several popular Western Apps, they are left with little choice but to take up State-backed alternatives, as the authorities tightens internet restriction for security reasons following months of protest. He added that the Iran has placed restriction on apps such as Facebook and twitter since 2009.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigerian, Gen Mohammed noted that technology has become an integral part of modern day life and this is evident even in Nigerian despite educational and economic limitations. He said Nigeria remains the most populous black nations in the world and by its share size and economic might it is expected that it should hold an important position in regional and global affairs. He suggested that for Nigeria to achieve its potentials, technology and ICT have to be at the core of the transformation. He further said technology can help Nigeria address several challenges from socio-economic to security which he said is imperative that Nigeria should actively seek to develop its own internal capacity. He also suggested for the apparent need for checks and controls to address the many challenges that arise from social media misuse. Gen Muhammed further recommended that the Federal government of Nigeria and state government to make concerted effort at developing home grown social media application.
He also suggested that the Federal government of Nigeria and state government should mandate the Ministries of Education and other stake holders to ensure the compulsory inclusion of technology and ICT based learning in all schools from primary level.
