Nigeria, Kenya, others adopt smart cities

Stories by Ayoni M. Agbabiaka Abuja

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, has stated that Nigeria must be place in the right position in the comity of nation’s, especially on the African continent following the increasing growth and impact of Information and Communications Technology on human lives.

He said that the existence of artificially-intelligent robots, self-driving cars, neuro-technological brain enhancements, genetic editing etc are as a result of a dramatic change which is around us and happening at unimaginable speeds. “Th e existence of all these technological advancements is evidence enough that the fourth industrial Revolution is upon us.

Th is is envisaged to contribute substantially to innovation and as a result it becomes the new driver of economic growth in Africa. Th is is about how we understand and shape the new technology revolution, which entails nothing less than a transformation of humankind. He said this while giving a keynote address on Smart City Initiatives in Nigeria at the maiden Smart City Summit Nigeria with a theme: “Leveraging on Technology Solutions to improve Effi ciency of Cities” held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, yesterday.

“Th e world, as we know, is experiencing a shift from the traditional ways of doing things to a more ICT-driven approach where government and city administrators are forced to use technology to shape policy, make informed decisions and deliver quality public services. “Government has a role to play for the smooth sailing and the seamless adoption and application of these new technologies and ways of doing things. We could agree that these technologies are not far fetch, as they are already in use, even here in Nigeria. Th is goes to prove that we have to act fast so as not to let this opportunity pass us by.

He stressed that Nigeria must have a paradigm shift, saying that information technology needs are more than just setting up smartphones and fi xing laptops. “At every turn, our cities and towns must think outside the box about making things work better where energy, transportation, water, and other key services are managed effi ciently to support smooth operation of critical infrastructure while providing for a clean, economic and safe environment for our citizens to live and work.”

“Some few years back, people were talking only about smart phones and tablets but through a series of parallel technological developments globally, the concept of smart cities is rising. “Kenya, South Africa and Rwanda are already big players on the African continent. Nairobi ranks among the most advanced cities on the African continent on the forefront of smart cities. Nairobi, Kenya is home to over three million

people, won the title of Most Intelligent City in Africa for two years in a row. Nairobi looks at Singapore as a role model for the city of the future. Th ere are endless possibilities. We can replicate same in Nigeria…It starts by doing simple things, the smart way. One step at a time. He pointed out that, “although there is no acceptable defi nition of a smart city, it is a city outfi tted with high-tech communications capabilities. It uses digital technology to enhance performance and well-being, to reduce costs and resources consumption, and to engage more eff ectively and actively with its citizens.

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