At Tekedia Institute, we’re helping banks, insurers and other sector players to master the fundamental rudiments on how AI could help them drive productivity. We will upskill your workers and get them ready for the future.

Email our team for a discovery Zoom session to enable us to understand that journey of growth and productivity you want to undertake. Once we do, we will design a custom program for your organization. Contact the #best school here.

Customized Tekedia AI in Business (Remote & On-Premise) now Available for Companies

Customized Tekedia AI In Business (Remote & On-Premise) Now Available For Companies

Due to huge demand from companies, I am happy to note that the Tekedia Institute “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business” program can now come to your office. Yes, we now offer customized remote and on-premise classes for companies.

AI will redesign the world of business, and re-architect economies even as it transforms markets, communities, and organizations. In our program, participants will gain the knowledge capabilities and confidence required to support the integration of AI systems into their organizations, and unlock value.

At the end of this program,  workplace productivity, collaboration, and automation will become clearer; the program comes with AI labs. We have trained CFOs, CMOs, CEOs, CDOs, CIO, CTOs, etc, focusing on AI as a great tool in business. I invite you to contact our team for a discovery meeting which will enable us to design a program for your organization.

(For individuals, not affiliated with companies, Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass remains available for enrollment here)

In the quest for longevity and vitality, certain regions around the globe have piqued the interest of researchers and health enthusiasts alike. These regions, known as “Blue Zones,” are remarkable for having some of the healthiest and longest-living populations on Earth. The concept of Blue Zones was popularized by Dan Buettner, who identified five distinct areas where people live exceptionally long lives, often surpassing the global life expectancy of 71.4 years.

What makes the Blue Zones exceptional? Studies suggest that several factors contribute to the health and longevity of their inhabitants. These include a primarily plant-based diet, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, strong social connections, and a sense of purpose. Interestingly, genetics account for only 20-30% of longevity, implying that lifestyle choices play a significant role.

The first of these zones is Sardinia, Italy, where a combination of a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, and strong family ties contribute to the high concentration of male centenarians. Interestingly, a genetic marker linked to longevity, known as the M26, is prevalent among this secluded community.

Next is Okinawa, Japan, where the longest-living women in the world can be found. The Okinawans attribute their longevity to a supportive social network called “moai,” a healthy diet, and a stress-minimizing lifestyle.

In Nicoya, Costa Rica, residents enjoy a diet rich in beans, squash, corn, and tropical fruits. They also benefit from a strong sense of purpose, known as “plan de vida,” which contributes to their mental and spiritual well-being, allowing many to live past 90.

Loma Linda, California, stands out as the only Blue Zone in the United States. Here, the Seventh-day Adventist community thrives with a set of healthful principles, including a day of rest each week, a plant-based diet, and a close-knit community, leading to a life expectancy that is 10 years longer than the average American’s.

Lastly, Ikaria, Greece, boasts a population where 1 in 3 people live into their 90s, often free of dementia and chronic diseases. A strong community bond, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and a balanced approach to daily living contribute to their remarkable health.

Adopting the practices of the Blue Zones could potentially transform public health. By integrating their principles, such as prioritizing family, fostering community, and natural movement, societies can create environments that encourage healthier living and increased lifespan. The Blue Zones stand as a testament to the possibility of a longer, healthier life through mindful living and community support.

These Blue Zones offer valuable insights into the factors that contribute to a long and healthy life. While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, community involvement, and stress management appear to be significant contributors to the extraordinary longevity observed in these regions. By studying these communities, we can learn how to incorporate their healthful practices into our own lives, potentially improving our health and longevity.

The Blue Zones offer more than just a peek into the lives of the world’s oldest populations; they provide a blueprint for living well. By learning from these zones, we can apply their lessons to improve our health and potentially extend our lifespan, proving that our daily choices and environment profoundly impact our health outcomes.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has taken decisive steps to prioritize power availability to Nigerian consumers by ordering the capping of power supply to cross-border customers in Benin Republic, Niger, and Togo. 

This move aims to ensure that Nigerians have access to a more reliable and consistent power supply. The directive, outlined in an interim order titled ‘Interim Order on Transmission System Dispatch Operations, Cross-border Supply and Related Matters,‘ is set to last for six months initially.

NERC’s interim order, signed by the commission’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, comes into effect from May 1, 2024. It directs the System Operator (SO), a department within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to limit power delivery to Nigeria’s neighbors to no more than six percent of total grid electricity at any given time.

The regulatory agency expressed concerns about sub-optimal grid dispatch operations that have compromised Distribution Companies (Discos) ability to meet their service obligations under the Service Based Tariff (SBT). It highlighted the need for a more equitable distribution of power allocation among various off-takers, including Discos, international customers, and eligible customers.

“The commission hereby orders as follows: The system operator shall develop and present to the commission for approval within seven days from the issuance of this order a pro-rata load-shedding scheme that ensures equitable adjustment to load allocation to all off-takers — Discos, international customers, and eligible customers — in the event of a drop in generation and other under-frequency related grid imbalances necessitating critical grid management.

“The system operator shall implement a framework to log and publish hourly readings and enforce necessary sanctions for violation of grid instructions and contracted nominations by off-takers in line with the grid code and market,” it stated.

Moreover, NERC emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in grid operations, calling for the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve the fairness and efficiency of service delivery. The commission instructed the system operator to develop a pro-rata load-shedding scheme to ensure equitable adjustments to load allocation during grid imbalances.

“The system operator shall ensure that the maximum load allocation to international off-takers in each trading hour shall not be more than six percent of the total available grid generation.

“The aggregate capacity that can be nominated by a generating plant to service international off-takers shall not be more than 10 percent of its available generation capacity unless in exceptional circumstances a derogation is granted by the commission.

“The system operator shall henceforth cease to recognise any capacity addition in bilateral transactions between a generator and an off-taker without the express approval of the commission,” it added.

Additionally, NERC mandated the installation of integrated Internet of Things (IoT) meters at off-take and delivery points to provide real-time visibility of aggregate power consumption. This measure aims to enhance the monitoring and enforcement of grid instructions and contractual obligations.

In a related development, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, revealed plans by the federal government and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to address the country’s significant electricity metering gap. With approximately seven million unmetered consumers, the government plans to inject N750 billion in capital annually, supplemented by N250 billion in debt financing from NSIA, to accelerate meter acquisition initiatives.

He said that out of nearly 13 million registered electricity consumers at present; slightly over five million of them are metered customers.

“The target that we have is that within four to five years, we should close the gap, which means that a minimum of two million meters must be installed under the Presidential Metering Initiatives every year,’’ Adelabu said on Saturday in Lagos during his visit to Femadec Group, a local electricity meter manufacturing company. Earlier that day, he inaugurated the 63MVA, 132/33kV Mobile Substation deployed to Ajah as part of Phase One of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

These moves follow recent developments in Nigeria’s power sector, including increased generation capacity and tariff adjustments, said to have sparked renewed investor interest. The completion of projects like the Zungeru Hydro Electric Power Plant in Niger State has contributed to a rise in power generation, from 4,200MW to 4,800MW, signaling positive momentum for the sector.