Sat in a circle on the nursery floor, a group of Swiss three-year-olds ask a robot called Nao questions about giraffes and broccoli.

By the time these children become adults, interacting with robots may well be as commonplace as using a smartphone, experts believe.

So one Lausanne creche has decided to give them a head start.

Nao has been a regular visitor at the Nanosphere nursery on the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology University since the New Year. He is what is called an “interactive learning companion” rather than a substitute teacher.

As the children were dropped off, Nao — who is only 58 centimetres (less than two feet) tall — stood on a bench to greet them at eye level.

“Hello, my name is Nao. I’m happy to be at the Nanosphere today,” he said, in a child-like high-pitched voice.

“I left my planet some time ago to come and meet you. I look forward to getting to know you and being able to talk with you in the weeks ahead.”

Some children walked straight past, some waved, pointed, touched his hand or simply gazed at him transfixed.

– ‘No squabbling!’ –

“What will the children’s future be like? Will they have to work with robots? Very probably yes,” Olivier Delamadeleine, director-general of the Educalis group of nurseries and primary schools in Lausanne, told AFP.

“So as we are in a place of learning it is important to get them familiarised early so that they’re used to working with robots,” he added.

Back in the class, teacher Eve L’Eplattenier and the 14 children sat in a circle on the floor with Nao in the middle.

“He’s going to come and explain things to you,” she said.

“Do you like broccoli? It’s very good for your health,” the robot said.

L’Eplattenier picked him up and put him on a table. She said Nao would not grow any taller as children do.

The children gathered excitedly around, some jockeying for space.

“No squabbling!” Nao told them.

Prompted by their teacher, the children tried to catch him out with questions such as, “I am an animal with a trunk. What am I?” When he got it right, they giggled.

– ‘Little know-it-all’ –

Gabriel Paffi, a masters student in robotics, sat in the corner feeding Nao his answers.

He programmed the robot and is working on how to adapt it for a nursery’s needs.

“The goal is to make it automated so that he no longer needs me to move around and respond to the children,” Paffi said.

The first Nao robots hit the market in 2008. Now on generation six, the brand is owned by the Germany-based United Robotics Group and more than 15,000 units have been sold.

The plan is for this Nao to spend several years in the Educalis nurseries as his capacities expand.

L’Eplattenier said the children are thrilled when Nao turns up, and have bonded with their diminutive friend.

“They are curious to see what he will say, what he will do,” she said.

“He’s a companion with little tips and bits of advice.

“I think he will quickly position himself as the little know-it-all of the group.”

As for the parents, they too are keen to see how Nao will settle in.

“I think it’s a good way to help the children progress with new technologies,” said Guillaume Quentin.

When it was time for Nao to “fly back into space”, each child in turn shuffled towards him to say goodbye and give him a wave. He replied to each by name.

“I love you. I will come back soon,” he told them.

[Vanguard]

Wigwe University founded by the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, is set to officially launch operational activities by August 2024.

The university which is situated in Isiokpo in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges, including the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.

In early January 2024, the private university appointed Prof. Miles Davis from the United States as its pioneer Vice-Chancellor.

Davis holds a Doctorate in Human and Organisational Sciences from The George Washington University, USA.

Sitting on the Board of Trustees is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Founding Partner of Kenna Partners, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu. Others include Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, and Mrs. Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga, among others.

A check on the school’s website revealed that all its programmes are “delivered to an international standard, in collaboration with key international partners. Our approach puts us in touch with world-leading curricula, joint research and international exchanges and internship programmes.

“Wigwe University, with its innovative approach to higher education and strong commitment to research, community engagement, and academic excellence, is poised to shape Africa’s future as a leader in global education. The institution’s blend of home-based and foreign faculty members promises to instill a sense of purpose, foster creativity, and inspire a new generation of well-rounded fearless leaders who will make a significant impact on the world.”

Further checks showed that the cheapest college is Arts with a total fee of N9,600,00. Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of ₦11,998,800 each.

The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, and health insurance, among others.

The late founder, Wigwe, died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife Chizoba, and son Chizzy in California on February 9, 2024.

In his message found on the school’s website page, Wigwe stated, “I cannot change the world overnight. But if I can empower even one youth today, tomorrow, they could join me in empowering others. With time, we could change the world.”

A Chief Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Abdulwahab Magaji, has committed suicide in Kano State.

Magaji, who, until his death, was serving in the Abuja headquarters of the Service, reportedly shot himself with a pump action gun at his Farm Centre Quarters in Kano, a few days ago. The reason for his action was unknown at press time.

While confirming the tragic incident, Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the Command has flagged off full scale investigation into the reported case of suicide of the Customs officer.

In another development, the police have arrested one Mohamed Barde, alongside two others, over a gang-fight that led to the death of two people in the metropolis. The deceased, the police confirmed, included Sadiq Abdulkadir of Darmanawa Quarters and Muhammad Sani of Sallari Quarters.

Muhammad Barde had organised a Gangi event for the upcoming wedding of his children. During the event, a group of thugs engaged in supremacy fights that resulted in the death of two people, injury to three others and damages to some innocent passerby’s motor vehicles, the PPRO held.