Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami on Monday described as heart-warming statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics that ICT sector has contributed about 17.8 percent to Gross Domestic Product of the country.

The Minister in a statement issued by his technical aide, Dr. Femi Adeluyi said the contribution is unprecedented.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had on Monday released ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Report’ for Q2 2020.

“Nigeria’s GDP decreased by –6.10% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2020, largely attributable to significantly lower levels of both domestic and international economic activity during the quarter, which resulted from nationwide shutdown efforts aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic, ” the report said.

The non-oil sector contributed 91.07% to the nation’s GDP in Q2 2020 as opposed to the 8.93% contributed to total real GDP by the oil sector, the report added.

Dr. Pantami said, “it is worthy of note that the ICT sector contributed 17.83% to the total real GDP in Q2 2020, 20.54% higher than its contribution a year earlier and in the preceding quarter, in which it accounted for 14.07%.”

This contribution is unprecedented, he said.

The statement reads: “The Minister notes that the growing contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP is a direct result of the focused and committed effort of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

READ ALSO: Pension asset grows to N9.58trn

“The strategic policy directions of the Federal Government include the inclusion of Digital Economy in the mandate of the Ministry, the unveiling and implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy and the National Broadband Plan, amongst others.

“As of July 2020, the broadband penetration in the country was 42.02%, translating to a percentage increase of almost double digits in less than 1 year. This is another remarkable achievement.

“The unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to dynamic and results-oriented leadership which has been acknowledged and appreciated by a wide spectrum of the stakeholders in the sector.

“The GDP Report has shown how critical the ICT sector is to the growth of our country’s digital economy and, by extension, the general economy.

“The Minister calls on all sectors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new focus on the digital economy to enable and improve their processes through the use of ICTs. This would enhance the output of all the sectors of the economy and boost Nigeria’s GDP. “

Our Reporter

With the recent Bitcoin price appreciation, series of financial technology companies have started eying the long-term interest they tend to gain by trading cryptocurrencies, thereby using this as a method to boost the economy of the nation and also reducing the hike of unemployment in the country.

One of these companies is called Chiji14xchange; a financial technology company renowned for its firsthand experience in virtual cryptocurrency trading systems. The company trades in Bitcoin and Tether (USDT).

With the history of Bitcoin being volatile, it’s a win and lose business but certainly a profitable trade to venture into.

Chiji14xchange decided not to miss the boat and hopped into trading and exchange of cryptocurrencies, thereby adding their quota to contribute to the nation’s economy.

READ ALSO: How Chiji14xchange’s rocket app is revolutionalising crypto trade

This advanced trade company is owned by Mr Odum Chijioke, who is a veteran in the world of cryptocurrency.

He is a man who is outstanding for inventing an exclusive tradings system that is benefiting the lives of numerous people.

His exclusive invention is known as the Rocket app crypto; where Bitcoin can be bought and sold and stored in wallets.

On this app, users have now been opened to the opportunity to trade and exchange another cryptocurrency known as Tether (USDT). Tether is a stable coin whose value is fastened to the value of the US dollar, which means one dollar is equivalent to one USDT. This feature grants users the opportunity to modify crypto trading.

Our Reporter

Leading short-form mobile video platform, TikTok, is launching its SkillsUP campaign today in a drive to empower the local community with tips on useful digital skills. Tapping on the potential of the platform to captivate the new generation through an engaging format of content, the SkillsUP webinar, which starts on 1 August, is the first in a series of sessions specially designed to offer digital skills training to the local community in order to advance career development.

The first webinar will be broadcast live on TikTok South Africa’s official account on Saturday, August 1, from 5-6:30 pm, and will cover the vocational and life digital skills that can be applied both in the professional workspace and everyday life.

Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok Content Operations Manager, Africa, says that as a technology company designed around digital innovation and possibilities, TikTok is not only committed to educating and upskilling its community when it comes to all things digital, but is also dedicated to encouraging creativity on the platform using the variety of technology tools available. “We believe it’s important for all Nigerians to have the opportunity to access knowledge and information that can help them advance their current digital skillset for both professional and personal gain, especially as it’s likely many local businesses will require at least some basic level of digital skill from future employees.

“Through this project, TikTok wants to empower local users, giving them access to experts and educational information in a fun and entertaining learning environment. In doing this, we believe that we can also help grow the local digital workforce.”

READ ALSO: Five protective tips on TikTok

Sidwaba explains that during the 90-minute session, topics to be covered include influencer marketing do’s and don’ts; building your personal brand as a creator; data and analytics; and internet safety. “The information received during these talks will not only help individuals unlock their content creation abilities on the platform, but will also equip them with the right skills to connect and engage with the global TikTok community in a more creative digitally-savvy way.

“Saturday’s panel of guest speakers includes digital experts Xolani Waxx Sedibe from Digify Africa; Oresti Patricios from OrnicoGroup; and Kudzi Chikumbu, Director of Creator Community at TikTok. From Kudzi, attendees can look forward to receiving great insights into using TikTok to grow your personal brand as well as general best-practice tips. At the end of the talk, attendees will also have the opportunity to pick the brains of these experts in a live Q&A session.”

Sidwaba adds that it remains TikTok’s mission to inspire and bring joy to its community of users, helping them to better express their creative ideas both on and off the platform, and that through the SkillsUP training sessions, this goal can be achieved.

Moreflex-plus is a revamp of 9mobile’s all-in-one package that is reputed for unbeatable value through its unique bundled voice and data resources.

With the reloaded proposition, new and existing subscribers will receive a combined value of voice call and data resources for one subscription to a Moreflex plus bundle.

Announcing the launch, 9mobile Acting Director, Marketing, Layi Onafowokan, explained that 9mobile subscribers who purchase a weekly N500 bundle on Moreflex-plus will receive 500MB and voice call minutes of N1000; a N1000 14 days bundle subscription on Moreflex plus will attract 1.5GB and voice call minutes of N2000; while 3GB and N4000 voice call minutes will be credited for a purchase of Moreflex plus N2000 monthly bundle.

READ ALSO: 9mobile offers free access to educational, health websites

“9mobile understands that providing customers with access to reliable connectivity and innovative solutions will empower Nigerians to explore and maximize more opportunities around them during this pandemic era and beyond. With the relaunch of Moreflex plus, our customers, and indeed, all Nigerians can be assured that we are poised to roll out more creative offerings with the best value at the most affordable rates for everyone,” Onafowokan said.

To get on Moreflex-plus, simply dial *320#

Our Reporter

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, in collaboration with actors, has invited young Nigerians to participate in a 60-Day App Development Challenge aimed at empowering them with skill set in mobile application design.

This is in a bid to mitigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses.

In a statement issued by its Media Office, the Ministry said app developers interested in the project should be inspired by the desire to get their fellow Nigerians connecting seamlessly and safely with each other, and conducting their businesses even as the pandemic is still an ongoing concern.

The statement said the App submissions must solve a problem within the following fields: edu-tech, agri-tech, sport, health, fin-tech and telecommunications.

READ ALSO: Sunday Dare: I love my old school buba and sokoto

“Through this competition, we hope to see a slew of highly innovative and easy-to-use apps, which can be used to improve a range of processes and increase the ease of accessibility to services available to the citizenry,” the statement said.

The best set of applications will attract multi-million naira prizes and training to further develop the applications. Modalities and rules for participation can be found at noya.ng or www.youthandsport.gov.ng

Our reporter gathered that the challenge kicked off on July 8, 2020. The project is supported by the Bank of Industry (BoI), Industrial Trust Fund (ITF), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), IBM, Microsoft, Afrilabs, 21st Century and NINE.

Think with Google this week launched its Sub-Saharan Africa website – thinkwithgoogle.com/ssa – to help marketers on the continent get the locally relevant insights they need.

“Think with Google Sub-Saharan Africa walks alongside marketers and business leaders as they deal with the challenges of a rapidly changing marketplace. It provides data, a deeper understanding and perspectives specifically crafted for marketers and business people in the region,” says Asha Patel, Head of Google SMB Marketing for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Think with Google features insights and case studies from African organisations and marketers working with Google. For example, this case study on how Africa’s largest entertainment brand – MultiChoice – drove watch time on its YouTube channel up 238% by offering content free. Or another on how Kenya’s KCB Bank drove a change in consumer behaviour – from online betting to saving money – using an ad campaign. And a piece on Nigerian e-commerce giant Jumia adopting machine learning to optimise its bidding process for Google Ads, which led to a 48% increase in conversion rate, 2.4% fall in cost per acquisition, and 52% growth in conversions.

Read Also: Ten useful things ‘Google Search’ can do for you

Whether it’s making smartphone advertising work or driving viewership, changing behaviour, like KCB Bank did, understanding how much presales behaviour happens online, or simply trying to make things work better as Jumia did, the online space in Sub-Saharan Africa is incredibly diverse and dynamic, and making sense of it and the opportunity it presents is a challenge.

Think with Google aims to help marketers stay abreast of this rapidly changing environment, and provides the data and insights they need to drive better decision-making, Patel says. The website also intends to inspire marketers to think in different ways about the brands they represent, the ways in which they communicate with their consumers, and to help them come to grips with the latest digital marketing tools that are available.

Think with Google launched in 2013 as ‘Think Insights’ in a bid to give marketers insights into consumer and cultural trends based on Google’s huge bank of data. Today, Think with Google is a resource hub for marketers across the globe, and houses a number of international sites with information targeted specifically for marketers in those areas, including Asia Pacific, Benelux, Middle East North Africa and now, Sub-Saharan Africa.

By Samuel OAMEN

Millions of people make use of Google Search to get answers and information every day. A lot of us aren’t harnessing the full power of Google, though. Google Search’s Web, Image, Video, News, Maps and More tabs can help ensure you get the kind of results you are after. Beyond simple queries, there is a lot more you can achieve with Google Search.

Here are ten useful things that Google Search can do for you.

 

1. Search Jobs

By searching for “jobs near me” or specifically for the job position you seek, you can find options that you are interested in and apply for them. Google offers a quick and easy way to find your next job whether it is full-time, part-time or an internship.

2. Search lyrics

Search for lyrics to your favourite songs. By typing, ‘song name’ plus “lyrics” in the search bar, you get the lyrics displayed at the top of the search results page. This is useful for fans, music lovers, during karaoke, or for a chorister who wishes to learn how to sing a song.

3. Weather Updates

Get weather updates for any city on any day. Simply search “weather” plus “city name”, and the day you are interested in and you get the current forecast. This is particularly useful for travellers and when planning for a choice of clothing for an outing. Additionally, having knowledge about the weather can help keep you safe.

4. Stop Watch

Google Search provides a personal time keeper that helps you measure the speed of an activity. While stopwatches are great for sporting events, you can also use the stopwatch on Google Search to time yourself as you work. Just type “timer’” or “stopwatch” into the search box.

Read Also: Google lists five online tips for keeping in touch with people you care about

5. Get recipes for meals

Beef up your cooking skills by searching for the recipe for any meal you can imagine on Google Search. You will get web and video results for your search and can also search for drink recipes to accompany your meal.

6. Ask about calories

If you are being careful about what you eat for health and fitness reasons, you can check up information about the food you are planning to eat.  Search for specific information to determine the calories in your food. For example, try searching for how many calories are in rice.

7. Get real time game scores

For fans of sporting events, Google Search provides real-time information about ongoing games and scores. You can also search the name of a sports team or league to get a summary of recent matches.

8. Search by voice

Don’t want to type? Use voice search instead. Simply click on the microphone icon, say what you want to search for, and watch Google reveal the results. You can find the microphone icon on the right-hand side of the Google Search bar. Go ahead, click and speak.

9. Just for Fun 

Take a break with Google Search and play games or enjoy other fun activities. Try a one minute breathing exercise by typing, “breathing exercise” in the search bar. This helps you to calm down and refocus your brain in-between work hours or when you need to meditate. You can also play games like Atari Breakout, Google Pacman, Solitaire, or Snake by simply searching for them.

10. Search health conditions

You can search for health conditions and get snapshots of the condition, its symptoms and possible treatment in Google Search using Health Knowledge Panels. Google collaborated with a team of medical experts from institutions such as the University of Ibadan and the Mayo Clinic to ensure that medical facts gathered represent real-life clinical knowledge. Even with the health information available via Google Search, users are advised to consult a medical professional regarding actual health concerns.

Our Reporter

As the Nigerian economy continues to buckle under the weight of COVID-19 pandemic throwing thousands into the labour market, technology has been identified as a panacea that will help Nigerian youths thrive and increasing their income.

This position is held by Crown Interactive, a Lagos-based software solutions company headed by Nigeria-born IT expert, Wumi Oghoetuoma.

The organization notes that interventions supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is needed to curtail scary unemployment projections expected to rise 33.6% by the end of 2020 – that’s 39.4 million Nigerians.

Crown Interactive revealed, “It goes without saying that Covid-19 has affected the livelihoods of many Nigerians. Our unemployment rate was already at a disappointing high and newer projections predict that it may rise to 33.6% by the end of 2020 – that’s 39.4 million Nigerians. While supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is a major part of what we do, here at CICOD, we are also committed to providing young people with viable job opportunities so that we can begin to provide real solutions for youth unemployment.”

Read Also: ‘Africans can fast-track SDGs despite pandemic’

Speaking more about its unique offering to empower Nigerian youths, the organization revealed, “With our affiliate programme: Independent CICOD Executives (ICE), we give young people extensive training about our product, enabling them to source and onboard customers on their own and receive a commission of the revenue generated by all the customers they bring on! This is a job opportunity that allows you to still maintain your relative independence as an affiliate and still bring in some money for your household.

“As an Independent CICOD Executive, you aren’t just another sales channel or representative for us as a firm. In actual fact, you become part of the larger CICOD team, working within a network of people dedicated to improving the output and efficiency of MSMEs. As we cultivate these affiliate partnerships, creating thousands of jobs amidst an unemployment crisis, we also provide the marketing, sales, and support services for the products you’re going out to sell.

“For the most part, this is good news for young people and good news for us because we get to work with extremely intelligent young people. However, it’s also good news for the SMEs that you will be bringing on board. Because of you, these SMEs will have access to the CICOD suite of tools helping them manage their businesses more efficiently, and effectively in this digital age! Everyone wins! What’s not to love?

Through its entry-free partnership, the organization also expressed it’s wishes to partner with Nigerians to resell its products to MSMEs and earn passive income by joining the CICOD team of Independent CICOD Executives today! “There’s no joining fee, and as long as you have a bank account and a referee, you’re good to go. Come and join the CICOD community,” it added.