Category: Technology

Creative industries are pivotal in driving economic growth and cultural enrichment in an era of rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. Recognizing the immense potential of this sector, governments worldwide have been taking proactive measures to support and nurture creative talents. The Creative Industries Development Bill is a notable example of legislative support aimed at empowering the creative sector, enhancing access to funding, fostering job creation, and facilitating ease of business.

Speaking on the importance of this ground-breaking bill, Col. Felix Alaita, a major proponent and advocate, noted that “the bill will reposition the creative sector for growth and make funding available for various practitioners in the sector.” This article delves into the key aspects and potential impact of this ground-breaking bill.

Enabling Access to Funding

One of the foremost challenges creative industries face is securing adequate funding to fuel innovation and expansion. The Creative Industries Development Bill tackles this issue head-on by establishing a framework to enhance access to financial resources. It creates specialized funding programs, grants, and loans tailored to the needs of the creative sector. By fostering collaboration between financial institutions, venture capitalists, and creative entrepreneurs, the bill seeks to bridge the funding gap, allowing for greater experimentation, market exploration, and product development.

Creating Job Opportunities

The creative industries are renowned for generating employment across various disciplines. The Creative Industries Development Bill recognizes this potential and aims to create a conducive environment for job creation. Through targeted incentives, tax breaks, and strategic partnerships, the bill encourages the establishment of creative hubs, innovation centers, and cultural districts, providing employment opportunities for artists, designers, filmmakers, writers, and other creative professionals. This enhances economic growth, nurtures talent, and promotes social inclusion.

Fostering Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of the creative industries, and the Creative Industries Development Bill aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and business growth. The bill simplifies bureaucratic procedures, reduces regulatory burdens, and streamlines licensing and intellectual property protection processes. By removing barriers to entry and fostering a nurturing environment, the bill encourages entrepreneurs to take risks, explore new markets, and launch innovative ventures. This, in turn, stimulates economic growth, encourages creativity, and attracts investment.

Read Also:  ‘Lagos skills acquisition centres to become innovation hubs’

Enhancing International Collaboration

The global nature of the creative industries necessitates international collaboration and exchange of ideas. The Creative Industries Development Bill recognizes this and seeks to foster partnerships and alliances with international stakeholders. The bill promotes knowledge sharing, cultural diplomacy, and cross-border collaborations by establishing cultural exchange programs, artist residencies, and creative fellowships. By opening avenues for international exposure, the bill allows creative professionals to showcase their talents globally, expanding their reach and facilitating cultural exchange.

Strengthening Education and Skills Development

A thriving creative sector relies on a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. The Creative Industries Development Bill emphasizes the importance of education and skills development by allocating resources for training programs, mentorship initiatives, and creative education institutes. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools, the bill enhances employability, fosters innovation, and ensures the sustainability of the creative industries in the long run.

The Creative Industries Development Bill stands as a crucial step towards nurturing and empowering the creative sector. By providing legislative support, facilitating access to funding, creating job opportunities, and streamlining regulatory processes, the bill stimulates economic growth, encourages innovation, and enhances the overall ease of doing business in the creative industries. As governments recognize this sector’s tremendous economic and cultural value, it is imperative to continue supporting and investing in the creative talents that shape our societies and propel us into the future.

Vive Africa has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for Superior Achievement in Research and Planning with other leading agencies at the SABRE Awards Africa 2023. 

Winners of the highly regarded awards were announced on the announced on the official awards websiteon April 7, 2023.

Vive Africa, the continent’s leading education-focused integrated marketing communications agency, was recognised for its sterling work on the Nigeria Market Sentiment & Study Motivations Report, Africa’s first indigenous survey exploring trends and prevailing sentiments in the international education sector. Its goal is to provide up-to-date data and analysis for diverse stakeholders seeking to make informed decisions regarding the education sector in Africa.

The debut report which was powered by University of Sussex, The Student Coach, and Culture Intelligence from RED, has been referenced by international education stakeholders across Europe, Asia, and North America. It was formally presented to international education professionals and industry stakeholders at the 17th Annual British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA) Conference which held in Wales, United Kingdom.

Organised yearly by Provoke Media, SABRE Awards — the world’s largest PR program — is the global benchmark for excellence in the media, communications, marketing, and public relations industry, recognising Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation and Engagement.

Vive Africa is recognised in the Research and Planning category with other leading agencies including Hill+Knowlton East Africa, Gong Communications & Phyllion, Weber Shandwick, and South Africa based Retroviral Digital Communications.

The official awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia. 

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is set to launch its mobile piracy reporting app to enable citizens to lodge reports incognito.

NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asien, announced this at a briefing in Lagos.

Asien, who was represented by the Director of Lagos Office, Mr. Mathew Ojo, said the mobile app would complement the online reporting and platform already available on the commission’s website.

Read Also: Stakeholders fault NCC over N120b USSD debt

He added the commission would be also reintroducing the antipiracy stamps, especially for books and other physical media, to ease the detection of pirated materials; adding that the commission would renew its commitment to strengthening the copyright system for wealth creation, employment generation and untimely for national economic development.

He said: “As part of its renewed drive, and in line with the spirit of the new Copyright Act, the commission is stepping up its intelligence-based, and technology-driven enforcement both offline and in the physical space. Our effort is being supported by other relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). I must again commend the leadership of these agencies for their commitment to the growth of the creative sector.

“To facilitate citizen participation in its renewed anti-piracy drive, the Commission will soon be launching its mobile piracy reporting app to enable citizens lodge reports anonymously. The mobile app will complement the online reporting and platform already available on the Commission’s website. The Commission will also be reintroducing antipiracy stamps especially for books and other physical media to ease the detection of pirated materials.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday said the Commission is inundated with frequent complaints from telecom consumers on the depletion of their data and other related issues.

The Commission said to resolve this, its Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) has embarked on sensitisation exercises to educate telecom consumers on various ways to manage internet data and other issues.

Speaking in Ibadan at the Telecom Campus Conversation, tagged: “Data depletion issue: Tips on data usage for better quality of experience,” the Chairman, Board of Commissioners, NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, said consumers sensitisation becomes necessary for the Board and Management of NCC in implementing mandates of the Commission, as enshrined in Nigerian Communication Act (NCA), 2003, which one of it is the protection of the rights and interests of Consumers.

He said the commission has various consumer-centric initiatives towards protecting the Telecom Consumer against unfair practice by the Service Providers, saying this is consistent with the mandate of the Commission to Protect, Inform and Educate the Nigerian Telecom Consumers.

Read Also: NCC storms Bodija market, sensitises telecom subscribers

He maintained that this can only be achieved when consumers are well-informed and educated on their rights and obligations as telecom consumers.

According to him, this is also in tandem with the Strategic Management Plan (SMP 2020-2024) of the Executive Vice Chairman: Prof. Umar Danbatta, which is to “Improve Quality of Experience and Stakeholder Satisfaction”.

He said the conversation would strengthen the focus on the protection of the rights, privileges and interests of telecommunications consumers, including people living with disability and the elderly through information dissemination.

He however said every aspect of the sensistisation program has been designed to enable the consumers whom he described as critical stakeholders to be better informed on issues related to data depletion.

The Head of Consumers Affairs Bureau, Ayanbamiji Ojo urged telecommunication subscribers to first lodge their complaints to their service providers and later contact NCC if their plights are not addressed.

A wide array of cutting-edge technologies and updates were showcased at the annual Google IO developer conference, all aimed at enhancing user experiences across various platforms.

Google re-emphasised its commitment to improving search experiences and ensuring user safety, by introducing new generative AI capabilities for search and implementing advanced tools for online protection.

Significant updates were also announced for Android, Pixel devices, and Google Photos. A standout moment of the conference was the unveiling of PaLM 2, Google’s latest generative language model. This breakthrough model surpasses previous language models in areas such as maths, coding, reasoning, multilingual translation, and natural language generation.

In addition to these advancements, Google reiterated its commitment to responsible AI, striving to address pressing societal challenges like climate change and flood forecasting while maintaining ethical AI practices.

Here are the 15 significant announcements made at Google IO

PaLM 2, next generation language model: Google has unveiled PaLM 2, a next-generation language model designed to improve language translation, reasoning, and coding capabilities. The model is more heavily trained on multilingual text, demonstrating advanced proficiency in logic, common sense reasoning, and mathematics. Additionally, PaLM 2 was pre-trained on publicly available source code datasets, making it more efficient and faster than previous models. PaLM 2 will be available in four sizes, from smallest to largest: Gecko, Otter, Bison, and Unicorn, making it versatile for a range of use cases. The model is set to power 25 new Google products and features, including Bard and Med-PaLM 2, a medical competency model that can answer questions and summarise insights from dense medical texts. Learn more about PaLM 2 here. 

Expansion of Bard: The waitlist has now been removed, making Bard available in English in over 180 countries and territories, with the addition of Japanese and Korean languages, and planning to support the world’s top 40 languages. As the platform expands, Google will focus on maintaining high standards for quality, local nuances and adherence to AI principles. More here.

Image Capabilities:  Google is making it easier to prompt Bard with images, using Google Lens.  This integration of images with text in Bard aims to enrich the user experience by providing visually informative responses to queries. Users can also include images in their prompts, offering new possibilities for creativity and imagination. More here 

Developer Features for Bard: Google is introducing three new ways to use Bard based on developer feedback: Making code citations even more precise by showing you the source of specific blocks of code. This also applies to citing narrative content from across the web; by adding export to Replit and by making Bard friendlier on the eyes in low-light conditions by introducing Dark theme. More here

Export to Docs and Gmail: Google is making it easier and more seamless for users to continue their work by exporting Bard’s responses to Google Docs or Gmail. Formatting stays intact so users can continue editing directly in Docs or Gmail without needing to copy, paste, and reformat Bard’s responses.

Integration into Apps: Bard will be integrating with various Google apps and services like Docs, Drive, Gmail, Maps, and more, while maintaining user control over privacy settings. The platform will also connect with external services and partners, such as Adobe Firefly for image creation, Kayak for travel, Instacart for groceries, Wolfram for computational knowledge, and Khan Academy for education, offering a wide range of possibilities for users.  

Integrating generative AI across all the Workspace apps: The new features help one write, organise, visualise, accelerate workflows, have richer meetings, and much more. This powerful new way of working is what Google calls Duet AI for Workspace.  Google is bringing the generative AI experience to Gmail on mobile and embedding generative AI into Slides so one can easily create unique visuals with a few words. The generative AI will help one analyse and act on data in Sheets, with automated data classification and the creation of custom tables.

Simplifying Shopping with Generative AI: Google is using generative AI to make shopping faster and much easier, providing users with a snapshot of noteworthy factors to consider when searching for a product. Built on Google’s Shopping Graph, this new generative AI shopping experience will offer a seamless and informed decision-making process for users.

Search Labs: Google’s advanced generative AI capabilities are now accessible through Search Labs, an innovative platform that allows users to explore and engage with early-stage experiments in Search. By registering for Search Labs, users have the opportunity to experience the Search Generative Experience (SGE) on Chrome desktop and the Google App in the US (available in English at launch).  

Magic Compose: Magic Compose, a new Messages by Google feature powered by generative AI, can help you add an extra spark of personality to your conversations. The feature offers suggested responses based on the context of your messages and can even transform your writing into different styles. Release set for July.  

New AI features in Android: Google’s upcoming Android 14 update (expected later this year) promises to change the way users personalise their smartphone experience, taking customization to the next level. Material You customization enables users to personalise their lock screen with new shortcuts, clocks, and a monochrome colour theme. The update also offers diverse wallpaper options, including emoji, cinematic, and generative AI wallpapers that allow users to generate unique designs based on their preferences. To enhance social media, Google is bringing Night Mode and 10-bit HDR video support to popular social apps like Instagram. The Android 14 update introduces Ultra HDR, promising stunning photo quality and raising the bar for smartphone photography.  

Reimagine Your Photos with Magic Editor in Google Photos: The new experimental editing feature, Magic Editor, powered by generative AI, will enable users to make complex photo edits effortlessly without requiring professional editing skills. Users can selectively edit specific parts of an image, such as the subject, sky, or background, for more control over the final appearance of their photos.  

Features and Updates to Enhance Online Safety and Trust: Google’s new suite of features and updates aims to improve online safety and provide users with reliable access to trustworthy content and information. The “About This Image” tool helps users evaluate the reliability of visual content found online by providing important contextual information, such as when an image was first indexed by Google, its original appearance, and other online occurrences. Google is also expanding its Content Safety API to include potential child sexual abuse material in video content, addressing a critical safety concern as video files account for nearly 50% of all files reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Spam view in Drive: Google’s ongoing efforts to protect Gmail users from unwanted messages, which currently block over 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware, are now being extended to Google Drive with “Spam View”, a new feature that simplifies the process of separating and reviewing files, allowing users to identify potential spam and stay safe from unwanted or abusive content. Google Drive will automatically classify content into the Spam View, similar to Gmail’s current system, ensuring that users are protected from encountering dangerous or unwanted files.  

New additions to the Pixel family: Google’s Pixel product line continues to expand with the introduction of three new devices: the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The Pixel 7a is Google’s latest A-series phone, featuring Face Unlock, 8GB RAM, a 90 Hz display, and wireless charging for the first time, making it an affordable package with the best of Google’s hardware and software. The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone, boasting a 7.6-inch screen when opened, offering a large, immersive display, and the best camera on a foldable phone, ensuring high-quality photography. Additionally, the 11-inch Pixel Tablet is designed for entertainment and gaming, comes with a Charging Speaker Dock, and functions as a helpful smart home device.  

Losing your device can be a distressing experience due to the financial implications and the potential loss of personal data. However, with the right strategies and tools at your disposal, you can enhance your chances of recovering a lost device while safeguarding your sensitive information. In this post, renowned tech influencer Cyril Okoi shares his expert advice on how to locate, lock, and recover your missing device.

Losing a device is a race against time, and every minute counts. One of the first steps Cyril recommends is to activate the built-in tracking tools available on your device. For Apple devices, this means enabling Find My iPhone, while Android users should enable Find My Device. By doing so, you provide yourself with a powerful tool that can help pinpoint the location of your lost device.

In addition to tracking, it’s essential to take immediate action to protect your device and the information it contains. Cyril suggests activating remote locking, which allows you to secure your device with a unique passcode from a distance. Alongside this, you can display a custom message on the lock screen, providing contact details for anyone who may find your device. This proactive step increases the chances of a good Samaritan returning it to you.

Once you’ve activated tracking and remote locking, it’s time to start locating your device. Cyril Okoi advises using a computer or another device to access the tracking interface provided by the manufacturer. This interface allows you to view the last known location of your device and even track its movements in real-time. Armed with this information, you can take appropriate action, whether it involves retrieving your device yourself or involving local law enforcement.

In cases where you believe your device is still within your vicinity, Cyril recommends triggering audible alarms or notifications on your lost device. These distinct sounds can help you locate your device in crowded areas or catch the attention of someone who may be unaware they possess a stolen item.

Read Also: Nigerian company develops application for blocking stolen phones

If all attempts to locate and recover your device prove unsuccessful, it’s crucial to involve local law enforcement. Share all relevant information, including the device’s serial number, unique identifiers, and any tracking data you have gathered. Law enforcement agencies have access to additional resources and databases that can aid in the recovery process.

Lastly, he acknowledges that sometimes, despite your best efforts, recovering your lost device may not be possible. In such cases, it’s essential to take precautions to protect your personal information. Cyril advises remotely wiping your device as a last resort. This action erases all data on the device, ensuring that your personal information remains secure.

Losing a device is undoubtedly a stressful experience. However, by following Cyril Okoi’s expert guidance and implementing the recommended strategies, you can significantly increase the chances of recovering your device. Activate the built-in tracking tools, secure your device with remote locking and display contact information, and utilize tracking interfaces to locate your device.

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on Wednesday stormed Bodija market in Ibadan to sensitise market men and women on telecommunication operators in Nigeria.

NCC said the move became necessary since market men and women hardly have time to attend its sensitisation programme because of their businesses.

Speaking at the 3rd edition of “market conversation” the Head of Consumer Affairs of NCC, Aina Ojo maintained the event was aimed at sensitising people on how to make good use of their data, address some challenges facing them and proffer solutions.

He said: “Some of them asked questions, some of them tells us their challenges, so, it is our responsibility as consumers protection to make sure our consumers are protected.”

Read Also: Anti-piracy: NCC honours The Nation reporter

He urged Nigerians to report cases of any telecommunication infrastructure vandalism to security agencies, adding that security agencies would protect whoever gives them vital information about any vandal.

“We also have a platform for you to lodge your complaints which is 622. We shall attend to it and nobody will know your identity. Let’s all protect government infrastructure, without it, you can’t communicate, and that is one of the challenges facing the nation, people go about vandalising thinking they are doing the government.”

Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Jimoh Aderemi commended NCC for the initiative, urging his members to key into lessons obtained during the sensistisation programme.

Google has announced a new tool to help in addressing geographic access to emergency obstetric (EmOC) care.

This comes as a broader effort to help decision makers, governments and public health organisations in Nigeria address the gaps in accessing health services where facilities are limited.

The tool uses Google’s internal directions Application Programming Interface (API) to estimate the travel time to the nearest, second nearest and third nearest EmOC facilities across specific regions in the country. It also builds on a dataset Google released in 2021 that revealed the average travel times to COVID-19 vaccination facilities. Boston Children’s Hospital and the Harvard School for Public Health in Massachusetts used that dataset to help identify “vaccine desserts” and inform vaccination efforts.

Google also collaborated with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to quantify geographic access to parks across nearly 500 metropolitan areas in six countries: Estonia, France, Greece, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States.

According to the WHO, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day; more than 70% of these deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Nigeria also contributes the most to global maternal health deaths, based on recent WHO estimates.

Read Also: UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Google okay $3m for women startups

With the OnTIME Consortium’s contribution of verified emergency obstetric care facilities, the tool by Google shows decision makers how quickly expectant mothers can access emergency obstetric care in Nigeria’s 15 largest cities: Aba, Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri, Onitsha, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Warri.

Using the information that will be gathered on the tool, decision makers can expand ambulatory services, make road improvements, add new facilities or upgrade existing ones, and more. 

Google Nigeria, Interim Lead Olumide Balogun said: “We are excited to collaborate with the OnTIME Consortium, a partnership of policymakers, doctors, and researchers focused on improving care for expecting mothers, to make this tool available to decision makers in Nigeria.

“Evidence shows that long travel times from home to a health facility significantly impact pregnancy outcomes for mothers and newborns, and timely access to emergency obstetric care (EmOC) can reduce maternal deaths and intrapartum stillbirths by as much as 50% and 75%, respectively. But current approaches to estimating the time it takes expectant mothers to reach EmOC are limited.

“We hope that governments and public health organizations will use this tool to better support the health of their communities, by helping mothers and infants access care more quickly. We’re looking forward to learning from our rollout in Nigeria, and expanding to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming months.”

OnTIME Principal Investigator Dr. Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas, a physician, public health practitioner said: “This digital dashboard will be a critical tool in the arsenal of service planners and policymakers looking at optimizing geographical accessibility to critical maternal health services as well as those keen to understand contributions of travel time to poor maternal and perinatal outcome.”