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Tag: Smart

  • Smart DNA data sheds new light on paternity questions in Nigeria

    Smart DNA data sheds new light on paternity questions in Nigeria

    A newly-released DNA relationship testing data has revealed that 74 per cent of tested men in Nigeria are biological fathers. Smart DNA, a leading DNA testing centre based in Lagos, released the comprehensive data analysis of all relationship DNA tests conducted at its facility between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Notable in the report is that 73.88 per cent of men who did relationship testing to verify the paternity of children came out positive as their biological fathers. Negative results were 26.12 per cent of those who were tested, the analysis released said.

     DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism. A DNA test (genetic testing) is a medical test that can identify mutations in one’s genes, chromosomes or proteins. These tests provide information about an individual’s ancestral roots. A DNA relationship test is the use of genetic profiles to determine whether an individual is the biological parent of another individual. The Smart DNA report, based on thousands of users, provides an unprecedented insight into the DNA testing trends across Nigeria.

     The analysis also showed startling findings about the reasons people seek testing, the demographics of those tested, and the outcomes of the tests. On geographical spread, the report showed that Lagos accounted for the highest percentage of tests, with 82.89 per cent of the total. This is followed by Oyo (3.29 per cent), Ogun (3.07 per cent) and FCT (2.63 per cent and Rivers (2.41 per cent). “This heavy concentration in Lagos, particularly the Mainland (68.14 percent) compared to the Island (31.86 per cent), is likely due to the location of Smart DNA’s office in Lagos. Also likely due to the purchasing power of the state’s residents, and the high population density of the state,” it said.

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     The report showed that the majority of tests (89.10 per cent) were conducted for ‘Peace of Mind,’ followed by ‘Immigration’ (8.97 per cent), and ‘Legal’ (0.64 per cent). “This suggests that individuals primarily seek DNA testing to confirm biological relationships for personal reasons rather than legal or immigration purposes. It showed that men were the predominant initiators of contact, making up 86.44 per cent of the first contacts, compared to 13.56 per cent made by women. This indicates that men are more likely to have doubts about paternity or other relationships and take the initiative to seek testing.

     “Positive results, indicating that the man tested is the biological father of the child, accounted for 73.88 per cent of tests; while negative results made up 26.12 per cent. This suggests that in the majority of cases, the men seeking testing are indeed the biological fathers, but in more than 1 in 4 cases, the tested father is not the biological father of the child.”

     Breaking down the ethnic group of those that turned up for tests, the Yoruba ethnic group had the highest percentage of tests (61.23 per cent), followed by Igbo (19.07 per cent). “Others (12.08 per cent), and Edo (6.78 per cent). This may be reflective of the ethnic distribution in Lagos and the surrounding areas.”  On the sex of the child, more tests were conducted on male children (56.62 per cent) compared to female children (43.38 per cent). It said that this may suggest a cultural preference for confirming paternity of male offspring, although further research would be needed to confirm this hypothesis.

     Analysing the age range of those tested, it said that most tests were conducted on children aged 0-5 years (58.02 per cent), followed by the 6-12 age group (25.95 per cent). “This indicates that paternity tests are mostly done on children when they are younger rather than when they get older.’ The Smart DNA findings said that the men who opted for these DNA tests were mostly between the ages of 31-40 years (40 per cent) and 41-50 years (23 per cent). “This age group is likely to have young children and may be in a financial position to afford the testing.”

     Officials of Smart DNA said the centre is committed to providing fully accredited DNA testing services to clients in accordance with the highest international standards. According to Smart DNA management, the report, which it spent months and resources to compile and analyse, was done to help Nigeria shed light on the current trends in relationship DNA testing in Nigeria. The overall aim is to contribute to a better understanding of this important aspect in Nigeria where there is no national data on relationship DNA testing, which can help to confirm or refute false statistics being bandied around on child paternity fraud in the country.

  • Climate Change: World Bank pushes for smart technologies

    Climate Change: World Bank pushes for smart technologies

    The World Bank is to support Nigeria and other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the uptake of climate-smart technologies.

    The bank has introduced a new initiative, West Africa Agricultural Transformation Programme (WAATP), which it will solely fund  to this effect. The funding will run into millions of dollars.

    Beneficiary countries of the initiative, such as Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo,  will be able to increase productivity and incomes through responsible farming without damaging the environment.

    To ensure success, the bank is working with the West and Central Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and ECOWAS to scale up the adoption of climate-smart technologies, enhance job creation and increase access to regional markets for targeted commodities.

    According to CORAF, WAATP seeks to transform the agriculture industry sustainably by scaling up replicable innovations and crop varieties using ICT tools and geo-mapping.

    Under the programme, CORAF said the geographical scope of coverage would extend to Central Africa with Cameroon among benefitting countries. Chad and other Central African nations could potentially join.

    CORAF Executive Director Dr. Abdou Tenkouano said: “This programme has assigned itself very ambitious targets because West and Central deserve that. Among the beneficiaries, at least 40 percent must be women. The technologies disseminated have to be linked to critical areas such as climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, mechanisation, and processing. And it will be judged on the number of permanent and seasonal jobs it creates.”

    WAATP will focus on five mutually-reinforcing components:    strengthening the new model for innovation development in West Africa, accelerating large-scale adoption of improved technologies and innovations, policies, markets, and institutional strengthening, contingent emergency response and     project management, learning, monitoring and evaluation.

    WAATP will take over from West African Agriculture Productivity Programme (WAAPP), which was launched in 2008 and assigned the mission to boost productivity, reduce hunger, improve nutrition, create jobs, and support collaboration across borders.

    In 2016, the World Bank rated the WAAPP as the second-best project it funded in Africa.

    “This rating is not only an acknowledgment of the effective management of the program across the West Africa region, but it is also recognition of the development outcomes achieved by the programme,” Tenkouano said.

    “Despite the progress made, agricultural productivity in the West and Central Africa sub-regions still lags behind the rest of the world,” said Dr. Niéyidouba Lamien, WAAPP Regional program coordinator.

    “Focus has to go beyond productivity to address the overall issue of enhancing the food system to address the demand of an increasing population, address youth unemployment, climate change, migration, gender, and nutrition.”

    ECOWAS collaboration with WAAPP led to improvement in  agricultural production and increased food security in member states.

  • Smart in suits

    Smart in suits

    suitWE all like to look good and trendy. Your mood and event actually play a great role on how you turn out. On the job, it’s better to be smart in a creative way. Suits and jackets actually come to mind here. Interestingly, it is also a time to play around with the colours as you step out looking beautiful and creative.

    To look good, it is better to choose a suit that fits and looks great on you. Even when you want to look glamorous, make sure it is not clumsy.

    Emphasis must be placed on how the overall effect makes you turn out. Trendy buttons, creative collars, sleeves, the design of the neckline and finishing would take you up the trend ladder in style.

  • Apple’s smart watch excites c

    Apple’s smart watch excites c

    Apple’s forthcoming smart-watch has a major advantage: It will provide at first glimpse how businesses can serve up ads on the watch.

    But business owners will have to wait for it for a while as it will not be available until later in the year.

    However, the same qualities that render the watch exciting to Madison Avenue, such as the ability to detect customers approaching a store and to zap an ad directly to their wrists, also risk alienating those customers.

    The United States’ mobile-marketing firm, TapSense, has planned to unveil the watch at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

    Apple declined to comment on the use of its watch by advertisers, and will not attend the show. But many companies that make devices and services around Apple products will be there, including those working with WatchKit, a software-development tool Apple released in November, which allows developers to build watch-tailored applications.

    With that tool, developers are devising Apple Watch ad formats, including interactive wallpapers, on the watch dial with brand logos and personalised clock faces, according to TapSense’s Chief Executive, Ash Kumar.

    His product helps developers to insert ads, bought and sold in those apps.

    The watch’s main screen allows the display of several tiny icons, including those for email, weather, time, and a few favourite service and retail apps.

    Businesses could use those apps to notify customers of special deals, but only within already-opened apps, Kumar said.

    Otherwise, the vendor risks annoying consumers by introducing an ad that is out of sync with whatever they are doing.

    If a consumer is using a transit app on the watch to monitor delays, for example, an advertiser could insert a marketing offer that would light up on the watch face for a ride-sharing service or a deal at a coffee shop nearby, Kumar said.

    But moderation is key. Push notifications and banner ads on smartphones can be turn-offs. Some marketers advise avoiding showing ads to users, who click out of them or delivering the same ad too many times to any one user.

    “If it feels like your smartwatch is turning into a spam box, you will take it off,” said Padden Guy Murphy, who heads business development and public policy at car-sharing service, Getaround.

    The startup is exploring, using Apple Watch’s location-based features to target new customers. Apple has not added global positioning on the Apple Watch, but apps can track location as the device is tethered to a smartphone.

    If a consumer shows interest in an ad, such as raising the wrist for a better look, WatchKit allows for notifications that expand and take up more room on the screen. Conversely, a disinterested consumer could tap an “X” mark to exit the ad, Kumar said.

    Communicating through buzzing or vibrations is only available on Apple’s own apps on its wearable device.

    Whether Apple scores a hit with its upcoming Apple Watch and creates a new mass-market category remains unclear. Venture capitalist, Fred Wilson, caused a stir last week by predicting that the watch “will not be the home run product that iPod, iPhone, and iPad have been.”

    But advertisers see potential. They, particularly, like a watch feature that Apple calls “Force Push” that activates when a user taps the screen with extra pressure, opening up a menu with up to four actions. They envision coupons that when tapped can show directions to a store, for example.

    Ad executives hope that the watch can overcome challenges that have prevented location-based ads from succeeding on mobile phones. Unlike on phones, users will not need to dig into a bag or pocket to see the ad. They will be right on a user’s wrist, in sight at all times, said Jeff Malmad, North American mobile director at media agency Mindshare.

    But to keep them effective, he added, consumers will need to opt for them, much as many consumers opt to receive email messages from various retailers.

  • Samsung, firm partner on smart homes for consumers

    Samsung, firm partner on smart homes for consumers

    In line with its vision of creating the ideal home environment where innovative technology meets cutting-edge design, Samsung Electronics West Africa has partnered with Home and You Interiors to showcase the future of interior decoration.

    The initiative is the first of its kind in Nigeria and underscores the partners’ commitment to delivering products that meet consumers’ needs while enhancing their passion for entertainment, cooking and maintaining beautiful homes. Similar partnerships between Samsung and other interior design companies across the country are slated for the months ahead.

    According to Samsung Electronics’ Director of Consumer Electronics, Mr. Sunil Kumar, the initiative aims to provide Nigerians with the opportunity of experiencing the integration of Samsung’s newest consumer appliances, including its curved ultra-high-definition televisions and digital appliances such as the newly launched WW9000 washing machine, with everyday lifestyles.

    “Our partnership with Home and You Interiors reinforces our continued commitment to offering homeowners the very best in innovative and stylish design. Through this channel, Nigerians can experience the elegant design and interoperability of Samsung’s latest consumer appliances in a tastefully-furnished home setting. The initiative will also enable our consumers elevate the look and design of their homes with a blend of quality furniture and consumer appliances towards making their living spaces more stylish, energy efficient and sustainable,” he said.

    Kumar urged Nigerians to visit Home and You Interiors’ showroom in Lekki, Lagos in order to interact firsthand with the companies’ lifestyle and technology innovations as well as obtain a deeper understanding of the partnering organisations’ commitment to creating a smarter life through quality design and innovative eco-friendly solutions. He added that Samsung will be furthering its commitment to promoting smart living by partnering with other interior designers in Nigeria’s residential market.

    On her part, Chief Executive Officer of Home and You Interiors, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, said “Since inception, our company has delivered top quality furniture, accessories and designs that create interiors that wow. Through this partnership with Samsung, our clients will get to see how effortlessly integrated technology solutions blend into our creative designs and ultimately enable them to enjoy style and optimal convenience at all times.”

    Samsung Electronics Co. Limited is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, the company is transforming the worlds of televisions, home appliances, LTE systems, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, semiconductors and LED solutions. The group employs 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

  • Smart and Trendy

    Smart and Trendy

    Looking smart and simple can be a delight. This outlook makes it easy for you to fit into any crowd without stress. There are a number of African designs in this category that you can opt for.

    It is better to pick something exclusive as well as an outfit that will be most appropriate for the event and your mood. They come in colourful combinations and it is important to make sure that what you settle for looks good on you.

  • WAMCO distributes Peak School Smart

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak, Three Crowns and Friso, is celebrating Christmas and the New Year with pupils across the country with Peak School Smart, a nourishing dairy-based product.

    As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the firm is giving out thousands of Peak School Smart products to schools, non-government organisation (NGO) and charity organisations to boost end-of-year activities and to ensure that children maximise the joy of the season.

    In a statement, the company’s spokeswoman, Ore Famurewa, affirmed that the gesture is part of the company’s “catch them young initiative” nationwide.

    She said: “We are aware that everyday children have so much to learn and they need to stay alert to keep learning.

    “Good nutrition is very important for a child’s brain to develop and function well, hence our recent launch of Peak School Smart, a delicious ready to drink flavoured UHT milk product specially formulated for school children.”