The Nation Newspaper

Tag: technology

  • Technology Global repositions for growth

    Technology Global Services Limited has expanded its product portfolio to meet the demand of its increasing customers and position itself for further growth.

    Chief Executive Officer, Technology Global Services Limited, Mr. Akin Oduwole, who unveiled a new logo for the company at a direct-to-garment and print academy business seminar in Abuja, said the company rebranded to further underscore its commitment to improved service delivery and compliance with eco-friendly environment.

    According to him, the rebranding marked another milestone in the history of the company as it expands its product portfolio to meet growing demand by customers and in line with the current economic realities.

    He assured that the company remained dedicated to ensuring the right equipment’s are procured for the intended jobs with an even stronger passion to ensuring that best standards are practised in the Nigerian printing industry.

    He said the rebranding pointed at the determination of the printing equipment sales and support company to continue to constantly explore the unending possibilities in the print industry.

    “Though we are print support provider, we believe in fresh ideas that will make the world a better place. More than ever, Technology Global is now passionate about an eco-friendly company that will not support any product which can bring about environment degradation,” Oduwole said.

  • Senator seeks partnership with Finland in agriculture, technology

    •Finland marks 99th Independence

    How to boost bilateral trade and relationship between Finland and Nigeria was the topic of discussion at an event marking the Finland’s 99th Independence anniversary. The low-key function, organised by members of Nigerian-Finnish Association, was held at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affair, Senator Babajide Omoworare wanted agriculture and technology transfer to be the focus of partnership between both countries.

    This, he said, would create value chain that would be of benefit to both counties.

    The lawmaker urged Finland to tap into the nation’s abundant human resources and use its advanced technology to create a market for Nigeria’s agricultural products.

    He said: “Agriculture and technology transfer are two key areas the two countries can build cooperation. These are the key sectors that would create value chain for both countries. We have abundant human resources in both sectors; this must be explored for our mutual benefit.”

    The Republic of Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, said the event was a demonstration of commitment of Nigerian businessmen to the improvement in trade between both countries, noting that business was at the heart of Finland’s partnership with Nigeria.

    Finland, she said, was the first country to identify with Nigeria after its independence from Britain in 1960, but said both countries needed to explore bilateral relationship for their mutual benefit.

    Mrs Suomela-Chowdhury said Nigeria-Finnish relations span several sectors of the economy, saying she was confident there would be more opportunities than the challenges in the improved cooperation between both countries. The envoy said the establishment of the Nigerian-Finish Association in 2002 led to improved partnership between both countries.

    She said: “Business is at the heart of partnership between Finland and Nigeria. There is much more opportunities and potential the both countries can explore for mutual benefit. I am confident the opportunities of our cooperation will far outweigh the challenges. Nigeria is too important for the Finnish companies to ignore in terms of investment. That is why we have seen many Finnish companies showing interest for the Nigerian market.”

    The diplomat said the Finland embassy remained committed to improving the trade relations between both countries, pledging continued partnership with the association with the aim to facilitate more business relationships among Nigerian and Finnish companies.

    She congratulated former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel for his election as president of Nigerian-Finnish Association.

    Daniel, in his keynote speech, said the business cooperation between Nigeria and Finland had grown in geometric proportion since the association was founded. He called on Finland to increase its education assistance to Nigeria, saying scholarship would boost trade agreement between both countries.

    Honorary Consul-General to Nigerian-Finnish Association, Dr Kola Akinroye, said more Nigerians had benefitted from the trade deal between both countries, noting that there has been increased export of Nigerian products to Finland.

    The anniversary featured art exhibition, which featured the photography and paintings of The Nation’s reporter and cartoonist, Evelyn Osagie and Muyiwa Adetula.

    The works were selected by Finland Embassy and exhibited at the country’s special day.

  • ‘PPP key to technology transfer’

    The Federal Government has been advised  to encourage greater Public–Private Partnership (PPP) so as to further boost the growth of technology skills transfer in the country.

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO), ISON Technologies, Rahul Srivasatav, who gave the advise yesterday Lagos, said if technology skills transfer is encouraged, it will lead to jobs created and the country will be better for it.

    He said: “What could expand skill base in the country is more public-private partnership (PPP) in  order to build and transfer specific skills.

    “At iSON Technologies, we are passionate about deploying tech services to our customers. Over the years, we have become the ‘go-to’ technology provider for different verticals spanning banking, government, healthcare, travel and hospitality.

    “It helps that we have a strong delivery center and ready access to unique technological skills, but also our constant search for improved service practices that can be utilised to better reach throughout our expanding customer base, is also a unique strength.

    Srivasatav said the firm is  excited about the future of technology, especially in a country like Nigeria, where technology inclusion is quite promising.

  • Aramex: We ‘ll transfer technology to Nigeria

    A leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, Aramex, said it will transfer technology, knowledge and funding to leapfrog Nigeria’s development through support to technology startups.

    Speaking with reporters on the sidelines during the relaunch of its operations in the country at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, its Chief Executive Officer, Hussein Hachem, expressed confidence in the ability of the economy to regain its place as Africa’s biggest and fastest growing economy despite the ongoing recession.

    He said: “Our decision to invest in the Nigerian economy, despite current challenges, is a demonstration of our support for the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy and make it once more attractive to global investors. We’re committed to offering solutions to help shape the logistics and transportation industry using technologies that will connect Nigeria with the rest of the world, ensuring safety of goods and prompt delivery. This is all part of our commitment to finding unique and innovative solutions that continually disrupt and transform the logistics and transportation industries, ultimately helping us maintain our market leadership.”

    Its Managing Director (Nigeria), Faisal Jarmakani, said: “Nigeria is a technologically advanced market with a growing economy and strong business environment. We are pleased to be operating within this space, collaborating and supporting the growing e-commerce and financial technology or fintech industries, with the support of NIPOST and other players. We will continue to leverage technology and innovative solutions to accelerate the growth of our business and enhance customer satisfaction.”

    Jarmakani said Aramex will also scale up the latest innovations being piloted in other operating environments in the market, as it remained a priority to provide the best service to clients.

    The event, which was attended by key stakeholders and influential members of the public, highlighted Aramex’s global vision and advancements being made through its operations in the country and throughout the world.

    The re-launch showcased the huge potential the market offers for small and medium-sized enterprises, micro businesses, start-ups, and innovators by highlighting unique growth prospects of the country and encouraging businesses to continue to show optimism in the ability of the economy to bounce back.

    Founded in 1982, Aramex has grown to become a global leader in comprehensive transportation and delivery solutions for businesses and consumers. Its global footprint is extensive and expanding rapidly, with business operations in over 552 major cities across 69 countries worldwide. Its core operations employ over 17,000 transportation professionals.

     

  • Agip makes case for indigenous technology

    Agip makes case for indigenous technology

    Oil major, the Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited has highlighted the need to develop indigenous technology to drive the oil and gas industry to boost local content.

    As part of measure to achieve the objective, the company said it is partnering with about 120 indigenous tTechnology companies in the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State to showcase “their capacities and capabilities development”.

    Its Vice Chairman/Managing Director, Massimo Insulla, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the company’s Indigenous Technology Forum and Exhibition for its deep offshore indigenous contractors held at the New Concorde Hotels, Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday, said the company recently organised training programme for 90 contractors in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, another training for 60 in the same category on Succession Planning in Asaba, Delta State, among others.

    He said about 360 had been trained by the firm under its Vendors Development Programme, and 250, under the Vendors Upgrade Awareness, and 120, in Vendors Exhibition, Gas Closure and Opportunities Engagement and provision of electricity to the Oguta Oil and Gas Park.

  • Ogun Health Technology college recounts success, challenges at 40

    The first state-owned tertiary institution in Ogun State, the College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, which opened its gate to 41 pioneer students in 1976, turned 40 penultimate Monday.

    Its Provost, Dr Abiodun Oladunjoye, at a briefing at the institution’s campus, unveiled activities to mark the anniversary scheduled to end on November 17.

    Oladunjoye, an expert in Environmental Healthcare Management, said the institution, which began with two programmes at inception, has not only grown into a full-fledged institution, but also runs 11 programmes approved by the National Board for Technical Education(NBTE) at Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels.

    He added that the Pharmacy programme had been accredited by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).

    He listed paucity of funds, limited carrying capacity as prescribed by various professional boards and Council, and unilateral increase in fees  by some professional bodies in healthcare as the challenges facing the college.

    Praising the government for its support to the college, Abiodun appealed for more assistance from the government and the private sector to enable it meet its core mandate.

     

  • US, France, UK, Canada assisting with technology to track Chibok girls—Minister

    US, France, UK, Canada assisting with technology to track Chibok girls—Minister

    Nigeria has been receiving technological assistance from the United States of America (USA), United kingdom (UK) France and Canada, among others, in tracking the location of the abducted Chibok girls, Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said yesterday.

    Mohammed, who was responding to questions from newsmen after detailing efforts by the federal government to have the girls released from the  Boko Haram captivity  said the military’s containment of the terror sect  was being under celebrated in this country.

    He said:  “You know if the matter were that simple, it would have been resolved a long time ago. Let me start like this, you find out that in my address I said that many friendly countries have availed us of their technological and material resources and I am talking about advanced countries like US, UK, France, Canada, so it is not really as simple as you have said.

    “I will tell you this, when they say Sambisa Forest, what do you think it is Sambisa Forest. It is about 300 kilometres stretch; you know this is not Jabi Lake or Jabi Park. And in some of these areas we can’t even fly any helicopter because of the  density of  the forest.

    “More importantly, even if you identify the location of the girls, you will not want to open fire on them. And we know from all intelligence that these girls are kept in several places. If you attack one place where they are being kept, they may slaughter the others.”

    The minister insisted that the military was winning the war against Boko Haram.

    He added: “As for the efforts of winning the war, I think I have had occasions to say that the success of Nigerian military in winning this war of terrorism is rather under celebrated in this country.

    “I think those who live in the North East appreciated better what the government has achieved in the North East in the last couple of months.

    “Before now, nobody could travel to Maiduguri, Damaturu, Konduga, or Gwoza. Today, because we have liberated those areas, everybody can go there. Before we came, 14 out of the 20 local government areas of Borno alone were under the sovereignty of Boko Haram, but today not one single local government area is under their sovereignty.

    “Before now, it was with regularity that Boko Haram struck; now they have been dismantled, they have been decapitated, and all they do now is probably marauding.

    “Now, there are three ways by which insurgency might end, it is either insurgents overrun the government, and instill their own government; you know where it happened in many places in the world. Or both sides will be weary of war and sign a peace agreement. You saw what happened in Colombia recently.

    “Or the very rare case, where the government will wipe out insurgency and this is what is happening in Nigeria. So I think we must give that credit to Nigeria, to this administration for being able to deal decisively with Boko Haram insurgency.”

    On the activities of Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), the minister said the group had legal right to protest within the ambit of the law.

    He said the group comprises intelligent people and the IGP warning to BBOG was only meant to protect security within the precincts of the Presidential Villa, but not to denigrate the campaigners.

    He said it was wrong to allege that the government had used and dumped the BBOG leaders.

    He said: “Now as to your question of using BBOG and dropping them, I think this is extremely, extremely unfair allegation. The BBOG, those people involved are Nigerians and many of them voluntarily joined BBOG, some of them were in PDP, some of them in APC, it was their choice.

    “Does it mean the fact that because one of them who was far more political, who was also involved in BBOG, has been given an appointment, we have now picked some and dropped some?

    “I don’t think so and we did not use anybody and dump anybody. Absolutely, it is not correct. I think it is an unfair way to look at the episode unfolding.  And you see they are very intelligent people.

    “From my understanding, the IGP was more concerned about securing the Villa. Every Nigerian has the right to protest under the ambit of the law.”

    Mohammed pleaded for understanding on the case of Chibok girls because hostage-taking and liberation require much time.

    He said: “In 1978 when Iranian students  held some Americans hostage in the embassy, how long did it take for the negotiation and for the release? In that situation, they were kept within the embassy of the US in Tehran.

    “These girls were kidnapped in April 2014; we didn’t come in until May 2015, one full year after which the trail had gone very, very cold.

    “We are not trading blame, but we are saying that is it really, morally right for you not to appreciate the efforts we have made, between 2015 and today when there is no absolute record of any effort that was made for a whole one year?

    “And please you must understand that you are dealing with the lives of very young girls. Within one year, terrorists had the opportunity of hiding them anywhere in the world.

    “We tell you here that these were the efforts we have made in 2015; these are the ones we have made in 2016. And, of course, I will not be here and tell you precisely what we have done in 2016, because that will jeopardize investigations. As I speak to you, of course, they are also listening, they read newspapers.

    “On the issue of credible people, of course, you follow every lead, but you make sure that you know who you are dealing with. Like I said in my preamble, some of the lists we got were credible and some were not so credible and some were completely out of track.

    “And you see when you are in this type of situation, trying to release hostages, it is not like the Olympic Games where you can tell them that you have won one gold today and another one tomorrow, anybody can watch it. It is extremely, extremely covert operations.”

     

  • Zenith Bank drives mobile banking with technology

    Zenith Bank drives mobile banking with technology

    Zenith Bank Plc is one of the banks that see mobile banking as a viable means of meeting customers’ needs and creating seamless transactions. Its Eazybanking platform and other products have been developed to take banking to more people across variuos market segments in support of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) cashless policy and enhance financial inclusion, writes SIMEON EBULU.

    At Zenith Bank Plc, developing the right e-payment products and services remain a priority. The lender knows that e-payment is where the future lies and is committed to new product development to ensure that banking needs of its customers are met.

    Zenith Bank is aware of the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, which showed that one billion people globally, or one in seven people on the planet, had used their phones to perform at least, one banking transaction as at the end of last year.

    The research authority projects the figure to grow to two billion by 2020, representing 37 per cent of the global adult population. As internet penetration continues to deepen in Africa, the use of mobile phones as the new and preferred banking channel is expected to take the centre-stage.

    Already, almost all banks in the leading countries on the continent have published mobile apps that enable a myriad of transactions such as bills payment, funds transfers, travel bookings and lots more.

    In Nigeria, banks have taken it a bit further by unveiling USSD banking (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) to ensure that the populace that presently do not own smart phones are not cut off and suffer financial exclusion.

    The USSD is a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication technology used to send texts between a mobile phone and an application program in the owner network.

    Zenith Bank Plc is a major promoter of this channel, with the bank betting that its *966#USSD banking solution will help drive the nation’s financial integration programme being championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Zenith Bank’s *966# USSD banking solution is themed the ‘Easy Way to Bank’ and the solution embodies every word in that statement by enabling people perform financial transactions on all known mobile phones (Feature, Smartlite or Smart), without having to go on the Net or download a mobile app. A statement from the bank explained that to open a Zenith Bank account, people only need to dial *966*0# and follow the prompts.

    “An account number is automatically generated for the customer and they can start running the account after a short visit to any of the bank’s branches. To perform transactions with the solution, the bank’s customers are required to perform a one-time registration by dialing *966*00# and following the prompts,” it said.

    After registering, customers can easily carry out a myriad of banking activities 24/7, such as account balance enquiries; airtime purchase, funds transfer among others. The transactions can only be performed from the phone number registered against a customer’s account with Zenith Bank and require a four-digit Personal Identification Number for transaction authentication.

     Eazybanking

    Interestingly,  Eazybanking by Zenith Bank is a convenient, fast, secure, and affordable way to access one’s bank account 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the mobile phone without internet connectivity. It is a session- oriented service unlike SMS which is a store and forward based service. This service is available to all individual account holders (except ZECA and Premium account holders) with any phone that runs on the GSM platform.

    According to the bank, Eazybanking is different from other technologies as it provides an interactive browsing experience, its available on all GSM handsets, it has an in built USSD encryption and “no store just forward” facility for performing secure transactions and ensures faster service, as network latency is low.

    In terms of security, Eazybanking platform is very safe as it has various levels of authorisation that ensures that one’s banking transactions and information remains private. Verification using Debit card (MasterCard, Visa and Verve) PAN and PIN to authorise transaction and BVN. The  service can only be accessed from the number registered with the bank for transactions notification (Alertz).

    The product is available to all Zenith bank individual customers. Target customers are low income earners with non- feature phones who should have a Zenith Bank account, GSM phone and alertz number. The customer is expected to simply dial *966*00# with one’s Alert Z number.

    This will be subsequently followed by the four digits of your debit card number. Then the next page will display customer account name and will be prompted to create a four digit PIN, which will be confirmed.

    The product has a cumulative transfer limit of N100,000 daily and cumulative transaction limit on airtime top-up is N3, 000.00.  Balance enquiry, funds transfer, airtime top up, bills payment and account opening are some of the functions performed through the platform.

    Equally, for balance enquiry, customers are to dial   *966*00# with the short code sent using the alertZ number which must be a GSM phone. For first time service, you will be prompted to register by entering the last four digits of your Debit Card (MasterCard or Visa) or Bank Verification Number, create four digit PIN, confirm PIN. You will see a message “Retrieving balance. You will receive an SMS shortly. The customer then gets an SMS with balances on his account,” the bank said.

    The lender also explained that during transfers, customers are to dial *966*amount*account number#. “Then select beneficiary bank by entering the corresponding number, followed by a confirmation page will be displayed showing beneficiary name, bank and the amount. You will be prompted to enter your 4 digit PIN. If successful, the following message will be displayed “You have successfully transferred “amount” to “beneficiary account no”. Your new balance is “amount,” it said.

    For airtime top up, the customer dials *966*amount*mobile number#, which is followed by selecting a network to which the number belongs by entering the corresponding number. After selection, a confirmation page will be displayed showing mobile number and the amount. Enter your four digit PIN to confirm. If successful, the following message will be displayed: You have successfully purchased airtime of “amount” for “mobile number”

    During account opening, the customer is to dial *966*0#. “You will be asked for your first and last name, create four digit PIN, confirm PIN. If successful, you will get a message thanking you for choosing Zenith bank. An SMS will be sent immediately with your new account number,” it added.

      Mobile banking dynamics

    Zenith Bank Plc launched the *966# Eazybanking solution, into the Nigerian market to enable it complement the CBN’s effort to build a cashless economy and enhance financial inclusion.

    The USSD banking solution enables people to perform financial transactions on all known mobile phones (Feature, Smartlite or Smart), without having to go on the net or download a mobile app.

    The lender said the simple solution allows mobile phone users buy airtime, transfer money, pay bills, check their account balance and even open a Zenith Bank account, anytime and anywhere.

    It positions the bank for future growth as internet penetration continues to deepen in Africa and the use of mobile phones becomes the new and preferred banking channel.

    The USSD banking solution will complement the Zenith Mobile Banking application, already well accepted among its discerning customers. “Customers register by dialing *966# from their registered mobile numbers and following a simple set-up as prompted by a string of instructions after which they can easily carry out banking activities anytime, anywhere, from the comfort of their mobile phones,” it said.

    To open a Zenith Bank account, potential customers are required to dial *966*0# and follow the prompts, following which an account number is automatically generated for the customer and they can start running the account after a short visit to any of the bank’s branches.

    The introduction of this banking solution will further enhance the lender’s reputation and excite its stakeholders. The commitment that Zenith Banking brings to electronic payment has earned it several awards from the stakeholders who continue to see the lender as a leader in the e-payment space.

     CBN’s endorsement

    Zenith Bank Plc, established in May 1990, is today recognised as one of the most innovative financial institutions in the country.

    Speaking at the maiden edition of the Electronic Payment Financial Incentives Scheme (EFIS) Efficiency Award, the CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Suleiman Barau, said mobile money is where the future of banking lies. He praised the performance of Zenith Bank Plc at the award, adding that the lender has done exceptionally well in the e-payment space.  Zenith Bank won in the Cashless Bulk Payment Award and Point of Sale (PoS) Transaction Acquirer categories among others.

  • Chesney: Using technology to enhance customers’ experience

    Chesney: Using technology to enhance customers’ experience

    The owner of Chesney Hotels Lagos, Mr Ken Obinna, has said the hotel “is using modern technology to enhance customers’ experience and in the process, its customers have been taken to a new level of experience”.

    According to him, the use of technology to enhance costumers’ experience is noteworthy, and this shows   from the gate, where cars are checked with an inspection mirror, through the revolving doors, to the lounge where separate buttons indicate what particular service you want from the barman, and the ultra-modern elevator as well as the air purifiers on every floor.

    The  rooms , he said,  come in nice brown shades, with the touch of deep red. The décor also draws inspiration from different African cultures. On the walls in the passages can be found pictures and paintings of various heros, from Martin Luther to Barack Obama and Lionel Messi.

    The lampshades by the bed are both aesthetic and functional, with the light switch conveniently placed on the board above the bed.

    Other pluses include a wide range of channels, seamless power switch over, competitive pricing for drinks and superfast room service. Apparently, Chesney places a lot of importance on quality as well as the speed of delivery of food.

    According to the hotel’s business service manager, MalvinOkorafor, Chesney has kept pulling in new guests with food. “Everything here is made fresh, despite meals being delivered in no time,”he said.

    The a-la-carte menu options include English or Nigerian breakfast, beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian, burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Then there’s the special Nigerian menu which includes ofada rice, boli (roasted plantain), asaro (yam porridge, beans porridge, dundu (parboiled fried yam) and the full complement of Nigerian soups (efo riro, egusi, ogbono, afang, bitter leaf, oha and white soup).

    According to Okorafor, most of the hotel’s guests are corporate clients. This is by design; the hotel’s calm setting is ideal for businesspeople. For example, there are no live bands or themed nights and music is low whenever it’s played.

    He said the hotel  has ultra-modern conferencing facilities for meetings and presentations. This and the management’s flexibility and personalised service ensure it is rapidly becoming a favourite for discerning corporate guests and individuals with cherished world-class quality in a peaceful environment.

    The synthetic grass at the Chesney garden that leads to the crystal clear swimming pool is just one of the many attributes that show what the Chesney Hotel on Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, is all about.

    The 50-room hotel is one of the modern hotels in Lagos giving international brands a run for their money. As many insiders in the tourism and hospitality industry know, Lagos has some catching up to do when it comes to offering international standard hotel rooms which  apart from costs incurred from generating their own power  is a major reason for the high prices hotel rooms command.

  • Agric institute launches technology to boost production

    The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) has launched the Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) technologies to boost crop production and improve farmers’ livelihood.

    The Executive Director, IAR&T, Prof Jams Adediran while launching the project in Ibadan for the Southwest, Southsouth Soil Health Consortium, said the decline in sol fertility in the Southwest and in Nigeria as a whole has resulted to poverty.

    According to him, the present methods have limitation that  cannot support sustainable crop production.

    “There is need for a paradigm shift from conventional methods to adopted proven technologies using integrated approach. ISFM is a set of soil fertility management practices that necessarily include the use of fertiliser, organic imputs and improved germplasm combined with the knowledge on how to adapt these practices to local conditions, aiming at optimising agronomic use efficiency of the applied nutrients and improving crop productivity.