Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 series: Konga kicks off exclusive pre-orders with ₦1m bonus offer - ITREALMS

Global technology leader Samsung has launched its most advanced foldable smartphone lineup yet; comprising the flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8; setting a new benchmark for premium mobile innovation, hardware engineering, and artificial intelligence in Africa's largest smartphone market, reports ITREALMS.

Coinciding with the nationwide rollout, Nigerian e-commerce giant Konga has opened official pre-orders across its digital platform and retail network. To mark the launch, early subscribers purchasing through Samsung's official store on Konga stand a chance to receive exclusive Samsung gift bundles valued at up to ₦1 million, making it one of the most rewarding mobile launch offers of the year.

Deltans fume over Ossai's ₦500k job offer to Comfort Emmanson - ITREALMS

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Deltans are reacting strongly to Ossai Ovie Success's offer to Comfort Emmanson, a job with a monthly salary of ₦500,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Delta State, reports ITREALMS.

Ossai, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, made the offer after Emmanson's release from Kirikiri Prison, on Wednesday, where she was held following an altercation with Ibom Air staff.

AfriTECH 4.0: Kashifu says Blockchain, AI offer Africa unprecedented opportunities - ITREALMS

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The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has highlighted the transformative potential of blockchain and AI in positioning Africa as a global technology leader.

In his keynote address, titled "Blockchain Technology & AI: Positioning Africa for the Future," and delivered at the Africa Tech Alliance (AfriTECH 4.0) Forum held in Lagos recently, Abdullahi emphasized Africa's unique position to leverage these technologies for economic and social development.

College of Aviation Technology to offer MassComm for personnel, as AIMAN commends members - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) has concluded plans to commence offering of Mass Communication courses to address shortage in aviation personnel in this specialised area, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as the president of Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN), Sir Williams Ngerem has commended members for their unalloyed support of his leadership and progress made.

Afreximbank, Sterling Bank partner, offer supply chain finance in Nigeria - ITREALMS

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The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has partnered with Sterling Bank to introduce the innovative supply chain finance product ‘Payables Finance’ in Nigeria. 

This product, branded as ‘Afreximbank Tradelink,’ is one of Afreximbank’s digital offerings under the umbrella of the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG). 

Africanlaw set to offer global market direct access to Africa lawyers - ITREALMS

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Across the vast and diverse continent of Africa, billions of dollars in trade related transactions are registered year on year, coupled with a host of interactions that require the support of legal bodies to ensure local and international laws are adhered to. 

AfricanLaw, co-founded by seasoned and passionate Intellectual Property law and innovation practitioner Simbarashe Makahamadze, is gearing up to participate at Web Summit Qatar 2024 from the 26th-29th of February 2024, joining thousands of international entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in highlighting the future of tech in solving some of the globe’s most complex connectivity challenges.

Konga, Access Bank partner, offer 50% discount to shoppers - ITREALMS

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Access Bank has partnered with Konga, Nigeria's leading e-commerce platform, in a groundbreaking move set to revolutionise the shopping experience for customers. 

Through this collaboration, Konga shoppers will enjoy a massive 50% discount off their cart value, capped at N5000 when they use their Access bank cards for each purchase.

Akosionu: @inq.Digital, we offer technology-as-a-service - ITREALMS

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Leading-edge solutions provider, ing.Digital Nigeria, has said that its service offering entails letting its customers and partners through the entire value chain of technology, from connectivity, which is a bedrock of technology, all the way down to software.

Speaking at the Africa Tech Alliance (AfriTECH 3.0) Forum held on Wednesday at The Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Mr. Ifeanyi Akosionu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of inq.Digital Nigeria said the digital service provider offers services from the Internet to broadband connectivity, enabling its customers to connect to their applications and last-mile customers.

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SYNLAB, Classic FM, others offer free medicals - ITREALMS

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Synlab, formerly PathCare Laboratories, in partnership with Classic FM and more than 20 other medical and non-medical care providers in Nigeria, came together for the 2018 Doctors-On-Air Medical Mission program which took place at the Bariga LCDA in Lagos State, reports ITREALMS.

The exercise which took place on on Saturday, 13 October, saw residents being checked, tested, treated and where necessary, referred for further medical attention, all for free.

Doctors on Air is a weekly health program focused on preventive healthcare, it airs every Wednesday at 8am on Classic FM and 8.40am on Naija FM. One of the important tenets of DOA is to encourage the populace to Know their Numbers, by having routine check ups to keep healthy. Whilst most people can go to SYNLAB to have these wellness checks qualitatively done, there are some people who cannot afford it. The Chief Host, Dr Pamela Ajayi, emphasised the importance of knowing your numbers through the weekly program by creating awareness around diseases, prevention and treatment. The annual Medical Mission is designed to make medical services accessible to communities who cannot ordinarily afford private healthcare services. 

The mission was set up initially to provide these services but has expanded to provide qualitative services offered by the specialist consultants who come on the program, for example the ophthalmologists provided free glasses and used latest technology for glaucoma checks, cardiologists used specialised equipment for the heart screening such as ECGs and echocardiogram, other screening done were breast, cervical and prostate cancer. Deworming for adults and children was done, along with special dental care and health talks on various topics. Doctors on Air is sponsored by SYNLAB.

It is estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians have benefited from the annual Doctors on Air Medical Mission over the past 7 years. Among the beneficiaries of the 2018 event were children, teenagers, adults and the elderly including Mama Misirat Bello and Mama Lambo Rafatu, both in their 80s. They were full of praise for the program which offered them high quality healthcare with referral for further care afterwards, all free of charge. Mrs. Abosede Amos whose son, Daniel Amos, was examined and treated for eye defects was one happy mother who commended and praised SYNLAB and its partners for the laudable program.

The Chairman of the Bariga Local Community Development Area (LCDA), Barr. Kolade Alabi, addressed members of the community at the venue encouraging them to make the most of the opportunity that the program presented. "We had promised that if elected, we would focus on programs that are mass inclined and help the individuals in the community live better lives”. 

Executive chairman of Bariga LCDA said that we have a saying in the LCDA that goes: 'my Bariga, my Pride'. But that saying is only meaningful when we are healthy. The administration is currently working on putting in place quality housing and infrastructure and quality healthcare and well-equipped primary healthcare centres. 

What SYNLAB is doing today is completely in line with our plans and we are looking forward to more collaborations like this, as people need good health for them to enjoy the infrastructure and economic growth being planned and executed by the government.

SYNLAB and the community of Bariga LCDA took turns to acknowledge and appreciate the support and contributions of the key sponsors of the 2018 Doctors-On-Air medical mission – Classic FM, Naija FM, Bridge Clinic, Leadway Assurance, Chike Okoli Foundation, The Eye Doctors Clinic, SKKY Dental Clinic, Paelon Memorial Hospital, Lakeshore Cancer Center, Optimal Cancer Center, Nigerian Association of Dermatologist, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State Blood Transfusion, Smile 360 Dental Services, Health Plus, Reals Pharmaceuticals, Dara Foundation, Renaissance Medical Center, Medplus Healthcare, Ultimate Eye Clinic, Metro Eyes Nigeria, Sight City, Men’s Clinic, Euracare Medical Center, Choice Dental Clinic, May and Baker, Mopheth Pharmaceuticals, Zolon Healthcare, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, JNC International, Maryland Rotary Club, Bariga LCDA, MTV Shuga in partnership with the Society for Family Health and Oceanic Health.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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2018 Convention: Jehovah’s Witnesses kick off, offer tips on surmounting challenges - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

This year’s Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, focusing on how to face contemporary challenges with courage, holds in 34 different locations across Nigeria from August to December. The convention, which has as theme, “Be Courageous!” will be held almost every weekend from Friday, August 3, to Sunday, December 23, report ITRealms.

A statement signed by George Ijeh, a spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said that the convention will help attendees to face with God-given courage the daunting challenges individuals, families and the society at large face today. 

“When you look at the news today, you can clearly see that people of all ages are dealing with more anxieties and fears than ever before. It takes courage to face these pressures. We welcome everyone to this year’s convention to benefit from the practical advice that’s contained in the Bible,” Ijeh said.

He explained that the three-day programme consists of 54 presentations that will include talks, audio dramas, interviews, and short videos. 

Highlights, according to the statement, include the baptism, on Saturday morning, of new members who have completed a Bible Study programme, and a Public Discourse on Sunday morning, on the theme, “The Resurrection Hope Imparts Courage​—How?” Additionally, a feature film entitled The Story of Jonah—A Lesson in Courage and Mercy will be shown on the final day of the convention programme.

“In all, there will be 308 conventions in Nigeria. The programme commences 8:20 a.m. each day of the convention, closing at 3:50 p.m., except on Sunday, when it closes at 2:45 p.m. The convention begins in the Lagos-Ogun area from August 31 and will hold at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located along Idiroko Road, Ota; Daluwon along Mowe-Ofada Road; Lekki and Badagry,” Ijeh said.

He disclosed that “For the benefit of all, the progamme will be presented in English, French, American Sign Language (ASL), and more than 20 indigenous Nigerian languages, including Igbo, Esan, Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, Efik, Gun, Hausa, Tiv, Idoma, Isoko, Urhobo and Ijaw, among others.”

The statement invited everyone to attend, assuring that “there is no admission fee and no collection will be taken.”

Apart from Nigeria, the conventions are being held at venues in about 180 different lands. The date and location for each convention can be found on the Witnesses’ official website, jw.org.

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Kampala joins smart African cities to offer Uber

ITRealms:

The city of Kampala, Uganda joined Uber’s growing African network (www.Uber.com). With the launch of Uber, the innovative technology platform, Kampala joins the list of smart transportation hubs in Africa, reports ITRealms.

This, ITRealms gathered, follows the success of Uber in many other growing cities, as Uber launched its ride-sharing platform to the people of Kampala.

ITRealms also reports that Uber provides a platform to connect drivers with riders in real time, at the touch of a button. Whether you’re going to work or going out with friends, Uber provides an affordable, safe and reliable way to get across the city. Kampala is a growing city in the heart of Uganda, a country with a fast-growing economy.

The World Bank forecasts that the Ugandan economy is growing at a positive and upward trajectory. This is owing to targeting development of Uganda’s infrastructure and intensified investment in the private sector. The World Bank also notes that Uganda is one of the world’s youngest populations, with 700,000 new people entering the workforce each year. 

With its people, energy, innovation, entrepreneurial and rapidly growing economy, Kampala is an exciting place for Uber to bring its services.

General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa, Alon Lits, says, “We’re really excited to be launching Uber in Kampala, a world-class African city. We are inspired by the city’s rapidly developing infrastructure and spirit of entrepreneurship and look forward to giving people in the city an affordable, easy and flexible choice to move around the city safely and reliably.”

“At Uber, we are proud to connect millions of global citizens every to affordable and reliable rides. By offering a friendly and reliable complement to existing transport options, we can help improve urban mobility in Kampala. We are mindful of the city’s current traffic congestion, and we aim to be part of the solution in improving it, while creating new, fruitful opportunities for drivers. Ultimately, we hope to reduce the strain on the city’s roads, and minimise the environmental impact of traffic congestion that is part of a growing economy,” Lits said.

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Airtel, Facebook offer Nigerians free basic internet access

ITRealms:

The Bharti Airtel Africa, a leading telecommunications service provider with operations in 17 countries across Africa, today in Lagos, unveiled free basic Internet access on Facebook, reports ITRealms.

Chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said that with an Airtel mobile connection, Nigerians telecom consumers now could access services available through Free Basics without paying extra for data charges or rental.

He also said that that basic internet service provides mobile websites and services for free to people around across the country demonstrating the value the internet could provide.

With this launch, he said, Nigeria now has over 85 free services dedicated to health, education, jobs, and finance.  Stressing that till date, Facebook estimates that its connectivity efforts, which include basic internet access have brought over 25 million people online and has been launched in over 20 other African countries.

Airtel Africa will also be offering Facebook Flex in Nigeria, which allows people to access a version of Facebook without data charges. This initiative is part of Facebook’s commitment to bringing people online and reducing affordability barriers.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our nation’s drive towards deepening digital connectivity and enhancing mobile broadband access for millions of Nigerians in line with the key objective of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NBBP). It is our belief that this partnership, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will create a plethora of opportunities for millions of Nigerians, empowering them to connect to their dreams, realize their full potentials, and succeed in their professional and personal endeavours,” Ogunsanya said.

In addition, MD and CEO of Airtel Africa, Christian de Faria, said, they are pleased to take this big step forward in partnership with Facebook, bringing more people online in Africa’s most populous country and helping to further narrow the digital divide.

“This builds on our vision of using our widespread 3G network to help improve lives and communities by empowering them with access to digital content and services that are tailored to their needs” de Faria said.

Airtel Africa has worked with Facebook since 2014 in enhancing accessibility to the internet in an affordable manner through the launch of Free Basics in Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Seychelles and Rwanda. With the launch of Free Basics in Nigeria, millions more people will have the ability to access basic services.

Chris Daniels, Vice President of Internet.org at Facebook, said: “Bharti Airtel Africa has been an important partner in bringing connectivity and access to people across Africa. Our partnership has played a key role in helping bring digital content and services to people and communities in growing countries.”

In his remarks, Ime Archibong, Director of Global Product Partnerships at Facebook, said they have spent time with the developer community in Nigeria to understand how they could help people build and create for their communities, and by bringing basic access to Nigeria which they hope to provide another platform for developers to bring relevant services to people free of charge.

“At launch, we have more than 85 services included in Free Basics and hope to spur more development to bring relevant, basic services to Nigerians,” he said stressing they believe that local entrepreneurs and developers will be the ones to meet the needs of their immediate community.

Facebook, he said, is working with developers to know how best to support them in doing so.

“Together, Facebook and the developer, entrepreneur and non-profit communities in Africa can still do so much more, and we will continue to invest in technology and partnerships to help people realize the benefits of connectivity,” Archibong said.

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Pix: L-R, CEO Airtel Segun Ogunsanya; Head of Policy for Facebook in Africa, Ebele Okobi; Global Director Product Partnerships, Facebook, Ime Archibong and Global Director Operator Partnerships, Markku Makelainen, also of Facebook, at the launch of Free Basic Services by Airtel Nigeria in partnership with Facebook, held at Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday.

Signal Alliance, Microsoft partner NIA on cloud adoption

ITRealms:

Signal Alliance and Microsoft Nigeria are collaborating with the Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA) to promote cloud technology adoption and information Technology (IT)-driven insurance solutions for the robust development, with limited free usage offer, reports ITRealms.

In a recent joint workshop with NIA, ITRealms gathered the parties agreed to develop technology solutions that will enhance the practice of Insurance in the country as it was attended by some big players including participants from NEM Insurance, IEI, FBN Insurance, and Cornerstone Insurance among others.

Speaking on the workshop, Signal Alliance (SA) Enterprise Solutions Development Lead, Mr Anthony Nwankwo said their  vast knowledge in deploying technology in the Nigeria financial services sector and global experience of SA partner Microsoft have been made available to enable this sector operate more efficiently.

“Thereby giving workers and customers a whole new experience,” he said.

Nwankwo also said the fact that Cloud is the way to go for the insurance companies because it will enable them to achieve economies of scale – increase volume output or productivity with fewer people; Reduce spending on technology infrastructure through pay-as-you-go model (weekly, quarterly or yearly).

In addition, he said cloud offers insurance companies options to streamline  their processes and enable them to get more work done in less time with less people; Capital cost reduction. They don’t need to spend additional money on hardware, software or licensing fees; Mobility and Improve accessibility. It will enable their workers to have access anytime, anywhere; Keep to budget and monitor projects more effectively; and Minimize licensing new software. Stretch and grow without the need to buy expensive software licenses or programs.

For Audu Dunni Oladokun, NIA Chairman Education Sub-Committee, “The knowledge shared at this roundtable has shown us how trending technologies can transform insurance businesses in Nigeria.”

The forum noted that there was need to automate the process of design and approval by incorporating secured digital signatures in a holistic manner that will ensure speed, convenience and mobile access.

 Ola Williams of Microsoft expressed Microsoft readiness through Signal Alliance to see to the success of the effort of any insurance company that wants to fast track cloud technology adoption in a bid to be more productive and efficient in their operations.

At the roundtable, various technologies and solutions for insurance business were discussed. It includes; Customer Relationship Management, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Cloud Computing, Mobility, Software development and Unified Communications.

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Pix: Mrs Adanma Onuegbu, CEO of Signal Alliance

iStore Nigeria offers iPad mini on Facebook promo

ITRealms:

iStore Nigeria has commenced a weekly four-week promo with an iPad mini for grab as prize.

ITRealms gathers that the four-week offer would be facilitated with the posting of weekly accessories specials that are available at iStore.

“All you need to do, in order to stand a chance to win the iPad mini is just like each post,” official Facebook page of iStore Nigeria.

Equally, the winner of the iPad mini, ITRealms gathered would be chosen randomly from all the likes received on all the accessories posts.

According to our sources, this promo was introduced in order to enable iPad users especially those using the mini to add colour to their device, iStore Nigeria is offering an incase Maki jacket for iPad mini for N6,000 to save N1,500.

"One lucky reader will be chosen at the end of the 4 weeks and an iPad mini will be awarded as a prize," an official reiterated.

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