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NCS Makes Case for Digital Inclusion, Announces Date for National Conference

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Professor Adesola Aderounmu, President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has underscored the need for Digital Inclusion in Nigeria.

Aderounmu, expressed this at a press conference to announce its 27th National Conference scheduled to hold at International Conference Centre University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th July, 2018, with the theme “Digital Inclusion: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies”.

Aderounmu stated, “In line with our emphasis on innovation we will be adopting various approaches through this most unique gathering of IT academia, industry and thought leaders to address challenges and highlight opportunities related to building a digital, prosperous and INCLUSIVE Nigeria that leverages on information technology to achieve Sustainable Development”.

According to him, “NCS is preparing for the best ever conference and has assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experience on the theme and sub themes.

“Their experiences and expert opinions will be of immense benefit to attendees.”

He noted that, the conference will focus on important issues related to the theme and sub themes such as: Poverty Eradication and Job Creation in the rural Economy. Internet and Broadband for All, e-agriculture, e-health, e-education for inclusion: Software and Local Content.

Other sub-themes include, Digital Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Tech Startup, SME and Youth Enterpreneurship. E-Voting and Election Management. New Technologies for Economic Growth and Diversification. Digital Literacy, Knowledge Culture and Human Capital Development. Policy and Regulatory Framework. E-government, Citizen Engagement and Open Government. Fintech, e-Commerce and Financial Inclusion. Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Innovative Collaboration and partnership. Cyber security: Awareness, Threat, Protection and Digital Rights. Innovation for the Elderly, Internally Displaced Persons and the Vulnerable.

Aderounmu said “the strategic and transformatory role of IT in the economy and society is well recognized.

“In the fast paced digital era, there is a need for strategic actions and innovative practices to ensure the nation is competitive, engaged and prosperous.
“The opportunities tech creates for employment generation, efficient and accountable governance, wealth creation and social development cannot be underestimated.

“NCS cautions that as we invest in technology, we must not widen existing divides in society.

“The sustainability of our efforts requires inclusion.

“The excluded, the vulnerable, the rural populace all need to be part of the digital revolution for Nigeria to fulfill its immense potential.

“For example, can we really have e-government if the majority of citizens lack access to digital infrastructure and fall short in terms of required digital skills?

“Through this conference, NCS and its members will again seize the initiative and play a major role setting the National Digital Inclusion Agenda.

“The multi-stakeholder forum will highlight challenges, opportunities and strategies.

“Networking avenues will be provided to share innovative ideas and research possibilities, examine existing interventions and create new initiatives and practical projects.”

According to Aderounmu, the conference comprises plenary, parallel and technical sessions, networking meetings, panel discussions and special focus forums.

He stated that highlights include: Plenary and Parallel Sessions, Technical Sessions, Seminars, Research Consortium, Induction of New Members, Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform, Exhibition and Products Launch, Social Media Masterclass, Mentor-Mentee forum, NITDA session, National IT Competitions, Fellows’ Forum and Annual General Meeting.

High profile dignitaries are expected to grace the event from government, private and educational sectors, as well as from the international and global IT environment, and they include President Mohammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria as the Guest of Honour, while Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu and Director General of NITDA will be in attendance.

Aderounmu, expressed that the highlight of this year’s conference is the NCS President Award for Distinguished personalities in IT industry with outstanding Contribution to the growth of IT in Nigeria.

Notable dignitaries to be honoured and recognized are: Governor of Oyo State – Senator Abiola Ajimobi and His wife Mrs Florence Ajimobi; and Governor of Gombe State , Alh (Dr.) Ibrahim Hasan Dankwambo.

Confirmed Guest Speakers include Ms Funke Opeke, Founder and CEO of MainOne; Mr. Oluwafunminiyi Ajao, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on ICT, among others.

Specifically, topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Fintech, Financial Inclusion, eGovernment, Broadband, Disruptive Technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution and e-Voting will be covered as they relate to the conference theme.

“In line with the conference theme, NCS calls for practical action in all facets of the economy and society.

“We have always been committed to advance the interests of its esteemed members, the IT Industry and Profession and the Nation as a whole.

“#DigitalInclusion2018 offers amazing possibilities and opportunities.

“NCS is committed to Digital Inclusion and is certain that the outcomes will boost National Digital inclusion in all ramifications.

“It will provide the best and most appropriate answers to Nigeria’s IT Opportunities, Challenges and Strategies,” Aderounmu added.

NCS is the umbrella body of all IT professionals and organizations in Nigeria, with more than 20,000 members and major interest groups (ISPON, ITAN, ISPAN, NiWIIT, ITSSP, AITP, NITPCS). Also inclusive of one hundred thousand Student body (NACOSS).


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Treepz Doubles Down on Corporate Mobility in Africa with Launch of a New Website

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Treepz, Africa’s leading corporate mobility startup, has expanded its corporate mobility and employee transportation services across the continent with a fresh new look for its website.

 

The company’s new website boasts a sleek, user-friendly interface with added features to better showcase Treepz’s range of services for companies looking to efficiently and sustainably move employees and clients in major African cities. From on-demand employee shuttles, and school bus solutions to intra-city group trips for events and conferences, Treepz is positioning itself as an all-in-one corporate transportation provider.

Managing transportation logistics across multiple sites has always been an operational nightmare for companies,” said Onyeka Akumah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Treepz. “Our goal is to streamline that experience through Treepz’s powerful technology platform.”

With nearly 6,000 employees of companies daily relying on Treepz’s innovative tech and reliable fleet for employee transportation or staff bus commutes, we understand the complexities of managing corporate transportation firsthand. “Our revamped website simplifies the process, offering businesses a seamless solution to optimize their transportation needs and empower their workforce in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana,” Onyeka added

Key Features of the New Treepz Website

  • Trackable Dashboard for a bird’s eye view of all guests’ trips in real-time when using Treepz.
  • 24/7 customer support to assist with all mobility inquiries.
  • Wide selection of vehicle options, each with professional drivers tailored to specific needs.
  • Friendly interface for easy navigation and booking.
  • Client testimonials and case studies showcasing Treepz’s success stories.

Treepz’s mission extends beyond just transportation – they aim to revolutionize how over 1 million daily commuters experience mobility across Africa. Since its launch in 2019, the company has provided employee transit for top firms like Tekexperts, Wakanow, Somasource, and Brighter Monday across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. This has resulted in the transportation of about 5 million passengers since then.

With this digital reinvention, Treepz doubles down on transforming corporate mobility through tech-driven solutions. The company welcomes businesses seeking smarter ways to move their people to explore the new website www.treepz.com.


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Nigerian Business Leaders Partner Google for Strategic Advantage, Seeks Competitive Edge in Privacy-First Era

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Leading companies from Nigeria joined Google West Africa at a roundtable to discuss the shift towards privacy-first marketing as third-party cookies are phased out. The forum brought together leaders from FairMoney, Konga, Mondelez, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank, highlighting a collective commitment to redefining consumer engagement in the digital age.

Businesses recognize that building consumer trust is essential in a world that increasingly values privacy. In this new era, adapting marketing strategies to be more privacy-focused is not just a necessity but a strategic move towards building sustainable customer relations. This transition challenges businesses to innovate while maintaining transparency and respect for consumer data privacy, turning potential constraints into avenues for deeper consumer engagement.

“Customer trust is the new currency,” noted Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google. “Consumers are demanding more control over their data, and the savviest businesses are seeing this shift as an opportunity. This is about reimagining how we engage with technology and data, ensuring that innovation and privacy go hand-in-hand.”

The discussions emphasised this point, highlighting the competitive advantage of adopting privacy-first strategies. Google showcased innovative solutions like Google Tag and Enhanced Conversions. These tools demonstrate a commitment to both high performance and privacy standards. Success stories illustrated how other businesses have successfully navigated this shift, offering valuable insights.

“We stand at a crucial juncture,” remarked Oluwadamilare Akinwunmi, Chief Data & AI Officer at Interswitch. “The winners of tomorrow will be those enterprises that strike a balance between innovative, data-driven marketing and a profound commitment to data protection and privacy-first practices. The essential dialogues we engage in, and the subsequent actions we take, set us on the path to achieve precisely this”

The roundtable underscores a pivotal shift towards privacy-first strategies in Nigeria’s digital marketing sphere, emphasising the critical role of collaboration and innovation in this transition. It marks a collective stride towards a future where consumer trust and data privacy form the cornerstone of business growth and competitive advantage.

“We are committed to empowering Nigerian brands in building a privacy-forward future. By harnessing AI and privacy-centric technologies, we aim to empower our partners to thrive amidst these changes,” stated Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google.


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MTN Nigeria, PAU Open Applications for 3rd Edition of MTN Media Innovation Programme

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the School of Media & Communications, Pan-Atlantic University have announced call for applications from qualified media practitioners to participate in the 3rd edition of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP-3), which will commence on May 20, 2024, at the Main Campus of the Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. 

MTN Nigeria in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, launched the Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP) in 2022 to enable media practitioners gain deeper insight into the ever-evolving media landscape.

The six-month, fully-funded certificate fellowship, which includes a study visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and an innovation hub to incubate ideas, is open to media practitioners across all strata of the media industry including the print, electronic and online platforms. The programme is also open to social media content creators.

Speaking on the impact of the programme, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria said: “The media play a crucial role in shaping the society. It is important that they are enabled with tools and opportunities to do their jobs better as this ultimately benefits the society.

“Our commitment is to continue to empower media practitioners, regardless of platforms, to be able to innovate and create technological-driven solutions to our world. This is what the MTN Media Innovation Programme seeks to accomplish.”

On his part, the Dean School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, stated that the programme brings into play the wide experience that the School has in the training of media practitioners.

In our various programmes targeted at journalists, we at the School of Media and Communication have always laid a lot of emphasis on the importance of creativity, ethics and professionalism.

“The Media Innovation Programme is one more opportunity to drive home these values but with a new emphasis on innovation.

“Journalism remains as important as ever to the society, and it is driven by the same values, but journalists require a retooling to meet the technological changes and challenges of today.

“This is the role that the Media Innovation Programme aims to play, and we are quite happy to be able to partner with MTN to achieve this goal.”

At the end of the training, the 20 successful applicants will qualify as Fellows for the 2024 cohort. The Fellows would be coached on Nigeria’s technology sector, the relationship between media and technology, and equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing realities that guarantee career and financial success in their professional practice.

Fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from PAU’s erudite faculty.

Interested journalists, bloggers and content creators can apply for the Fellowship at https://smc.edu.ng/mtnmip

Applications open on Friday March 23 and close Wednesday April 10, 2024.


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