Telecom
DG NITDA Unveils Nija Chat App, Describes It As Economy Booster
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-deneral of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled the NIJA Chat, a messaging, gaming and lifestyle app which he said will help build public digital infrastructure and boost the Nation’s economy.
This is in line with Federal Government of Nigeria continued drive to support and challenge its teeming youthful population to innovate indigenous solutions that have global impact.
Inuwa who made this known after unveiling the Nija Chat Application by iCELL in Abuja, said it is a clarion call to all Nigerians both home and the diaspora to embrace the tech to encourage more of such innovative ideas to emerge from the country.
According to the Director-General, the journey which started six months ago when the iCELL team solicited NITDA’s support to build the application was one that the Agency was pleased to be a part of.
“NITDA worked hand-in-hand with them to refine and accelerate the thoughts, as well as offered technical support to build this app”,Inuwa noted.
While describing the application as a super frontier app, Inuwa stressed that the application is more like a lifestyle app where one can find everything in one place.
“This is a futuristic app because frontier applications are increasingly being promoted in the world today”.
“So, you can personalise your experience and have everything done in this particular app, rather than hop from one app to another just to do the same thing”, the DG affirmed.
The NITDA Boss joined the team to test the workabilities of the app by making some local/international audio and video calls on the messaging app, and afterwards averred that it was indeed a fantastic experience.
Attributing the feat to Nigeria’s young and talented population, Inuwa said with the right environment, which the government is constantly working on to harness the amazing potential of the Nation’s digitally natives, the ‘Digital Nigeria’ quest would be attained sooner than later.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated our Ministry to accelerate Nigeria’s economic diversification by enhancing productivity in critical sectors, and with apps like this one, it will pretty much help in that direction”.
“Our SMEs can use this application to promote their products and services, communicate with customers and suppliers”, Inuwa said.
Whereas the official launch of the app is billed for 1st January 2024, the DG offered some observations regarding the app that need to be worked upon as he also expressed the hope that the next stage should be to build a payment wallet on it.
“When the payment wallet is brought onboard, anyone can receive and send money easily and this will help promote the cashless transactions which is ultimately, the future we are building”.
“We will continue to urge our startups to take up on innovative ventures like this, in order to enhance the quality of life for our citizens and make connections seamless”, Inuwa assured.
Inuwa commended the team for coming up with the project and bringing it to impact level, adding that the Tinubu’s administration will not relent in its efforts toward encouraging and supporting indigenous solutions.
Earlier while welcoming guests, the Chief Technical Officer, iCELL, Abbey Abbey gave a brief of the Nija Chat, noting that platform will redefine the way Nigerians and the world connect, live and play around in the digital space, emphasising that the Nija Chat is not just a messaging, gaming and lifestyle app but a testament to the future of cutting-edge technology and the limitless possibilities of human connections.
In a world where connection is key, Abbey noted that NIJA Chat has taken it a notch higher by seamlessly integrating the messaging and gaming experience that transcend the norm.
“This is not just about lifestyle, it also aligns with the dynamic spirits of our users, bringing you an experience like no other, especially as the platform offers a secure, vast, and intuitive interphase, ensuring that your connections are as vibrant as possible”, Abbey espoused.
Abbey went further to illustrate that beyond messaging and gaming, Nija Chat platform is also a companion in lifestyle which avails its users exclusive content and personalised experiences that have been curated in the app, covering all facets of life.
“Today, we are not just unveiling an app, we are actually unleashing a new revolution as it is not just connecting people but creating a digital ecosystem that adapts to your business, evolves with your preferences and also grows with your aspirations”, Abbey maintained.
He appreciated his team for their brilliant minds which brought about the development of the app and lauded other stakeholders, especially NITDA, for partnering and supporting the course.
Other stakeholders who were present to herald the era of the latest app in town added their voices to applaud the innovation and beckoned on Nigerians to download, install and use it, in order to enhance local content and bolster the Nation’s digital economy.
Tech giants Google and Meta have called on the Australian government to delay a proposed bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing most social media platforms.
The companies argue that more time is needed to assess the bill’s impact and await results from an age-verification trial.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government aims to pass the legislation—one of the strictest globally on children’s social media use—by Thursday, the final day of the parliamentary year. Introduced last week, the bill was open for public submissions for just one day, drawing criticism for its expedited timeline.
The proposed law would require social media companies, rather than parents or children, to enforce age-verification measures, potentially using biometrics or government-issued identification. Companies found in breach could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).
Meta criticised the bill as “inconsistent and ineffective” without clear results from the age-verification trial. Google echoed the sentiment, urging for a measured approach to ensure Australians understand the implications of the legislation.
TikTok raised “significant concerns” over the lack of consultation with experts, social media platforms, mental health organisations, and young people. “Novel policies must be drafted thoroughly to ensure their success,” the company stated.
Elon Musk’s X also opposed the bill, arguing it could infringe on children’s human rights, including their freedom of expression and access to information. Musk, a vocal advocate for free speech, accused the government of using the bill as a backdoor to control internet access.
The opposition Liberal Party has signalled support for the bill, while some independent lawmakers have criticised the government for rushing its passage. A Senate committee report on the bill is expected on Tuesday.
If passed, the bill will place Australia at the forefront of regulating children’s online activity, but its swift progression and potential implications have sparked a heated debate over privacy, freedom, and the role of government in digital spaces.
TECNO SPARK 30 city tour made a memorable stop at Ikeja City Mall on November 15th, bringing with it an infectious energy that electrified the entire city.
As the event unfolded, it was clear that this was more than just a product showcase – it was an immersive experience designed to thrill and delight.
The day’s festivities kicked off with the iconic TECNO SPARK 30 transformer bus, painted in bold red and blue hues, rolling into action.
The bus served as the hub for a games grotto, where fans immersed themselves in thrilling digital games and adventures.
Outside, the excitement spilled over, with attendees engaging in friendly competitions of Jenga, Monopoly, Ludo, and chess.
These games sparked laughter, playful banter, and a sense of camaraderie among strangers.
As the games heated up, so did the rewards. Purchasers of the TECNO SPARK 30 Pro enjoyed a N20,000 discount and a chance to win up to 100% cashback by participating in the games.
The atmosphere was electric, with cheers of victory, enthusiastic applause, and celebratory high-fives.
The excitement reached a fever pitch with the arrival of tech and lifestyle creator Kagan, accompanied by Big Brother Naija Season 9 stars Victoria and Ruthee.
The trio dove into the action, competing in games and claiming victory. They were awarded TECNO-branded gift items, earning cheers and applause from the thrilled crowd.
The event was an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
During peak shopping days, this threat intensifies.
Here’s what happens: with the surge in online deals, more employees may be shopping from their work computers, feeling that Cyber Monday is a legitimate time to do so.
This increases the risk of them clicking more freely and potentially exposing the organization to malicious links or phishing attacks.
To keep your organization safe, encourage your team to follow these simple tips:
• Don’t click deals in email that look too good to be true or are from businesses you don’t have accounts from – these could be phishing emails hoping to bait you into clicking links to bogus, malicious web sites.
This season, small steps can make a big difference in protecting against cyber threats.
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