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NIWSF Critical in Tackling Wine & Spirit Adulteration- Sobodu

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Spronks Creations Limited, organisers of the yearly Nigeria International Wine & Spirit Fair (NIWSF), has described the platform as critical in tackling adulteration wine and spirit adulteration in the country.

NIWSF is the foremost business event that brings wine and spirit producers, traders and consumers together.

Mrs. Aderonke Sobodu, managing director, Spronks Creations, said at the commencement of the fair in Lagos on Thursday, that NIWSF, apart from being a world class platform for on-and-off trade businesses aimed at fostering inter-cultural business relationship between wine and spirit producing countries and sub-Saharan African countries, consumers are using the process to identify with traders and producers of different brands in the market.

According to her, “the fair enables interface with the traders-wholesalers and retailers. So, instead of people falling into the dangers of adulterated drinks, they can use this platform to identify with you (the producer or sellers)”.

The fair, now fourth in the series, with the theme: Wine, Spirit, Trade, Consumer Experience and More, is sponsored by Louis Roederer; the prestigious producer of the number one Champagne in the world – Cristal Champagne and other expressive Champagnes.

Over 30 wine and spirit exhibitors drawn from over 10 countries including Spain, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, United States of America, Argentina, Chile, Italy, France and Nigeria are expected grace this edition.

Thousands of wine lovers, trader, restaurateurs, beverage and hospitality industry, connoisseurs, major retail chains, independent wine shops and those seeking joint ventures partnership were seen at the fair, which also offers networking opportunities.

Sobodu added that, “The growth and acceptance of wine and spirit into our social lifestyle has made the country one of the fast emerging markets in the world, which in turn offers great opportunity for tourism, trade and commerce.

“This also created the need to expose indigenous wine and spirit producers to the global trade environment with Nigeria ranking as a fast growing market. Currently consumption figure of wine and spirit in the country is valued at over $350million based on our exportation”.

Speaking on the sustainability of the feat, the Spronks Creations Boss said, “What keeps us going is passion. For us, we know that for every good thing, there are phases. We need to grow with it; it is like having new born. Before they will walk they will crawl. The driving force to us is to do something right. We will keep moving.

“According to statistics, the chances for SMEs to survive can be deduced from the operations within the first five years. We have passed the through the third year, now in the fourth and we will keep going. Also, there are people who shared in our passion and dream.

“We believe that the Nigerian consumer should be aware to the platform for quality wine and spirit.

“The concept for the fair was carved out of the gap in the market; for wine & spirit manufacturers and distributors. Nigerian market is ripe, but there are still areas to be addressed. Some people organizing events, sometimes, do not know who to approach to make orders, directly, from the producers. This is a right platform for consumer experience; where they can have face-to-face discussions with the producers, express themselves and get appreciated.

“I think this is one of the ways to contain brewing or selling of adulterated wine. If you are a producer or an importer a brand of wine and could showcase it at the fair, it shows you are sure of your product. We are not just meeting with the consumers”.

The Nigerian International Wine and Spirit Fair (NIWSF) 2014 provided enthrall atmosphere with assorted display of wines and spirit for visitors to taste and savour.

Exciting activities include special Piano & Cigar Lounge designated for VVIP guests. Guests in this room will be treated to live smooth Jazz music, luscious canapés, Cognac and champagnes courtesy of Louis Roederer- world number one champagne house and complimentary cigar stick by the Lagos Cigar Club.

The General Relaxation Hub is the perfect spot to relax, have fun, network, play games and enjoy good smooth and jazz tunes.

Other features include the top twenty wine tasting, raffle draws, press hub and many more.

 


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NIMC Introduces Paid National ID Card Amid Low Revenue

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Nigerians will start paying for the new national identity card due to low revenue, according to National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

NIMC Introduces Paid National ID Card Amid Low Revenue

Dr Peter Iwegbu, head of card management services at NIMC, said the payment was to ensure that it was produced for only those who needed it.

Iwegbu stated this at the  two-day conference organized for journalists in Lagos.

He also added that the decision was made to avoid repeating the mistake of the past efforts to issue physical cards to Nigerians for free, which many did not collect.

“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he said.

Iwegbu explained that due to the low revenue generated, the government could not fund the production of ID cards.

Mr Lanre Yusuf, director of Information Technology at NIMC, explained that the idea of a free national ID card in the past was not productive.

“To get the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location.  The government has implemented programmes to make the card accessible to the less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support.”

“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality,” Yusuf said.

He said that the versatile cards were scheduled to launch soon, and sample test cards had already been received.

“NIMC is working with banks across the country, which will make it possible for people to walk into any bank closest to them and request the card.”

“The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services,” he said.

The card will be enabled for all government interventions and services across various ministries, departments, and agencies. The card, powered by AfriGO, was launched in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.

 

 


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Cycling Enthusiasts Gear Up for FXTM-Sponsored Lagos Monthly Crit

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Cycling enthusiasts, gear up for an exhilarating experience this Saturday, November 23rd, as FXTM proudly sponsors the Lagos State Monthly Crit at Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Interested participants should register at 6:30 AM and prepare for the main race, kicking off at 7:30 AM. Participants will compete for four thrilling hours in three categories: Professional, Junior, and Veteran.

The top prize starts at $500, adding an exciting competitive edge to the event. There will also be refreshments, music and an opportunity to socialize with like-minded individuals.

FXTM, known for its global commitment to promoting fitness through charitable cycling events, is thrilled to bring this spirited race to Lagos. Riding has always been synonymous to freedom, matching the company’s value of freedom to succeed.

The event not only aims to foster a love for cycling but also to enhance community fitness and well-being.

The stand-in Country Representative for FXTM, Kelechi Ehibudu said: “We are thrilled and delighted to sponsor this event as part of our charitable project.

“We look forward to an exciting time with all participants from all works of life. It’s going to be action packed event.”


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Google Rolls Out AI-Powered Theft Detection for Android 15

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Thembi Alfreds was driving home from a soccer match in Johannesburg when she stopped at a traffic light. A thief suddenly appeared and smashed the window of her car, grabbing her phone. She struggled with the thief but they managed to get away with the phone.

The incident left her feeling violated and unsafe. Not only did she lose personal memories, like photos of her children, but her personal and financial information stored on the phone was now compromised.

Phone theft is a serious concern in many countries across Africa, including South Africa, where Thembi’s situation highlights the need for better phone theft solutions.

Smartphone usage is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, with adoption rates reaching 61% in Kenya, 31% in Uganda, and 24-25% in Rwanda and Burundi. This increased uptake has been accompanied by a rise in cellphone theft, as these devices become attractive targets for criminals due to their resale value and sensitive data within. This poses a significant challenge that can have serious consequences for both individuals and businesses in the region.

According to the GSMA Consumer Survey 2023, 19% of mobile phone users in South Africa experienced theft or loss of their device in the past year.The GSMA reports millions of devices stolen every year, and the numbers continue to grow. With our phones becoming increasingly more valuable & central to storing sensitive data, like payment information and personal details, losing one can be an unsettling experience.

Phone theft can be a traumatic experience, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and protect personal information. That’s why we have developed and thoroughly beta tested, a full suite of features designed to protect you and your data at every stage – before, during, and after device theft.

These advanced theft protection features are now available to users around the world through Android 15 and a Google Play Services update (Android 10+ devices).

Theft Detection Lock uses powerful AI to proactively protect you at the moment of a theft attempt. By using on-device machine learning, Theft Detection Lock is able to analyze various device signals to detect potential theft attempts. If the algorithm detects a potential theft attempt on your unlocked device, it locks your screen to keep thieves out.To protect your sensitive data if your phone is stolen, Theft Detection Lock uses device sensors to identify theft attempts.

This feature is rolling out gradually to ensure compatibility with various devices, starting today with Android devices that cover 90% of active users worldwide. Check your theft protection settings page periodically to see if your device is currently supported.

In addition to Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock protects you if a thief tries to take your device offline to extract data or avoid a remote wipe via Android’s Find My Device. If an unlocked device goes offline for prolonged periods, this feature locks the screen to ensure your phone can’t be used in the hands of a thief.

If your Android device is lost or stolen, Remote Lock can quickly help you secure it. Even if you can’t remember your Google account credentials in the moment of theft, you can use any device to visit Android.com/lock and lock your phone with just a verified phone number. Remote Lock secures your device while you regain access through Android’s Find My Device – which lets you secure, locate or remotely wipe your device. As a security best practice, we always recommend backing up your device on a continuous basis, so remotely wiping your device is not an issue.

These features are now available on most Android 10+ devices via a Google Play Services update and must be enabled in settings.

Advanced security to deter theft before it happens

Android 15 introduces new security features to deter theft before it happens by making it harder for thieves to access sensitive settings, apps, or reset your device for resale:

  • Changes to sensitive settings like Find My Device now require your PIN, password, or biometric authentication.
  • Multiple failed login attempts, which could be a sign that a thief is trying to guess your password, will lock down your device, preventing unauthorized access.
  • And enhanced factory reset protection makes it even harder for thieves to reset your device without your Google account credentials, significantly reducing its resale value and protecting your data.

Later this year, we’ll launch Identity Check, an opt-in feature that will add an extra layer of protection by requiring biometric authentication when accessing critical Google account and device settings, like changing your PIN, disabling theft protection, or accessing Passkeys from an untrusted location. This helps prevent unauthorized access even if your device PIN is compromised.

Real-world protection for billions of Android users

By integrating advanced technology like AI and biometric authentication, we’re making Android devices less appealing targets for thieves to give you greater peace of mind. These theft protection features are just one example of how Android is working to provide real-world protection for everyone. We’re dedicated to working with our partners around the world to continuously improve Android security and help you and your data stay safe.

You can turn on the new Android theft features by clicking here on a supported Android device. Learn more about our theft protection features by visiting our help center.


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