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Facebook Launches Maps to Help Organizations Respond to Health Emergencies

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Facebook is launching three types of maps that will help nonprofit organizations and universities working in public health get ahead of disease outbreaks and reach vulnerable communities more effectively.

According to a Newsroom Post by Laura McGorman, Policy Lead, Data for Good, and Alex Pompe, Research Manager, Data for Good at Facebook, the maps will help the platform’s health partners better understand where people live, how they are moving and whether they have connectivity.

The maps — population density maps complete with demographic estimates, movement maps and network coverage maps — when combined with information from health systems, can improve the way organizations deliver supplies and respond to outbreaks, McGorman said.

They further revealed that Facebook’s initial partners for this effort, include: Direct Relief, FHI360, Harvard School of Public Health, the Institute for Health Metrics Evaluation at the University of Washington, International Medical Corps, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Malaria Atlas Project, the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London, Northeastern University, Sabin Vaccine Institute, UNICEF, Wadhwani AI, the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum.

“Our movement maps aggregate information from people who are using Facebook on their mobile phones with location services enabled, providing real-time snapshots into mobility patterns. Partner organizations can combine this data with information on specific cases of diseases to glean insights about where the next case of cholera or drug-resistant malaria is likely to occur. The improved insights from these forecasting models allow health systems to get ahead of an outbreak by prepositioning treatments where they’re likely to be needed most,” the post stated.

Adam Kucharski, Assistant Professor in Mathematical Modeling at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine also added that “Population movements are crucial for the spread of many infections — from influenza to measles. But historically it’s been very difficult for disease researchers to get information on these movement patterns.”

Two years ago, Facebook began working with Columbia University to use satellite imagery and census data to build the world’s most detailed population maps to improve connectivity projects. After working with groups such as the American Red Cross and its Missing Maps project, it realized these maps could also have profound applications in public health.

The high-resolution maps estimate not only the number of people living within 30-meter grid tiles, but also provide insights on demographics, including the number of children under five, the number of women of reproductive age, as well as young and elderly populations, at unprecedentedly high resolutions.

These maps aren’t built using Facebook data and instead rely on combining the power of machine vision AI with satellite imagery and census information. By combining these publicly and commercially available datasets with Facebook’s AI capabilities, we have created population maps that are 3X more detailed than any other source.


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E-Business

Hisense Electronics Unveils Flagship Showroom in Abuja

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By Fabian Tarpael, Abuja

Hisense electronics unveiled a flagship showroom in Abuja over the weekend. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mustapha Khries, the Abuja Branch Manager of the Fouani Group, highlighted the significance of the flagship store, describing it as the first of its kind in the entire West African region.

He also addressed the challenges facing businesses in Nigeria, particularly the high exchange rates and transportation costs.

“The Fouani Group remains resilient and ready to overcome challenges, unlike others who often exit the market when faced with similar issues.”

Ms. Haifa Du, Senior Sales Manager for Hisense Electronics, emphasized the brand’s commitment to affordability and innovation, stating that Hisense offers the most cost-effective and advanced solutions in the market.

The event underscored Hisense’s dedication to technological innovation and sustainability while reaffirming its leadership position in the consumer electronics market.

Mr. Robbin Wei, Senior Sales Manager of Hisense Group, supported by Mr. Greg and Ms. Haifa Du, showcased various innovative products from the new flagship store.

Among the standout products showcased include; The Hisense 110″ Smart Ultra AMOLED TV, featuring unique capabilities such as a solar-powered remote control and a “locate remote” function to find misplaced remotes easily.


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PalmPay, Jumia Partner to Launch Integration for Shoppers in Nigeria

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PalmPay, Africa-focused fintech operating Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet, and Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce giant, today announce a strategic partnership to enhance the digital payment ecosystem on the continent, starting with payment integrations and co-marketing efforts in Nigeria.

This partnership underscores both parties’ commitment to developing the digital payment ecosystem in Nigeria and grow the use of the cashless economy.

WIth PalmPay now available as a payment method, shoppers on Jumia will now be able to pay for their purchases with the option to check out with their PalmPay wallet, ensuring a seamless user experience and transaction reliability through the direct integration.

“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience,” said Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer, PalmPay. “This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers.”

Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria added: “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience.

“This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”

This alliance marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two industry giants, aiming to drive innovation, increase convenience for consumers, and foster the adoption of digital payments across Africa.

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, PalmPay and Jumia are launching a special Christmas campaign, running from December 11th to 30th. During this period, customers who make purchases on Jumia using the PalmPay payment method will stand a chance to win exciting cash rewards. More details can be found on the brands’ respective social media pages. @palmpay_ng and @JumiaNigeria.


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Aero Contractors Launches “12 Days of Christmas” Campaign

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Aero Contractors is thrilled to announce the launch of its “12 Days of Christmas” campaign, a festive and engaging social media initiative designed to spread holiday cheer and reward loyal customers.

Running from December 13 to December 24, 2024, this exciting campaign underscores Aero Contractors’ commitment to connecting families, friends, and communities during the holidays.

The “12 Days of Christmas” campaign invites travel enthusiasts, loyal customers, and holiday travelers to participate in fun and interactive activities on Aero Contractors’ social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Each day will feature engaging posts such as trivia, puzzles, and challenges designed to ignite the festive spirit and encourage community participation.

Participants are encouraged to follow Aero Contractors’ social media pages, engage with the daily posts by liking, commenting, or sharing, and follow the specific instructions for each day’s activity.

Winners will be selected daily and announced on the respective platforms. Exciting prizes await participants, with the grand reward of a free return economy class ticket—a perfect gift for reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new destinations this holiday season.

“At Aero Contractors, we believe in the power of togetherness, especially during the holidays,” said Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors.

“Our ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to engage, celebrate, and reward our customers while spreading joy and festive cheer.”

This campaign targets travel enthusiasts, loyal Aero Contractors customers, and families looking to make the most of the holiday season. Through this initiative, Aero Contractors reaffirms its dedication to safe, reliable, and efficient air travel, bringing people closer when it matters most.

Follow Aero Contractors on Instagram, Facebook, and X to join the “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. Engage daily for a chance to win a free return economy class ticket and other exciting offers.


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