NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Foreign

Prince Harry, Meghan accept invitation to visit Nigeria

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Visit

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, May 5, 2024 (NAN) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have agreed to visit Nigeria on the invitation of the country’s Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomerry, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the course of his courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the agency, Malam Ali M. Ali in Abuja.

“It’s great that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, which I understand is at the invitation of Defence Headquarters.

“But they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one.

“So, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their programme.

“They are not representing the work of His Majesty’s Government on this visit.”

Prince Harry are expected to kick off the journey on May 8, by attending the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Shortly after, Meghan will join him in Nigeria for a series of engagements aimed at fostering cultural exchange and celebrating the spirit of resilience among service members.

The couple’s itinerary includes visits to military rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, and meetings with local organizations working to support veterans’ welfare.

They will also attend cultural events and engage in discussions with community leaders on topics.

The trip to Nigeria holds special significance as it underscores Prince Harry’s dedication to the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.

Last year’s Invictus Games in Germany saw the participation of 500 athletes from 21 countries.

Nigeria, Colombia, and Israel, were represented and it marked their debut in the event.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has expressed eagerness to host the games in the future, further solidifying the country’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and sportsmanship.

During their time at the Invictus Games in Germany, Meghan and Harry shared memorable moments with Team Nigeria, showcasing their support and camaraderie.

In a lighthearted exchange, Prince Harry joked about the friendly competition between him and Meghan, especially since she discovered her Nigerian heritage.

Meghan’s connection to Nigeria runs deep, as she revealed on her podcast Archetypes that she has Nigerian ancestry, with her genealogy test showing she is 43  Nigerian.

The revelation further strengthens the bond between the Duchess and the Nigerian people, fostering a sense of shared identity and belonging.

YEE

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Sports

Trends Shaping the Future of Mobile Casinos _

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Trends Shaping the Future of Mobile Casinos

Despite its relative youth, the mobile casino industry has skyrocketed in popularity, swiftly making its name as a central figure in the world of digital entertainment. Fuelled by advancements in technology, changing user needs and increasing internet access, it’s a sector going through a major transformation. In fact, far from resting on its laurels, the mobile casino industry is driven by an ongoing culture of innovation, with enhancements involving the likes of 5G, VR, and blockchain technology, combining to great effect to offer users a more engaging and secure iGaming experience.

In this article, we look at the trends shaping the future of mobile casinos.

Technological Advancements

Faster download and upload speeds, along with lower latency, are revolutionizing mobile casinos with the arrival of 5G technology. Once upon a time, gamers had to travel to land-based casinos to enjoy some of their favorite games. All of that has changed with the arrival of the online casino, where people can play everything from slots to blackjack from almost anywhere in the world. They don’t need a computer either; smartphones with fast speeds have made it possible to enjoy these games on the go as well.

As 5G becomes more widely available, the increased connectivity it provides means players can now enjoy a higher-performing, graphically intense online game without lag on a mobile network. With 5G’s low-latency capabilities, whether they’re playing games in a live casino or spinning the reels on their own, the mobile casino makes gaming an immersive experience for players. It also opens the door for developers to make more complex, demanding games with the kind of PC-quality experiences that once seemed a long way off on a mobile platform.

Enhanced User Experience

User experience (UX) is now a core part of mobile casino development. Intuitive design and an easy-to-understand interface make mobile casinos more accessible and improve player retention. The easy-to-use design makes navigating and playing simpler and helps casinos retain more players. Personalization is another must-have feature. The more a casino can tailor the games that players see and the settings offered based on their individual behavior and personal preferences, the more engaging the experience will be.

Accessibility features are crucial as well. A good mobile casino should be as inclusive as possible. This means incorporating screen readers, voice commands, and other assistive technologies to make mobile casino games more welcoming to players with disabilities.

Social Gaming Integration

Integrating social gaming features into mobile casinos has redefined the relationship that players have with each other and the games. Features like chat rooms, leaderboards, and multiplayer games create a real-world experience where camaraderie meets competition. The introduction of live dealer games has also opened a new avenue for mobile casinos, allowing users to enjoy an experience much closer to a physical casino and more immersive and authentic than conventional online gaming.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are hard at work transforming mobile casino game development and customer service. AI makes it possible for mobile casino game developers to create richer, more multifaceted, and highly adaptive games that can learn from players at an individual level. As a result, it can be used to ensure that they are delivered better, more personalized experiences on an ongoing basis. At the same time, AI algorithms can be used to generate fresh content and challenges designed to maintain engagement.

AI tech is also powering the advanced chatbots and back-end support services that mobile players can use to access 24/7 assistance and resolve queries instantly and efficiently, delivering the excellent user experience essential in the competitive iGaming sector. All in all, these technologies represent a level of integration that adds unprecedented value at every level to the mobile casino experience and streamlines and elevates operations in ways that are now setting new benchmarks in the industry.

General News , Generative AI

Nigerian Crypto Use Continues to Grow in Q4 of 2023

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Nigerians have been increasingly using cryptocurrency in recent years. As reported by Punch, one of the main reasons for rapid crypto adoption growth within the country is due to peer-to-peer transactions, which streamlines the transfer of assets without needing a middleman. This has also increased the appeal of crypto for Nigerian residents, with crypto use increasing up to 21% in the past year and 27% of locals owning crypto by 2022.

However, it is important to note that the significant rise in the use of crypto is also spurred by different factors that have led to continuous growth into Q4 of 2023. Read on to learn more about Nigerian crypto use and what the country’s relationship with digital currencies may look like moving forward.

Nigeria’s relationship with crypto

Cryptocurrency became popular in Nigeria for a number of reasons. Despite being Africa’s biggest economy, the country has seen consistent inflation that peaked at 26.72%, and people are struggling to keep up. These economic and social challenges in the country prompted some people to turn towards crypto investments, which offer more inclusive opportunities to thrive financially.

In fact, an article from ZAWYA shows that a lack of access to more traditional forms of finance thus encouraged a number of Nigerians to use less conventional transaction options. For most locals, it is easier to access cryptocurrencies and start trading rather than going to the bank to open a fiat account. One only needs access to the internet to invest or trade in crypto as a hedge against inflation and to create promising gains that can sustain their needs and lifestyle.

Increased access to reliable trading tools is also a significant factor behind the country’s thriving crypto market, as Nigerians can rely on these to successfully execute their transactions. Take MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular tool available on most trading platforms. Its automatic trading features make it easier to track analytical operations on the financial markets and maximise opportunities. Meanwhile, sites like CoinmarketCap are great resources for those who need to know the real-time values of various cryptocurrencies. Since tools like these are easily accessible via smartphone, Nigerians can more effectively navigate the crypto market—and that may be encouraging more widespread crypto use.

Even the national government now recognises that crypto has vast potential as a financial asset. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduced a taxation on crypto use in 2022, effectively treating it like any other security available that residents can trade or invest in. This recognition has only bolstered crypto use in the country, with Nigeria’s crypto market growing in 2023. It’s now the largest cryptocurrency economy within Sub-Saharan Africa.

Future of Nigeria’s crypto use

In addition to crypto, the relationship between Nigeria and other digital currencies continues to flourish. Our previous post discussing the use of eNaira mentions that the government is continuously working to promote greater financial inclusion across the board and help make digital currencies evolve amid economic challenges and fluctuations. Additionally, the government also hopes that the use of digital currencies and assets can help residents improve their financial literacy, which can also enhance the nature of trading within Nigeria.

Furthermore, the presence of crypto startups like Coinzaner helps empower individuals and businesses by giving them cost-effective access to crypto and blockchain technology. In line with this, reports from blockchain firm EMURGO Africa are predicting that Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria are leading the adoption of blockchain and Web 3.0 technologies that can bolster investment opportunities in digital currencies within the country and other parts of Africa.

The promising growth of crypto in Nigeria is also prompting foreign companies like WhiteBIT to expand operations by establishing reliable blockchain technology platforms that can further revolutionise the crypto landscape in the country. With this, one can expect interesting crypto developments in Nigeria for the rest of 2023 and into 2024.

Agriculture

Satellite Technology: How It Aids African Farmers

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Why does Africa even need satellite technology integration into its agriculture? To answer this question, it’s best to let the facts speak for themselves. For example, in 2022, Nigeria faced devastating weather challenges, with intense rainfall leading to widespread flooding. This natural disaster significantly impacted the agricultural sector, resulting in a notable decrease of approximately 12% in maize production and 21% in rice yields across numerous hectares of farmland. Realizing that unfavorable weather events are the new reality that need to be considered, the country is now increasingly relying on technology to equip its farming community and feed its 200 million people. Among such innovations is the software that leverages satellite data analysis for remote crop monitoring.

In fact, according to a study by Deloitte US, agricultural productivity in Africa has the capacity to soar by 70% by 2050, thanks to the integration of technological innovations, which is vital in terms of addressing the growing food demand and the adverse effects of climate change. This piece will guide you through the benefits satellite tech can offer farmers in Africa and worldwide, zooming in on agricultural custom solutions by EOS Data Analytics to showcase how it actually works.

Why Farmers Need Satellite Technology

The success of agricultural practices and crop yields, as well as the soundness of investment decisions, hinge on a range of factors. Key players like landowners, investors, and agronomists require insights into soil health, historical land use, topography, and crop performance. And traditional field inspections often fall short in that department. Besides, there is no denying that agricultural land audits are exhaustive and not always accurate.

Farmers need detailed information about crop and soil conditions, and potential issues for efficient daily management and yield forecasting. Field scouts offer on-site evaluations for pests, diseases, and weeds, but it’s resource-intensive, particularly for large farms, to sand scouts into the fields “blindly”.

Satellite technology offers a solution, providing current and historical data about farmlands, aiding in monitoring and managing crop health efficiently, giving the opportunity to spot any deviations and sending scouts to particular spots for verification.

How Farm Management Software Assists Farming Business

Farm management software revolutionizes agricultural practices by offering advanced monitoring and analytical tools. Among these, EOS Data Analytics stands out with its EOSDA Crop Monitoring — a precision farming tool that supports smart and safe-for-environment farm management based on satellite data analytics.

EOSDA also offers custom solutions to cater to unique agricultural challenges, backed by a robust R&D team, including 5 Professors and 15 PhDs. Their expertise has led to successful projects across 5.5 million fields.

Here’s a little peek at what these solutions are about:

  • Yield Prediction, with over 90% accuracy, allows predicting yields for various scales and crop types using a multi-source data algorithm.
  • Crop Type Classification maps, with up to 90% accuracy, provide detailed crop distribution insights for strategic planning in various formats.
  • Field Boundaries Detection enables creation of field contours for entire regions, offering data in user-friendly formats.
  • Harvest Dynamics Monitoring offers analysis of harvest trends using radar and optical imagery, providing comprehensive harvest statistics.
  • Advanced Soil Moisture Mapping allows delivering customers in-depth soil moisture data at surface and root levels for large-scale analysis, enhancing crop yield predictions and climate trend analysis.

To showcase what EOSDA and its solutions can do in real-life settings, let’s move on to a couple of cases.

Connecting 5,000+ Farmers to SatTech

Complete Farmer, an agricultural consultancy in Accra, Ghana, uses satellite analytics from EOSDA Crop Monitoring to enhance precision agriculture and address food security in Africa. This technological shift, focusing on remote sensing analytics, has boosted market access for local commodities and helped overcome economic challenges linked to slow tech adoption.

EOSDA Crop Monitoring empowers field experts to assist farmers, thereby enhancing both crop production and workflow effectiveness. The platform delivers vital information, including rainfall predictions and vegetation metrics, to farmers, facilitating advanced precision. Impressively, this strategy has achieved a remarkable 80% improvement in workflow efficiency and a 25% boost in crop productivity within the community of approximately 5,000 farmers, with 600 actively engaging with the software. The success of this initiative plays a pivotal role in augmenting both domestic and international market expansion.

Enabel Aiding African Farmers 

Belgium’s PAIOSA program in Burundi, managed by Enabel and funded by the Belgian Government, exemplifies its commitment to sustainable African agriculture. It seeks to enhance sustainable farming practices, improve farmers’ access to finance, and encourage the adoption of advanced technologies like satellite crop monitoring.

Enabel has incorporated EOSDA Crop Monitoring into PAIOSA, using satellite data to offer critical insights to Burundian farmers — a vital step amidst escalating climate change impacts on agriculture.

Initiated in November 2021, the program now satellite-monitors 4,500 hectares of land, mainly smallholder farms. With EOSDA Crop Monitoring, agricultural experts access five vital vegetation indices, primarily for plant health assessment.

Combining satellite and drone imagery with field visits, the program enables precise crop health analysis, real-time crop verification, contour implementation, and erosion area identification. By harnessing EOSDA’s remote data, PAIOSA is advancing field productivity, augmenting agricultural value, and fostering income opportunities.

The rising possibility for African farmers to easily access and process satellite imagery marks a very special period for the continent’s agriculture. This advancement offers prospects for best possible productivity, sustainable practices, and stronger resilience in the face of climate change. As satellite technology is now more accessible and easier to use, it stands to greatly improve the lives of African farmers and positively influence local food security.

Culture & Tourism

Cultural Depictions of Gold in Literature and Film and Their Effect on Trading Perceptions

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Have you ever noticed how gold pops up everywhere in our stories and movies? It’s like this shiny beacon that grabs everyone’s attention, whether it’s a pirate’s treasure in a novel or a heist in a Hollywood blockbuster. But here’s the thing: the way gold is portrayed in literature and film doesn’t just make for great entertainment; it also shapes how people think about gold in the real world, especially when it comes to trading. So, if you’re curious about how gold trading works, understanding its cultural depictions can be quite enlightening.

Let’s start with literature. From ancient myths to modern novels, gold has always been a symbol of wealth, power, and often, greed. Think about classics like King Midas where his touch turns everything to gold, or the pursuit of the golden fleece in ‘Jason and the Argonauts.’ These stories aren’t just old tales; they embed the idea that gold is the ultimate prize. Fast forward to more contemporary literature, and you still see gold playing a central role, often as the object of quests and conflicts. This continuous depiction reinforces the perception of gold as a valuable and sought-after commodity.

Now, switch over to the silver screen, and it’s a similar story. Movies have a way of glamorizing gold, making it the center of dramatic heists or adventurous quests. Whether it’s the iconic scenes of gold bars in ‘The Italian Job’ or the elusive treasure in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ film often portrays gold as something worth taking risks for. This portrayal can influence how people view gold trading in real life – as a potentially exciting and lucrative endeavor.

So, how does this affect perceptions of how gold trading works? For one, these cultural depictions can create a sense of allure and mystique around gold. People grow up with these stories and movies, and it can shape their attitudes towards gold as an investment. They might see gold trading as a path to wealth and adventure, mirroring the narratives they’ve seen in fiction.

But there’s another side to this coin. While literature and film can glamorize gold trading, they can also highlight the risks and dangers associated with the pursuit of wealth. Stories where the pursuit of gold leads to downfall or moral lessons about greed can also influence perceptions. They serve as a reminder that gold trading, like any form of investment, comes with its risks and ethical considerations.

For those learning how gold trading works, understanding these cultural influences is important. It’s not just about market analysis and economic indicators; it’s also about being aware of the psychological and cultural factors that can influence trading behavior. The allure of gold, as depicted in stories and movies, can lead to over-enthusiasm or unrealistic expectations in trading.

However, remember that real-world gold trading is not a Hollywood movie or a mythical tale. It requires a solid understanding of market trends, economic factors, and a good dose of realism. Unlike the quests and adventures in stories, trading involves analysis, strategy, and often, a cautious approach. It’s about balancing the romanticized perceptions with the practicalities of the market.

So, what’s the takeaway? The cultural depictions of gold in literature and film play a significant role in shaping perceptions of gold trading. They contribute to the mystique and allure of gold as a commodity but can also provide cautionary tales about greed and risk. For anyone interested in how gold trading works, it’s beneficial to recognize these influences and separate the myths and glamor from the realities of the trading world.

In conclusion, while gold’s portrayal in culture might spark initial interest in trading, successful trading relies on a deeper understanding of the market. It’s about blending the excitement and allure that comes from our cultural narratives with practical knowledge and strategic thinking. So, as you delve into the world of gold trading, keep in mind the lessons from these tales and movies, but always stay grounded in the realities of the market.

Business , Economy/Business

Fuel Subsidy: Association lauds Jigawa govt for empowering entrepreneurs, SMEs

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Fuel Subsidy: Association lauds Jigawa govt for empowering entrepreneurs, SMEs

Commendation

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Dutse, Aug. 14, 2023 (NAN) The Jigawa chapter of Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), has commended the state government for empowering 2,500 entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as part of its palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

NASSI’s Secretary in the state, Mr Danlami Haladu, gave the commendation in a statement in Dutse on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Jigawa government, in its State Executive Council meeting on Aug. 10, approved several palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy among the people in the state, including Small- and Medium-Scale Business (SMEs) operators and entrepreneurs in the state.

According to the state Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Mr Sagir Musa, who briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting,the breakdown is as follows.

“An empowerment programme for 1,500 young entrepreneurs running existing businesses across the 27 local government areas of the state, where each of the beneficiaries will receive N50,000 to enhance their businesses.

“Approval to support 1,000 SMEs with N100,000 each, under its J-Cares, a World Bank-supported programme.”

The commissioner, however, pointed out that only those SMEs that made the World Bank’s criteria of being registered, has bank accounts, BVN and have at least two employees, will get the grants.

“The association wishes to commend the effort of the state government for approving empowerment programmes for 1,500 young entrepreneurs and 1,000 SMEs across Jigawa,” the secretary said.

NASSI’s Secretary, Haladu, also commended the state and the Federal Governments for their efforts to supply 10 trucks of rice for distribution to less privileged people in the state cushion the effects of subsidy removal, which caused hire in prices of food items and other commodities.

NAN also reports that while the Federal Government sent five trucks of rice for distribution to people in the state, to cover more beneficiaries, the state government procured another five trucks at the cost of N134,665.

The association, however, advised the state government to ensure that the palliative distribution has reached the down-trodden and is done for the betterment of all and sundry across the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Politics

INEC sets up committees for national situation room, collation centre

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Abuja, Jan. 5, 2023 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established committees for National Situation Room and Collation Centre for the 2023 general elections.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, on Thursday in Abuja.

Okoye said that INEC at its weekly meeting on Thursday, deliberated on several issues, including the venue for the national situation room and collation centre for the 2023 general elections.

Okoye said that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, would head the Collaboration Secretariat Committee, National Chairman while the National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, would chair the Situation Room Committee.

”As general elections approach, the commission establishes a national situation room and collation centre where the results of presidential elections are collated.

”Once again, the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja will serve as the venue for this important exercise,” he stated.

Okoye said that the commission also established two committees for the purpose.

He stated, ”First is the Collation Secretariat, where presidential election results from the states will be collated.

“This will be headed by the chairman of the commission, in exercising his constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the presidential election. In addition, a few technical staff will assist him.

”The second is the Situation Room and Collation Centre Committee.

”This shall be responsible for the preparation of the venue, seating arrangement, utilities and services, security, the accreditation of party agents, as well as the national and international observers, media, etc.”

Okoye said that the committee members were National Commissioners: Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, and Festus Okoye; director of electoral operations; ICT; Planning and Monitoring.

Others were: directors of security; election and party monitoring; international cooperation and protocol; research; health services as well as director estate, works and transport.

Also listed as members of the committee were chief technical adviser to the chairman; special adviser to the chairman; chief press secretary to the chairman; while director of the Commission Secretariat will serve as Secretary.

Okoye said the situation room and collation centre committee was inaugurated by Yakubu, who charged it to start work in earnest and to discharge its responsibilities diligently.(NAN)

Solutions Journalism

Firm develops software to promote strategic service delivery in MDAs

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Firm develop software to promote strategic  service delivery in MDAs

Software

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Dec. 30, 2022 (NAN) Mrs Offiong Anyanwu, Chief Executive Officer of STRANSFORM, a Strategy Consulting Firm, says the  firm had developed a software to promote strategic and focused service deliveries  in Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs)

Anyanwu stated this in a statement  by the firm’s spokesman, Mr Anthony Anyanwu on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that  the software known as Issues Identification Resolution Mechanism (IIRM) is a root cause analysis tool for  solving problems.

NAN also report that the software  is aimed at facilitating achievement of deliverables and consequently Mandate optimisation in MDAs.

Anyanwu said that the idea was muted in the Presidential delivery unit in 2017 for identification and resolution of issues in the Social Investment Programmes.

”In 2019, STRANSFORM expanded its capabilities and developed the mechanism into a Software.

“It deploys logical iteration and critical thinking for issue identification, subsequent resolution and knowledge management,” he said.

Anyanwu said that the objective of the software was to ensure proactive identification of issues and challenges that could impact negatively on attainment of deliverables of MDAs’  mandate.

”This software was successfully deployed in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development to facilitate optimisation of its mandate.

”The resultant effect was the all green score card achieved by the Ministry in the recently concluded Ministerial Mandate Review Retreat 2022.

”The software has been deployed across the agencies of the ministry,” he said.

She said the  software is the game changer for intentional achievement of not only ministerial deliverables but also attainment of Governments priority area objectives.

”Interaction with the software will result in a new breed of strategic result focused civil servants that will change the narrative associated with the level of productivity in the service.

Anyanwu said that the software was deployed in October through November 2022 at the instance of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development.

She  said plans are in place to deploy the software across various MDAs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

DE/JPE

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(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

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