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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
NEWS
ntel Announces Network Compatibility with Samsung Galaxy Devices ntel, which recently launched with the most advanced 4G/ LTE broadband technology, has announced its network’s compatibility with two highquality devices, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. According to ntel, following months of compatibility tests, its network is now compatible with Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge making it possible for owners and users of the devices to call and browse at superfast speeds on the ntel network. With this feat, ntel becomes the first 4G/LTE provider in Africa to achieve device and network compatibility that will enable VoLTE capable calls, ntel’s network supports crystal-clear HD Voice calling (VoLTE), as well as key LTE-Advanced features: Carrier Aggregation (CA); and Multiple In, Multiple Out (MIMO) Antennae technology. These features combine to enable downlink data speeds of up to 230Megabits per second and are both supported on Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge devices. Speaking on the new development, the CEO of ntel, Mr. Kamar Abass, said: “Samsung is the leader in the Nigerian smart phone market and news of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge compatibility with our 4G/LTE Advanced network is fantastic news for our customers who have been
eagerly waiting to use their high-end Samsung devices on our network. As Nigeria’s first pure-play 4G/LTE-Advanced network, ntel is committed to ensuring its customers have the widest possible range of devices to choose from.” The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge devices are top of the range devices from Samsung with enhanced design, high-quality cameras, water resistance, wireless charging, and connectivity to an unparalleled galaxy of services, products and experiences. Director and Business Leader, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, expressed delight at the partnership with ntel while adding that Samsung will continue to defy boundaries of engineering to perfect the user experience through innovative designs and envelope-pushing solutions as exemplified by the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. “Samsung is very particular about its customers’ mobile experience and committed to ensuring that users get the best of their mobile devices. The S7 and S7 Edge smartphones were designed to usher consumers into a whole new galaxy with impeccable features,” Revmatas said. “We have further cemented our brand’s promise with
this partnership that allows users make calls and browse at super fast speeds without
interruption. This is definitely a great value added experience,” Revmatas added.
With a sleek, curved-glass back and slim ergonomic body, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7
edge are easy to hold in one hand and fit in your pocket or purse.
NITDA, Plateau State Govt Back Hackjos 2016 STRATEGISING TO BOOST OIL PRODUCTION Emma Okonji The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is backing the second edition of HackJos, the software/hackathon competition holding in Jos, Plateau State from November 1-4, 2016. The support, according to NITDA, is part of efforts to promote innovation hubs across the country and equip young people with software and entrepreneurship skills. Aside NITDA, some technology companies have also indicated their interests to join the Plateau State Government to make HackJos 2016 a success. They include Hotels.ng, Smartweb, and Konga .com, Enspire Incubator, Idea Hub, Gigalayer, Andela, which recently received a venture capital funding from Facebook and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). Others are Precise Financial Solutions (PFS), BAU Research and Development, Metronet Communication Concept Ltd and Unity FM. Also on the list of supporters are Qitech Technologies, ProJaro, Instinct Wave, and Smartweb is billed to make presentations at the four day software development marathon featuring a one day conference with the theme: “How ready is Nigeria for the internet of things (IoT)”. Announcing the support, the Deputy Governor of the state, Professor SonniGwanleTyoden, said: “Technology with Innova-
tion drives today’s economy and we believe young people are the drivers of this process. This is the new Plateau State open to business and willing to promote entrepreneurs under the leadership of the state Governor, Simon BakoLalong.” The Hackjos forum is designed as a meeting point for budding entrepreneurs and already established tech-companies as well as for policy makers and investors angling to bet on technology innovation. Speakers for the IoT conference are drawn across sub-sectors with IT and Innovation. The Ag Director General of the NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunjisaid: “We are glad to be supporting HackJos and believe Nigeria’s future rests on the resourcefulness of its young people. As part of our mandate to promote software skills and build indigenous capacity in IT, we consider HackJos a strategic window to build confidence in young people, identify with their budding skill set and provide them with the required impetus to thrive.” About 30 teams consisting of a minimum of three developers/ ‘hackathoners’ 10 judges, 10 tech support team and over 300 live audience and spectators will be housed for four days in a marathon of wit, entrepreneurship and mental fitness to develop appssolutions under the framework of Nigeria’s readiness for IoT and sector-by-sector challenges in Nigeria’s economic space.
L-R: Director, Business Development, Secol-USA, Mr. Forum Doubara; MD, Platform Petroleum Ltd, Osa Owieadolor; GMD, Platform Petroleum Holdings Ltd, Mr. Konyebagu Opute; and Chief Executive, Energy & Corporate Africa, Mr. Sunny Oputa at 2nd Africa Small & Marginal Oil Fields Development Conference 2016 held in London,UK recently. ..recently
EXMAN Inaugurates Brand Access Bank, Airtel, Innjoo Mobile Endorse Yudala Zero Gravity Ambassadors’ Programme The Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), has launched a programme tagged, the ‘Certified Brand Ambassadors’ Programme. The inauguration of the programme was attended by over 40 EXMAN Agency personnel, including the association’s president, Dr. RotimiOlaniyan. Speaking at the event, Oladele harped on the importance of Project Personnel called Brand Ambassadors in the Experiential Marketing/ Client Management Ecosystem. According to him, Brand Ambassadors are key personnel representing agencies on the field to deliver on client briefs as the agencies seek to bring meaningful brand experiences alive. He noted the importance of tooling the Brand Ambassadors appropriately as they undertake their duties. The Chairman of the EXMAN Committee on Training and Capacity Building, Mr. TunjiAdeyinka explained that the Brand Ambassadors’ Programme has three different pillars. According to him, the first pillar is the Register of Brand Ambassadors which will assign a unique number to each Ambassador anywhere in Nigeria. The register will
also carry the profile of every Brand Ambassador so that EXMAN member agencies can view the profile of the BA before considering them for employment. The second pillar is the Training pillar which provides three different modules of materials on Brand Management, Experiential Marketing, Project Management and other topics. The third pillar is an insurance cover for all registered Brand Ambassadors provided by Mutual Benefit Assurance. The Customer Marketing Director, Guinness, Mr. ObinnaAnyalebechi who spoke at the launch commended EXMAN for birthing the programme. He said that apart from setting standards for Brand Ambassadors, the programme would also help clients who will be sure of the quality of the ambassadors they are using for their activations. He confirmed that Brand Ambassadors are an extension of the brands they work for and are therefore very important in marketing activations. The programme also helps agencies to blacklist Brand Ambassadors who may have committed infractions in the line of duty.
A number of corporate organisations including Access Bank, Airtel and InnJoo Mobile have swelled the growing list of sponsors for a multi-city digital entertainment concert tagged Yudala Zero Gravity powered by Africa’s pioneer composite e-commerce outfit in partnership with New Concept Media Group (NCMG). Also joining the list of media partners for the debut edition of Yudala Zero Gravity are MTV Base, Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Urban FM, HOT FM, Dream FM as well as major news platforms such as Nigerian Communications Week, Sabinews, ITRealms, News Express, The Capital and Political Economist, among others. For Access Bank and Airtel, two corporate institutions that have enjoyed sustainable success in the banking and telecommunications sectors respectively, this endorsement of Yudala Zero Gravity continues a track record of mutually rewarding partnerships with Yudala. Both organisations are major partners to Yudala on YUBOSS – an entrepreneurship and wealth-creation scheme set up by Yudala to build a league of emerging entrepreneurs and generate creative employment
for millions of Nigerians. Membership of YUBOSS offers participants a chance to become part-owners of Yudala franchise stores without any form of investment, while receiving attractive commissions in the multi-level scheme, among other wide range of benefits. Both companies have also featured prominently in the Gyming with the Stars series – a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Yudala which offers Nigerians from all walks of life a chance to work out with their favourite celebrities. InnJoo Mobile, on the other hand came into the partnership with Yudala on Zero Gravity on the back of its rising profile as a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge and price-friendly smart mobile devices and lifestyle goods. Within a couple of years of launch, InnJoo Mobile which recently launched the Max 3 smartphone which is taking the market by storm, has steadily acquired a growing share of the Nigerian and West African mobile devices market. Yudala will also benefit from widespread publicity and coverage of the Zero Gravity concerts from the slew of media partners who have identified with the event.