PositiveNaija, Author at PositiveNaija

Afghanistan Engages Cellulant’s E-Wallet AgriKore [2017]

Cellulant and its e-wallet AgriKore has been engaged by the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock, in Afghanistan, to commence the process of establishing a market-based input distribution technology for it.

The collaborative effort is aimed at bolstering Afghanistan’s drive for self-sufficiency in wheat production. Afghanistan will be the first country in Asia to adopt the e-wallet system, following the footsteps of countries like Liberia and Togo.

Beyond its benefits to Afghan, the development is a testimony of Nigerians innovation and creativity in providing IT solutions not only for the Nigerian market but also for export.

The technology had enabled Nigeria to increase its food production by an average of 21 million metric tonnes annually between 2012 and 2015. Cellulant had previously exported the technology to other African countries in Francophone and Anglophone Africa, such as Liberia, Togo, Uganda, and a host of others.Speaking on the partnership with the Afghan Government, the Co- founder, Cellulant Corporation, Bolaji Akinboro, said the technology originating from Nigeria, “is a gift from Cellulant to humanity.”

‘‘Afghanistan is beautiful to us, and we are glad to come all the way from Africa, Nigeria to make life better for the smallholder farmer in Afghanistan,” he stated.

According to him, the AgriKore technology gives smallholder farmers access to agricultural inputs of improved varieties/breeds, fertiliser and agro-chemicals, making it the backbone of increased productivity and profitability.

“This technology allows the best available seeds and fertiliser get into the hands of hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers to raise crop yields,” he said.

Bolaji Akinboro appreciated the government and the people of Afghanistan for giving the company the opportunity, and the space to participate in making life better for smallholder farmers. He explained:

“Cellulant is driven to solve difficult problems on use of payment technology. We will work with the government of Afghanistan to get inputs to one million farmers in the next 90 to 120 days.

This e-wallet system, which works on a block chain technology, provides a holistic system to link the farmers to agricultural inputs supply chain, finance and markets through integration with mobile network operators, input markets, extensions services, financial service providers, commodity market, and insurance service providers.

So far, Cellulant’s e-wallet or AgriKore ecosystem, which connects everyone to everything in agriculture all the time, has been of benefits to 17 million farmers, 2500 agri-businesses; 800 e-extension workers and over 2,500 service points in Nigeria. This technology enables more than five million farmers to get access to high quality inputs every year.”

The e-wallet system was conceived in Nigeria, and was first implemented during the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration under former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina , who is currently the President, African Development Bank (AfDB).

Babatunde Osho Appointed AICPA & CIMA Africa Regional Board Member

Babatunde Osho has been appointed a member to the first Africa Regional Board by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) with effect from August 2017.

According to the Regional Vice-President of the Association, Badibanga Promesse:

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Babatunde Osho and others from various countries to serve as board members for the next one year of extended term.

I look forward to some exciting time under the Association and cannot wait to get things in motion and provide excellent services to our members and students in Africa.”

Babatunde Osho, a multi-functional business professional is currently Director / CEO MTN Liberia.

The Regional Boards serve as a key conduit between the customers, stakeholders and the CGMA Board of Directors. They serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the profession from their individual and (geographical) representative perspective in identifying key macro and micro trends in the local marketplaces, impacting the customers and stakeholders understanding emerging issues with supply and demand of students, members, employers, universities and tuition providers.

The members of the Regional Boards can serve a maximum of three consecutive one year terms to provide continuity while also creating additional opportunities for a large and diverse stakeholders.

Odinaka Anudu Receives Africa-China Reporting Project Fellowship [2017]

Odinaka Anudu, has emerged as one of the 20 journalists selected from Africa and China to participate in the 2017 Africa-China Reporting Project Fellowship scheduled to hold in Ethiopia in early September.

Odinaka Anudu, a BusinessDay’s journalist, emerged as one of the few Africans selected for the fellowship for his series of competitive stories submitted to Africa-China Reporting Project as well as his proposal for an investigative story on Africa-China economic relations.

Continue reading Odinaka Anudu Receives Africa-China Reporting Project Fellowship [2017]

Winners of 2017 NIBSS Ennovate Naija Competition

Winners have emerged in the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) Competition tagged: Ennovate Naija.
Eight contestants that made the grand finale were tested on originality, feasibility, innovation, articulation, self-confidence, intellectual capacity and stage of development of idea.

Charles Atere won the top prize of ₦350,000.
Odunayo Adesokan and Ayoola Ogunlowo emerged second and third respectively with cash prize of ₦300,000 each.
Ibukunoluwa Aina and Sulaimon Bello also emerged winners with ₦250,000 respectively.

The Managing Director, NIBSS, Mr. Adebisi Shonubi said that the initiative came as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy on cash-based transactions which stipulated a cash handling charge on daily cash withdrawals.

In his statement:
“The policy is aimed at reducing the amount of physical cash circulating, encouraging more electronic-based transactions (payments for goods, services, transfers, etc.) and to drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach.
It is also aimed at developing and modernising the Nigerian payment system.”

He further explained that as a proactive measure to solve some of the challenge, NIBSS conceived the idea of organising an online crowd sourced contest Ennovate Naija, aimed at generating innovative ideas to drive the policy and generate solutions to overcome the present challenges.
Shonubi also pointed out that the initiative is an online contest to stimulate innovation amongst Nigerians and generate ideas on ways to enhance e-payment in Nigeria.
He further added that the contest is open to Nigerians with no age restrictions, and winners will be rewarded with cash prizes for the best 5 ideas.
The winners, in addition will be given exposure to investors who could help move their ideas forward.

Team Nigeria Wins 11 Medals At 2017 Regional African Gymnastics Championship

Team Nigeria has emerged victorious at the 2-day 2017 Regional African Gymnastics Championship with a total of 11 medals; 2 gold and 9 bronze.

The level 4-9 regional tournament was held in South Africa between August 4th and 5th [2017].

Lara Anot, (five years old) who is the youngest gymnast in the tournament won Nigeria first medal, a bronze with other gymnasts including Gabriella Asemota, Nfonmma Bassey and Elger Orese also among the medal winners.

According to the Technical Representative, Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria, Coach Anthony Asuquo:

“We finished the first phase of the level four and five today (Friday). Nigeria have gotten four bronze medals as at today, tomorrow Saturday is the high levels and Olympic level. That’s is where we want to send a signal to Africa that Nigeria is also a force to reckon with.

We have the only boy Uche Eke. He came all the way from the United States to represent Nigeria, he is in the Olympic level already. I’m optimistic he’ll bring his wealth of experience into play when the stage is set”.

First Bank Basketball Club Wins Zenith Women Basketball League [2017]

First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos claimed their eighth Zenith Bank Women Basketball League after beating First Deepwater 84-53 on July 29, 2017.

The Elephant girls have now their eyes set on this year’s FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women (ACCW), which will take place in November [2017].

According to the First Bank coach Peter Ahmedu:

“We knew what our target was and didn’t at any point in time joked with our games because in basketball you cannot underrate any team. We kept our focus and we thank God we won.”

This is not the end of the story for us but just the beginning because we would still go for the zonal qualifier as well as the Final Round. Last year we claimed a Third-Place finish in Maputo, Mozambique, but I think we can achieve more”, the play caller explained.”

Magdalene Ukato who led the way for First Bank with a team-best 20 points, was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Nigeria League.