SLVA CyberSecurity and Active Cypher’s data protection and control solution works across all systems, protecting data at rest, in motion and during collaboration.

 

Understanding the importance of simplifying data protection, SLVA CyberSecurity has partnered with Active Cypher, to help its customers overcome these specific challenges.

 

This is achieved by providing data security across the entire data supply chain, explains SLVA CyberSecurity CEO Patrick Evans. In this way, he adds, one can render sensitive data worthless to ransomware attackers, and turn potential data breaches from catastrophes into inconveniences.

 

“Active Cypher is a data protection and control solution designed to protect and secure data across its entire lifecycle, in ways that are less complex and costly than its contemporaries. Essentially, it redefines data loss prevention, by ensuring that data is self-protected at all times, even when firewalls and other security measures fail,” he says.

 

“This is done through the provision of comprehensive encryption, complete access control, and file activity monitoring solutions for businesses. This partnership enables businesses to proactively secure their data from a range of challenges, including hacking, ransomware, and even accidental disclosure,” continues Evans.

 

Evans notes that the solution achieves this by using high-level policy frameworks, as opposed to complicated service rules or time-consuming classification. Active Cypher determines who is allowed to decrypt a file by ‘piggy-backing’ on the company’s existing Active Directory (AD) or Azure AD file access permissions. This, he says, enables all encrypted data to be viewed only by users that are members of the AD Security Groups, and thus have network access permission to view and edit files.

 

“The beauty of Active Cypher, and one of the key reasons we chose to work with it, is that its data protection and control solutions work across all systems. Thus it is able to shield data not only at its creation point, but at rest, in motion in any environment, and in email and file sharing collaboration, across any platform,” adds Evans.

 

Says Active Cypher’s VP Global Business Development, Brian Morgan, “As a global leader in the data protection market, Active Cypher is always looking for partners that can help address the needs of today’s enterprise companies and service providers. The key qualities we look for are a pedigree in cybersecurity technologies, a consultative approach to solving client needs, and a focus on business outcomes for the client. We felt that SLVA CyberSecurity exemplifies those qualities and expertise and has a proven track record in the high-growth markets of Africa and the United States. We look forward to evolving our relationship with SLVA and together with their service provider partners to help enterprises enable their data to protect itself.”

 

As it protects and secures information dynamically across the entire data supply chain, it means that information on electronic devices in-transit to anywhere in the world and within any cloud sharing service, such as Dropbox, OneDrive or SharePoint remains fully secured.

 

“A great example of the tangible impact Active Cypher can have can be seen in the healthcare industry, which handles a wealth of highly sensitive patient information. A local hospital that uses cloud collaboration tools recently experienced a ransomware incident, and turned to Active Cypher to protect the information related to their patient data,” notes Evans.

 

“The information security team required a data protection solution that scaled across a complex ecosystem of internal departments and external stakeholders, while thoroughly protecting highly sensitive data containing personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI).”

 

He says that Active Cypher was chosen as it gave the client hospital the ability to secure any type of file, across any environment, while still integrating easily with existing security technologies. This meant that the information security team was able to secure critical hospital and patient data through Active Cypher, without slowing down information sharing and collaboration workflows.

 

Similar use cases are referenceable for the legal industry, financial services, mergers & acquisitions, companies listed on the stock exchange that need to “enforce quiet periods”, the service provider market, and product innovation groups.

 

“The manner in which Active Cypher solved the unique challenge of a complex organisation, one that prioritises data security, demonstrates the benefit of having a single solution to protect and secure data across its entire lifecycle. Active Cypher and SLVA can help you avoid business-impacting events around data breaches caused by malware, ransomware, and inadvertent loss. We can put you back in control of your business operation and critical data, by ensuring that your data is protected at all times, anywhere and everywhere,” says Evans.

 

 

 

 

The need to get an education and international exposure has always been on the minds of many Nigerian youths. There have been calls for oversea institutions especially in North America to deepen their scholarship program for international students. In line with this reality, The University of Ottawa, a top-notch university in Canada recently made it known that they opening opportunities for Nigerians to utilize their scholarship worth up to $100,000 for African students.

The University of Ottawa made known that the new four-year entrance and excellence scholarship is worth up to $100,000 for African students newly admitted to English undergraduate programs in engineering, science, or social sciences.

They said that “This renewable scholarship is offered to citizens of African countries who are newly admitted to one of the eligible undergraduate programs offered in English by the faculties of Engineering, Science, or Social Sciences.”

They added that “Depending on their average, eligible students could receive an excellence scholarship worth at least $CAN70,000 or an entrance scholarship worth at least $CAN50,000 over four years. Totaling more than $40.5 million, our undergraduate international scholarship and financial aid program remains among the most generous at any major Canadian university. It rewards not only your pre-university academic achievements but also your achievements every term of full-time study. The scholarship will give African students studying in English access to many programs across three faculties by significantly reducing their tuition. ”

In conclusion, they opined that “To help students throughout the application process, the University of Ottawa will host several virtual information sessions to answer questions and advise prospective students. Eligibility criteria, programs available, and conditions are presented on the uOttawa International English Scholarship website.

The University of Ottawa is an international hub of over 46,800 bright and engaged individuals, including more than 9,300 students from 145 countries. Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, uOttawa offers the highest quality undergraduate and graduate education. The University of Ottawa ranks among the top 150 universities in the world. Ottawa is consistently ranked one of the world’s top 20 cities to live in and one of the best cities for quality of life in Canada.

 

 

Occupational mobility has always been human want and need. The need to search for a better place and environment for individuals and families have been there from time immemorial. In line with this job mobility, Purer Healthcare Agency a health sector recruitment firm based in United Kingdom, UK will be their LAGOS CARE SHOW to be held at AGIP Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos Island, Nigeria this 7 December 2022.

Paul-Kayode Joash, Director Purer Healthcare Agency “We supply UK qualified overseas care and nursing professionals. 1000’s of positions available.5years work visa Earn a minimum of £20k a year, Certificate of sponsorship, Free education for your children under 18.”

Nigerians can participate via various channels, to be part of the conference via Zoom, the amount of N30,000⁣   (Thirty Thousand Naira)  and the link is https://paystack.com/pay/lagoscareshow-virtual , ⁣while regular ticket will be paying N50,000. (Fifty Thousand Naira) https://paystack.com/pay/lagoscareshow-regular  . These tickets Would Be Sent to Mails, Few Days To Event. For more information on the event, Nigerians can visit Visit http://lagoscareshow.ng  or call Ewa on 0705 951 5012 and WhatsApp  https://bit.ly/3tVqCXr

Participants stand to gain many things such as Guaranteed UK Care & Nursing jobs⁣.3-5 years UK Work Visa⁣.they will earn a minimum of £20k a year⁣. There will be certificate of Sponsorship, Free education for children under 18, Dependant visas available⁣ and Help with CV, Training & Eligibility.

Paul-Kayode Joash added that “Interested participants should be prepared to be inspired by the UKs leading health experts, thought leaders, and care experts. Purer Healthcare Agency is a subsidiary of ObsGynea Healthcare UK Limited. We offer expert, highly personalised services to UK Care Providers in meeting their staffing needs.”

Purer Healthcare Agency is providing expert and highly personalised services to UK Care Homes/Providers in supplying them with overseas care and nursing staff. They work with candidates in securing employments and get their Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the respective Care Home, that’s employing them. Their services cover the settlement of new candidates in the UK and we provide continuous mentoring and support.

 

As the year is coming to an end, there is need for a lot of people to start worrying on how far they have performed within the year under review. This singular situation has made a lot of people depress and down-casted now that we are in perilous time in this country. Looking at this, Paul Kayode Joash is bringing a life changing conference tagged “MY DOUBLE DOUBLE” with a theme Resurge

”The organizers of the conference have made it known that attendance is free. The event will be held at two locations of AGIP HALL, MUSON Centre and THE EMINENCE CENTER, Ibadan. This center is located adjacent PEFTI , Mokola Road. Speaking to the media , Paul Kayode said” We are bringing hope and faith to people. We do understand that the economy is tight and things are a bit steep, with lots of Nigerians going suicidal, we strongly believe that God is there and he is still the same and he will bring hope”

“We are inviting people to come at to this event at no cost, we believe that good things of life are free and this is free. It is a two-day event and two location event one will be held at AGIP HALL MUSON Center, Onikan Lagos and the one that will be held at THE EMINENCE. We will be looking forward to your attendance “, Paul added.

“If doing better than ever before in business, career, and life is what you want, then you need to attend RESURGE!⁣Strategic deployments that makes you ‘come alive’ again!⁣ This year’s MyDoubleDouble Conference remains a very personal one for me and would be for our audience. Our theme has been “Getting from where you ARE to where you want to be” but this year it is “From where you WERE to where you want to be”. Negative experiences have a way of affecting our minds forming the bedrock for its re-occurrence and a cycle could be born. In this exclusive event, you’ll discover the skills, the disciplines, and the unique insights that propels to lasting greatness”, Paul concluded.

The event will start from 10.30am which is on Wednesday 7 December 2022, MUSON Centre, Lagos⁣ While Lagos and Saturday 7 December will be held at the EMINENCE CENTER, Ibadan. Notable speakers that will be gracing the occasion are Lara Kudaisi, Obafemi Bamigbe, Sanmi Akindipe, Bisi Akintayo while the Host is Paul-Kayode Joash⁣.

Boomplay (www.Boomplay.com),  Africa’s largest music streaming platform, has partnered with Generations Radio, France’s premier syndicated Hip Hop and Soul radio station, to launch the Top Africa Charts show to promote African music and spotlight African artists.

 

The partnership establishes the Top Africa Charts show as the first ever African music charts show on mainstream radio in France, sourced from Boomplay’s African charts and produced by Generations Radio. The show features top songs from Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and many other African countries every week while spotlighting new artists, songs and key music developments across Africa.

The Top Africa Charts show broadcasts live on Generations Radio from its Paris studios every Sunday from 20h00 – 21h00 GMT+1  and assumes two broadcast formats; in French and English. The French format is a live radio show and podcast hosted by sensational OAP, Ornella and the English version is in podcast format, presented by Cleopatra, with both shows hosting special guests.

This is a milestone shift for African music and culture in France, and I am so proud to be part of this African story we are telling through music

Regarding the partnership, the Director for Artist and Media Relations at Boomplay, Tosin Sorinola, disclosed, “As an Africa-focused streaming service, Boomplay is constantly seeking opportunities to promote African artists and their content. Thus a collaboration to provide more reach for African music and introduce many African artists to the french market fits our vision of empowering the African music ecosystem to unlock its potential and taking African music to the world. We couldn’t be more excited to have an influential partner as Generations Radio to realise this.”

Commenting on the partnership, Director at Generations Radio, Laurent Beauvain, also noted, “African music is today the most represented international music on our music programming at Generations. This is a big step for our radio station, which has a music editorial strategy that is mostly Hip Hop and Soul. Boomplay has the best music insights and indicators of trends and future revelations in key countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. We are excited to partner with Africa’s leading streaming platform. Generations Radio continues in its mission to spotlight and empower new talents every year and is excited to be able to expand its audiences and impact in Africa as well.”

The Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Top Africa Charts Show, Cleopatra Mukula, also shared, “It was important to us to curate a partnership blueprint that puts all listeners and the artists first while simultaneously bridging the gap between young people in the francophone diaspora and Africa. Every artist playlisted on Top Africa monetises via radio play and also from all streams generated via our playlist on the Boomplay app. This is a milestone shift for African music and culture in France, and I am so proud to be part of this African story we are telling through music.”

Generations Radio is a leading radio station in France with a massive youthful listenership owing to HipHop and Soul. The station views music partnerships as an avenue to further amplify the voice of young talents. Boomplay, as a key player in Africa’s digital music scene, has, through strategic partnerships, continued to invest in the African music industry.

The Top Africa Charts show podcast is available exclusively on Boomplay in English and French after the live broadcast. Eight pilot episodes of the show have already been introduced to listeners of Generations Radio and are currently streaming on Boomplay.

 

Appzone, one of Nigeria’s foremost Financial Technology Firm (Fintech) located in Lekki recently evolved to be known as Zone. his is in line with the new hieghts the organization has reached and the need to service their consumer better by deploying innovative and robust payment gateway/infrastructure to their teaming clients. This change of name is a clear reflection of how well the organization has done locally and the need to solve various cross-border payment accross the content.

Oluwatobi Alaka, the Corporate Communications Manager, APPZONE said “Appzone Group formally pivoted and rebranded to become Zone, a payment infrastructure company. We have built Africa’s first layer-1 blockchain protocol that will enable payments and the acceptance of digital currencies for Financial Service Providers globally. This is a huge feat for an African company! This pivot from our cloud-based SaaS infrastructure will enable us offer payments processing services that support both fiat money and digital currencies, to enable a hybrid interim period in finance where TradFi and DeFi will coexist seamlessly.”

He added that “Zone allows participating institutions to connect directly with each other and perform payment transactions without an intermediary while completely automating settlement, reconciliation, and dispute management using blockchain technology. In August 2022, Appzone now known as Zone was granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria a ‘Switching and Processing License’ as a ‘Switch & Processor’ in Nigeria. With the new license, Zone is now permitted to perform commercial activities covered under the Super-Agent, Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) and Payment Solutions Service Provider (PSSP) licenses.”

“Nigeria is leading in the area of fintechs in Africa and ZONE as a brand is here to revolutionize this ecosystem. Zone is poised to help solve cross-border payment challenges for financial service providers across Africa and we look forward to sharing this story with the world. I have attached our press release for more information on our rebrand. The absence of an intermediary or middleman in Zone’s architecture saves participating institutions money, enhances reliability and eliminates reconciliation delays,”Tobi concluded

 

 

 

More than 22 institutions in the country, comprising 18 universities, and six polytechnics, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), drawn evenly from the six geopolitical zones in the country, have benefited from a Federal Government’s broadband infrastructure projects designed to accelerate the Nigeria Digital Economy efforts.

 

At the unveiling of the projects being driven by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami,  who presided over the event, said the projects underscores the importance of broadband connectivity and access as central to the accomplishment of the targets of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 for a digital Nigeria, and that the project is in line with the mandates of President Muhammadu Buhari on job creation and economic diversification.

 

Pantami, who was joined by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Mohammed Bello at the event, disclosed that the key infrastructure being provided for the project, comprise of broadband infrastructure for tertiary institutions of learning; broadband infrastructure for MSME; distribution of 6,000 e-pad tablets, in addition to provision of broadband connectivity to 20 markets as a pilot.

 

He said the interest in supporting the MSMEs is justified by their current contribution of more than half of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) prior to COVID-19 outbreak, and now constitute 96.7 per cent of entire businesses in the country, and therefore, “any effort to develop our economy without bringing such important sector into the equation will amount to efforts in futility.”

 

At the event, which had in attendance the Chairman of the Board of the NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande; the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta; the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed; and the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof Idris Bugaje, a book authored by Pantami, titled “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees” with foreword written by Brad Smith, President of Microsoft Corporation, was unveiled for the industry.

 

Pantami said the book is his intellectual contribution to bridging skills gap to enable Nigerians to tap into the opportunities that exist in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and other sectors of the economy.

 

The book was reviewed by three different Vice Chancellors – Prof. Muhammad Abdulazeez of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Prof Owuanari Georgewill of University of Port Harcourt; and Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas of Bayero University Kano, who commended the efforts of the Minister in putting his thoughts and experience to paper. They recommended the book, which they commended highly.

 

In their comments, NCC’s Akande and Danbatta, corroborated that the project will fast-track and enhance the ongoing efforts of the NCC’s to deepen connectivity towards achieving the targeted broadband penetration of 70 per cent by 2025.

 

NCC’s Chairman, Prof. Akande, assured of the commitment of the Commission in completing the projects, which will add the necessary fillip to achieving the major objectives spelt out in the NDEPS, 2020-2030.

 

The EVC of NCC, Prof. Danbatta, highlighted the Commission’s drive towards deepening broadband penetration in the country and the promotion of digital skills acquisition to improve service delivery in other sectors of the economy, including education, commerce, healthcare, agriculture, finance, transportation, governance, among others.

 

The event attracted so many stakeholders especially from the academia, as well as technology enthusiasts, including prospective start-up companies, fintech organisations and other interested sectors whose activities are billed to be energized through diligent implementation of the NDEPS and other extant policies guiding the digital economy agenda of the Nigerian government.

 

 

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned consumers against the patronage and use of devices that have not been typed approved and counterfeit devices, strongly warning that such devices negatively affect the quality of experience while leaving their users vulnerable to losses and other discomforts.

 

The warning came following the Commission’s enforcement activities in Kano where it arrested representatives of three companies responsible for the sale of counterfeit as well as non-type-approved devices and has handed them over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and further necessary action.

 

The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for selling counterfeit Gionee devices and not being able to show any evidence of authorization granted to the company by the Commission.  Messrs Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications were also arrested because they were not licenced to engage in the sales and installation of terminal equipment and were unable to show any evidence of authorization from the Commission in that connection.

 

The NCC’s Head of Enforcement, Mallam Salisu Abdu, who led the team, expressed concerns at how the GSM Market on Beirut Street, Kano, was awash with counterfeit and non-type approved phones. Abdu bemoaned the fact that many of the vendors were not licensed by the Commission to provide such communication service they rendered.

 

The Commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of counterfeit devices is stopped. The NCC will collaborate with market associations to ensure that appropriate licences are obtained by vendors and assist in apprehending the major dealers and suppliers of counterfeit devices.

 

The non-type-approved phones found during the enforcement include Gionee branded phones with model numbers G800, and L990; H-Mobile phones with model numbers it5606+, H351; FoxKong with model numbers F30, F300; and KGTEL phones with model numbers K2160 and KG1100.


In a perfect world, there should be no reason why a small or informal business can’t achieve the same growth trajectory as a formalised business. In fact, their smaller size could mean less red tape, more agility, and faster development. But in reality, small businesses and informal traders are often limited by access to services, opportunities, and information says Zunaid Miya, Managing Director of local fintech Hello Pay.

 

A World Bank study shows the average informal enterprise in developing economies is only one quarter as productive as the average enterprise operating in the formal sector. Besides obvious challenges such as lack of capital, small businesses are often held back by struggles in their day-to-day operations too, says Miya. “These issues include challenges such as attracting a customer base, marketing and, critically, managing cashflow. New start-ups usually have to deal with all aspects of the business, from sales and marketing to staff and HR, distribution and logistics to accounting and procurement. They often find it overwhelming.”

 

This is compounded by the fact that informal businesses are often started by migrants and individuals faced with long-term unemployment, he adds. “A large proportion of immigrants come to South Africa as economic migrants, wanting to find a livelihood to send back home. Many have challenges in finding gainful employment and resort to opening their own business. Others start their own businesses after losing their job and facing extended financial hardship, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. Whether a local or a migrant, most do it as a last resort to support their families and have little to no background in running a business.  Typically, these enterprises are started with minimal start-up capital and the focus is on day-to-day fast-moving consumer goods such as groceries, clothing, and electronics.”

 

Hello Pay created a business-in-a-box solution to assist these small business owners and improve their chances of success. “The fact is that there is support on offer to small businesses, but many simply don’t know that it’s available to them. At Hello Pay, our aim has always been to improve financial inclusion, and that means assisting these entrepreneurs on their journeys,” says Miya.

 

This complete solution starts with a bank account, which is the nucleus of financial inclusion, as well as mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) devices which enable merchants to receive card payments, and e-commerce payment solutions. Then, SMEs have access to growth funding once the business has six months of transaction history with Hello Pay. Their approved funding is dependent on the number of payments they process and can range from R30 000 to R250 000, which can be paid off over a period of up to 12 months at commercially attractive rates. Its sister company Hello Paisa also offers armed response, basic insurance, immediate remittance transactions and other key elements a small business would need.

 

There is a misconception that such complete and competitive solutions don’t exist for the informal and small business economies, but that’s not the case anymore, says Miya. “Furthermore, many entrepreneurs simply don’t realise they need such solutions until a few months down the line. Most assume they will just collect money in cash, but then realise they need digital payment options too.”

 

This is the case no matter the customer base. One recent study showed that although rural and township residents use cards for 60% of their transactions at formal retailers, only 4% of transactions were card-based at informal retailers. This is very likely because these options aren’t available even though there is a clear need for them.

 

“New business owners need to understand who their target market is, what they need, and make it easy and convenient for them to shop,” says Miya. “This means adopting multiple payment options – even in the informal space today, most vendors adopt two or three options. At a minimum, new businesses need a bank account and must ensure that they can accept cash and card payments. QR code or EFT payment functionality is the next step, and then creating an online site and accepting payments there.

 

“It might be a little intimidating at first, and there will be a learning curve, but it will be worth it. Adopting different payment solutions and technology will not only grow your business faster but give you other advantages, such as leverage to negotiate better rates. Remember that there is help available to you to make this journey easier – make use of it.”

 

 

 

As the general election is approaching, there has been calls for the citizens of the nation to pray for the country. This call was made during the National Prayer Conference held at Abuja. The conference focused on the need to ensure that Nigerians pray to avert violence. Themed “The Role of Citizens in Peaceful Elections”

The convener of the conference, Apostle Edith Grace during the media chat she said that “Politics is not a do or die affair, that peace is a major key in this election. There is need to pray to avert all the dangers and make sure that the forth coming election is peaceful”

In line with the submission of Grace, Linus Okorie, founder of Guardians of Nation International (GONI) and one of the facilitators said “We must be aware that there would be element who will want to disrupt the elections by using thugs, but they should use their children and no Nigerian should listen to them. We have to go beyond the stomach infrastructure which they have used against the youths of this nation”

Desmond Orisewezie, the National Coordinator of Red Cap Movement said “Nigerians want to participate in an election that is devoid of judicial interpretation, an era where court decides who wins an election. People are coming out to make sure that they do the needful by electing competent people to govern them. They must ensure that their vote count”

Pastor Praise Elroi, the President of Kings Daughters International concluded by saying that “If you don’t contribute to peaceful election that you are not doing yourself fine. If you don’t do that you will be cutting yourself short from a nation that gave you the passport and know place like home.

The need to have a peaceful election has become so imperative that Nigerians have been warned and made to understand the need to have a smooth transition that will take the country to a greater height. The Prayer Conference 2022 has made this known that citizens must do the needful and also bring God to bare.