UBER CEO, TRAVIS KALANICK, RESIGNS

Founder of popular ride-sharing service, Uber, Travis Kalanick stepped down Tuesday as chief executive. He helped found the Company in 2009. A shareholder revolt made it untenable for him to stay on at the company.

Mr. Kalanick’s exit came under pressure after hours of drama involving Uber’s investors, said confidential sources with knowledge of the situation.

Earlier on Tuesday, five of Uber’s major investors demanded that the chief executive resign immediately. The investors included one of Uber’s biggest shareholders, the venture capital firm Benchmark, which has one of its partners, Bill Gurley, on Uber’s board. The investors made their demand for Mr. Kalanick to step down in a letter delivered to the chief executive while he was in Chicago, said the people with knowledge of the situation.

In the letter, titled “Moving Uber Forward” and obtained by The New York Times, the investors wrote to Mr. Kalanick that he must immediately leave and that the company needed a change in leadership. Mr. Kalanick, 40, consulted with at least one Uber board member and after long discussions with some of the investors, he agreed to step down. He will remain on Uber’s board of directors.

 “I love Uber more than anything in the world and at this difficult moment in my personal life I have accepted the investors request to step aside so that Uber can go back to building rather than be distracted with another fight,” Mr. Kalanick said in a statement.

Uber’s board said in a statement that Mr. Kalanick had “always put Uber first” and that his stepping down as chief executive would give the company “room to fully embrace this new chapter in Uber’s history.” An Uber spokesman declined to comment further.

His resignation follows the company’s woes that started this year over allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at the work place. His troubles began earlier this year after a former Uber engineer detailed what she said was sexual harassment at the company, opening the floodgates for more complaints and spurring internal investigations. 

Mr. Kalanick turned the company into the world’s dominant ride-hailing service and upended the transportation industry around the globe. He had said last week that he would take an indefinite leave of absence.

36TH EDITION OF START-UP SUNDAY JUST HELD IN PORT-HARCOURT AND IT WAS LIT!

Christmas arrived before December for PH Start-ups last Sunday as Kendall Ananyi, Founder of wifi.com.ng, in true Santa-Claus like fashion, came with a bag of tips to enable start-ups build their companies purely from their personal and operational finances. Kendall spoke on ‘Bootstrapping to a $1m run rate in Africa’ during his mentoring session at the 36th edition of Start-Up Sunday, held last Sunday in Port-Harcourt. 

Kendall Ananyi Credit- Parks Photo

It was eye-opening for some participants and start-up founders. Kendall spoke about how start-ups can self-finance first before seeking investment from venture capitalists or angel-investors. He shared his personal experience failing at setting up several start-ups prior to wifi.com.ng.

He also spoke about how he was able to run wifi.com.ng with his personal finances and from the operating revenues of the company before his company’s participation at Y-Combinator. It was highly interactive as participants were equally prepared with intelligent questions.

Photo Credit- Parks Photo

Photo Credit- Parks Photo

Start-Up Sunday's 36th edition was a bumper package as it also featured a Pitching exercise, Fireside chat, networking sessions, elevator pitch challenge and updates on the Port-Harcourt start-up guide project update. Perhaps the most exciting and inspiring highlight was the mentoring session with Kendall Ananyi, Founder wifi.com.ng.

Pitching Exercise-  Photo Credit- Parks Photo

Fireside Chat - Photo Credit- Parks Photo

The Pitching exercise featured two start-ups from students of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Tank Truck by Daniel Alisi and Tabanatech, a church data management software system by Samuel Adiela. They were also able to receive feedback from participants at the Start-Up Sunday. I was also graced by Start-Up Wizs in Port-Harcourt like Uche Aniche of Venuehero.co and convener Start-Up South and Mayple Dappa, CEO of Fayples.com

Photo Credit- Parks Photo

Photo Credit- Parks Photo

In all, Start-Up Sunday’s 36^th edition was fun and laughter but most importantly inspirational, educational and thought-provoking. Watch out for the next edition on the 3rd Sunday in July.

Access Bank, others, take over Etisalat Nigeria- Here's what went wrong

Etisalat Nigeria, Nigeria’s fourth largest telecom operator, ran into trouble with the consortium of banks, led by Access Bank PLC, following its failure to meet its obligations in respect of a $1.72 billion (about N541.8 billion) loan facility it obtained in 2015.

The loan, which involved a foreign-backed guarantee bond, was for the mobile telephone operator to finance a major network rehabilitation and expansion of its operational base in Nigeria.

After the repayment of the loan failed in 2016, the consortium, with the backing of their foreign partners, threatened to take over the company and its asset across Nigeria.

The intervention of the NCC and the CBN persuaded the banks to give Etisalat a chance to renegotiate the loan repayment schedule.But, the company also reneged on the pledge to pay up by May 31, resulting in a final default note and enforcement notice issued on June 9, 2017.

EMTS has already announced the commencement of the process to unveil a new shareholding structure and new trading name for the company during the transition phase.

Etisalat Group, the parent company of Etisalat Nigeria, on Tuesday announced the changes to Etisalat Nigeria’s shareholding in a letter filed to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate.

UAE’s Etisalat (Etisalat Group), with a 45 per cent stake in the Nigerian arm, also said it had been ordered to transfer its shares to a loan trustee by June 23, after negotiations failed, Reuters reported. It added it was carrying the stake at nil value.

The Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited, also known as Etisalat Nigeria, has up to June 23, 2017 to complete the transfer of 100 per cent of the company’s shares in Etisalat Nigeria to the United Capital Trustees Limited, the legal representative of the consortium of 13 banks.

While assuring its subscribers that the latest development would not affect its normal operations and the continued delivery of quality services, Etisalat Nigeria Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Ibrahim Dikko, said the company would mobilise its workforce to build a stronger business.

The NCC has reassured the over 21 million telephone subscribers on the Etisalat Nigeria network that it is committed to exercising its full regulatory powers to guarantee stable and quality services by the operator.

“The Commission has taken proactive steps to cushion the impact of the takeover,” Mr. Ojobo said. “This is without prejudice to the ongoing effort between Etisalat and the banks toward negotiated settlement.

“In view of the recent development, NCC wishes to reassure all stakeholders in the telecommunications sector in particular the subscribers on the Etisalat Network that the Commission will ensure that the integrity of Etisalat Network is not compromised.”

He also drew the attention of the consortium of banks involved in the planned takeover of the terms and conditions that guided the award of an operational license to Etisalat Nigeria, indicating that they would need the permission of the NCC before the license is assigned or a new operator comes on board in compliance with the NCC Act 2003.

Watch the Black Panther Teaser Trailer [HD]- Black Panther's Wakanda, is a high tech African country

The trailer of Black Panther movie coming out early next
year was recently released. What might surprise you the most is that the Black Panther’s (T’Challa) home country Wakanda, is a high tech, scientifically
advanced county. Though many outsiders believe it to be third world, It is the
legendary El Dorado, with rich vibranium mines. It’s a thriving, Afro-futurist traditional African country infused with skyscrapers, stealth ships, and super tech.

In the trailer, Wakanda's leaders hide their nation's true identity from
the rest of the planet to keep their inventions out of the wrong hands. Int he
trailer, we see Klaw, telling the story of Wakanda to CIA agent Everett K. Ross.
From Marvel's
official plot synopsis, T'Challa’s claim to the throne will be challenged "from
factions within his own country," while also battling outsiders who want
Wakandan tech.

It’s a refreshing to see an African country depicted
in movies that is not ridden with poverty but with cool gadgets and
sky-scrappers. Also to see the movie depict an African girl who loves
technology in the character of wakanda’s chief inventor , T’Challa’s sister.

Chadwick Boseman reprises his role
as T'Challa from Captain America: Civil War. The trailer premiered
during game four of the NBA Finals. Black Panther will be released
on Feb. 16, 2018.

Founder of Wifi.com.ng, Kendall Ananyi, to speak at Start-Up Sunday June Meetup in Port-Harcourt

Kendall Ananyi, CEO of Tizeti (wifi.com.ng) just got funding from Silicon Valley and he is willing to share a few tips with you in Port-Harcourt this Sunday. He is the guest at this month’s edition of Start-up Sunday. He will be speaking on “Boostrapping to a $1m run rate in Africa”. Kendall will also share his recent path to receiving investment. Such investments are the African Start-Up dream.

Wifi.com.ng offers high speed and unlimited internet access to customers using next generation wi-fi technology. Kendall recently graduated from Y-Combinator, an organisation in Silicon Valley involved in funding and mentoring early-stage start-ups. They have funded over 1,400 start-ups since 2005.

Start-up Sunday is convened by Netopps. It holds monthly in the garden city of Port Harcourt. It is a forum for start-ups to come together to share ideas, connect with potential partners, develop and nurture products.

It holds this Sunday, 18^th June at the Elkan Terrace (Conference Room), 12b Abacha link Road, GRA, Port Harcourt by 3pm.

IME ARCHIBONG, FACEBOOK VP, PREDICTS AFRICA TO PRODUCE FORTUNE 500 COMPANY IN 10 YEARS

Remember Ime Archibong? The tall, dark, hunk from Nigeria making waves at Silicon Valley who made it possible for Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO to jog on the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge in Lagos last year? He has predicted that Africa will produce its first Fortune Global 500 Company within the next 10 years. His reason? Connectivity. According to Ime, Facebook’s VP Partnerships, it will be the inevitable result of what happens when the economic power of the internet and the connectivity in Africa collide.

While most of the 2016 Fortune Global 500 companies like Walmart, State Grid, Sinopec, Apple, Shell, Volkswagen were from three areas of the World, the US, Europe and East Asia, the continent with the largest population, Africa had none. Ime believes this will soon end. According to him, ’We now live in a world where revolutionary ideas can come from anywhere. Sometimes, all it takes is a connected person with a good idea and nothing to lose.’ See the list of Fortune Global 500 companies here

For him, connectivity is a catalyst for strong economic growth and that’s the very reason why nine out of every ten Fortune 500 company from 1955 is gone. Disruptors like Amazon, Google, eBay, Salesforce, and Facebook merely in existence for less than a decade, have taken over.

For Africa to produce its first Fortune 500 company though, it needs to overcome three principle barriers to connectivity as identified by Facebook : infrastructure, affordability and awareness.

Read Ime’s article on medium.com here

See pictures from the GDG Port Harcourt Google I/O Extended 17

GDG Port Harcourt recently hosted I/O Extended, an event for Port-Harcourt tech enthusiasts and local developer communities to experience the Google I/O keynotes and sessions with one another. The Google I/O is an annual developer festival held at the outdoor Shoreline Amphitheater, in San Francisco. The Google I/O Extended was also an opportunity to discuss tech and network. It held on Saturday 10^th June, 2017.  

Credit- Parks Photo

There were also Codelab and speaker sessions and sessions on Android development, Google Cloud platform, Firebase, Progressive Web App and Polymer. It recorded a huge attendance.

 Find more pictures here

MAJOR FOOD HACKATHON SET TO HOLD IN PORT-HARCOURT- REGISTER NOW

Port-Harcourt is about to have a major food hackathon event known as the StartleTech Hackathon. The event tagged ‘Lets Hack Food’, is a competition that invites teams of contestants to develop and design a solution to food issues in Rivers State. 

It is a 3 day hackathon billed to hold from the 16^th to 18^th June 2017. 18 persons will form a team of 3 and work on any solution that they think will best provide solution to the Food sector in Rivers State. Attendees will recieve details of the app t o be built on the day of the event.

The Hackathon is organised by StartleTech, an info tech company based in Port-Harcourt in conjunction with KoWorkNg. Prizes for winners include N300,000 cash prize and also co-working space at KoworkNg Hub. 

Registration is open to teams of programmers and developers. Persons with interest in app design and development can also apply. 

If interested, you can register here

Qatar: Social media users in UAE face jail for Qatar sympathy

The United Arab Emirates has prescribed a 15 year jail term for persons expressing sympathy towards Qatar. In what may be described as a move at censorship, the UAE's Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, released a statement today Wednesday, saying sympathising with Qatar was a cybercrime punishable by law.

"Strict and firm action will be taken against anyone who shows sympathy or any form of bias towards Qatar, or against anyone who objects to the position of the United Arab Emirates, whether it be through the means of social media, or any type of written, visual or verbal form," Gulf News quoted Shamsi as saying in the statement.

The Federal Public Prosecution also announced that according to the Federal Penal Code and the Federal law decree on Combating Information Technology Crimes, anyone who threaten the interests, national unity and stability of the UAE will face a jail term from three to 15 years, and a fine not less than AED 500,000 ($136,000).

All of this is as a result of a diplomatic row where Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting "extremism".

Qatar has been trending and has been among the top topics discussed on Twitter in Arabic, which is a hugely popular medium of expression in the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The dispute between Qatar and the Arab countries escalated after a recent hack of Qatar's state-run news agency. 

LONDON TERROR ATTACK- PRIVACY OR SURVEILLANCE?- The big debate

In the wake of the London terror attack, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has lambasted internet companies with accusations of providing a safe space for terrorism ideology.

A day after the London bridge and borough market attack, May accused the firms of giving "this ideology the safe space it needs to breed." She pressed for ‘international agreements that regulate cyberspace to prevent the spread of extremist and terrorism planning.’

Her statements have pivoted the argument between digital privacy and security to the fore, once again.

Tech companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter have denied these assertions, stating that they are already engaged in concrete steps to prevent and remove extremist content.  According to Facebook Director of Policy, Simon Milner ‘We want Facebook to be a hostile environment for terrorists. Using a combination of technology and human review, we work aggressively to remove terrorist content from our platform as soon as we become aware of it — and if we become aware of an emergency involving imminent harm to someone's safety, we notify law enforcement.’

Understandably, it is quite difficult for these online platforms to moderate all information uploaded on their site due to the sheer volume. Some critics have said that Theresa May's calls are dangerous, disproportionate, and "intellectually lazy."

According to Business Insider, Facebook already prohibits content that supports terrorist activity, letting users report potentially infringing material to human moderators. It also uses some technical solutions, like image-matching tech that checks new photos to see if they've already been banned from the platform for promoting terrorism. It also reaches out to law enforcement if it sees potential evidence of a forthcoming attack (or attempt at human harm more generally). Google removes links to illegal content once notified. YouTube also takes down inciting videos and bans accounts believed to be operated by agents of foreign terrorist organisations. Twitter suspended 376,890 accounts in the six months leading up to December 2016. 74% were detected via its internal tech, and just 2% came from government requests.

Despite these measures, there have also been recent calls by British Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, for tech companies to "limit the use of end-to-end encryption".

However, critics say disabling encryption in popular apps will not deter criminals as they could simply switch from one app to another, or create their own messaging apps or worse still go further into the dark web. Instead, there is no guarantee that if encryption is not removed, messages sent by law-abiding citizens would become easy picking for criminal minds to intercept.  Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web said, "Now I know that if you're trying to catch terrorists it's really tempting to demand to be able to break all that encryption but if you break that encryption then guess what - so could other people and guess what - they may end up getting better at it than you are’.

Encryption simply means messages can't be intercepted and decoded by anyone else en route from one platform to another, including the companies themselves and law enforcement. It's used in messaging services including Facebook's, WhatsApp and Apple's iMessage, among others

It may be difficult to decide whether to surrender your privacy in order for the government to conduct better surveillance and provide security. If that is the solution, perhaps welcome. But what’s the guarantee that it will succeed in rooting out terrorism and that the government and maybe criminals will not use it to spy on you? That’s the debate

Tell us what you think. Would you rather choose your phone privacy over surveillance and terrorism concerns?

3 things to learn from the Phyno-Pia-Mia Song theft controversy

Background story

Phyno is much loved by Nigerians because of his unique style of music and creativity. His song ‘I’m a fan’ featuring Mr. Eazi and Decarlo released in 2016 as part of his “The Playmaker” album was an instant hit. I personally like the song.

That song has however become the source of much controversy recently. American singer and songwriter, Pia Mia released a version of the song in May 2017 featuring singer Jeremih. Due to the striking similarity in Phyno and Pia Mia’s version of the song, there have been allegations of infringement of copyright by Pia Mia. Nigerians have taken to troll the American singer on social media.

You can listen to both versions here. Phyno is yet to give details on this and reacting to reports that he co-produced the song with Pia-Mia's producer, has said his lawyers are involved.

Arguments on who produced it and whether it was a fall out of co-owners of the song aside, here are 3 things you should take away from the Phyno-PiaMia controversy.

Establish your content is original

Original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, sound recordings, films and broadcasts are entitled to copyright protection. Your content has to be original not a copy of someone else’s song or artistical work. Where sufficient effort has been expended on making the work to give it an original character, it becomes the sole property of the Owner. Only the Owner can transmit the work by testamentary disposition or by operation of law. The Owner has an exclusive right over the work and it is unlawful for any other person to reproduce, publish, translate, perform in public, make, rent, lease, hire, broadcast, adapt or tamper with the work without the Owner's licence or assignment.

It also has to have been fixed in a definite medium. You need not have registered it as copyright unlike other forms of intellectual property does not require registration for validity.

Protection Is Key- Contact your lawyer

Negotiation is the first course of action. Owners may demand compensation for use of their work and the immediate cessation of the infringement. They can also demand delivery of all original and copies of the infringed work or an agreement for use of their work in future.However, if the other person is unwilling to stop the infringement or withdraw the infringing material despite notice, you may need to get an injunction from the courts or sue for damages.

Because of our reciprocity agreements with other countries, copyright recognised in Nigeria can be enforced internationally and vice versa in countries signed up to certain international agreements

Also, while registration for copyright protection is not a condition for the validity of your copyright as it exists the moment the work was created, it may go a mile in helping protect it in the event of infringement due to these reasons.

You can register your work with the Nigerian Copyright Commission. You also need to realise that you have a right against everyone else to reap the benefit from your work as long as it suits the criteria above. Do not hesitate to seek adequate remuneration for use of your material and compensation for infringement of your copyrights.

You can co-own copyright with others

Where you co-authored a work with someone else, it is important to keep records of it as you might be co-owners

To be co-owners of a copyrighted work, each author must contribute copyright-able subject matter to the work. Each contribution must comply with the originality requirement and other and must not be simply ideas, refinements and suggestions.  There has to be intention, at the time the writing is done, that the parts be absorbed or combined into a single, whole unit.

Each co-owner has an independent right to use or license the use of the copyright in an independently created work without the need to obtain the consent of the other co-owners. He may however need to render account to his co-owner

In the Phyno-Pia-Mia case, they would need to determine if the song was intended to be co-owned in terms of their contributions to the production.

TRENDING - SHOCKING CCTV FOOTAGE OF PHYSIOTHERAPIST ABUSING CEREBRAL PALSY CHILD

Bisola Abayomi-Ojo

A CCTV footage from a school in Lagos has revealed the shocking abuse of a child with cerebral palsy by her physiotherapist Anthonia Bisola Abayomi-Ojo.

The child’s mother, Bukola Ayinde, revealed the incident via a post on BellaNaija. This disturbing video has enraged a lot of Nigerians and there is currently an online petition for the deportation of the physiotherapist currently in the United States as a Madela Washington Fellow and also a revocation of her licence.

According to Bukola, she trusted her physiotherapist who came highly recommended and was well paid. However, her daughter’s school proprietress in June 2016 showed her and her husband a video of Bisola manhandling her daughter

According to Bukola, ‘I watched my daughter as she fell down several times hitting her head on the tiles. There were times she hit her head on the edge of the wooden bed before falling to the ground.

Her Physiotherapist slapped her three times; the third time with her cell phone. She left her head hanging upside for 5 minutes. She twisted my daughter’s hands several times; at a point she sat on her hands, at another point she tied her hands behind her head. I watched as my daughter fell from her chair while her neck was stuck in between the space at the vertical back rest and the flat wood used for sitting down. I watched on as this lady typed on her phone 90% of the time only taking some time off to torture my daughter. Did I mention that she took out time to take her selfie? Up to five times.’

The case was reported to the Police and the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board but Bukola is  unsatisfied with the punishment believing she was merely given a slap on the wrist by a mere Three months withdrawal of her practicing license, Three months work in a general hospital under supervision without pay and to undergo a psychiatric test. Upon further investigation, she alleges the case has gone cold at the Board and the Bisola Abayomi-Ojo is currently on a Mandela Washington Fellowship out of the country

Bukola wants justice and wants the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board to declare her unfit to work. Bukola says ‘ I was shocked beyond words that someone I trusted with my daughter could treat her worse than an animal. I believe that even an animal shouldn’t be treated that way.’

Read the full story here

Again, Ethiopia shuts internet to prevent cheating in school exams

The Ethiopian government has shut down access to mobile internet in Ethiopia. The reason?- To prevent leakage of exam papers.  

Internet access was shut down around on Tuesday, and is yet to be restored. “The shutdown is aimed at preventing a repeat of leaks that occurred last year," says Mohammed Seid of the Office for Government Communications Affairs, to the Reuters news agency.

Ethiopia had earlier blocked the internet in July 2016, after university entrance exams were posted online, with another block following in August 2016

According to the BBC, it was unable to access websites belonging to the Ethiopian government and the sole communications provider, Ethio Telecom on Thursday. Preliminary data from Google shows a decrease in Ethiopian internet traffic to Google services since Wednesday afternoon.

Internet shutdowns seem to be a growing and worrisome trend in Africa. Algeria shut down its internet to prevent cheating in school exams in June last year. In other instances it has been for political reasons such as in Cameroon earlier this year.

Access to the internet is now recognised as a human right and on no account should it be shut down for educational, political or whatever reasons. There should be other methods to safeguard the integrity of exams. Shutting down the internet not only points to a willingness to stifle freedom of expression but also an admission of failure of government to tackle problems.

SUBMIT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES FOR CHECKS, US VISA NOW REQUIRES

US Visa Applicants now will be required to submit their social media handles of the past five years and biographical information for the last 15 years. According to Reuters, the US government released a new questionnaire as a means of tightening vetting of visa applicants.

Consular officials are now empowered to request all prior passport numbers, five years' worth of social media handles, email addresses and phone numbers and 15 years of biographical information including addresses, employment and travel history. (bit.ly/2qBSrpv)

It is yet to be seen how this will directly affect Nigerians seeking to visit the US but according to the US State Department it will apply to visa applicants "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities."

The tighter vetting requirement received approval on May 23 by the Office of Management and Budget

RWANDAN ELECTION COMMISSION TO VET SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

The Rwandan Election Commission has ruled that it must pre-approve all of the social media updates of Rwanda’s presidential candidates.

"We are asking (candidates) to present us their messages, their drafts to verify that they are not against the law," electoral commission head Kalisa Mbanda told AFP on Monday.

Social media messages by the presidential candidates will have to be submitted to the seven election commissioners at least 48 hours before their publication.

"If the message is not accepted it cannot be published," said Mbanda.

Perhaps spurred by reactions to Donald Trump’s unconventional use of twitter before and after the US elections, the measure will go into effect on the start of the official campaign on July 14 and concerns "messages, photographs and other campaign material" published on social networks.

Mbanda said the goal was to "prevent declarations, words, acts that can lead the population to acts of insecurity that could divide the Rwandan population."

Already political opponents, diplomats and human rights organisations have criticised this directive as a move to stifle political oppositions and censorship of freedom of expression. It is yet to be seen if Kagame will also have his social media messages vetted before publication.

Kagame has been in charge since taking power at the head of a rebel army in 1994 and has already served two seven-year terms as president.

Rivers at 50- Ten businesses maximising social media in Port-Harcourt

Rivers clocked 50 years on the 27th May 2017. In this age, social media is the new cash cow. A few businesses are cashing in and we decided to itemise ten businesses that are taking real advantage of social media platforms to create awareness of their business and increase sales.

  Dripples Cakes

 This is one brand that has been able to maximise social media to promote its business in Port-    Harcourt. It currently has about 49000 followers on Instagram and has started online cake making  classes. This is definitely one brand to watch with its engagement on social media

  Touch PH

 Touch PH is arguably one of Port-harcourt’s leading destination guides. Anyone who needs  information on where to find anything in PH s a tweet away courtesy of TouchPH and they receive  loads of tweets daily with such requests. They are also involved in promoting brands and events  online. It currently has about 65, 000 followers on twitter alone

Mudase Urban market Mudase is not your regular market. It’s located in the cosy environment of GRA PH where customers can shop fresh food items in a cosy environment. They have been able to successfully deploy twitter to promote their business, regularly showcasing meals and offers via that platform Pam Drive Positioned to be the ‘Uber’ of Port-Harcourt, Pam Drive is a taxi hailing service aiming to use the latest in technology to reduce stress and time in getting a cab within the garden city. They are massive on twitter and have been able to maximise it to their advantage Venue hero.co Africa's Venue Hero have been able to use twitter massively as one of its platforms to help individuals and corporate organisations find and book great venues for their events. It also helps event facility owners get in touch with potential clients. PH Tafia A social media promotion platform like Touch PH, PH Tafia is an online awareness creation platform. Makes major use of twitter to publish information on happenings in Nigeria and Port-Harcourt as well as promote brands and events. Palomino Body Shop Palomino Body Shop located in GRA, PH is one of Port-Harcourt’s oldest Spa and fitness center. It has decided to make use of modern technology to leverage on its place and constantly posts pictures and videos on Instagram to motivate people to fitness and also to create awareness of its retinue of fitness events and luxury spa treats and sessions Sisi Collection hair This weave and wig guru is making hair look sexy online. With continuous pictures on Instagram of its recent collections, sales and discounts, business will keep booming for this outlet

Exodus Cafe

Exodus Cafe and Lounge is one of the finest lounges and Clubs in the city. Located in GRA, this fun and relaxation spot for those with the finest of tastes is big on Instagram, constantly putting fun and cool pictures of their events

Coffee Shop PH

The Coffee Shop boasts of the Ultimate Coffee Experience in PH. The Coffee Shop offers Specialty Drinks such as Hot and Cold Coffee, Milkshakes, Smoothies, Frappacinos, and Snacks. They are making ample use of Instagram

4 NIGERIAN START-UPS SELECTED FOR 4TH CLASS OF GOOGLE LAUNCHPAD ACCELERATOR

Four Nigerian start-ups are among the many group of inspiring start-up operators from all over the world to participate in the 4th class of Launchpad Accelerator. The 4 Nigerian start-ups are Delivery Science, Gidi Mobile Limited, FlutterWave and PayStack. find more details about them here

Participants in Launchpad Accelerator receive equity-free support, credits for Google products, and continue to work closely with Google back in their home country during the 6-month program. The program includes intensive mentoring from 20+ Google teams, and expert mentors from top technology companies and VCs in Silicon Valley. 

This year, Launchpad Accelerator has also widened its curriculum to help the startups dig deeper into machine learning and AI, to help them leverage Google’s latest technologies to scale their apps.

Class 4 kicks off July 17th, 2017 at the Google Developers Launchpad Space in San Francisco and will include 2 weeks of all-expense-paid training.

This is the first time start-ups from Africa and Europe are participating in the progrma, joining start-ups from Asia and Latin-America. .