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2023 General Elections: INEC Assures Nigerians of Zero Hacking And Network Issues

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2023 Presidential Candidates

Ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that would be no hacking and network issues.

This was disclosed by Dr. Lawrence Bayode, the deputy director of ICT, INEC while fielding questions on Channels television ahead of the election.

Dr. Bayode disclosed that the commission is aware of a possible attack on the system and has already put measures in place to repel any attack from hackers. He also gave the assurance that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured to avoid any form of network failure.

In his words,

“The commission is aware of hacking; we have done our best to protect our data and systems. Data at rest and data in transit are protected in case there is any successful cyber-attack, we will have a failover.”

He further reiterated that no citizen would be allowed to vote with their permanent voter’s card (PVC) and accreditation as provided in section 47 (1) of the electoral act, 2022.

With so many errors and breaches of data that have been recorded in previous elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) mandated that the 2023 general election will be technology-driven to avoid hacks and human errors, hence the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The BVAS device is designed to read permanent voters cards (PVC) and authenticate voters through a biometric verification mechanism, using both fingerprint and facial recognition of voters.

The device can also capture images of the polling unit result sheet (Form EC8A) and upload the image of the sheet on INEC’s election result viewing platform (IREV). The IREV is an online portal where results from polling units are uploaded, transmitted, and published.

Investors King understands that with the nature of BVAS, the uploaded polling units (PUs) results cannot be manipulated after INEC disclosed that the machine was not designed to edit the photographic results uploaded and sent to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV); and once sent cannot be recalled.

There have been a lot of conversations about the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and how effective it will be in aiding INEC to conduct a credible election.  Meanwhile, political analysts believe BVAS will be a game-changer in Nigeria’s electoral system because it is designed to eliminate all forms of electoral malpractice.

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Fintech

From Trading to Credit: Robinhood Launches No-Fee Credit Card with Gold Membership Perks

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Robinhood

Robinhood Markets Inc. has announced the launch of its highly anticipated no-fee credit card and it was accompanied by exclusive perks for Gold membership subscribers.

This bold move is a step in the company’s mission to evolve into a comprehensive financial services provider.

The Robinhood Gold Card boasts an array of enticing features. Chief among them is the absence of annual costs or foreign transaction fees, positioning it as an attractive option for consumers seeking financial flexibility.

Moreover, cardholders stand to benefit from a generous 3% cash back on all categories of purchases, a competitive offer in comparison to industry rivals.

Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and industry leadership in an interview.

He expressed the intention to not merely introduce a credit card, but to revolutionize the market with a product that sets new standards for customer satisfaction and financial empowerment.

The announcement has sparked enthusiasm among investors, with Robinhood’s shares witnessing a 6.9% surge in early market trading following the news.

This surge further underscores the market’s confidence in the company’s strategic direction and its potential to disrupt traditional financial services.

Beyond the credit card venture, Robinhood has been steadily diversifying its offerings. With the introduction of retirement products and the expansion of commission-free trading services internationally, the company is positioning itself as a formidable player in the global finance landscape.

As Robinhood continues to innovate and expand its suite of services, its trajectory suggests a promising future as a leading force in democratizing access to financial tools and services.

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Telecommunications

NCC Files Copyright Infringement Charges Against MTN Nigeria and Others

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Karl O Toriola - Investorsking.com

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken legal action against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four individuals, including its Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, over alleged copyright infringement.

The charges, filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, revolve around the unauthorized use of musical works belonging to artist Maleke Idowu Moye.

According to the NCC, the defendants are accused of offering for sale, selling, and trading musical works of Maleke without his consent between 2010 and 2017. These works were allegedly used as Caller Ring Back Tunes without proper authorization.

The musical pieces in question include popular tracks such as “911,” “Minimini-wanawana,” and “Stop racism,” among others.

The commission further alleges that the defendants distributed these musical works to subscribers without authorization, infringing upon the rights of the artist.

The charges are based on provisions of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

As the case awaits assignment to a judge and a fixed date for mention, it marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to uphold copyright protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

This legal action underscores the NCC’s commitment to safeguarding the intellectual property rights of artists and creators within the country.

MTN Nigeria, a major player in the telecommunications industry, now faces a legal battle that could have broader implications for how intellectual property rights are respected and enforced within Nigeria’s digital landscape.

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Telecommunications

MTN’s MoMo Sees 32.2% Surge in Transaction Volumes

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MTN Nigeria - Investors King

MTN Group’s mobile money platform, MoMo, has experienced a 32.2% surge in transaction volumes.

With 72.5 million active users, MoMo continues to solidify its position as a leading fintech service provider in Africa, tapping into the continent’s burgeoning mobile banking sector.

The company’s success underscores the growing trend of Africa’s young and tech-savvy population embracing mobile technology to address financial needs.

Mobile phones are increasingly becoming a tool for bridging gaps in services, particularly in banking, presenting a lucrative opportunity for wireless carriers like MTN to capitalize on the burgeoning fintech market.

MTN’s achievement comes as it finalizes a deal with Mastercard Inc., valuing its fintech business at an impressive $5.2 billion.

This strategic partnership further enhances MTN’s position in the digital finance space, positioning it for continued growth and innovation.

However, MTN is not alone in its fintech endeavors. Rivals such as Airtel Africa Plc, Safaricom Plc, and Vodacom Group Ltd. are also making strides in digital transformation, with plans to separate and monetize their fintech businesses in the long term.

Airtel Africa, for instance, is reportedly considering an IPO for its mobile money unit, indicating the high stakes and intense competition within the sector.

Despite the remarkable success in its fintech ventures, MTN faced challenges in its core telecommunications business, with service revenue growth slowing to 6.8%.

Inflation and currency devaluation in key markets, particularly Nigeria, impacted profitability, highlighting the complexities of operating in diverse African markets.

As MTN continues to expand its fintech footprint and invest in infrastructure to enhance connectivity across the continent, it remains poised to capitalize on the immense potential of Africa’s digital economy.

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