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APBN Bemoans Eleven Months Instability in Nation’s Policy Direction

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The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has lamented against what it called 11 months of instability in policy direction of the economy as most of the policy makers, since January, 2015 were either on the field campaigning for electorates’ votes or awaiting Presidential appointments.

Speaking to journalists during the Associations’ meeting held at the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) national secretariat in Lagos, Foluso Fasoto, president/chairman of Council/board, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), said that Professional Bodies in the country believe it is high time those in Government ditched the attitude of politicking with the management of the country’s economy.

APBN is the umbrella body of government recognized professional Associations in Nigeria set up to speak with one voice on behalf of its Member-bodies while at the same time gives professional advice to Government on matters affecting the professionals and their practices.

Fasoto said that the Association has been following recent events in the country, especially after four months of playing waiting game, the list of ministerial nominees was eventually submitted to the National Assembly which confirmed the appointments of all the nominees. “They were eventually sworn in last month and most of them are about now settling down to business. In essence, the year 2015 witnessed almost eleven (11) months of instability in policy direction of the economy as most of the policy makers, since January, 2015, were either on the field campaigning for electorates’ votes or awaiting Presidential appointments. Nevertheless, we thank God that the economy is now being expected to take shape”.

Treasury Single Account
The Association extolled the Federal Government for summoning courage and directed all the government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to close the multiple accounts already opened with Commercial Banks for their various operations and maintain the designated Treasury Single Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“This is a welcome development as the resultant effect has shown that the Federal Government is tremendously more liquid than earlier imagined. We however want to quickly caution that while the Government savors the positive result of this directives, the long-run adverse effect of it should equally be given prompt attention so as not to stifle the economy during any emergency,” he said.

Nigerian Economy
Fasoto said it is no longer news that Nigerian economy rely majorly on oil, but despite the oil glut in the recent past, there has not been appreciable breakthrough visible to ordinary Nigerians towards diversifying the economy.

“Our country is endowed with all the resources to be among the first world but for the effective and efficient management of this resources. That is why our governments at all levels cannot ignore the active participation of our members (the professionals) in the governance. Enough of politicking with the management of the country’s economy.

“There is need for setting proper objective for Nigerian economy – where do we want to be in say, 20 years’ time? Do we aspire to remain a developing country “until kingdom come” or we hope to join the league of the first world in say, 15 years’ time? There is need for this objective to be well defined by the Federal Government and widely communicated to all citizens. This will eliminate policy somersault syndrome which avoidably usually afflict us in this country,” the APBN President said.

Employment Generation

On employment generation for the teeming youths, he said, there is foremost need to secure enabling environment for the achievement of such objective as unemployment is a global albatross on most countries of the world, Nigeria not exception.

“However, most countries are strategizing to get out of the problem by creation of employment, using their internal resources. We have human resources experts (such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel Managers of Nigeria, Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered) Chartered Institute of Administrators, etc.) in our midst who are ready to partner with government to address this problem also with a view to finding lasting solution.

“We therefore call on the government, especially the newly sworn-in Ministers and Governors to make use of these “Nigerian products”.

Against this backdrop, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, president of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), reiterated that the place of Information Technology (IT) sector as an agent of change and development cannot be overemphasized.

He emphasized that, worldwide, IT is a major driver of the economy. “Being the acknowledged professional authority in this sector, our aims are socio-economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction and deepened diversification of the economy. Indeed technology holds significant promise as a major revenue earner.

According to Aderounmu, to enhance the deployment of ICT to advance the values of wealth creation and effective leadership in the nation, NCS as a member-body of APBN has discovered the need for an Office of Chief Information Technology Officer of the Federation, approve the pending National Software Policy (NSP) as a blueprint aimed at providing a strategic roadmap to make Nigeria a competitive country in the area of software engineering and digital knowledge development and implementing e-Government strategy as imperatives for corruption-free, equitable, productive and knowledge-based society.

However, the submissions by the Professional Bodies centered on four core issues including Rule of law; Security; Economy and Promotion of professionalism.

 

 

 


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Flexify Solutions Launches CyberAgric App to Revolutionize Agricultural Sector in Nigeria

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Flexify Solutions, a leading tech-based firm in Oyo State, has introduced “CyberAgric,” an innovative solution designed to drive food production in Nigeria.

Flexify Solutions Launches CyberAgric App to Revolutionize Agricultural Sector in Nigeria

This is in recognition of the crucial role of modern agricultural practices in ensuring food security.

Food security is a top priority for every nation, and Nigeria is no exception.

CyberAgric is a cutting-edge mobile application that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to support Nigerian farmers, particularly those involved in cash crop cultivation such as cassava and maize.

The app’s groundbreaking features include early disease detection, with the capability to identify diseases like Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in cassava leaves within the first two weeks of infection.

By utilizing smartphone cameras, farmers can capture images of their crops and receive real-time analysis and recommendations, empowering them to take proactive measures to protect their crops and ensure optimal yields.

Moreover, CyberAgric is designed to function offline, ensuring accessibility for farmers in remote areas with limited internet connectivity.

Speaking on the significance of CyberAgric, Johnson Oyeniyi, CEO of Flexify Solutions, emphasized the app’s accessibility and educational value. “Our goal with CyberAgric is to ensure that every Nigerian farmer, regardless of their location or internet access, can benefit from advanced agricultural technology,” said Oyeniyi.

“Beyond disease detection, the app serves as an educational platform, providing farmers with the latest agricultural best practices and expert resources.”

Flexify Solutions collaborated closely with Cybermate Technologies to tailor CyberAgric to the specific needs of Nigerian farmers.

The app initially focuses on cassava and maize cultivation, addressing the critical challenges faced by farmers in these sectors.

Through advanced AI-driven disease detection capabilities, CyberAgric aims to mitigate the impact of crop diseases and enhance food security in Nigeria.

Flexify Solutions Ltd is a global company specializing in disruptive digital solutions. With a strong focus on innovation, Flexify Solutions excels in crafting AI solutions optimized for mobile platforms and driving transformative change across industries.

With a proven track record in mobile app development, Flexify Solutions seamlessly integrates cutting-edge AI technologies to create intelligent solutions that resonate with users and drive success.

 


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Global Mobile Banking Malware Grows 32% in 2023

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Kaspersky has released its annual Financial Threats Report for 2023, offering a detailed analysis of the evolving financial cyberthreat landscape.

The report reveals significant increases in mobile banking malware and cryptocurrency-related phishing, signaling growing threats to digital financial assets.

The previous 12-months has witnessed a substantial rise in the number of users encountering mobile banking Trojans, with attacks on Android users surging by 32% – contrary to 2022.

The most prevalent banking trojan was Bian.h, accounting for 22% of all Android attacks. Geographically, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan recorded the highest share of users encountering banking Trojans, with Turkiye leading mobile banking malware attacks, with almost 3% of users affected (2.98%).

While the number of users affected by financial PC malware saw an 11% decline in 2023, Ramnit and Zbot were identified as the predominant malware families, targeting more than 50% of affected users. Consumers continued to be the primary target, comprising 61.2% of all attacks.

In 2023, financial phishing remained a significant threat, accounting for 27.32% of all phishing attacks on corporate users and 30.68% on home users. E-shop brands were identified as the top lure, with 41.65% of financial phishing attempts.

Additionally, PayPal phishing represented 54.78% of phishing pages targeting electronic payment system users. The report also highlighted a 16% year-on-year growth in cryptocurrency phishing, with 5.84 million detections in 2023 compared to 5.04 million in 2022.

E-shop phishing was identified as the most prevalent, recording 41.65% of all financial phishing pages. Amazon emerged as the most mimicked online store, accounting for 34% of phishing attempts, followed by Apple at 18.66% and Netflix at 14.71%. PayPal was the most targeted payment system, with 54.73% of attacks.

Cryptocurrency-related phishing and scams continued to grow, with Kaspersky preventing 5,838,499 attempts to follow cryptocurrency-themed phishing links – a 16% increase on 2022. Scammers mimicked cryptocurrency exchanges and offered coins in the name of large enterprises like Apple.

“Money has always been a magnet for cybercriminals, and a substantial portion of malware attacks are financially motivated. The surge in mobile malware witnessed last year highlights a concerning trend in cybercrime.

“With the emergence of new and aggressive malware strains, attackers are evolving their tactics to target mobile devices more aggressively. This underscores the imperative for individuals and businesses to maintain heightened vigilance, update protective measures, and fortify device security accordingly,” commented Igor Golovin, a security expert at Kaspersky.


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Payment Link Integration as Growth Driver for E-commerce Businesses

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The African e-commerce market grossed USD 277.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 939.8 billion in 2023. However, with a global cart abandonment rate of 70%, many of which are related to payment issues, there is a clear need for ecommerce businesses in Nigeria and beyond to provide seamless and efficient transactions to increase their revenue and scale. An effective payment solution for e-commerce businesses is payment link integration.

Payment link integration emerges as a powerful tool for e-commerce businesses to facilitate payment in a convenient and streamlined way. This SeerBit article delves into what a payment link is, how it works, and its benefits for your ecommerce business.

What Is a Payment Link?

A payment link is a unique, shareable URL that directs the customer to a secure payment page where they can make payment for their purchase. This method ensures a seamless and streamlined payment process for customers, particularly removing the need for a physical card or a card terminal. A business can generate this link for any specific transaction and send it directly to the customer through one of several possible channels (email, social media, SMS, etc.).

Payment links make payments convenient for both businesses and customers. Even e-commerce businesses without a website can receive payments online with a payment link. For e-commerce businesses with websites, online payment link integration allows them to boost sales by selling their products on other platforms beyond the business’ website.

Here’s How Your E-commerce Business Benefits from Payment Link Integration
Implementing payment links in your e-commerce setup can offer several advantages that streamline the purchasing process for you and your customers. Here are some reasons why you should integrate payment links for your e-commerce business:

Customer Experience and Convenience
Payment links provide a convenient way for customers to complete transactions without having to navigate through a complex checkout process. This improves the customer experience during shopping as they can pay with ease. With just a click on the payment link, customers can quickly and easily make a purchase, reducing the likelihood of cart abandonment.

Flexibility
Payment links offer your business flexibility in receiving payments, as they can be customised for different types of transactions. It supports multiple payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, etc., allowing you to cater to your customer’s preferred payment method. Consequently, you have more successful transactions and an increased customer satisfaction level.

Improved Cash Flow
With payment links, the speed and efficiency of payments increase. Consequently, this helps to improve your business’s cash flow. The accompanying ease of payments also means that customers are more willing to part with their money, thereby boosting your bottom line.

Security
Payment links are typically hosted on secure payment gateways, ensuring the safety of sensitive customer information during transactions. By leveraging trusted payment providers and encryption technologies, you can instil confidence in your customers and protect their data from unauthorised access.

Reduces Payment Processing Error
Payment link ensures efficiency in the payment process, leaving little room for processing errors. It also ensures that customers don’t have to manually type in their payment information, hence cutting out the risks of human errors, such as wrong billing address or credit card information in the payment process.

Mobile-friendly
As mobile commerce continues to grow, having a mobile-friendly payment solution is crucial. Payment links are inherently mobile-friendly, allowing customers to complete transactions directly from their smartphones, whether they’re on the go or at home.

Tracking and Analytics
Payment links often come with built-in tracking and analytics features that provide valuable insights into customer behaviour, transaction trends, and sales performance. By analysing this data, you can make informed decisions to optimise your ecommerce strategy and maximise revenue.

How To Create a Payment Link for Online Payment
Creating a payment link to receive online payment involves the following steps:

Choose a payment gateway provider
The first step is to partner with a reliable payment gateway like SeerBit that offers payment links as part of its service. Read our blog post on what to consider when choosing a payment provider to help you make the right choice. A few factors to consider are your business needs, security, compatibility, and pricing structure. SeerBit easily checks all the boxes.

Create a SeerBit account
Once you’ve decided on SeerBit as your payment gateway provider, the next thing is to create your SeerBit account. This is a straightforward process that involves providing your business’ information and completing the KYC process for compliance.

Access and set up the payment link feature
SeerBit offers payment links as a part of its service. Once you’re logged in, you can create a payment link in your dashboard which you send to your customers. This link works for both one-time and recurring payments.

To set up your payment link, go to “Payments” on your dashboard, click on “Payment Links,” then “Create Payment Link” and fill in the required details. A link will be created afterward which you can send to your customer via email, messenger apps, social media, invoice, or QR code.

Conclusion
By integrating payment links into your ecommerce business, you make payments very convenient for your customers and considerably improve your customer satisfaction. SeerBit payment link offers you an easy payment collection process while allowing you to cater to your customers’ payment needs. SeerBit also uses the best security tools and the latest encryption and tokenization technologies to ensure the security of transactions and customer payment information.


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