E-Business
Easy Taxi, Google Train Drivers on Use of Google Map
Easy Taxi, Nigeria’s leading taxi booking application and Google (Nigeria), a multinational corporation specializing in Internet-related services and products, at the weekend, trained over 100 taxi drivers on the use of Google Map.
Easy Taxi is the largest taxi hailing app in the world. Present in 27 countries and increasing constantly, there are more than 90,000 drivers registered to the Easy Taxi network and over 3.5 million users worldwide.
Mr. Bankole Cardoso, chief executive officer and founder, Easy Taxi (Nigeria), told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the coaching session was spurred by the desire to make operations easier for both the drivers and the customers.
“Based on our findings that taxi drivers, registered with Easy taxi, on some occasions failed to locate their ways to pick up a customer. Google map as a user-friendly application we decided to work with the Google to get them improve services to our customers by educating our drivers on how to use the Maps.
“Definitely, it will make them to work more efficiently, save some litters of fuel, time and energy”.
He said, Easy Taxi hopes to replicate such gestures in other areas of its operations like Abuja (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana). We have plans for more cities on the Continent.
The session, the coordinator said, would not distract the drivers.
Nodding in agreement, Mr. Adepolu Abiodun, business associate intern, Google Nigeria, who lectured the drivers, said that it will not distract them while driving due to the availability of “voice bar”.
In other words, they (the drivers) do not necessarily look at the map while driving. “Of course that feature in the map will tell them when to turn left or right. Google understands safety while driving”.
On how it will impact on their operations, he said, “Everywhere is location based. As a driver you do not know everywhere in Lagos or in Nigeria, but with Maps you have the directions on your palm. Although, every nooks and crannies may not be fully mapped, you can be sure of the entry and exit of Lagos. It covers 80% to 90% of where they may want to navigate. With the map you can choice alternative route when there is traffic gridlock.
Google had recently added five new features on its Map for seamless navigating.
The features are Real Time Traffic report; Related Results; Easy-to-View Review Information; Trip-Planning Tool and Rich Media that allows users to better explore the places they want to visit before actually going there.
“You can save the Map offline so that anything you do not have internet connectivity you can pull that up for usage,” Abiodun added.
One of the participants, Mr. Akinlawon Olugbenga, also said “Although, I have been using the Google Map to locate my way, especially in Lekki where there are a quite number of streets and the Mainland too, however, with today’s coaching session I am more enlightened on the usage.
“The challenges I have been encountering in the usage is the connectivity, but during the training, we were taken on the process on offline connections. Also, when the GPS in that area is not in order, the Map, usually, do not give you the ultimate services; today also, we were told how to navigate your way right from the business area or home.
“The usage to me is seamless and very helpful in the business we are doing. The smartness of the Map is such that it gives you directions ahead of time; measuring your journey, updating you on the distance ahead”.
He expressed delight that the application does not distract them while driving.
Speaking on other empowerment programmes the Firm had adopted to help the drivers, Cardoso said, for those who could ill-afford to purchase smartphone for easier use of the Map, Easy Taxi has provided them with options to buy on three installments through a partnership with mobile phone manufacturing company.
“We do not own any taxi, so any driver that registers with us is an Easy Taxi partner. They have identity card. We are hopeful that the process will restore customers’ confidence on the taxis, because safety is paramount to us. For any registered driver we have the plate-number, residential address, and other important bio-data; car hires number and convince it will give to people.
Another driver who was part of the training session, David Mark said, “I am glad to be part of this training. Easy Taxi and Google have actually added value to my business, because I have learnt how to use the Google Map better. Before, some of us (drivers) do not know how to operate the map to locate our way when a customer calls for services.
“With this training, I am sure Easy Taxi will be well-known within the vicinity. Also, our customers will not be disappointed as the case has been due to delays in locating the way”.
Easy Taxi was launched in Nigeria in July 2013 as leading free smartphone application that provides the safest, fastest and most convenient way of hailing a taxi in Lagos by connecting a network of registered drivers directly to customers.
Easy Taxi has become a safe and convenient way for people to book a taxi anywhere within Lagos, as it pioneered mobile taxi application services in Nigeria.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
Toll Collection on Lagos-Calabar Highway Begins December
NGX Clears Fidelity Bank MD of Insider Trading Allegations
CBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
Peter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
Luft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
Telecom2 days agoCelebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
E-Financial2 days agoPeter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
Broadcasting2 days agoLuft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
E-Financial2 days agoPremiumTrust Bank Reassures Customers of Continued Security after Cyberattack Foil
General News2 days agoOver 250,000 Cyberattacks Disguised as Anime – Report
E-Financial2 days agoFidelity Bank’s N10.5tr assets base reinforces stakeholders’ confidence -Insiders bid for more equity stakes
E-Business2 days agoINEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System