E-Business
First Inland Bank Boosts Productivity with New Messaging Platform
First Inland Bank has announced the adoption of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 as part of its commitment to simplifying the work process and increasing productivity.
First Inland Bank has a reputation for advancing the frontiers of technology usage in banking through its pioneer Flash-Me Cash e-payments platform.
According to Mr. Gabriel Obaji, chief information officer at the bank, who made the announcement, the new business environment and world of work demands that staff collaborate more efficiently and stay connected at all times – connected to the customers, connected to colleagues, connected to suppliers, and connected to competitive information.
He said that after a detailed and in-depth analysis of the previous Lotus Notes messaging system within the bank, the management saw the need for significant improvements in information security, regulatory compliance, service availability, organizational agility and employee productivity.
"The previous system was very slow, taking up to 5 minutes to download simple emails. The complaints from users had become unbearable. We needed to do something about it fast," said Obaji.
The bank’s network of over 4000 users was running on Lotus Notes and Domino v7.0.
Working with Dimension Data, First Inland Bank migrated its messaging network successfully to Microsoft Exchange 2007 that scales across a couple of Intel-based 64-bit server hardware.
Using the Lotus Notes Transporter Suite developed by Microsoft and built on the .NET Framework with capabilities to migrate Domino user objects, groups and mailbox items, the Dimension Data delivery team moved across over 4000 user mail boxes and Distribution Groups from Domino to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 within a couple of weeks.
Dimension Data is one of Microsoft’s leading Gold Partners globally. Mr Jide Agbaje, head of Microsoft Division at Dimension Data Nigeria said "First Inland Bank improved its security and efficiency by using Directory services as a central point of authentication and resource management."
"We mapped FIB’s information infrastructure to its business objectives of higher levels of system availability and security. This provided a new infrastructure platform that supported advanced level applications, such as SharePoint and Exchange 2007, as well as the use or sharing of data that was not possible with the previous system," Agbaje said.
Mr. Obaji revealed that the user experience at First Inland Bank has been phenomenal. A recent company-wide survey shows almost 100% satisfaction for all users interviewed. The bank has already witnessed improved productivity through access to information, e-mail, voice mail, calendar and contacts from anywhere, at anytime.
"The switch to Microsoft Exchange 2007 was very smooth. Now everyone in our bank is happy. Total focus on the Microsoft Exchange 2007 deployment brought about the success that we are now so proud of," Obaji said
Also speaking on First Inland Bank’s recent migration from Notes to Microsoft Exchange Server, Mr. Bukunmi Omidiran, financial services business manager at Microsoft Nigeria said that therole of software has become more imperative than ever for simplifying the way people work together, find information, improve business insight, secure and manage content.
"Our primary objective at Microsoft is to maximise the business potential of our clients by providing innovative software solutions for building a people ready organisation."
"We are pleased with the successful deployment of this solution at FIB by Dimension Data and congratulate First Inland Bank for joining the global train of Exchange users.
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 comes with a host of unified messaging features such as the ability to play voice-mail messages directly from an e-mail through an embedded version of Windows Media Player.
Users can also retrieve e-mail messages by calling into Exchange Server on a telephone and have their e-mail messages read to them by an interactive voice response (IVR) system.
Following on from the success of the Exchange 2007 deployment, First Inland Bank and Microsoft are partnering on 3 further projects – implementing Performance Point, a cutting edge performance management solution, deploying SharePoint, the world’s No.1 enterprise portal solution and upgrading Flash-me-Cash to Visual Studio team Suite, the leading development platform in the world.
Adefolu Majekodunmi, Microsoft’s Enterprise business manager, concluded, "The partnership between First Inland Bank and Microsoft has started off on a great footing. Microsoft aims to ensure further success in the future projects we undertake in conjunction with our partners at the bank."
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.
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
INEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System
PremiumTrust Bank Reassures Customers of Continued Security after Cyberattack Foil
News3 days agoManager, Others Arraigned for Allegedly Hacking into Premium Trust Bank’s Server
Telecom3 days agoAfrica Launches First Continental Space Agency
Telecom3 days agoMTN Nigeria Drags 20 Banks to Court over N6Bn Debt by SleekChip
E-Business3 days agoCAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms
Broadcasting3 days agoHow Automated Payments Can Reshape Savings Beyond Local Cooperatives
News3 days agoDBI Clocks 21, to Train 5m Workers
Telecom2 days agoTelcos Warn of Nationwide Telecom Blackout over Diesel Shortage
General News3 days agoNITDA Takes IT Projects Clearance Campaign to Office of Accountant General, Others