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Regulators, Africa’s Innovation Community Set to Converge in Port Harcourt for #StartupSouth8

Organisers of StartupSouth have announced that Port Harcourt will on October 5 – 6, 2023 play host to Africa ‘s Innovation Community as well as top Corporate Leaders and Government functionaries – including Inuwa Abdulahi, Director General & Chief Executive Officer, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Now in it’s 8th Edition, #StartupSouth is the annual flagship Startup Conference and platform that facilitate connections, networking and opportunities for founders, early stage Investors, large corporates and African Government officials – especially at the subnational.
In a statement released to journalists, the organizers disclosed that speakers and guests confirmed at the conference include Kuppolakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head, Zoho for Startups, Paul Onwuanibe, Group CEO, Landmark Group, Victor Asemota, Africa Startup Ecosystem Leader & investor, Obi Asika, Convener, Omniverse and Janet Sawari, CEO & Founder, TAIR Labs, Cape Town, South Africa. Others are Dr. Chimezie Amadi, Commissioner, Digital Economy & E-Governance, Imo State, Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Innovation & Incubation, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on SMEs & Startup, Mohamed Amine Khiari, Chairman & CEO, Africa Accelerator, Tunisia & Partner, Network VC Silicon Valley Fund, Geoffrey Weli-Wosu, Founder, Domineum Blockchain, Emeka MBA, CEO & Founder, Afia TV, Kehinde Ogundare, Country Manager, Zoho, Akintunde Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance, Ekiti State, Nkechi Obi, Chairman, National Female League and others.
The theme for this year’s Conference is Deep & Bold: 5IR, Emerging Realities, Regional Economic Imperatives & The Role of Innovation. Speaking about the theme, the Convener, Uche Aniche said the theme provides an opportunity for a reflection on Nigeria/Africa’s readiness for the impact of Artificial Intelligence and explores the right response especially at the subnational level to ensure that Africa doesn’t get the short end of the stick.
The Conference which will feature Breakout Sessions from over forty Corporate and Individual brands also has as a feature an Investors Meetup on Thursday October 5, 2023 in partnership with African Business Angel Network/VC4A as well as an Awards Night on Friday October 6, 2023.
The purpose of The Awards is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Founders and Corporate organizations, regardless of their public or private status, who have made significant contributions to the Innovation ecosystem and embodied the core values of the #StartupSouth movement.
The Conference is Proudly sponsored by Zoho Technologies, Rapid Cabins, Breej, Cool FM Port Harcourt & Nigeria Info Port Harcourt, The King’s Assembly and others.
News
JAMB Accuses Student of Securing Admission through Identity Fraud

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused a 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate of manipulating his identity and engaging in online blackmail.
Fabian Benjamin, head of public affairs, JAMB, issued a statement on the matter on Thursday.
He said one Chinedu Okeke, currently a 400-level Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), gained admission in 2021 while claiming to be from Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos state.
JAMB said Okeke’s national identification number (NIN) records from 2021 confirm his Lagos origin.
The board stated it does not alter candidate information provided through NIN.
The board, however, said the 400-level student, who is facing potential challenges for incorrect credentials, is now claiming that it retrieved the wrong details for him from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2021.
“[This] is unequivocally false, aimed at fabricating a defence for his case,” Benjamin said.
“The evidence suggests that Chinedu altered his records as filled in 2021 before registering for the 2025 UTME, a fact confirmed by even his advocates.”
The board questioned why a 400-level medical student would seek to study mechanical engineering in 2025, especially with “inconsistencies in his claims.”
JAMB alleged that Okeke “took advantage” of Lagos state’s quota in 2021, thereby obstructing the admission opportunities for other deserving candidates from the state.
It added that he then “attempted to manipulate his details with the NIMC” to unjustly claim representation from Anambra state in 2025.
The board criticised “online advocates” for “actively reaching out to Chinedu’s parents to extract emotional narratives rather than factual clarifications, neglecting to seek information directly from the university.”
JAMB affirmed its commitment to maintaining accurate records and preventing candidates from exploiting loopholes.
It warned that if UNN confirms any inconsistencies, it would notify the Medical and Dental Council to consider delisting Okeke.
“When a nation trivialises illegalities, it breeds a future fraught with potential criminality,” Benjamin’s statement concluded.
News
Check Point Report Finds Africa as Top Target for Cyber-attacks

Africa has become the most targeted region globally for cyber-attacks in the first quarter of 2025, according to new research from Check Point Software Technologies. The company’s Q1 2025 Global Cyber Attack Report reveals a steep rise in malicious activity as the continent continues to accelerate its Digital transformation.
Ethiopia emerged as the most targeted country in Africa during the reporting period. FakeUpdates ranked as the most common malware, while 80% of malicious files across the continent were delivered via e-mail. In contrast, 62% of threats in SA were distributed via the web.
On average, organisations in Africa faced 3 325 cyber-attacks per week – a staggering 72% above the global average of 1 938 attacks per organisation.
Check Point Software unpacked the findings at a media roundtable in Johannesburg. Eli Smadja, global research group manager at Check Point, provided a detailed overview of Africa’s evolving cyber threat landscape, which he said is increasingly defined by AI-powered threats, ransomware, infostealers, edge device vulnerabilities and cloud-based risks.
Among the most concerning developments was the discovery of a previously undocumented multi-stage backdoor, dubbed Stealth Soldier, currently being deployed in cyber operations targeting North African government entities. The malware forms part of a broader command-and-control infrastructure used in spear-phishing campaigns.
Smadja noted a growing trend in malware designed to bypass AI detection systems.
“These aren’t aimed at advanced large language models (LLMs), but rather at lower-level ones,” he said. “It’s about LLM evasion – fooling the AI and manipulating prompts.”
Despite the increasing use of AI in cyber security, Smadja cautioned against over-reliance on AI-driven defence systems. “AI still requires human prompting.”
Check Point is advocating for a zero trust model and a holistic, automated and consolidated approach to cyber security. This includes centralised threat visibility and simplified controls to protect against ransomware, phishing, data theft and vulnerabilities at the edge.
“Just having something at the perimeter isn’t enough,” Smadja said. “Cyber-attacks are not just targeting PCs or servers anymore. For instance, we’ve seen state-sponsored attacks aimed at fuel pumps to disrupt national supply chains.”
He highlighted the importance of understanding external risk – threats originating outside the organisation – especially as AI-driven ransomware and attacks on third-party service providers continue to rise.
“Printers, for example, are a major attack vector,” he added. “They’re often network-connected, and threat actors can exploit them to gain broader access.”
Credentials, Smadja noted, are also a lucrative commodity on the dark web, often selling for around $500.
News
FG Appeals to U.S. Over Single-Entry Visa Rule for Nigerian Travelers

Federal Government has urged the United States to reconsider its revised visa reciprocity policy, which now limits Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry, three-month validity.
In a statement released today by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Federal government expressed concern over the U.S. decision amidst partnership, cooperation and shared global responsibilities by both countries.
“The attention of the government has been drawn to the recent decision by the U.S. to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2, F and J categories, to three months with a single entry.
Government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.
The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.
Nigeria notes this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.
Nigeria respectfully urges the U.S. to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation and shared global responsibilities, while acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its immigration policies,” the government said.
The government said diplomatic engagements are ongoing and that the ministry would remain committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria had on Tuesday, July 8, announced the new policy. The embassy however mentioned that all U.S. non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their original status and validity.
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