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Sidmach e-Registration System Boosts 2012 UTME Examinations

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Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, a Microsoft Gold Partner, played a major role in the success recorded at this year’s UTME Examinations organised by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The company designed the e-Registration System which enabled candidates to register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) online.

 In addition to ensuring seamless registration, the process also guaranteed more efficient record keeping, eradication of the trauma associated with manual registration and widespread exam malpractices resulting from poor monitoring.

The e-Registration system was developed on the Microsoft Visual Studio.Net and the SQL Server 2008 platforms.

This engine captured candidates’ bio-data, UTME Subjects, First and Second choices of Institution and Course, O/Level subjects and grades, Examination Town, passport photograph and biometric (fingerprint) data.

According to Mike Olajide, managing director, Sidmach Technologies, “About 1,503,931 candidates sat for this year’s UTME and what our system did was capture and validate all the applicants’ information which was stored in a Microsoft SQL Server database. An outstanding advantage of this solution is that it ensured trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform that provided excellent encryption which guarded against tampering.”

Underscoring the eradication of the trauma associated with manual registration which included the strain of having to queue endlessly to snap passport photographs for attachment to examination forms, making tons of photocopies to balance out form filling etc, Olajide explained that the process is now flawless and has encouraged more candidates to apply. Overall, there was a marginal increase of 10,338 candidates over the 2011 figure.

The modality of the project included the provision of Fingerprint Scanners and laptops running Microsoft Windows 7 for the verification and attendance marking of candidates for the UTME.

The Verification system was also developed using Microsoft tools.
Executed under the Public-Private-Project Implementation model, it means that JAMB did not have to lay out the huge investment to implement the UTME e-Registration immediately. In addition to the value provided by this project, Jamb did not have to increase the examination fees.

Commending Sidmach Technologies on the successful implementation of the project, Abiola Ajayi, Partner Account Manager, Microsoft Nigeria said, “We are thrilled with the performance of Sidmach Technologies, especially the advancement the company is making in public sector capacity building using Microsoft platform”.

Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar/CEO of JAMB, disclosed that the introduction of the Bio-Metric Thumb printing capturing, which was introduced in the 2011 UTME has been a subject of wide discourse; some positive, while others negative, adding however that to the body, it has recorded more successes than draw backs as the system in many centres ensured candidates were orderly and peaceful.

Reiterating the board’s determination to conduct a better exam than what obtained in the past, The JAMB boss explained that the biometric fingerprint machine had been improved upon to deliver quality service.

“In this year’s examination, the Biometric machines that were deployed were technically superior and faster. It took only about a second to get the machine to validate using candidate’s details.”

Ojerinde further pointed out that JAMB has achieved a drastic reduction in the incidence of incomplete results to 28,069.

According to him, “This figure although is a remarkable reduction in the previous one, it still remains high.” He noted that it is the hope of the Board to wish away totally, all incidences of incomplete results in our future examinations.

Overall, there has been a significant turnaround time with examination results released in less than one week.


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E-Business

Tech Expert Unveils BAT-BOT AI App to Curb Fake News ahead of 2027 Elections

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An artificial intelligence (AI) application has been developed to help combat the spread of fake news, misinformation and political propaganda as political activities gradually build toward the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.

Tech Expert Unveils BAT-BOT AI App to Curb Fake News ahead of 2027 Elections

The app, known as BAT-BOT AI, was unveiled in Abuja by Mr. Gunu Usman, its founder, who said the platform is designed to assist the federal government in addressing the growing challenge of false information within nation’s digital space.

‎Mr Usman explained that the new platform was created to ensure that factual information circulates faster than falsehood.

He noted that the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and manipulated narratives targeting the administration of Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress, and national institutions poses risks to democratic stability and public trust.

According to Mr. Usman, BAT-BOT AI was developed to support public access to verified information while countering misleading narratives online.

The Technology expert described the system as a sovereign AI-powered civic information and fact-verification platform designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital information ecosystem ahead of the 2027 general election.

He added that the initiative aligns with the government’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which seeks to promote transparency and encourage informed civic participation.

The founder further explained that the platform is currently accessible to Nigerians through multiple digital channels, enabling users to verify claims, seek clarification on government policies and obtain information on national development initiatives.

Mr.  Usman expressed optimism that the tool would help curb the spread of false information and contribute to a more credible digital environment as the country prepares for the next electoral cycle.

 

 


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Why JustMarkets Is a Strong Choice for Gold Trading

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Over the past four years, gold has risen by more than 400%. The precious metal has long been one of the most traded assets in global financial markets. From its role as a traditional store of value to its sensitivity to inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty, gold continues to attract traders seeking efficient and predictable trading opportunities during a period of global uncertainty and high volatility.

Why JustMarkets Is a Strong Choice for Gold Trading

JustMarkets

For traders looking to effectively access gold markets, choosing the right trading environment is as important as timing their entry. One of the most popular and effective gold trading platforms is JustMarkets, offering the tools, conditions, and infrastructure to enable traders to achieve their most ambitious gold trading goals.

Tight Spreads on XAU/USD

Cost efficiency is a critical factor in gold trading, especially for active day traders. JustMarkets offers extremely competitive XAU/USD spreads, allowing traders to open and close positions with reduced transaction costs. Lower spreads can significantly impact short-term strategies, where precision and timing are key to effectively entering a trade. By minimizing trading costs, JustMarkets helps traders focus more on market analysis and finding the ideal entry point, and less on overhead.

Fast and Reliable Execution

Gold is recognized for its volatility, especially during the day, especially with economic announcements or geopolitical events. Speed is of the essence in volatile markets. JustMarkets provides high-speed execution of orders, which helps minimize the risks of delays, especially during periods of high volatility. This ensures that traders are able to respond better to market conditions, thereby having better control over trade management.

Flexible Trading Conditions

Each trader has their own approach to gold, ranging from intraday trading to position trading. JustMarkets offers flexible leverage and account types, enabling traders to adjust their exposure based on their risk tolerance and trading style. This flexibility is suitable for both conservative and aggressive traders while still allowing them to access the same global gold market.

Advanced Platforms and Tools

Successful gold trading is based on thorough technical and fundamental analysis. JustMarkets provides access to industry-standard trading platforms equipped with advanced charting tools, multiple timeframes, and a wide range of indicators for recognizing divergences and clear entry points. These features help traders analyze price trends, identify key levels, and plan their trades with greater confidence.

Accessibility via mobile devices and computers via the JustMarkets Mobile Trading app also ensures traders can monitor positions and market movements from anywhere and at any time.

Education and Market Support

Gold is also affected by factors such as inflation rates, central bank policies, and currency fluctuations. Understanding these factors is important for developing a structured trading strategy.

JustMarkets offers resources for traders, which provide information on how global events can impact the price of gold like case studies, daily, bank and weekly analysis. This is a knowledge-based system, which enables the trader to make more informed decisions rather than relying on the price movements of gold.

Trading Activities That Keep Gold Traders Engaged

In addition to the competitive trading environment, JustMarkets also runs various special activities and campaigns that aim to make the trading experience more interesting. At certain intervals, the special activities may include trading contests on specific trading instruments, such as gold, which are highly sought after by traders. This will give the traders an added impetus to keep trading.

The special activities are designed to encourage trading, consistency, and skill-building among the traders, along with the additional motivation for the trading strategies. This is also in line with the overall philosophy of JustMarkets to create a dynamic trading environment where trading, learning, and motivation are linked together.

A Trading Environment Built for Gold Traders

Gold is still one of the most dynamic markets with the greatest number of opportunities in the world. With tight spreads on XAU/USD, fast execution, flexible trading terms, and access to advanced analytical tools, JustMarkets creates an optimal trading environment for those who want to trade gold efficiently.

In addition to the comprehensive educational assistance, JustMarkets continues to position itself as a strong competitor for traders who are looking for professional trading conditions combined with growth opportunities.


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Microsoft Expands Africa AI Push while DeepSeek Gains Users

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Microsoft is stepping up its push to expand artificial-intelligence adoption across Africa as competition intensifies with Chinas DeepSeek for influence in one of the worlds youngest and fastest-growing digital markets.

Microsoft Expands Africa AI Push while DeepSeek Gains Users

The company plans to train 3 million Africans on its AI technologies this year through partnerships with schools, universities and other institutions, with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco.

The effort reflects Microsofts broader attempt to accelerate adoption of its AI ecosystem across emerging markets where developers and enterprises are increasingly experimenting with generative AI tools.

Alongside the training initiative, Microsoft is working with MTN Group (MTNOY), Africas largest telecommunications company, to distribute Microsoft 365 and its Copilot digital assistant to about 300 million subscribers.

The Elevate program is designed to expand AI literacy and reduce cost barriers that might otherwise limit adoption, according to regional leadership.

The push comes as Chinese technology firms expand their footprint across the continent, with DeepSeeks open-source models accounting for roughly 11% to 14% of chatbot use in several African markets and reaching about 20% in countries such as Ethiopia and Zimbabwe following investments tied to digital infrastructure and telecom networks.

Microsoft is also increasing its infrastructure investment in the region.

In South Africa, the company plans to invest 5.4 billion rand, or about $330 million, to expand its cloud and AI capacity by the end of next year, while it is also exploring plans for a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.

Early corporate adoption is emerging across the continent, with South African grocer Spar Group using Copilot in ways that save more than 700 employee hours annually and Nigerias Access Holdings integrating AI into daily workflows.

Regional leadership has suggested broader AI adoption could potentially contribute up to $1.5 trillion to Africas gross domestic product by 2030 if governments and businesses continue investing in digital infrastructure and AI skills.

 


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