News
Uber Driver-Partners in Nigeria Share Life Transforming Experiences
Uber officially launched operations in Nigeria in July 2014, and since then, the technology company has been providing a safe, reliable and affordable transportation alternative for tens of thousands of Nigerians by simply tapping a button.
Operating extensively within Lagos and Abuja Metropolises, Uber has brought with it a new era of financial independence for the drivers who use the Uber app, as well as a new sense of freedom for riders.
In May 2017, as part of efforts to make its services even more accessible to a wider range of people, Uber lowered fares for uberX in Lagos by 40%.
Based on early results, drivers are earning more in fares for every hour they work.
This is led by an increase in the number of trips requested from first time users, showing that the reduced prices have helped reach new customers.
This has been beneficial to driver-partners but has also made it easier and more affordable for riders to get around their city.
“I was introduced to Uber by a friend and when I started, I found it very convenient, safe and flexible,” said Hugbo, a Lagos based Uber driver-partner. Hugbo loves that driving with Uber allows him to meet and chat to new people and will often extend his driving hours for this reason. “Uber has really exposed me to different people and the work flexibility is awesome!” notes Emuobohwo.
For Tyna, a female driver-partner on the Uber app, her story is one of women empowerment and financial independence.
“I love exploring professions that are not commonly taken on by women in Nigeria, like driving. Uber has given me the opportunity to be financially self-reliant.. From my experience, I’ve seen that Uber is safe and very easy to navigate because of the GPS they provide while driving, making it easy to track your route and find your rider,” concluded Tyna.
Alon Lits, Uber’s General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa maintains that Uber has every confidence – after years of experience – that driver-partners will continue to see more demand from riders, “We are continuously watching and reviewing the effects of the fare reduction and we are thrilled that the results show that it is working and drivers are making more than before.”
Uber’s mission is to help people get a ride at the push of a button – everywhere and for everyone.
The platform started in 2009 to solve a simple problem of connecting riders with drivers.
The Uber network is now available in over 475 cities in over 75 countries spanning 6 continents.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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