9mobile Launches Customer care on RCS, Transforming how Users Communicate with the Network

The RCS Agent for customer care, built by Kirusa, is the first such bot launched anywhere in Africa, enabling 9mobile subscribers in Nigeria to get customer support via RCS

Lagos, Nigeria and AfricaCom, Cape Town, South Africa, November 15, 2019: 9mobile, a leading telecom operator in Nigeria, today announced the launch of the first customer care service over RCS (Rich Communication Services) in Africa. RCS is the evolution of SMS, offering interactive and engaging capabilities for Android users. With this launch, 9mobile subscribers will experience an innovative and personalised customer care service that will provide support and deliver important notifications on RCS. For example, subscribers can check airtime balance, data balance and details of previous transactions through the RCS bot, which will share instant responses for the queries asked.

Touted as the next-generation native messaging evolution, RCS is an update to SMS, offering features for enhanced smartphone messaging such as high-resolution photo and video sharing, location sharing, group chats, read receipts, etc., all of which were not available on SMS. 9mobile is the first operator in Nigeria to launch RCS, and the first operator in Africa to provide customer care using an RCS bot. This launch not only transforms the user experience for enhanced customer care support; but also exemplifies how different 9mobile services can offer improved user experiences in the future using RCS. Consumers are looking for efficient, convenient, prompt and helpful customer care service for the resolution of their queries and issues, and RCS is a perfect channel to deliver the same. The rich media, buttons and suggested response capabilities of RCS Business Messaging enables 9mobile to provide an interactive conversational user interface, with quick and immediate responses for common queries or issues faced by subscribers, all from within the standard built-in messaging app already on the phone of the subscribers. Also, unlike live customer support centres operating within limited time schedules, customer care over RCS is available 24x7.

Bola Afuye, Head, Digital Media, 9mobile said, “We launched RCS last month, and it is only natural that we move our own services, including customer care, to utilize the power of this new messaging channel.  Kirusa has been a very supportive and competent partner to help us deliver on our RCS vision.”

Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA said, “Mobile operators around the world are offering RCS messaging services based on open industry specifications. We are committed to fostering rich partnerships for the delivery of digital services for consumers and businesses. We encourage the realization of these partnerships across the region, connecting everything and everyone to a better future.”

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to help 9mobile to create the first RCS bot for customer care in Africa. Providing customer care service through RCS empowers 9mobile to innovate and lead the way for introducing the latest technologies for improving user’s experience and overall satisfaction with 9mobile,” said Inderpal Singh Mumick, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Kirusa.

The customer care bot, named my9mobile, is built by Kirusa, a global leader in messaging and voice solutions over data networks, using its Kirusa Konnect™ platform. 9mobile expects to continually add new features and further enhance the my9mobile bot, as well as provide highly personalised conversations using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Along with these benefits, it will also help reduce the overall costs for 9mobile by significantly bringing down labour, IT and operational costs.

About 9mobile

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), trading as ‘9mobile’, is a Nigerian private limited liability company licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to provide a broad range of telecommunication services including voice and data services across the country.  Formerly trading as Etisalat Nigeria, 9mobile commenced commercial operations in October 2008.

In our over 11 years of operations, 9mobile has established a reputation for best-in-class Quality of Service (QoS), innovation and exceptional customer experience among mobile network operators (MNOs) in Nigeria. 9mobile has been at the forefront of technological innovations including high definition voice enhancements and digital business solutions. At 9mobile, innovation is not just a buzz word; it’s about how we make people’s lives more meaningful and devise new ways to solve existing problems. As an environmentally responsible brand, our Environmental Management System (EMS) was certified to ISO 14001:2004 Standard in the first quarter of 2017, making 9mobile the first (MNO) to achieve this certification in Nigeria.

In July 2017, we launched our new brand identity – 9mobile, reflecting the bold and creative attributes we share with our valued subscribers especially the vibrant youth segment. Our new name represents our authentic Nigerian heritage, Afro-centricity, and our evolution over a decade of operations. For more information, visit  www.9mobile.com.ng.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

About Kirusa

Kirusa is reimagining messaging and voice in the data era. Embracing the paradigm shift in enterprise messaging, we are helping enterprises plan and implement IP messaging strategies that create exciting possibilities for customer engagement. Kirusa’s technology and connectivity to OTT messaging platforms and RCS providers and carriers, including Google, enables enterprises to build and deploy chatbots. Enterprises can use these chatbots to have conversations with their customers with rich media, natural language processing, and machine learning, over OTT messaging apps, and the built-in Android messages app using RCS. Our solutions include Kirusa Konnect™, an omnichannel Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) for enterprises that helps bolster brand-customer engagement with chatbots, IP messaging, SMS and voice; InstaVoice®, a unique call completion solution that provides visual voicemails and missed calls, and helps mobile carriers monetize missed calls in their networks; InstaVoice ReachMe, a smartphone app using voice over data to provide inexpensive voice roaming and virtual numbers; and Kirusa Channels, a platform that allows fans to connect with their favorite celebrities. Thousands of enterprises and over a hundred million users benefit from our solutions. We have partnerships with over fifty mobile carriers and are also a Jibe Messaging partner. Kirusa’s solutions are built on its patented technology and highly reliable, scalable multimodal and cloud platforms, which manage over 3 billion transactions and over 100 million active users every month. Headquartered in New Jersey and led by an experienced team of mobile technologists, Kirusa has offices in three continents. For more information, visit www.kirusa.com.

For further inquiries, please contact

Bukola Koledoye

9mobile

E-mail: bukola.koledoye@9mobile.com.ng

Jayna Parikh

Kirusa

E-mail: jparikh@kirusa.com

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KIRUSA NIGERIA’S COUNTRY MANAGER OPENS UP ON WORK-LIFE, COMMUNICATION AND TECH ADOPTION IN NIGERIA

Mr. Oluseyi Akinnibosun.
Country Manager, Kirusa 🇳🇬

Kirusa, is a global leader in communication solutions over data networks for consumers and enterprises, one of its key products is Kirusa Konnect, a cloud-based Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) and its Country Manager in Nigeria is Mr. Oluseyi Akinnibosun.

A product of the Sunway University in Malaysia, the hardworking Mr. Akinnibosun appears co-operative, very observant and focused on delivering on Kirusa’s brand promise to Nigerians. 

He joined Kirusa in 2014 as an Account Manager and became the Country Manager for Nigeria in 2016. He has been working on numerous projects in that capacity since then.

Asked which aspect of his work experience excited him the most, Mr. Akinnibosun was quick to mention: “…developing new business relationships, maintaining old ones and delivering value to customers and stakeholders.”

His thoughts on Communication and Tech Ecosystem in Nigeria

Technology is a flourishing sector and an agent of change in Nigeria. It has impacted and modified various aspects of daily life, including communication. With advancements in technology, there have been improvements in the mode, speed, process and functionalities of communication. 

These have eased communication, added convenience, eliminated distance and made it more effective.

Along with personal communication, there has also been a transformation in the way enterprises communicate with their target audience. 

As a part of Kirusa, I have been witnessing how the company’s products and services are helping individuals & businesses fulfill various communication needs, enhance communication experience and get access to new features & functions. Kirusa has been introducing innovations and technologies that define the next generation telecom experience.

Technology has significantly impacted the evolution of enterprise messaging. Enterprises are looking for ways to leverage technology to deepen engagement and amplify communication with their audience.

Kirusa Konnect, one of our solutions, an omnichannel Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) for enterprises helps bolster brand-customer engagement with chatbots, IP messaging, SMS and voice. It enables enterprises to reach more customers effectively over mobile channels. 

An enterprise has various reasons for communicating with their audience, and Kirusa Konnect offers multiple tools to help enterprises achieve their objectives in an efficient and pocket-friendly way. Kirusa Konnect was developed to support businesses with the most appropriate communication tools and enable them to connect and reach more customers effectively.

How enterprises and the general public can utilize technology

Technology has become an integral part of our lives, creating an influence on not just the daily activities but also on the complex aspects. With innovation and advancement taking place rapidly, every field and sector is witnessing massive shifts. However, it is eventually left to us how we choose to utilize technology. 

Whether used by an individual or a company, one must remember to use technology wisely and responsibly.

Before using any technology, the person or company should be well aware of not just its pros but also if it has any cons. Technology severely impacts the society, and thus it is essential to know what the challenges, risks and consequences associated with a particular technology are.

Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa. Yet, some factors are causing a sense of concern for the country. One of them is the low adoption of technology at the micro and macro level. 

Lack of good infrastructure is one of the biggest hindrances for the adoption of technology tools in Nigeria. While the government is taking initiatives to improve the infrastructure, there needs to be more effort and support in providing better infrastructure.

With focused efforts, an open-mind, better planning and aspiration to be on par with the rest of the world, Nigeria can take advantage of the technological progress. Creating an environment for technology to flourish and thrive will stimulate its adoption. I would like to commend what Nigerian entrepreneurs have been doing in the FinTech space.

How Kirusa can help businesses and individuals communicate better

Kirusa offers modern communication solutions for individuals and businesses that include:

Kirusa Konnect:

An omnichannel Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) for enterprises that helps bolster brand-customer engagement with chatbots, IP messaging, SMS and voice.

InstaVoice:

A unique cloud-based, call completion solution that enables users to get voicemails, missed call alerts, and notification of reachability. It helps mobile carriers monetize missed calls in their networks.

Kirusa Channels:

An exclusive celebrity-fan engagement platform that allows fans to connect with their favorite celebrities.

Kirusa has been working in collaboration with 50+ telecom network partners and 1,000+ notable organizations and brands. It has more than 100 million monthly active users with over 3 billion monthly transactions from the emerging markets of Africa, Asia and Latin America. With an experience of having handled over 150 billion messaging and voice transactions in the last decade, Kirusa has established itself as a thought leader in the communication solutions space.

The role of messaging and voice in communication has evolved over time, especially in the way enterprises communicate with their audiences. Kirusa launched Kirusa Konnect in November 2017, which offers enterprises multiple engaging tools over mobile channels for audience engagement.

It is a Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) that enables enterprises to connect and reach more customers effectively using tools such as SnapCall, IVR, Inbound SMS, Voice SMS, Outbound Dialler, SMS Tagging, WhatsApp chat, RCS, Apple and Viber chat. Enterprises can run instant campaigns encompassing two-way and omnichannel communication over messaging, voice & rich media tools and obtain better results out of the communication.

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Fire Outbreak Destroy Properties At Lagos Island

Balogun Market Fire

Shops burnt, goods lost as fire engulfs a section of balogun market.

Popular balogun market inside Lagos Island has been hit by fire outbreak. As at the time of this report, the cause of fire has not been ascertained.

See video from the scene.

In other news, there are reports of a burning building at dosunmu part of Lagos Island.

People in the location are seen in this video trying to put out the fire.

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Literary, Essay and Debate Competition (LEAD 2019) For Secondary Students

L-R: Faruk Oyebanjo, Director of Operations at MOD Group, Victoria Omotosho, Head of Partnerships at MOD Group, Ademola Ademiluyi Counselor at Degrees&Careers, Claudia Nwankwo, Consultant Project Manager Lead 2019.

Call for entry: Literary Essay and Debate Competition, LEAD 2019

Degrees & Careers launch Literary Essay and Debate competition, LEAD 2019 for senior secondary students aged 15 -18.

The competition is an MOD group initiative in partnership with IELTS Test Centre aimed at promoting proper usage of the English Language among Nigerian Secondary School students.

Applicants are to write an essay on the topic: “Holistic Education: The Solution to Nigeria’s Socio-economic Challenges” (number of words: 500 - 1,000).

Application portal opens for entry from 18th November, 2019 to December 20, 2019. After which second round of the competition would be announced.

Speaking about the competition, the Director of Operations at MOD Group, Mr. Faruk Oyebanjo said, that "this is one of the many projects the organisation is using to support the industry and help students find their career path". 

At a press briefing in Lagos, Ademola Ademiluyi, Counselor at Degrees&Careers and Team Lead, for the essay competition said that the competition would help improve research, writing, critical thinking amongst other skills in applicants. Also, at the event Claudia Nwankwo, Consultant Project Manager for LEAD 2019, commended MOD group for its visionary approach to in promoting writing culture while imploring parents and schools to encourage students to participate.

All second round qualifiers get gifts while one outstanding entry from each of the six geopolitical zones across the country would advance to the final round where cash prizes of 2m naira,1m naira and 500 thousand naira would be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions at the grand finale event of the competition which takes place in March 2020, in Lagos. While other finalists receive cash gifts of one hundred and fifty thousand naira, schools of the six finalists would get 10% of the amount won by their representing student.

The competition is open to all secondary students across the country. Students and brands wishing to take part in the competition are to visit www.degreesandcareers.info/lead for more information on how to apply.

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Mercy Eke Becomes First Female BBNaija Winner

After spending 99days in Big brother house, Mercy Eke A. K. A Lamborghini emerges winner of the BBNaija season 4 "Pepper dem" beating 25 other contestants.

In a landslide voting victory, with a whooping 41%, Mercy drowned the second runner up Mike Edwards who scored 19% of the total votes.

Mercy who was also popularly called "queen of higlights" and known for her display of nudity and her volumcious backside is the first female to ever win the BigBrother Nigeria (BBNaija) show and according to her "after four times of trying" to get on the show.

Congratulations Lambo...

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UBA, Access Bank, GTBank and Fidelity Bank Come Under CBN Hammer

Godwin Emefiele
CBN Governor
Photo credit: Punch

The Central Bank of Nigeria and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria sanctioned four commercial banks between January and June for various infractions, our correspondent has learnt.

It was learnt that the apex bank imposed a number of sanctions on the banks for failure to comply with its Know-Your-Customers guidelines and in the anti-money laundering requirement.

The banks disclosed the sanctions in their audited financial statements for the six months ended June.

For its infractions, GTBank Plc was asked to pay N10m while the United Bank for Africa Plc and Access Bank Plc were asked to pay N8m each. Fidelity Bank Plc was sanctioned N4m by the regulating body.

GTBank disclosed in its audited financial statement for six months ended June 30 that it was sanctioned N2m for Anti-Money laundering/ Combating the Financing of Terrorism regulation on three-tiered KYC and N8m for 2018 risk- based examination findings.

The bank explained that it was committed to fight all forms of financial crime including money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery and corruption.

It said, “To this end, the bank has continually implemented a framework for AML/CFT and the prevention of the financing and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

Access Bank was sanctioned N4m over failure to comply with anti-money laundering requirement and additional N4m in respect of failure to comply with the apex bank’s manual of operations for fund transfer.

UBA, on the other hand, was sanctioned N2m for late resolution of customer compliants and N6m for deficiency in account documentation/late records retrieval. Read more here PUNCH

Source: Punch

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Fidelity Bank Donates Laboratory To Correctional Home

Fidelity Bank Donates Laboratory To Correctional Home

LASG Commends Lender For CSR projects

Fidelity Bank Plc, top Nigerian lender has handed over a well-equipped, state-of-the-art Kitchen/Catering Laboratory for the use of students at the Girls Correctional Home, Idi-Araba, Lagos. The project, according to the bank, is a clear demonstration of its unwavering support towards enhancing the lives and wellbeing of less privileged members of the society.

L-R: Head HRBP & Recruitment/CSR & Sustainability, Chris Nnakwe; Reps of the Governor of Gombe State, Perm Sec Ministry of Health, HRH Hassan Ibrahim; Branch Leader Gombe, Umar Bappi; Reps of the Speaker, Haruna Wambai; District Head of Lubo, Usman Mohammad during the official commissioning of the renovated Primary Healthcare Centre, Lubo in Gombe State.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Lagos recently, the bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo said that the decision to embark on the project is borne out of a deep-seated realisation that vocational education remains vital to the development of any society.

Okonkwo who was represented the bank’s Head of Legal Division, Kingsley Ohiri thanked the Ministry of Youth & Social Development for giving them the opportunity to partner with the State and hoped to do more in the future. He also mentioned the bank had, in the past, carried out some CSR projects in the State such as the Correctional Centre for Boys, Birrel Avenue, Yaba where vocational training tools were provided for the use of wards at the centre.

L-R: Reps of the Governor of Gombe State, Perm Sec Ministry of Health, HRH Hassan Ibrahim reads the text on the plaque during the official commissioning of the renovated Primary Healthcare Centre, Lubo in Gombe State as Head HRBP & Recruitment/CSR & Sustainability, Chris Nnakwe looks on.

While commissioning the project, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu said that the kitchen would provide the children the means to learn a new vocation which they would use to benefit themselves and the society at large.

Dawodu also reiterated the resolve of the State Government to prioritise the needs of the teeming youth saying, “The Lagos State Government would continue to support and empower the children and youth in the State with relevant skills in order to play active roles in the Nigerian economy, thereby creating wealth and reducing the rate of unemployment and criminal activities among the youths and children”.

He specifically thanked Fidelity Bank for supporting the Government and especially the youths in the State by initiating and extending their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to ensure that the society is impacted positively.

On her own part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Yewande Falugba, emphasised the need for well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to emulate Fidelity Bank by partnering with the State Government in ensuring the social well-being of the youths and children.

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Winners emerge at MyBranchXP video challenge.

July 16-Lagos, Nigeria: Winners emerge at MyBranchXP video challenge. 

The winners were announced on Monday July 15th, 2019 on the company's instagram page. After a stiff first round, three videos were selected for the second round where winners emerged.

The Branch video challenge has come to an end as three finalists grab cash prizes 

70,000 naira for 1st prize

50,000 naira 2nd prize  

30,000 3rd prize. 

Watch video

At the final round, the videos which were reposted on the company's instagram account were judged based on number of interactions. 

The competition which was initially scheduled to last for one week kicked of on June 25th and extended from July 4th to July 11th to encourage more participantion. Participants were to make a 30 seconds video about their Branch experience and post the video on their instagram account with #MyBranch #MYBRANCHXP.

Three Finalists

The 30 seconds video challenge which required Branch customers to share their Branch experience on social media, was designed as a way to reward Branch customers.

Branch aims to provide financial services to the underserved and unlocked financial access to customers around the country.

Need a loan?  Download the App here

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Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha Inspects Contractors Bidding For Renovation of The State Stadium

His Excellency, Governor Enema Ihedioha of Imo State was at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, to meet, interview and select contractors bidding for the renovation of the stadium.

The Governor made this know through his official twitter handle as he shared tweets and pictures from the scene.

His excellency revealed that "the motive is to ensure that the stadium attains the standard that will enable it host local, national and international games and events and most importantly, return Heartland Football Club to their home ground".

See more pictures below

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Biodun Fatoyinbo Breaks His Silence As Busola Dakolo's Rape Allegation Video Goes Viral

Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo

Social media went agog today as YTV shares video interview with Busola Dakolo where she revealed how a popular Abuja Pastor of The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo raped her nineteen years ago when she was just 17 and a member of his church choir. 

Watch sneak peak of Busola's interview with Chude Jideonwo here👇

Recall in 2013, a former female worker in the church had accused Pastor Fatoyinbo of sexual harassment which neither he nor the church responded to. However, following the latest allegation by Busola who is a celebrity photographer and wife of a popular Nigerian music artiste,  Timi Dakolo, Mr. fatoyinbo and the leadership of COZA have now responded denying the allegations and threatening to take legal actions. 

See the response below👇

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LASTMA Talks Tough, Realease List of Traffic Offences and Penalties

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has released a list of Traffic Offences and Penalties as Governor Sanwo-Olu appeals to Louisiana go obey traffic rules at all times

See list of over 60 items below.. .

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International Finance Corporation To Sell Holding At Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the IFC Asset Management Company (AMC) move to sell equity holding at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Ecobank publish information relating to its ownership structure at The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

News have it that "The IFC (a subsidiary of the World bank) and it's Asset Management Company has entered into a share purchase agreement with a leading Dutch investment firm Arise B. V for the sale of their circa 14.1% stake in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated" (Parent company of Ecobank).

Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming months subject to due diligence, internal and regulatory approvals.

See press release below...

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Proshare Raise Red Flag On Heritage Bank In Latest Report

Photo Credit: Proshare Nigeria

Three months ago Proshare had cause to commit resources to investigate and produce an hitherto unpublished Confidential Report on Heritage Banking Company Limited, in direct response to the promptings of the advisory board members who wanted to know the true state of the bank which had another financial institution handling clearing operations for it at some time.

By this time, and curiously; it wasn’t such a big news that some of the bank depositors had experienced recurring challenges with withdrawals and staff exits did little to help matters. Yet, the restraint was important in order to ensure and support financial system stability as well as give the institution an opportunity to execute its resolution strategies without hindrance. After all, the institutional frameworks were in place to protect depositors and the system in general.

The task involved a lot of stakeholder engagements including sources we understood to be in a position to recognize, appreciate and make informed decisions. The revelations offered little comfort from history to, interventions up to the current state. We limited ourselves however to facts, data and evidence and submitted the report.

Further to the completion of this initial review, and in the interest of giving the financial system an opportunity to resolve the bank’s challenges through normal regulatory intervention and management effort at recapitalizing the institution or determination of the banks going concern status through a merger and acquisition (M&A) arrangement; the report remained private.

The burden of a moral hazard however appeared a bigger burden than tolerable or envisaged, especially given the evident ‘sailors survival’ approach that appears to have kicked in as seen through senior management exit, non-improving conditions, non-progressing talks around mergers and acquisitions; and recapitalization plans.

It has become compelling to highlight concerns about the bank formally; with the hope that ‘some intervention’ can happen to alter the trajectory of an inevitability. and remove the spectre of a bank waiting to die that overshadows the institution, unfortunately.

Proshare’s investigation into the bank revealed a few major concerns related to corporate governance and operational stability/sustainability. The primary issues included, but were not limited to the following:

Read more on Proshare website. Click here

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Zenith Bank Customer Cries Out After Over 800k Was Withdrawn From His Account

Www.pedestriannewsng.blogspot.com 

News- Zenith bank customer looses over 800k on unauthorized transactions.

Fraud remains a common problem with financial transactions in Nigeria and it seems as if Nigeria financial service providers are helpless as more customers continue to suffer loss of their hard earned money to fraudsters.

A final year pharmacy student, Mr.  Hillary Chukwuemeka Asobara who recently suffered a huge loss in his Zenith bank account has taken to social media to seek solution. 

The young man explained how he received several debit alerts for unauthorized transactions to "Kingspay PTSK" which swept his account clean of over 800k.

See tweets below

The issue of fraud definitely poses threat to the success of fintech but what's the way forward? Are banks spending less on finacial security or is this issue of fraud so overwhelming and hopeless? How are security agencies supporting recovery? Are regulatory policies effective in this clime? Too many questions begging for answers.

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