Asoreba; the wonder startup that has been adjudged best in Africa ( The Seedstars African Startup of the Year, 2015.)

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A combination a mobile and Web App, Asoriba seeks to solve all the administration  needs of an average church on one platform- from collection, storage and analysis of the data of church members, keeping track of church revenue as well as facilitating members' tithing, offertory and pledge payments.

Starting a business can be a very difficult endeavour, especially tech startups in Ghana.

This is due to their inability to streamline solutions to the challenges of their target customers.

So often,  you find techpreneurs( tech ENTREPRENEURS)  building fanciful apps that appear to do so many mind- boggling enhancements,  but do not bring the exact convenience that the average Ghanaian needs. Something attributable to  a failure on the part of these techpreneurs to localize their technological solutions to the needs of the average Ghanaian.

This is why what Asoriba has been able to do perfectly, which is why they earn a slot in this Edition of Meet The Boss.

The Story of Asorba

Asoriba is a management tool for church administration.  A combination of  a mobile and Web App, Asoriba seeks to solve all the administration  needs of an average church on one platform. Ranging from collection, storage and analysis of the data of church members, keeping track of church revenue as well as facilitating members' tithing, offertory and pledge payments. They can do all that through embedded electronic payment platforms on Asoriba.

The days when your church administrator is unable to tell whether you attended  Sunday  church service or not is over. Asoriba gives him an easy, real- time analysis of church attendance patterns. He or she is also able to tell the margins of decrease or increase in church population just by the click of a button.

Solution meets problem

Again what makes Asoriba standout,  is how well they have specifically tailored their tech innovation to the basic problems and needs of churches.

The team  attributes such valuable achievement to their strong  religious background. It so happens that three of the five co- founders of Asoriba were born to parents who are pastors  and church leaders.

Nana Opoku W. O. Agyeman-Prempeh, Chief Executive Officer of Asoriba reveals what they did to achieve such value:

" For the four of us who started the company, church has been a part of the life. Myself, Saviour and Patrick have been in church leadership almost all our lives, and our fathers are pastors. And when we started off, we built around pastors. For example,  from conception to the time we went we had wonderful pastors like Pastor Eddy Addy who is the pastor of Light House, Airport Branch.  With that you are able to build solutions that meet real problems".

For Chief Product Officer for Asoriba Web, Saviour Kwaku Dzage  other web solutions on the market do not present the holistic solution that Asoriba provides. And this, he  says is testament to Asoriba's commitment to a tight feedback system. " We practically built the app for our customers. And they were in the process every step of the way."

Has Asoriba been Successful?

Asoriba's quick meteoric rise to fame is strongly tied to the reception they have received from customers.

" We have been out  selling a lot, and I tell you this... the reaction we get most of the time after demonstrating the product to churches and church members is WOW!!!" , Obed Asamoah Boateng (VP - Sales & Marketing) says.

" It has really made my JOB as a sales and marketing  much easier, because the product really sells itself" he adds

Asoriba at Seedstars Africa Competition

 

Asoriba wins 3 awards out of 3 competitions

For many, Asoriba was, by far, the Ghanaian startup of the year 2015. Their real test would come when they entered the Seedstars Ghana competition in October 2015, which was held in Casablanca, Morocco. This was  barely a few months after the product had  hit the market in June.

" Seedstars is actually a competition that goes round African countries selecting the best Startups. So it was previlege for us to win in 2015. But it says a lot about the amount of hardwork that was put in, but of course it was by the Grace of God.  This was at a time when we had just finished building a product, an MVP, and then gone to the market only to be adjudged best startup in Ghana."

Asoriba adjudged winner of Seedstars Africa

  

As their prize, they won $150,000 in cloud services.

Asoriba would go on to be adjudged Best Startup in Africa 2015,  and that was  before they had won the Innovate Africa Challenge, a business pitching competition for startups in Africa, from which they won a cool GHC10,000.

For them the sky is  a stepping stone. And if only other tech companies can emulate Asoriba's example of building apps according to local nuances and to the needs of the customers, success will be almost a surety.

Click the link below to see the video:
Meet the boss- Asoreba

Source: PulseGhana 17/02/2016

Nigerian girls build robots to tackle waste

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The Odyssey Educational Foundation is a Nigerian NGO that works with children in 15 state schools in Abuja to offer a rich learning experience in robotics, computer programming and the four STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and maths. The foundation aims to encourage more children, especially girls, to think about pursuing science and technology careers.

The organisation was set up by Esther Uzochukwu-Denis in 2013, after she travelled to India to complete an MSc. Set on pursuing a career in the telecommunications industry, she changed her mind when she discovered that school clubs in India taught children programming and provided extra STEM tuition. Inspired by the experience, she returned home determined to offer the same service to Nigerian children.

These photos were taken at the Government Girls Secondary School Dutse and the Junior Secondary School Area 11.

On 30 January, Nigeria hosted the First Lego League challenge, facilitated by the foundation. In this international competition, students program Lego mini robots to achieve a specific task. This year more than 233,000 competitors from 81 countries took up the challenge titled Trash Trek. It involved programming the robots to pick up and drop off pieces of garbage on a playing area, as well as demonstrating research projects related to the topic of waste.

The two schools presented projects involving recycling, waste disposal and solar energy for domestic use.

Source:  Scidev.net 11/02/2016

Heart disease bigger threat to women than breast cancer, Dr. Olubi says

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  Every fall, the nation goes pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. Thousands march, fundraise and sport pink clothing to call attention to the disease. Yet little will be said about heart diseases, which kill more women than lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer combined, according to Dr. Bukola Olubi M.D, a cardiologist with Piedmont Heart Institute in Feyetteville.

 It is estimated that one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime while one in three women will have heart disease in her life time. Heart disease poses a particular threat to women in Georgia, which has the 12th highest death rate from cardiovascular  disease in the country.

“Heart disease is not a man’s disease or an old person’s disease, Dr. Olubi said “Heart disease is the leading killer of women. Women often wait to get treated or screened because they are too busy being caretakers. They have to take care of themselves too.”

 In the state of Georgia, heart disease and stroke account for 28.2 percent of all female deaths, according to the American Heart Association. That’s the equivalent of about 27 deaths each day.

 Putting Georgia women more at risk for heart disease and stroke is lifestyle, especially eating habits. More than half of all women in Georgia are obese and overweight, according to the American Heart Association. Additionally, over 15 percent of women smoke cigarettes- another risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

 “Some women risk factors include elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension and smoking, but for women over the age of 35 physical inactivity is almost as bad as smoking cigarettes,” Dr Olubi said. “The first thing for women to do is to get active and then make sure their doctors are evaluating their risks for heart disease or they get a comprehensive heart screening.”

 For women who do not have a pre-existing heart issue, Piedmont offers a screening inclusive of a physical exam, lab work and complete health history. Women who participate in the screening receive a comprehensive heart health report they can take home with detailed recommendations and next steps.

 For more information or to sign up for the women’s heart health screening at Piedmont, visit piedmontred.org.

Source:  Citizen's newspaper, Health Wise section, February 10, 2016, Fayetteville, Georgia

Graduate Trainee Program at Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc- Deadline Friday 12 February, 2016

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Enugu  Electricity Distribution Plc Graduate Trainee Program             

Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc(EEDC) is licensed to distribute electricity in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. As part of their efforts to reinvigorate their workforce for better Service to their esteemed customers, they are seeking recent graduates that have completed their National Youth Service for their new GRADUATE TRAINEE PROGRAM.  

They invite applications from graduates of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, as well as other Engineering and Physical Science disciplines. Graduates from Management and Social Science disciplines are also invited to apply.

All applications should be submitted to via email to recruiting@enugudisco.com with the subject line- GRADUATE TRAINEE PROGRAM on or before Friday 12, 2016. No hard copy submissions are allowed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

They hereby solicit your assistance in circulating this information to recent graduates of your esteemed institution that will be interested in applying.

Thank you for your anticipated assistance.

Source: The Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu

Do you want to become a Mobile Dev Corps Member?

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OVERVIEW

Mobile Dev Corps is an intensive training program designed to prepare New Yorkers for careers in mobile development, one of the most in-demand skills in the tech ecosystem.

In direct response to industry feedback, the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline developed this program in partnership with some of the city's largest tech employers. Provided by the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline in partnership with The Flatiron School,

the 16-week program is provided free of cost to participants and includes a four-month on-campus training, and connection to jobs in technology.

The NYC Tech Talent Pipeline is a $10 million industry partnership designed to support the growth of the City’s tech sector and deliver quality jobs for New Yorkers and quality talent for New York’s businesses.

GOAL

The Mobile Dev Corps is an intensive program designed to train New Yorkers with no prior coding experience to become production-ready mobile developers.

The program is adapted from The Flatiron School's iOS Development Immersive — a course that has successfully trained students for the workforce and helped them find mobile development jobs.

DETAILS

The Mobile Dev Corps is full time and free of cost. All applicants must be able to make the full 16-week commitment followed by a rigorous job search. Because the program focuses heavily on collaboration, Corps Members are required to be on campus Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. Many Corps Members also choose to complete additional work on campus over the weekends.

Only 20 students will be selected for the class. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and go through a competitive screening process.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

After a competitive application process, 20 Corps Members will be admitted into the class beginning May 2016. All admitted Corps Members must commit to being on campus from 9am to 6pm, Monday — Friday, from May 9, 2016 through August 26, 2016 (dates subject to change).

Be a resident of NYC.

At least 18 years old.

Have no experience as a professional web or  mobile developer.

Earn less than $50,000 per year.

Meet all federal selective service requirements.

Be authorized to work in the United States.

What I love most about being a developer is the endless ability to create and produce solutions with worldwide impact. 

Christine B. 

Alumnus

ARE YOU A CORPS MEMBER?

Aptitude

Admitted applicants are smart. That said, code is a form of expression and creativity is just as important. Successful graduates of our programs have come from all kinds of backgrounds, including design, social work, activism, and more. Ultimately, students learn more from each other than from lectures. Smart students make great teachers.

Passion

There are lots of great reasons to learn how to program. You can get a great job at a tech startup or launch an app and be the next Mark Zuckerberg! While those are great goals, if that is what you are looking for, the Mobile Dev Corps is not for you. The Mobile Dev Corps approaches programming as a lifelong craft and career, rather than a means to an end. Corps Members must be passionate about being great developers and writing code that impacts people.

Culture

Learning is a team sport. We value differences in background and perspective. Previous graduates have comprised people from lots of different backgrounds and occupations. Above all, we're looking for people who are ready to work hard and be active members of the NY Teach Community.

The direction, the people, the full immersion, being able to focus all of your time on learning to code — it completely changed my life.

Flatiron School 2015 Fellow Reuben Ogbonna 

Sara G.

Alumnus

WHAT CORPS MEMBERS WILL LEARN

Corps Members will gain mobile development skills in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. 

This includes tools such as:

Objective-C

Even with Apple's new language, you still need to work with Objective-C, from ABAddressBookBuffer to Zoomscale.

Swift

Learn Swift alongside Objective-C so no matter what you're coding when you leave, you'll be comfortable.

Debugging & Xcode

You'll understand the nooks and crannies of Xcode, and learn to quickly squash bugs with Instruments and LLDB.

Universal Apps

Even your Dad has an iPad now. Learn how to combine layouts into one app, or split your app up for that extra special iPad experience.

SDKs

Build on the shoulders of giants. Integrate other's code into yours and say thanks with a Pull Request.

App Distribution

By the end of class, you'll have an app submitted to the App Store. Get ready to show it off to all your friends.

Mobile Design

A different form factor calls for different design fundamentals. Create apps that people want to use and explore.

Custom Interfaces

Just using default interfaces is boring. Turn your designer friends' wildest dreams into an customized interactive app.

Source: flatiron school

Lagos Places Residents On Red Alert As Lassa Fever Spreads In Nigeria

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The Lagos State Government says it is doing everything possible to defeat the deadly Lassa fever, just like it did during the outbreak of Ebola virus. It urged residents of the state to be on red alert by embracing personal and environmental hygiene.

The government also advised residents to block all holes in their homes through which rats could gain entrance, and also refrain from eating rat meat as well as any food already contaminated with urine, saliva and faeces of infected rat.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who briefed journalists on the update of the Lassa fever cases in the State, confirmed that so far, the state has recorded 20 suspected cases, out of which 14 tested negative, while 4 cases were confirmed positive.

He said three results were still being awaited, while 537 contacts have so far been listed, out of which 534 were currently being monitored.

According to Idris, the last confirmed case was a 27-year-old lady who travelled to Edo state on December 24, 2015 and returned to Lagos on January 2, 2016.

The Commissioner said the lady, who reportedly travelled for burial of her relative, became ill on January 14, 2016 and received care in one private hospital and three churches before she was referred on January 23, 2016 to Ijede General Hospital with fever, vomiting, diarrhea and body weakness before she eventually died, while the case was confirmed as Lassa fever on January 26, 2016.

“Members of the public are being sensitized to note that Lassa fever can be contacted through: ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats; catching and preparing infected rats as food; inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or droppings, and direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes like eyes, nose or mouth,” the commissioner said.

However, he assured that Lagos State under the leadership of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode would continue to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to the people towards achieving universal healthcare to all, adding that the government would overcome Lassa fever just as it defeated the Ebola virus disease.

Source: Information Nigeria