Raheem Akingbolu
Promoters of HP brand in the Nigeria market took the unusual path recently when they introduced a new product called ‘HP Spectre’ in a stylish manner. The unveiling, which took place in Lagos was heralded with fashion parade to showcase the sophistication of the brand in line with today’s market.
With the crème de la crème of the Nigerian fashion and design industry present and a runway performance which took several hours, one became a bit confused about what was the highpoint of the night between fashion parade and computer launch. However, when the product was unveiled, it simmered down on everybody why the organizers had tilted more to fashion parade.
It was to awaken the fashion consciousness because the Spectre, makes a fashion statement. It appears to be the world’s thinnest laptop at the moment. Its design is certainly an eye-catcher, drawing interest with its high gloss copper accents – proof that PCs can be an expression of style thanks to magical and luxurious technology.
Nigeria Managing Director, HP Inc, Mrs. IfyAfe, believes the HP Spectre is the perfect illustration of how the company not only reacts to trends, but also embraces change.
She said: “A large part of our business philosophy is to reinvent who we are, what our customers want, how we can provide that and – uniquely – how we anticipate that. We aspire to create technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere and in the HP Spectre we see innovation at its best – advanced and progressive technology that is geared to optimum productivity and a style and design that defines class.”
The HP Spectre has a total weight of just 1.1kg, a width of less than 1.5cm, and the options of an Intel Core i5 model and an Intel Core i7 model. It features a superb entertainment experience with full HD 13.3″ (33.8cm) diagonal edge-to-edge display and Bang &Olufsen sound. And, just a few of its luxurious looks include high gloss copper accents which reflect a hand-polished, jewelry-like finish and an innovative hidden piston hinge, creating the illusion of a hingeless design to offer an unmatched premium look and feel.
Unveiled as the one of the thinnest laptop the world has ever seen. The new HP Spectre has an aluminium chassis as thin as an AAA-battery and is powered by Windows 10.
Speaking at the launch, Partner Channel Marketing Manager, Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft Nigeria, BunmiBialose, said, “Windows 10 empowers people to do great things. In a mobile world, Windows 10 moves with you seamlessly and easily across your devices, making interacting with technology as natural as interacting with people. It’s more personal and productive. It’s safer and more secure. It’s familiar, easy to use and automatically up to date” she said.
NISD, DFID Tasks Southwest States on Domestication of VAPP Act
A non-governmental organisation, New Initiative for Social Development, NISD in collaboration with the Department for International Development, DFID has task state governors who are yet to domesticate an act prohibiting violence against persons, particularly women to as a matter of urgency do so in order to protect the rights of women and vulnerable in the society.
The NGO during a workshop organised for journalists and representatives from various media houses, both print and electronics across the SouthWest encouraged media practitioners to ensure promotion of Violence Against Persons(Prohibition) Act 2015 as they serve as advocate of the masses.
Participants at this workshop, were drawn from media organisations from Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Ekiti. The resource person was the head of DFID, Lagos office, Mr. David Ukagwu, who was accompanied by his assistant, Mrs. Margret Faboyo.
The Coordinator, NISD, Mr. AbiodunOyeleye, advocated for mass production of copies of VAPP Act. He expressed the regret that the 31.1% statistic evidence of Violence Against Women in South West in 2014, pointing out that “If there is violence women and children suffer most.”
Also the organisation used the workshop to assure its readiness to give technical policy direction and track impacts of whatever project that will improve the livelihood of the people especially women.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the 2 day programme, participants observed that the level of importance of the media in the society as well as their role in shaping public perceptions about issues and policies of Government was considered a priority.
The participants further identified ignorance, stigmatisation, lack of family courts, religious concerns and incompetent/untrained public officers as some of the challenges confronting the promotion of violence against persons in Nigeria.
The communiqué stated that at a time like this when a critical component of our society (women) faces difficulties assessing their rights under the Law, the VAPP Act explicitly tells them how and more importantly how protection of victims or potential victims are enhanced through the protection order.
“VAPP Act is a tool for protection against infringements of rights of persons and women in particular which most states in the southwest, particularly, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo are yet to domesticate or have states versions of it.
“The statistics of violence against women in southwest is disturbing and this calls for urgent intervention less we all become victims of it. Therefore sustained Commitment from the media to promoting VAPP Act in their reportage and programming cannot be overemphasised.
“Investigative Journalism though challenging, is the way to go, to follow, report and inform the public on violence cases and related issues. Ignorance, Stigmatisation, lack of family courts, religious concerns and incompetent/untrained public officers are among the many challenges confronting the promotion of violence against persons in Nigeria.”
The participants submitted that Synergy with the judiciary, police, civil societies and the media will certainly promote the VAPP Act.
OOA Foundation Lifts 300 Orphans, Plans for Six Geographical Zones
Respite is underway for at least 300 orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria as Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu (OOA) Foundation has initiated phased intervention programmes aimed at supporting them with access to quality education, primary healthcare, nutrition, as well as social and economic welfare.
OOA Foundation is a non-profit and non-political organisation based in South West, Nigeria, whose official launch is scheduled for October 22, 2016 at Park Inn by Radisson, Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta. Ogun State.
According to the Chairman of the Foundation Mr. Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu, the initiative is aimed at giving orphans and vulnerable children a level playing field in life. “Society is often caught up in the cycle of trying to make ends meet and tend to forget the vulnerable in the process. We have decided to step in to make a difference because we believe every child deserves a sense of belonging and a fighting chance to succeed in life despite any initial setback.”
Chief Executive Officer, OOA, Ms. KemiSokenu-Morris, said the “300 orphans and vulnerable children have been carefully selected from six Local Government Areas in the state and will benefit from the pilot project which will run from June to December; this year.The two-year pilot intervention programme will cover three selected senatorial districts in Ogun State.”
The six select Local Government Areas, according to the CEO, include Odogbolu, Ikenne, Imeko, Yewa South, Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North; while plans are underway to extend the intervention to other geographical zones of the country.
“We have been in operation for two years, especially in the South West Zone of the country, and we believe it is timely to extend the coverage of our humanitarian services to other zones.OOA envisages a dream society where no vulnerable children and women are left behind in poverty and sorrow.”MsSokenu-Morris, added.
She added that OOA Foundation is prepared to reshape and implement sustainable development activities to include poverty reduction, zero hunger, increased access to healthcare, quality education and create an enabling environment for gender equality, potable water and sanitation.
“It mission is to support orphans and vulnerable children with access to education, health and nutrition effectively through sustainable development activities in Nigeria using a holistic approach. With Poverty Alleviation at the forefront of its Intervention, OOA is focus-driven on particularly themed activities that can rapidly scale up and impact in the short, medium and long term,”
Giving the various activities lined up to mark the official launch of the foundation, Sokenu-Morris disclosed that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon, Justice SalihuModibbo Alfa Belgore, Obi of Onitsha, HRM IgweNnaemeka Alfred Achebe, and four others will be inaugurated as patrons.
