Vanessa Obioha
One thing was certain; the Remita Mobile App launch was going to be a grand event. Having launched the beta version earlier in the year, the ICT leading firm SystemSpecs threw in all to give the launch of its full version on Android and Apple mobile devices a befitting ceremony. The camaraderie and glamour can be felt right from the entrance of the Zinnia’s hall of Eko Hotels &Suites where the event held. Cool jazzy African vibes blared out of loudspeakers while early guests indulged in the free flow of cocktail drinks and snacks. Being a formal event, it was the perfect opportunity to hobnob and network with executives from the banking and ICT sectors.
Inside, the hall has been transformed to a cozy setting accentuated by the bright orange colours of Remita. There were three huge screens on stage: two were used for extra viewing while the other one served as a projector for presentations. DJ Neptune whose booth was close to the stage dished out cool vibes that set the mood for the evening.
Although the event didn’t kick off at the scheduled time, it didn’t fail to give a lasting impression. Opening the night were two talking drummers and dancer who entertained the audience with their sounds as dance moves.
With this whetting appetite, the Managing Director of SystemSpecs, John Obaro mounted the stage and gave a rousing speech on the journey so far.
Remita is not a new service in the market. The payment solution which helped individuals and organisations to make and receive payments easily has been around for more than a decade.
However, what Obaro and his team of geniuses have done is to simplify the accessibility of the payment solution to its teeming users, particularly now when keeping control of finances could be a real hassle for individuals and SMEs. The end product is a mobile app that makes banking easier. With this, individuals with accounts in any commercial bank can easily access their account balances on one screen, conveniently make and receive payments across various bank accounts, and settle bills to several merchants within the private and public sectors from their mobile phone.
One of the outstanding features of Remita App is that it allows users, whether individuals or businesses, to request payments from anyone in style. At a click, they can simply share a QR code via email, WhatsApp and other social media platforms. All the payer would need to do is to snap the QR code from their smartphone or tap their device against the biller’s to complete transactions.
Small and medium business entrepreneurs are not left out; they can easily switch between their business and personal profiles and also translate their existing physical process flows into a virtual form. As a result, individuals who for instance play different roles in various organisations as transaction approvers, would be able to play such roles using the app from their mobile phone – without needing to make physical appearances at work.
“Remita App places so much power in the hands of users by making it much easier and faster for them to manage their accounts across various banks and settle bills, on-the-go. It is particularly exciting that so much can be done from the comfort of their mobile device, without needing any other mobile app, any token, or visiting any bank branch,†said Obaro.
In addition to the features earlier made available on the app during its beta release, users of Remita Mobile App will now enjoy a number of new features which would enable them to seamlessly make payments for others, view their payslip, and manage their business and personal accounts.
“As an organisation, we place a lot of premium on convenience and much simpler lifestyle choices, especially as regards financial transactions. As a result, we are always working to surpass expectations by coming up with innovations that will meet the aspirations of our numerous customers. Remita app is the end product of this effort,†said Adédèjì Olówè, Executive Director, Products and Services, at SystemSpecs.
Despite the beautiful features the app parades, the key question on most users’ mind is security. But they need not worry as Obaro explained that the security of access and transactions on the platform has been prioritised through standard industry security measures as well as specific security layers built into the app. Such measures include Personal Security Number, fingerprint authentication and One-Time Password (OTP) verification.
Commending the team for coming up with such a brilliant idea, Chairman, Board of Trustees of SystemSpecs Christopher Kolade in his speech said that Nigerians should cultivate the culture of positive branding. He admonished the media for spreading news that tarnishes the country’s images and urge them to report and celebrate giant strides like this in the country.
Also in attendance is the former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Sen. Abdulfatah Buhari;
To round off the event was fast-rising comedian Kenny Black whose amazing skills and jokes nearly made some of the guests choke on their meals as they could hardly contain themselves.
