everyone sticks with fullyloadednaija.blogspot.com, what about you.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
The 2013 Scion FR-S ranks
1 out of 11
Affordable Sports Cars.
This ranking is based on our analysis of 6
published reviews and test drives of the Scion FR-S, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.The 2013 Scion FR-S is set to hit the streets in June 2012. Reviewers say the FR-S proves that thrilling performance doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Reviewers agree that the 2013 Scion FR-S is set to shake up the affordable sports car class. Separated at birth from its sibling, the Subaru BRZ, the Scion FR-S seems poised to bring a surprising amount of performance and value to enthusiasts. Autoblog writes, “Is the FR-S one of next year's enthusiast bargains? Absolutely, and that is a conclusion we consider irrefutable.”
It all starts under the hood. The FR-S’ engine is mounted low and as far back in the engine bay as possible. Combined with its low center of gravity and a performance-tuned suspension, critics say these attributes make the FR-S one of the best-handling sports cars on the market. And although it trails rivals like the Ford Mustang and Nissan 370Z with significantly less power, its light weight and slick transmission choices make the FR-S a lively, enjoyable drive.
Although the FR-S is nimble enough for weekend track days, it still offers more interior comfort and practicality than some competitors. Like most sports cars, its back seat is tiny, but the seat folds flat to increase utility, and test drivers love the comfortable, supportive front seats and driver-focused cabin. Ultimately, the FR-S’ biggest competitor may be the Subaru BRZ. Early reports suggest that while the BRZ offers similar performance and accommodations, it will likely come with more standard features, though it will probably have a slightly higher price tag.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
use your mobile to your advantage
Mobile technology could be vital in east Africa’s fight against hunger
"A mobile phone gives you access to information –you can find out
that your goat is worth more money than the middleman is offering."
Picture: Simone Novotny.
to loaded media by Katrina Crew, British Red Cross
Twenty years ago fax machines were almost everywhere, but today most people would be hard-pressed to recite their company’s fax number. Soon they’ll probably go the way of the telegraph, becoming dusty museum pieces. Communications technology is changing rapidly, and humanitarian organisations are adapting alongside it.
But how can technology be used to fight food insecurity in a region as large and diverse as east Africa?
Karen Peachey, the British Red Cross’ east Africa representative, gives a few ideas: “Mobile phones are everywhere in east Africa, even in many remote areas. If mobile companies could improve access further then people’s lives can change. A mobile phone gives you access to information –you can find out that your goat is worth more money than the middleman is offering, meaning you have better access to food, medical care, and education.”
Mobile money is another technology that can change lives, and it’s hugely popular in east Africa. Mobile phones can be linked to a virtual account, and people easily transfer money from their own account to others’. Mobile money can be used like cash and is particularly important in places like Somalia, which has a sophisticated mobile network, allowing Somalis to use their mobile phones to send their families money in rural areas.
And Kenyans, as well as using mobile money to send to their families, are using their phones to sms donations to fundraising appeals, like the Kenyans for Kenya appeal which is raising money to help parts of Kenya that are suffering a food crisis.
Stephen McDowell, east Africa food security advisor, explains the importance of mobile money in helping people recover from disaster: “We might not be Facebook- or Twitter-driven here yet, but in terms of mobile money we’re way ahead of Europe. Mobile money means your phone becomes a bank, and there are lots of applications – like paying salaries.
“For the Red Cross, one of the most helpful ways we can help people recover from disasters is by helping them work. Moving cash is dangerous, but if you can pay employees through your phone then it’s much safer and more accountable.
“These are responses to disasters. We’re also asking ourselves how we can use these tools for preventing disasters or helping people be prepared before they happen. Here we get into interesting projects looking at long-term weather forecasts, and finding ways of sharing price information between sellers and buyers. We keep trying, and it’s just a matter of time before we get it right.”
The Kenya Red Cross has close links with local research institutions, and they work with the Kenya Meteorological Office to understand better where and when the rain will fall – or fail. This means the Red Cross can be prepared and help communities start planning early for a crisis. Getting the information out to vulnerable communities is the next step. What better way to do so than through mobile technology that most people already use, developing partnerships with telecoms companies to make such messages cheap?
Humanitarian organisations need to keep abreast of changes in technology and how communities are using it themselves. We need to be willing to experiment with new ways of using technology – and learn from the experiments that will sometimes fail.
And mobile technology is key to helping the younger generation of east Africans prepare for future droughts, floods and other factors that leave people without access to food. Stephen says: “So many people have cell phones. They’re going to be one of the stock tools of our trade in the near future. This is the internet generation in east Africa, so we’ll have to speak with them differently than we spoke to their parents.”
Twenty years ago fax machines were almost everywhere, but today most people would be hard-pressed to recite their company’s fax number. Soon they’ll probably go the way of the telegraph, becoming dusty museum pieces. Communications technology is changing rapidly, and humanitarian organisations are adapting alongside it.
But how can technology be used to fight food insecurity in a region as large and diverse as east Africa?
Karen Peachey, the British Red Cross’ east Africa representative, gives a few ideas: “Mobile phones are everywhere in east Africa, even in many remote areas. If mobile companies could improve access further then people’s lives can change. A mobile phone gives you access to information –you can find out that your goat is worth more money than the middleman is offering, meaning you have better access to food, medical care, and education.”
Mobile money is another technology that can change lives, and it’s hugely popular in east Africa. Mobile phones can be linked to a virtual account, and people easily transfer money from their own account to others’. Mobile money can be used like cash and is particularly important in places like Somalia, which has a sophisticated mobile network, allowing Somalis to use their mobile phones to send their families money in rural areas.
And Kenyans, as well as using mobile money to send to their families, are using their phones to sms donations to fundraising appeals, like the Kenyans for Kenya appeal which is raising money to help parts of Kenya that are suffering a food crisis.
Stephen McDowell, east Africa food security advisor, explains the importance of mobile money in helping people recover from disaster: “We might not be Facebook- or Twitter-driven here yet, but in terms of mobile money we’re way ahead of Europe. Mobile money means your phone becomes a bank, and there are lots of applications – like paying salaries.
“For the Red Cross, one of the most helpful ways we can help people recover from disasters is by helping them work. Moving cash is dangerous, but if you can pay employees through your phone then it’s much safer and more accountable.
“These are responses to disasters. We’re also asking ourselves how we can use these tools for preventing disasters or helping people be prepared before they happen. Here we get into interesting projects looking at long-term weather forecasts, and finding ways of sharing price information between sellers and buyers. We keep trying, and it’s just a matter of time before we get it right.”
The Kenya Red Cross has close links with local research institutions, and they work with the Kenya Meteorological Office to understand better where and when the rain will fall – or fail. This means the Red Cross can be prepared and help communities start planning early for a crisis. Getting the information out to vulnerable communities is the next step. What better way to do so than through mobile technology that most people already use, developing partnerships with telecoms companies to make such messages cheap?
Humanitarian organisations need to keep abreast of changes in technology and how communities are using it themselves. We need to be willing to experiment with new ways of using technology – and learn from the experiments that will sometimes fail.
And mobile technology is key to helping the younger generation of east Africans prepare for future droughts, floods and other factors that leave people without access to food. Stephen says: “So many people have cell phones. They’re going to be one of the stock tools of our trade in the near future. This is the internet generation in east Africa, so we’ll have to speak with them differently than we spoke to their parents.”
Benjamin Joseph, Helen Paul, Saka Win Awards At The 17th Annual African Film Awards 2012
The 17th African Films Awards also known as the Afro Hollywood Awards 2012 was held at the Old Stafford Town Hall in London. The event saw many Nollywood top shots in attendance. Amongst the list of awardees were Helen Paul, Kiki Omelie, Muka Ray Eyiwumi, Olufemi Adebayo and a host of others.
Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon was recognized for his outstanding contribution to arts and craft in Nigeria and Africa. Also in attendance were ace director Tunde Kelani, producer Tunji Bamishigbin and Kene Mkparu. Mr Mike Abiola, the event organizer expressed his approval at the rate of growth of the African film industry, while urging investors to look at the African movie industry as a new platform to partner for growth.
lucky miss garricks(27) won mtn 64 million naira.
Imagine that you were sitting je-jely in your house/class/office or wherever you could possibly be at a particular time of the day and all of a sudden people come in and ask for you. These people are dressed funny and you’re wondering why they could be looking for you. They tell you that you have won gifts to the tune of N64 million naira and that you could take the money equivalent. What would you honestly do?
This was the case for Miss Ebube Essien-Garricks who was the lucky winner of the MTN Ultimate Wonder campaign. The story goes that the 27 year old was sitting when the MTN crew dressed as air hostesses came in and she was informed that she was the ultimate winner!!! Just like that!!!
Miss Garricks is 27 years
old and is unmarried but we are sure that would change soon. We
congratulate Miss Garricks on her amazing prize but the question still
remains: What would you do with N64 million naira???
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
atm interbank charges cancelled.
The Bankers’ Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria,
CBN, on Tuesday 13th November 2012, approved the immediate removal of
the N100 charge on customers who use the Automated Teller Machines of
banks other than theirs.
This is coming after lots of complains over the N100 charge especially since the introduction of the CBN’s cashless policy.
The Managing Director of First Bank, Bisi Onasanya told Channels TV
at the end of the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Abuja that the decision
was in line with “popular trends” in other parts of the world.
“Presently when you use the ATM of a
bank other than your bank, there is a charge of N100 which is borne by
the account holder. We have decided that we will work out the modality
and ensure that with immediate effect we would pass on this cost to the
respective banks which bear the cost of providing services. No matter
where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to
any charge for using the ATM.”
According to him, the new policy does not cover withdrawals inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off.
“But for transaction on what we call
“not on us”, when you are an FBN customer and you use the ATM of a GTB
bank, it is free and it will no longer bear any cost.’’
Mr. Onasanya said the free inter-bank
ATM regime would become effective immediately, pointing out, however,
that the banks would have to agree on the modalities for the
implementation of the new decision.
This sounds like good news and would go a long way in reducing long queues at ATMs of banks who tend to have lots of customers.
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