AFRICAN

Google goes Nigerian with local accent, ‘informal’ transit routes

Published

5 years ago

July 25, 2019

FAB.NG

LAGOS (Reuters) – Commuters making their way through Nigeria can now hear travel advice in a local voice on Google Maps under new features aimed at attracting more users in Africa that were unveiled by the company on Wednesday.
The local accents feature, unveiled at an event in the commercial capital Lagos and also available on Google Assistant, is the first move by the U.S. technology giant to offer such a service in Africa.

Rapidly expanding populations, increased mobile phone penetration and crowded cities that are often poorly signposted have led technology firms to identify African countries as potential growth areas.

They are now offering transport features from detailed maps to motorcycle ride-hailing services. Google’s motorcycle directions will also be available in Benin Republic, Ghana, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda from Wednesday, the company said.
The technology behemoth owned by Alphabet Inc said it is aiming to capture new users and expand its appeal beyond just drivers.
“There are 10 million (motorcycles) in Nigeria, it’s hugely popular,” said Ramesh Nagarajan, Google’s director of product management. “We’re going market by market based on popularity.”

In the coming months, the maps feature will also allow users in Lagos to seek directions on what it calls “informal transit” – such as yellow danfo minibuses that ply virtually every road in Lagos, but about which it is difficult for outsiders or even Lagosians traveling to a new neighborhood to find information.
Google partnered with local startup Road Preppers Technologies Ltd to gather data on the different routes available, and aims to tell users the best options available based on traffic, weather and road conditions.

“What we’re really hoping is for people who might be making a trip to an unfamiliar town, maybe a journey they don’t usually take, to be able to discover the info they need to make that journey,” said Jeff Albertson, a Google senior product manager who worked on the development.
The map will include information on the expected fare, travel time and even photos of the bus stops to help guide commuters. Outside Lagos, Google is expanding street view imagery to Abuja, Benin City, Enugu and Ibadan.
Google has worked hard to expand in West Africa, especially Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country with an estimated 190 million citizens.
Last year it unveiled WiFi hotspots across Lagos, and in 2017 it launched a program to train millions of Africans in tech skills to make them more employable.
Google declined to say what sort of investment it was putting into the new developments.

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AFRICAN

The Only 4 African Countries That Have Won Miss Universe Title

Published

2 weeks ago

December 7, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

African Countries That Have Won Miss Universe Title | fab.ng

While many African countries have sent representatives to the pageant, only a few have managed to clinch the coveted Miss Universe crown.

The Miss Universe pageant is one of the most prestigious beauty pageants worldwide. It has been a stage for countless beautiful women to showcase their elegance, intelligence, and talent.

1. South Africa

South Africa is the African country with the most Miss Universe wins. This stunning nation has produced four Miss Universe winners:

Margaret Gardiner (1978)
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017)
Zozibini Tunzi (2019)
Andrea Meza (2020)

These South African beauties have not only captivated the world with their beauty but have also used their platforms to advocate for important social causes.

2. Namibia

Namibia, a small country in Southern Africa, has also made its mark on the Miss Universe stage.

Michelle McLean won the Miss Universe title in 1992.

This stunning Namibian beauty brought pride to her nation and continues to be an inspiration to many.

3. Angola

Angola, a country rich in culture and natural beauty, has also produced a Miss Universe winner.

Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe in 2011.

Her win marked a significant moment for Angola and showcased the beauty and talent of African women.

4. Botswana

Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, may be small, but it has produced one of the most iconic Miss Universe winners.

Ntsepa Motsepe won the Miss Universe title in 1999.

Her win was a surprise to many, but it solidified Botswana’s place in the pageant world.

These four African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Angola, and Botswana – have proven that African beauty is truly global.

They have inspired countless young women across the continent and beyond to dream big and pursue their passions.

As the Miss Universe pageant continues to evolve, we can only hope to see more African countries adding their names to this prestigious list.

Check here for more articles.

AFRICAN

See The Trailer For “Two Of A Kind” Starring Rita Dominic

Published

1 month ago

November 15, 2024

Reporter

Two Of A Kind Starring Rita Dominic; See Trailer | fab.ng

The official trailer for “Two of a Kind” has now launched, marking the latest directorial work from acclaimed filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso.

Leading Nollywood actress Rita Dominic leads the cast in this new production. The film completed its primary filming phase earlier this year.

The star also shared the film’s trailer with her followers through her Instagram platform, generating excitement for the upcoming release.

“And drums roll! Here’s the official trailer for ‘Two Of A Kind’ featuring yours truly! One of the many things I like about #twoofakindfilm is, there are many young, budding, talented actors in it and they did their thing under the tutelage of acclaimed director @shirleyfmanso. Kudos to them!” the post said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rita Dominic-Anosike (@ritadominic)

Acclaimed Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso directed and wrote “Two of a Kind.” It centered on a heartbroken resort owner at the scenic Volta Lake Resort.

The owner opens her doors to host a young couple’s first wedding anniversary celebration. Her plans shift dramatically upon discovering their marriage faces imminent collapse.

The resort owner battles her personal grief while desperately trying to save the couple’s relationship. Their friends’ arrival creates additional tension, threatening to destroy the couple’s already fragile connection.

She faces her own emotional darkness in search of purpose, knowing failure could lead to complete self-destruction.

British audiences can experience this compelling drama in select UK cinemas starting Friday, November 29, 2024.

Ghanaian viewers will find the film at Silverbird Gh locations in West Hills Mall and Accra Mall from Friday, December 20, 2024.

The powerhouse Nigerian-Ghanaian cast features Rita Dominic, Gloria Osei Sarfo, Akrobeto Akwasi Boadi, Arion Amon, Gideon Kojo Boakye, Jessica Larny, Araba Dansowaa, Dean Louis, Chiderah David, Sena Fafali Ahiable, Michael Katahena, and Abla Sena.

Check out more movie updates here.

AFRICAN

Biennale College Cinema Announces Kenyan-Nigerian Project For Next Edition

Published

2 months ago

October 11, 2024

Reporter

1 Woman 1 Bra: Kenyan-Nigerian project | fab.ng

Biennale College Cinema in Venice has announced the Kenyan-Nigerian project, “1 Woman 1 Bra“. The director-producer duo, Vincho Nchogu and Josh Olaoluwa worked on the project. It is the only African project selected for the 13th edition of the festival. This marks a significant achievement for African cinema on the global stage.

“1 Woman 1 Bra” is among 12 projects chosen for the 2024/25 Biennale College Cinema.

These projects were unveiled during the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The teams, consisting of a director and a producer, will participate in an initial 10-day workshop in Venice. This workshop will take place from October 8 to 17, 2024.

Nchogu, the Kenyan director, and Olaoluwa, the Nigerian producer, will present their first feature film project at the workshop. Afterwards, four of the 12 projects will be selected to receive up to 200,000 Euros in production funding.

Furthermore, these four films will premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival in 2025. This opportunity is another milestone for Nchogu and Olaoluwa. Consequently, they have previously participated in the Red Sea Lodge and Torino Film Lab.

The Biennale College Cinema is an advanced training lab that opens doors for filmmakers worldwide. It provides a platform for emerging voices in cinema and offers valuable resources to bring creative visions to life.

Nine of the twelve projects were selected from the Biennale College Cinema – International competition. Meanwhile, the remaining three came from the Biennale College Cinema – Italy competition.

In addition to “1 Woman 1 Bra”, other notable projects include “Agnus Dei” by Massimiliano Camaiti, a second-time feature director, and producer Giovanna Nicolai. Another selected project, “Badland”, comes from first-time feature director Mounir Derbal and producer Lorenzo Fiuzzi. “Becoming Human” by director Polen Ly and producer Daniel Mattes also made the list.

Further selections include “Last Time, Again” by Chinese director Di Zhang and Canadian producer Beryl Liu, “Orange Peel” by Italian director Anita Rivaroli and producer Marco Mingolla, and “Saving The Day” by Turkish director Serhat Karaaslan and French producer Laura Dahout.

Indian director Nidhi Saxena and producer Vimukthi Jayasundara’s “Secret Of A Mountain Serpent” was also selected, along with “Summer 1999” by Vietnamese director Hang Luong Nguyen and producer Dinh Le Minh Trinh.

Other featured projects include “The Booking” by American director Gabriella Moses and producer Sarah Wharton, “The Family” by Ukrainian director Hanna Jalali and Iranian producer Moeinoddin Jalali, and “Vanishing Bones” by French director Simon Rieth and producer Inès Daïen Dasi.

Check out more updates here.