Google says African startups can now apply for its 10-week equity-free accelerator programme.
In a statement on Tuesday, the tech giant said the programme, tagged ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First’, is open for application.
Google said the initiative would support African startups looking to use artificial intelligence to solve local challenges.
“Applications for the 10-week equity-free accelerator are now open, inviting startups up to series A stage based in Africa or building Africa-centric solutions with AI and machine learning,” the statement reads.
“Participants will benefit from access to Google’s AI expertise, and technical resources including up to $350,000 Google Cloud credits, mentorship from seasoned AI professionals, and invaluable networking opportunities.
“This programme recognises the transformative role that AI is playing across the world, innovating industries, and reimagining the realms of possibilities.”
Google said the programme also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI, adding that the primary aspiration remains to support and “highlight African-driven solutions”.
Commenting on the initiative, Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google’s head of startup ecosystem, Africa, said, the continent’s tech landscape is vibrant and ever-evolving.
He said it was inspiring to see African startups not only harnessing AI to address the continent’s unique challenges but also setting benchmarks for the world.
“‘AI First’ is more than a programme,” Aiyegbusi said.
“It’s a testament to our belief in the vision of these startups, ensuring they have the support and guidance they need to realise their full potential.”
Since its inception in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme has supported 106 startups from 17 countries in the region.
The technology firm said these startups have collectively raised over $263 million in funding and created over 2,800 direct job opportunities in the region.
Google said interested startups are advised to apply by September 6, 2023 and submit applications
Recall that on the 14th of February 2022, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, declared a month strike in government-owned universities in Nigeria. However, since the declaration of the strike, the University teaching staff and students have sat in their various homes pending the time ASUU discontinue the strike. It is quite unfortunate that despite the gap in decades, I am still witnessing and going through the same struggle my parents experienced in their efforts for education.
While the agitations of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are legitimate, the subsequent extension of the strike by additional eight weeks is a siege on the most important social institution of our dear nation. Of course, these are in no way the creation of ASUU, but the Nigerian government, the blame is theirs to bear on the status quo.
The strike is expected to facilitate dynamic difference and prosperity to the education system in Nigeria, specifically in government-owned tertiary institutions. This dream is good for our country, most intervention agencies regarding education are product of ASUU’s dream and efforts. Moreover, most tertiary institutions in the country needs what’s called a “rescue mission” as said by an intellectual historian a couple of days ago, in which the tertiary institutions union had been trying tirelessly and tremendously to make that come into fruition.
On the part of Nigerian students, the ASUU Strike is a setback to our academic journey. Quite frankly, we ought to be in the school currently learning, studying and exploring. In this case, we are the greatest victims of a nation that is not working. Beyond that, the years that are being robbed from our youthfulness can’t be recovered, especially in a post-pandemic year which is supposed to be a recovery period for us. For Ukraine, the global community can understand if their students are not in school, Nigeria doesn’t have any explanation. Unfortunately, resumption is not in sight, as the body language of our government is indicating otherwise; prompting the Senior Staff Association Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, to also commence another round of warning strike. What a threat to the future of the Nigerian youth often derisively regarded as leaders of tomorrow? What is uppermost in the mind of our career politicians in the country is 2023, not the social institution that serves as the bedrock of any democracy. Don’t they know the ASUU strike is giving us a bad experience and negative definition of democracy as young people?
For a school like the “Better by far” the University of Ilorin, all efforts towards stability after the last prolonged disruption in the academic system have been thrown out of the window. Perhaps, the university’s resolve to (re)join the mainstream was to share in the general aspirations of the body, however, it turned out disastrous as we have a government that has consistently dared to see what the citizens of this country are capable of. Shockingly, the DSS was quoted to have said the planned strike by NANS is to, once again, plunge the nation into chaos like #EndSARS.
What a difficult time in our history! A turbulent time indeed for Nigeria, where students and ASUU are victims; and the Nigerian government as riders – with exiled emotions. Governance was pended for politics. Oh dear Lord! What a country!
As the ASUU strike rages on, If it’s not suspended soon, its disastrous outcome can be projected. Some students will dive into atrocious, obnoxious and repulsive acts, such as theft, fraud, rituals, and armed robbery, orchestrated by an already stressed and tensed economy. The youth are forced to engage in far more heinous crime, a major setback to our nation-building efforts as a people. We can’t afford such people, who are supposed to be assets in our transformational agenda to become wasted talents. Brilliant minds are capable of becoming evil genius if the environment offers them the opportunity to go astray, a mind that is not learning is in serious danger.
May Almighty God help us touch the heart of the federal government to settle the grievances of ASUU. For the students of this country do not deserve to become “evils” created by their own country. The implications of ASUU strike is unambiguous, especially in a new world order. Where will our stratified and educationally disadvantaged youth be when their counterparts have moved ahead in global competition? Between power and the future of this country, the government has made a clear choice, only the blind can agree less.
Following the death of three policemen who drowned at the southern Ijaw river in Bayelsa State when the boat conveying them for election duty capsized, the Nigeria Police Force has given updates on the missing officers.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Asinim Butswat who confirmed the ugly development in a statement said that, the bodies of the missing officers have been recovered.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command regrets to announce the recovery of the bodies of policemen who went missing after a boat mishap.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday 4th December, 2020 when one of the speedboats conveying eleven Policemen from Yenagoa to Southern Ijaw capsized at Oporoma. Five of the Policemen were rescued immediately, while six were missing.
A combined team of rescue officers from the Marine Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command and local divers have recovered the six bodies of the missing policemen and they are deposited at the mortuary.
The Command condoles with the families of the deceased. Investigation has commenced to ascertain the cause of the boat mishap”
Meanwhile the Bayelsa State Government has condoled with the Inspector- General of Police Mr. Mohammed Adamu, over the loss of some of the force’s personnel that drowned while escorting voting materials for last Saturday’s senatorial bye-election in the state.
Governor Diri, who also condoled with the families of the deceased policemen, said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, that their sudden demise while on national duty was very painful.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, he prayed God to give the police boss and the families of the policemen the strength to bear the great loss.
Governor Diri, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth and fast process it put in place for the election.
