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Google trends reveals 130% increase in Nigerians search on AI

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Google Search trends on Wednesday revealed that searches on Artificial Intelligence (AI) have continued to increase around the world, with Nigeria recording a 130 per cent increase in 2024.

The Director, West Africa, Google, Mr Olumide Balogun, said in a statement  that in Nigeria, searches on AI doubled by 130 per cent between January to July 2024 as against the same period in 2023.

Balogun said that search interest in AI had reached a record high around the world and in Nigeria.

He said that currently, Nigeria had the sixth highest search interest in AI in Africa and ranked 25th in AI search interest in the world.

The Google director said: “Nigerians are also interested in learning more about AI and how best to use it.

“Across Nigeria, the trends show that Google search on cybersecurity and AI are up by 80 per cent; on AI and healthcare increased over 140 per cent;  AI and medicine up by 50 per cent among others.

“AI has the potential to create opportunities from the extraordinary to the everyday for everyone, bringing new waves of innovation, social and economic progress.

“So, it is no surprise that Nigerians are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology and finding ways for it to boost their career, creativity and society.

“Searches for AI and courses have increased by 50 per cent while search interest in AI and business increased by 110 per cent while searches for AI and jobs increased by 640 percent,’’ he said.

Balogun said that aligned with its commitment to AI as a force for positive societal change, Google offered free AI training programmes for Africans through its Hustle Academy.

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He stressed that this initiative designed for entrepreneurs, included modules specifically tailored to teach participants how to leverage on AI to improve their businesses.

He said that since its launch in 2022, the Hustle Academy had empowered over 10,000 businesses.

According to him, additionally, Google supports promising AI-focused startups in Africa through its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that through its initiatives, Google is also using AI to address some of society’s biggest challenges.

In Ghana, Google’s AI Center is working in collaboration with InstaDeep and the United Nations to better detect locust outbreaks and implement control measures.

While in Kenya, Google is working with Jacaranda Health to improve maternal care, among other initiatives. (NAN)

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Appea Court Lack Jurisdiction To Declare Abure As The National Chairman Of LP – Supreme Court

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The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a decisive ruling, a five-member panel declared that the Court of Appeal lacked the legal authority to determine the party’s leadership matters.

In a unanimous verdict, the highest court in the land stated that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction over the matter. The panel observed that since the case revolved around the internal leadership structure of the Labour Party, it fell outside the jurisdiction of the courts.

The ruling reinforced the long-standing principle that leadership disputes within political parties should be resolved internally, rather than through judicial intervention.

The Supreme Court stressed that leadership struggles within political parties are purely internal matters. According to legal principles, courts should not interfere in such issues, as they fall under the party’s constitution and governance framework. By upholding this legal doctrine, the apex court reaffirmed that political parties must settle their leadership crises independently.

The Supreme Court upheld the appeal lodged by Senator Nenadi Usman and a fellow appellant, ruling that their claims were valid. Their appeal challenged the earlier judgment, arguing that it was flawed due to jurisdictional overreach. After thorough legal scrutiny, the Supreme Court found merit in their argument and ruled in their favour.

The legal battle also involved a cross-appeal filed by supporters of Julius Abure, who sought to challenge the decision against their leader. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this cross-appeal, declaring it unsubstantiated and lacking merit. The ruling effectively ended the legal contest over the Labour Party’s chairmanship, cementing the judiciary’s stance on non-interference in party leadership disputes.

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Bitcoin Drops to $82,000 After Trump’s Tariff Announcement

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Bitcoin experienced sharp fluctuations following President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, initially surging to $88,000 before dropping to $82,000.

By April 3, it stabilized around $83,000, with the broader crypto market down over 4%. Major altcoins like Ethereum and Solana also declined over 6%, hitting multi-month lows.

Analysts see the tariff news as reducing market uncertainty, potentially attracting institutional investors.

Despite higher-than-expected rates, experts believe the clarity could help Bitcoin regain momentum toward $90,000. Bitcoin ETFs, led by BlackRock, recorded $218 million in inflows on April 2, reversing prior outflows.

Kraken’s Thomas Perfumo challenged the idea that institutional interest stabilizes crypto, emphasizing that volatility signals demand for a scarce asset.

Some analysts viewed the sell-off as an overreaction to trade policy concerns, highlighting Bitcoin’s resilience as a store of value.

With ETFs showing strong demand, Bitcoin’s price may stabilize and rise, though market participants remain cautious, monitoring trade policies and economic conditions.

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Clashes In South Sudan: 30 People Kill

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Violent clashes between pastoralist groups and settled farming communities have long been a challenge in South Sudan.

However, the recent outbreak of violence in the northern Ruweng Administrative Area has further heightened concerns over the nation’s fragile peace. At least 30 people lost their lives after an armed youth group launched a brutal attack on a northern South Sudanese town, according to local officials.

The incident, linked to an escalating cattle raid, saw the town briefly fall under the control of the attackers before security forces regained control.

The violence began when a group of armed youth stole lambs earlier in the week. Security forces quickly intervened, forcing the raiders to retreat. However, instead of dispersing, the group reorganised and launched a more aggressive attack on Abiemnom the following day.

Local Minister of Information, Simon Chol Mialith, confirmed that despite resistance from local youth and security personnel, the town was overrun by the Mayom armed youth. The attack led to significant casualties and destruction before security forces were able to reclaim the town.

On Wednesday, the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) successfully pushed the attackers out, restoring a semblance of calm. However, the scale of the destruction was already severe, with over 40 individuals injured in addition to the fatalities.

Although reports suggest that some of the deceased were members of the armed groups, official confirmation remains pending.

The attack comes at a time of growing instability in South Sudan, with tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar intensifying. This political rivalry threatens to unravel the delicate 2018 peace agreement that ended the nation’s five-year civil war.

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Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with continuous unrest. Despite its vast oil resources, the country remains impoverished, with conflicts like these exacerbating economic and social difficulties.

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