Smartphone
As nations of the world seek new innovations and technological approaches to solving problems, an information technology firm, Open Hands has developed an application that can address social problems and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
Available on Apple and Android devices, ‘Open Hands Tech’ provides real-time information about location and availability of resources by linking Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), companies and people who offer social services with indigent Nigerians who may need them.
Developed by Nigerian ICT expert based in the U.S., Joshua Omisore, the platform leverages on the capabilities that Artificial Intelligence technology provides by creating an all-inclusive application which acts as a primary access point for the provision of key resources to those in need.
Using voice and text services, the application serves as a lifeline assistance programme that provides users with a portal to resources and lifeline.
According to Director of the firm, Toluwanimi Adesiyan, the company was inspired to become indigenous because of the need to reduce poverty in Nigeria, Africa and work towards the achievement of the SDGs.
He noted that Nigeria was a highly populated country where individuals, institutions, NGOs and the government were contributing their quota toward alleviating problems though with limited resources but there was no real-time connection between the givers and receivers of the services.
Toluwanimi said the features of the app would enable people access social and basic needs like healthcare, address transport challenges, among others.
“People are willing to offer aids and free services to the needy but most of them really don’t have time to visit orphanages or communities where the indigents are available. Open Hands Tech has taken up the challenge of synergising the efforts of all these individuals and link them up with those who be needing these services”
“We are using technology to serve the most vulnerable with support and innovative solutions to their problems” he said.
He revealed that a drawback for the application was that many Nigerians do not have access to the internet which could engender the usage of the application.
Toluwanimi however reassured that the company was engaging some network providers to allow the operations of the application without Internet.
“We are trying to talk with network providers like the Glo network for the running of this app without data due to its life saving nature. When this is done, anybody can have it because it is cheap and user-friendly,” he added.
He further disclosed that the firm was ready to partner with relevant organisations to enable it provide the needed information, resources and services to the needy.
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