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Africa’s Talking Drum: Nwando Heard Her Name Inside the Empty Calabash

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu Africa’s Talking Drum: Nwando Heard Her Name Inside the Empty Calabash In the old village of Umueze, there lived...

Lungu’s Shadow Looms Over Hichilema as Zambians Vote

Lungu’s Shadow Looms Over Hichilema as Zambians Vote Zambians are heading to the polls today in an election shaped by the political rivalry...

Politics

Osun Election: Six LGAs Yet to Report as Governorship Results Roll In

Osun Election: Six LGAs Yet to Report as Governorship Results Roll In The collation of results from the Osun State governorship election...

Politics

Osun Election: Davido Accuses Tinubu of ‘Killing Democracy’ Amid Security Tension

Osun Election: Davido Accuses Tinubu of ‘Killing Democracy’ Amid Security Tension Afrobeats star Davido has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining...

Politics

Osun Poll: Security Operatives Nab Over 100 Alleged Imported Voters

Osun Poll: Security Operatives Nab Over 100 Alleged Imported Voters More than 100 people allegedly brought into Osun State to vote in...

Politics

Osun Election: Heavy Security, Early Queues as Voting Begins Across State

Osun Election: Heavy Security, Early Queues as Voting Begins Across State OSOGBO — Residents across Osun State have begun turning out to...

Africa

Africa’s Talking Drum: Ugochi and the Stranger Who Knew Her Father’s Name

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu Africa’s Talking Drum: Ugochi and the Stranger Who Knew Her Father’s Name Long before the roads of Umuaro...

Travel

United Nigeria Airlines Crew Member Commended for Professionalism During Unruly Passenger Incident

United Nigeria Airlines Crew Member Commended for Professionalism During Unruly Passenger Incident A cabin crew member of United Nigeria Airlines, Miss Uche...

Sport

Nigerians Demand Super Falcons Overhaul After World Cup Exit

Nigerians Demand Super Falcons Overhaul After World Cup Exit Calls for major changes to Nigeria’s Super Falcons have intensified after the team...

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Politics

Osun Election: Davido Accuses Tinubu of ‘Killing Democracy’ Amid Security Tension

Osun Election: Davido Accuses Tinubu of ‘Killing Democracy’ Amid Security Tension Afrobeats star Davido has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining democracy...

Politics

Osun Poll: Security Operatives Nab Over 100 Alleged Imported Voters

Osun Poll: Security Operatives Nab Over 100 Alleged Imported Voters More than 100 people allegedly brought into Osun State to vote in Saturday’s...

Politics

Osun Election: Heavy Security, Early Queues as Voting Begins Across State

Osun Election: Heavy Security, Early Queues as Voting Begins Across State OSOGBO — Residents across Osun State have begun turning out to vote...

Africa

Africa’s Talking Drum: Ugochi and the Stranger Who Knew Her Father’s Name

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu Africa’s Talking Drum: Ugochi and the Stranger Who Knew Her Father’s Name Long before the roads of Umuaro became...

Travel

United Nigeria Airlines Crew Member Commended for Professionalism During Unruly Passenger Incident

United Nigeria Airlines Crew Member Commended for Professionalism During Unruly Passenger Incident A cabin crew member of United Nigeria Airlines, Miss Uche Francisca...

Sport

Nigerians Demand Super Falcons Overhaul After World Cup Exit

Nigerians Demand Super Falcons Overhaul After World Cup Exit Calls for major changes to Nigeria’s Super Falcons have intensified after the team lost...

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METRO

Former SUG President Found Dead While Serving as Corps Member

Former SUG President Found Dead While Serving as Corps Member A former President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Okebaram Stanley Chimaroke, has been found...

Harvard-Trained Nigerian-American Engineer Raises $7m for Robot Designed to Assist Hair Braiders A Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has secured $7 million in seed funding to develop a robotic device designed to make hair braiding faster and less physically demanding for professional stylists. Ogunbiyi’s company, HaloBraid, is developing what it describes as the world’s first patented braid-assist robot. The device is designed to work with hairstylists by handling some of the repetitive movements involved in knotless braiding. The funding round was led by Seven Seven Six, a venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. AlleyCorp and Bling Capital were also among the investors. The technology has already attracted significant interest, with more than 7,000 salons reportedly waiting to use the system. HaloBraid is designed as a collaborative robot, meaning it works alongside a human stylist instead of attempting to replace one. The hairstylist remains responsible for sectioning the hair, creating the initial knot and completing the final styling. The robot then assists with the repetitive weaving process down the length of the braid before the stylist returns to finish and shape the ends. According to the company, the technology could cut the time spent on some knotless braid appointments by roughly half, allowing salons to serve more clients while reducing the physical pressure on stylists. For Ogunbiyi, the idea was born from personal experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spent four days installing knotless braids on herself, an experience that made her consider how technology could assist with the most repetitive aspects of the process. She subsequently teamed up with co-founder David Afolabi to develop HaloBraid. The company’s technology is also aimed at addressing the physical demands of professional braiding. Stylists who spend years performing repetitive movements can experience problems affecting their wrists, hands, shoulders, back and joints. By assisting with the most repetitive stage of braiding, HaloBraid hopes to reduce the strain on beauty professionals and help them work more efficiently. Ogunbiyi said the technology would not take away from the personal experience of visiting a salon. Rather, she believes it can allow stylists to spend less time on repetitive movements while continuing to handle the creative and personal aspects of hairstyling. Before launching HaloBraid, Ogunbiyi worked on smart kitchen appliances and Internet of Things products. She holds a joint master’s degree in engineering and business administration from Harvard University. With a $7 million investment and thousands of salons already expressing interest, HaloBraid is seeking to introduce robotics into one of the world’s largest and most labour-intensive beauty markets.

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

Nigerians Demand Super Falcons Overhaul After World Cup Exit

Nigerians Demand Super Falcons Overhaul After World Cup Exit Calls for major changes to Nigeria’s Super Falcons have intensified after the team lost...

HEALTH