An 18-year-old Nigerian-German, Georgia Oviesu, professionally known as Gia Réi, has launched the SafeLink app, enabling users to send distress messages without internet connectivity. The Android application utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh technology, allowing devices within range to communicate directly. SafeLink's features include sending SOS messages, displaying calming messages, and transmitting a user's location to nearby rescuers. Oviesu, a recording artiste and technology entrepreneur, unveiled the app at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Lagos State. The app aims to bridge the gap between emergencies and rescue responses.
Oviesu developed SafeLink after identifying a significant gap in emergency response times. She cited various global disasters, including kidnappings, building collapses, and natural disasters, highlighting the need for faster communication. In Nigeria, over two million kidnappings have occurred since 2023, while other countries like Spain, Brazil, and the Philippines have also experienced devastating emergencies. Oviesu emphasized that the app is designed to help the poor and those in need of saving, simplifying its functions for easy use. The app's development is driven by her desire to make a social impact.
SafeLink works by allowing users to register their details, which can be accessed by designated rescuers when an SOS alert is triggered. The app sends emergency messages for up to 30 minutes and notifies people within the vicinity when a user is in distress. Oviesu illustrated the app's potential through a scenario where a building collapses, trapping a person who cannot shout or call for help. SafeLink can connect them with nearby responders, making it particularly relevant in Nigeria, where internet connectivity can be unreliable. The app can also be used in various emergency situations, including natural disasters and medical emergencies.
Oviesu appealed to Nigerians and potential partners to support the app's development and deployment. She emphasized that the app is meant to help the poor and those in need, not just for personal profit. Oviesu envisions partnerships with police stations and security agencies to ensure that emergency alerts reach authorities. During a question-and-answer session, she explained that the idea for SafeLink came from her exposure to computer science and coding through the International Baccalaureate programme. She learned Kotlin, the programming language used to build SafeLink, during an internship.
The presentation highlighted the potential relevance of SafeLink to Nigeria's security challenges, particularly in rural communities. Participants discussed the role of government and community partnerships in deploying the app. Oviesu described a community-based emergency response model, where SOS alerts are broadcast to devices within the user's vicinity. This approach fosters community unity and enables people to respond to emergencies. The app's developer is open to constructive criticism and partnerships, recognizing that she is young and may not know everything.
Oviesu addressed concerns about the ownership and protection of the innovation, stating that she is open to partnerships but cautious about control. She emphasized that development without criticism is not development and that she welcomes feedback. The app has separate registration processes for users and rescuers, ensuring that emergency alerts are handled properly. Oviesu advised users not to attempt dangerous rescues themselves but to alert the appropriate authorities.
The SafeLink app has the potential to make a significant impact in emergency response situations. With its offline capabilities and community-based approach, it can help bridge the gap between emergencies and rescue responses. Oviesu's achievement as an 18-year-old developer is notable, and her app is expected to garner attention from potential partners and users. The app's success will depend on its adoption and the partnerships that Oviesu establishes to deploy and maintain it.
Key points
- Gia Réi, 18, develops SafeLink app to send distress messages without internet connectivity.
- SafeLink uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh technology to enable devices to communicate directly.
- The app aims to bridge the gap between emergencies and rescue responses, particularly in Nigeria.
