Do you have a great idea? Here’s your chance, Join the StartUpper by Total Challenge today! Entry closes in 27 days…

Total Companies in Nigeria have launched the second edition of the StartUpper of the Year Challenge. The Challenge will see several young Nigerian entrepreneurs compete for cash prizes as well as professional coaching, international exposure and widespread publicity for their projects or businesses.

The StartUpper of the Year Challenge is intended to promote youth entrepreneurship and development and is open to young Nigerians aged 35 years and below who aspire to start their own businesses and build a brighter future.

Candidates have five weeks to submit their applications after which the best will be shortlisted. Fifteen (15) of the best submitted projects will be selected with the finalists published on the competition website. The finalists will be required to defend their projects before a jury which will select the best three. In addition to the three winners, a top female entrepreneur will be selected. Results will be announced during an awards ceremony.

The complete glossary of contest rules is available online at https://startupper-of-the-year-challenge.total.com/en/challenges/nigeria?lang=en

Participants will be assessed based on their innovative nature, social and community impact, feasibility and development potential by a jury comprised of experts from Total, specialists from incubators and accelerators, business leaders and local community stakeholders.

The 2018-2019 StartUpper of the Year by Total Challenge reaffirms Total’s commitment to capacity building in the countries where it operates, worldwide.

This year’s challenge will hold in nearly 40 countries in Africa and in 60 countries worldwide and is aimed at supporting and rewarding young entrepreneurs in any business sector who have a project or business that is less than two years old. Click for more information

How to Clean a Laptop

Cleaning your laptop can help extend its life, and yours too. Computer keyboards are breeding grounds for germs [source: Wall Street Journal]. In fact, the Center for Disease Control recommends routinely cleaning your computer keyboard and mouse, along with other frequently touched surfaces [source: CDC]. While you're cleaning the keyboard and mouse, take the opportunity to clean your laptop screen as well. Cleaning your screen will make it much easier and pleasanter to get your work done.

Here's how to clean your keyboard:

1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the battery.
2. Open the laptop.
3. Turn the laptop upside down and gently tap it to get rid of any loose crumbs.
4. Spray some canned air on the keyboard. This will loosen some of the gunk that's stuck in between the keys.
5. Put the laptop on a flat surface and vacuum the keyboard with a small brush attachment.
6. Dampen some cotton swabs with rubbing alcohol, and wipe them over and in between the keys (if possible). Make sure the swabs are just damp, and not wet.
7. Apply some CyberClean to the keyboard, following the instructions on the package [source: Griffith]. You can purchase Cyberclean at your local office supply store [source: Office Depot].

Here's how to clean your LCD screen:

1. Spray your screen with canned air to remove any surface dust.
2. Make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and distilled water.
3. Spray the vinegar solution on a soft rag, and gently wipe the screen [source: Griffith].

You can keep your screen clean by periodically wiping it with a microfiber cloth designed specifically for computers. These cloths are available at computer and office supply stores. Always check your laptop's manual before using any cleaning products on your LCD screen [source: Heloise].

Don't forget to clean your external mouse, if you have one. This is the easiest part of your laptop to clean. Simply spray your rag with some of your vinegar solution and wipe off your mouse. Don't forget to turn your mouse over, and wipe down the bottom, as well [source: Griffith].