By Oluwafunke Ishola



A biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, and partners have unveiled the Cancer Care Africa programme in Kenya to bridge critical gaps in cancer care from diagnosis to treatment.



Asa Skiti, Head of Communications – African Cluster, AstraZeneca, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.



Skiti said the collaboration was with the Ministry of Health, The Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), Axios, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI), and other partners.



She noted that cancer had become a major public health concern in Kenya and across Africa.



Skiti cited the World Health Organisation (WHO) data which showed that 44,726 cancer cases and 29,317 cancer deaths were recorded in Kenya in 2022.



She added that this was set against a regional context that estimates 2.1 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths annually by 2040 across Africa.



“Despite recent increases in resources invested in cancer, several critical barriers still hinder progress including a lack of disease awareness, limited diagnostic capabilities, an absence of structured screening programmes, and challenges in accessing treatment,” she said.



To tackle these barriers, Skiti noted that each country they work with develops initiatives across four pillars of action – building capacity and capabilities; enhancing screening and diagnostics; empowering patients, and enabling access to medicines.



“We are committed to supporting more than 100 oncology centres and providing training for more than 10,000 healthcare professionals to improve quality of care delivered to patients across the continent.



“We will enhance screening and diagnostics provision for one million people across lung, breast and prostate cancer, to improve patient outcomes and reduce health system burden through early approaches.



“We will ensure we address the real needs of patients through engagement with local PAGs to support increased disease awareness and informed patient decision-making.



“We will enhance the availability of critical cancer medicines by introducing flexible models that can provide access to our innovative treatments,” she said.



According to her, ahead of the launch, Cancer Care Africa (CCA) donated ultrasound biopsy machines to seven hospitals in Kenya to enhance early prostate cancer diagnosis.



She said CCA also donated the country’s first biomarker testing machine for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations to Aga Khan University Hospital.



Cabinet Secretary for Health, Kenya, Mr Nakhumicha Wafula, said, “The launch of the Cancer Care Africa programme in Kenya is a significant step towards improving cancer care for all.



“This collaborative initiative has the potential to significantly improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and care, ultimately saving lives and improving the well-being of Kenyans impacted by this disease, as well as their families and communities.”



Also, Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice-President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said, “With an increasing number of patients being diagnosed with cancer in Kenya and across Africa in the coming decades, joint action to improve patient outcomes and safeguard health care systems for the future has never been more important.



“The Cancer Care Africa programme will support early detection, increase timely diagnosis, and improve access to treatment options for patients across Kenya.”



The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cancer Care Africa launched in November 2002 at COP27 in Egypt, is aiding countries across the continent to fight against cancer by advocating policy changes to enhance screening and diagnostics, implementing health awareness and education programmes to empower patients.



It also trains physicians and healthcare workers and builds their capacities, and strives to enable access to cancer medicines.



With these pillars, Cancer Care Africa strives to improve outcomes for all individuals affected by the disease, irrespective of their demographic, geographic, or socio-economic status.



CCA is part of Accelerating Change Together (ACT) for Cancer Care, a global, AstraZeneca-led effort to revolutionise the way cancer is diagnosed and treated to drive equitable improvement in patient outcomes and greater resilience in healthcare systems.

(NAN)

FG, Effa Group sign MoU on sports development

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The Nigerian Ministry of Sports Development and Effa Management has announced the signing of a historic comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of sports development and promotion in Nigeria.

According to a statement by Effa Management in Lagos, the agreement, signed by both entities, outlines a strategic partnership to drive significant progress in various facets of sports management and promotion over the next decade.

“The agreement aims at three critical outcomes; Sports Development Pipeline Masterplan, where Effa Management will spearhead the development of a groundbreaking Sports

“Development Pipeline Masterplan, meticulously crafted to develop and enhance the infrastructure by building multipurpose sports facilities across the country,

“This includes: talent identification, talent welfare and support and grassroots participation across various sports disciplines in Nigeria.

”This masterplan aims to set a clear roadmap for the sustainable growth and advancement of Nigerian sports on both national and international stages, ” the statement said.

Effa Management said that the agreement would also have revenue generation through National Sports Betting and Lottery Aggregator

“With the goal of fostering financial sustainability within the sports ecosystem, Effa Management will establish and manage a national sports betting and lottery aggregator.

“This innovative initiative is poised to generate substantial revenue streams that will be reinvested into sports development programs, infrastructure upgrades, and athlete support systems.

“It also attracts sports marketing Initiatives which includes leveraging cutting-edge marketing strategies and platforms, Effa Management will undertake extensive campaigns to amplify the visibility and popularity of Nigerian sports.

“Through targeted promotions, strategic partnerships, and engaging content creation, the aim is to ignite widespread enthusiasm for sports participation and spectatorship across all demographics,” the statement said.

The statement added; “The signing event marked the official commencement of this transformative partnership, which holds the promise of ushering in a new era of prosperity and excellence for Nigerian sports,” it said.

In his remarks, Sen. John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, expressed optimism about the far-reaching impact of the agreement.

The minister noted that the collaboration signified a significant milestone in the collective efforts to elevate Nigerian sports to unprecedented heights.

“Together with Effa Management, we are committed to realizing our shared vision of a vibrant and inclusive sports ecosystem that nurtures talent, fosters innovation, and inspires generations to come,” he said.

Enoh lauded Effa’s dedication to the development of sports in Nigeria and further highlighted how this is directly in line with the intended legacy of the Renewed Hope Agenda by President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister further explained how the pipeline would be able to recruit talent through regional, school and interstate competitions at secondary school level and reviving national competitions like Governor’s Cup and President’s Cup.

“This will be a foundational cornerstone of identifying and developing talent at a youth stage,” Enoh said.

Hertz Fauzan, the Head of Product and business at Effa Management, thereafter echoed the sentiments.

“We are honored to partner with the Nigerian Ministry of Sports Development in this transformative endeavor through our combined expertise and dedication.

“We are poised to unlock the full potential of Nigerian sports, creating opportunities for athletes, enthusiasts, and stakeholders alike,” he said.

Fauzan then delivered a presentation that highlighted the outcomes of this agreement and made a promise for transparent accountability and deep connections to grassroot outreaches.

He also promised to have the roadmap culminate into a national display of the facility pilot and proof of concept within the first 180 days of the signing of the agreement.

Similarly, Mr Kunle Fakeye, the CEO of Effa Management, promised a fully inclusive non-zoned sports development.

Fakeye who is also a seasoned sports man and sports broadcasting magnet emphasized a situation where talents from Northern Nigeria would access the same opportunities as those of Eastern or Southern parts of the country.

The Effa boss then promised a gender, religious and tribally inclusive pipeline that ensures the best talent from each region is equally represented. Group sign MoU on sports development



The Nigerian Ministry of Sports Development and Effa Management has announced the signing of a historic comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of sports development and promotion in Nigeria.

According to a statement by Effa Management in Lagos, the agreement, signed by both entities, outlines a strategic partnership to drive significant progress in various facets of sports management and promotion over the next decade.

“The agreement aims at three critical outcomes; Sports Development Pipeline Masterplan, where Effa Management will spearhead the development of a groundbreaking Sports

“Development Pipeline Masterplan, meticulously crafted to develop and enhance the infrastructure by building multipurpose sports facilities across the country,

“This includes: talent identification, talent welfare and support and grassroots participation across various sports disciplines in Nigeria.

”This masterplan aims to set a clear roadmap for the sustainable growth and advancement of Nigerian sports on both national and international stages, ” the statement said.

Effa Management said that the agreement would also have revenue generation through National Sports Betting and Lottery Aggregator

“With the goal of fostering financial sustainability within the sports ecosystem, Effa Management will establish and manage a national sports betting and lottery aggregator.

“This innovative initiative is poised to generate substantial revenue streams that will be reinvested into sports development programs, infrastructure upgrades, and athlete support systems.

“It also attracts sports marketing Initiatives which includes leveraging cutting-edge marketing strategies and platforms, Effa Management will undertake extensive campaigns to amplify the visibility and popularity of Nigerian sports.

“Through targeted promotions, strategic partnerships, and engaging content creation, the aim is to ignite widespread enthusiasm for sports participation and spectatorship across all demographics,” the statement said.

The statement added; “The signing event marked the official commencement of this transformative partnership, which holds the promise of ushering in a new era of prosperity and excellence for Nigerian sports,” it said.

In his remarks, Sen. John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, expressed optimism about the far-reaching impact of the agreement.

The minister noted that the collaboration signified a significant milestone in the collective efforts to elevate Nigerian sports to unprecedented heights.

“Together with Effa Management, we are committed to realizing our shared vision of a vibrant and inclusive sports ecosystem that nurtures talent, fosters innovation, and inspires generations to come,” he said.

Enoh lauded Effa’s dedication to the development of sports in Nigeria and further highlighted how this is directly in line with the intended legacy of the Renewed Hope Agenda by President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister further explained how the pipeline would be able to recruit talent through regional, school and interstate competitions at secondary school level and reviving national competitions like Governor’s Cup and President’s Cup.

“This will be a foundational cornerstone of identifying and developing talent at a youth stage,” Enoh said.

Hertz Fauzan, the Head of Product and business at Effa Management, thereafter echoed the sentiments.

“We are honored to partner with the Nigerian Ministry of Sports Development in this transformative endeavor through our combined expertise and dedication.

“We are poised to unlock the full potential of Nigerian sports, creating opportunities for athletes, enthusiasts, and stakeholders alike,” he said.

Fauzan then delivered a presentation that highlighted the outcomes of this agreement and made a promise for transparent accountability and deep connections to grassroot outreaches.

He also promised to have the roadmap culminate into a national display of the facility pilot and proof of concept within the first 180 days of the signing of the agreement.

Similarly, Mr Kunle Fakeye, the CEO of Effa Management, promised a fully inclusive non-zoned sports development.

Fakeye who is also a seasoned sports man and sports broadcasting magnet emphasized a situation where talents from Northern Nigeria would access the same opportunities as those of Eastern or Southern parts of the country.

The Effa boss then promised a gender, religious and tribally inclusive pipeline that ensures the best talent from each region is equally represented.

QNET raises alarm over fraudulent use of foundation’s name in Nigeria



By Funmilola Gboteku

QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct-selling company says it has recently become aware of fraudulent activities being carried out in the name of its affiliate, RYTHM Foundation.

The company said in a statement signed by Mr Biram Fall, Regional General Manager, QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, on Tuesday that RYTHM Foundation was its corporate social responsibility arm.

According to him, an individual set up an office in Port Harcourt in the name of RYTHM Foundation and was using online ads to offer people jobs in the foundation.

Fall said that the incident came to light, when a job seeker who had contacted the individual about the job was asked to pay a fee to secure it.

“Suspicion prompted the job seeker to verify the ad’s legitimacy by contacting the Foundation directly.

“QNET promptly reported the incident to relevant authorities, which led to the arrest of the perpetrator. The matter is currently under investigation,” Fall said.

He said the company was deeply troubled by the impersonation of the RYTHM Foundation for illicit activities, including fake job offers and other deceptive practices.

Fall stressed that RYTHM Foundation, QNET and its other affiliate companies were not associated with these fraudulent activities and disavowed itself of any connection with the perpetrators.

“The company is committed to collaborating with authorities to apprehend fraudsters.

“QNET warns the public to be vigilant and verify information before engaging in any such commitments.

“QNET and any of its other affiliated companies do not offer jobs in exchange for a fee. The company urges the public to report any such job ads via the WhatsApp compliance hotline for Sub-Saharan African markets,” Fall said.

He said the company had undertaken educational and public awareness initiatives such as establishing the Direct Selling Disinformation Centre (DSDC).

Fall added that it had also inaugurated the “Social Awareness Campaign” and “Say No!”, to protect individuals from scams.

NAN

Heirs Technologies empowers youths to reduce tech-talent attrition in Nigeria

Heirs Technologies, a digital solutions company, says it has started empowering young tech enthusiasts through its i-Academy initiative to mitigate tech-talent attrition in Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer, Heirs Technologies, Mr Obong Idiong, said this at a media briefing on Wednesday in Lagos.

He said the six months’ training programme would provide young tech enthusiasts with the skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful career in the technology industry.

Idiong also noted that the company was targeting 100 interns this year as against only 30 youths that were trained last year.

“Students will learn front end software development, backend software development and additional soft skills in a hybrid learning approach,” he said.

According to Idiong, as part of the curriculum, interns are exposed to real-life applications and projects.

He added that during the projects, the company ensures interns are well-equipped to design programmes both individually and in teams.

On community engagement, Idiong said the company was partnering indigenous organisations, schools and others to address community needs.

“We plan to offer basic or introductory training programmes for employees and local communities in the long run.

Speaking on local content, the managing director said Heirs was looking at multiple strategies to see the indices that could be substituted.

“If you look at the fintech space in Nigeria, we are doing a lot. We have local solutions that address some of the challenges in that space.

“We are looking at what we can do differently. We are trying to substitute foreign providers with our local providers in Nigeria.

“Heirs Technology is not here to do things that others are doing, we want to build something that will really change the game and add value to businesses,” Idiong said.

He added that Heirs was focusing on enabling local and multinational companies through local solutions.

Idiong said Heirs had plans to supervise talents that understood the business landscape.

“We are also establishing clear business ethics and transparency in communication of business operations and implementing sustainable practices, reduce waste and promote energy efficiency.

On other services rendered, Idiong said the company ‘s IT consulting services was aimed at helping businesses improve their operations, by advising them on how to use Information Technology (IT) effectively.

(NAN)

In a bid to strengthen it ties with Nigeria,the U.S. government says it will be launching different initiatives to empower writers, TV producers, actors, music artistes and Nigerian students.

Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, said this during an interview session at the American Corner located at Vibranium Valley Tech City, Ikeja, on Wednesday evening.

She said that creating empowerment opportunities would help bridge the gap between the Hollywood and Nollywood, music industry, among others by sharing resources.

According to her, the U.S. wants TV producers to come to the United States to be mentored by American writers and producers at the University of Southern California (USC) Cinematic Art.

Satterfield said the initiative which was an amazing programme, would produce incredible talents.

She added that the U.S. would also be granting writers from Nigeria the opportunity to come and collaborate with American writers to help establish television shows.

Satterfield said this would be done by seeing them through production and different phases of creative process.

On music, the U.S. official said: “We will be partnering with brands to bring African music industry professionals to Los Angeles to be mentored by recording academy members, so that they can basically network.

“We are also launching a community college initiative to bring Nigerians to the United States to study.

“Providing economic opportunities and access to education is critically important, it is both the right and smart thing to do,” Satterfield said.

On investing in women, she said that not including them in businesses was like leaving out half of the world’s population.

According to Satterfield, providing women access to opportunities is not only good for individuals, but communities and families.

She said that currently, the U.S. was running different programmes to empower women.

Satterfield said that one of the programmes was Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, a training course developed at Arizona State University.

According to her, women entrepreneurs go through training and administer it globally by building a community of women who are interested in starting a business.

She added that Nigerians particularly had the spirit of entrepreneurship.

In terms of protecting Nigerian Cultural antiques, Satterfield said the U.S. had invested over $1.3 million over the past decade in digitising museums, so that there would be a record.

She added that this was also done to stop the illicit trafficking of cultural antiques that was happening all over the world.

Satterfield said that the U.S. and Nigerian recently signed a bilateral cultural property agreement again, to preserve the nations art collections from smugglers.

NAN

QNET, a lifestyle and wellness direct-selling company, has partnered the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), to educate consumers on harmful marketing practices.


QNET confirmed the partnership in a statement signed by Mr Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, on Thursday.


Fall said the collaboration aligns with the theme of Consumer Rights Day 2024: “Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers.


”He said it also sets the stage for an influential event in Lagos, aimed at sparking crucial dialogues on consumer rights and the emerging challenges in an AI-integrated marketplace.

Fall said that with a shared vision for a fair-trading environment, QNET and LASCOPA, were set to embark on a transformative journey towards consumer enlightenment and justice.

“This partnership underscores a mutual dedication to eradicating harmful marketing practices, championing the cause of fairness and accountability.


“Our alliance with LASCOPA epitomises our pledge to consumer rights, fostering a well-informed community ready to thrive in a tech-savvy future.


“At the heart of this initiative are dynamic educational campaigns designed to empower consumers with the knowledge to make informed decisions, stand against exploitation and deceit,” he said.


Fall said these campaigns were instrumental in building a resilient and savvy consumer base, capable of navigating the complexities of the modern marketplace with confidence and discernment.


Similarly, Mr Afolabi Solebo, LASCOPA’s General Manager, said that the collaboration with QNET amplified the resolve to combat unfair practices and uphold transparency in the marketplace.

Solebo noted that together, there were setting new standards for consumer protection, ensuring that the rights and interests of Lagosians were safeguarded in the digital age.


“This partnership marks a significant milestone in the quest for a fair, transparent, and accountable marketplace, promising a brighter, more informed future for consumers in Lagos and beyond,” Solebo said.

NAN

An innovator, Mr Ubong Inyang, on Wednesday urged governments to effectively engage young people with potential digital solutions to enhance governance.

Inyang, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of CitizenCentre, a Civic Tech Digital App, made the call during the Lagos Digital Democracy Fair held at Yaba, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fair was organised by Yiaga Africa in partnership with CivicHive, with the support of Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

He advised government to intensify its effort by engaging more tech hubs, civic hubs to find out solutions young people were developing on daily basis.

According to him, government should not underrate young people but effectively include them in governance and its processes.

“Young people have solutions, so if government can effectively engage them and sincerely implement the solutions, there will be change and progress in the land.

“The more engagement with the youths, the more hindsight on how to tailor their way out of these economic challenges,” he said.

Speaking on the his company’s civic mobile solution, Inyang said CitizenCentre enabled citizens to report issues, advocate for community needs, track government projects performance and make enquiries.

He added that the app also fostered transparency and direct communication between citizens and government.

“It is a solution that is connecting citizens to governance. It can reduce lapses in project delivery, timelines and management.

“The platform would ensure swift reporting of utility issues and emergencies through a user friendly interface”.

According to him, the app also hopes to bridge the gap between citizens and government agencies by fostering collective citizens voice through community groups and integrate a polling to prioritise community needs.
NAN

Mysogi unveils smart advertising for SMEs, entrepreneurs

A tech company specialising in smart advertising, Mysogi, on Monday launched an advertising scheme to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs.

Head, Products and Marketing, Mysogi, Odunayo Onasanya, said this at the launch of the advertising scheme in Lagos.

Onasanya said Mysogi’s mission was to democratise access to high-quality advertising solutions, empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs to achieve their full potential.

He said leveraging data, technology, and automation, Mysogi hoped to deliver targeted, relevant, and engaging ads to individual users, putting the reins of growth firmly in their hands.

Onasanya said the company’s comprehensive suite offered a diverse range of solutions ranging from billboard placements to dynamic website creation.

According to him, businesses can leverage high-impact visual display ads, personalised SMS campaigns, engaging voice ads, and influencer marketing partnerships, all seamlessly managed through the Mysogi platform.

Onasanya said data-driven targeting ensured messages reached the right audience, maximising impact and minimising cost.

He said the SMS marketing feature allowed precise targeting based on factors like location, demographics, and spending habits.

‘’With its innovative approach and commitment to affordability, Mysogi is poised to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs and businesses to flourish on the global stage.

‘’By democratising access to smart advertising solutions, Mysogi is rewriting the rules of the game, ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

‘’Mysogi does not stop at campaign creation; businesses can track and analyse campaign performance in real-time, enabling data-driven optimisation and continuous improvement,” he said.

According to him, this level of transparency and control ensures every advertising dollar delivers maximum value.
(NAN)

By Funmilola Gboteku

Subscribers of telecommunications company, 9mobile, have flooded the company’s X (formerly Twitter) page with complaints over its poor network services in parts of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a look at the telco’s X page revealed bitter complaints by subscribers in different states of the country of the deplorable condition of its network services.

Mr Johnson James (@DonJoshnson0), a subscriber, said: “Because of you guys my subscription have expired, I don’t have network on my phone since last week this frustration is too much I may be leaving this line very soon.

King Wisdom David (@ I am KWD), who also complained on the telco’s X page said : “I can’t verify my WhatsApp due to no network for more than one month now, this is really bad and heart breaking.

On his part, Ubong-Abasi Maurice (@MORISOFLIFE), another subscriber, said it was hard to contact 9mobile’s customer service, adding that their Whatsapp channel was also not working.

“I am sad and regret the day I ever bought 9mobile. Please fix your line,” he said.

Nafi’u Abdul (@froshgreg) said: “What is happening to your network, it has been five days now, I can’t receive or make call. I can’t even use my own data.

Similarly, Anita Biddel (@AnitaBiddel) also said: “No network for almost a week now.

“I can’t receive or make calls, plus my data should have probably expired now.

“How would you guys compensate us for this, because for many of us, this might be our work lines,” she said.

Also complaining, Ibraheem (@Ajibsonn1) said that the network had been shabby for the past three days in Kano metropolis.

“This is bad, you need to fix your line,” Ibraheem said.

Another subscriber, Abdulgafar Khalid (@abdulgafarkhal6) said: “Honestly speaking, I regret using your network.

“It has been more than three weeks since when I last saw network on my line here in Bauchi State.

“I can’t remember when last I had network in my line for 24 hours, but I think it’s now time to part ways,” he said.

Also, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), confirmed to NAN on Sunday in Lagos that subscribers complaints on poor quality of services by the telco was true.

According to Ogunbanjo, rumors have been circulating that another telco was planning to acquire 9mobile.

“I believe the telco has stopped putting efforts into expansion and investing in infrastructure because it would soon be acquired, hence the reason for its poor network services,” Ogunbanjo said.

To buttress subscribers’ grievances, NAN reports that data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that 9mobile suffered more customer losses in November 2023 as 1,646 of its customers moved to other networks.

According to the latest industry statistics released by the telecom regulator, a total of 2,433 mobile subscribers ported out of their networks in November.

Out of these, 1,646, representing 68 per cent, left 9mobile to other networks.

Other operators also recorded outgoing porting, but the numbers were insignificant compared with 9mobile.

MTN, for instance, lost 274 customers, same as Airtel, while Globacom recorded 239 outgoing porting.

On the other hand, MTN, which is the largest operator by subscriber number, still gained more customers from other operators.

Out of the 2,433 incomings reported in the month, MTN received 1,470 customers from other networks.

The data shows that Airtel also received 668 customers from other networks, while Globacom gained 211 customers from other operators.

However, 9mobile, which lost a significant number of customers to other networks, also recorded the least incoming porting as only 84 subscribers moved to the network in the month under review.

The movement (porting) of subscribers was achieved through the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) instituted by the telecoms regulator, which allows customers to change their service providers without changing their numbers.

NAN reports that efforts to reach the telco to get a reaction failed to yield result.

However, 9mobile on its X page had apologised for the inconveniences caused by poor network services to each subscriber that complained.

NAN

Stellamaris Ashinze

A global technology company, Tecno has announced its partnership with Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to sponsor the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) while stressing importance of technology in football.

The announcement was made at a media parley with journalist in Lagos.

The manager Tecno Nigeria, Thompson Ani said that the partnership is to emphasise Tecno involvement with CAF for AFCON as epitomising Tecno Stop At Nothing’ philosophy.

Ani said the aim was to uplift African football, particularly in Nigeria, and foster a connection with the continent’s passions and aspirations leveraging technology.

He said that the partnership also emphasises Tecno’s commitment to sports and technology advancement.

‘’The announcement of TECNO’s partnership with CAF for AFCON marks a significant commitment to sports, entertainment, and fostering national and continental connections.

‘”This partnership reflects a future where Technology enhances lives in simple, meaningful ways, particularly through the lens of sports and community engagement.

The General Manager, Mr Chidi Okonkwo said that the partnership would bring a lot of benefits to Nigeria consumers and football fans and it expected mileage if achieved could spur sponsorship of local league.

Okonkwo emphasised that technology has promoted football in a lot of ways such as gaming football and live streaming among others

Also speaking at the occasion, former Super Eagles Striker, Victor Ikpeba said that technology plays a pivotal role in modern football.

Ikpeba said that innovations from brands like TECNO are vital for the game’s evolution, especially in improving fan engagement.

He said that Tecno’s commitment to innovation could significantly influence the growth of football in Nigeria and across Africa.

Reports in an earlier official announcement at Singapore by TECNO’s General Manager, Mr Jack GUO highlighted the significance of this collaboration.

“This partnership with CAF for AFCON is a historic step for TECNO, demonstrating our deep-rooted commitment to Africa.

‘’We are excited to be part of one of the continent’s most prestigious sporting events, showcasing African football’s appeal and bringing together a global audience.

This partnership is a stride towards creating memorable experiences for football enthusiasts and TECNO fans worldwide,’’ he said

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, during the official announcement, equally expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

“The collaboration between CAF and TECNO Mobile is a significant milestone, bringing together Asia and Africa—continents with the largest and youngest populations.

"This partnership is part of an ongoing discussions with several global companies eager to support CAF’s exciting competitions, including the popular AFCON, "he said.


Also, the announcement in Lagos witnessed the launch of Spark 20 to enhance live streaming of the AFCON.

Minister of state police affairs set to host town hall security meeting



 By Oluwatope Lawanson

The Minister of State, Police Affairs, Hon. Imaam Sulaiman-Ibrahim is set to host a town hall security meeting aimed at strengthening the community policing strategy and capacity in the country.

This is geared towards the upliftment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, especially in the area of security.

According to a statement which was signed by the minister, the meeting holding on Dec. 11, at Lagos Continental Hotel, Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos by 11.00am has the theme: "Community Policing: Building a Safer Nigeria Together".



"The town hall meeting will yield several significant outcomes, including enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, actionable policy insights.

"It will also trengthen public trust in policing efforts, and the development of concrete strategies for community policing, which are all in alignment with the President"s Renewed Hope Police Transformation Agenda.

"The Honorable Minister, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has hit the ground running since her appointment in the Police Affairs ministry with innovative ideas and winning solutions.

Her most recent approach to policing is the forum which 'aims to foster an environment of collaboration and commitment to achieving a safer Nigeria through effective policing and community engagement," the statement reads.

The minister said the Townhall Security Meeting was envisioned as a dynamic and inclusive platform that soughts to encourage open dialogue and collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement bodies, and the community.'

She added that the key themes to be discussed during the event included exploring community-driven policing models, fostering partnership between law enforcement agencies and local communities.

She disclosed that strategies for continual development of the Nigeria Police ecosystem to ensure professionalism and adherence to human rights standards would also be highlighted.

She said: In the light of this, the Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr Ayo Ogunsan, renowned for his thorough commitment to supporting security agencies in the country alongside Remilekun Banigbe have been saddled with the task of contact and mobilization of policy stakeholders across all sectors to attend the Town Hall Meeting.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim therefore, called on all policy stakeholders to take the Town Hall meeting of priority attendance.

'I will appreciate your presence at the Town Hall, as we engage with cross sectional members of the Lagos community.

Your insights will contribute significantly to the shared vision for community policing and identification of actionable strategies to further strengthen public trust.

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The Lagos State Government says its new electricity cooperative model initiative is a potential solution to the ailing energy sector in the country, particularly in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said this at a one-day maiden symposium in Lagos on Thursday.

The symposium was organised by the Lagos State Cooperative College and the theme was : “Venturing into Power Sector: The Electric Cooperative Model”.

The electric cooperative is a private, not-for-profit company whose purpose is to safely deliver electricity to its consumers or members at the most affordable price possible.

Ambrose-Medebem, who was represented by the ministry’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Zolikat Ibrahim, noted that the college with an annual financial turnover of N70 billion, had what it takes to venture into the power sector value chain to deliver the essential public utility.

She said the deregulation and signing of the Electricity Act, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu on June 2023, the electricity cooperative model would resolve the energy challenges in the distribution, generation and transmission chain.

The commissioner said the electricity cooperative model would further increase private sector investment to solve the epileptic power supply given the country’s unpalatable experiences in the area of power supply over the years.

She observed that the aptness of the theme and the auspiciousness of its timing, was coming at a time when Nigerians appeared fed up with the seeming intractability of the energy challenges as a country.

The commissioner added that the multidimensional epileptic power supply had affected quality of life, capacity utilisation and productivity.

Ambrose-Medebem said the listing of power generation and distribution as a concurrent item and the subsequent enactment of the Electricity Act, 2023, clearly attested to the readiness of the Federal Government to address the problem of power sector.

According to her, this has made the state to be proactive in the establishment of the Lagos State Electricity Board under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in anticipation and readiness for the devolution of power supply to the federating units.

The commissioner said power was needed to drive and sustain economic growth and as such, the current attempt at full liberalisation and deregulation of the power sector is highly welcomed.

She said: “In developed climes, power supply is accorded so much priority with commensurate multi-sectoral investments in cost-effective power solutions to guarantee stability in supply for productive purposes.

“I believe it is safe to infer that the extant regulatory framework in the power sector can prove to be a major game changer going forward, if only we can begin to seize the available opportunities in taking the right business and investment decisions.

“With over 3,000 active membership and an annual financial turnover in excess of N70 billion, the cooperative college has what it takes to venture into the power sector value chain to deliver this essential public utility and improve the quality of life of its teeming members.

“In the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and even some African Countries, electric cooperatives have been successfully established and sustainably managed.

“This is to bridge the shortfall in electricity supply particularly through the establishment of mini-grids for power generation and distribution to rural communities and enclaves not accommodated in the national grids.”

Also, in his welcome address, the Provost of the college, Mr Akorede Ojomu said the college was ready to contribute its own quota to the trending issue of electricity deregulation.

Ojomu said the college would do this through the promotion of the adoption of electric cooperative model in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the state and country at large.

He noted that the symposium was organised pursuant to the provisions of Section four of the law that established the college.

Speaking, the Special Adviser on Energy Resources to Sanwo-Olu, Mr Abiola Olowu said electricity cooperatives though still novel, were not new to countries with rich cooperative practice and history where it had been in the business of providing utility services.

Olowu noted that an electricity cooperative was a private, not-for-profit company whose purpose was to safely deliver electricity to its consumers or members at the most affordable price possible.

Also, former managing director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Dr Usman Mohammed identified a lack of investment and managerial capacity as problems crippling the Nigerian power sector.

Mohammed said the electricity cooperative model by the college would help in resolving the epileptic power supply in the state and in the country in general.

By Stellamaris Ashinze

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on Monday said that the governor of Edo state Godwin Obaseki and Uba Sani of Kaduna have been nominated for the National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA)

The president of NCS, Dr. Muhammad Aliyu , who made the disclosure at the Pre NITMA Press briefing in Lagos said the award which was not limited to the digital governor of the year was also aimed at celebrating and honoring excellence.

Aliyu said that NCS annually recognises, rewards outstanding excellence, contributions of individuals, state governments and institutions in the acceleration of Informations Technology development .

He added that they also recognise accelerated contributions in Information Technology development in Nigeria and the diaspora through a unique national platform NITMA.

According to him, before the approval of nominees for the governors, inspection and investigation were carried out on the nominated states.

“This is done because NCS Is the acknowledged professional authority advocating the development of an inclusive, globally competitive, prosperous, and knowledge-based Nigeria.

"With the Digital Governor of the year award, NCS wishes to recognise outstanding governors that are making enormous investments in Information Technology.

‘’Many nominations were received for this category, after review by the screening committee following some laid down guidelines, the following governors were selected to compete for the award.

‘’The Executive governor of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, also the executive governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani’’, he said.

According to the him, NCS as an objective Society allows the selection process to be IT driven by opinion poll through online voting.

The president said that Planning Committee would only collate polls and put forth the order of scores and announce the winners in each category.

Aliyu said that NITMA would also witness the conferment of the most prestigious Professional Fellowship on deserving members of NCS who are recognized as authorities and have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to the growth of Information Technology.

He said that Honorary Fellowship would also be conferred on some individuals who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary service and commitment to IT growth in Nigeria.

The president while reacting to questions acknowledged the contribution of the state chapters in the growth of NCS saying the national body will be nothing without a strong synergy with the state.

Also , the Deputy President, Dr Charles Onyeukwu called for active participation of members through registration for the ceremony coming in on Nov. 23.

He said such registration would enable adequate planning.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the other category of awards include IT Personality of the Year Award, IT Gold Merit Award of the year, IT Company of the year award, Technology Innovation Bank award of the Year among others

Cybervergent, a cybersecurity technology company, on Thursday, urged companies to prioritise protection of customers’data to foster trust and maintain positive brand image.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cybervergent, Adetokunbo Omotosho, made the call during a media briefing organised by Cybervergent in Lagos.

According to Omotosho, in today’s data-driven world, customer trust is paramount, noting that a breach could erode trust and damage a company’s reputation.

He said in 2022, the Nigerian financial sector recorded financial losses worth more than N2 trillion to cybersecurity breaches.

Omotosho said, hence, there was an urgent need for the Nigerian business community to build a robust cybersecurity solution and resilience to manage future losses.

“Many industries have stringent regulations regarding the protection of sensitive information, but cybersecurity measures ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding legal consequences and financial penalties for organisations found wanting.

“As businesses embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity becomes an enabler for innovation. This is because secure digital platforms and emerging technologies empower organisations to explore new business models and stay competitive,” he said.

According to Omotosho, cybersecurity is fundamental in securing critical national infrastructure such as power grids, communication networks and financial systems.

He explained that a cyber-attack on these infrastructure could have severe consequences for the nation’s stability and well-being.

Omotosho noted that cybersecurity was closely tied to the economic health of a nation, adding that successful cyber-attacks could disrupt national activities leading to economic losses and potential job cuts.

“Constant monitoring and analysis of cyber threats provide valuable intelligence for national security agencies.

“Collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial to sharing threat intelligence and responding effectively to emerging cyber threats.

“In essence, investing in robust cybersecurity measures is an investment prosperity,” Omotosho said.

He noted that his company understood that cybersecurity was not just a defensive measure but a strategic asset that empowered businesses to thrive in the digital landscape.

Speaking on the company’s name change, Omotosho said Cybervergent was formally known as Infoprive, a pioneering technology company dedicated to revolutionising the cybersecurity landscape in Africa.

He said the strategic shift marked a significant milestone in the company’s unwavering commitment to pioneer Africa’s cybersecurity through innovation, automation and all-encompassing scaled solutions.

Omotosho said: “For us, Cybervergent represents not just a name change, but the convergence of cutting-edge technology and our resolute commitment to safeguarding businesses in the digital age on the continent, starting from Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.

“With our refreshed brand identity, we are poised to evolve the cybersecurity landscape, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to thwart cyber threats, streamline security operations, and enhance overall business resilience.

“We are setting a new standard in the cybersecurity space with our advanced automated platform leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.

“This innovative approach empowers businesses to fortify their digital assets, detect real-time threats, and respond swiftly to evolving cyber breaches, "he said.
NAN