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How to Protect Your Phone

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Having your phone stolen is a hassle – it’s not just the handset, it’s the numbers, messages and photos you lose too. Knowing how to protect your mobile and keep it safe will save you a lot of inconveniences and stress.
With mobiles or cell phones becoming fancier, more popular, and more expensive, they are increasingly liable to theft.
Checks show that thousands of mobile phones are being stolen by robbers every month.
In Nigeria available statistic indicate that more than 750,000 mobile phones are reported lost or stolen in the country yearly. This translates to about 1,423 stolen handsets every week or eight, every hour.
Mobile phones are often stolen in cars when in traffic, social venues as restaurants, bars and clubs, victims’ homes during robberies or workplaces.
The effect of mobile theft may be devastating on the victims. They range from lost of information (contacts); the inconvenience of having to be without a phone to reach and be reached which often result in loss of business; the hassle of having to report the theft, cost of replacement the handset and sometimes personal assaults.
Even then, many thieves are more interested in accessing your wireless service and potentially, stealing your identity.
Unless you want to deal with all the hassles of getting a new phone (or paying for unauthorized charges on your bill) you’d do well to find out how to ensure that your phone finds its way back to you or at least, how you can make it difficult for thieves to get anything out of it.
Treat your phone like cash in the wallet; never let it out of your sight.
It sounds like a good solution but unfortunately it’s not always practical to carry your phone with you all the time, especially when you are on some event or conference.
Here are some tips
Carrying your Phone
If you’re not making a call, make sure that your phone is not conspicuous. Keep it in a front pocket or inside a bag. Don’t attach it to your belt or around your neck. Thieves are opportunists, so don’t make yourself an easy target.
Lots of people take their phones out of their pockets when they’re sitting down. If you’re out with your friends or at school, or at a function don’t leave your phone on a table, as anyone walking by can easily run off with it.
Securing your Handset
It’s always a good idea to write down the make, model and unique identification number (IMEI number) of your handset.
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity and is the 15 digit number unique to your phone.
This can be found behind the battery, or by dialling ‘*#06#’ on your handset. Keep these details in a safe place and completely separate from your phone, as you’ll need to give them to your service provider if your phone is lost or stolen.
Whatever model of phone you have, your handset has in-built security features that you can use to protect it. If you don’t know how to use them, take a look at the instruction manual.
For example, you can set up a pin number that you have to key in before you make a call. This stops anyone else using your phone and protects any personal details your have in your phone book or your text message inbox
It would also be good if you write your alternate contact number or email id on your phone.
When you Loose Your Phone
Keep in mind the possibility that you simply have misplaced your handset and that the person who has it intends to return it to you. Be polite in all circumstances, even if you suspect theft.
And the Good News
The menace has caused the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) sleepless nights and the commission had since 2006 begun looking into the modalities that would make it possible to bar stolen handsets from the networks, thereby discouraging the criminals.
The Nigerian Communications Commission is therefore working with service providers to blacklist every reported and confirmed stolen mobile handset from being used.
The service, which will be implemented by the NCC, NetVisa GSM secured Nigeria Limited and network operators, is the first inter-carrier initiative in Africa.
The initiative will soon take off at no extra cost to telecoms subscribers.
However, the process of making the system effective and successful starts with the subscribers.
How it Will Work
This is how it will work: Record your phone IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or ESN/RUIM number if using CDMA mobile handset and keep in a safe place. This number is unique to every GSM or UMTS mobile phone and is usually printed on the case under the battery, but in the event that it is nowhere to be found, just dial *#06# and the number will come up.
Register your phone online with NetVisa Mobile Device Security at: www.netvisa-mds.com at no cost, report stolen mobile phones to your network operators, the NCC or call NetVisa on 0700-638-8472, 0700-NETVISA who in turn would confirm your details from your mobile operator and gets it blocked within 24 to 48 hours.
Used Phone
Buyers of used phones in Nigeria can check if such had not been blacklisted by simply logging on to: http://www.netvisa-mds.com. or by using either the seller’s phone to send a text message: "check IMEI" and send to 0700. Immediately, a response will be sent to the phone where the text message originated, stating the status of the phone- blocked or not blocked, provided the about-to-be-bought handset was reported stolen.

 


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Airtel Nigeria Leads Telecom Market Surge

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In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.

According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.

In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.

Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.

Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.

This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.

Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.

 


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Airtel Boosts NIPR Public Relations Week with Onsite Unlimited Data Connection

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Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.

The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.

“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”

According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.

Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.

With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.

Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.


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World Earth Day: Kuda Partners with Wecyclers to Clean up Communities in Lagos

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In a landmark partnership aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices, Kuda Microfinance Bank and Wecyclers collaborated to commemorate World Earth Day on April 22, 2024. The collaboration featured a series of impactful activities designed to raise awareness and foster environmental stewardship.

The activities on the day included a webinar session facilitated by renowned expert in environmental management and head of ESG at Wecyclers, Omobolanle Olowu, during which she shared startling data on plastic pollution in Nigeria. She also discussed the importance of proper waste management and its significance in preserving the planet for future generations, providing valuable insights and practical tips on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.

In a published study on plastic pollution in Nigeria, the country ranked ninth globally for plastic pollution with an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually and less than 12% of those waste materials recycled.

Also on the day, Kuda staff volunteered for an environmental cleanup exercise, during which they took to parts of Apapa Road, Ebute Metta to empty gutters and collect plastics and other recyclable materials for recycling.

In addition, volunteers from Kuda gained firsthand knowledge of innovative waste management solutions during a guided tour of Wecyclers’ facility in Ebute Metta. The tour showcased Wecyclers’ pioneering efforts in recycling and waste upcycling, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to address environmental challenges effectively.

Speaking about the collaboration, Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi, Senior Brand Manager at Kuda, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential to drive positive change. “We [Kuda] are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. We also believe that our responsibility is not only to our customers and other stakeholders but also the environment that we all share. Partnering with Wecyclers allows us to inspire communities to adopt eco-friendly practices,” he said.

“Our initiatives towards achieving a sustainable environment and achieving a green earth goes beyond just recycling. We aim to inspire a broader commitment to waste minimization, reusing materials and proper sustainable waste management. As we commemorate World Earth Day, we encourage our staff, customers and general public as a whole to embrace actions that promote a green, safe earth for all,” he added.

Likewise, Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Head, Human Resources and Partnerships at Wecyclers, emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental issues. “It is very important for organisations to collaborate on initiatives that help save the environment. We are excited about this partnership because such partnerships are crucial to creating awareness and educating people about the impact of plastic waste on the planet and how they can contribute to a change that we all deserve.”

Kuda’s collaboration with Wecyclers emphasises its commitment to sustainability and championing proactive efforts through education, engagement and action to create an environmentally conscious population and a sustainable tomorrow.


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