Telecom
We are Building a Vibrant Tech Community in Anambra, Says Soludo’s Wife after Visiting SID
Anambra State’s Solution Innovation District (SID) on Tuesday played host t0 the First Lady of Anambra State, Mrs. Dr. Nonye Soludo, in an event themed “SID Tech Hangout with the First Lady of Anambra State.”
The visitation, which today, 2nd January 2024, was marked by enthusiasm, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing technology and innovation in the state.
Upon her arrival at the SID Center, Mrs. Nonye Soludo was warmly welcomed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli, along with some key players in the innovation ecosystem. The Special Adviser then guided the First Lady on a comprehensive tour of the Solution Innovation District Center.
The event was attended by a distinguished audience, including the Commissioner, government officials, partners, members of the tech community, developers, and beneficiaries of the Code Anambra program—both trainees and trainers.
Ms. Chinwe Okoli opened the event with an opening remark, expressing her joy at hosting the First Lady at SID. She highlighted the significant milestones achieved by SID since its establishment, including the ongoing Code Anambra program, which aims to train 2000 Ndi Anambra on various code and advanced digital skills. Also, stated that SID is committed to training the youth of Anambra State in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Distinguished personalities in the innovation ecosystem also delivered their welcoming addresses and good wishes. Among them were Prof. K. K Nwazor, the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, who discussed the collaborative efforts between the university and SID in advancing science and technology.
Frank Uzochukwu Oli, the Principal Manager at the Nigeria Office for Developing Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), expressed his joy over the positive impact witnessed from Code Anambra beneficiaries. He affirmed NCC’s partnership with SID to continually build human capacity among the youth in the state.
Mr. Christian Udechukwu, Commissioner for Industry, highlighted the Soludo administration’s focus on sustainable human capital development, particularly among the youth, and commended the administration’s achievements in less than two years.
Mrs. Amaka Obi, TC Chairman Idemili South, encouraged the audience to give their best in acquiring digital skills, emphasizing the importance of such skills in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The First Lady, Mama Anambra, expressed her gratitude to Ms. Chinwe Okoli for her dedication in driving the innovation ecosystem in the state, describing her as a “powerful lady.” She underscored the significance of technology as the current oil boom, urging attendees to leverage the digital skills provided by the government to become self-sustained through remote work.
The attendees, visibly pleased, expressed profound gratitude for the First Lady’s words of encouragement and support, marking a positive and promising start to the year 2024 at the Solution Innovation District.
MTN Group has committed $2 billion to the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Partner2Connect initiative, bringing the total funds pledged to $73 billion.
The announcement was made during the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025) in Barcelona, Spain.
Partner2Connect, spearheaded by the ITU, is a global initiative aimed at enhancing universal digital access, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering meaningful connectivity.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general, ITU, highlighted the significance of these commitments, stating, “Expansive digital infrastructure highlights how much humanity values and depends on meaningful connectivity. These new pledges bring us closer to delivering sustainable digital transformation to everyone, everywhere.”
According to the ITU, MTN Group has shown a strong commitment to investing in Africa’s digital future, spending approximately $2 billion annually on capital expenditures across its markets over the past five years.
Similar investments are planned over the next five years, focusing on expanding and improving voice and data networks to bolster connectivity and drive digital inclusion.
The ITU also announced a $2 billion pledge from Globalstar to expand its low-Earth orbit satellite network, providing seamless, energy-efficient connectivity solutions for remote regions and underserved areas.
These efforts will include direct-to-device (D2D) and IoT connectivity solutions.
As ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary, the UN agency has emphasised its dedication to bridging the global digital divide.
An estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, according to ITU data.
The agency has called for $100 billion in commitments by 2026 to fund projects supporting global digital transformation, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
With over 1,000 pledges spanning 147 countries, Partner2Connect is working toward ITU’s vision of a digitally connected and inclusive future.
Current estimates suggest $1.6 trillion is required for global connectivity hardware alone, with the majority of resources needed in developing nations.
The funds pledged by MTN Group and other partners are set to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance connectivity in underserved areas, and accelerate digital innovations to support economic and social growth worldwide.
Telegram has rolled out a new feature aimed at enhancing user safety by flagging messages from unknown contacts.
When users receive messages from individuals outside their contact list for the first time, a detailed information page now appears.
This page includes details such as the sender’s country (determined by their phone number), their joining date on Telegram, any shared groups, and whether their account is verified.
The goal is to help users identify potential scams and impersonators more effectively.
In addition, Telegram now provides insight into when the sender last updated their username or profile picture, offering another way to detect compromised or hacked accounts.
The company has emphasised its commitment to transparency, promising “clear indicators” to distinguish official accounts, third-party verified profiles, and regular users.
Telegram Premium subscribers can now charge fees for messages received from users outside their contact list, a feature designed to reduce spam while allowing group administrators to monetise their communities.
Dubbed “Star Messages,” this new option enables users to set customisable fees for unsolicited messages.
The feature also provides flexibility, allowing certain users or members of specific groups to send messages for free.
Telegram’s Star Messages come with convenient options, such as single-tap refunds for payments, ensuring a seamless user experience.
By offering advanced controls and monetisation opportunities, the platform continues to prioritise user safety and satisfaction.
With these updates, Telegram strengthens its position as a platform focused on both user protection and innovative monetisation tools.
MTN Nigeria has strengthened its commitment to grassroots sports development following a visit to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, at the Government House in Benin City on March 5.
The visit coincided with the upcoming launch of Season 3 of MTN Champs, an athletics competition that will commence in Edo State from March 13 to 15.
The initiative highlights MTN’s dedication to nurturing young athletic talent and aligns seamlessly with Edo State’s focus on sports development.
Idowu Adesokan, General Manager of Consumer Marketing at MTN Nigeria, expressed appreciation for Edo State’s contributions to previous editions of MTN Champs and emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure this season’s success.
Governor Okpebholo reciprocated by pledging full logistical and administrative support to make the event impactful.
Season 3 of MTN Champs is set to engage thousands of secondary school students across Nigeria, kicking off in Edo State before moving to Lagos and Uyo in subsequent weeks.
This initiative reflects MTN Nigeria’s broader vision of fostering youth empowerment and revitalizing athletics at the grassroots level.
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