Broadcasting
NGvoices Strengthens Citizen Engagement with the Launch of Sabi
NGVoices, a decentralized community with a focus on informing Nigerians of their roles in civic, political and governance participation, is excited to announce the launch of Sabi, an app that will support the improvement of civic engagement and political participation in Nigeria.
Sabi, billed to go live on June 1, 2021, is expected to bridge the gap between the citizens and their elected officials at all levels.
Abayomi Akinbo, the Community Administrator, says Sabi will provide politically conscious citizens with a powerful citizen advocacy tool with verified information about elected officials and governance issues.
Sabi seeks to bridge the governance gap between the citizens and their elected officials, improve the engagement dynamics and ensure the improvement engagement serves the purpose of the constituents.
Akinbo said that Sabi, when up, will offer immense benefits both to the legislators and their constituents.
“On one hand, Sabi will enable the citizens connect with their legislators on real-time basis, react to bills, request to meet with their legislators, and propose solutions to policy issues; while on the other hand, it will help legislators keep in touch with their constituents thus making lawmaking and governance easy for them.”
Sabi will also provide a comprehensive database of all legislators in the National Assembly and information on their activities on the floor of the House which will offer the citizens the opportunity to reach out to their legislators via phone and email.
Abayomi regretted that, since Nigeria began its democratic journey in 1999, the country is yet to fully reap the dividends of democracy which include improved governance including increased democratic legitimacy for institutions, greater social cohesion and improved quality of services, projects and programmes, a situation he attributed to poor citizen engagement.
In his remark about the goal of NG Voices as a community, Akinbo stated that the overall aim is to increase citizen engagement and political participation in Nigeria, so we have included on the platform all the vital information – election dates, voter registration dates, nearest voter’s registration unit, polling unit among others – the citizens may require to effectively participate in the electoral and governance matters.
Sabi is currently in Beta Testing mode and will be available for download to the public on June 1, 2021. When available, users will have the option of using Sabi in English or any Nigerian language of their choice.
Akinbo is optimistic that the newly developed app will not only improve citizen engagement, but also bring about increased dividends of democracy for all Nigerians.
He thanked the Ventures Platform, a leading source of capital, capacity building, support and advocacy for under-served entrepreneurs, communities and institutions, enabling them to enhance the creation of wealth and development in Africa, for its support towards the realization of the project.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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