News
Airtel Donates Borehole to Adopted School in Cross River
Airtel Nigeria, leading telecommunications service provider, has again demonstrated its commitment to primary educational development and the upliftment of underprivileged children as it donates a borehole and other materials for learning to one of its adopted school, Presbyterian Primary School 2, Ediba, Abi Local Government Area, Cross Rivers State.
The donation comes barely six months after the telecom operator donated ultra-modern block of classrooms to the adopted school as part of its CSR initiative tagged ‘Adopt-a-School.’
In addition to the borehole which will provide safe and clean drinking water for teachers and pupils of the school, Airtel Nigeria also provided educational materials including exercise books, note books, school bags and uniforms to pupils of the Presbyterian Primary School 2.
Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer, and managing director of Airtel Nigeria, who was represented by Onyekwucha Ikezu, the company’s Zonal Business Manager, South East Region presented the borehole and educational materials to the staff and pupils of the school in the presence of -Mrs Anna Odey, permanent secretary for Education who represented the Commissioner of Education, Professor Effiong E. Effiong, senior officials from the Ministry of Education and the traditional ruler of Ediba HRH, Ovai George Egbe, Ovai Osai 1 of Ediba .
It would be recalled that Airtel Nigeria in July last year donated an ultra-modern block of classrooms to the adopted school. The transformation of the school by Airtel Nigeria was a development that brought joy to the pupils and teachers of Presbyterian Primary School.
Speaking on Airtel’s commitment to primary educational development, the representative of the company’s Chief Executive Officer emphasized Airtel’s commitment to its strategic partnerships with governments and organizations to uplift the standard of primary education in the country.
He said, “We are delighted to partner with the government and people of Cross River State in their quest to chart a new course for the development of education. Without a doubt, quality education offers children the best opportunity in life to realise their dreams and become the leaders of tomorrow.
“A great environment is also critical to the development of a sound mind. It is, therefore, in recognition of the importance of education and as part our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative that we have committed to the adoption of public primary schools across Nigeria,” he said.
Odey, permanent secretary for Education, in her response on behalf of the Cross Rivers’s State Government expressed great appreciation for the support the state has been receiving from Airtel Nigeria and urged other corporate organisations to take a cue from the company and join in the development of their operating environment.
The Head Teacher of the school, whose address was read by Master Flavour Johnson-a primary four pupil, stated with nostalgia how Airtel has made the school the first of its kind in Abi local Government with modern facilities creating a serene environment which has stimulated effective learning. She further informed the audience that one of the pupils came second position in the 2012 read and write competition across the state.
Mr Onyekwucha Ikezu on behalf of the Management and Staff of Airtel Nigeria further buttressed the company’s commitment to making the dreams and aspirations of young talents “COME ALIVE”, awarded a N100,000.00 scholarship from the Staff Philanthropic initiative of the company.
The Adopt-a-School initiative of Airtel Nigeria is parts of its contribution to development of education in Nigeria and assisting the less privileged schools across Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has appointed Professor Adesola Aderounmu, renowned computer scientist and technology advocate, as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics).
Professor Adesola Aderounmu
The decision, made by the university’s Senate, marks a strategic step towards aligning OAU’s academic vision with technological innovation and global best practices.
A distinguished scholar and leader in Computer Science and Engineering, Professor Aderounmu brings decades of experience to this pivotal role.
He has served as the Centre Lead for the African Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering and the Obafemi Awolowo University Knowledge Park (OAK-Park), where he has driven initiatives that advance technological innovation and academic excellence.
His leadership journey includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Head of the Department of Computer Science, as well as President of the Nigeria Computer Society from 2015 to 2019. Under his stewardship, the Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT (OAK-Park) was established and has flourished, positioning OAU as a hub for digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
“This is an opportunity to shape the future of education at OAU,” Professor Aderounmu stated. “I am committed to fostering an environment where ideas thrive.”
Professor Aderounmu’s appointment as DVC Academics carries significant implications for the information technology profession and industry in Nigeria and Africa.
His leadership is expected to further bridge the gap between academia and industry, aligning curriculum with emerging technological trends, and fostering research that directly addresses the needs of Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
His commitment to developing high-level ICT talent will contribute to strengthening the nation’s capacity in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and digital entrepreneurship.
As Nigeria and Africa continue to embrace digital transformation, this appointment signals a continued push for collaboration between universities and the technology industry, ensuring that graduates are equipped with globally relevant skills while advancing innovative research that supports the tech ecosystem.
This appointment recognises Professor Aderounmu’s unwavering commitment to research, excellence in education, and visionary leadership, and marks a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing mission to deliver impactful education and innovation for national and continental development.
In a heartwarming demonstration of corporate social responsibility and community impact, IviTrybe Hearts, a key initiative driven by members of IviTrybe – a vibrant group of budding marketing communications specialists – visited the Little Saints Orphanage, Akowonjo branch.
The visit, part of IviTrybe’s ongoing commitment to societal betterment, was significantly supported by Pladis Foods Nigeria, which generously donated gift items and products.
IviTrybe is a social responsibility initiative of IVI PR, a dynamic public relations agency dedicated to not only elevating brands but also fostering positive societal impact. This initiative provides focused practical training covering brand strategy and public relations, directly addressing the critical issue of insufficiently skilled manpower within Nigeria’s Public Relations industry. Through the #IviTrybeHearts program, the group channels its growing expertise into meaningful community engagement.
During the visit, the IviTrybe Hearts team dedicated the day to creating a memorable and impactful experience for the children. Activities included extensive bonding and interaction sessions, where members engaged in games and companionship, fostering an atmosphere of joy and connection. Essential items were donated to support the orphanage’s daily needs, and motivational talks were delivered, inspiring the children with words of encouragement and hope for their futures.
Busari Toheeb Dolapo, IviTrybe Coordinator and spokesperson for the project, underscored the essence of the visit, stating, “For whom much is given, much is expected. We have been empowered through knowledge and mentorship at IVI PR, and it’s only right that we channel that privilege into making a difference. The smiles on the children’s faces today reminded us why giving back is non-negotiable.”
The management of Little Saints Orphanage expressed profound gratitude for the support and the tangible impact of the donations, emphasising how such gestures significantly improve the lives and spirits of the children under their care.
Through impactful initiatives like IviTrybe Hearts, IviTrybe continues to exemplify how youth-led action, empowered by practical training and a strong sense of responsibility, can effectively shape communities and enrich lives for the better.
Cybercrime has emerged as a dominant security concern across Africa, with more than 30 percent of all reported crimes in Western and Eastern regions linked to cyber activity, according to the newly released 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report by INTERPOL.
The report, based on data from African member states and private sector partners, reveals that two-thirds of surveyed countries describe cybercrime as constituting a medium to high share of total criminal cases.
This highlights how cyber-enabled criminal activity is evolving rapidly across the continent. The report identified alarming spikes in scam attempts, with some countries witnessing a 3,000 percent increase in suspected scam notifications in the past year.
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cyber Crime Director, warned that the threat landscape is evolving faster than enforcement responses.
“This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyber Threat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation, informed by operational intelligence, extensive law enforcement engagement, and strategic private-sector collaboration.
“It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone,” Jetton stated.
In the past year, suspected scam notifications rose by up to 3,000 per cent in some African countries, according to data from Kaspersky, one of several private sector partners that work with INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate
Online scams, particularly through phishing, are the most frequently reported cybercrimes across the continent. Ransomware attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC) incidents are also increasing, particularly in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
“Ransomware detections in Africa also rose in 2024, with South Africa and Egypt suffering the highest number, at 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively, according to data from Trend Micro, followed by other highly digitised economies such as Nigeria (3,459) and Kenya (3,030),” it stated.
Incidents included attacks on critical infrastructure, such as a breach at Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and on government databases, such as hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the report stated.
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