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Airtel Ink Partnership with UNICEF to Boost U-Report

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United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with Airtel Nigeria to further expand telecommunication services to boost U-Report, UNICEF’s unique social media platform that empowers young people and communities with information to transform their communities and drive positive change on a wide range of issues affecting them.

Airtel Ink Partnership with UNICEF to Boost U-Report

Speaking at the signing of agreement between UNICEF and Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, said, “Airtel is pleased and excited to be a part of the history and story of U-Report and we commend UNICEF for blazing the trail in empowering young people and giving a voice to the voiceless. We believe this partnership with UNICEF will provide more Nigerians with a voice and also promote a more inclusive society, a cause we are passionate about.”

Ogunsanya said U-Report introduced a second platform in Nigeria, U-Report 24×7, almost a year ago, dedicated to serving the needs of affected populations in the north-east states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

He said it has become a trusted channel for sharing lifesaving information on essential household practices to adopt by communities during emergencies, such as disease outbreaks, adding that it is a platform for increased stakeholder engagement and community empowerment.

“Airtel Nigeria is also passionate about empowering people and providing them an opportunity to rediscover themselves and to become successful in their personal and professional endeavours. We are confident that U-report will continue to deliver value in the remotest locations as we explore more innovative and sustainable ways of helping the underprivileged and also promoting corporate philanthropy,” he added.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, said, “Partnerships are essential as we continue to support communities to become active participants in finding solutions to issues that affect them. We are delighted that Airtel Nigeria shares this vision.”

It would be recalled that the first U-Report poll in Nigeria was sent in April 2014, and since then over nine hundred polls have been shared on the platform in English and the major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin, making the platform inclusive. Political office holders also use the U-Report platform to connect with their constituencies to find out their service delivery needs and areas for improvement.

U-Report uses simple short message service (SMS) and social media to reach more than three million responders across all states in Nigeria on critical issues such as access to education, skills development and employability, water and sanitation, health, violence against children, safety and security, and the needs of internally displaced persons.

It relies on volunteers from the community, mostly young people serving as U-Reporters, to provide information through polls. Results generated from U-Report polls are shared with the office of the Vice President of Nigeria and other relevant agencies for necessary action.

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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QNET Named ‘Direct Selling Company of the Year’ at AfriTECH 4.0 Awards

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QNET, a leading global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been honored with the prestigious “Direct Selling Company of the Year” award at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards.

This recognition underscores QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa.

The award was presented to QNET by Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards. Onwuegbuchi commended QNET for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth across the continent.

He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation.

Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

He emphasized QNET’s dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Africa.

Fall highlighted the company’s impact on the Nigerian economy, particularly through its advanced technology and robust e-commerce platform.

“QNET’s participation in this event further solidified its position as a key player in the region’s digital transformation journey.

“We are committed to staying in Nigeria, our biggest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to the region’s development,” Fall stated.

During his keynote speech, Fall underscored QNET’s commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and skill development.

He highlighted the FinGreen financial literacy program, which has already trained over 1,350 young people in Nigeria to make informed financial decisions.

Fall also emphasized the potential of direct selling to drive economic growth in Africa. “Our e-commerce-driven direct-selling model provides opportunities for income generation across more than 100 countries, helping individuals pursue their goals while contributing to community growth,” he explained.

Addressing the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and cash dependency in Africa, Fall stressed the importance of financial inclusion for e-commerce growth.

He called for collaboration to accelerate financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in Africa, fostering a financially inclusive future for the continent.


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Martin Ekpeke Honored with Digital Reporting Excellence Award @ATAEx

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Martin Ekpeke, Managing Editor of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards.

The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape.

“We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award.

“His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation.

Ekpeke expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive this award.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ITPulse team.

“We are committed to delivering high-quality, informative content that empowers our readers to navigate the complex digital world.”

The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and institutions driving digital transformation in Africa.

This year’s event brought together tech enthusiasts, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.


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NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.

He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.

Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.

The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.

She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.

The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.

Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.

The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.


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