Broadcasting
Airtel Sponsors Desperate Housewives Africa
In line with its commitment to support platforms aimed at uplifting the media and entertainment industry, leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, in partnership with Ebony Life TV, is set to bring a new TV drama series, Desperate Housewives Africa, to the screens of millions of Nigerians.
The TV series, which is an African adaptation of the multiple award-winning American television drama series, Desperate Housewives, started airing on April 30th.
Speaking at an exclusive premiere of the TV series, held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer and managing director of Airtel Nigeria, pointed out that the sponsorship of the drama series, is a reflection of the company’s passion for delighting and creating exciting platforms to entertain Nigerians.
He said, “At Airtel we are passionate about putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians and this is one of the ways we achieve this goal”.
“With the myriad of challenges we face daily as individuals, there is the need to embrace the kind of relief which entertainment can provide. Entertainment not only keeps us relaxed, it brightens our disposition and consequently, helps to surmount some of these challenges” he maintained.
Ogunsanya noted that the Telco’s commitment to enriching lives and the need to also project our heritage as the driving force behind the support of the African adaption of the popular foreign TV drama.
According to him, “Desperate Housewives Africa is a show that has a global appeal with an Africa flavor. We are delighted to be a part of this epoch-making team that has adapted this popular TV series to suit our continent. It also reinforces our commitment to creating real value for all our stakeholders in line with our key objective of enriching lives and empowering people”.
He further assured that Airtel will continue to throw its full weight behind initiatives that will empower more Nigerians and also create platforms to uplift the media and entertainment industry
Desperate housewives tells the story of an outwardly successful neighbor Rume Bello, who succumbs to death, and shows how her friends continue to deal with their everyday lives, as seen through herview.
A joint production of Disney and EbonyLife TV, the series starsMichelle Dede,Nina Wacera, Kehinde Bankole, Marcy Dolapo-Oni, Linda Osifo and OmotuBissong.
It will also parade stars likeFemi Branch, Joseph Benjamin, Jason Nwoga, Nonso Odogwu, OzzyAgu, and Benjamin Lugo Touitou
The original Desperate Housewives produced in the United States won both the 2005 and 2006 Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy; and has had five different adaptions since then.
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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