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As Stakeholders Await New Study on Health Impacts of Telecom Equipment

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Telecommunications operators in the country are having long running battle with the National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Enforcement Agency, (Nesrea) over what it terms environmental and health hazard of transmission base stations. The agency had decommissioned two based-stations belonging to MTN Telecommunication Company for non-compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act as well as its regulations on set-back of based-stations from residential areas.
The decommissioning operation, which was jointly led by the Mr. Timothy Okewo, director of administration and finance of Nesrea, and the legal adviser to the agency Barrister Bola Odugbesan, effected the shut-down of the based-station with emergency inscription placed on the two facilities.
The two stations are located at No 27, Asheik Jarma street, Jabi Abuja, and at 2, Oyo street Area 2 Garki all within the centre of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Okewo said the agency’s action was based on complaints of noise pollution, vibration of buildings, environmental degradation resulting from oil spill and effect of the radio-active waves by the residents of the area.
According to the provisions of environmental impact assessment Act, based stations are only allowed to be located 10metres away from the fence of any resident or 12meters away from the building in the case of an unfenced building.
Okeowo who lamented on the negative impact of oil-spillage from the based stations on the environment, regretted that previous complaints by Nesrea has not attracted any remarkable response from the communication firms.
"Most of the telecommunication companies are defaulters of the environmental laws which we are meant to protect" he said.
One wonders the basis of claims of health impact upon which Nesrea is decommissioning and closing down telecommunications operators’ base stations without following due process as recommended by law on such actions.
The agency recently sealed base stations belonging to three telecommunication operators in Ilorin, Kwara State again over non compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and audit report by the Federal Ministry of Environment. The telecommunication companies affected are MTN, Zain, and Starcomms.
The sealed base stations are located on Police Road, GRA, Ilorin, belonging to MTN, another on Kontagora Road, opposite Taqwa College, belonging to Zain and that of Starcomms behind Tanke LEA Primary School ,Tanke area of the state, were all sealed by the agency.
Nesrea on April 9, 2010 placed a public notice to all telecommunications agencies over its decision to start the sealing of facilities of the operators over their non-compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment requirement as entailed in the law.
Similar concerns have been expressed by some stakeholders on the impact of both the use of mobile phones and microwave equipment on health of people, although presently there is no scientific proof to these concerns.
Concerns have also been raised about the normal mobile phone, which has the antenna in the handset. In this case, the antenna is very close to the user’s head during normal use of the telephone and there is concern about the level of microwave emissions to which the brain is being exposed.

Telephones that have the antenna mounted elsewhere are of little concern, since exposure levels decrease rapidly with increasing distance from the antenna.
Reports have appeared in the media linking the use of mobile telephones with, among other things, headaches, hot spots in the brain and brain cancer.
Media reports have claimed that up to 70 percent of the microwave emissions from hand-held mobile telephones may be absorbed in the user’s head. This is not supported by the evidence, but nevertheless leads to speculation that hot spots may be created in the user’s brain, thereby raising concerns that the telephones may be a health risk. Other reports have indicated that mobile telephone users suffer localized headaches when they use their telephone. At this stage, it is difficult to evaluate the evidence supporting these reports, since they have not been published.
Against these backdrops that a new decades-long study has just been launched to investigate whether there is a link between the use of mobile phones and long-term health problems such as cancer.
The cohort study on mobile communications (COSMOS) forms part of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme. The international study will run for 20-30 years and will follow the health of at least 250,000 participants, aged 18-69 in five European countries.
There are currently over six billion mobile phone devices in use worldwide, with over 70 million in use in the UK, which has a population of 61 million people.
Studies of short term use of mobile phones and health have been reassuring, other than well known associations with risk of motor accidents. However, there are still some uncertainties about the health effects of mobile phone use, since some diseases take many years to develop and so far few people have been using mobile phones for that period of time.
Dr. Mireille Toledano, co-Principal Investigator of the study from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "For the benefit of current users and for future generations, it is important for us to carry out long-term health monitoring of a large group of mobile phone users so that we can identify if there are any possible health effects from this new and widespread technology that has become so central to our everyday lives."
Professor Paul Elliott, Principal Investigator of the study from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "Scientists have been looking at the effects of mobile phones on health for several years and so far, reviews of the research have been reassuring with respect to mobile phone use and health problems in the short term. However, as mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time, we haven’t been able to carry out long-term studies until now.
"COSMOS aims to fill in important gaps in our knowledge of mobile phones and health. By looking at large numbers of people across Europe over a long period of time, we should be able to build up a valuable picture of whether or not there is any link between mobile phone use and health problems over the long term," added Professor Elliott.
Through four major mobile phone operators, the COSMOS project team from Imperial College London is inviting 2.4 million mobile phone users in the UK to take part in the study.

Participants who agree to take part in the study will complete an on-line questionnaire about their mobile phone use, health and lifestyle. The researchers will monitor participants’ mobile phone use and any health problems they might develop, e.g., cancers and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, for at least the next 20 years. They will also analyse whether any changes in the frequency of symptoms, such as headaches and sleep disorders, are related to mobile phone usage.
"Over the past decade, mobile phones have become a normal part of everyday life for the majority of people in Britain. The COSMOS study is the largest research study worldwide investigating mobile phone use and health and is a very important step towards finding out whether there are health implications of using a mobile phone over a long period of time," said Dr Toledano.
Professor Lawrie Challis from the MTHR Programme Management Committee said "We still cannot rule out the possibility that mobile phone use causes cancer. The balance of present evidence does not suggest it does but we need to be sure. The best way of doing this is through a large cohort study such as COSMOS and I am very pleased that the UK is to play an important part in this international endeavour."
The study follows on from successful pilot studies carried out between 2004 and 2008 during the first phase of the MTHR Programme.
Microwaves are but one type of electromagnetic field. One of the ways that these fields are described is by specifying their frequency. The range of frequencies that is useful for telecommunications include microwaves.
Some public concern about mobile telephones is erroneously based on media attention to the possibility of adverse effects from exposure to power-line electromagnetic fields, which have a much lower frequency than the microwaves emitted by mobile telephones. The physical properties and biological effects of these fields are very different from microwaves and it is meaningless to extrapolate the results of those studies to the subject of this Information Bulletin.
Some research has indicated that non-thermal effects resulting from low-level microwave exposure may also occur. However, the existence of these effects and their implications has not been sufficiently established to allow for them in the standard.
The World Health organization (WHO) states that "current scientific evidence that exposure to RF fields, such as those emitted by mobile phones and their base stations, is unlikely to induce or promote cancers".


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MTN Nigeria Rewards 1,500+ Winners with ₦290m in Mega Billion Promo

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L-R: Deji Roberts, Assistant Director, Nigerian Communications Commission, Lagos Zonal Office; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer, MTN Nigeria; Femi Yusuf, 10 Million MTN Mega Billion Promo Jackpot Winner; Efe Kwado, MTN Mega Billion Promo Winner; Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria and Samuel Rowland, Chief Operations Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority at the MTN Mega Billion Promo Media Parley held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the MTN Rooftop Events Centre Plaza, Ikoyi.
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Telecoms giant, MTN Nigeria, has announced the disbursement of over ₦290 million to more than 1,500 winners in its ongoing Mega Billion Promo.

L-R: Deji Roberts, Assistant Director, Nigerian Communications Commission, Lagos Zonal Office; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer, MTN Nigeria; Femi Yusuf, 10 Million MTN Mega Billion Promo Jackpot Winner; Efe Kwado, MTN Mega Billion Promo Winner; Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria and Samuel Rowland, Chief Operations Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority at the MTN Mega Billion Promo Media Parley held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the MTN Rooftop Events Centre Plaza, Ikoyi.

The update was shared during a live event held on July 19 at the company’s Rooftop Events Centre in Lagos. Representatives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, MTN executives, journalists and selected promo winners were in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, stated that the initiative was launched to support loyal customers during difficult times. “In the last couple of years, it’s been a tough time for the average Nigerian. This promo is one of our ways of making life better for our customers,” she said.

Ikenna-Emeka revealed that the promo has produced over 1,500 winners, including three jackpot winners, 20 winners of ₦5 million each, and more than 100 winners of ₦100,000. She added that the company remains committed to rewarding customers transparently.

One of the jackpot winners, Femi Yusuf, who won ₦10 million, shared his excitement. “I thought it was one of those promos where nothing comes out of it. My wife was the one who spotted my number during the live draw,” he said. When asked about the delivery of his prize, he replied, “Fast and fast. MTN, no scam.”

The event also featured live calls to new winners, including a woman identified as Motunrayo, who won ₦2 million. She expressed joy over the unexpected win, saying, “I’m so grateful. Thanks so much.”

Debo Agun, Senior Manager, Consumer Segment (Mass Market), explained the mechanics of the promo. He said participation is free and open to MTN subscribers who dial *900# to opt in. Airtime purchases serve as entries—₦100 worth of airtime equals one entry, and customers can win multiple times.

Agun stated that 63 winners are selected daily from Monday to Friday, while Saturdays feature 104 winners, including a ₦10 million jackpot. Other prizes range from ₦25,000 to ₦2 million and are paid into customers’ MoMo wallets. Those without wallets can create one by dialing *671#.

Promo draws are conducted and streamed live on MTN’s Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook channels. Independent partners oversee the process to maintain credibility and fairness.

The promo began on June 23 and runs for 90 days.


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MENXTT Tech NG Debuts USA-Spec Devices and Redefines IT Retail in Nigeria

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MENXTT Technology NG has introduced a fresh lineup of USA-specification smartphones alongside its existing range of laptops, accessories, and software tools in a major move to redefine tech quality and customer satisfaction in Nigeria.

The firm, which operates as a fully online IT service provider, is focused on bridging the gap between businesses and customers by offering seamless tech procurement, deployment, and after-sales support.

According to Anthony Emeka Nwosu, Director of Communication and Customer Retention, the company is committed to restoring consumer trust in tech purchases through guaranteed quality, extended warranties, and structured support.

Nwosu stated that the decision to supply USA-grade devices was borne out of frustration with substandard options in the market and zero accountability.

He said MENXTT was built to be responsive, dependable, and quality-driven, assuring customers that they would not be left alone after purchase.

With services covering laptops, accessories, website development, software deployment, and IT support, MENXTT promises to take technology directly to the client with less stress.

The company, located at 8a Oje Imeviani Street, Julie Estate, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, is also noted for its tech-enabled structure that allows users to access solutions from anywhere in Nigeria through its online platform.

Customers can reach MENXTT Technology NG via email: info@menxtt.com.ng or website: menxtt.ng.


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MTN, MTV Base Launch “Room of Safety” Series to Promote Online Child Safety

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Telecoms giant MTN Group has partnered with MTV Base to launch the Room of Safety campaign, a youth-led movement aimed at raising awareness on internet safety and digital wellbeing for children and young people across Africa.

The initiative, a major part of MTN’s Help Children Be Children campaign, seeks to address growing concerns around cyberbullying, grooming, misinformation, and other forms of online harm. Through this collaboration, MTN will leverage MTV Base’s extensive reach across youth audiences to drive impactful change.

Central to the campaign is the premiere of a 10-part short-form docu-series titled Room of Safety, which kicks off on July 20, 2025, at 16:00 on MTV Base (DStv channel 322). Episodes will also stream on MTV Base South’s digital platforms including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Each episode will feature real-life stories, expert interviews, and practical resources to help young viewers identify digital threats and take proactive steps. The series also encourages youth to speak up about negative experiences online and shows them how to report abuse.

A statement from MTN Group emphasized the importance of equipping young Africans with the knowledge and confidence to navigate digital spaces safely, adding that the campaign aims to normalize conversations around digital ethics and mental health within families, schools and peer groups.

The launch is backed by social media engagement and outreach activities targeted at schools, creators, and community organizations across multiple African countries.


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