E-Business
COVID-19: Konga to Support 10,000 Customers with N10m in #SoloSafe
Konga, Nigeria’s foremost e-commerce giant, has revealed that a minimum of 10,000 shoppers will benefit from its N10m fund set up to cushion the effects of the dreaded coronavirus (COVID-19).
Konga had disclosed that the N10m intervention package, set to be disbursed to customers through vouchers, will go towards offsetting some of the purchases made by customers during this period.
Furthermore, Konga is offering free shipping for purchases made during the period, even as it has assured its teeming customers of best prices for all categories of products and especially for essential items shopped on its platforms.
Equally important, customers can access the N10m fund simply by adding the code SOLOSAFE on their check-out pages when shopping online.
‘‘From now until Monday, April 6, customers can access the N10m fund we have set up to support them through this COVID-19 crisis. All you have to do is add the code – SOLOSAFE – when checking out and the value of your shopping cart is automatically deducted. At Konga, we believe that we must all row to keep the boat moving, hence the #SoloSafe which situates our position in these trying times” Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, co-CEO, Konga said
‘‘Basically, we understand the utmost importance of social distancing and staying at home as a means of keeping safe. But at the same time, we also understand the essence of standing together as a people. Indeed, our belief is that we will only be able to overcome COVID-19 by banding together, staying vigilant and showing up for each other.
‘‘Most importantly, we realize that our customers need us more than ever before. Therefore, as you practise social distancing and stay at home this period, be rest assured that Konga is there to bring your shopping needs to you delivered safe and contact-less through Kxpress, our logistics platform. Also, you can process your mobile and utilities payment seamlessly from the comfort of your homes through KongaPay, our CBN-licensed mobile money wallet,’’ he enthused.
Konga has received huge praise for its thoughtfulness and high-level emergency readiness, which came to the fore with the spread of the dreaded coronavirus outbreak to Nigeria. Prior to setting up the N10m palliative to support Nigerians, Konga had also put in place considerable structure in the face of the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Among these is the set-up of a COVID-19 response desk to handle enquiries and requests and the launch of multiple partnerships to assure lowest prices for customers on products across categories.
Also, weeks before the pandemic started spreading rapidly across Nigeria, Konga had internally activated a comprehensive preventive compliance system which drew widespread commendation.
Nigeria has been battling to contain the coronavirus scourge since an undisclosed Italian, who returned to the country on February 24 became the first confirmed case.
Although the Italian has made a full recovery and has now been discharged, Nigeria has however racked up more confirmed cases of the coronavirus thus far, further sparking fears of a major crisis.
Furthermore, there have been renewed calls for better personal hygiene and social distancing among the populace in a bid to curb the coronavirus menace.
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has called on the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to investigate what it described as an alleged unauthorised and fraudulent use of personal data of constituents in the failed recall attempt of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly.
The organisation expressed concern that voters’ personal information may have been illegally harvested and deployed without their consent to generate signatures for the recall petition.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Auwal Rafsanjani, chairman, TMG, observed that such an act amounts to a gross violation of the Data Protection Act, which he said, also undermines public trust in the country’s democratic process.
He called for a forensic verification of the Voter Identification Numbers (VINs) submitted in the recall process, using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
TMG’s position came a few days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dismissed the petition seeking to recall Natasha for failing to meet constitutional requirements.
The commission had revealed that following a thorough review of the signatures and thumbprints submitted by petitioners, only 208,132 signatories were verified, falling short of the required 237,278.
Rafsanjani, however, expressed concern on how more than 50 per cent of total registered voters in Kogi Central quickly turned up to sign the petition for the recall of Natasha in a country, he said, has historically experienced a worrisome level of voter apathy.
According to him, the incident calls for deeper insight that can only be brought about through thorough investigation.
“While it is noted that INEC has terminated the process at the stage of counting signatories to the petition as the number of signatories did not meet the constitutional requirements for further verification, the seeming fraud of harvesting voters’ details from anywhere to file the petition cannot be overlooked,” he said.
Rafsanjani added: “We are also deeply worried that against the provision of the Data Protection Act, personal data of citizens of Kogi Central Senatorial District have been harvested and used without their consent. This fraud must be investigated by the National Data Protection Commission to assure Nigerians that their personal data will indeed be protected as envisaged by the law.
“Further investigations to verify and authenticate the Voter Identification Number (VIN) through the BVAS must be carried out. Where investigations reveal a fraudulent process, the petitioners must be brought to justice to serve as deterrent to those who would be willing to be induced and used by politicians for this kind of charade in the future.”
But the NDPC, has, reiterated commitment to enhancing data privacy among public and private bodies in the country.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner and CEO, said the commission aims to enforce stricter data protection measures to safeguard sensitive public and private information, as well as promote regulatory compliance in line with relevant laws.
National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening data privacy practices across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
Speaking at a regional capacity-building workshop in Katsina for ICT personnel from the north-western states, Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner and chief executive officer of the NDPC, said the commission is stepping up enforcement of data protection regulations in line with national laws.
Olatunji, represented by Mr Princewill Nnaka, head of the Commission’s Enforcement Unit, noted that the NDPC is focused on raising awareness of data rights, improving staff training, and partnering with development agencies to boost capacity.
He said stronger data protection measures would help reduce incidents of cyberbullying, online financial fraud, and loss of lives due to breaches of privacy.
“Data protection is a global concern,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure Nigeria aligns with international standards in the safeguarding of personal data.”
Also speaking at the event, Naufal Ahmed, director general, Katsina State Directorate of ICT (KATDICT), said the training aimed to equip participants with the technical knowledge required to implement the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
He added that the initiative would also enable participants to serve as Master Trainers and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in their respective institutions.
The three-day programme drew 40 participants, including four officers each from Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, as well as 16 officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies in Katsina State.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria, has cautioned judicial officials to be vigilant against data breaches, cyber threats and vulnerabilities in online systems as the judiciary continues to adopt digital technology.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria,
Kekere-Ekun gave the caution while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Workshop on Information and Communication Technology, held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
The CJN represented by Salisu Garba, administrator, National Judicial Institute, emphasised that, as the judiciary handles cases, files, personal information, and classified government data, it remains a prime target for cyber attacks.
She underscored the need to safeguard the integrity of court records, warning that any breach could carry serious legal consequences and pose risks to national security.
She said, “Thus, a strong cybersecurity framework must be implemented to safeguard judicial data from unauthorised access, hacking, and corruption.”
The CJN emphasised the need for judicial ICT personnel to receive proper training in cybersecurity best practices, encryption methods, and secure data management.
She commended the National Judicial Council for its proactive efforts in modernising the judiciary, noting that the Judiciary Information Technology Policy stands out as a key initiative, offering a clear framework for the effective deployment and use of ICT in court operations.
In his welcome address, Olumoh Abdulazeez, Institute’s Secretary, emphasised that the annual workshop was aimed at equipping court personnel with the skills needed to keep pace with technological advancements.
“The effective integration of technology can greatly enhance access to justice and lower the barriers for litigants.’”
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