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Dearth of Digital Skills Among Communication Graduates Worries Experts

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Communication scholars and media industry experts have called for change in the mass communication curriculum to adequately equip communication graduates with knowledge and skills critical for functioning in the contemporary media workspace and for driving national development.

The call was made at the inauguration of executives and lecture of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) Enugu State Chapter, with the topic, “Marketing Communication in the Digital Media Age: Need to Review, Reload and Rejig our Educational Curriculum for National Development,” according to a press release signed by Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka, Secretary, ACSPN Enugu State Chapter.

Professor Stella Okunna, Member, ACSPN Board of Trustees and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul University, Awka, chaired the inauguration.

She expressed joy and satisfaction with the activities of the Chapter since it joined the national ACSPN train, and charged members to remain focused on implementing the vision and mission of the association.

Delivering the lecture, Mr. Ike Ezugwu, a veteran advertising practitioner and Managing Director, Hillheights Media Solutions Limited, stressed that the business of advertising and public relations is rapidly migrating from the industrial to digital media platforms, as target audiences are now netizens that rarely patronize hardcopy publications.

“This has necessitated the acquisition of digital media skills, requiring an immediate review of the educational curriculum and proper funding of communication education, to ensure that skills of mass communication graduates are honed along this line,” he said.

Mr. Uche Anichukwu, senior special assistant, Media Relations to Enugu State Governor and a guest at the event, acknowledged the paucity in education funding in Nigeria, stating that it justifies Enugu State’s decision to spend 30% of the 2024 budget on education.

According to him, “Governor Peter Mbah should be commended for this bold unprecedented initiative. It demonstrates government’s intent to equip schools, improve the teaching and learning environment and enable the training and retraining of teachers to impart the right knowledge and skills on students, including that of our communication students.”

In his remark, Mr. Okey Odogwu, Managing Director, Dream 92.5 FM, Enugu, noted that the broadcasting sector was facing a crisis due to the rise of digital journalism, which has resulted in the massive layoff of staff in the industry.

In his words:“We are struggling in the broadcast media and no longer make money. We no longer get jingles because of the bad economy. Firms are also struggling and now placing their advertisements mainly on social media.”

Other guests who spoke at the programme were, Dr. Hilary Ozoh, Communication Specialist at UNICEF, who commended the association and urged it to fulfill its mandate of maintaining a synergy between communication scholarship and practice, and Dr. Reuben Onyishi, Senior Special Assistant, New Media to Enugu State Governor, who observed that digital media journalism had been populated by charlatans, and advised practitioners to take their communication skills seriously and maintain ethical standards when deploying digital media tools for content creation.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration, oath taking and pledge of allegiance of the newly elected eight-member strong executives, administered by Barr. Chizoba Agbo, Public Relations Officer, African Women Lawyers Association, Enugu State.

The newly inaugurated executives who will drive the growth of the Chapter in its embryonic years are: Professor Linus Ogbuoshi – Chairman, Dr. Ferdinand Obasi – Vice Chairman, Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka – Secretary, Dr. Helen Nwachukwu – Assistant Secretary, Dr. Samuel Ezema – Treasurer, Dr. Elijah Efetebor – Financial Secretary, Barr. Casey Aniugbo – PRO and Mrs. Adaeze Akubuilo – Welfare Officer.

Professor Ogbuoshi, in his speech promised to work with his team and members of the chapter, and partner with the State Government and UNICEF to design and implement programmes that would bridge existing communication gaps critical in driving national development.

Several communication scholars and practitioners attended the inauguration.

Among whom were, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odugwu, Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists, Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Magnus Eze, Southeast Bureau Chief, Sun Newspaper, Mrs. Maureen Atuonwu, Southeast Zonal Director, News Agency of Nigeria and erstwhile Chairperson Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, Enugu, and Mr. Jude Ossai, of the Daily News Nigeria.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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TD Africa Empowers Nigerians with Sustainable Energy Solutions

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TD Africa, a leading technology distribution company in Africa, has unveiled its Green Hero Initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to tackle Nigeria’s persistent energy challenges and promote the adoption of sustainable energy solutions.

This initiative underscores TD Africa’s commitment to advancing cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives for Nigerian households and businesses.

As the cost of fossil fuels continues to rise, the urgency for a shift to renewable energy has never been more apparent. Recognizing this need, TD Africa has partnered with global industry leaders Huawei and EcoFlow to introduce innovative renewable energy solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of Nigerian consumers.

“The Green Hero Initiative is more than just a product launch; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future,” said Chidiebere Nwabuko, Business Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions at TD Africa. “We’re empowering Nigerians to take control of their energy needs, reduce their carbon footprint, and enjoy the benefits of reliable, clean power.

“By partnering with global leaders like Huawei and EcoFlow, we’re bringing cutting-edge technology to the market that is not only affordable but also tailored to the specific needs of our customers and Nigerians across the country.”

Through the Green Hero Initiative, TD Africa is offering a variety of renewable energy solutions that cater to diverse energy needs. These solutions include the powerful Huawei ISite Power M, ideal for powering homes and small businesses, and Huawei ISite Power S, designed for commercial and industrial applications.

Additionally, EcoFlow’s portable power stations are made up of the River series and Delta series that attend to the needs of low and mid-range Nigerians and provide a convenient and clean energy source for residential homes, small and medium businesses and outdoor activities or backup power.

By promoting the adoption of renewable energy, TD Africa is committed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Nigeria. The company’s Green Hero Initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

To ensure accessibility, TD Africa has made these solutions available through various online platforms. Consumers can conveniently shop for these products at justownitapp.com or KongaPlus via konga.com. Authorized partners of TD Africa can also access the range of offerings through the TD SuperApp at superapp.tdafrica.com.

 


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Call, Data Tariffs Will Increase – Nigerian Minister, Tijani Declares

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Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecom tariffs in Nigeria will soon increase, but not by the 100 percent proposed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Following a stakeholders’ meeting with the MNOs in Abuja on Wednesday, Tijani confirmed that consultations and engagements are ongoing, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will soon approve and announce the new tariffs to the public.

“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies to increase tariffs. They are requesting for 100 percent tariff increase. But it will not be by 100 percent; the NCC will soon come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it. We want to strike the balance as a government, to protect our people, but also protect and ensure that these companies can continue to invest significantly,” Tijani said.

He emphasized the importance of regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure its growth and sustainability. Tijani also stated that the Federal Government would no longer leave infrastructure investments solely to private companies, as they tend to invest only where they can see short- to medium-term returns.

“We will not want this conversation to just be about tariff increase. What the world is talking about today is meaningful connectivity, people want to have access to quality service. A part of it that the consumers may not be aware of is the investment that needs to go into the infrastructure that is used to deliver these services,” he added.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, explained that the stakeholder meeting was focused on ensuring the sustainability of the industry. He confirmed that a 100 percent tariff increase was unlikely and that ongoing discussions would determine the final percentage, with an official announcement expected within a week or two.

“I know that Nigerians are agitated to hear the exact percentage approved. There is still some stakeholder engagements that we are going through, but you will hear from us within a week or two,” Maida said.

He also mentioned that the NCC had implemented several tools and instruments to ensure compliance with service quality standards and urged MNOs to adopt simpler pricing models to help consumers better understand charges.

“We are moving away from the regime where you will have a main rate, then you will now have a bonus which is at a different rate. It makes it often complicated and difficult for Nigerians to actually understand what they are being charged for. There is this agitation that the MNOs are stealing our data,” he added.

The CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, represented by Airtel’s media spokesperson Femi Adeniran, defended the proposed tariff adjustments, citing rising operational and capital costs.

“The economic realities of rising operational and capital costs necessitated the proposed tariff adjustments. This is aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector while unlocking significant benefits for Nigerian consumers,” Balsingh stated.

 


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Banigbe, 9Mobile CEO Emphasizes the Need for Significant Investment in Infrastructure to Ensure Quality of Service

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Obafemi Banigbe, 9mobile CEO, has added his voice to the ongoing discussion on the proposed tariff hike, highlighting the telecom industry’s critical role in Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said “The telecom industry is a critical enabler of economic growth, but we are facing unprecedented challenges. We must find a balance between affordability and sustainability to ensure the industry remains viable and continues to provide quality services to Nigerians. The current situation has not achieved that balance, which is why we are having this conversation about sustainability,”

According to him, the industry is facing significant challenges, including macroeconomic headwinds, rising operational costs, and declining profitability. He emphasized that these challenges threaten the industry’s sustainability and ability to invest in infrastructure and quality of service.

“As you can imagine, both our capital and operational costs have risen dramatically, mainly because many of these costs are denominated in foreign currency or indexed to it, while our revenues are in local currency.

For instance, the Naira, which was previously around 400 to 450, has now officially surpassed 1,500—representing a nearly 350% increase in just the past two years.

This foreign exchange devaluation has caused our costs to surge. Even though the industry is seeing growth in top-line revenue, the increase in local currency revenue has not kept pace with the rising cost base,” he explained.

Banigbe’s comments come as the telecom industry continues to navigate the complexities of the proposed tariff hike. While some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on consumers, others have argued that the hike is necessary to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability. The telco chief said that if the sector does not remain viable, customers will not receive the services they expect.

Drawing from 9mobile’s experience, he pointed out that a lack of investment in recent years has led to a decline in service quality, causing customers to switch to competitors that offer better quality.

He stressed that this situation poses a significant threat to the industry’s sustainability.

“What we are saying is that every business must generate enough revenue to cover its costs and allow for reinvestment into the business. If we fail to generate sufficient revenue, we will have no choice but to borrow, either from shareholders or the capital market.

“Over the past two years, this is what many of us have been forced to do. However, this is not sustainable in the long term, as it will eventually become impossible to continue borrowing without a clear plan for repayment.”


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