Connect with us

Broadcasting

Heineken Announces UCL Challenge With Nancy Isime, Uti & VJ Adams 

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In a bid to maintain its momentum with the ‘Never Watching Alone’ campaign, the world’s most international beer, Heineken, has announced the ‘Heineken UEFA Champions League Challenge’ hosted by celebrities, Nancy Isime, Uti Nwachukwu, and VJ Adams.

The recently announced social media challenge joins the line-up of numerous engagement activities anchored by the brand – from the unveiling of the aforementioned celebrities to the launch of the UEFA Champions League-themed sleek can during the quarter-final.

According to Sandra Amachree, Senior Media & Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, the activity reiterates the brand’s commitment to ensuring football fans and consumers enjoy more connective moments at every stage of the UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Heineken Challenge drums home the theme of football being a connective passion point for football fans in Nigeria and comes at a period in which the very communal nature of the sport has been tested and proven to be iron-clad, as evidenced in the recent unified global stance against tampering with the fan-driven nature of the sport.

Through the Heineken Challenge, fans and consumers will be able to tune in to the individual platforms of the aforementioned celebrities to discuss the upcoming semi-final games, engage in a trivia challenge and get rewarded accordingly.

According to the Portfolio Manager, Premium, Sessionable & 0.0 Portfolio, Nigerian Breweries, Sampson Oloche, these activities further reiterate Heineken’s commitment to ensuring the elevation of fan experiences of the prestigious UEFA Champions League, especially at intense stages of the competition such as the semi-final.

“Now, more than ever, we need to ramp up the experiences of our fans and consumers as they enjoy the best of football,” he said. “The activities planned for the next stages of the competition and campaign fill us with excitement as they perfectly capture the connective theme of the Never Watching Alone campaign.” he continued.

Popular media personality and campaign influencer, Uti Nwachukwu has asked fans to anticipate the upcoming activities from him and his partners. “Being at the forefront of these exciting football activities has been a breath of fresh air and the Heineken UCL Challenge allows me to do that once more. My fans and followers can expect an enjoyable and hugely rewarding time and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Slated to start from April 27, the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League will see Chelsea face off against Real Madrid; while Manchester City set up a thrilling encounter with Ligue Un Champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

Heineken is a global beer brand first brewed in Amsterdam, with a presence in over 192 countries. It is the official long-standing sponsor of the UEFA Champions League for over 27 years which has seen the international premium brand become one of the most recognisable brands in European football.


Kindly share this post

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

Broadcasting

Celebrating a Visionary Leader Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR at 65

Published

on

Kindly share this post

By Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA)

Today, we celebrate a leader whose unwavering commitment to “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” is turning bold ideas into real impact for Ndi Anambra.

As someone privileged to lead the Anambra State ICT Agency, driving e-governance initiatives, and now the Geeks & Founders Alliance for Soludo (GEFAS), a coalition of tech professionals, founders, and enthusiasts advancing technology and championing the re-election of Governor Soludo, I see first-hand how Mr. Governor’s vision keeps challenging us to push boundaries: from digitizing government operations to expanding free Solution WiFi, deploying smart solutions, and driving public-private partnerships that create jobs and make Anambra truly work for the people.

Today, under his visionary leadership, the combination of solid physical infrastructure, livable cities, and a growing digital backbone is fast positioning Anambra as an attractive hub for talent, investment, and innovation- a destination and not a departure lounge

Leadership is not about lofty speeches but clear action, and Governor Soludo has shown us that bold decisions, like removing Right of Way charges to drive connectivity, can transform an entire ecosystem.

As we mark his birthday, we rededicate ourselves to this vision: a smarter, more connected, and prosperous Anambra that works for all.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Governor, Oluatuegwu!

Here’s to more impact, more solutions, and a future that keeps rising.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

Court Upholds AVRS Legal Rights to Licence Audiovisual Works in Hotels

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has upheld the statutory right of the Audiovisual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) to licence hotels and other business establishments for the public use of audiovisual works (movies and films) transmitted within their premises via Pay-TV subscriptions.

Court Upholds AVRS Legal Rights to Licence Audiovisual Works in Hotels

This is a landmark judgment that reaffirms the rights of Nigerian copyright holders and strengthens the creative ecosystem.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who gave the judgment, dismissed the case filed by Reiz Continental Hotel Limited against AVRS, where the hotel sought a declaration that it could not be compelled to pay copyright fees for audiovisual content (movies and films) accessed through subscription-based broadcasting.

In the ruling delivered on Thursday, July 24, the court held that AVRS, by virtue of its status as assignees of copyright in several audiovisual works, and approved collective management organisation (CMO) pursuant to Section 88 of the Copyright Act 2022, had demonstrated the legal basis of its licencing activities, and was entitled to issue copyright licences to users of audiovisual works belonging to it, including the Plaintiff (Reiz Continental Hotel Limited). Abuja Formula 1 Grand Prix ticketsNigerian cuisine recipes

The court rejected the claims of Reiz Continental Hotel that it was merely a recipient of broadcasts from a pay subscription television service, and therefore not liable to any licence from AVRS.

It held that the activities of Reiz Continental Hotel, operating a hospitality business, which is profit-driven, and possessing several television sets, which transmit audiovisual content, were carried out in contravention of sections 11(b), (c) and (f) of the Copyright Act in respect of the rights held by AVRS.

The court also held that the acts of transmission of audiovisual works by Reiz Continental Hotel, since done in the context of business, were in contravention of section 36(1)(a) and (g) of the Copyright Act, unless licensed by AVRS.

According to the court, the provision of section 36(1)(g) of the Copyright Act, 2022, renders a person liable for infringement of copyright for performing or causing to be performed for the purposes of trade or business or the promotion of a trade or business, any work in which copyright subsists.

The court further held that participation in a collective licencing agreement by the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), of which Reiz is a member, was binding on Reiz and stopped it from denying the validity of the agreement with AVRS.

Speaking on the judgment, Mike O. Akpan, legal counsel to AVRS and principal partner, Alpha-Edge Legal, said that the judgment is not only a legal victory for AVRS and its members, but also a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding copyright law and protecting creative enterprise. Nigerian cuisine recipes

He added that it establishes a strong precedent for copyright enforcement across the hospitality sector and other commercial users of protected content.

Reacting to the landmark judgment, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, chairman of AVRS, said: “This judgment is a profound moment for members of AVRS. It affirms the legitimacy of our collective licencing structure and ensures that copyright owners in the film and movie sector are rightfully protected under the law.

“AVRS has always approached licencing with openness, fairness, and a readiness to dialogue. Today’s court decision is a win for our members, the film industry, for Nigerian creators, and for the nation. It strengthens the foundation upon which the creative economy can grow and attract investment.”


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

NDPC Hides MultiChoice Privacy Violation Details Despite FOI Request- FIJ

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has refused to release details of the data and privacy rights violation for which it fined MultiChoice Nigeria, despite receiving a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from FIJ.

NDPC Hides MultiChoice Privacy Violation Details Despite FOI Request- FIJ

FIJ otherwise Foundation for Investigative Journalism, is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that combats injustice, holds power to account and speaks for the voiceless.

In its announcement on July 6, the NDPC said it had fined MultiChoice Nigeria N766,242,500 for breaching the data and privacy rights of subscribers and even those who are not necessarily subscribers.

FIJ emailed the data protection commission an FOI request on July 9.

The commission acknowledged the receipt of the email that same day and added: “It has been forwarded to the relevant department and we would respond soon.”

Fifteen days later, FIJ got no other response from the NDPC.

In Nigeria, FOI requests have a seven-day timeframe, and it starts counting as soon as a public institution receives a request for public information.

FIJ understands that holidays, which include a Sunday and a public holiday, are to be excluded in the computation of the timeframe.

The receiving institution is mandated, within those seven days, to either provide the requested information or explain in detail why it is unable to do so based on the provisions of the FOI Act.

Established under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the NDPC’s tasks include safeguarding data privacy, enforcing regulations and promoting responsible data handling in the country.

When the Commission announced the N766.2 million fine against MultiChoice Nigeria, it said the company had violated the privacy rights of subscribers and allowed the illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.

MultiChoice Nigeria operates through various subsidiaries, such as DStv and GOtv. The NDPC said it launched an investigation into the company in the second quarter of 2024.

“NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers,” the statement issued by NDPC read in part.

“The Commission also found that Multichoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria. The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate.”

FIJ’s FOI request aimed to understand the extent of the data and privacy breaches committed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the remedial measures directed by the NDPC and the specific channels through which the company collected the personal data of Nigerians.

Two weeks after the request was submitted, the NDPC has refused to respond.

Section 7, sub-section 4, of the Freedom of Information Act (2011) states, “Where the government or public institution fails to give access to information or record applied for under this Act or part thereof within the time limit set out in this Act, the institution shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have refused to give access.”

According to the Act, where a case of wrongful denial of access is established, the defaulting officer or institution commits an offence and is liable on conviction to pay a N500,000 fine.

At the time of this report, there was no publicly documented case of the NDPC granting an FOI request to share more details after an investigation.

In 2023, FIJ detailed how the Nigerian government often violated the FOI Act. Journalists at top newspapers in the country noted that government agencies had a habit of disregarding FOI requests, despite being legally obligated to respond.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending