Broadcasting
Hybrid Working is the Way Forward, Here’s How to Get it Right for Your Business

By Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager, Africa, Zoho Corp.
As Nigeria enters its third wave of COVID-19 with cases of the Delta variant increasing in several states, companies are urged to take precautions for their employees. With both the COVID risk and changing employee preferences in mind, businesses should, if they have not already, consider implementing sustainable hybrid work approaches as a core part of their business continuity strategies.

Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager, Africa, Zoho Corp
Here are a few general tips to keep in mind for any organization that wants to embrace the hybrid work model:
● Improve Communication
With employees scattered in different locations, communication breakdowns are common. To overcome this issue, different communication channels can be utilised. For instance, a secure internal chat system allows employees to communicate easily and respond at their own pace. Leveraging mediums such as virtual company forums to post announcements also ensures that employees are well-informed of all the important developments in their organisation. While setting up team meetings, managers can check in personally with remote employees to settle on a time that’s convenient for everybody involved. Having a Poll feature in your chat system will also make it easier to get vote-ins from staff on various topics.
● Practise Empathy
This is a time of great uncertainty and employees will find solace in an empathetic work environment. It’s important for managers to check in with the employees often to understand the challenges they face and offer the best possible support. For instance, if an employee has to take care of a sick family member, consider allowing them to check out as soon as they complete their work, irrespective of working hours.
● Make It Equal
Equality and inclusion are necessary to make a hybrid workplace model successful. One reason the hybrid model is well-received among employees is because it gives them the option to choose and decide. If the hybrid work policy allows for two days of office and three days of remote work, organizations can consider letting the employees decide each week’s schedule individually or among their own teams. In order to make the process bias-free, it is better to establish guidelines for both in-office and remote work, and let employees make the final decision. Organisations should treat all employees equally no matter where they work.
● Focus On The Output
One of the key business aspects that has changed considerably by remote work is performance management. Remote work provides a chance for organisations to start measuring what matters: output quality instead of hours worked, and missions accomplished instead of tasks completed. Businesses should replace micromanagement with continuous, interactive performance feedback to help employees clearly navigate their job responsibilities and expectations when they work remotely. This will help employees set realistic goals and work towards achieving them, further enabling employees to complete tasks quicker and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
● Use Technology
Technology that is well-designed, modern, easy to use, and flexible can bring remote teams together and enhance productivity. For instance, digital signature tools empower employees to sign and share documents from wherever they are, without having to waste time behind manual document signing. Similarly, implementing online meeting software helps employees organize and participate in meetings on the go. This way, employees can meet, discuss, and make decisions wherever and whenever. Overall, technology should empower employees to work at their own convenience.
● Hub-and-Spoke Offices
The hub-and-spoke model is a potential game-changer that could take hybrid workforce management to the next level. The hub-and-spoke model enables employees to either work from their organisation’s central headquarters (hub) or other smaller offices (spokes), spread across a country, often closer to places where employees reside. This way, employees can alternate between remote and on-site work with ease. It allows them to occasionally meet their peers face to face for brainstorming or even a catch-up lunch and then go back to the safety of their home offices.
● Leverage The Potential Of The Gig Economy
Hiring gig workers like independent contractors and freelancers can be very beneficial to organisations adopting the hybrid workforce model. Unlike full-time employees, gig workers are given the freedom to choose when, where and how to work. Also, these workers are paid based on the work they do and not on the processes involved.
Broadcasting
FXTM Academy Hosts Charity Cycling Event, Pedal for Progress

FXTM Academy recently hosted the Pedal for Progress charity cycling event, bringing together 200 participants from cities across Nigeria, including Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
Held on Saturday, April 19, the competition featured six race categories—Professional Male, Professional Female, Junior Male, Junior Female, Veteran Male, and Veteran Female—allowing cyclists of all skill levels to compete.
The race began at 8:00 a.m., with Juniors completing 10 laps, Veterans tackling 14 laps, and Professionals racing 20 laps, each lap spanning 2.8 kilometers.
Participants competed for significant cash prizes, with winners in the Professional categories receiving ₦800,000, ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, while those finishing 5th to 15th place earned ₦50,000 each. Junior and Veteran winners also received substantial rewards.
Spectators and participants praised FXTM Academy for fostering unity, sportsmanship, and talent development, with many eagerly anticipating future events.
The academy emphasized its commitment to empowering communities and promoting values such as perseverance, discipline, endurance, and continuous improvement.
FXTM Academy’s Country Representative, Kelechi Ehibudu, highlighted the academy’s dedication to blending sport, charity, and empowerment, setting a new benchmark for community-focused initiatives in Nigeria.
Broadcasting
Davido Unites Superfans in Lagos for Exclusive 5IVE Album Experience, Powered by Spotify

To celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5IVE Davido hosted a select group of superfans and media at Ona Restaurant in Lagos for an exclusive meet-and-greet, presented by Spotify.
The event offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Afrobeats superstar, with 50 lucky fans and 5 media partners given the chance to connect with the artist in an intimate setting.
Rather than handing out invitations, Spotify put fans to the test, requiring them to pass a five-question quiz on Davido’s music to earn a spot at the roundtable. Once inside, attendees were treated to an afternoon of music, conversation, and surprises. The event was hosted by Ireculture, who set the tone with her infectious energy, while SmallztheDJ kept the vibe going with smooth, Afrobeats-driven selections.
In true Davido fashion, a playful twist took centre stage: after teasing his absence, the artist made a dramatic, surprise entrance, sending fans into a frenzy. The moment was a perfect reflection of Davido’s personality – engaging, unpredictable, and larger-than-life.
Victor Okapala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships lead for West Africa, noted, “This event is a testament to the power of music to bring fans and artists closer together. Working with Davido on the release of 5IVE highlights the energy surrounding Afrobeats globally, and the deep connection we see between the artist and his fans.”
The event’s highlight was a close-knit roundtable conversation, where fans shared their love for 5IVE, with “10 Kilo” emerging as an early favourite. Each guest left with a gift box featuring five fashion items from Nigerian streetwear brand Severe Nature, who also designed the official 5IVE merch.
Reflecting on his journey, Davido shared, “When you see artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna, you realise the work it takes to get there. This time, I wanted to go all out, and I’m seeing the results.”
Spotify data underscores Davido’s growing global influence. In the past 12 months, his music has been added to over 12 million playlists worldwide.
The artist’s reach spans key markets including Nigeria, the U.S., U.K., South Africa, and France, with 34% of his listeners aged 18-24 and 41% aged 25-34.
As 5IVE continues to captivate listeners, this intimate event further solidified Davido’s position as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, fostering a deeper connection between him and his dedicated fanbase.
Broadcasting
How Sen. Hope Uzodinma Is Transforming Imo State Through Digital Innovation

By Chimezie Orisakwe
It is often wise to be sceptical when politicians promise heaven on earth because, more often than not, they have shown Nigerians that their grand declarations frequently lack corresponding action. Like many Nigerians, I have learned to take such a political promise with a grain of salt. But in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland, a remarkable transformation is taking place.
During a recent visit to Owerri for the 4th Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit organized by the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), I had the rare opportunity to witness firsthand the executive governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma’s, unwavering commitment to positioning Imo as Nigeria’s premier digital economy. Far from merely paying lip service to innovation, the governor was actively engaging with young innovators, demonstrating his administration’s genuine dedication to digitalizing Imo State.
Governor Uzodinma didn’t just deliver a speech at the NCS event; he laid out a blueprint. His administration’s vision is clear: to make Imo State a global player in AI, robotics, and digital innovation. And he is not waiting.
At the centre of Governor Uzodinma’s digital revolution stands the Imo Digital City — a groundbreaking initiative poised to catapult the state onto the global technology stage. This ambitious project is not just another government white elephant; it’s already taking shape as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Imo Digital City features cutting-edge facilities, including high-tech classrooms, innovation hubs, and co-working spaces equipped with state-of-the-art tech tools. These resources are strategically designed to cultivate the next generation of digital entrepreneurs and position Imo as a formidable player in the global digital economy.
While his administration is doing its part, he understands the importance of partnership with the private sector. In March 2025, the governor signed a landmark agreement with the US Market Access Centre (US-MAC) to fully realize the potential of the Imo Digital City. This collaboration aims to replicate the success of Silicon Valley by fostering local tech talent, accelerating startup growth, and attracting global investment.
Beyond US-Mac, the administration has fostered partnerships with global tech giants including Microsoft, Zinox Technologies, Cisco, Konga Group, and the European Union Digital SME Alliance. These strategic alliances are structured to provide training, infrastructure, and funding that will establish Imo as Nigeria’s premier technology hub.
The governor’s digital initiatives extend beyond infrastructure to human capital development. The Skill-Up Imo Programme has already trained and empowered 40,000 youths, many of whom are now gainfully employed. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to create over 300,000 jobs through various digital economy programs.
What sets this initiative apart is its focus on entrepreneurship. As Governor Uzodinma stated during his address at the NCS summit, “We don’t just want to create jobs; we want to create those who will create jobs.” This philosophy underscores his administration’s forward-thinking approach to governance and economic development.
He even added that his administration is rolling out fibre optic infrastructure across all 27 Local Government Areas to bridge the digital divide. Additionally, the soon-to-be-launched “My Imo App” will democratize access to government services, while an automated Land Information System will ensure efficiency and transparency in land administration.
Vision without execution is a hallucination. Fortunately, Governor Uzodinma has assembled a dynamic team to ensure these projects do not remain on paper. Leading the charge is Dr. Chimezie Amadi, the Honourable Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, whose expertise and enthusiasm have been instrumental in fast-tracking these initiatives.
While many Nigerian leaders pay lip service to youth empowerment and tech innovation, Governor Uzodinma is putting Imo on the map as a model for digital governance. If he maintains this momentum, Imo won’t just be the pride of the South-East, it will be Nigeria’s business and technology hub.
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