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Telecom

Johnson, Nigeria’s ComTech Minister Lauds CTO

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Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology
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Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communications Technology, said that the Commonwealth strengthens “cooperation in the midst of diversity, describing it as an established, independent and voluntary space at which issues that are common to all countries.

This is coming in the face of recent withdrawal from the British Commonwealth by The Gambia, the tiny West African nation bordered by Senegal, and growing concerns about the body’s relevance in contemporary international play.

She stated this at her keynote speech at the 11th Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) Forum which opened last night in Abuja.

She described the CTO as “an established, independent and voluntary space at which issues that are common to all countries, irrespective of their level of economic advancement, can be dispassionately discussed; and where realistic and realisable solutions can be proffered.”

Acknowledging that “recent events have led to some discussion on the continued relevance of the Commonwealth,” Johnson said the CTO “serves to remind us of one of the core strengths of the Commonwealth that the World appears to be losing sight of – that of cooperation in the midst of diversity.”

“Although we represent countries with diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds, at this Forum we regard each other as equal in status.  We have come with a learning attitude and a willingness to co-operate in achieving the goals that we all agree are important.

“These goals relate to the ability of our populations to communicate freely and affordably with each other … an ability that is fundamental to our success in building a more tolerant and peaceful World.”

She noted that the heart of the CTO deliberations will be how to make high-speed access to the Internet more pervasive, affordable and safe to the citizens of the Commonwealth (who make up close to 30 per cent of the global population).

According to her: “Global Internet penetration rates have continued to increase and almost 40 per cent of the world’s population are now online.  However, the numbers of people connected to the Internet are fewer in developing countries than in more industrialised ones.”

She expressed concerns on the growing use of the social media, especially by the youth population in Nigeria, Johnson stated that “there is no denying the increasing influence of social media. 

Just as the “Big Mac Index” has developed to be the informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity between inhabitants of different countries; the number of Facebook users is becoming an informal indication of the social media activity of a country.

“Nigeria recently became the location of the largest user base of Facebook users in Sub Saharan Africa.  About half of the 11 million Nigeria users are under the age of 25 (5.6million), which perhaps underscores the importance of understanding how young people make use of ICTs.  However, beyond knowing who is using social media, this Forum will discuss ways in which such tools can be leveraged as a platform for development, learning and increasing communication.”

She believes the Forum is veritable avenue to “assess the different stages of broadband development and discover best practice strategies for moving forward.”


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Telecom

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

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Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.

According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.

The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.

However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.

Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.

Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology,  assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.

To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.

The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.

A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.

As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Globalcom Thrills Subscribers with 3 New Digital Products

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Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.

Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.

The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.

For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.

In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.

Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.

To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and  *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.

Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.

In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.

 


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SiBAN Applauds Interstellar’s Groundbreaking Role in Africa’s Blockchain Future

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The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.

This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.

The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.

According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.

PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.

The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.

SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.

The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.


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