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Lagos Approves Next Phase of CodeLagos Initiative with 15,000 Trained

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has approved the implementation of the next phase of the CodeLagos initiative, focused on expanding the reach and scope of the project to cater for more Lagos residents through its “In–School” and “Out-of-School” pathways, with over 15,000 individuals trained so far.
CodeLagos initiative, which has set the goal of teaching 1 million Lagos residents basic coding skills, was initiated in 2016.
Giving progress report on the progress of the programme and the commencement of the new phase, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh in a statement yesterday confirmed that over 15,000 individuals have been trained to date and that all is now set to roll out across 5,000 primary and secondary schools, as well as 50 Out-of-School centres by December 2018.
He said on Monday April 9, 2018, coding classes would commence in the Out-of-School Centres, which cater for Lagos residents who are above 16 years and are not currently in any primary or secondary school in Lagos.
“Coding classes will commence on April 9th in four centres – Herbert Macaulay Library, Yaba; Isolo Public Library, Isolo; Ilupeju Public Library, Ilupeju; and Onikan Youth Centre, Onikan. Additional centres including other Lagos State public libraries, community centres and private training centres are scheduled to roll out in a few weeks.”
Bank-Olemoh also disclosed that plans are at advanced stage to commence coding classes in 400 primary and secondary schools across the 6 Educational Districts in the State – both Government and Private – in the coming academic term set to resume this month.
“We will continue to train students in Scratch, Python and Mobile App development, depending on their level. This term we will also be introducing Oracle’s Alice and Greenfoot programming languages, through a partnership with Oracle Academy,” the Special Adviser said.
In a related development, Bank-Olemoh said Governor Ambode recently approved the release of funds for the payment of 224 CodeLagos facilitators, adding that the funds were disbursed to verified facilitators who successfully delivered training to students in the 2017/2018 school year, in both government and private schools.
According to him, “Facilitators in the government schools receive a CodeLagos grant of N25, 000 per term while the facilitators in private schools receive a grant of N20,000. The grants are to compensate the additional time spent for prep work and to help cover some basic expenses like data purchase for personal learning and development.
All CodeLagos facilitators are trained free of charge by Lagos State and receive support and resources throughout the term. Another round of training has been scheduled to hold this April as we commence the new term.
“His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has given us a mandate to prepare Lagosians for the future economy. I believe we can educate one million people in the language of the future. Our success in Lagos State will create a ripple effect across Nigeria, and if we can change Nigeria, we can change Africa. If we can change Africa, we can undoubtedly change the world,” Mr. Bank-Olemoh said.
He said the progress of the CodeLagos programme can be tracked on www.codelagos.org and that the classes are totally free.
News
NITDA, RHI, Commission IT Community Centre in Ibadan

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art IT Community Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide and empower youth and women across the state.
The centre, which was donated to Oladipo Alayande School of Science in Oke-Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State, was named in honour of Mrs. Onikepo Akande, a distinguished daughter of Oyo State, and is aimed at providing digital skills training, particularly for women and young people. It is expected to offer participants a competitive edge in the evolving global tech industry.
Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON OON, delivered special remarks at the event, emphasising the centre’s role in achieving one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s key priority areas which is to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, industrialisation, innovation, and the creative arts.
She disclosed that the commissioning of the centre is a step forward in the collective mission to empower Nigerians, especially women and youth, with the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.
“We are not stopping here. I am pleased to announce that ten more IT Centres will soon be commissioned across various states,” she added.
While noting that other digital economy centres have been fully equipped with computers and ICT materials in 5 other states, she urged members of the community to take full ownership of the centre.
She said, “The success of this centre depends on your active participation and utilisation of available resources.”
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, who delivered a goodwill message during the event, praised NITDA and RHI for bringing the initiative to the state.
He highlighted the high standards of the facility and pledged the state government’s support to ensure its sustainability and maximum impact on the people of Oyo State.
“Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, that is the road to the future, and I am glad that under the Renewed Hope Initiative, you’ve brought this to Oyo State, and I can give you the assurance that we will take full advantage of it,” he promised.
In his remark, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani stated that the centre will serve as an avenue for youths to acquire globally relevant digital skills, build startups and create solutions that can compete on the global stage.
While giving his welcome remarks earlier, the DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, described the collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative as a strategic intervention to boost Nigeria’s digital talent pool.
He explained that the Ibadan IT Community Centre is equipped with cutting-edge technologies designed to provide a smart and personalised learning experience and lauded Senator Tinubu for her leadership and passion for empowering underrepresented groups.
“Your Excellency’s vision and commitment have been instrumental in actualising this initiative. You are giving Nigerians the tools to unlock their potential in the digital economy,” he said.
Noting that the newly commissioned centre is part of a broader national agenda to enhance digital literacy, reduce unemployment, and foster innovation-driven development across the country, Inuwa disclosed that the agency has worked with the Ministry of Education to develop digital literacy and skills curriculum that will be infused as part of the formal education in schools.
While encouraging the school administrators and community leaders to ensure its accessibility and sustainability, the NITDA DG said, “The centre is open to all, and we want to see a cross-pollination between the school and the community.”
News
Nigeria Reports 832 Lassa Fever and Mpox Cases, Death Toll Hits 135

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the country has recorded 832 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and Mpox.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, the agency’s Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed that 132 fatalities were recorded from Lassa fever and three from Mpox.
While acknowledging a recent decline in Lassa fever infections during epidemiological week 16 (ending April 20, 2025), he warned that the overall risk remains high, particularly in endemic regions.
“Cumulatively, as of week 16, Nigeria has reported 4,253 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 696 confirmed cases, and 132 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 19.0 percent,” he stated.
Dr. Idris attributed recent improvements to intensified surveillance, treatment efforts, and enhanced community engagement. He emphasized, however, the continued need for vigilance and collaboration to sustain progress.
Regarding Mpox, the NCDC boss disclosed that three deaths have been recorded in 2025—two in Abia and Ebonyi States in week 10, and one recently in Rivers State involving a patient co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis.
As of week 16, 723 suspected cases and 136 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox have been reported across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The national case fatality rate currently stands at 2.2 per cent.
“The epidemic curve reveals multiple peaks in Mpox cases, indicating ongoing transmission. While most states have reported suspected cases, confirmed infections are heavily concentrated in Nigeria’s southern and central regions,” Dr. Idris noted.
To address these outbreaks, the NCDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), deployed National Rapid Response Teams to affected states, and prepositioned essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and laboratory consumables. Five additional Mpox diagnostic laboratories have also been optimized in Bauchi, Kano, Cross River, Rivers, and Enugu States.
“Healthcare workers are undergoing specialized training in infection prevention, case management, and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) care. Community outreach is being reinforced through public awareness campaigns, media engagement, and targeted health communication strategies,” he added.
On cerebrospinal meningitis, Dr. Idris reported a consistent decline in new cases and fatalities over the last three weeks.
He attributed the improvement to effective vaccination, early treatment, and adaptive surveillance strategies tailored to real-time data.
“Although the situation remains serious, strong national and state-level coordination is showing positive results.
“The response will continue until full containment is achieved and states take full ownership of the CSM Incident Action Plan,” he said.
Dr. Idris also expressed concern about the rising Mpox trend since its reemergence in 2017, with significant spikes recorded between 2022 and 2024, positioning Nigeria among the most affected countries globally.
He warned that under reporting and delayed data entry remain challenges that need urgent resolution to ensure accurate and timely outbreak response.
A national mortality review for the recent Mpox deaths is being planned to further assess response effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through timely surveillance, transparent reporting, and coordinated national response mechanisms aimed at reducing disease burden and preventing future outbreaks.
News
Presidents Mahama, Tinubu Honor Dr. Mike Adenuga on 72nd Birthday

Presidents John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria have celebrated the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., on the occasion of his 72nd birthday.
In congratulatory messages, both leaders praised Dr. Adenuga’s outstanding contributions to the economic development and growth of both Ghana and Nigeria. They commended his remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
President Mahama described Dr. Adenuga’s life as “a shining example of vision, resilience, and extraordinary accomplishment.” He noted that through his entrepreneurial endeavors, Dr. Adenuga has not only built enduring businesses but also contributed significantly to the socio-economic advancement of the African continent.
He noted that Dr. Adenuga’s leadership and philanthropic endeavour remain a beacon of inspiration for generations across Africa.
Also President Tinubu stated that Dr. Adenuga’s humility and diligence have enabled him to succeed in various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, oil, and gas. He praised Dr. Adenuga’s innovative approach to business, citing Globacom’s pioneering per-second billing, which expanded telephony and digital access to millions of Nigerians.
“In addition, Conoil has proven that an indigenous firm can compete with international oil companies, fostering energy independence and security for our country.” He added.
President Tinubu who expressed the gratitude of Nigerians to Dr. Adenuga for his immense contributions to the country’s progress and prosperity, also commended him for extending his investments to other African countries and Europe, “a bold effort which earned you well-deserved honours as Commander of the Legion of Honour (France) and Ghana’s Companion of the Star of Ghana”.
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