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Nasarawa School Emerges Best in MTN ASAP Quiz Competition
PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State has emerged victorious at the MTN Foundation Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Quiz Competition for secondary schools.
L-R: Secretary, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Shadrach Usman Haruna; Teacher, PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Jonah Basil-Eneh; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; Students, PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Abdul Isa Salihu, Peace Monday and Augusta Opane Okyuwa; National Programme Officer, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Folusho Ajayi Adelekan and Associate Professor, Theatre Arts, University of Abuja at the ASAP quiz competition grand finale where PTA/NADP International College, Lafia emerged winners in Abuja on June 23, 2023.
The competition was held on June 23, 2023, following a series of elimination rounds held between June 6 and 7, 2023.
The trio, Abdul Isa Salihu, Peace Monday and Augusta Opane Okyuwa, won the keenly contested competition with 50 points.
Anglican Girls High School, Benin-City, and Government Girls Secondary School, Yola, finished second and third, with 40 and 35 points, respectively.
The winning team as well as the first and second runners-up will be presented with their prizes at the ASAP national conference scheduled to hold on June 26 at the National State House, Abuja.
The quiz competition was organized by the MTN Foundation in partnership with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to raise awareness about substance abuse among secondary school students and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Eighteen schools across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria participated in the competition, competing for the coveted prize of being crowned champions.
The event, which was held at Barcelona International Hotel, Abuja, and was attended by representatives of the MTN Foundation, NDLEA, and UNODC, students from participating schools, teachers, and other key stakeholders concerned with combating substance abuse among young people.
The competition was intense, and the participating schools had to showcase their knowledge and understanding of the dangers of substance abuse, addiction, and other related topics.
The trio from PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State displayed exceptional knowledge and emerged as the winners of the competition, beating their competitors by a significant margin. They expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such an important event, describing the experience as an ‘life-changing’ one.
Speaking of her experience, Peace Monday said, “This competition has helped me to learn a good deal about substance abuse and I intend to go home and spread the knowledge I have gathered with my family and friends in school and in fact, everyone around the world.”
Speaking to the participants in the competition, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, encouraged them to positively influence others with the knowledge received through the competition. She said, “Every child has a sphere of influence.
Everyone here is making history today. This is an experience that should stay with you for a lifetime. When you leave here, you should become ambassadors in the fight against substance abuse and positively impact your sphere of influence.”
In addition to the quiz competition, the event featured other activities aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Members from the University of Abuja Theatre Group presented a captivating drama that highlighted the effects of substance abuse on individuals, families, and communities.
Also, representatives of the participating schools presented various speeches on the theme of the 2023 World Drug Day, which is, “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”.
The Country Manager, UNODC, in a speech presented by the National Programme Officer, UNODC, Folusho Ajayi Adelekan, said, “There are projections that the drug use prevalence in Africa will increase by 40% by 2030 and for a country like Nigeria with a teeming youth population, this is alarming and should be a wake up call to everyone, not just NDLEA, or other stakeholders currently working in this field. All hands must be on deck to reverse this negative trend. Our youth are our future and the current indices do not bode well for the future of the country.”
The Chairman, NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd’ OFR) in his remarks presented by the Secretary, NDLEA, Shadrach Usman Haruna said the competition is expected to improve the choices of young people on the matter of substance abuse.
He said, “It is hoped that this quiz competition will provide the Knowledge and necessary information to make healthier personal choices and avoid risky situations that can predispose one to drug use, and it is also hoped that you would teach others who did not have the opportunity of being part of the whole exercise.”
The MTN Foundation ASAP Quiz Competition is one of the many ways the Foundation is contributing to creating a healthy society. By focusing on education and awareness, the competition aims to reduce the rate of substance abuse among young people and ultimately contribute towards building a brighter future for Nigeria.
The competition highlights the importance of education and awareness in tackling substance abuse among young people and also reiterates the need for all stakeholders to work together to create a safer, healthier society.
Financial independence is no longer a distant dream but a daily reality, especially for young entrepreneurs cashing out weekly through innovative platforms like Zabira.
From trading gift cards to paying bills with crypto-converted naira, Zabira is proving to be more than just a fintech app; it’s a complete digital marketplace designed to fuel the ambitions of the next generation of hustlers.
With users reportedly earning up to ₦150,000 weekly from ongoing campaigns, Zabira has become a go-to platform for side income and full-time digital entrepreneurship.
Its frequent cashback campaigns reward both new and existing users, allowing them to earn 2% cashback on their first crypto trade and 3% on their first gift card trade, a simple but powerful incentive that reduces entry barriers for young people stepping into digital finance.
But Zabira isn’t just about trading; it’s about everyday life. In a move to deepen its utility and promote seamless living, the platform has expanded its bill payment business unit. Users can now pay for airtime, data, electricity (PHCN), TV subscriptions, and even fund wallets for platforms like Bet9ja, all within the Zabira App.
Zabira allows users to make utility and other payments directly using crypto. For added flexibility, users can also instantly convert their crypto to naira, removing any limitations and ensuring seamless transactions without bank delays or downtime.
This subtle integration of crypto into daily transactions is a major leap forward in digital financial inclusion. It not only helps normalise the use of digital assets but also provides practical avenues for users to derive real-world value from their crypto holdings.
Zabira also understands the frustrations of online subscriptions, especially when traditional bank cards fail. Through its robust gift card marketplace, users can buy and use cards for platforms like Netflix, Spotify, Google Play, Apple, Amazon, and more.
These cards offer a reliable alternative for accessing services that are increasingly essential for both work and leisure and are especially helpful for digital creatives, remote workers, and students.
Beyond utility, the platform keeps the entrepreneurial spirit alive with bonus campaigns on first-time gift card trades, creating more reasons for users to engage and earn. With every trade, Zabira positions itself not just as a service provider but as a digital enabler supporting users on their financial journey.
In a country where access to financial tools can often feel like a privilege, Zabira is leveling the playing field. Whether you’re a student looking to subscribe to an online course, a freelancer paying for tools, or a small business owner funding your daily operations, Zabira is building the infrastructure that turns these goals into everyday wins.
To get started using Zabira, users can download the app on Android and iOS devices.
The Geeks & Founders Alliance for Soludo (GEFAS) has taken another bold step in supporting Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of a smart, connected Anambra with the official launch of its Mobile Tech Hub- a custom-built bus bringing free WiFi directly to the people.
Fully equipped with high-speed internet, voice and data services, and backup power, the GEFAS Mobile Tech Hub can connect up to 3,000 people at rallies, campaign grounds, and public spaces: expanding the Solution WiFi initiative already live at over 26 locations across Anambra.
The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, flagged off the Mobile Tech Hub at a brief ceremony held on Thursday, 24th July 2025, at the Tower of Light, Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard, Awka.
He was joined by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; the Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief Protocol to the Governor, Chief Chinedu Nwoye; other senior government officials; the media; and the GEFAS community.
Dr. Ibezim, visibly excited as he inspected the hub’s features, described it as an initiative perfectly aligned with what the Governor is doing in the state.
“We don’t expect anything less from Agbata, who is a guru in this field: exactly why the Governor puts square pegs in square holes,” he said, pointing to the sophistication of the project and the Governor’s deliberate choices.
“I hear wherever this vehicle parks, people can connect freely, in line with our mantra of making Anambra a place to live, invest, work, relax, and enjoy
“I thank Agbata for this great feat and assure our government’s support to make Anambra the smart mega city we all desire
He further emphasized that this will not be a one-off.
“Mr. Governor is also working to make this permanent. We are not just going to leave you with one vehicle. So I encourage everyone: wherever you see this bus parked, connect to the free WiFi and get your job done.” he concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, GEFAS Convener and MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, said:
“We are here to celebrate innovation made possible by Mr. Governor’s forward-thinking policies, like waiving Right of Way (RoW) charges, which opened up fibre optic expansion and connectivity across Anambra.
“Today, various public places, student lodges, and even four higher institutions in the state already enjoy free WiFi, just as Governor Soludo promised in his People’s Manifesto.
“Now, with this Mobile Tech Hub, wherever the Governor goes during the campaign period, people can enjoy free connectivity and high-speed internet.
“All over the world, we know that when broadband expands, the economy grows.
He added, “Data is expensive these days, so this bus will bring relief to Ndi Anambra.
“Wherever you see it passing through your neighborhood, you can hop online for free- maybe download a movie, a song, or do whatever you like.
It’s a practical solution that the Solution Government is delivering. So, vote Governor Soludo, and let the Solution continue” Agbata concluded.
The bus is set to hit the road in the coming days, following Governor Soludo to campaign grounds and reaching far more neighborhoods in earnest.
With this milestone, GEFAS reaffirms its commitment to helping Anambra become the smart, connected, and prosperous state that every citizen can proudly call home.
Fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) embarked on an intensive industry tour recently, gaining firsthand experience of MTN Nigeria’s infrastructure and learning how technology is shaping the future of connectivity and storytelling.
L-R: Dr Chike Mgbeadichie, Programs Director, Professional Education, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University; Blessings Mosugu, Vice President, MTN Media Innovation Programme Cohort 4; Yahaya Ibrahim, Chief Technical Officer, MTN Nigeria; Rebecca Edun, Social Director, MTN MIP Cohort 4 and Isaac Ogugua-Ezechukwu, Programs Administrator, Professional Education, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, during the July session of the MTN Media Innovation Program held at the MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, recently.
The day began with a visit to the MTN Cable Landing Station, where the Fellows explored the facility that serves as a gateway for international data traffic. The tour provided insights into the network that powers Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
At the MTN Switch in Aromire, the group observed key operations ensuring seamless connectivity across the country. They were guided through the processes that keep millions of Nigerians connected daily.
Later at MTN’s Head Office in Falomo, the Fellows engaged in two sessions with the company’s executives.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, discussed the role of 5G and IoT in driving innovation and storytelling in the media. “5G is not just about speed; it’s an enabler of experiences,” she said. “With ultra-low latency and massive device connectivity, we can deliver high-definition content production, virtual reality experiences and cloud-native workflows that redefine how journalists create and audiences consume media.”
The CMO also noted that MTN’s leadership in 5G since 2022 has opened doors for industries such as healthcare, education, and entertainment to innovate.
In a session on network innovation and digital transformation, MTN’s Chief Technical Officer, Yahaya Ibrahim, shared how the company is leveraging artificial intelligence for demand planning and network optimisation. “AI allows us to predict faults, automate maintenance and plan smarter for Nigeria’s unique needs,” he said.
He also highlighted the technical challenges of maintaining network stability. “From seamless handovers between base stations to combating fibre cuts and vandalism, we work around the clock because connectivity is critical to the economy and to people’s lives,” Ibrahim said.
The day provided Fellows with a comprehensive understanding of MTN’s infrastructure and the technologies shaping Nigeria’s digital future, reinforcing the programme’s goal of empowering media professionals to tell richer, more informed stories about the industry.
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