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NCC Charges MTN Music Ambassadors to be Good Example to Youth
The telecommunications sector is the first genuine platform that has taken over virtually every aspect of human development since the revolution began via the Digital Mobile Licences 2001, according to Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The EVC who hosted MTN Music Ambassadors in his office in Abuja recently, said the musicians themselves have become a standard for the youth of the country. “You have made the country proud by your creativity, you have shaped the entertainment industry”.
“Through the effective oversight of the Commission, the industry has been able to engage the youth through the promotion of the entertainment industry by way of Talent Shows which have seen the emergence of artists who have become role models for the teeming youth, adding that your shows have enriched lives significantly”.
The EVC told his guests that Nigerian entertainment industry has gone beyond our shores. He cited an example of his visit to Atlanta, Georgia, USA recently with some Nollywood producers and actors to attend a seminar where Professors and other experts from the USA and Canada came spefically to understudy, analyse and talk about the growing entertainment industry in Nigeria and the influence on other sectors and cultures.
He said the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in collaboration with George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia and Howard University hosted the seminar with a view to providing global best practice in marketing and distribution of movies, training on digital movie production and editing among others.
The NCC is in the vanguard of doing the best for the entertainment industry including Nollywood adding that a studio is being built in Oshodi, Lagos to cushion the practice of Nigerian entertainers.
Okechukwu Itanyi, executive commissioner, Stakeholder Management, also told the visitors that the telecom industry is a platform for propagating the ideals of entertainment through video streaming, SMS and Caller tunes.
“The industry has ensured the success of these platforms, it has empowered Nigerians and the NCC is looking forward to the emergence of more stars who will reach out to the younger generation and show good example through mentorship of the younger generation”.
Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs, said that until his appearance on a radio programme recently to explain the link between telecoms and the Automated Teller Machine (ATM), many people did not know that the ATMs were linked to telecoms networks.
Ojobo said the entertainment industry has made Nigerians both home and in the diaspora proud.
He cited the advent of Project Fame as part of the telecoms industry’s intervention to improve the standard of the entertainment industry and empower the youth.
Ojobo cited his encounter at an event in JFK Arts Centre in Washington DC where youth of all nationalities came specifically to savour Nigerian artists and learn about the culture of the people of Nigeria displayed through music, drama and the arts.
The musicians including Sir Shina Peters, Chidinma, KCee, Praize and Nyanya also visited other Directors of the Commission including Ms Josephine Amuwa (Director, Policy Competition & Economic Analysis), Mrs Maryam Bayi (Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau) and Ms Ayo Sofolahan (Director, Projects).
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has warned local investors and foreign businesses about the activities of fraudsters falsely claiming to represent the company.
The state-owned company said the impostors are reportedly soliciting illegal fees under the guise of arranging meetings with the new NNPC board members, executives, and management.
The disclaimer comes following the change of the NNPCL board.
On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed a new 11-member board with Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Ahmadu Musa Kidano as executive chairman.
In a statement signed on Monday by Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer, NNPC, t said the practice of soliciting fees is completely unauthorised and unlawful.
NNPCL said, “The general public is advised to beware of individuals and companies falsely claiming to represent NNPC Limited.
” Their tactics include soliciting fees for meetings with the NNPC board of directors, executives, and management staff. These actions are unauthorised and illegal.
“Foreign investors and international business entities are especially urged to remain cautious. If approached, report the incident to the appropriate authorities immediately.”
The company clarified that engagements with its boards or executives must follow official channels in line with company policy.
The oil giant said, “All legitimate engagements with NNPC Limited occur strictly through official channels or business units only.
“For further enquiries, please contact us at contactus@nnpcgroup.com.
“NNPC Limited remains committed to transparency, integrity, and the protection of our stakeholders in all interactions.”
The company called for public cooperation to prevent scammers from defrauding investors.
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has announced that plans to support the country’s farmers with its AgriConnect initiative have kicked off with a pilot scheme launched in Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria.
Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, minister, communications, Innovation and Digital Economy,
Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, minister, communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, last week launched the initiative at the Ogum State Cultural Centre Complex. AgriConnect is described as a transformative programme designed to digitally empower Nigerian farmers through real-time access to agronomic services, weather insights, financial tools and market intelligence.
The pilot scheme is being implemented in partnership with technology vendor Huawei Technologies and operator MTN Nigeria.
AgriConnect will initially benefit over 1,000 farmers, selected from the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS), with over 160,000 registered farmers.
Each beneficiary will receive mobile-data-enabled smart devices, embedded with Huawei’s AI-powered tools and MTN-supported connectivity to enable smarter planting, better risk mitigation and streamlined communication with government data centres.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Tijani noted that AgriConnect highlighted the importance of food security. Referring to a target of cultivating 500,000 hectares of land, he pointed out that innovation would be an important part of the effort.
As the government builds out the framework from this pilot in Ogun State (a leader in cassava production), he said, it aims to scale the AgriConnect model across other states – “ensuring that every farmer, regardless of geography, has the opportunity to benefit from the digital economy”, as he put it.
The AgriConnect initiative reflects an FMCIDE commitment under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote rural inclusion and leverage Nigeria’s comparative advantage in agriculture.
By fusing AI, connectivity, and human-centred design, the ministry says that AgriConnect stands as a scalable model for advancing food security, driving innovation, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers across the country.
Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Steve Babaeko and the entire X3M Ideas team following their remarkable achievement of being ranked 31st on the Financial Times’ prestigious 2025 list of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies.
This recognition by the Financial Times, in collaboration with global research firm Statista, highlights X3M Ideas’ outstanding performance and resilience in a highly competitive and challenging business landscape.
The agency’s ranking was determined based on its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2020 and 2023, verified through independently certified financial data, underscoring the credibility and transparency of the accolade.
Founded by renowned advertising executive Steve Babaeko, X3M Ideas has consistently demonstrated innovation, operational excellence, and creative leadership. The agency’s bold campaigns and commitment to impactful storytelling have not only elevated its profile in Nigeria but have also established its presence across several African markets.
This milestone marks a significant moment for Nigeria’s creative sector, traditionally overshadowed by industries such as fintech and energy in continental rankings.
AAAN President, Lanre Adisa, in a statement, congratulated Babaeko and X3M Ideas on the remarkable recognition. He said: “Steve’s tenure as AAAN President was quite revolutionary. He raised the bar for our association and industry at large. His leadership brought bold ideas to life, executed with brilliance and a deep sense of purpose for the creative community.
“This global acknowledgment is a testament to his enduring impact, not just as a creative force but as a trailblazer on the African continent.”
The Financial Times’ 2025 list features 130 top-performing companies from across Africa, with Nigeria and South Africa accounting for a significant share, reflecting the economic strength and entrepreneurial spirit of the continent’s largest economies.
X3M Ideas’ recognition not only celebrates its own growth but also signals the rising influence of the creative economy in shaping Africa’s future.
This latest accolade adds to a string of recent achievements for X3M Ideas, including being named Independent Network of the Year at the 2025 Pitcher Awards, further cementing the agency’s status as a leader in African creativity and innovation.
AAAN commends Steve Babaeko and the entire X3M Ideas team for their outstanding contribution to the industry and for flying the flag of Nigerian creativity high on the global stage.
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