Broadcasting
NCC, Customs Renew Commitment to Border Enforcement of Copyright

Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.), Comptroller General of Customs (NCS) and Mr. John O. Asein, the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), have renewed their commitment to inter-agency collaboration to stem the importation of pirated copyright materials into Nigeria.
The heads of the two agencies made this known during a courtesy visit of the Management of the NCC to the Comptroller-General and top management of NCS in Abuja on 20th May 2021.
The chief executives reaffirmed their resolve to strengthening their interagency collaboration under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which the two agencies entered into in 2017 with the main objective of reducing the piracy rate in Nigeria.
To this end, the Comptroller-General of Customs directed that appropriate steps be taken to incorporate the NCC into the Customs Single Window for Trade portal. He also granted the Director-General’s request for the NCC’s clearance certificate to be made a condition for the release of containers containing copyright materials, including books, stationeries and other educational materials.
The Comptroller-General noted the development towards the implementation of the Copyright (Levy on Materials) Order, 2012 and assured the NCC of the full cooperation of the NCS in the implementation of the Order.
Decrying the criminal activities of unscrupulous importers who make false declarations to circumvent customs duty or to import pirated and counterfeit materials, Col. Ali expressed optimism that the NCS would be better equipped to screen more consignments.
Commending the NCC for its commitment to its enforcement mandate, Col. Ali expressed satisfaction with the partnership between the two agencies. “We must do our jobs well and work together to reduce piracy to its barest minimum”, he stressed.
Both agencies agreed to set up a Joint Task Force (JTF) to embark on regular antipiracy operations in order to intensify the national antipiracy campaign and bring the rate of piracy in Nigeria to a single digit.
Earlier, the Director-General, NCC, Mr. Asein, commended the NCS for being faithful to the implementation of the inter-agency MOU and for the immense support it has received in executing the national anti-piracy campaign.
“This collaboration has paid off as evidenced by the recent seizure of four (4) containers containing pirated books. The two containers that were publicly displayed on 11 May, 2021 had 80,882 copies of pirated school books worth over N80m. Another two containers are due for release in the next few days”, he stated.
He reiterated the appreciation of the NCC and stakeholders in the creative industries for the immense support that the Commission has received over the years in its efforts to stem cross border piracy of copyright works.
In his words: “Publishers are overwhelmed and immensely grateful to the Comptroller-General, the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service for their vigilance, gallantry and commitment to duty.” He gave special commendation to the officers of NCS at Tincan Command.
The Comptroller-General stated that for effective inter-agency collaboration, both agencies would implement capacity building trainings to upscale the competence of their operatives, especially in enforcing border measures.
The Comptroller-General and the Director-General exchanged branded corporate gifts as demonstration of the mutually beneficial collaboration between the two enforcement agencies.
Broadcasting
History as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors

TVC News has broken new ground in Nigeria’s media space with the launch of the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters.
Rolled out in May 2025, the AI anchors will deliver news bulletins in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, reflecting the broadcaster’s commitment to technological advancement and linguistic inclusion.
The initiative is designed to enhance news delivery by supporting human journalists, not replacing them.
TVC Communications, the parent company of TVC News, described the development as a milestone in its efforts to integrate cutting-edge technology into broadcast journalism.
“We are thrilled to pioneer this innovation in Nigeria’s media industry,” said Victoria Ajayi, chief executive officer, TVC Communications.
“Our AI news anchors represent a new era in news reporting, and this move underscores our dedication to using technology as a tool for growth and progress.”
Ajayi clarified that the AI-generated content will undergo thorough editorial review.
“Trained journalists and editors will assess every output to ensure it meets our standards of accuracy, balance, and credibility,” she noted.
In response to concerns about the potential misuse of AI, the organisation said it had established rigorous editorial safeguards, including watermarking and verification protocols. It also reaffirmed its adherence to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and journalistic ethics.
With this launch, TVC News has become a trailblazer in AI-assisted journalism in Africa, setting a bold example for future media innovation across the continent.
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.
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