Broadcasting
NCC, Nigeria Police to Intensify Interagency Intervention Against Piracy
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have renewed their existing interagency partnership for intensified antipiracy interventions across the country.
Baba Tijani, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations (DIG Ops), and the Director-General of NCC, Mr. John O. Asein disclosed this during a consultative meeting at the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters in Abuja recently.
DIG Tijani, who received the NCC DG on a working visit, reaffirmed the commitment of the NPF to institutional and operational support for the Commission in implementation of its national antipiracy campaign across the country.
The Police DIG gave assurance that the Force would continue to back the NCC in its regulatory and enforcement interventions for the protection and promotion of the creative industry in Nigeria.
The Director-General solicited the cooperation of the Police in the execution of the Commission’s primary mandate of curbing copyright piracy nationwide.
Expressing concern on the rising incidence of piracy in the country, Mr. Asein commended the Police for the support that the Commission has enjoyed and called for enhanced synergy between both agencies to effectively check the piracy menace.
The Director-General noted that the strategic partnership existing between the Police and the Commission which dated back to over thirty years of fighting copyright theft has yielded fruitful results.
In his further remarks, the DIG Tijani stated that he was conversant with the operations and activities of the NCC in its bid to curb copyright piracy in Nigeria. He noted that both organisations shared the mandate of curbing crime and promoting the right ideals in society.
The DIG observed that high rate of intellectual property theft has negative impact on the creative sector and Nigeria’s economy, describing the activities of pirates in local parlance as ‘monkey de work, baboon de chop’, alluding to the fact that pirates were in the criminal business of reaping from others’ creations through illicit and unauthorised exploitation.
He indicated that curbing piracy should go beyond investigation and arrest and charged the Commission to “build an internal security architecture to detect piracy” and embark on intensive investigation and prosecution of copyright cases.
DIG Tijani reiterated the continued support of the Police for the NCC in fighting piracy to a standstill in the country. He stressed that the Police would always cooperate with relevant stakeholders to promote national harmony and cohesion.
In attendance were the representative of the Inspector General of Police on the Governing Board of NCC, Assistant Inspector General of Police, J. D. Abang; Director of Operations, NCC, Mr. Obi Ezeilo and NCC Director of Legal Services, Mr. Emeka Ogbonna.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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