Telecom
NITDA Vows to Support Tech Community Hack COVID-19 Out of Nigeria

MallamKashifuInuwaAbdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has promised to offer full support to tech community in Nigeria to enable them innovate on ways of crafting an exit and recovery strategy from this COVID-19 pandemic and to make sure we come out stronger as a nation.
MallamInuwa made this known over the weekend during his speech via Skype at the opening ceremony of a Hackathon event put together by ‘100 women in ICT’with the theme: ‘Hack the Crisis in Nigeria’.
“Hack the crisis project is aimed at launching a prototype solutions, ideas and innovations into products and initiatives that will not only create awareness in multiple languages about COVID-19 but will also help prevent and/or flatten the curve of COVID-19 in Nigeria through digital innovation,” the DG said.
He urged participants to come up with innovative ideas that can help the nation contain and mitigate this pandemic as well as look at how we can use these ideas to survive and thrive in the post pandemic world.
“We need to hack the crisis and we need to do it ourselves. We need to make a tailor made solutions that can work in our country”, he stated.
The DG hinted that the Agency is looking at organizing a National Innovation Challenge, where it can identify some innovative ideas, incubate them and ensure they are implemented in some sectors, especially the health sector and the digital economy in general.
He further said that he personally encouraged and supported the Hackathon because the theme is apt, and the problem statement is relevant to what is happening in the world today.
MallamKashifu said he look forward to a promising result from this Hackathon to help mitigate the effect of this pandemic.
“NITDA is looking at incubating some of the innovation to create value and prosperity as we exit from the crisis which is in line with the President MuhammaduBuhari, resolve to diversify our economy and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“It is also in consistent with the agency’s supervising ministry, the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy’s ‘national digital economy strategy’ which focused on digital job creation and the use of emerging technologies to create value, wealth and prosperity for our young generation.
“Today we are confronted by a crisis like no other. Corona virus, also known as COVID-19 has disrupted our social and economic order within a short time.
“The virus is causing health crisis while the lockdown needed to fight the virus is causing economic crises.
“What was normal just few weeks ago, such as going to work, religious congregation and socializing with family and friends, is now a huge risk” the DG noted.
He added that the virus dictates and is still in control. It dictates when to shutdown, lockdown and relaxes.
He argued that we will likely continue this way until there is breakthrough in vaccine but until then, life will not return to normal because humans have natural aversion for exposing themselves to diseases.
“The good news is we have created a sense of stability from the crisis that is why we are here thinking on how to hack the crisis, unlocking hidden opportunities and silver lining in the COVID-19 period,” MallamKashifu said.
He further argued that Post COVID-19 world would be created and shaped by our exit and recovery strategy from the crisis.
We need to unlearn the way we do things in the pre-COVID-19 world and learn the new way to survive and thrive in the post-COVID-19 world. We need solutions to mitigate and contain the virus.
He said since it has been proven that contact tracing is the most effective containment measures, then emerging technology will be the most effective tool for that.
In Pre-COVID-19, ICT dominated the world economy. Over 40 percent of one hundred most valuable brands in the world are digital companies, as well as the top five on the list. Many businesses were going digital but with some level of resistance.
Meanwhile, in post pandemic era, the world will be forced into the fourth Industrial revolution where everything will be digitalized, the DG concluded.
Telecom
4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.
A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.
According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.
The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.
However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.
Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.
Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology, assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.
To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.
The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.
A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.
As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.
Telecom
Globalcom Thrills Subscribers with 3 New Digital Products

Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.
Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.
The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.
For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.
In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.
Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.
To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.
Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.
In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.
Telecom
SiBAN Applauds Interstellar’s Groundbreaking Role in Africa’s Blockchain Future

The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.
This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.
The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.
According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.
PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.
The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.
SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.
The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.
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