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Smile Communications Stimulates Free WiFi in Metrotaxi
Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, the 4G/LTE broadband provider, renowned for superfast and reliable Internet service, has scored another first in the industry activating free WiFi in over 200 Metrotaxis in Lagos.
The feat is consequent upon the consummation of the partnership between Smile Communications and popular auto service firm Metro-taxi
At the official announcement of the partnership, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, chief marketing officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, described the feat as a ‘partnership’ designed to redefine life style among Metro-taxi passengers.
She said that the partnership was in line with Smile’s philosophy as the broadband provider of choice in Nigeria and will enable the teeming customers of Metrotaxi to fully benefit from the Internet world.
“Smile Communications Nigeria Limited”, she reiterated,” is uniquely famous for its transformative objective of using the best and most innovative technologies to provide its customers with high quality, easy to use and affordable communication services”.
Ladipo affirmed that “a lot of people think about The Internet from utility point of view. We are reinforcing the view that people should remain connected to the internet while on the go. The internet is about a more productive lifestyle. In spite of the strata of the society you belong, you should live a connected life. That is what Smile is advocating”.
According to her, “people are connected in different ways. Initially, in Nigeria, it was about making voice calls on your phone, but now people are connected via internet data making calls through Whatsapp, BBM etc. So, the partnership will intertwine the way we live our daily lives; riding in cars, cabs, buses, everyday. Before you know it, buses will have data and every street would become ‘smart’ ones, always connected. This is just a first step to what will happen in future”.
On why the telecom company chose MetroTaxi among competition, the Smile CMO said “Apart from Smile Communications being the ultimate 4G/LTE Company in Nigeria, we are creatively adding value to our customers’ lifestyle. The purpose of partnering with MetroTaxi is to improve on the conducive environment Metro taxi provides. Metro taxi maintains a standard and that is why we have partnered with them. They have maintained the integrity they promised from onset, which is in line with our principle”.
The benefits of the partnership, surmised Ladipo, are all encompassing for “It is also good for the drivers as well, because they have an opportunity to use the Google Map to locate their routes instead of stopping and asking people. At the same time, that passenger, whether or not he is a Smile Communications customer, has received additional value”.
Mrs. Priscilla Ibe, chief executive officer of Metrotaxi, said the company is thrilled by Smile’s magnanimity, adding that such partnership will even lift the company’s business profile.
She described Smile as a forward looking company that is true to the transformative objective that informed its establishment.
On its part Metro Taxi Limited, a subsidiary of The Philly & Mools Group, has set out to be an innovative customer oriented company, with the sole aim of providing unparalleled transportation service for both individual and corporate bodies.
Ibe said, “We are happy about this partnership. One of the basic needs of a Lagosian is to have a reliable, safe and comfortable ride. We thought of putting WiFi in the cabs so that while on the go the passenger can be connected-browsing, chatting, receiving and replying to business emails, among other bundles of opportunities this partnership will offer our passengers. We hope this is just the beginning with our 250 taxies already connected.
On fears that the free WiFi might lead to fare increase, Ibe allayed such fears. “Our fares remain the same. We are not considering increase or an upward review of the fares. Our collective desire is to offer our riders comfort and connectivity.
“This is going to improve our service because locating routes will become easier for the drivers. I look forward to getting passengers’ feedback. They will really enjoy it. Everybody wants access to the internet for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, sharing, uploading and downloading.
“Our cars are Bluetooth enabled. So, when the drivers are on the road, they connect the Bluetooth and give commands to the car with the DVD panel that shows the maps. We have already trained them on the safety side too. We also have a back-office system to help us monitor, through GPS, what the drivers are doing. In addition, we have fleet officers on the road monitoring the drivers and that also curtails misbehaviours.
Also speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tobe Okigbo, chief corporate services officer for Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, said the gesture was in furtherance of the company’s resolve to enable the Internet of Things (IoT) capable of increasing individuals, corporations and the nation’s economic base.
Okigbo said, “The truth is this: the way the world is going now like the phenomenal Digital Dividend, it is about how the internet, incrementally, helps you to achieve more. Can you imagine how much manpower that is lost in traffic gridlocks in Lagos? People should work even while they are in traffic. They should continue to be productive. In number terms, assuming people spend three hours/day in traffic. Let’s quantify it at $300/hour in lost productivity. If they are able to remain productive, the $300 adds to their income.
“So, it has multiplier effect. Think about it, if they don’t lose it, then, they earn more money. If they earn more, government earns more tax (revenue) and provides more services. All this because they have been empowered via Smile Communications free WiFi in MetroTaxi. The impact of the internet on our way of life has become ubiquitous. When you are talking about Internet of Things (IoT), for instance, MetroTaxis will in future talk to each other. There are instances where equipment, without human intervention, based on algorithms, talk to each other and things get done in more efficient ways”.
He highlighted that the partnership will even lead to a whole lot of innovations in future.
News
NIPOST to Crack Down on Criminal Courier Operators

Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has vowed to clamp down on courier companies found to be aiding the trafficking of drugs and other illicit items through the country’s logistics network.
In a statement issued on by Franklin Alao, director of Corporate Communications, NIPOST expressed outrage over a recent report in some newspapers with the headline: “Nigerian courier services easily transporting hard drugs since Tinubu became president – NIPOST.”
The agency described the headline as false, misleading, and damaging to national security efforts. According to NIPOST, the article falsely attributes the claim to the postal regulator, thereby creating the impression that the agency had endorsed or confirmed such allegations.
“This is categorically FALSE,” the statement said. “At no point has NIPOST made such a statement or associated these activities with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
NIPOST maintained that while it respects the role of the media in promoting accountability and transparency, the publication in question was reckless and sensational.
It warned that inaccurate reporting on sensitive national issues like drug trafficking not only misinforms the public but also undermines the collaborative work being done to sanitise the courier and logistics sector.
Restating its position, the agency said it strongly condemns the use of courier services for criminal purposes, including drug trafficking.
It reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward the misuse of Nigeria’s postal infrastructure and said it remained committed to regulating the sector with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
NIPOST noted that it had embarked on a range of interventions aimed at improving surveillance and enforcement across the logistics industry.
It stated that all courier operators are currently undergoing a revalidation process and that Know-Your-Customer protocols and compliance audits are being enforced to tighten controls and prevent abuse of the system.
The postal regulator said it is also working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Customs Service, and other relevant security institutions to investigate and deter the use of logistics channels for the transportation of narcotics and other contraband items.
In addition, NIPOST said it had intensified engagement with courier operators, transport unions, and logistics associations to promote sector-wide vigilance and encourage the reporting of suspicious packages.
It also revealed that a new Digital Postcode and Parcel Identification System is being deployed nationwide to enhance traceability, eliminate anonymity, and improve parcel screening from the point of dispatch to final delivery.
“The Nigerian Postal Service is fully committed to restoring the integrity of Nigeria’s courier and logistics industry,” the statement said. “Any operator found to be involved in criminal activity will face immediate regulatory sanctions, including license suspension or revocation, and be reported to appropriate authorities for prosecution.”
The agency urged members of the public to use only licensed courier companies and to report any suspicious activity either to NIPOST or relevant security agencies.
It also called on journalists and civil society groups to approach issues in the sector with accuracy, caution, and a shared sense of responsibility.
News
DICON, Saudi Firm to Produce Drones, Satellites in Nigeria

Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Homeland Protectors and Supplies Limited, a Saudi Arabia-based security company, to begin local manufacturing of drones, satellite systems, and advanced communication equipment.
The agreement, which was signed at DICON headquarters in Kaduna, will see Homeland Protectors bring in production lines and technology to Nigeria to manufacture satellite systems, laser equipment, border security drones, and sophisticated communications solutions.
Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, director general of DICON, shortly after signing the MoU, described the deal as a “major milestone” in Nigeria’s drive for defence self-sufficiency.
He said the collaboration would not only meet local demands but also position Nigeria as an exporter of security technology to other African countries.
According to him: “Today is another milestone for DICON. What Homeland Protectors is bringing on board is expertise and experience in the field of satellite, laser systems, communications, and border security drones.
The agreement we have just signed is for them to bring the production line to Nigeria and start producing here, so we can satisfy the defence industry requirements, other security agencies, and export the excess capacity to other African countries.”
He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called his “constant support and firm belief in DICON,” especially for signing the DICON Act 2023, which has now paved the way for international partnerships of this magnitude.
Alaya also thanked the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence for their unwavering backing, stressing that their support made the joint venture possible.
Mr. Ali Hussain A. Aldayhani, managing director and chief executive officer, Homeland Protectors and Supplies, who led the Saudi delegation to Nigeria, hailed the partnership as a game-changer for Nigeria’s security architecture.
“I am in support of this amazing job today in collaboration with Homeland and DICON. This is in support of the Nigerian President and the Minister of Defence to bring security satellite communication technology to Nigeria,” he said.
He disclosed that the venture was designed not only to meet Nigeria’s internal needs but also to open up export opportunities to other markets, stressing: “We are going to have a huge joint venture and also for export outside Nigeria with regard to technology communication.”
The Homeland CEO thanked the DICON Director General for what he called “the support of the huge success in signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”
He assured that this would not be the last of such engagements, promising more frequent visits and deeper collaborations in the near future.
With this move, Nigeria joins a select group of countries on the continent working to domesticate critical security manufacturing — a step expected to save foreign exchange, create jobs, and bolster national security.
News
FG Says No Going Back to Nuclear Testing

Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed Nigeria’s unwavering stance against nuclear weapons testing.
He made this known during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with a delegation from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), led by Dr Robert Floyd, executive secretary.
According to Shettima, Nigeria, like many other African nations, is grappling with numerous socio-economic challenges, including widespread poverty and the adverse impacts of climate change.
He stressed that Africa’s immediate priority is to confront these existential threats, not to engage in the pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.
“The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation; it is always the opposite. We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” he said.
The Vice President also commended CTBTO for its broader civilian contributions, such as detecting tsunamis and seismic volcanic activity, and for supporting global ecological stability.
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