General News
WARIF Completes First Cycle of Its Rural Sensitization Program on Covid-19
In the months since COVID-19 was first reported in Nigeria, rippling effects with devastating impacts have been felt across the global economy and on individual livelihood.
The crisis, characterized by border closures and lockdowns, comes as a shock to the majority impacting not only the economical but physical and mental health of many within and beyond the Nigerian constituencies.
In Nigeria, rural communities make up the largest portion of these constituencies and in this crisis, these communities are particularly important, as they are among the most vulnerable. However, most of the burdens of COVID-19 in rural areas have been under the radar.
For rural households, the impact of the virus will likely be felt first in compromised livelihoods. The health impact, however, cannot be overlooked or understated. With the gradual ease of the lockdown coupled with a fast-rising number of reported cases, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), one of the nation’s foremost NGOs tackling the prevalence of gender-based violence in Nigeria, have observed that the pandemic and disruption of the present moment is one which requires efficient sensitization on safety protocols for survival while also addressing the prevalence of domestic and sexual gender-based violence within their communities.
Shocking statistics by WARIF revealed that domestic violence has surged since the initial period of the coronavirus lockdown.
This led to the NGO re-opening its centre to cater to survivors of sexual violence. This decision was made after the NGO observed a 64 per cent increase in call cases, during the lockdown mandated by the Federal Government in March 2020.
Dr Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, Founder of WARIF, voiced the need for a more aggressive sensitization scheme for rural communities – “There is an urgent need for rural communities to be sensitized about these pandemics as they have little access to adequate healthcare facilities’’.
Building on this, WARIF has become more concerned with sensitizing rural communities around the state about the pandemic. Through a recently launched Covid-19 response initiative, the NGO commenced a one-month sensitization program designed to engage women in grassroots communities.
The relevance of initiatives like this cannot be overemphasized, as programs targeted at the most vulnerable individuals within the society ultimately influence the greater good of the society.
It is all about education, information and sensitization; and individuals, government and non-governmental organizations (NGO) all play a critical role in making sure the right information and materials get to the people within these communities.
In response to this urgent consequence of the pandemic, WARIF has also implemented safety planning protocols to assist survivors in need of help. These protocols designed and implemented by the organization to protect both adults and children are aligned with the recently released set of procedures by the UN to keep children safe while the pandemic lasts.
WARIF has noted that it is one thing to propose a sensitization program and another to maximize its efficiency. This is why the program has been implemented through the leverage the support of trained Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) from the WARIF Community Gatekeepers Project, a pre-existing initiative by the NGO.
The Traditional Birth Attendants were identified to carry out this sensitization as they are familiar with the people and the environment. These trained attendants, already educated on the prevalence of domestic and sexual gender-based violence within their grassroot communities and the immediate response and management of these cases, have been galvanized into small cell groups and are making house to house visits in their various communities to offer assistance to women who are residing with their spouses and partners.
The Traditional Birth Attendants will go into communities weekly to create awareness on services provided at the WARIF center and identify if there has been an increase in cases of sexual and domestic abuses. Cases of abuse in these households are being identified and recorded and are referred to the WARIF Rape Crisis Centre.
It is commendable to note that WARIF had successfully completed the first cycle of its rural sensitization program which engaged 10, 774 individuals in Alimosho, Kosofe, Apapa, Epe and Ikorodu LGAs of Lagos state. Regardless, there is still much work to be done as private sector inclusion and partnerships are encouraged by the NGO.
It is no news that women are still at risk during this period and this is why WARIF through its initiative aims to get first-hand insight to GBV cases within these communities and engage survivors with all the support they require. This is a major factor which lead to the NGO’s Police Awareness Initiative, which gives survivors access to a select number of police stations across Lagos.
In these stations, there are assigned officers to assist survivors with their cases and protect them from any further harm from the perpetuator. With collaborations such as this, WARIF is ensuring that survivors can get prompt and satisfactory responsiveness from the police in locations closest to them.
In its 2020 vision, WARIF aims to impact I million lives and as far has successfully influenced 340,000 people this year. The NGO continues to operate a 24-hour confidential helpline (0809 210 0009) to assist survivors of gender-based violence in Nigeria.
OpenAI is suing Elon Musk over claims he has tried nonstop to slow down its business for his own benefit.
Elon Musk
The company accuses the Tesla boss of using “bad-faith tactics” against OpenAI to help him control cutting-edge AI technology.
Musk sued OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman last year in a bid to stop him from changing its corporate structure. Mr Musk co-founded OpenAI with Mr Altman but left several years ago.
Meanwhile reporters has approached his lawyer for a response to OpenAI’s lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday.
The countersuit opens up a new front in the high-stakes battle between two Silicon Valley heavyweights.
“Elon’s nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit,” “Today, we countersued to stop him.”
Last week, a federal judge in Oakland, California, set a March 2026 trial date in Mr Musk’s suit in a bid to fast-track the legal fight.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers previously declined to grant Mr Musk an injunction that would temporarily halt OpenAI’s conversion from a non-profit to a for-profit company.
She also said that she expected Mr Musk to give evidence in the case.
Musk alleges that OpenAI strayed from its founding mission as a non-profit to develop AI for the benefit of humanity and is therefore in breach of contract.
He left the company in 2018.
“This is about control. This is about revenue. It’s basically about one person saying, ‘I want control of that startup’,” said Ari Lightman, professor of digital media and marketing at Carnegie Mellon University.
Lightman said it has been a distraction from making AI safe and equitable.
“That takes a backseat with all this rigmarole over control and monetization,” Lightman said.
OpenAI claims Musk has “been spreading false information about us,” in a X post on Wednesday, adding “Elon’s never been about the mission. He’s always been about his own agenda.”
Musk’s xAI is a competitor to OpenAI, but has so far lagged behind. Last month, xAI aquiired Musk’s social media platform X formerly Twitter.
Musk claims the combined company, XAI Holdings, is valued at more than $100 billion.
In February, Musk made an unsolicited bid for OpenAI, offering to buy it for $97.4 billion, which Mr Altman rejected by posting: “no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
In a major step toward strengthening border security and modernising travel protocols, the Federal Government has announced the introduction of automated landing and exit cards as part of its wider e-Visa solution. The new system, set to take effect on May 1, 2025, aims to eliminate travel bottlenecks while enhancing national security.
The initiative was unveiled during a joint press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The ministers emphasised that the project is a collaborative effort involving key agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), all of which will play a critical role in the rollout of the e-Visa and the new digital travel documentation.
“What we are doing here today is a further testament to the determination of this government to foster cooperation between key ministries that have mandates that overlap,” Keyamo stated. “Today is another example of that kind of cooperation and collaboration, and this has to do with the introduction of the e-Visa.”
Speaking on the importance of the new initiative, Minister Tunji-Ojo highlighted its significance to Nigeria’s security framework.
“This initiative has a very serious effect on our national security architecture. Prior to now, we have always had the exit and landing card in a manual way — travellers had to fill a paper form. But now the narrative has changed with the introduction of the e-Visa and automated exit and entry cards,” he said.
He explained that the process will now be completed digitally before boarding, with travellers required to fill out the landing and exit cards online and present them to airlines before being allowed to board.
“Nigeria is a country of 230 million brilliant people and we have to lead in terms of technology. In view of that, we are automating the visa process. The responsibility of coordinating and issuing regulations to the airlines lies with the NCAA,” Tunji-Ojo added.
“This shows our commitment to the protection of our country, to border security, and to ensure that our sovereignty as a nation is well respected.”
The interior minister further noted that the e-Visa system is designed not only to strengthen border controls but also to simplify entry processes for visitors.
“The e-Visa will make it easier for people to come into Nigeria while enhancing the security of our country,” he said.
General News
Leo Stan Ekeh Advocates for “Last Mile Takeover” at KongaFM Event, Pushes for Deeper Brand-Consumer Connections
At a recent industry gathering hosted by Nigeria’s pioneering Hit Music & Commerce Station, Konga 103.7FM, renowned tech entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, delivered a compelling case for revolutionizing how brands connect with consumers in today’s hyper-competitive market.
Dr. Ekeh positioned what he termed the “Last Mile Takeover” as the critical differentiator for business success in Nigeria’s evolving commercial landscape.
The event, themed “Consumer Last Mile Takeover – The New Key”, brought together entrepreneurs, marketing executives and brand managers from leading corporations to explore innovative approaches to consumer engagement. Ekeh, renowned for his transformative ventures in Africa’s digital space, emphasized that the final point of contact between brands and consumers represents the most valuable real estate in modern commerce.
In his address, Leo Stan charged entrepreneurs who are serious about growth to focus on that last engagement point, as the critical pivot. According to him, that is “where trust is built, loyalty is secured, and value is delivered.”
Dr. Ekeh believes that the media is the strongest link between brand and consumers, and his vision for deeper, more meaningful brand-consumer relationships is what gave birth to KongaFM. Konga 103.7FM is the latest addition to the Konga Group driven by cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence.
Earlier in her welcome address, Ifeoma Ajumobi, Head of KongaFM, detailing the station’s unique architecture as a robust platform designed with robust support frameworks for brands and businesses, while delivering premium entertainment.
Since its launch in January 2025, the station has experienced remarkable growth, steadily expanding its fanbase and establishing itself as a powerful medium for consumer engagement.
The initiative garnered significant praise from brand representatives across various sectors, including those from Samsung, Nivea, Checkers Custard, Kenya Airways, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Xiaomi, and LG, who frequently referred to KongaFM as a game-changing platform. Their positive feedback underscored the station’s emerging role as a critical tool for brand communication, particularly in terms of boosting FMCG visibility and fostering direct connections with consumers.
Peggy Abengowe, Marketing Manager, Checkers Custard Africa, applauded the station’s impact on distribution and visibility, while Oge Maduagwu of Samsung Electronics West Africa praised its innovative blend of commerce and technology. Rachael Okeke, Marketing Executive, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, in her words, described the establishment of KongaFM as a “win-win for brands and consumers”.
The event concluded with a unified call to action for businesses to leverage the unique opportunities offered by KongaFM, with Leo Stan reinforcing the importance of boldness in business.
Konga 103.7 FM is Nigeria’s first hit music and commerce radio station, designed to connect brands with consumers through music, storytelling, and targeted promotions. A brainchild of the Zinox Group and Konga, KongaFM is redefining the role of radio in Nigeria’s digital commerce era.
Businesses interested in exploring partnership opportunities with KongaFM can connect via the station’s social media handles @Konga103.7FM or stream live programming 24/7 through its official website for a firsthand experience of this innovative platform.
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