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We’re Leveraging NigComSAT-1R to Linkup Hinterlands Says Alale @NDSF2021

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Dr. Abimbola Alale, managing director and chief executive officer, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSAT), has said they are leveraging NigComSAT-1R to provide complimentary solutions for an effective digital economy.

Speaking at the 2021 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum series on Internet Governance for Development (NDSF) held in Lagos recently at Golden Tulip Essential Hotel, she said they are leveraging the NigComSAT-1R I by linking stakeholders, especially ones in the hinterland.

Alale who was represented by the acting General Manager, Marketing at NigComSAT, Mrs Ibiye Ukoko, dwelt on “The Role of NigComSAT on Digital Cooperation for Enhanced Digital Economy” said that the advantages of using the satellite in this case, include quick and fast deployment, cheaper infrastructure in less commercially viable areas as well as broadcast services.

She cited an instance with a crisis period, saying that since the unrest situation in Nigeria, NigComSAT has had to embark of journeys of critical areas to work and ensure connectivity is provided, back up services to serve and resultant speed, ubiquitous, equitable and affordable access to ICT infrastructure.

In addition, she said, NigComSAT is leveraging this satellite to promote access to basic and advanced telecom infrastructure and services; develop an enabling environment for ICT applications in other fields cutting across commerce, health, and education to name a few.

Equally, she said they have increased collaborative efforts within the private sector, civil society and government.

NigComSAT, she informed, is a satellite operator having launched the NigComSAT -1R satellite to offer connectivity solutions across its coverage areas. Stressing, this strong digital infrastructure has the capacity to provide effective connectivity across Nigeria and their regions.

“The internet has affected every aspect of our lives and this space is heavily dominated by the private sector, this is why the private sector needs to be heavily engaged as a stakeholder,” she said.

According to the NigComSAT boss, a digital economy speaks to a range of functioning and implementation. Noting that digitization of the Nigerian economy has so far created benefits and efficiencies as digital technologies drive innovation, job opportunities and economic growth.

“The Nigerian digital economy affects all aspects of society influencing the way people interact and bring about broad changes,” she said.

Alale also pointed out that Nigeria’s digital transformation is already having a great impact in the economy as it applies to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in comparison to other sectors.

“The ICT sector contributed 14.07% to the total real GDP in Q1 2020 higher than its contribution in 2019 at 13.32%. In Q2 2020, the sector contributed 17.83% increasing the amount contributed to about N1.78trillion and N1.28 trillion in Q1 while the oil sector contributed 8.93% in the same quarter,” she said.

Furthermore she said that Nigeria e-commerce transactions, for instance, accounts for about $13billion USD, according to London-based Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU). Whereas exports in the Nigerian financial service sector also estimated that Nigeria’s e-commerce market value could rise to $50billion over the next 10 years.

In addition, she said that financial technologies have also given rise to new ways of delivering financial services in Nigeria, while the use of technologies advance the efficiency of the payments systems and strengthen Nigeria’s e- commerce sector.

This, she emphasized further digitized networks and intelligent information and communications technologies enable modern economic activities to be more flexible, agile and smart.

“Further digital economy is allowing regional businesses to move away from the local and into the global, in keeping abreast with the long term trends towards market liberalization and reduced trade barriers.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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NBS May Release Rebased Figures for Nigerian Economy July 11

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National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) may launch its rebased Gross Domestic Product figure on July 11, according to reports by the Nation.

NBS May Release Rebased Figures for Nigerian Economy July 11

In economics, rebasing refers to the process of updating the base year used for calculating economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This is done to reflect changes in the structure and price levels of an economy, making the indicators more accurate and relevant to the current economic situation.

Folorunso Alesanmi, head of Public Relations, NBS, deferred his response to today (Monday) when asked to confirm the information.

In a terse text message reply to our inquiry, he said “I will reply you on Monday when I get the final information about it.”

Recall that the country changed the year of its GDP  from 1990 to 2010 in 2014, when the figure was raised by 89 per cent.

The much awaited July 11 figure is expected to increase economic indicators such as  per capita income, debt-to-GDP ratio and tax revenue outlooks.

 

 


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Lagos-Calabar Highway Gets $100M Push from ECOWAS to Drive Regional Growth

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ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has committed $100 million to support the development of a key section of Nigeria’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

This funding covers a 47.7-kilometre stretch, marking Section I, Phase I of the project, which originates from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos.

Work on the highway began in March 2024, with Hitech Construction Company Limited appointed as the main contractor.

The announcement was made during EBID’s 92nd Ordinary Session held in Lagos, where the bank outlined a series of development financing commitments amounting to €174 million and $125 million, targeted at infrastructure and social development across the ECOWAS region.

The investment in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is designed to boost intra-regional connectivity by linking nine Nigerian states. It will also enhance access to strategic seaports, support agro-industrial development, and improve logistical networks along Nigeria’s southern corridor. The highway is further expected to contribute to the formation of a regional supply chain, economically empowering coastal communities.

“The bank also approved $100 million in funding for the Lagos-Calabar coastal motorway project in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It said that this project, which spans 47.7 km, would link nine Nigerian states and improve access to seaports and isolated agro-industrial areas. EBID noted that the funding would also contribute to the emergence of a regional value chain to support coastal communities.”

Other EBID-backed initiatives include €50 million earmarked for the establishment and outfitting of six technical and vocational education centres in Togo. These centres aim to provide skills training for up to 3,480 youths annually, focusing on high-demand trades.

In Guinea, the bank allocated €28.9 million to revamp four agricultural high schools, and an additional €95.16 million to build three hydroelectric micro-power plants with a combined generation capacity of 30 megawatts, aiming to expand rural access to renewable energy.

Côte d’Ivoire will benefit from a $25 million facility directed at financing clinker imports by Société de Ciment de Côte d’Ivoire—a move expected to support local cement manufacturing and alleviate raw material shortages in the construction sector.

EBID noted that its latest funding initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 9, which advocates for advancements in industry, innovation, and infrastructure. With these latest disbursements, the bank’s cumulative investment across the West African region has surpassed the $5 billion milestone.

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, recently disclosed that the Federal Government has signed off on contracts exceeding N3 trillion for multiple sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, extending through Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.

The Lagos segment—Section I—was awarded at N1.068 trillion, with 30 percent of the contract sum already paid.

Section II, which includes multiple bridges and traverses difficult terrain en route to the Dangote Refinery, has been contracted at N1.6 trillion.

Sections III A and III B, covering parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, were jointly valued at N1.33 trillion.

President Bola Tinubu officially inaugurated the first completed segment of the coastal highway in May 2025, signalling the project’s steady progress.


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LG Launches “Radio Optimism” Campaign to Spread “Life’s Good” Through Music

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LG Electronics has launched a new brand campaign, “Radio Optimism,” designed to help strengthen meaningful human connections and spread optimism through shared musical experiences.

This initiative aligns with LG’s brand promise, “Life’s Good,” and addresses the growing challenge of forming genuine relationships in a technology-driven world.

The Radio Optimism campaign seeks to counteract the disconnection often felt in an era dominated by superficial interactions, such as likes and comments on social media. By harnessing the power of music, LG aims to foster deeper bonds among individuals, promoting a more fulfilling life.

“As technology advances, meaningful human connections become increasingly vital to enrich our lives. LG continues its commitment to bringing optimism into customers’ daily lives, staying true to our enduring brand promise of ‘Life’s Good,’” said Kim Hyo-eun, head of LG’s Brand Management Division.

This campaign reinforces LG’s commitment to creating enriching experiences in digital spaces where today’s consumers spend significant time. Building on this mission, LG has continuously engaged with younger audiences through participatory campaigns that bring the Life’s Good philosophy to life.

Last year’s “Optimism your feed” campaign leveraged social algorithms to foster positivity on social media. This new initiative specifically seeks to address the paradoxical disconnection in an era of hyper-connectivity.

“One of the most reliable predictors of happiness is having deep and meaningful relationships,” said Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University. “Yet today, many people are spending more time online and less time connecting in person. Social media in particular tends to create shallow relationships rather than the deep connections people need.

“It’s common for people to have hundreds of followers but no one to talk to in real life if they need support. We need to build more meaningful connections with those around us. That might turn around the pronounced decline in happiness that’s occurred over the last decade.”

A new global study* from LG on social connection reveals that 68 percent of people find it harder to make real friends, and a third reported having one or fewer meaningful connections in the past month, with 8 percent experiencing none at all.

Inspired by traditional radio’s unique way of connecting people through music and storytelling, the Radio Optimism campaign transforms this concept into an interactive platform where participants can create and send personalized songs to their loved ones.

Users can easily create new songs using AI-powered tools, which are thoroughly trained on a curated music dataset. These tools interpret user prompts to produce unique musical pieces and generate matching album art, providing an engaging and personalized experience. Once generated, these songs can be sent to recipients to deepen their connection and made available for others to discover worldwide.

According to the survey, nearly 9 in 10 respondents believe that meaningful connections lead to a more optimistic outlook on life. By providing a platform for individuals to express their feelings, this campaign aims to foster deeper connections and help individuals enrich their lives while spreading optimism in their own ways.

The campaign website is available in English and Spanish, with plans to support additional languages in the coming months to enable broader participation. The official website can be found at RadioOptimism.lg.com.


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