Broadcasting
Who are The Dragons?
I feel compelled by my love for you, to let you have a little background info on the dragons you’d be facing in the den, but I seriously recommend that you keep this revelation strictly between the two of us.
You have five dragons…
From different backgrounds…with different levels of experience…from different economic sectors and industries…they are different in character and fields of expertise…but they all have a few things in common: they’ve all amassed immense wealth and achieved huge levels of success in their respective fields; they all have a unique success story; they are armed with very analytical minds and sharp business intuitions, and they are ready to invest in your business or idea:
One of these dragons is a household name in the broadcast media industry in Nigeria and indeed the world; in his early 50s, he has more than 30 years experience in the media business…he’s risen from the ranks of radio and TV presenter, reporter, news anchor, and news editor for the biggest broadcast network in Africa to occupying an enviable position as the owner of a burgeoning broadcast media outfit respected terrestrially and internationally. He is well-travelled. His analysis of any proposed business provides the pitcher with an itinerary for attaining great heights in business. He reeks with the aura of a motivational speaker-challenging and inspiring any young mind with his meteoric rise through the ladders of a highly politicized industry.
One of the dragons is a digital age entrepreneur who became a multi-million pound sterling millionaire at the age of 24 for a mobile-phone driven technology. His passion for music and I.T encapsulated in a synergy of wealth and prominence made possible by his dexterity in running a cutting edge 21st century mobile-technology service delivery company. This dragon is an exponent of inter-personal skills, upholding the belief that your product or idea is only as good as your personality.
One of the dragons is a brand name in the marketing communications industry with over 35 years experience in the African advertising environment. A new generation entrepreneur, with a fresh approach to emerging business challenges. He has amassed so much wealth and success by positioning his advertising company as a company devoted to providing unequalled and unrivalled leveraging platforms for its clients to reach the core of their target, and generate great revenue from doing so. He is very persuasive, and upholds the virtue of compelling and convincing persuasion. When you meet him-be sure to observe the cardinal rules of advertising.
One dragon is a venture capitalist who understands the theories, mechanics, and applications of money in the business world. She has vast experiences in negotiating global money matters and designing modules that drive more profits for businesses. She has also has a background in computers. She has years of experience in equity investing, and holds a keen interest in emerging markets. She holds a MBA from one of the world’s most prestigious business schools. Her mind works like a portable computer, analyzing numbers and figures at the speed of thought.
One dragon is a prince whose last name inspires awe and respect for the business savvy associated with his lineage. Let’s say he inherited a well-seasoned ability to make fortunes. Young and successful, with a background in engineering, and an expanding experiential resume in investment and portfolio management, petroleum, and agriculture, this dragon represents the new breed of African entrepreneurship with many business pies on his dining table. He sits on top a conglomerate that has grown in reputation as a vibrant provider of essential commodities and services across Africa.
Broadcasting
CCPT Dismisses Class Action Suit against MultiChoice over Tariff Hikes

Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has dismissed a class action suit filed by one Uche Diala and 961 other DStv and GOtv subscribers against MultiChoice Nigeria and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), citing lack of jurisdiction.
The suit challenged MultiChoice’s subscription price increases in November 2023 and May 2024, which the claimants described as arbitrary, exploitative, and unfair.
Diala and others sought to reverse the hikes and compel the company to adopt a more flexible billing model, such as a pay-as-you-view system used in other countries like South Africa.
They also accused MultiChoice of price discrimination against Nigerian consumers.
MultiChoice, through its counsel, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that pricing decisions do not fall within the tribunal’s remit and that the suit was improperly filed as a class action without first seeking the tribunal’s leave.
In its ruling on Thursday, the tribunal’s three-member panel led by Justice Thomas Okosun held that the core issues raised, which were pricing and tariff regulation, fall under the exclusive purview of the executive branch, particularly the President, as stipulated under the Price Control Act.
“The issue of price regulation is a matter that falls within the exclusive purview of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Okosun stated.
While the tribunal acknowledged it holds both original and appellate jurisdiction under the FCCPC Act, it emphasized that such authority does not cover general price control unless abuse of market dominance is established—a point the claimants failed to prove.
On the procedural matter of filing a class action without prior approval, the tribunal noted that although it is ideal to obtain leave, failure to do so was not fatal in this instance since the claimants demonstrated a shared grievance and common interest.
Nonetheless, the tribunal upheld MultiChoice’s objection, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.
“The preliminary objection of the first defendant succeeds,” the panel held. “This suit is accordingly struck out for want of jurisdiction.”
This ruling follows a similar outcome on May 8, when a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld MultiChoice’s price increases after the company sued the FCCPC.
In that judgment, Justice James Omotoso declared that the FCCPC lacked the authority to fix or suspend subscription rates.
Broadcasting
MultiChoice Nigeria Slashes Decoder Price by 50 Percent, Offers Free Upgrades

MultiChoice Nigeria has slashed the price of its DStv decoder from N20,000 to N10,000, representing a 50 percent drop, in a aim at attracting attract more customers and curb declining subscriptions.
The campaign, titled “We’ve Got You,” was launched on June 16 and will continue until July 31.
Also, as part of its efforts to ease economic pressure on households and improve access to digital TV services, the campaign offers a free upgrade for both active and returning customers.
Speaking on the campaign, John Ugbe, chief executive officer (CEO) of MultiChoice Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and enhancing daily viewing experiences.
“We want to ensure our customers feel appreciated and have access to the best entertainment every day,” Ugbe said.
“The ‘We’veGot You’ campaign is about making premium content more accessible and showing that DStv offers something for everyone, not just football fans.
“By repositioning itself as a platform for daily value, DStv aims to encourage content discovery across a wider array of genres, including movies, drama, kids’ programming, and news.
“This means more channels, more shows, and more reasons to tune in every day.”
The development comes amid MultiChoice Nigeria’s legal battle with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over price hike.
Broadcasting
Qatar Airways Top Brass Face Court Action in Nigeria Over FCCPC Charges

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will, on Oct. 7, arraigned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Airways, Mr Temi Birdzell, alongside the company and its top officers, over allegations bordering on breach of FCCPC Act, 2018.
The defendants will be arraigned before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Others to be arraigned with Birdzell are Stella Ihediwa, the Account Manager of the airline; Kennedy Chirchir, the Country Manager and Eva Ojeje, who is the Sales Manager of the company.
Although the arraignment was scheduled for Tuesday, the matter could not proceed.
Upon resumed hearing, none of the defendants was in court.
When the matter was called on Tuesday, none of the defendants was in court due to improper service of the court documents, including the hearing notice, on them.
FCCPC.’s lawyer, Chizenum Nsitem, told the court of their inability to serve four of the defendants, although the company was served.
Nsitem then sought an adjournment to enable them do the needful and the judge adjourned the matter until Oct. 7 for the defendants to take their plea.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/200/2025, dragged Qatar Airways, Birdzell, Ihediwa, Chirchir and Ojeje to court as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
FCCPC, in the application dated May 26 but filed May 27, had preferred a two-count charge against the defendants.
The defendants were alleged to have failed to appear before FCCPC in compliance with a lawful summons of the commission dated Sept. 6, 2024, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33 (3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) Act, 2018.
They were also accused to have on Sept. 18, 2024, intentionally withheld the production of documents in compliance wth a lawful summons of the commission, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 111 of FCCP Act, 2018.
In count three, they were alleged to have on Sept. 18, 2024, engaged in the contravention of the consumer rights, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 124(1) and punishable under Section 155 of the same Act.
- General News2 days ago
OpenAI Unveils New AI Agent for Software Developers
- Telecom2 days ago
15 African Startups Using AI Selected for Google Accelerator Cohort 9
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN Nigeria Receives UN Women Award for Empowering Women Nationwide
- E-Financial1 day ago
Fidelity Bank Clears the Air: MD Not Linked to Woobs Case
- Telecom2 days ago
US Bans Use of WhatsApp on Official Devices over Security Concerns
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN Nigeria Launches “Mega Billion Promo” to Reward Customer Loyalty and Drive Financial Inclusion
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN Nigeria Donates Medical, Digital Equipment to Lagos Primary Healthcare Centre
- General News1 day ago
SEC Advocates for Advanced Financial Inclusion by 2030