News
WITIN Holds 6-Week Summer iCamp for Children

Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN) said preparations are on top gears towards hosting a six-week online work-at-home summer camp for children between the ages 9 to 18.
The programme tagged: “iCamp 2014”, WITIN said, children can participate from anywhere in the world, even as they are open to sponsorship.
While addressing journalists at this year’s two-day Total School Support Seminar/Exhibition (TSSS) organized by Edumark in Lagos, Martha Alade-Omoekpen, president, Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), said the essence of the iCamp is to help young minds discover their innate ICT talents, provide digital opportunities by exposing them to high profile software that will advance and aid learning beyond the walls of classroom setting.
She said the summer programme will inspire innovative tendencies in the participating children.
“We are not just reaching out to adults alone; we are now reaching out to adolescents. However, there was a dossier raised that the way we are going the males might turn ‘endangered species’. So, through the iCamp we shall be conducting some research. We want to see how the male and female children are embracing and using technology. This iCamp will give us something intelligent to share with stakeholders,” she said.
The ingenuity of the iCamp attracted Yinka Ogunde, coordinator of the Edumart who expressed delight over WITIN’s designed programmes to attract attention of the young people to developing their talents.
Ogunde said: “What Women In Technology is doing is in line with what we are trying to achieve through the Total School Support programme. When we look at issues around, the way technology is redefining the way things are is formidable. It is, therefore, important that we carry the education community along.
“For instance, mothers are so engaged with other things that they find it difficult to teach their children anymore. Thus, the teachers who conduct the teaching should have access to the technology. That is why they know and understand what is going on within the education sector.
“That is what the Total School Support tries to do: bringing up what is new within the educational sector, so that the education community in Nigeria will be aware what is going on. There are organizations developing wonderful things that will change the way a child learns.
“Technology is formidable. You will be amazed what is going on with learning. They are mostly interactive in nature. If a teacher is not careful the children will leave him or her behind”.
On girl child education, she said, “When you educate a woman you are changing the face of a nation; redefining a whole community, society. It is important that the girl child is well educated, because the woman spends more time with the children than the man.
“So, when you educate a girl you are equipping her to be able to nurture your generation yet unborn. There are few times when you see an educated woman raising an uneducated child. She inspires a nation. When you educate a woman, you make her become confident and strong individual and thereby changing the nation”.
She added that girl child education is something every Nigerian should take very serious in country, even engaging them with technology.
Meanwhile, Alade-Omoekpen, listed topic to be covered during the six-week iCamp to include, graphics, drawing, animation, digital story-telling, entrepreneurship, and project.
“We were focusing on Nigeria’s environment; meanwhile, our first registrants are from the United States. They watched the few minutes video on YouTube and were captivated by what they saw. We are expecting more international participants now.
“The reason for the choice of topics is that they are the basics. For instance, the graphics help children tell stories about that are happening around us. They can draw; it is the simplest way for a child to create something.
“We should go beyond using technology. We are so used to using it; however, no matter how small our children are they can create something. For instance, the BringBackOurGirls protests, we turned it into story telling graphics and likened it to a rat trapped in a house. Anybody who views it feels touched and tells why everybody should be concerned about the security situation in our country,” Alade-Omoekpen noted.
She said the programme will not thrive without sponsors hence they are open to sponsorship, adding that the summer programme will also involve children at their different homes and locations.
She also lamented that lack of internet access is a foreseen impediment which prompted why they want to partner with willing private schools to bring the platform closer to the students, while public schools are not excluded.
News
Lagos Plastic Ban: MAN Warns of Job Losses, Closure of Businesses

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed concerns over the impending ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment.
It warned that it could lead to job losses and and lead to economic, operational, and social consequences for manufacturers, traders, recyclers, and end users.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director general, MAN, in a statement called on the Lagos State government to reconsider the ban, citing a lack of credible data and stakeholder engagement.
According to Ajayi-Kadir, a recent study revealed that 100% of manufacturers surveyed expressed fears of job losses and workforce restructuring if the ban is implemented.
He said, “A recent MAN-supported study evaluating the possible impacts of the Lagos State SUPs ban revealed significant adverse economic, operational, and social implications across the value chain, from manufacturers to wholesalers, traders, and end users. It has been noted that only poor and developing countries often tilt towards plastic ban as a strategy to combat environmental problems.
“A hundred percent of the manufacturers consulted expressed concern over a ban-induced workforce restructuring. Thus, several jobs will be lost in the industry if this ban were to be implemented.
“It is noteworthy to mention that there is no form of arrangement for social protection for the employees who will lose their livelihoods as a result of this ban.
“Also, there has been no form of social dialogue on the part of the government with these workers or the industry on the potential job losses.”
According to him, findings showed that 89% of operators in the plastic value chain rely on SUPs as their primary source of income with no alternative source of livelihoods, over 75% of end users, including SMEs, depend on plastic packaging with no affordable or practical alternatives, and 93% of dealers, many of whom are women, reported no prior information or social support mechanisms to cushion the impact.
Ajayi-Kadir emphasised that banning SUPs would not resolve pollution issues but merely substitute one problem for another, especially without scalable alternatives or infrastructure to support the transition.
He urged the government to focus on improving waste management infrastructure and promoting recycling, rather than imposing bans.
News
Court Hands 23 Chinese Nationals 1 Year Jail Term Each for Cyberterrorism, Fraud

A Federal High Court in Ikeja, Lagos state has sentenced 23 Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them before Justices D.E. Osiagor, D.I. Dipeolu, and A.O. Faji on a single count of cyberterrorism and online fraud.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, revealed that the convicted individuals were members of a cyber-fraud syndicate comprising 792 people.
He noted that the culprits were arrested on Thursday, December 19, 2024 in Lagos, during an operation known as ‘Eagle Flush.’
Oyewale stated that the individuals identified as Yu Hui (also known as A. Bin), Huang Jin Hui, Fei Fan, Lu Qiang, Hu Xi Zheng, Sun Zhi Peng, Wu Hao, Cong Bing, and Li Qiang alias Yang Huan Huan, Zheng Wei alias A. Hong, Cheng Jian, Da Tou, A Wen, Zhang Lei, Huang Zhi, Pan Jiong, Chen Wen Yuan, Jia You alias A. You, Wang Zheng Feng alias Feng, Liu San Hua, Liu Beixing, and Wen Zong Xu alias Li Long were all charged on one count of online fraud and cyber-terrorism.
One of the charges brought against Yu Hui (also known as A. Bin) claimed that he, along with others, unlawfully accessed computer systems in Lagos around December 2024 with the intent to destabilize and damage Nigeria’s economy and social structure.
According to the EFCC, this act violated Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, and is punishable under that law.
Similarly, another charge filed against Jia You, accused him of accessing computer systems with the aim of undermining and harming Nigeria’s economic and social stability.
This action was said to be in breach of both the Cybercrimes Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Initially all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, during the court session, they pleaded guilty.
The EFCC prosecution team comprising of Nneemeka Omewa, Babatunde Sonoiki, U.S Kyari, and B.M Isah informed the court that the defendants had reached plea bargain agreements.
The defence team confirmed this and requested the court to adopt the terms of the agreements.
Justices Osiagor, Faji, and Dipeolu found each defendant guilty and sentenced them to one year in prison, with the sentence starting from their arrest date on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Each convict was also fined N1 million.
Additionally, the judges ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to deport the convicts within seven days of completing their sentences.
All devices recovered during the operation including mobile phones, laptops, and routers were forfeited to the Nigerian government.
News
Galaxy Backbone Reaffirms Commitment to Support Security Agencies with Its Vast Digital Infrastructure

The Board, Management, and Staff of Galaxy Backbone (GBB) express profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the governments and people of Benue, Borno, Plateau, Anambra, and other states affected by recent waves of violent attacks and insecurity. We mourn with every family, community, and institution that has suffered the pain of loss, displacement, and trauma.
At Galaxy Backbone (GBB), we firmly believe that security is the bedrock of any thriving society. No nation can make meaningful progress when peace is threatened. These tragic incidents are not just national emergencies, they represent deep personal losses to every Nigerian, and they call for urgent, united, and technology-enabled solutions to support lasting peace.
As a Federal Government organization, entrusted with delivering secure digital infrastructure and smart technology solutions to public institutions across Nigeria, Galaxy Backbone remains resolute in its commitment to supporting state governments and security agencies through cutting-edge digital platforms that enable proactive and intelligent security management.
We also acknowledge and commend the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the concerted efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria in responding decisively to the security challenges facing parts of the country. The President’s unwavering commitment to peace, safety, and national unity under the Renewed Hope Agenda is evident in the bold steps being taken to restore order and build a more secure Nigeria.
Through our Safe City Security Solutions, GBB offers an integrated suite of smart surveillance systems, real-time data analytics, emergency communication networks, and AI-enabled threat detection tools. These solutions are specifically designed to enhance operational capabilities, strengthen coordination across security agencies, and empower informed decision-making in high-risk environments.
GBB stands ready to partner with both state governments and security agencies that are committed to building safer, smarter, and more resilient communities. We believe that technology must lead the charge in safeguarding lives, and we are proud to serve as a trusted digital ally in Nigeria’s journey toward modern, tech-enabled public safety.
Together, we can bolster early warning systems, expand surveillance coverage, enable faster emergency responses, and ensure that every Nigerian lives in a country where peace and prosperity are not aspirations, but realities.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace. And may strength, healing, and hope return to the hearts and homes of all those affected.
Galaxy Backbone remains aligned with the vision of a secure, digitally connected, and inclusive Nigeria, where every citizen has the freedom to live, work, and dream in peace.
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