Telecom
WWW Day Celebration: Stakeholders Urge Youths to Leverage Internet for Productivity
Youths in Nigeria have been urged by stakeholders in the country’s Information and Communications Technology sector to leverage the Internet and be productive in their various field of endeavor, rather than Internet scam, which many people refer to as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’.
Cross photograph of panel members at the event
The stakeholders, while speaking at the World Wide Web Day conference, organized by the Center for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD) in Lagos, argued that the Internet presents a better opportunity for the youths to make a lot of money, without resulting in defrauding people.
For them, the Internet has completely transformed lives on an individual basis in many ways, ranging from the way we communicate through the way we socialize to the way we shop, travel and even do business. Thus, there is no need to be involved in fraudulent activities on the basis of the Internet.
Citing cases of young Nigerians making good money as a result of the opportunities the Internet presents, Mr. Frank Donga, an actor and tech enthusiast, disclosed that he is aware of many young Nigerians who are making a lot of money in foreign currencies.
He explained that most of these Nigerians work for companies outside the country from the comfort of their homes.
“It is irritating when people talk of young Nigerians making money from scams. The real money is made from young Nigerians, who are creative in their mind, developing content and post on Youtube,” he said.
Mr. Frank disclosed of a certain young man in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, who is working for a company outside and receives a lot of money as salary every month, stressing that the world of the internet is vast, growing more and more by the day with people making good money.
According to him, success is all about knowing how to be productive as successful people are great at their jobs, but continuously learn and expand their interests.
This is what is lacking among the youths as they want to make it through the fast lane, which at the end of the day is not always the best.
The Internet is an enabler. With policymakers and regulators putting efforts to have grown broadband penetration from 6 percent in 2015 to 45.02 percent at December 2020, indicating that 85.9 million Nigerians are now connected to 3G and 4G networks, which provide enhanced high-speed Internet that has continued to boost efficiency and increase productivity across the economic spectrum. Young Nigerians have no more excuses than to leverage.
“The point is the Internet has given opportunities for emerging technologies, which can help businesses, individuals and even the government to thrive. But the fact remains that such individual or business must innovate,” said Tinuade Oguntuyi of ICSL at the conference with the theme ‘Creating Opportunities for a new African Digital Economy.
Tinuade wondered the attraction behind the Internet scam, when young people all over the world are capitalizing on the Internet to create solutions that are solving societal challenges in the field of health, education, entertainment and even financial services.
She noted that what just needs to be done by the government is to create an enabling environment that will encourage the creation of jobs and other opportunities for the youths.
The World Wide Web celebration was organized by the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD) as part of the global celebration to review the growth of the Internet, which has led to the development of digital technologies helping to transform the economy of the world in several ways, such as reducing information and transaction costs, creating new collaborative models to increase the efficiency of workers, promoting innovation and improving education and developing societies.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Bayero Agabi, National Coordinator of CECAD, explained that the World Wide Web Day is a global celebration dedicated to web browsing, online activity that brings a wealth of knowledge to people and societies.
He disclosed that the day was set aside as a chance to celebrate the way the internet has created an environment for collaboration and business growth while also taking a deeper look into its evolution over the past three decades since its invention by Sir Tim Berners-Lee.
At the Nigeria event celebration, stakeholders took a look at policies to grow the space and the Nigeria information society through creating a sustainable digital economy.
“Today’s event provides an opportunity to deliberate on the impact of the internet, review its usage in terms of security, entrepreneurship and innovation across all sectors including entertainment, governance, business transaction, tourism and many more,” Dr. Bayero said, adding that CECAD as a Non-Governmental Organisation believes the Nigeria version will chronicle the impact of the internet, best ways to use the internet for good and economic development, its impact on the media, business, governance, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.
The World Wide Web celebration was well attended by stakeholders from the various sectors of the economy, which is being impacted by the Internet in one way of the other.
Personalities in attendance either physical or virtual include the Director-General of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz, Managing Director Galaxy Back Bone Limited (GBB), Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar, President Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Adesina Sodiya, President of ATCON, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Former President NCS, Alhaji Ladi Oguneye, Chief Executives of IT companies and other relevant stakeholders.
Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.
A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.
According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.
The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.
However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.
Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.
Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology, assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.
To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.
The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.
A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.
As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.
Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.
Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.
The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.
For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.
In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.
Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.
To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.
Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.
In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.
The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.
This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.
The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.
According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.
PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.
The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.
SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.
The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.
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