Get to know the incredible trio of Nigerian sisters taking the aviation world by storm: Mopelola Makinde, Oluwaseun Makinde, and Oluwafunmilayo Makinde. Their journey was sparked by their father, Captain Wale Makinde, a seasoned helicopter pilot employed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Both Mopelola and Oluwaseun have pursued careers as skilled helicopter pilots, while Oluwafunmilayo has chosen to take flight as a fixed-wing pilot. Admirably, all three sisters are actively pursuing their passion for flying while maintaining happy marriages.

Let’s raise our hands and celebrate these extraordinary women in aviation! ✌️✊💯

Joe Ashaolu

Sterling Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has recently unveiled its foray into the lounge business with the establishment of “Cafe One,” a dynamic and creative space designed exclusively for young professionals in Lagos.

Cafe One offers an alluring blend of a workspace and a relaxing environment, tailored to meet the modern needs of young professionals seeking both productivity and leisure. The lounge is equipped with high-speed wifi, offering a seamless work experience for individuals on the go.

Designed to indulge the taste buds, Cafe One boasts a delectable menu featuring a wide range of options, including mouthwatering sandwiches, aromatic coffee, delicious parfaits, and much more. Patrons can enjoy these delightful treats while engaging in their work or simply unwinding after a busy day.

Notably, Sterling Bank customers are entitled to exclusive price discounts on their orders at Cafe One, making it an enticing destination for the bank’s loyal clientele. Furthermore, to enhance the customer experience, dedicated bank staff are stationed at the lounge to facilitate the account opening process for new customers, adding an element of convenience for those seeking banking services.

With the successful launch of three Cafe One locations in Lagos, Sterling Bank has demonstrated its commitment to providing innovative services beyond traditional banking. The bank’s vision for expansion extends beyond Lagos, as it sets ambitious plans to establish Cafe One in other major cities across Nigeria, making this unique business model a promising venture with immense growth potential.

Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a social media commentator, expressed his admiration for the Cafe One concept, stating, “This Cafe One by Sterling Bank is a beautiful business model. Ingenious!”

With Cafe One’s seamless blend of work and relaxation in a vibrant atmosphere, Sterling Bank aims to empower young professionals and foster a thriving community of individuals looking to excel in their careers while enjoying moments of leisure.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

 

·       Receives Chinese delegation

 

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is calling on investors to collaborate with the Agency in local production and domestication of Lithium batteries among other renewable energy solutions. 

 

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI Dr, Bashir Gwandu speaking today in Abuja said the Agency was ready to partner with international companies that are willing to set up their industries in Nigeria and start local production of renewable energy solutions, electric vehicles parts and other capital goods that could create jobs and reduce Nigeria dependence on foreign goods that exert pressure on our foreign exchange for the country.

 

 Dr Gwandu who disclosed this while receiving a business delegation from LEMI Technology Shenzhen, China at NASENI headquarters said that “NASENI is already doing a lot in the area of Solar Panel Production”.

 

He says very soon NASENI will attract solar cell manufacturing to improve synergy with its existing work on solar panel assembly.  He said the Agency has held meetings with other companies from around the world with a view to seeking partnership on local production of lithium-based end-products in Nigeria as against the normal practice of foreign companies exporting the raw materials outside the country for processing.

 

According to him, taking some of the visions of NASENI forward, which is domestication of technologies, capital goods production and commercialization in Nigeria, NASENI would help bridge the technological gaps between Nigeria and other countries, help stop importation of these technologies and encourage local production.

He also said NASENI will be working with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to encourage development and production of electric vehicles and even conversion of existing vehicles to electric-vehicles as against producing from scratch. In that same regard, NASENI is also in discussion with various stakeholders on promotion of the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on major roads across the country.

 

“So, we are inviting friends of Nigeria to come here and establish here. We are encouraging those who can come and produce locally. We will give them support and ensure that the investment environment is encouraging,” he said.

 

The NASENI EVC hoped that this call is an opportunity to partners who want to produce in Nigeria to do so. The Federal Government, he disclosed, “would welcome any company who gets to us first”, adding that on the production of Lithium batteries, the Agency was ready to go into partnership with companies that are willing to establish their factories in Nigeria.

 

 Dr. Gwandu suggested that NASENI and LEMI Technology should work out the areas of possible collaborations in the production of the lithium battery and ensure that all the safety and environment regulations are followed. 

 

 While emphasizing NASENI’s priority area to be the production of lithium battery and inverters, Dr Gwandu expressed delight in working out a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEMI Technology with a view to ensuring safest means of producing the lithium-based batteries, taking into cognizance Nigeria environmental peculiarities.  

 

The founder of LEMI Technology, Ms. Joyce Chen in her speech said the company is ready to partner with NASENI and invest in the country, promising that they look forward to a rewarding relationship with NASENI and the Nigerian government. Other members of the delegation include the Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Rocky Hu; Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Biju Yao; Oversea Business Director, Ms. Monica Liang and Engineer Mr. Lucia Peng.

 

Giving details of the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of LEMI Technology Mr. Xie Feng expressed his company’s willingness to partner with NASENI through MoU on renewable energy with particular reference to products like solar and television panels, inverters and battery production.

 

He said Nigeria and China have a brotherhood that spans many years, adding that Nigeria with its teeming population, it is critical for investment opportunities. Mr. Feng added that LEMI Technology has been operating in the Nigerian market since 2018 and had provided job opportunities to Nigerians and have sold renewable energy products to over 200,000 Nigerian households. 

 

NASENI is the Nigerian only purpose-built Agency with specific mandate in the area of capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering in the following broad areas: Engineering Materials, Industrial and Analytical Chemical Materials, Scientific Equipment and components, Engineering Equipment, Engineering Designs and Standardization, and Power Equipment.

On resumption of duty, one of the projects embarked upon by the EVC of NASENI amongst many others was to summon some of the key exporters of Lithium from within Nigeria and advised them to start thinking of inviting their offtakers in different parts of the world who manufacture lithium batteries to start planning to come and invest in the end-product production in Nigeria.

 

He encouraged them to take advantage of the discussion and harness the first mover-advantage because those who come to invest will be assisted by NASENI through promotion of government policy to limit export of all types of lithium except what Nigeria cannot process to an end-product.

 

 He emphasized that Nigeria cannot continue to export raw lithium if other countries such as Zimbabwe have gone to the extent of lithium processing. He stated that Nigeria should be at the fore-front of battery production since it has all the relevant raw materials including Phosphate.

 

He stated that in any area where NASENI can attract manufacturers be it in renewables or other areas such as aerospace industries, any company that can come to Nigeria and process the raw elements into end-product will be supported by NASENI. Companies invited for earlier discussion on the Lithium included suppliers to CATL and LEMI of China.

Today the EVC received the first delegation from LEMI of China to start conversation on the local production of various types of lithium batteries and other products in the photovoltaics value chain.

 

 

 

The Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Mustapha, has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on a range of its telecom consumer protection initiatives, including the recent Village Square Dialogue (VSD), which held at the weekend in Yola, Adamawa State.

 

Kakakin Adamawa, Prof. Abubakar Tahir, who represented Lamido Adamawa at the Consumer Conversation programme of the Commission with the theme: “Know Your Rights as Telecom Consumers” in Yola, said the event marked a privilege for individual telecom consumers and businesses in the state to ask questions and get face-to-face response from the regulator on telecom-related issues.

 

“We must commend the NCC for the great work it has been doing in the area of consumer education and enlightenment. Aside from being the regulator of the sector, the NCC leadership has taken the issue of consumer information very central; and we thank you for bringing this laudable initiative to the good people of Adamawa,” he said.

 

The royal father advised the Commission to also consider exploring other areas that can lead to further reduction in the cost of telecom services and to ensure that services are available in most parts of the country.

 

“The Commission should kindly look inwards and ensure that all communities in the country continue to enjoy cheaper, better, qualitative and more accessible telecommunications services,” he said.

 

NCC’s Director of Consumer Affairs, Alkasim Umar, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said the regulator has always been at the forefront of ensuring maximum protection for telecom consumers while providing the enabling environment for the licensed service providers to be able to provide good quality of service to the consumers.

 

“The NCC remains committed to its mandate of protecting, informing and educating consumers of telecoms services across all the 36 states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This essence of the Village Square Dialogue, as one of our outreach events, is to provide a face-to-face interaction among the NCC, the service providers and the consumers,” Umar said.

 

Speaking on some of the consumer-centric initiatives of the Commission, Umar said the Commission recently introduced the harmonized shortcodes which provide uniform codes for telecom consumers to access any consumer service type across all networks, either for airtime loading, checking airtime balance, call centres, data plan balance, and so on.

 

He also reminded the consumers of the availability of the NCC Toll-Free Number, 622, which consumers can use to make complaints to the Commission on any telecom service-related issues they may be having with their service providers; the 112 Emergency Number to seek succour during emergencies, as well as the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 Short Code to block unsolicited messages.

 

“Information and education are key to the empowerment of telecom consumers. The protection of the rights and interests of telecom consumers is one of the mandates of the Commission, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003. When telecom consumers are duly informed and educated, they are protected against the unfair practices by the service providers,” Umar said.

 

Speaking further, Umar said everything in the current digital world revolves around telecommunications services and that educating consumers plays an important role in informing them, clarifying issues, and empowering them through information and enlightenment.

 

“So, it is a great decision which will sensitize the people about their rights, their privileges and the expectations they have about the telecom businesses in the country,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment in providing adequate security for all Nigerians in every region of the country.The President declared this while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, recently.
Speaking at the event, Mr. President spelt out the National objective of his administration with emphasis on ensuring national security, justice and democratic prosperity through state power.
He said: ” As commander-in-chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure security of our people and property in a just and democratic society.”
Mr President commended the graduating officers and described the military officers serving Nigeria as the best group that can defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Two hundred and Ninety one participants across Nigerian Armed Forces, foreign officers and civilians from different Ministries Department and Agencies graduated and were conferred with the Pass Staff Course (PSC) honour.
Speaking with journalists at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar kana mni who was accompanied by the Principal General Staff Officer, Brig. Manu reiterated Mr President commitment in supporting the Nigerian Armed Forces
He commended the Nigerian Armed Forces in their efforts in combating terrorism and lauded what he called milestone achievements the esteemed military institution is playing in raising the bar of robust professional competence of the Armed Forces of various nations.
The Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College, AVM Hassan Idris Alhaji in his welcome address described the graduants as worthy in characters learning and professionalism
In attendance at the ceremony were the governor of Kaduna State, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Nation Security Adviser to the President representative of the Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representative and the Service Chiefs.
Victoria Agba- Attah

 

 

Business leaders would do well to understand that digitisation is an operational approach and tactic that can help improve or develop their strategy; it is not a strategy in and of itself, says Andrew Cruise, Managing Director of Routed, a local VMware Cloud Verified provider and VMware Principal Partner.

 

The rapid pace of technology development has seen organisations across multiple industries racing to implement what they refer to as their ‘digital transformation strategy’.

 

This is often driven by a misalignment at a high level, whereby strategy is mistaken for tactics. Digital transformation is not a strategy, and never will be; it’s simply a new business tactic.

 

According to Cruise, it’s an operational approach, a new or improved way of delivering things operationally – so while it may help to direct your strategy, it is not a strategy itself.

 

“Many providers like to tell the digital transformation story as if it’s the only one in town, suggesting that it will be absolutely transformative for a business, or that it is some kind of revolution that will suddenly make them much more profitable. Or perhaps that, once this is done, they will be better at doing their job than their competitors,” he notes.

 

“The trouble with believing and buying into this hype is that, if everybody undertakes digitisation, then how do you use this approach to actually differentiate your organisation?”

 

He points out that tactically, digital transformation has much to offer, in that it delivers a new or alternative operating model, adds flexibility, and allows you to change the way that your business operates for the better. “Everyone knows about the improved efficiencies or scalability it offers and the possibility of faster time to market or faster response times. For example, a digital portal can reduce the onboarding process from 3-5 days, to under three hours.”

 

However, he adds, while there is an acceleration of certain functions and tasks, essentially, it is not a destination, but a journey. And it’s time-consuming, and requires huge investment, while not necessarily delivering the kinds of improvements and efficiencies that your organisation may be looking for.

 

“I think that an increasing number of organisations now acknowledge that you can’t just press the big digital transformation button and suddenly everything changes to being better, more efficient, and more profitable,” suggests Cruise.

 

“People have begun to recognise how unrealistic this is, and are beginning to accept that the real digital transformation story is one of ongoing progression, rather than some overnight digital revolution,” he adds.

 

Digital transformation is having an impact on the world, and is certainly worth investigating for those that have not begun the journey. But while it might improve your efficiency or your time to market, or your scalability and efficiency, Cruise cautions that it will not be the step change in business terms that some overstate.

 

“It is for this reason that I believe businesses should never try selling ‘digital transformation’ as a business differentiator. A differentiator is something that you use to appeal to customers as a means of persuading them away from your competitors, and to your brand. But today, almost every organisation is undertaking some form of digitisation – so how can it be a differentiator?”

 

“In fact, I am of the opinion that a company should never lead its pitch with digital transformation. Instead, it should lead with its strategy, and then explain how digitisation will help the business improve, develop or change this strategy for the better. Ultimately, executives need to stop speaking of digital transformation in hushed tones of awe, when it is simply another tool to leverage to deliver their business strategy better,” concludes Cruise.

 

Ends.

About Routed

Routed is a true cloud provider. Secure, robust and reliable, the Routed cloud platform is vendor-neutral and offers scalable, full or hybrid cloud hosting. Engaging directly or within a channel, Routed delivers cloud and infrastructure solutions to enterprise customers, wholesale partners, resellers and affiliates.

 

Founded in 2016 in response to a growing demand for data centre hosting solutions following the rapid growth and penetration of fast, reliable connectivity services in South Africa. Routed is led by industry veterans with over 35 years of experience in delivering and managing secure cloud and infrastructure solutions both locally and internationally.

Ghana’s remarkable digital transformation journey has become a benchmark for many African nations. Driven by factors such as enhanced internet accessibility, a thriving mobile telecommunications market, and the government’s unwavering commitment to growing the country’s digital economy, Ghana stands as a shining example of digital advancement in the region. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that major global tech giants have chosen Ghana as their preferred location for African headquarters and research labs.

 

 

Among the pioneers in championing Ghana’s digital revolution is MainOne, who entered the Ghana market in 2010 with the goal of supporting the digitization of the country and providing quality telecommunications services to enterprises. Through substantial infrastructural investments and expansion projects, MainOne has significantly contributed to improving broadband penetration and driving the nation’s digital advancement.

 

The role of Data Centers in driving digital growth in Ghana

MainOne’s commitment to Ghana’s digital acceleration took a significant step forward in June 2021 with the launch of MDXi Appolonia, a state-of-the-art, Uptime Certified, Tier III data center in Accra. This cutting-edge facility was purpose-built to cater to the rising demand for colocation and cloud services in Ghana’s thriving digital landscape. MDXi Appolonia data center also introduced Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure platform in-country, providing customers with a seamless, single-vendor solution for deploying their applications both on the Cloud and on-premises.

One of the most significant contributions of MDXi Appolonia is addressing the crucial issue of data sovereignty

One of the most significant contributions of MDXi Appolonia is addressing the crucial issue of data sovereignty. By offering secure and compliant data storage within Ghana, the data center allowed businesses to safeguard critical data locally while adhering to the country’s regulations. Two years on, the facility has gained recognition as Ghana’s most certified data center, boasting industry-standard certifications such as TCCF, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and ISO 9001.

Since the launch of this facility, its direct impact on the country’s digital ecosystem has not been hard to miss, from improved resiliency and reduced latency to improvement in internet user experience in Ghana. Perhaps the best way to underscore the importance of MDXi Appolonia to Ghana is to take cognisance of its internet penetration figures, which rose from 46.5% in 2021 to 71.94% as of May 2023 as reported by the National Communication Authority, Ghana. These statistics serve as a compelling testament to the pivotal role of MDXi Appolonia in driving Ghana’s digital progress and fostering greater connectivity and accessibility for its population.

 

Shaping Africa’s Interconnectivity Landscape: MainOne hosts AfPIF 2023 in Accra, Ghana

The Internet Society (ISOC) has set ambitious targets for connectivity and peering in the country. These targets include increasing the number of networks connected to the Ghana Internet Exchange, the amount of traffic exchanged, and establishing Ghana as a regional hub for peering and interconnection. MainOne actively supports Ghana’s digital aspirations and is set to host Africa’s peering community at the prestigious Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) holding Accra City in August 2023, where they will be sharing enlightening discussions and insights on Africa’s internet infrastructure, interconnection, peering, and traffic exchange opportunities. The conference will also garner international visibility for Ghana, attract more players to the country’s digital ecosystem, and facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among peers.

 

Powering Ghana’s Digital Future

The Ghanaian economy continues to demonstrate resilience and capacity for growth, with increased demand for efficient and reliable technology solutions to service this market. The acquisition of MainOne by Equinix, the world’s leading digital infrastructure company, in 2022 has further strengthened Ghana’s digital landscape by delivering wider access to global and regional markets, connecting businesses to a vast network of 248 data centers in 71 metros and 32 countries.

MainOne’s impact extends beyond digital infrastructure in Ghana. As Ghana forges ahead in its path of digital transformation, MainOne’s contributions to infrastructure development, job creation, and knowledge sharing are paving the way for a prosperous digital future. With MDXi Appolonia at the forefront, Ghana is well-positioned to embrace the countless opportunities that the digital revolution offers.

Flapmax (https://Flapmax.com/), a leading artificial intelligence (AI) company on a mission to enrich the lives of everyone on the planet through innovation, has announced the launch of the second FAST Accelerator program. It is designed to support and fund the next generation of innovative companies and entrepreneurs throughout the African continent. Building on the success of the inaugural program, FAST Accelerator 2023 (https://apo-opa.info/3JSsCYN) offers a transformative experience for startup founders seeking to scale rapidly and sustainably. More than 800 startups from 25+ countries applied to join the inaugural program.

VIDEO
FAST Accelerator

 

“FAST Accelerator represents our commitment to supporting ambitious entrepreneurs who are driving sustainable innovation across the continent of Africa and emerging markets,” said Dr. Dave Ojika, CEO of Flapmax. “Through this comprehensive program, we are dedicated to connecting startup founders with a global community, industry-leading technology, and the essential startup funding necessary to forge the path towards local, sustainable, and AI-powered technological solutions of the future. Together, we unite in building a brighter future for Africa and the world, fueled by the transformative power of technology and innovation.

 

In partnership with Microsoft, the FAST Accelerator initiative combines business development, technology integration, funding opportunities, and community building to empower startup companies based in Africa and emerging markets to deliver sustainable solutions. It also provides dedicated venture funding and invaluable mentorship opportunities. The top ten FAST Accelerator 2023 startup participants will be selected for a five-week program in Silicon Valley, California, to forge relationships with industry experts, potential investors, and global partners through Flapmax’s vibrant ecosystem of over 600 corporate partners.

 

Startup leaders are encouraged to apply to FAST Accelerator this July. To be eligible, startups must be based in Africa, prepared to scale or expand throughout the continent, and have demonstrated established product-market fit and revenue generation. The program is prioritizing business-to-business startups for this cohort, with the areas of healthcare, fintech, Edutech, and industrials/agtech of particular interest. Sustainability and deeptech startups are also encouraged to apply.

 

The technology and business masterclasses offered through Flapmax Learn were truly exceptional, and the invaluable network of mentors and advisors has played a significant role

Program participants must be available and committed for the entire duration of the program, which includes a two-week virtual bootcamp in August 2023, followed by a five-week accelerator program in October in California. The journey begins with an intensive virtual bootcamp designed to validate startup ideas, refine business models, and prepare founders for the next stage of growth. Next, the top startups are selected to join a five-week accelerator program on the ground in Silicon Valley to experience unparalleled acceleration, networking, and fundraising opportunities, while immersing themselves in the dynamic startup ecosystem of Silicon Valley.

 

“As a HR technology company dedicated to building world-class software solutions for businesses, we are delighted to have participated in the transformative FAST Accelerator program in 2022,” stated Lekan Omotosho, co-founder and CTO of Pade. “The technology and business masterclasses offered through Flapmax Learn were truly exceptional, and the invaluable network of mentors and advisors has played a significant role in our growth. With the successful raise of $500,000, we are poised to scale our cutting-edge HCM solutions across the continent, catering to both SMEs and large corporations.”

 

“At Snark Health, we are pioneering a novel approach to healthcare payment solutions, and our collaboration with FAST Accelerator has been instrumental in driving our growth,” said Edwin Lubanga, co-founder and CTO of Snark Health. “Through FAST’s support, we have gained access to critical infrastructure, enabling us to deploy our services at scale. Working in conjunction with Microsoft and Azure services and partnering with hospitals in Kenya, we are determined to deliver equitable and affordable healthcare to tens of thousands of SMEs and health centers across Africa, creating a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape.”

 

“Our collaboration with FAST Accelerator has opened doors to an extraordinary opportunity, one that I fully endorse,” said Innocent Orikiiriza, founder and CEO of KaCyber Technologies. Guided by FAST Accelerator, we have developed a comprehensive sustainability framework that now underpins our business operations, emphasizing the vital importance of sustainability in the public transport sector. Additionally, we have achieved a major milestone of processing 11 million travel tickets to date, amounting to a transaction value of 200 billion Ugandan shillings, immensely bolstering our revenue pipeline. With major corporate partnerships underway, we eagerly anticipate unlocking even greater possibilities with FAST as we work towards realizing a seamless and sustainable mobility experience throughout Africa.”

Divine Fountain Ministries, located in the heart of Benin City, Edo State, proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements and transformative impact of its esteemed General Overseer, Pastor Joshua Momodu. Known for his unwavering commitment to the community and his dedication to the spiritual growth and well-being of his congregation, Pastor Momodu’s influence has touched countless lives in profound ways.

Under his visionary leadership, Divine Fountain Ministries has become a beacon of hope, compassion, and positive change for individuals from all walks of life. With an emphasis on faith, love, and service, Pastor Momodu has consistently shown a deep-rooted passion for helping others, and this is evident in the numerous initiatives and programs he has spearheaded.

The impact of Pastor Joshua Momodu can be seen in various areas:

Spiritual Transformation: Through his powerful sermons and teachings, Pastor Momodu has played an instrumental role in guiding individuals towards a deeper understanding of their faith and spirituality. His emphasis on prayer, worship, and biblical principles has led to the transformation of numerous lives.

Community Outreach: Pastor Momodu firmly believes in giving back to the community and has been actively involved in various outreach programs. From feeding the hungry and providing shelter for the homeless to organizing health camps and educational initiatives, he has demonstrated a compassionate heart for those in need.

Youth Empowerment: Recognizing the potential of the younger generation, Pastor Momodu has launched several youth empowerment projects to equip them with essential life skills and provide mentorship. These efforts have contributed to the development of confident and responsible young leaders.

Family Strengthening: The ministry has also focused on strengthening families by organizing marriage counseling sessions, parenting workshops, and supporting couples through challenging times. Pastor Momodu firmly believes that strong families build a strong community.

Social Justice Initiatives: Pastor Momodu has been an advocate for social justice, addressing issues like gender equality, discrimination, and poverty. He encourages his congregation to stand up for what is right and just, promoting a more equitable society.

Educational Support: Understanding the value of education, Pastor Momodu and the ministry have provided educational scholarships and resources to financially disadvantaged students, enabling them to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.

“Pastor Joshua Momodu’s selfless dedication and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of people have been truly commendable,” said [Name], a long-standing member of Diving Fountain Ministries. “His leadership has inspired us all to be more compassionate, loving, and to serve our community with unwavering faith.”

The impact of Pastor Joshua Momodu extends beyond the boundaries of Diving Fountain Ministries, touching the lives of people throughout the region. His teachings and philanthropic endeavors continue to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who have had the privilege of encountering his ministry.

About Divine Fountain Ministries: Diving Fountain Ministries, situated in Iyoha, Ogida Qtrs, Ogida, Benin City, Edo State, is a vibrant and welcoming church community committed to spreading the message of love, hope, and redemption. Led by the visionary General Overseer, Pastor Joshua Momodu, the ministry seeks to impact lives positively and make a lasting difference in society.

 

 

A panel is set to discuss the implications of digital culture for democracy during the public presentation of a book by the Head of Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Omoniyi Ibietan, on Tuesday, 25 July 2023, the publishers of the book have said.

 

The panel discussion will follow the review of Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria, by Azubuike Ishiekwene, the editor-in-chief of Abuja-based Leadership Newspapers.

 

Discussions during the session will dwell on ‘The Cyber Context of Political Communication and its Implications for Democracy in Africa’.

 

Listed as panellists are Mr Ibietan, Majeed Dahiru, writer, public affairs analyst and CEO of Orascom Properties; and Abiodun Adeniyi, a professor of Mass Communication and deputy dean, Postgraduate School, Baze University, Abuja.

 

Chido Onumah, social entrepreneur, journalist, writer, author and Coordinator, African Centre for Information and Media Literacy (AFRIMIL), will moderate the discussion.

 

The panel will focus on how cyber politics played out and shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria. The possible implications of cyber politics in future elections will also be x-rayed.

 

Published by Premium Times Books, the book publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, the 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters, interrogated a critical phase in Nigeria’s democracy through its elections.

 

In this new title that has been widely praised, Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election is used as the sounding board from which analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in the country were made.

 

The study that culminated in the book has been described as both skilful in its rendition and ground-cutting in its intellectual approach.

 

At the planned Tuesday event, the book will be formally unveiled by Umar Danbatta, a professor, and executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where Mr Ibietan works. Danbatta is also the writer of the foreword to the book.

 

Among prominent personalities who have commented on the book and the author is Mr Danbatta.

 

In a foreword he wrote for Cyber Politics, the NCC CEO praised the book for situating the historical context of Nigerian politics and democracy and for exploring the nexus between social media and voting behaviour, and the influence of the social media ecosystem and other variables in the electoral process.

 

He described Cyber Politics as a “compelling narrative, a scholar’s guide and companion on the various political communication themes it interprets”.

 

“It is difficult to put down this work once you are drawn by its alluring and free-flowing prose and incisive analysis,” the NCC boss added.

 

Cyber Politics has been available in hardback and paperback versions in bookstores across the country since 12 June 2023. The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon.

 

Prominent Nigerians and stakeholders within the Nigerian politics cycle and cyber/digital ecosystem are billed to be at the public presentation of the book.