September 7, 2024

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1 Ngelale, Tinubu’s spokesman, resigns

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3 NAFDAC signs MoU with National Counter Terrorism Centre

4 House of Reps. C’tee pledges to end medical tourism

5 Counter-terrorism centre, NAFDAC sign MoU on terrorism prevention

Economy/Business

Shettima lauds MTN for donations to FG

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended MTN Nigeria for donating N1 billion to the Federal Government’s Food Support Programme.

Shettima also thanked the telecommunications company for donating 4,600 units of digital devices for distribution to schools.

The Vice-President made the commendation on Friday when he received the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr Ernest Ndukwe, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the gesture would complement government’s efforts in addressing hardship and indicated its commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy.

“I am hugely proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a company and commitment to the progress of our country.

“We have witnessed a couple of changes in the industry, but you have remained stable and strong.

” On behalf of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to sincerely thank you for this gesture.”

The Vice-President said the donation by the company would be judiciously managed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

On the distribution of 4,600 digital devices, each pre-installed with the U-lesson application, Shettima said the MTN team should liaise with his office to work on the beneficiary criteria.

He also explained that the MTN team and the Office of the Vice-President would facilitate the distribution of the devices to secondary schools in the six geo-political zones.

He expressed confidence that the gesture would go a long way in supporting the government’s efforts to boost the nation’s economy.

According to him, this includes support for the educational needs of the poor and vulnerable.

Shettima, therefore, called on other companies in the country to emulate MTN in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility.

He assured the business community that Tinubu’s administration remained pro-business and its policies would begin to manifest for all to see.

Earlier, Ndukwe said the N1 billion donation was to support the most vulnerable, marginalised, and underserved communities.

This, according to him, will ensure that no one is left behind through increased collaboration and partnership with the Federal Government.

He expressed hope that the devices donated by the company would support the Federal Government’s objective to increase digital literacy in secondary schools.

He added that the devices would improve creativity, analytical thinking, adaptability, and students’ access to current information in science and technology.

He commended the Federal Government for its efforts to revive the economic fortunes of the country through various initiatives rolled out across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

He pledged the company’s support to the present administration, noting that the gesture was in line with MTN Nigeria’s shared value objectives of “the AMBITION 2025 strategy.’

“In the strategy, MTN seeks to support strategic initiatives of the Federal Government.” (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Court symbol
General News

NCC files criminal charges against MTN, others

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with Number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

The four other defendants in the case are; Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd. and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017 “offered for sale, sold and traded for business”, infringed musical works of an artist, Maleke Idowu Moye without his consent and authorisation.

The Commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Maleke with subsisting copyright, as Caller Ring Back Tunes, without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musical works and sound recordings of the musician allegedly infringed upon included; 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low waist and No bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers, without authorisation, thereby, infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendant were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the musical works and sound recordings of the artiste.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

NAN reports that the case is yet to be assigned to any judge and no date has been fixed for mention. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Science & Tech

MTN urged states to invest in ICT parks to drive digital skills acquisition

By Jessica Dogo

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, has called on States in Nigeria to invest in ICT parks and create economic clusters.

Toriola, who made this call in a statement was a panelist on the topic “Collaboration for Sustainable Economic Development” at the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG29) in Abuja.

The theme of the NESG29 was: “Pathway to Sustainable Economic Transformation and Inclusion”.

He said this would stimulate sub-national collaboration and accelerate advancement in the ICT sector in the country.

Speaking specifically on possibilities between the telecoms industry and states, Toriola advocated closer partnership to ensure the development of digital skills.

He said, “I am waiting for the first state to create an ICT park. It is not an ICT park where you put a few data centres.

“I am talking about a complete environment where you allow limitless fiber to be rolled out to cover those kinds of locations, and where you allow leading technologies, with power and other infrastructure

“Whether you look at it from an international level, or regional or state level, capital will always flow to where the best return is.”

He also called on the States to create clusters around agriculture, mining and policy consistency in economic development.

Toriola commended the Nigerian Communications Commission for providing a strong regulatory framework to support the growth of the telecoms industry in Nigeria.

“The success of MTN and the telecommunications industry in Nigeria can be accounted for by clarity of policy and good institution building in our primary regulator.

“However, we have also seen that at the sub-national levels, we see some level of inconsistencies of policies, multiple taxation, and inflation have become the major challenges companies are facing,” he said.

Other panelists included Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara and Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

They also advocated stronger collaborations between states to accelerate development in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Science & Tech

5G partnership will bring world of possibilities in Nigeria’s education- MTN

By Jessica Dogo

The MTN Chief Enterprise Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, says 5th Generation partnership will open doors to a world of possibilities in education.

Saint-Nwafor spoke at the tripartite event hosted by MTN in partnership with Huawei and Baze University on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership came with the signing of a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) to the launch of 5G education in Nigeria.

In a recorded video she said the partnership is a prove of shared vision and commitment.

“The partnership with Baze University, Huawei and MTN symbolises our shared commitment to harnessing the power of 5G to unlock unprecedented opportunities for educational institutions and businesses across Nigeria.

“We believe that 5G will transform how we teach and learn, expand access to quality education, and enable remote learning like never before.

“This, indeed, positions Baze University as a model for educational excellence where the boundaries of traditional education are redefined.

“Huawei, our partner on this ground-breaking collaboration, brings onboard its expertise and legacy of driving digital transformation.

“Together, the full potential of 5G technology to enhance educational outcomes will be unlocked.”

She said that the synergy with this tripartite partnership was a transformative force that would propel towards a future where education knows no boundaries.

“This is a testament to what can be achieved when visionary organizations come together with a shared purpose,” she said.

In his remarks, the Key Account Director of Huawei, Nigeria, Joey Wu, said that the Tripartite partnership of 5G to Education plan by the Baze University would revolutionise education in Nigeria.

“We are witnessing the launch of 5G to Education at Baze University in partnership with, this actually marks a milestone because this marks the first 5G initiative in the education sector in Nigeria.

“MTN, Baze University and Huawei has embarked on a revolutionary journey to redefine education in Nigeria.

“The 5G education plan at Baze University is not just a plan but a bold step into the future, hologram and visuals we show you here are tools that will revolutionise the way our students learn and interact with their environment.

“We will continue to explore the limitless opportunities that come with 5G to the education sector, business and the medics alike as Nigeria continues in her journey towards technical excellence.” He said

Earlier, the acting Vice-Chancellor, Baze University, Kathleen Ebele, said, with the increase of courses and students the use of technology would ease lecturing and research.

“This partnership is going to lead us to teach more intelligently in a digital time. We have courses increasing and students increasing. So we need to partner Huawei in this excercise.

“The cost implication is that we have invested heavily in this and all partners are looking at the long term.

“This partnership will improve the quality of delivering lectures, research and we will have more space to work with and more platforms to work with.

“We have an MoU in place a tripitit MTN, Baze University and Huawei. As you know we are trail blazers in Africa especially in Africa and the best place to start with.

“You can see how developed our infrastructure is. Our people are well schooled for what we have ahead of us; that’s why they chose us, we didn’t choose them but they chose us,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Economy/Business

NSE: Indices drop further by 0.44%

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Sell pressure continued on the nation’s bourse on Wednesday with indices dropping further by 0.44 per cent due to profit taking in MTN Nigeria Communications and 29 other stocks.

Consequently, the All-Share Index dipped 175.56 points or 0.44 per cent to close at 39,522.06 compared with 39,697.82 recorded on Tuesday.

Also, investors lost N91 billion in value as the market capitalisation dropped to N20.678 trillion from N20.769 trillion on Tuesday.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which were: MTNN, Lafarge Africa, International Breweries, Dangote Sugar Refinery and Oando.

Analysts at Afrinvest Ltd. attributed the persistent lull to increasing rates in the fixed income market.

They, however, said the current prices of stocks made an attractive case for dividend yields.

The market recorded 30 losers against to 16 gainers.

Japaul Gold and Ventures led the losers’ chart in percentage terms by 10 per cent to close at 54k per share.

NEM Insurance trailed with a loss of 9.91 per cent to close at N1.91, while Champion Breweries dipped 9.76 per cent to close at N1.85 per share.

NPF Microfinance Bank declined by 9.47 per cent to close at N1.72, while Linkage Assurance shed 8.93 per cent to close at 51k per share.

On the other hand, Seplat recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N583 per share.

AIICO Insurance followed with 5.22 per cent to close at N1.21, while Cornerstone Insurance gained 5.17 per cent to close at 61k per share.

UACN Property Development Company improved by five per cent to close at 84k, while Cutix appreciated by 4.21 per cent to close at N2.23 per share.

Transactions in the shares of Zenith Bank topped the activity chart with 41.38 million shares valued at N1.06 billion.

Guaranty Trust Bank followed with 28.99 million shares worth N919.82 million, while United Capital traded 24.61 million shares valued at N145.32 million.

AXA Mansard Insurance traded 17.53 million shares valued at N18.46 million, while FBN Holdings transacted 16.54 million shares worth N115.79 million.

In all, the total volume traded advanced by 9.8 per cent to 244.34 million shares valued at N4.13 billion traded in 4,714 deals.

This was in contrast with 222.57 million shares worth N5.39 billion exchanged in 4,470 deals on Tuesday. (NAN)

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