Connect with us

Telecom

1000 Alausa Women Graduate From Coca-Cola’s “Catalyst For Change 2.0” Programme

Published

on

1000 Alausa Women Graduate From Coca-Cola’s “Catalyst For Change 2.0” Programme
Kindly share this post

As part of continued efforts to upskill and empower women across underserved communities in Nigeria, Coca-Cola’s women empowerment programme tagged “Catalyst for Change 2.0” has recorded the graduation of 1000 women in Alausa, Ikeja.

The closing ceremony, which took place at the St. Peter Anglican Church on November 4, 2021, in the Alausa community, marked the conclusion of a four-week intensive skills acquisition training in October.

Throughout the four-week programme, 1000 women enrolled in vocational skills such as baking, textile design, production of household cleaning items, wig-making, make-up artistry, bag-making, shoemaking, and more.

The women were also enrolled in business classes to ensure their financial literacy. Additionally, 200 out of the 1,000 women who had proved exceptional, were each provided with start-up kits to help kick-start their businesses.

Launched in August 2020 by local NGO, Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, through a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the “Catalyst for Change” programme is part of Coca-Cola’s vision to ensure the economic empowerment of women and youth in Nigeria.

The first edition of the programme, launched last year, sought to ensure economic recovery during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following its success, a second edition was supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation in October 2021 and is being implemented through the Coca-Cola system in Nigeria which comprises Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company.

This second edition of the programme has been developed to reduce the rate of rural-urban migration caused by a lack of access to opportunities in vulnerable communities.

So far, the programme, in its entirety, has seen the economic empowerment of a total of 6,000 women and youths across several underserved communities in Nigeria.

In her opening remarks at the ceremony, the Founder/Executive Director of the Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, Bukola Bamiduro, said: “This programme was created to drive change in the lives of women through relevant skill-based training and financial literacy sessions.

“We are hopeful that through this programme, beneficiaries will leverage the skills obtained to maintain a steady flow of income as women are economic pillars of the society.”

Ifeyinwa Ejindu, Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, added: “At Coca-Cola, we believe women are integral to our world’s shared success, so we seek to empower them both in the workplace and the communities within which we operate. Women are not only essential to building thriving communities – we believe they represent one of the biggest accelerators of economic growth.

“And this was the driving force behind the Catalyst For Change programme at its inception – to not only empower the women financially but to also ensure they are contributing members of society whose efforts drive the country to economic recovery.”

Oyesola Okunuga, a beneficiary from the program, expressed her gratitude to the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, stating that the initiative had granted her a new lease on life. “For years, I’ve always been motivated to add some value to this community and those around me.

“I’ve been looking forward to a programme that would help me achieve this and I thank The Coca-Cola Foundation and Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation for supporting this programme.

“I am confident I can support my family and achieve my goal of running a successful business with what I have learnt.”

Also speaking at the event was High-Chief Oluwatoyin Adeyanju, The Baale of Alausa, who expressed his appreciation for the initiative and the support provided by the Coca-Cola System.

He encouraged the women to utilise the opportunity effectively. In his words, “The impact of this programme has been incredible and it fills me with joy to see so many women jump at the chance to be part of it.

“Thanks to Coca-Cola and the Karis and Eleos Foundation, our women have been empowered and made to be contributing members of the Alausa community.”

According to Jerome Oyebanji, Public Affairs & Communications Manager (Lagos & West), Nigerian Bottling Company, the programme will continue to press on in its efforts to “empower women with business and life skills that will elevate them from extreme poverty and encourage community resilience.”

The next tranche of the programme is set to kick off this month in Surulere.


Kindly share this post

Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Telecom

NCC Blames Growing Data Demand Network Quality Issues

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has linked Quality of Service (QoS) challenges across telecom networks to rising data consumption, stating that operators are ramping up efforts to sustain investments to improve coverage and capacity.

NCC Blames Growing Data Demand Network Quality Issues

Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC,

Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, stated this during a breakfast meeting with the media in Abuja on Friday, where he noted that while service quality is improving, it is yet to meet regulatory expectations.

He said recent data shows positive signals from independent user-based measurements, indicating that network performance is getting better rather than deteriorating.

However, he explained that increased usage is offsetting gains, creating a cycle where improved services trigger higher demand, which in turn puts fresh pressure on infrastructure.

“We’re still not where we want to be, but are we satisfied as a regulator? I would say within the context for which we operate, I think the area of satisfaction is the fact that we’re beginning to see the right signals. But at the same time, we also see a rise in consumption. So it’s like a cycle. As they’re making investments and making upgrades, people are consuming more,” he said.

Maida disclosed that data consumption has risen by about 170 per cent in the last two years, describing the surge as a major factor behind network strain.

The EVC added that operators are responding with increased investments, with site upgrades expected to rise significantly this year to expand both coverage and capacity.

He also highlighted regulatory efforts to improve industry sustainability, including ongoing policy reviews, cybersecurity framework implementation, and collaboration with security agencies to protect telecom infrastructure.

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

How Nigerians Are Secretly Using AI to Master Creative Skills Fast

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Google has revealed new insights showing that Nigerians are increasingly leveraging Search and artificial intelligence tools to develop creative skills and explore artistic pursuits in 2026.

How Nigerians Are Secretly Using AI to Master Creative Skills Fast

Google AI

According to the latest trends for March, there is a growing shift toward using technology as a practical assistant for personal growth, learning and creative expression across the country.

Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a creative powerhouse continues to shape this trend. From the global dominance of Afrobeats to the rise of Nollywood—now ranked as the fifth-largest film industry globally—the country’s cultural influence remains strong. Industry data shows Nollywood’s value is approaching $8 billion, with over 70 per cent of viewership for Nigerian-produced content coming from international audiences. Similarly, Afrobeats continues its global surge, recording more than 13 billion streams annually on platforms like Spotify.

Google’s data indicates that Nigerians are deliberately using digital tools to sharpen their creative abilities. Interest in learning painting has surged by 90 per cent over the past year, while calligraphy has emerged as a breakout trend, reflecting new forms of artistic exploration.

Music-related learning is also on the rise, with searches for guitar lessons increasing by 80 per cent. At the same time, users are exploring emerging AI-powered tools such as Lyria 3, highlighting a blend of creativity and advanced technology.

Beyond the arts, Nigerians are turning to digital tools to broaden global connections. Interest in learning Italian has jumped by 130 per cent, while searches for Japanese language learning have doubled within the past year.

This growing appetite for digital learning is supported by Nigeria’s expanding tech-driven economy. Research by Public First suggests that every dollar invested in digital technology generates more than eight dollars in economic value. The ICT sector has also emerged as a key contributor, accounting for over 16 per cent of the country’s real GDP.

Students and families are equally tapping into AI-powered tools for education. Searches for AI tutors have become a breakout trend, while interest in combining AI with subjects like chemistry has doubled over the past year. Homework-related searches have also risen by 70 per cent.

These developments are being bolstered by improved digital infrastructure, including projects such as the Equiano subsea cable, which significantly increases internet capacity and connectivity across the region.

Commenting on the trend, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade said it is encouraging to see Nigerians using AI creatively to unlock new opportunities.

He noted that the rise in creative arts and language learning reflects a population actively shaping its future with technology, using AI tools as “24/7 tutors” to build skills and connect globally.

Google added that tools such as Search and Workspace are already delivering measurable productivity gains, with Nigerian knowledge workers saving over 22 million hours weekly—equivalent to an estimated $4.7 billion boost in productivity.

The surge in AI literacy, which has grown by 840 per cent, further underscores a broader shift as Nigerians increasingly integrate technology into their creative, academic and professional lives.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Lands on Konga, Blending Innovation with Accessibility

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Samsung Galaxy S26 series has made a confident statement of intent; a flagship lineup that blends refined design, intelligent performance, and forward-looking innovation into one cohesive experience. Nigerian consumers looking to get their hands on these devices can now shop directly on Konga or visit any Konga retail center nationwide.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Lands on Konga, Blending Innovation with Accessibility

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series

The Samsung Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra have generated significant global attention, and  Nigeria is no exception. This series represents a quantum leap in mobile technology, delivering features that aren’t just incremental improvements; they fundamentally transform how we interact with our smartphones.

Perhaps the most talked-about feature is the revolutionary Privacy Display technology.  Samsung has engineered a solution for the modern, mobile professional who needs to work in public spaces without compromise. Using advanced light-control technology, the S26 narrows the viewing angle, making screen content visible only to the person directly in front of the device. Whether you’re reviewing sensitive documents or personal messages, you can interact with your device with complete confidence.

Equally compelling is the Steady Horizon Lock, an advanced camera stabilization system that elevates mobile photography to a professional level. This intelligent system uses gyroscopic sensors and AI-powered algorithms to keep your display perfectly level, regardless of how you hold the device. Whether you are capturing high-speed motion or recording content on the move, the S26 ensures smooth, professional-grade output that reviewers worldwide have called a total game-changer for mobile videography.

The Galaxy S26 series also takes AI integration to unprecedented heights. These devices  feature deeply embedded AI that learns your specific usage patterns, anticipates your needs,  and optimizes performance in real-time. From intelligent battery management that extends  your usage based on your daily routine, to predictive text that understands context with  remarkable accuracy, the S26 series doesn’t just respond to your commands, it anticipates  them. This positions the device as more than just a smartphone; it’s a personal digital assistant tailored to your lifestyle.

Beyond the hardware, Samsung has prioritized device protection through Samsung Care+  (SC+). Offering comprehensive protection for your investment, SC+ provides significant peace of mind for premium owners. To take full advantage of this, customers are encouraged to register their devices within 30 days of purchase to benefit from substantial discounts on screen repairs for the first 12 months.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series delivers a compelling blend of innovation, performance, and user-centric features. With its availability on Konga.com, Nigerian consumers have access to  cutting-edge technology through a trusted and convenient purchasing channel.

As the market continues to evolve, this collaboration highlights the importance of authenticity and experience in shaping the future of tech in Nigeria.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending