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Quick Cleaning Hacks for a Tidier Space – SweepSouth

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Having a clean home is what everyone desires irrespective of who you are, but taking time out to clean up your house could be frustrating, especially when it comes to cleaning every corner of your home. If this is the case for you, you need not worry – here are fast and effective tips from Awazi Angbalaga, Country Manager for cleaning services company, SweepSouth on how your domestic workers can give your home a sparkly facelift.

Kitchen cleaning tricks

Give coffee and tea mugs a refresh by removing old stains. Fill the mug halfway with white vinegar, then top up with boiling water. Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes, before washing well.

Rid your microwave of old food splatters by placing a microwavable bowl filled with one third vinegar and two thirds water inside the microwave. Heat for five minutes until the microwave is steamed up. Baked-on food splatters will now be soft enough to remove with a quick wipe. If not, simply repeat the process.

Add gleam to stainless steel kitchen appliances like fridges and dishwashers by rubbing coconut oil or baby oil onto them with a soft cloth. And, if your dishwasher smells funky, fill a mug with vinegar, place it in the top rack of an empty dishwasher, then run it for a normal cycle.

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Kitchen cupboards and cabinets are real dirt traps, and we often don’t realise how much dust and dirt is building up inside them, says Awazi. “When you’re cleaning them, the trickiest bits are often the corners and areas around hinges. To reach them, use an old toothbrush dipped into the cleaning solution and, for really tight spots, try an ear bud moistened with cleaner to help remove grime,” she advises.

Lounge reviver

Vacuum cleaners often have a stale smell. Give yours a refresh by cleaning the hoses, filter and canister with a solution of bicarbonate of soda and water. Rinse with water, then allow to dry. Next, pop a ball of cotton wool that’s been dipped into a fresh-smelling essential oil, like lemon or eucalyptus, into the vacuum bag for a fresh smell every time you vacuum.

A clever tip to remove any old chewing gum stuck to the carpet by drenching it with a through spritz of hairspray. The gum will harden, and you’ll be able to scrape it off with a knife.

Get rid of water stains on wooden coffee tables by applying Vaseline and leaving it overnight, says Awazi. “The next day, wipe the mark away using Vaseline . You can also try mixing equal parts vinegar and olive oil, then, using a cloth and moving with the wood grain, applying the mixture to the area. Use another dry soft cloth to buff it up.”

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Bathroom cleanse

Refresh your shower and get rid of soap scum and mould with a natural shower scrub. Mix three cups of water with three teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spray on the shower walls and floor, leave for half an hour, spray again, then scrub to remove residue and rinse.

Banish black spots of mould or mildew in your bathroom basin’s sealant by applying a paste made with one part lemon juice to one part bicarbonate of soda. Leave the paste on for two hours, then rinse off.

To rid your drain of smells, mix half a cup of bicarbonate of soda with a quarter cup of salt. Sprinkle the mixture down the drain, followed by a cup of warm white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then pour hot water down the drain.

Bedroom freshener

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Bedroom curtains and pelmets are dust and allergen traps. Wipe down the pelmets, then use your vacuum cleaner on a low setting to give your curtains a quick once over. If you have a clothes steamer, use it on your curtains once they’re dusted, to refresh them.

Give your wardrobe a good clean before you pack your winter clothes away. Take out all the clothing inside the cupboard, vacuum up any dust then wipe down the inside with a mild water and soap solution to get rid of dust and dirty marks Once your clothes are packed back into the cupboard, place blocks of cedar wood on the shelves to repel moths. Sachets filled with fresh lavender or rosemary and hung from the clothing rail will also act as a moth deterrent, plus add a fresh scent to your wardrobe.

Giving your home a thorough clean from top to bottom can be tiring, but it’s definitely worth it in how fresh your space will feel afterwards. If you don’t have the time to do a deep clean, get a professional cleaner from SweepSouth to help with intensive chores. That way you will have a sparkling clean home, plus you’ll have free time to focus on other responsibilities in your life.

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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

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NBC Scraps Annual Digital Access Fee on DSO

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National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that Nigerians will no longer pay annual Digital Access Fees under the renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.

NBC Scraps Annual Digital Access Fee on DSO

Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja,

Ebuebu said viewers only need to purchase an approved decoder and satellite dish which cost below N20,000 to enjoy free television permanently.

“Previously, users paid an annual digital access fee of about N1,500, described as an administrative charge.

“The new system removes that annual fee. It provides free access to free-to-air television channels without any payment.

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“Premium channels will be introduced later. Viewers who want those additional channels will be able to access them through paid services.

“Nigerian content on free-to-air channels remains free to watch. Unlike Pay TV, this platform does not require monthly subscriptions for its basic service,” he said

Ebuebu said approved decoders for the FreeTV will cost less than N20,000 and authorised sales outlets will soon be announced.

He urged Nigerians to wait for official information on approved dealers for the DSO decoders, warning that unauthorised sellers are exploiting growing public demand.

He reiterated that people only need a free-to-air decoder, along with a satellite dish instead of the old antenna system to receive the DSO signal.

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“Once the equipment is installed, viewers can access all available channels across the country without paying any subscription fees,” he stressed

The DG dismissed claims by some retailers that there are different categories of decoders sold at varying prices, stressing that such sellers are not authorised by the commission.

According to him, the NBC will soon publish the list of approved dealers, official prices, and locations where genuine decoder boxes and accessories can be purchased.

The NBC boss said the DSO project is designed not only to improve television broadcasting but also to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and opening up opportunities for businesses that support the broadcasting industry.

Ebuebu noted that content producers and broadcasters stand to benefit significantly from the nationwide reach of the DSO platform.

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Unlike the previous system, where many stations had limited regional audiences, he said the new platform will make their channels available to viewers across Nigeria.

He added that the introduction of audience measurement technology will provide scientific and reliable data on television viewership.

Ebuebu added that audience measurement technology will give advertisers greater confidence in placing adverts and enable broadcasters to demonstrate the true size and reach of their audiences nationwide.

 

 

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Mbunabo, Nigerian Filmmaker Accuses Ghana TV Stations of Pirating Nollywood Films

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Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker, has raised concerns over the alleged unauthorised broadcast of Nollywood films by some Ghanaian television stations, calling on Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA) to strengthen the enforcement of copyright laws.

Mbunabo, Nigerian Filmmaker Accuses Ghana TV Stations of Pirating Nollywood Films

Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker

Mbunabo made the remarks during a conversation with James Gardiner, deputy CEO of the National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana.

He questioned whether it was permissible for television stations in Ghana to download Nigerian movies from YouTube and air them without obtaining permission from the producers.

“I noticed that Ghanaian TV stations, the way they are stealing our films and showing them for free with impunity. Is it legalised in your country for TV stations to go on YouTube, download people’s sweat and show it for free?”

According to Mbunabo, some Ghanaian television stations have been downloading newly released Nollywood films from YouTube and broadcasting them without authorisation, depriving producers of revenue generated through the platform.

He also stated that he had not witnessed Nigerian television stations engaging in similar practices and questioned what measures Ghana was taking to protect filmmakers’ intellectual property.

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Responding to the concerns, Gardiner acknowledged that the issue exists and said the National Film Authority had begun engaging relevant stakeholders to address it.

He disclosed that the NFA has held discussions with the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) on improving copyright enforcement.

Gardiner explained that while Ghana has copyright laws, enforcement remains challenging because many television stations now operate digitally and may not have physical offices within the country.

“There are copyright laws, but they are not effective because a lot of the TV stations don’t have offices. Most of them are now digital, so they operate from anywhere. They can even have a Ghanaian TV station but be operating from Austria simply because it is digital.”

He added that authorities are considering a new licensing framework that would require broadcasters to undergo a fresh licensing process to improve monitoring and enforcement.

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According to Gardiner, television stations found guilty of illegally broadcasting copyrighted content would be required to compensate affected producers through fines.

He added that repeat offenders could face suspension of their broadcasting licences, while a third violation could result in the revocation of their licences.

Although he did not provide a specific timeline, Gardiner said the reforms were already underway and expressed hope that significant progress would be seen next year.

Mbunabo welcomed the proposed measures but urged the National Film Authority to expedite the process, stating that unauthorised broadcasts continue to affect filmmakers’ ability to recover production costs through legitimate distribution channels such as YouTube.

He also stressed that his comments were not directed at Ghana’s film industry, noting that he has worked with several Ghanaian actors over the years and supports collaborations between Nollywood and Ghallywood.

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From Scarcity to Scale: What Africa Can Learn from India’s Agricultural Transformation 

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By Alice Ruhweza and Dr Purvi Mehta
Food security is often framed as a question of production. Yet at its core, it is about something far more fundamental: how societies organise themselves to ensure that food remains reliably available, accessible, and affordable. In that sense, food is not only a commodity. It is a public good, central to economic stability, social cohesion, and national resilience. Food sector also continues to remain the largest employment generator across developing countries.
India’s transformation from a food deficit nation to one of the world’s largest agricultural producers is frequently linked to the Green Revolution. Focusing too narrowly on that moment misses the broader lesson, aligning policy, institutions, markets, and science around a clear national objective. That alignment moved India from vulnerability to resilience, and increasingly to economic strength.
For Africa, the question is not whether that journey can be replicated. It is what can be learned from how it was built, and how those lessons inform a different context.
A transformation shaped by leadership and systems
India’s agricultural progress reflects decades of political commitment, public investment, and institutional development.
Scientific advances mattered, but so did procurement systems, rural infrastructure, financing mechanisms, farmer participation and research networks. These elements worked together to stabilise food supply and support rural livelihoods. Agriculture was treated as a national priority linked to economic and political stability.
Governments invested in increasing production and ensuring food systems delivered broader outcomes, including stability, price predictability, and social protection. Public grain reserves, price support mechanisms, and distribution systems built food security and underpinned national resilience.
Shared foundations, different realities
Agriculture plays a central role in India’s economy supporting a large workforce and remains closely tied to food security and economic stability. Africa shares structural similarities – agriculture remains central to livelihoods and large rural populations depend on it for income and stability.
The differences are equally significant. Africa’s agricultural systems are diverse, spanning multiple agroecology and climate conditions. Climate exposure is acute, markets fragmented and the pace of population growth faster. The pressure to generate jobs and economic opportunity is immediate. This is not a case of one region following another along a fixed path. It is a different starting point with different pressures. Africa must design its own pathway rather than replicate a historical model.
What the transformation journey reveals
India’s experience offers a set of principles about how transformation happens. First, transformation is built over time, requires sustained political commitment and consistent investment. Progress is cumulative and depends on alignment across multiple parts of the system.
Second, institutions matter as much as innovation. Research systems, extension services, market structures, and financing mechanisms all ensure that productivity gains translate into stable outcomes for farmers.
Third, agriculture must be treated as an economic system. Producing more food is one part of the equation. Markets, value chains, storage, and price realization determine farmers’ benefit. Fourth, food systems require public purpose. Left entirely to market forces, they may not deliver stability, equity, or resilience. Public policy ensures food systems serve broader societal goals.
Fifth, technology development is important, but the impact comes from how well the technology is disseminated and adopted. Affordability and access to technology optimizes the potential of technology.
Finally, inclusion must be deliberate. Even successful transformations can produce uneven outcomes unless access to resources and opportunities is designed to reach smallholders, women, and young people.
From productivity to farmer prosperity
The important shift for Africa is to move beyond a narrow focus on productivity towards a clearer focus on farmer prosperity. Agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for millions, yet many farmers operate below viable economic thresholds, with limited access to markets, finance, and value addition opportunities.
The next phase of transformation must focus on converting agricultural activity into stable and growing incomes. This requires systems that connect production to markets, strengthen participation in value chains, and support farming as a viable economic enterprise.
Farmer prosperity is not simply a social ambition. It is an economic imperative. When farmers generate reliable incomes, they invest more, produce efficiently and participate fully in markets, strengthening economies and long-term development.
An evolving approach across Africa
Institutions such as AGRA work with governments, research systems, and private actors to strengthen these foundations. The emphasis is on aligning evidence, markets, finance, and policy for agricultural systems to function coherently and deliver measurable outcomes, shifting away from isolated interventions to coordinated efforts that link productivity, market access, and income growth.
Africa’s opportunity is different
Africa enters this moment with advantages such as digital connectivity is expanding, regional markets are growing, national and regional institutions are strengthening. Access to knowledge and technology is greater than ever before.
These conditions create the possibility not only to accelerate progress, but to design it differently. Climate resilience, diversification, and market participation can be integrated from the outset to build inclusive, adaptive and more sustainable food systems.
A new phase of agricultural transformation
India’s journey demonstrates large scale agricultural transformation is possible. It shows how it is built through leadership, institutions, and long-term commitment. Africa’s path will not be identical, but the ambition is similar: to ensure agriculture functions not only as a source of food, but as a driver of economic growth and stability.
The question is no longer whether transformation can happen. It’s whether leadership, systems, and partnerships will align to make it happen at scale.
Ms Ruhweza is the current AGRA President and Dr Mehta is an international development expert and advisor

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