Broadcasting
Steve Babaeko Joins Global Business Leaders at the UN Stereotype Alliance Global Member Summit
Steve Babaeko, Founder and CEO of X3M Ideas, earlier this week, joined global business leaders at this year’s UN Stereotype Alliance Global Member Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The Summit brought together executives of over 230 companies from the US, UK, Japan and Europe, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Türkiye, and the UAE to discuss the influence of the advertising, media, and marketing community as a force for transformative change.
Themed “Raising the Bar”, the two-day signature event Steve Babaeko joined sixteen other speakers like award-winning playwright and actress, Danai Gurira; Deputy Executive Director UN Women, Anita Bhatia; Co-Founder & Chairman Getty Images, Mark Getty; and Model and activist, Munroe Bergdorf.
“It is inspiring to join some of the world’s most committed changemakers at the United Nations Headquarters for the Unstereotype Alliance Global Member Summit. It is very important work as we continue to steer the global marketing communications industry in the right direction.
Communications plays a pivotal role in creating social change. This is one of the reasons why I proudly support the UN Stereotype Alliance in the fight to eliminate negative stereotypes of women in advertising and communications generally,” Steve said.
The sixteen speakers who are leading voices across a broad spectrum of industries including film, advertising, business, and government emphasized the need to tackle systemic stereotyping.
Babaeko’s company, X3M Ideas, had last year announced its membership of the Nigerian Chapter of UN Stereotype Alliance – a global coalition committed to ending harmful stereotypes in media and advertising.
Statistics provided by UN Women reveals that almost a third of Nigerian women have reported having experienced physical violence. In addition, representation of Nigerian women in governance is amongst the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa, and 40% of Nigerians believe that men should be paid more than women for the same job.
X3M Ideas, in partnership with the Nigerian Chapter, wants to use advertising to encourage positive and equal portrayal of women and girls in all forms of media.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
Glo Extends Christmas Greetings, Urges Unity and Care for Others
Naira Stability, Lower Borrowing Costs Expected in 2026 — CBN Survey
US Okays $2.1Bn for Christian Healthcare in Nigeria
Leo Stan Ekeh: A “Rare Avis”, an Unconquerable Entrepreneur
SERAP Asks Tinubu to Release CTC of Tax Bill
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
Jumia’s Data Shows Nigerians Turning to Digital Retail to Navigate Inflation Pressures
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
General News1 day agoThe Mood Market to Light Up Lagos with a Rooftop Gifting, Food & Lifestyle Fair this Christmas
News1 day agoUS Okays $2.1Bn for Christian Healthcare in Nigeria
Broadcasting1 day agoTim Akano Recounts 20-Year Growth, Media Support at NITRA End-of-Year Meet
News1 day agoSERAP Asks Tinubu to Release CTC of Tax Bill
E-Financial1 day agoSterling Bank, Water.org, Sterling One Foundation Partner on WASH Loan for Millions
General News1 day agoLeo Stan Ekeh: A “Rare Avis”, an Unconquerable Entrepreneur
General News1 day agoFCCPC Forces Ikeja Electric Into Compliance, Unseals Headquarters After Rights Breach
General News1 day agoNITDA Wins Triple SERVICOM Honours for Citizen-Centred Service Delivery