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Nasarawa School Emerges Best in MTN ASAP Quiz Competition
PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State has emerged victorious at the MTN Foundation Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Quiz Competition for secondary schools.
L-R: Secretary, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Shadrach Usman Haruna; Teacher, PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Jonah Basil-Eneh; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; Students, PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Abdul Isa Salihu, Peace Monday and Augusta Opane Okyuwa; National Programme Officer, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Folusho Ajayi Adelekan and Associate Professor, Theatre Arts, University of Abuja at the ASAP quiz competition grand finale where PTA/NADP International College, Lafia emerged winners in Abuja on June 23, 2023.
The competition was held on June 23, 2023, following a series of elimination rounds held between June 6 and 7, 2023.
The trio, Abdul Isa Salihu, Peace Monday and Augusta Opane Okyuwa, won the keenly contested competition with 50 points.
Anglican Girls High School, Benin-City, and Government Girls Secondary School, Yola, finished second and third, with 40 and 35 points, respectively.
The winning team as well as the first and second runners-up will be presented with their prizes at the ASAP national conference scheduled to hold on June 26 at the National State House, Abuja.
The quiz competition was organized by the MTN Foundation in partnership with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to raise awareness about substance abuse among secondary school students and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Eighteen schools across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria participated in the competition, competing for the coveted prize of being crowned champions.
The event, which was held at Barcelona International Hotel, Abuja, and was attended by representatives of the MTN Foundation, NDLEA, and UNODC, students from participating schools, teachers, and other key stakeholders concerned with combating substance abuse among young people.
The competition was intense, and the participating schools had to showcase their knowledge and understanding of the dangers of substance abuse, addiction, and other related topics.
The trio from PTA/NADP International College, Lafia, Nasarawa State displayed exceptional knowledge and emerged as the winners of the competition, beating their competitors by a significant margin. They expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such an important event, describing the experience as an ‘life-changing’ one.
Speaking of her experience, Peace Monday said, “This competition has helped me to learn a good deal about substance abuse and I intend to go home and spread the knowledge I have gathered with my family and friends in school and in fact, everyone around the world.”
Speaking to the participants in the competition, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, encouraged them to positively influence others with the knowledge received through the competition. She said, “Every child has a sphere of influence.
Everyone here is making history today. This is an experience that should stay with you for a lifetime. When you leave here, you should become ambassadors in the fight against substance abuse and positively impact your sphere of influence.”
In addition to the quiz competition, the event featured other activities aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Members from the University of Abuja Theatre Group presented a captivating drama that highlighted the effects of substance abuse on individuals, families, and communities.
Also, representatives of the participating schools presented various speeches on the theme of the 2023 World Drug Day, which is, “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”.
The Country Manager, UNODC, in a speech presented by the National Programme Officer, UNODC, Folusho Ajayi Adelekan, said, “There are projections that the drug use prevalence in Africa will increase by 40% by 2030 and for a country like Nigeria with a teeming youth population, this is alarming and should be a wake up call to everyone, not just NDLEA, or other stakeholders currently working in this field. All hands must be on deck to reverse this negative trend. Our youth are our future and the current indices do not bode well for the future of the country.”
The Chairman, NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd’ OFR) in his remarks presented by the Secretary, NDLEA, Shadrach Usman Haruna said the competition is expected to improve the choices of young people on the matter of substance abuse.
He said, “It is hoped that this quiz competition will provide the Knowledge and necessary information to make healthier personal choices and avoid risky situations that can predispose one to drug use, and it is also hoped that you would teach others who did not have the opportunity of being part of the whole exercise.”
The MTN Foundation ASAP Quiz Competition is one of the many ways the Foundation is contributing to creating a healthy society. By focusing on education and awareness, the competition aims to reduce the rate of substance abuse among young people and ultimately contribute towards building a brighter future for Nigeria.
The competition highlights the importance of education and awareness in tackling substance abuse among young people and also reiterates the need for all stakeholders to work together to create a safer, healthier society.
MENXTT TECH NG, a Lagos-based technology company, has launched an initiative to make quality Dell laptops more affordable for Nigerians through flexible payment plans and extended warranty support.
The company said the initiative was aimed at helping students, entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses acquire reliable computing devices despite rising technology costs.
According to the company, customers can now purchase premium pre-owned Dell Latitude, Dell Precision and Dell Inspiron laptops at competitive prices, with selected models available under staggered payment arrangements.
The laptops, it said, are designed to meet the needs of users ranging from students and office workers to architects, engineers, software developers, graphic designers and video editors.
Speaking on the initiative, the Co-Founder of MENXTT TECH NG, Mr Anthony Emeka Nwosu, said access to quality technology should not be limited by financial constraints.
“A laptop is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for education, business and career development.
“Unfortunately, many people are forced to settle for unreliable devices because of the high cost of new laptops.
“At MENXTT TECH NG, we want to bridge that gap by providing durable Dell business laptops at affordable prices, backed by a full one-year warranty and flexible payment plans.
“We want every student, entrepreneur, freelancer and business owner to have access to technology that helps them succeed,” he said.
Nwosu explained that every laptop undergoes comprehensive testing before delivery and comes with a one-year warranty, an original charger, a complimentary laptop bag, Windows 11 operating system and Microsoft Office Suite pre-installed.
He added that the company, an authorised Bitdefender Antivirus reseller in Nigeria, also installs genuine Bitdefender security software on every system to protect customers against cyber threats.
According to him, customers requiring additional productivity tools can also have licensed Foxit PDF software installed on their devices.
Nwosu said the flexible payment option was introduced in response to prevailing economic realities, enabling customers to spread payments over an agreed period.
He noted that the arrangement would make it easier for students, startups and growing businesses to acquire quality computers without placing excessive pressure on their finances.
Beyond laptop sales, the company provides information technology consultancy, computer repairs, software licensing, cybersecurity solutions and digital transformation services to organisations across Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by making dependable computing devices and enterprise technology solutions more accessible to individuals and businesses.
According to him, the initiative reflects MENXTT TECH NG’s vision of combining affordability, quality products and professional after-sales support to help more Nigerians participate in the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. (NAN)
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, representing the Director General of NITDA, delivers a goodwill message at the 20th International Conference on Technology and Computing (RISE 2026) in Jos, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to fostering digital innovation, strategic collaboration, and a technology-driven future for Nigeria.
The agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026, held in Jos, Plateau State, where stakeholders examined strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital transformation would depend on sustained investment in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships.
According to him, collaboration across the public and private sectors is essential to translate emerging technologies into practical solutions capable of improving governance, creating jobs and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Onumo said NITDA remained committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives that promote digital literacy, research and development, innovation ecosystems, cyber sovereignty and emerging technologies.
He added that the agency was expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups through platforms designed to encourage collaboration, investment and technology-driven enterprise.
“We are transforming Digital Nigeria into the nation’s foremost innovation platform where policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies can collaborate to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.
He urged innovators, startup founders and technology professionals to participate actively in the forthcoming Builders Summit by showcasing indigenous solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, described digital technology as a critical driver of governance and economic development.
Mutfwang said his administration had adopted digital solutions to improve public service delivery, modernise government operations and enhance internally generated revenue.
He also identified technology as a key enabler for agricultural transformation, increased productivity and improved food security, urging participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference translate into practical outcomes for national development.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference was organised to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators, technology professionals and industry leaders.
Sirajo said the conference, with the theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026),” focused on exploring how innovation could accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as among the technologies shaping the future of economies across the world.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a strong foundation for building a globally competitive economy through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation and skills development.
The conference attracted government officials, regulators, academics, development partners, technology professionals and private-sector stakeholders to deliberate on policies and innovations aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive economic renaissance.
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Hon. Minister Dr. Kingsley T. Udeh and ASUS To Unveil First of a Kind Flagship Store in West Africa
In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s technology retail sector, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh SAN, will on Monday, August 3rd, commission a landmark ASUS Flagship Store in partnership with Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group Konga. The state-of-the-art facility is widely regarded as the first initiative of its kind in West Africa.
The commissioning will witness the visit of senior executives from the world-renowned technology brand to Nigeria, including EMEA General Manager, Mr. Aaron Tsai, alongside other. One of the purposes of their visit is to reinforce the strategic partnership with Konga and solidify the collaboration between both organisations, further demonstrating ASUS’ commitment to the Nigerian market.
The event is expected to also bring together key stakeholders from government, the technology industry, business community, and the media for what promises to be a defining moment in the evolution of technology retail in the region.
The development comes as Konga continues to accelerate its strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology brands.
For years, Nigerian consumers have demanded more than just access to genuine technology products. They have increasingly sought immersive experiences, expert guidance, after-sales support, and greater confidence when making technology investments. The next chapter in this journey appears to address many of these expectations in a bold and innovative way.
The forthcoming announcement is expected to bring together global innovation in a manner that reflects the changing realities of today’s technology consumer. It also reinforces the growing confidence that leading international technology companies continue to place in Nigeria as one of Africa’s most strategic digital markets.
Industry analysts note that partnerships of this nature are becoming increasingly important as consumers place greater emphasis on authenticity, hands-on product experiences, technical support, and trusted purchase channels. Beyond selling devices, the future of technology retail lies in building complete customer experiences.
As anticipation builds for Monday, one thing is certain: the ASUS-Konga partnership promises to set new standards for tech retail in West Africa, elevating customer experience and reinforcing Nigeria’s digital transformation narrative.
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