Telecom
NASENI and Caverton Helicopters Launch Training of Female staff on UAV
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Caverton Helicopters have commenced the second batch of training for 10 selected female engineers and scientists from NASENI system-wide in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) technology.
Director Corporate Services, Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Ayodele Omueti (middle) in a group photograph with NASENI female UAV trainees and other Caverton Helicopters officials during the onboarding ceremony at the Caverton MRO Facility in Ikeja Airport, Lagos on Tuesday April 8, 2025.
The six-week training program, which kicked off on Monday 7th of April 2025 at Caverton’s training school in Ikeja, Lagos, is part of the NASENI-Caverton, (NASCAV) ongoing partnership agreement to strengthen the aviation mandate of NASENI.
The training is a key component of the SHEFLY project, a pioneering initiative by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, aimed at empowering rural women to leverage drone technology for precision farming and increased agricultural yields, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, Dr. Abayomi Okesola, the team Lead NASCAV project, who spoke on behalf of NASENI management, welcomed the trainees to the epoch training exercise with CAVERTON, citing them as worthy partners due to their impressive track record in aviation and marine spaces.
He said the SHEFLY project is very dear to the heart of the EVC/CEO NASENI who perceived the exercise as a valuable initiative to promote women in STEM fields and bridge the existing gender gap.
Dr Abayomi said the selection of female trainees from the various institutes across different zones was a deliberate effort to enable them manage clusters that will be set up to train rural women in drone technology for enhanced agricultural activities nationwide.
In his welcome address, the MD CAVERTON Helicopters Captain Bello Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director Corporate Services Mr. Ayodele Omueti noted that CAVERTON is a conglomerate with diverse interests in aviation, marine and training, emphasizing that training is essential for ensuring safety and accountability.
He stated that UAVs are among the modern aircraft in the aviation sector, stressing that “the training is timely to ensure we remain current with global technological advancements”.
He therefore urged the trainees to stay focused to acquire the knowledge they have come for.
On his part, the Project Coordinator CAVERTON Drones, Mr. Ese Obukonise stated that the training adheres to aerodynamic principles and is certified by a UK license Authority, ensuring compliance with international standards and best practices.
He said this would enable the trainees maximize their potentials and contribute effectively to NASENI’s initiatives.
He noted that the demand for UAV pilots in the world is exceptionally high and the SHEFLY project would not only promote gender inclusiveness in a male dominated field but also empower women to capitalize on emerging opportunities in UAV technology.
Upon completion, the female trainees will in turn, train rural women farmers to utilize drone technology to improve and boost farm yields.
The SHEFLY project, which will be launched soon at the Aeronautic and Air Vehicle Development Institute, AAVDI, of NASENI in Kaduna, is designed to enhance food security, improve crop yields, and increase the income of rural women farmers.
The project’s objectives include training and deploying female drone pilots to support precision farming, enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, empowering rural women to adopt innovative technologies, and fostering sustainable agriculture practices.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.
Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.
To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.
“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”
Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.
With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.
For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
In an era where organisations are redefining leadership and equity, MTN Nigeria continues to set the pace with its growing cadre of women in senior leadership positions. The company’s consistent recognition of female excellence, both within and beyond its walls, reflects a deep, deliberate culture of inclusion and empowerment.
L-R: Katuka Halilu, Regional General Manager, MTN Nigeria; Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, Senior Manager, Reward, MTN Nigeria; Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, and ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager, Regional Operations (Northwest), MTN Nigeria at the Award Ceremony and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Most recently, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MTN Nigeria, was conferred with the Fellowship Award of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) at the CIPM Gala Night and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, October 30th, 2025.“This recognition is truly fulfilling, it represents the culmination of years of passion and perseverance. To be honoured by the leading institute for HR professionals in Nigeria is a remarkable achievement. I look forward to applying my experience and insight to continue strengthening MTN’s people strategy and driving excellence in human resource management,” Akinnukawe said following the honour.
Her recognition adds to a growing list of milestones achieved by MTN Nigeria’s female leaders in recent years. In July 2025, Uto Ukpanah, the company’s Company Secretary, made history as the 30th President and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), becoming only the second woman to hold the role in nearly six decades. According to the company’s 2024 Annual Report, women now represent 41.4% of the total workforce, 34.7% of management, and 21.4% of the board. These figures reflect a steady rise in gender representation across all levels, supported by a range of internal programmes focused on inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development.
In the first half of 2025, MTN Nigeria’s strong financial and operational performance further reinforced the strength of its diverse leadership. The company recorded a 54.6% increase in service revenue to ₦2.4 trillion and an impressive EBITDA growth of 119.5%, reflecting its resilience, innovation, and effective people strategy.
This performance culture, anchored on inclusion and excellence, is reflected across the company’s leadership team. Beyond Ukpanah and Akinnukawe, several women occupy influential positions shaping the company’s vision and social impact. They include Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation and recipient of the 2024 CSI Personality of the Year Award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards; A’isha Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer; Oby Ugboma, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer; Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer; and Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer.
Her journey, from teaching and consulting to leading human capital strategy for Africa’s leading TechCo brand, exemplifies MTN’s belief that empowered women empower organisations.
MTN’s ongoing success story, both in its financial results and in people development, demonstrates that diversity is not just a metric, it’s a growth strategy. As the company continues to invest in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and social impact programmes, its commitment to elevating women into positions of influence remains resolute.
Senate has confirmed the appointment of Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), following a successful screening by its Committee on Communications.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, the Senate adopted the Committee’s report and also confirmed the appointments of Maryam Bayi (North East), Senator Ramoni Olalekan Mustafa (South West), and Ikechukwu Ugwuegede (South East) as Commissioners on the NCC Board.
Other members confirmed include Princess Oforitsenere Emiko and Christopher Sandy Okorie, both representing the South South region.
The newly confirmed Chairman and Commissioners will join previously confirmed members of the Board, including Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida (North West); Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Engineer Abraham Oshadami (North Central); and Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini H. Makama (North Central).
The confirmation marks a significant step in strengthening the leadership of the NCC, Nigeria’s apex telecommunications regulatory body.
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