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Ndukwe Gets ‘Pillar of Telecom’ Award

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Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been bestowed with the prestigious award of Pillar of Telecom in Africa at a special award ceremony to climax the first edition of the West African Information Communications Technology (Wafict) Congress 2009. The occasion also heralded the formal institution of the African Hall of Fame by Africa’s foremost ICT magazine, IT & Telecom Digest.
The award ceremony, sponsored by 21st Century Technologies, Nigeria’s premier provider of multi-faceted telecom services, was an exclusive gathering of dignitaries from the Nigerian and international telecom sectors as well as some distinguished guests. Encomiums were showered on the NCC’s EVC for his stellar performance in steering Nigeria’s telecom sector to global reckoning; as subscriber base is currently estimated at 70 million, while foreign direct investment from 2001 till date has surpassed $12 billion.
Despite the hosting the alumni association of the Lagos Business School, where he was an award recipient at the same time as when Engr. Ndukwe was being honoured, Prof. Pat Utomi made out time to attend Ndukwe’s investiture as the Pillar of Telecom in African at the first African Telecom Hall of Fame Award. Describing the Engr. Ndukwe as a friend, Dr. Utomi declared that he was not surprised that Engr. Ndukwe was being honoured for his exemplary work in turning around the nation’s telecoms sector.
“For me, it’s pure joy to watch what you have done at the NCC. You had turned out to be the individual who had impacted the society the most of the lot,” he noted.
According to Wale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, with everybody talking about the success of the telecommunications industry and as somebody who has been here in the industry I can testify without any equivocation, that the biggest factor of the growth of this industry has been the regulatory certainty we have enjoyed in the industry.”
Correcting the impression that the telecom operators were being favoured by the NCC, Goodluck revealed that there have been several occasions in which the NCC and regulators have disagreed and the regulator has even in the past penalised telecom operators.
“Looking at where we are going we have enjoyed a fantastic regulatory regime. It’s only in Nigeria when the analysts all over the world are talking about telecoms industry we don’t hear them using words like immature regulator, or nascent regulator and all the other things they use to write Africa down. When it comes to Nigeria the stability of the regulatory environment, the transparency of the regulatory environment has translated into our ability to source and attract funding as the best way for telecoms investment in Nigeria. What we have witnessed in the last nine years, if we are able to translate it into other sectors of the economy Nigeria would be completely out of the doldrums,” he stated.
Chris Uwaje, regional director of D-Link International described Engr. Ndukwe as a specimen for research for resolving Nigeria’s problems. “I would still insist that if Engr. Ndukwe had been given the power sector to turn around he would have done as marvelously as he has done with the telecom industry. So, my only regret is that he was not given the computer industry to turn around; if he was given the computer industry to turn around I can assure you oil would have taken the back seat. India would have been the number two in software development and we still look forward to that dream,” Uwaje remarked.
Funke Opeke, CEO of MainStreet Technologies who expressed her admiration for the EVC declared that her company was a beneficiary of the innovatory regime of the NCC, having been awarded a pioneer licence for laying undersea cable. “I must say I continue to be amazed by your progressiveness and your vision for truly having a laudable environment for ICT, not just telecommunications in Nigeria,” she stated.
According to her, the Nigerian telecom revolution championed by the NCC created a fertile ground for her to come back to Nigeria, after having left the shores of Nigeria, more than 25 years ago to pursue a career in telecommunications abroad.
Reacting to some of the comments, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe expressed surprise at the award as he had no inclination of his investiture into the African Telecom Hall of Fame. He dedicated the award to the board and members of staff of the NCC. He described the Commission as a government agency with a difference.
“Everybody knows how passionate I have been about this industry, I must say that I have actually given it my all and when I work and for some of you who have visited the NCC would recognize that we don’t really work as any typical government agency. We take our job very seriously and when you come around 7pm or 8pm, many members of staff are still very busy doing one thing or the other. So we are also very passionate at the NCC for the growth and development of this country. I must say that the achievement so far can also be attributed to the hard working folks in that organization, the board and the management, and staff of NCC,” he said.
 


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Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

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Nigeria’s fast-rising youth culture and innovation community, The Gathering on 100, is heading to Enugu, with registration now open for gamers, performers, DJs, creatives, and culture enthusiasts.

Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

MTN

The Enugu edition will take place on June 19, 2026, at ICC Hall, Okpara Square, and will bring together a new audience for the platform’s signature blend of music, gaming, live performance, community engagement, and youth-driven entertainment.

The Gathering on 100 first gained national attention in Lagos, where it transformed the National Stadium, Surulere, into a continuous 100-hour ecosystem of activity from April 22–26, 2026.

The event combined culture, commerce, entrepreneurship, gaming, fashion, and live entertainment, attracting thousands of young participants and creating opportunities for emerging talent and businesses.

The movement most recently arrived in Aba, where thousands of young people gathered for a weekend of culture, commerce and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the platform’s growing appeal across different communities and audiences.

The move to Enugu is being framed by organisers as a deliberate expansion into one of Nigeria’s largest student and youth populations. Home to major institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Godfrey Okoye University and Coal City University, Enugu attracts thousands of young people from across the country each year, creating a vibrant community shaped by education, creativity, entertainment and entrepreneurship.

This concentration of young talent has helped fuel a growing ecosystem of creators, performers, gamers, digital entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In recent years, the city has hosted an increasing number of technology, entertainment and youth-focused events, reflecting the growing demand for platforms that bring together creativity, opportunity and community.

These dynamics make Enugu a natural next stop for The Gathering on 100, a platform built around showcasing talent, fostering connections and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.

Registration for the Enugu edition is now open through The Gathering’s official website, with participation available across multiple categories including gaming, rap battles, DJ competitions, dance, live performances and entrepreneurship.

A key highlight of the event will be the Pitchathon, where emerging founders and business owners will have the opportunity to present their ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to secure grant funding and support for business growth.

The gaming segment will feature competitive tournaments and interactive experiences designed for both casual and serious players, while rap battles and DJ showdowns will spotlight rising talent from Enugu and neighbouring states.

Attendees can also expect a large scale rave experience, live entertainment and community driven activities designed to bring together different corners of the region’s youth culture under one roof.

Beyond the entertainment, organisers say The Gathering on 100 is designed to create real opportunities for young people to connect, collaborate and gain visibility for their talents, ideas and businesses.

As the movement continues its expansion across Nigeria, the Enugu edition is expected to showcase the city’s unique blend of creativity, ambition and cultural influence while providing a platform for the next generation of innovators, performers and entrepreneurs.


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Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

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Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), has said that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT).

Professor Dzidonu noted that universities exist not merely to award degrees but to develop capable human beings who can think critically, solve problems creatively, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute meaningfully to society.

He reiterated AIT’s commitment to producing graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded, intellectually curious, and globally competitive.

The Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) has officially welcomed newly admitted students into its academic community at a colourful matriculation ceremony held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the university’s Knowledge City Campus-Kokomlemle in Accra.

Speaking on the theme, “Preparing the Sovereign Learner for a World of Opportunity, Possibility and Difference,” the President encouraged students to adopt the Opportunity–Possibility–Difference (OPD) Perspective by recognizing opportunities, exploring possibilities, and creating meaningful differences in their lives and communities. He urged them to see beyond examinations and certificates and focus on building capability, character, and courage.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the lives of the new students as they formally became members of the AIT scholarly community, joining a university renowned for excellence in technology-driven education, innovation, research, and professional development.

The matriculating class comprises students pursuing programmes in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Project Management, and doctoral studies.

Addressing the matriculating class, the President of AIT, Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, congratulated the students on their admission and challenged them to embrace what he termed “The Age of the Sovereign Learner.” He emphasized that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Professor Dzidonu further challenged the students to make the most of the opportunities available to them at AIT by attending lectures consistently, acting ethically, managing their time wisely, and committing themselves to lifelong learning.

He reminded them that success at the university would depend not only on the resources and support systems provided by AIT but also on their personal commitment to excellence and self-development.

On behalf of the newly admitted students, Mr. Samuel Peace Kamara delivered the matriculants’ acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the university’s leadership, faculty, and staff for the warm reception extended to the new students.

He pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, that they would uphold the values of the university, work diligently in their studies, and strive to become responsible professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

The ceremony concluded with a formal declaration admitting the students into membership of the university community and a call on them to embrace the opportunities before them, pursue excellence, and contribute positively to national and global development.


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FG Debunks Claims of Plans to Introduce Telecoms, Fuel Taxes

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Federal government has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, describing the claims as false and misleading.

FG Clears the Air on New Fuel and Telecom Tax Reports

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by Mrs Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

According to the ministry, reports linking the alleged taxes to recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria do not reflect the position of the government.

It explained that recommendations contained in IMF consultation reports are advisory in nature and do not constitute policy decisions or binding obligations on the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” the statement said.

The ministry also clarified that existing tax arrangements relating to petroleum products remain unchanged.

It stated that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel remains in force and has not been removed.

According to the statement, any fuel surcharge can only be introduced through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, noting that no such action is currently under consideration.

The ministry added that the current policy framework has helped cushion the impact of fluctuations in global fuel prices on households and businesses across the country.

On telecommunications services, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 had already been repealed under the country’s new tax laws.

It stressed that the duty is no longer in effect.

The ministry urged Nigerians, businesses and media organisations to disregard reports suggesting that new taxes would be imposed on telecommunications services and petroleum products.

It reiterated that Nigeria’s tax reform agenda remains focused on improving revenue administration, promoting economic growth and attracting investments rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.

The ministry further assured that any future tax policy changes would be communicated through official channels and implemented in accordance with due process and existing legal provisions.

It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible economic management aimed at supporting sustainable growth and protecting the welfare of Nigerians.


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