Broadcasting
Lagos, M-net Ink Historic Deal as Face of Africa Final Heads to The City!
The Lagos State Government and M-Net have announced a landmark partnership that will culminate in a dazzling celebration of style and fashion when the state hosts the FACE OF AFRICA 2010 FINAL on February 6, 2010!
Memorably intertwined together from the exact moment when model scouts spotted future winner Oluchi Onweagba on its streets a decade ago, the State of Lagos and Face of Africa have shared a special history from the very first season of the magical, life-changing search.
A decade on, Oluchi is arguably the continent’s most recognizable international model and her modeling agency, O Model Africa, will represent this year’s winner.
Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, executive governor of Lagos State, said that Lagos State is proud to host the continent’s number one model search. “Lagos State is delighted to play a part in the prestigious Face of Africa competition and we look forward to welcoming luminaries from across the continent – along with Africa’s most promising models – to Lagos in February this year,” he said.
The Face of Africa model search, now in its 8th edition, is the continent’s premier model search. Developed and screened by M-Net, the show sees model scouts scouring the continent in the hope of unearthing Africa’s next catwalk sensation. As with Oluchi, the show often unearths rags-to-riches tales as some of Africa’s most striking and iconic women are plucked from obscurity and given the chance to represent Africa on the catwalks of Paris, Milan and New York.
The partnership between M-Net and The Lagos State Government will see the State showcase its rich culture and history, it’s commercial and financial power, the investment opportunities in the Centre of Excellence and its talented fashion designers to the continent – and, in the flesh, over 500 VIP delegates who will attend the Final.
The State will host a special Governor’s Ball the evening before the Final, a VIP event where important stakeholders, celebrities and dignitaries will be able to rub shoulders and meet the Face of Africa finalists, who will also be introduced to the Governor.
Then, on 6 February, the glittering Face of Africa Final will be held at the new Eko Hotel Convention Centre – the first time the Final has been hosted and filmed in West Africa in the history of the show.
Biola Alabi, M-Net’s Africa, managing director said that Lagos State is a perfect partner for the Face of Africa Model Search. “Face of Africa is all about hope and transformation – assets it shares with Lagos State itself as one of the most progressive and dynamic States on the continent,” she says. “We at M-Net look forward to showcasing Lagos State’s energetic and fascinating people, culture and scenery as we name Africa’s next supermodel in Lagos next year.”
The Face of Africa Model Search winner will take home a USD50 000 cash prize and a modeling contract with Oluchi’s O Model Africa, which will propel her into the international modeling spotlight.
Broadcasting
MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.
The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.
Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.
Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.
By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.
“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.
Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.
Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.
The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.
Broadcasting
IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.
Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.
According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.
He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.
Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.
According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.
He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.
Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.
IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.
Broadcasting
NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.
Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.
Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.
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