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Fashola, Ndukwe, Others Applaud MTNF “Decade of Impact”

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L-R: Nonny Ugboma, executive secretary, MTN Foundation; Michael Ikpoki, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Pascal Dozie, chairman, MTN Nigeria; Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, MTN Foundation, and Babatunde Raji Fashola, immediate past governor, Lagos State/keynote speaker, at the MTN Foundation 10th year anniversary CSR conference in Lagos
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MTN Nigeria Foundation “MTNF” an arm of MTN Nigeria responsible for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), on Tuesday received applauses eminent personalities, communities and families it impacted in the last ten year.  

MTNF was established in 2005 for the purpose of focusing MTN Nigeria’s efforts in terms of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to help reduce poverty and foster sustainable development in Nigeria.

The Foundation which has spent over N13billion on 341 projects sited across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, received commendations, especially from Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past Governor of Lagos State and keynote speaker; Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, the pioneer executive vice chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Dr. Pascal Dozie, chairman, MTN Nigeria, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman of MTNF; Mr. Michael Ikpoki, MD/CEO, MTN Nigeria, among others, at the ceremony held at Eko Hotel in Lagos.

In a keynote address titled, “The Role of CSR in Nigeria’s Sustainable Development”, said that while in office as Governor of Lagos has witnessed MTNF’s penchant interest and active involvement in tackling issues around health, education, security, environment and sports.

Brief Overview of MTNF’s Philosophy

These, according to Fashola, were summoned in one of Dr. Pascal Dozie’s rare interviews in a newspaper who said “…we agreed that we …will engage people who had a molecule of virtues, who understood the principles of good governance and what it takes to be responsible”.

The keynote speaker said, “These are underprinning philosophers of MTN as Telecommunications Company and Dr. Dozie provides clarity of vision and purpose behind the MTN foundation, which is the CSR platform of the MTN business”.

MTNF’s Contributions in Fashola Era

Fashola recalled “MTN foundation singlehandedly equipped a laboratory with vocational and technical equipment for the training of our young children in our technical college Ikorodu. I know that MTN foundation intervened in collaboration with us to provide two Haemodialysis machines in our general hospital in Igando, Alimosho, although we have since completed Gbadaga Cardiac and Kidney centre that now has 24 dialysis machines”.

The ex-Governor also lauded MTNFoundation’s input towards installing free emergency phones on the third-mainland bridge, “which was eventually unsuccessful because the phones were vandalized.

“On the basis of the evidence available to me, MTN Foundation must stand free of any suggestion that they seek to mask or distract the public from the ethical question that their (operational) activities create”, he said extolling the platform’s achievements in the past 10 years.

Separating CSR From Core Telecoms Business

On his part, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, former EVC of NCC and chairman, OpenMedia Group, said that MTN Nigeria’s ability to separate the CSR platform from the core telecoms business deserves commendations and shows its commitment to impact lives “for good” and participation in building the nation’s economy.

“For you to have a separate entity in charge of CSR initiative and participate in private-public partnership (PPP) projects simply show how interested the Company is in adding value to the society. MTN deserves commendations for that”, Ndukwe said.

He said that while some corporate bodies are yet to understanding the core meaning of CSR, MTNF has gone ahead to strategically engage on credible projects, especially the sustainable ones.

The Genesis of MTNF

Also, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman of MTNF, reiterated that in September 2004, MTN Nigeria Communications Limited consulted with a diverse group of stakeholders across the country including Philips Consulting, to ascertain the needs of the Nigerian people.

The findings of the rich consultative process, he said, enabled the development of a more focused strategy under the three portfolio areas, Education, Health and Economic Empowerment.

“In conjunction with local and international partner organisations, MTN Nigeria Foundation remains committed to improving individual and communal lives through social investment projects that nurture people’s inherent abilities, care for and respect people’s dignity and help create economic value in their lives. The Foundation has been able to produce an overall positive impact on society, as evidenced in the numerous awards it has received over the years,” Adelusi-Adeluyi said.

The Chairman said he is delighted with the progress made by the Foundation since inception, and the significance of the numerous projects and activities which it has been involved in.

To Nonny Ugboma, executive secretary of MTNF, the journey has taken the team through several memorable roads, touching lives and building enduring friendships along the way, while they have made significant impact through 341 project sites located in all 36 states and the FCT gulping over N13billion.

“MTNF was established as answer to needs and close some gaps in the society. At launch, just few companies had their CSR rightly targeted at the rural dwellers in the country; so we set the pace”, he said.

According to her, the projects have been impactful and sustainable due to the support garnered from the MTNF board, private, public organisations and civic societies as well as the project partners and the MTNF team.


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How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail – Businesswoman

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Titilayo Ibrahim, Nigerian businesswoman, has shared a harrowing experience of how she narrowly escaped imprisonment after a SIM card she purchased was linked to a N50 million kidnapping and murder case.

How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail - Businesswoman

In an interview with BBC Yoruba shared on Facebook, Ibrahim narrated how a routine business transaction quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.

According to her, the nightmare began on October 16, 2025, when a purported customer contacted her business line to purchase nightwear.

The caller, a woman, claimed her own phone was faulty and that she was using her husband’s device.

After selecting two pieces, the woman asked for directions for pickup. Ibrahim shared the location of her estate junction, but upon arrival, she was met by two men who identified themselves as police officers and immediately arrested her.

The officers accused Ibrahim of being connected to a major kidnapping operation.

They alleged that the phone number she was using had been involved in a January 2024 incident where a N50 million ransom was collected before the victim was brutally murdered.

Ibrahim desperately tried to explain that the number was innocent, stating that she had only purchased the SIM card in April 2025—months after the crime took place—and used it strictly for her MiFi device.

The officers, reportedly led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, claimed that one of the phone numbers linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) was tied to the crime.

They took her to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, and she faced intense harassment and the threat of being detained in Akure and transferred to Abuja.

In a bid to clear her name, Ibrahim and the officers visited an Airtel office.

On October 17, 2025, the telecommunications company officially confirmed from their records that the disputed SIM was indeed purchased and activated in April 2025.

“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” Ibrahim recounted.

Despite the undeniable evidence from the network provider clearing her of any involvement, the police still confiscated her phones, took them to Abuja, and instructed her to report there.

Her revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern online.

Many Nigerians expressed shock at the incident, pointing out the growing dangers and security risks associated with telecommunication companies recycling inactive phone numbers or the hazards of inadvertently purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.

The incident highlights the terrifying reality of how easily innocent citizens can become entangled in complex criminal investigations.


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Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

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Ouranos Technologies Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026.

Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

Ouranos Technologies is an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab in West Africa, specialising in IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation solutions for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mfon Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, also confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode as Non-Executive Directors, further strengthening the Board’s strategic oversight as the company continues its regional expansion and technology leadership.

These appointments mark a significant milestone in the governance evolution of Ouranos Technologies, as it deepens its focus on enterprise technology delivery, cybersecurity innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa.

Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth

Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning consulting, banking, manufacturing, capital markets, and large-scale corporate strategy execution.

He holds a BSc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated as Best Student in both the Department and Faculty, and an MBA, with Distinction, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mr. Ahmed has held senior leadership roles across several prominent institutions including Arthur Andersen / KPMG, Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Variant Advisory Limited, and BUA Group, where he served as General Manager / Group Head, Business Development. During his tenure at BUA Group, he played a key role in the listing of BUA Foods Plc on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and in securing regulatory approvals for the Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt.

He holds Fellowships of other reputable institutions, including National Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP), and Nigerian Leadership Initiative (FNLI); as well as memberships of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (M.CIoD), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB and HCIB), and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ACIS). He currently serves on the Board of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).

Mr. Ahmed currently serves as Associate Director (Deal Origination) at Lead Capital Plc, where he continues to drive strategic business growth.

Experienced Leaders Join the Board

Joining the Board as Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti brings over 24 years of leadership experience in human capital strategy, governance, organisational transformation, and customer experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.

She currently serves as Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group, where she provides strategic oversight for human capital and customer experience across 11 business entities and over 4,000 employees (FTE & non-FTE) spanning insurance, pensions, health, hospitality, and asset management operations.

Mrs. Adeoti has led large-scale transformation initiatives including enterprise restructuring, HR digitisation, and group-wide customer experience optimisation, driving measurable improvements in organisational performance, employee productivity, and customer engagement.

She has also played a key role in mergers and integration programmes, as well as the deployment of enterprise HR systems, enabling operational efficiency and scalability across the Group.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (FCIPM), Mrs. Adeoti is a member of several global professional bodies, including the HR Forbes Council and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN). She has received multiple recognitions for her leadership impact, including Peak Performing Woman of the Year (2023 and 2024).

Also joining the Board is Mr. Olalekan Olabode, a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 18 years of multinational experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight across complex, capital-intensive industries.

Mr. Olabode is a distinguished Finance Executive with over 21 years of leadership at the intersection of maritime logistics, global supply chain, and corporate finance. He has held senior executive roles at prominent logistics operators where he built a reputation for turning financial complexity into strategic advantage.

He has a proven history of making high-stakes treasury decisions under pressure navigating foreign exchange volatility, managing interest rate exposure, and manoeuvring one of the most challenging currency environments in Africa.

His governance frameworks are not simply compliance exercises; they are systems architected for resilience, built on rigorous internal controls that protect value and enable bold decision-making.

What distinguishes Olalekan is his rare ability to align financial performance with long-term strategic intent translating numbers into narratives that drive boardroom conviction and organizational momentum.

He builds teams that outlast his tenure, embedding structures, accountability, and a culture of excellence that compounds over time. His investment in mentorship has produced measurable leadership depth across every organization he has led.

A Fellow of the ACCA (UK), Certified Supply Chain Professional, and Executive MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Olalekan brings both the technical mastery and the executive presence to lead at the highest levels.

Corporate Governance and Legal Advisory

Supporting the Board’s governance structure is Ms. Margaret Akpoyoware (ACIS), who serves as Company Secretary.

A seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance, she previously practised with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Olajide Oyewole & Co. before founding Nero’s Practice, a multidisciplinary law firm providing legal advisory services to corporate and institutional clients.

Ouranos Technologies to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation

“The appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman, alongside the addition of accomplished professionals such as Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode to our Board, represents an important step in strengthening the governance and strategic leadership of Ouranos Technologies,” Mr Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, added.

“As organisations across Africa accelerate their digital transformation journeys, strong governance, strategic insight, and operational discipline become even more critical.

“The depth of experience our new Board members bring will support Ouranos Technologies in delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology solutions for our customers across the region,” Mr Okon said.

The strengthened Board reflects Ouranos Technologies’ commitment to strong corporate governance, innovation, and sustainable growth.

With operations spanning Nigeria and other West African markets, Ouranos Technologies operates as an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab, delivering solutions across IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

 


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Truecaller Hits 500m Users Milestone – Sets New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

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Truecaller, the leading global platform for safe and trusted communication, today announced that it has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build trust in communication.

Truecaller Hits 500M Users Milestone – Sets a New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

Truecaller

The platform continues to see significant user growth, adding over 50 million users in 2025, and has surpassed 150 million users outside of India as demand for protection against spam, scam and unwanted communication continues to grow globally.

Truecaller also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally earlier in the year, further strengthening one of its key revenue streams.

Crossing the 500 million mark underscores how trust has become one of the most essential layers in digital communication today.

“This is an important milestone for us, but it also says something bigger about the world we live in,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller.

“More and more people need help navigating spam, scams, and unwanted communication every day. Reaching 500 million users shows the scale of that need, and the trust people place in Truecaller to help make communication safer.

“Our commitment remains focused on continuously strengthening Truecaller with smarter technology and new capabilities that protect users before, during, and after every call or message.

“Ultimately, our aim is to build a safer, more trusted communication ecosystem for everyone. We now have our sights set on the next milestone: 1 Billion users.”

With half a billion people using the platform every month, Truecaller has evolved beyond just Caller ID. It has become an essential part of how communication works safely in the digital age; a daily-use trust layer that helps people verify identities, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about who they interact with.

Today, Truecaller operates as a global digital utility platform, embedded into everyday communication habits for hundreds of millions of people. From identifying unknown callers to preventing fraud and enabling safer messaging, the platform has become a habitual, daily-use service that supports safer interactions across the phone ecosystem.

Despite serving more than half a billion users globally, the company remains relatively lean, with a team of approximately 470 employees building and operating the platform for users around the world.

The company will continue to report the average number of monthly and daily active users on a quarterly basis in connection with its interim financial reports


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