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The Source Computer Wins Cisco’s Extreme Makeover Contest

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Cisco, worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate has announced that The Source Computer Limited, a Lagos based IT firm specialising in sales, repairs, maintenance and support of DELL computer systems has won the Nigerian Cisco Extreme Makeover Contest.

The contest, launched in January 2008, was targeted at the small and medium business segment of the Nigerian economy. Representatives from Cisco Nigeria marked this win with a courtesy visit to the offices of the winner to congratulate them. Cisco’s experts will analyse the winning company’s needs and instigate a renewal of its technological platform with Cisco integrated solutions including a brand new fully integrated Cisco network with Voice, Video, Wireless Communication and Desktop Applications.

The Cisco Extreme Business Makeover competition was open to all businesses in Nigeria, employing between 8 and 250 people, which had been trading for 3 or more years. To take part and qualify for this contest, participating businesses had to answer the questions that appeared on the Extreme Makeover website at www.nigeria.ciscomakeover.com on or before 16th of March, 2008. A panel of judges comprising ICT and SMB industry experts adjudicated the entrants to determine the winner.

According to Owen Nwelih, Cisco’s marketing manager for English speaking West Africa, "The opportunity to enjoy world class communications, a robust network that will increase competitiveness, enhance productivity and serve customers better was highly irresistible to small and medium businesses throughout Nigeria. The response we received in terms of entries – over a thousand companies registered for entry into the contest- far exceeded our expectations and this revealed to us the extent of passion and readiness Nigerians have for IT and improved service delivery with IT as a leveraging partner". Eligible entries were evaluated in a 3-stage process after which a shortlist of 15 contestants emerged. The 15 finalists were notified by email and were further evaluated via another set of technical and business related questions. This last phase of evaluation produced the winner.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Ego Boyo, Managing Director, Temple Productions said, "This was not an easy contest to judge especially at the final round, but The Source Computers Limited demonstrated excellent business ethics, creativity and ability to do business in Nigeria and also a willingness to develop critical aspects of their business. We are delighted with our choice."

"I was not even aware of the contest or that the firm had been entered", said Victor Onyejiuwa, Chief Executive Officer of the winning firm. "It was one of my employees who informed me of a notification he had received via e-mail on winning the Cisco Extreme Business Makeover contest he entered on behalf of the firm with a grand prize of $40,000 worth of Cisco equipment and solutions". He added that "I was exhilarated and at the same time skeptical because it sounded too good to be true. However, today I have had Cisco executives come over and their strategic partners Signal Alliance have surveyed my business equipment and IT infrastructure – my skepticism has now been replaced with anticipation!"

The Extreme Business Makeover Contest was initiated to help enhance awareness by the small and medium business segment of the availability of cutting edge ICT tools and equipment with which they can enhance business productivity. According to Vincent Entonu, Territory Market Manager for English Speaking West Africa, "Cisco understands the unique issues facing small and medium business and provides the solutions that can help you keep pace with today’s competitors. We recognize that they need a simple yet sophisticated solution to enhance the way employees communicate with customers, partners, and one another to help in staying ahead when facing fierce competition from both large from international corporations and small, technology-enabled companies".

After a thorough survey by Cisco’s strategic partner Signal Alliance who would be working closely with Cisco on the deployment of the winning firm’s solution, The Source Computers has won $40,000 worth of Cisco Solutions including security and VPN solutions as well as Cisco’s recently launched SMB solution, Smart Business Communications System which will be deployed over the next few weeks.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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