Connect with us

News

Commending Nigeria’s Communication Commission Interest in Sports Development

Published

on

l-r: Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Reuben Mouka and Tony Ojobo
Kindly share this post

I love sports, not a diehard fanatic perse but I once had the dream of playing in the US NBA, I hard the height and trained hard hoping for the day that dream to come true someday but it never happened.

This is why I write to commend the efforts of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) towards sports development in the country.

I consider this a worthy investment because the rising number of idle and unemployed youths is indeed alarming, so any practical initiative (not theories and speeches) that will attempt to add value is indeed welcome development particularly at a time when it seems that entertainment is the only option for many youths.

It was a weekend of very little activities, so out of curiosity, I decided to stop by the National Stadium, Lagos, where young men and women are in the preliminary stages of a tournament that will see the winning team go home with the star prize of seven million Naira which might not be huge enough depending on how you look at it but for those players it is indeed a prize worth competing for.

Apart from this, runners-up will get five million Naira, while the third-placed and fourth-placed sides will cart home three million and two million Naira respectively.

Advertisement

Let me frankly reiterate that this is particularly a big deal for me in a country where entertainment is in vogue, which is not exactly bad but I am not exactly pleased with the fact that there is simply an over-emphasis on it at the detriment of many other areas.

Yes, it’s good to support that industry, but we must ensure that we don’t let other areas like technology and sports suffer. The private sector is particularly guilty of this sin!

Think about India for a moment, Bollywood has been largely successful, so has her IT industry but it does not stop there, she is also one of the world’s leaders in the game of cricket.

This is an example of how to balance development. Entertainment or technology or sports alone can not lead to sustainable development.

On the other hand, I also see this initiative from another different perspective regarding its positive impact, like they say “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy,”

Advertisement

I believe Mr. Tony Ojobo, one of the commission’s juggernauts must have seen it from that angle as well because he came to the arena dressed very sporty as the representative of the Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta.

During the first edition of the Tennis League Competition, the International Tennis Academy Director, Godwin Kienka made a bold statement that it’s a huge break for Nigerian tennis players within the space who are looking to go professional because they get to train and play in squads and automatically attract sponsorship from team owners. “The NCC Tennis League is worth celebrating, and we plan to use the launch to promote unity through sports. We also hope that it will be the final major sporting event for outgoing officials at the Federal and State levels who should use the occasion to say their sporting goodbyes.”

According to the Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the primary objective of the tournament is to raise the level of tennis which is one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the world. Since Nigeria’s Nduka Odizor reached the Round of 16 in Wimbledon in 1983, Nigerian players have not made the desired impact on the world tennis circuit. We are witnesses to how tennis stars have brought fame and fortune to themselves and their nations, and we want to be identified to taking these talented players in Nigeria to the circuit.

“Part of our objective is to help in nurturing and exposing our talents through the robust competition so as to help them perfect their skills. It is also promoting peace and friendship among the players as this cup has taken the game to various locations of the country where such competitions have never been held.

Finally, I would urge other agencies to support the commission or borrow a leave from such excellent initiatives aimed at projecting the image of Nigeria in good light, as well as providing useful engagements for participants. This doubles as a clarion call to brands being regulated by the commission to throw their weights being this initiative or simply start their own in sports. I know some are doing something, but more needs to happen. For now, I wholeheartedly say kudos to the Nigerian communications commission for this initiative and hope it is sustained!

Advertisement

CFA is the Founder, www.techsmart.ng and Co-producer/Presenter, Tech Trends on Channels Television.


Kindly share this post

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

News

Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.

To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.

Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.

“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”

Advertisement

Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.

“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”

Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.

As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.

The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.

Advertisement

 

 

Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.

He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.

According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.

He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.

Advertisement

“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.

The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.

He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.

Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.

He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.

Advertisement

He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.

The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.

He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.

Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.

Advertisement

Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

Published

on

Kindly share this post

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.

DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.

According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.

It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.

Advertisement

The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.

According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.

DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.

It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.

Advertisement

 

Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending