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4 Simple Steps Your Business Can Take to Retain Top Talent

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By Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager, Africa, Zoho Corporation

The past few months have put organisations around the globe under unprecedented pressure. Few have been spared the economic fallout, with many unable to survive. Others have had to downscale and even those operating at full capacity have quickly had to adapt to new ways of working.

Offices that were used to having everyone onsite suddenly had to deal with fully remote teams. And even as people slowly come back into the workplace, it’s far from business as usual. All of these changes, in combination with the ongoing pandemic, have put employees under incredible strain.

As organisations move beyond the measures needed for short term survival, they should return to focusing on employee wellness and engagement. Here are four simple steps they can take in doing so.

Train your senior and mid-level management

The significance of effective communication during a crisis is obvious. What is even more important is ensuring that the right parties are equipped with the right skills. In any organisation, middle management is largely responsible for making employees feel truly valued. During periods of high anxiety, employees will appreciate team managers who are empathetic and practice clear communication.

As much as managers need to be accessible and reliable, they should also refrain from overdoing it and remember to give people space. As employees get accustomed to novel working conditions, it’s important to be sensitive to their mental well-being and offer routine flexibility. Another key consideration to keep in mind is to avoid micromanagement at all costs and trust your remote workers.

Design wellness programmes

Just as workplace premises include facilities like coffee stations or playrooms to help employees unwind and re-energise themselves, stay-at-home policies should also carry an equivalent. With physical activity taking the hardest knock in the daily routine, healthy lifestyle choices are imperative. Think about introducing provisions like corporate access to online workout classes, yoga, and meditation programs to help people stay physically and mentally healthy.

The absence of a workstation at home means employees can end up lounging wherever they find space. Another option is to provide one-time allowance packages that enable employees to set up an ergonomically correct home office and avoid spinal distress.

Educate your talent

Now is the time to take a step back and reflect on your business goals. Take a good look at the evolving business environment, identify the technologies that will make a real difference, and build up your employees’ skills accordingly. You should, for instance, consider establishing an in-house Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) division if your business is exposed to large amounts of data. Doing so will equip your employees with a deep sense of AI/ML technologies and save you from having to outsource.

With every economic crisis, enterprises have experienced similar levels of unpredictability. Thoughtful leaders have, however, been able to adapt and rebuild their businesses to stand the test of time.

Keep up the team spirit

Loss of social interaction can leave people feeling disconnected and subsequently negatively impact morale. Keep your team connected by encouraging monthly or weekly online team bonding activities, such as virtual Wednesday lunches that allow for non-work discussions.

Another idea is to suggest employees team up and participate in open competitions, such as virtual hackathons or exercise challenges. Such public activities are an added opportunity for remote teams to showcase their skills and present ideas that can create a social impact.

While the concept of remote work has been around globally since the 1970s, most companies have only recently embraced the model as part of their Covid-19 response. This unexpected shift was a huge culture shock for many employees. As they reel under the effect and rethink their priorities, how businesses take care of their workforce now will determine whether employees decide to stick with their current employer in the post-pandemic era.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

General News

NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

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Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has denied reports that the federal government has introduced a new tax on vehicles.

NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

The clarification follows the circulation of a viral message online claiming that all vehicle owners would be required to start paying a new tax from July 1, 2026.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NRS said the information in the message is false and did not come from the agency or any official government institution.Nigeria Travel Guides

According to Dare Adekanmbi, spokesperson for the NRS, the viral message was designed to mislead the public. He explained that it was made to look genuine by using official government logos and formatting.

The message reportedly instructed owners of private, commercial, and corporate vehicles to pay an unspecified fee either online or through approved banks and agencies. It also included a website that was wrongly presented as an official government platform.

Adekanmbi stressed that the website mentioned is not connected to the government and warned Nigerians not to make any payments based on such information.

He said the NRS has not introduced any new vehicle tax and that any official policy or tax change would be properly announced through verified government channels.

The agency urged citizens to ignore the fake message and avoid falling victim to possible fraud. It also advised Nigerians to always confirm such information through trusted and official sources before taking any action.

The NRS further encouraged the public to follow its official communication platforms to stay informed about genuine tax policies, updates, and government directives.

 


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NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

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National Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed that piracy remains a major threat to the nation’s creative economy, vowing to intensify its nationwide crackdown on illicit networks to protect intellectual property.

NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

Pic credit…soundcloud.com

Dr. John Asein, director-general of the NCC, disclosed this in a statement to mark the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day.

The commission noted that piracy remains a major threat, undermining legitimate enterprise and eroding the economic value of creative works.

Asein lamented that inadequate distribution systems and limited access to books also constrain the growth of readership.

He described the event as an important occasion, which showcased the enduring value of books as foundations of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development.

He described the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Read Books, Respect Copyright,’ as a call on Nigerians to embrace reading as a lifelong habit, while recognising that respect for copyright is essential to sustaining creativity and rewarding authors.

The commission noted that Nigeria’s book industry has evolved significantly, from the post-independence emergence of indigenous publishing to today’s digitally driven ecosystem.

“Nigerian authors continue to gain global recognition, while publishers are expanding capacity. However, challenges persist,” he said.

The commission commended the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, describing it as a bold step toward repositioning intellectual property as a driver of economic transformation.

The policy, according to him, provides a roadmap for revamping the book sector for the benefit of authors and publishers, and is accessible at ippolicy.ng.

The NCC also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive access through the Marrakesh Treaty, as reflected in the Copyright Act, 2022, enabling accessible formats such as Braille and audio texts.

It urged Nigerians to respect copyright and purchase books only from authorised sources.


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Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

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Fusewall Holdings, founded by Azeez Amida, has announced the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Coloplus Worldwide Service Limited, in a move aimed at strengthening its position in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure space.

Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

Fusewall Holdings

The deal marks a significant milestone in Fusewall’s broader strategy to build an integrated and future-ready platform across key sectors, particularly within the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.

The transaction was led by Amida, whose role in structuring and executing the deal was described as pivotal. According to the company, his leadership helped align stakeholders and navigate complex negotiations to ensure a successful close while positioning the business for long-term growth.

A spokesperson for Fusewall Holdings said the acquisition represents “a deliberate step forward” in the company’s expansion strategy, noting that the focus remains on building platforms that combine operational efficiency, resilience, and scale.

Coloplus brings a substantial operational footprint to the deal, including access to about 900 partner locations and roughly 20 owned sites. This combination of reach and infrastructure control is expected to give Fusewall a strategic advantage as it scales operations nationwide.

Fusewall said it plans to deploy capital, strengthen governance structures, and enhance operational execution as part of the integration process. The move is expected to improve service delivery, boost infrastructure reliability, and support expansion into underserved and high-demand areas.

The acquisition also aligns with the company’s broader ambition to help bridge Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure gap by expanding connectivity, improving network resilience, and advancing digital inclusion.

Fusewall Holdings said the deal reflects its commitment to disciplined execution and long-term value creation as it continues to grow its footprint in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.


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