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Crowds Defy Heavy Rains for Yudala’s Gyming witn Stars
Despite the torrential downpour which greeted the early hours of the day, crowds of enthusiastic Nigerians defied the inclement weather to take part in the second edition of Gyming with the Stars, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative put together by Yudala, Nigeria’s first true composite online and offline retail chain to promote Fitness, Wellness and Entrepreneurship.
The event which held on Saturday at the Police College, Ikeja saw many prospective members sign up for YUBOSS, an entrepreneurship and wealth creation scheme set up by Yudala in partnership with Access Bank Plc. and telecommunications giants, Airtel to generate creative employment for a minimum of two million Nigerians.
As was the case with the debut edition which held at the National Stadium a fortnight ago, Saturday’s event began with an intensive work-out and aerobic sessions accompanied by great music.
The event which generated a huge buzz on social media also had renowned comedian Akpororo in attendance, with the Warri-born entertainer reeling out a plethora of jokes which kept the crowd engaged.
In addition, superstar artistes Iyanya and Naeto C were on ground to deliver electrifying performances with several hit songs which took the excitement a notch higher. Interestingly, many enthusiastic shoppers were on hand to take advantage of the huge auction sales at the venue on a wide range of genuine products from the biggest brands including Smart phones, Computers, Laptops, IT equipment, Consumer Electronics and Lifestyle goods, among others and a raffle draw anchored by Airtel from which several winners went home with mouthwatering gifts including TV sets and much more.
Mr. Dave Ibelegbu, chief executive officer, Yudala Nigeria – who reiterated the company’s desire to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, also pointed at the impressive turn-out in spite of the weather as an indicator of Yudala’s soaring popularity in the minds of the consumers.
“I am extremely delighted with the huge turn-out in spite of the downpour witnessed today. It is a clear indication of the widespread acceptance of the Yudala revolution. We must not forget that through this event, a lot of people are embracing a more active and positive lifestyle. This is in line with our message to Nigerians which is – Live Healthier, Live Longer and Buy from Yudala. In no time, we will launch our Healthy Living Product range which will further offer Nigerians cost-effective and healthy products, food and items which will help promote good health.
“It is also heartwarming to see the huge numbers who signed up for the YUBOSS scheme today. This is Yudala’s own little way of supporting the Federal Government’s effort in generating creative employment for our youth by offering them a platform to create wealth which requires no form of investment on their part,” he noted.
In his submission, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, vice president, Yudala Online, cited Yudala’s approach of operating as a public trust and a corporate with a conscience as huge factors which have contributed to the company’s growing visibility and prominence in the market place.
He, nevertheless, noted that Yudala has also raised the bar in terms of service and product delivery by setting new milestones and directly improving the lives of Nigerians through initiatives such as the YUBOSS Scheme and the Gyming with the Stars series.
“Yudala is a model company, one that is founded with a vision to contribute positively to the life of every Nigerian and by extension the Nigerian economy. We are a corporate with a conscience and this is evident in the huge strides we have made within four months of our existence. Through the YUBOSS Scheme which will be launched officially this November, we are joining hands with the government to fight the unemployment challenge in the country by empowering a minimum of two million Nigerians, since we understand that this is a problem the government cannot solve on its own. Also, through the Gyming with the Stars initiative, we are advocating a more positive lifestyle and promoting fitness and wellness by giving Nigerians a chance to work out with some of their favourite celebrities in major cities across the country.”
YUBOSS is an entrepreneurship scheme set up by Yudala to build a league of emerging entrepreneurs and generate creative employment for millions of Nigerians.
Members are entitled to attractive commissions and a wide range of benefits including business mentorship sessions and an opportunity to be a part-owner of a Yudala franchise store when they achieve platinum status.
The Gyming with the Stars series is expected to move to other major cities in the country, with another edition scheduled for Festac Town, Lagos as well as Ibadan, Asaba, Abuja, Owerri, Uyo and Enugu, among others to give Nigerians in those locations a chance to participate in the initiative.
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Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
Southeast Asia cybercrime networks are expanding operations into Africa as crackdowns intensify in the subregion, according to a recent report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The massive, unintended geographic shift triggered by intense pressure from international task forces in Myanmar and Cambodia,have seen highly sophisticated criminal networks now establishing footholds in major tech hubs across Kenya and Nigeria, transforming local technical talent into accomplices for industrial-scale digital theft as reported by https://streamlinefeed.co.ke/
This strategic migration represents a critical evolution in the $17 billion crypto scam economy.
Transnational scam syndicates are organized criminal networks that run industrial-scale online fraud using trapped or trafficked labor.
The UNODC has documented this diversification, noting that African nations are increasingly targeted as operational bases due to robust internet infrastructure and a surplus of unemployed tech workers.
In response, local authorities are engaged in a frantic game of catch-up against well-funded foreign cartels.
Recall that in 2025, UNODC, described the shift as part of a broader trend in which crime “spreads like a cancer,” into regions with weaker enforcement and limited digital safeguards.
The report pointed to the rapid proliferation of online fraud operations, including cryptocurrency scams and phishing schemes, moving from countries like Myanmar and Cambodia into new footholds in Africa—particularly Nigeria.
A recent case publicized June 12, 2025 by the WeChat public account West Africa Chinese Voice illustrates the trend: Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 177 Chinese nationals in Lagos and Abuja between December 2024 and January 2025.
The suspects were allegedly running scam centers under the guise of corporate offices, where local Nigerians were trained to carry out online investment frauds—many following the “pig-butchering” model, which builds trust with victims before luring them into fraudulent crypto investments.
Authorities seized hundreds of SIM cards, high-performance computers, and prewritten scam scripts during the raids
Ugochukwu Eze, a 47 year-old man, was on Thursday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly hacking into the server of SunTrust Bank to steal a total of N800m.
Ugochukwu also known as Amazon, was arraigned before the court by the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS).
DSS accused Ugochukwu of fraudulently hacking into the server of SunTrust Bank to remove and divert the sum of N800 million into several accounts in other financial institutions.
M. Bajela,prosecuting counsel, DSS, in the charges filed before the court alleged that the defendant and others now at large, between 2023 and 2026, conspired among themselves and unlawfully and seriously hindered the function of Suntrust Bank Plc’s computer system server and in the process fraudulently diverted over N800 million belonging to the bank.
Ugochukwu was also accused of concealing and transferring various sums of money traced to the unlawful cyber-attacks to some account in some financial institutions.
The offences alleged to have been committed by the defendant according to the prosecutor contravened sections 5; 6(1) and 8 of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2024. And Sections 10, 20 and 18(2)(D) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Based on his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, and prayed the court to remand the defendant in the facility of the correctional services pending the time trial will commence.
However, E. Afrogha, defendant’s lawyer, told the court that she has filed her client’s bail application. adding that her client has been in the DSS custody for over a month.
But the prosecution counsel told the court that he has not been served with the bail application, not withstanding that his witnesses are available.
Based on the counsels’ submissions, Justice Friday Ogazi, presiding judge, adjourned the matter to August 24,2026 for hearing of the bail application.
The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) pending the hearing of the bail application.
One of the counts against the defendant reads: “That you UGOCHUKWU EZE (AKA AMAZON) (M) (47 YEARS) sometime between 2023 and 2026 in Lagos, and other places within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully seriously hindered the function of SunTrust Bank Plc’s computer system, and in the process fraudulently diverted over N800, 000,000.00 (Eight Hundred Million Naira) belonging to the said SunTrust Bank thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8 of the cybercrime (prohibition, prevention etc.) Act, 2024.”
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