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Imo State @ #StartupSouth5 Uyo, Seeks Broadband Connectivity Partnership to Deepen Digital Economy

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l-r: Funke Opeke MainOne’s CEO; and Nze Meekam Mgbenwelu, Imo state commissioner for Technology Development, at the just concluded #StartupSouth5 Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
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Imo State Government is exploring possibilities to deepen broadband connectivity across the state, according to Nze Meekam Mgbenwelu, the state commissioner for Technology Development.

 

Mgbenwelu, stated this while speaking at the just concluded #StartupSouth5 Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

 

#StartupSouth,  Startup/Entrepreneurship ecosystem development project with a mission to educate, connect and attract investment to Startups in the South-South and South-East of Nigeria.

 

He said the ministry will initiate moves to replicate what MainOne had done in Edo, Ogun and Lagos in his state.

 

He reeled out what he described as ‘modest achievements’ of the current administration in Imo State to include – training of about 240 girls/women in coding (in partnership with Microsoft), training of over 5,000 Imolites in basic FinTech and the ongoing conversation with Google to make the state the Digital Economy capital in the South-East.

 

Speaking earlier in a keynote speech during the closing ceremony of the weeklong event, Ms. Funke Opeke, MainOne’s CEO, had highlighted the importance of broadband to economic development and stressed why Governments across Nigeria should pay attention to enabling broadband across their domains.

 

Quoting a World Bank report, she said “10% in broadband penetration would increase GDP per capita growth by 1.38%” and encouraged them to embrace creative approaches towards achieving the broadband goal while using her company’s deal with Edo and Ogun State as an example.

 

Responding to a question on why she attended the conference, Ms. Opeke opined that, “a tree can’t make a forest” and explained that “it is important for other states and regions in Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities the digital economy provides because only then will Nigeria be able to maximise her true potential and attain assured prosperity for her citizens”.

 

Earlier, in a speech to declare the conference open, Dr. Iniobong Essien, commissioner for Science and Technology, Akwa Ibom State, said that the Government of Dr. Emmanuel Udom is interested in developing technology, while industrialising the state.

 

Also in a keynote titled, ‘Domesticating the Digital Economy’, Mr. Chinenenye Mba-Uzoukwu (Founding Partner, InfoGraphics and former Manager, West Africa, Microsoft) advised the South-South and South-East Governors to pursue regional collaboration. This he said will help to open up the opportunities in the region.

 

The 2019 edition of #StartupSouth conference featured over 100 speakers in 60 parallel sessions. The sessions covered six broad focus areas – Business, Technology, Lifestyle, Personal Development, Funding, Policy – which are geared towards providing participants the requisite intelligence needed to drive their businesses.

 

In his own remark during the ‘Doing Business in the South-South-East’ session, Sunkanmi Oriyomi, regional manager, South-South, at the Bank of Industry Ltd said that Startups can secure up to 10-million-naira loan through the Bank of Industry, without collateral.

 

Jay Alabraba, co-founder of Paga and an active angel investor, in his remarks during a fireside chat advised startups to focus on solving real problems and they would always find support. He also said that Paga was very proud to sponsor #StartupSouth5 because of the importance of the project to the region and Nigeria as a whole.

 

Reiterating Mr. Yinka Ogunnubi’s call in an earlier keynote, Salami Abolore, the CEO of Riby – a Cobanking platform for cooperatives,  advised founders to explore Cooperative as an alternative source of funding stressing that there’s a lot of opportunity in the space that’s untapped.

 

Also speaking, vertran Nollywood Actress Shan George urged Nigerians to believe in Nigerian doctors. She narrated how she went against popular advice and placed her fate in the hands of Nigerian doctors at Brain and Spine Surgery, Abuja during her bout with Lumbar Spondylosis.

 

Dr. Abiodun Ogubo, founder of Brain and Spine Surgery, Abuja and Dr. Ubon Ekpene, Consultant Neurosurgeon, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, in their separate speeches lamented that Nigerians are making needless foriegn medical trips (otherwise known as Medical tourism) for issues that can be handled by Nigerian Doctors in Nigeria.

 

Other notable personalities that graced the event include Her Excellency, Barr (Mrs) Obioma Liyel Imoke, Wife of the Former Governor of Cross River State, vertran Cartoonist and Editor at BusinessDay – Mike Asuquo, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe – founder of Africa Film Academy and host of African Movie Awards – who spoke on “Unlocking the creative Goldmine in your Neighbourhood discussing opportunities in the movie and creative industry for young Nigerians in the region.

 

Others are Engr. Edward Onwule Jnr., Senior Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on ICT, Ukinebo Dare, Senior Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Job Creation, Chief Agu Ojukwu – CEO, Tiger Consulting, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu (who gave a keynote on Domesticating the Digital Economy), Mark Essien – Founder of Hotels.NG

 

The theme of this year’s conference was “Unlocking the Next 60 Million People” and it explored Making Broadband Accessible & Affordable.

 

In a statement, Uche Aniche, the Convener of #StartupSouth called on founders in the region to see the Eleven States as their primary market noting that there are about 60 Million People. He opined that doing this will help them attract support to scale across Nigeria and ultimately, Africa and the World. He also called on State Governments in the region to embrace #StartupSouth Conference as a platform to engage not only the organised Private Sector but the youths to feel their pulse. He said that the next edition of #StartupSouth will hold in a City where the State Government is willing to partner with the project.

 

The Conference saw a pitch by KR Foods – A palm oil processing startup led by Amajuoyi Ikechukwu Kingsley and GreenBox – a modular solar-inverter box for powering SMEs led by Innocent Unachukwu. KR Food won the Prize money of 150,000 Naira provided by Ibom LLC and currently undergoing talks with members of the SSE Angel Network for a possible investment. The two teams will benefit from WhogoHost’s hosting services as part of the Prize.

 

The Conference was supported by Facebook, MainOne, Paga, Ventures Platform, Riby, Bank of Industry, Hotels.ng, Ibom Hotels & Golf Resort, Goge Africa, Yadel Communications, BellaNaija, ConnectNigeria, Signal Alliance, TechCircle and several others.

 

 


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E-Business

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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E-Business

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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