Broadcasting
Lil Kesh, Reminsce Storm FUTA with Etisalat Cliqfest
It was fun and excitement at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) as Etisalat, most innovative telecommunications company in Nigeria, staged its special two-day Cliqfest programme. Etisalat Cliqfest which held at the university’s premises last weekend is a youth-centric, empowerment, and educative initiative that aims at boosting all-round development of the Nigerian youth.
Anchored by ‘king of humour’ and fast growing Comedian of the Federal Republic (CFR), Bashiru Ahmed Adekunle, the event witnessed performances from several sensations in the music industry such as Skales, Reminsce, Evelle, Lil Kesh, and Mo Easy.
Manager, Youth Segment at Etisalat Nigeria, Idiareno Atimomo, stated, “Etisalat is happy to bring fun and educative programmes to university students as it encourages young adults to connect with their peers and make them understand that the ability to succeed is available to anyone that believes. It is for this reason that Etisalat Nigeria is impacting students with the needed skills to prepare the Nigerian youth for the ever-dynamic world.”
Climaxing the event was the winning of a brand new car by Onoriukpe Timothy Efemena. A 100 level Mechanical Engineering student at FUTA, Efemena rode home a brand new Hyundai i10 car courtesy of Etisalat Nigeria.
An obviously excited Efemena, who had just resumed at the university as a fresher, commended the brand for giving him such a great opportunity. “Winning the highly coveted grand prize of a car is truly a dream come true for me and I am forever grateful to Etisalat for it,” he quipped.
During the course of the two day initiative, several students were rewarded with amazing prizes such as laptops, mobile phones, and other prizes.
It will be recalled that the maiden edition of the Etisalat Cliqfest held at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, on September 8, 2012. Since then the youth empowerment initiative has gone through several Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria, impacting on the lives of students.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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