Connect with us

Broadcasting

NBC Reiterates Commitment to Youth Empowerment in Nigeria

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd. reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to youth empowerment in Nigeria with the successful completion of its two-day #YouthEmpowered program, designed to equip young Nigerians with entrepreneurship and employability skills in Abuja.

The training which took place at Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture in Abuja from March 20th to March 21st, 2024, featured an array of engaging sessions such as Career Planning & LinkedIn Profile Mastery, Use of Artificial Intelligence and Other Digital Tools, Financial Literacy and more.

Building on the success of previous editions at the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, and Lagos State University, #YouthEmpowered continues to make tangible contributions to communities across the country including a recent engagement at Oniru, Victoria Island.

Now in its 6th year, #YouthEmpowered aligns seamlessly with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company’s Mission 2025 sustainability commitment to train 1 million youths by the year 2025. The Abuja event witnessed participation from over 1,000 enthusiastic learners eager to acquire new skills, contributing to a cumulative reach of over 40,000 youths since the inception of the program.

Olukemi Ogunsakin, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nigerian Bottling Company commented: “We recognize the immense potential young people hold as catalysts for societal progress and economic growth.

“Through #YouthEmpowered, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians with highly in-demand professional and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to the progress of our society.”

Emphasizing the pivotal role of youth for positive change and progress, she said, “Already, the initiative is proving to be a driving force for positive change, nurturing the next generation of young, skilled, and impactful leaders poised to drive socioeconomic development in the country. Our goal is to extend our reach further, to touch the lives of other young Nigerians across the country.”

Tayo Olosunde, CO-Founder and Executive Director, Mind the Gap commented: “We are excited to team up with the Nigerian Bottling Company to unleash the potential of youths in our nation’s capital. Through dynamic initiatives like #YouthEmpowered, we’re not just dreaming of a better Nigeria – we’re actively crafting it.

“I am positive that as we continue to invest in nurturing their young minds, we are ultimately paving the way for a future where innovation, growth, and prosperity thrive. And by doing that, we would be building the Nigeria of our dreams.”

Speaking on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) support for #YouthEmpowered, Ibrahim Aminu Masari, the Mandate secretary, Social Development, disclosed that the FCTA was happy to have NBC bring its #YouthEmpowered program to the Federal Capital Territory because such initiatives are in line with this administration’s agenda on youth development and integral to President Bola Tinubu’s economic growth imperatives.

In addition to the immersive training sessions, participants also took part in a business idea pitch session, where cash grants were awarded to several deserving winners.

On both days, the training sessions were facilitated by experts and thought leaders across various industries in the country, including Lukman Oyewole Lawal, the S.A to the Speaker, House of Representatives on Finance; Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem, a business mentor; Esohe Ekunwe, a digital strategist; mental health advocate, Lucy Abeng, and several other volunteers from NBC.

#YouthEmpowered is part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company’s broader mission to empower individuals aged 16-35 with skills needed for meaningful employment, and self-sufficiency. Since its launch in 2017 in Nigeria, the program has reached over 41,734 youths across 10 cities, and 9 campuses. By imparting entrepreneurship and career employability skills, #YouthEmpowered continues to drive transformative change, touching lives and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic landscape.


Kindly share this post

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

Broadcasting

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Published

on

Kindly share this post

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

Published

on

Kindly share this post

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending