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NCC’s Boss Receives Multiple Awards at International Women’s Day Event
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been decorated with awards of recognition, for his role in women empowerment in the country by numerous beneficiaries of his efforts during the 2022 International Women’s Day celebration in Kano.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, director, Public Affairs, NCC disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday, in Abuja.
The event according to him, was a public lecture organized by the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), an umbrella body of over 200 women’s rights groups, in conjunction with the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies of Bayero University, to mark the 2022 International Women Day (IWD), which Danbatta chaired yesterday in Kano State.
However, while Danbatta, according the programme event, was to present awards to various women who have distinguished themselves in different endeavours, little did he know that the beneficiaries of various youth entrepreneur skills and other empowerment progarmmes of both the Commission and his personal charity foundation, Danbatta Charity Foundation (NCF), planned an ambush to present their own prizes to him.
In the same vein, the CDS, Mumbayya House and KCSF also presented their award of recognition to the EVC, leaving the NCC boss visibly surprised.
Earlier, Danbatta told the gathering that he is a strong believer of the potentiality of womenfolk and he has never hesitated to entrust responsibilities to his female colleagues because he has always found them to be very reliable when assigned with official tasks.
“I am a very, very strong believer of the tremendous potentiality of members of the womenfolk. And they do it with such finesse, not with any aggression like men do. Women, by their very nature, are tender. They attend to whatever they are doing with finesse in a very careful manner. And they deliver on targets given to them before deadlines,” he emphasised.
Speaking further, the EVC said, he has never given an assignment to any of the women in the Commission, which was not delivered before the deadline, “to the extent that, ladies and gentlemen, I am always comfortable to have a woman chair committee, whenever there is a need”.
Danbatta who said that respect for women is natural to him, as it is one of the values his late mum inculcated in him, expressed his delight about the fact that women are now working their way to the top echelon of responsibilities in the country.
“We now have women in every sector of the economy, in every area of human endeavour. We have them as engineers, medical doctors, seasoned administrators, name it. In the commission I am heading we have 4 female directors.
“The Director of Zonal Operations is a woman. The Director of Policy competition, and Economic Analysis is a woman, and also a lawyer. Equally, the Director of Legal and Regulatory Services is a woman, and lastly the Director of Projects.
“And I am not saying this out of any disrespect for the womenfolk. Far from that. Importantly, more than 50% of the workforce in NCC is made up of women,” Danbatta informed his audience.
The NCC boss further stated that the Commission is particularly committed to bridging gender-oriented digital divide. Hence, the NCC has put, in the front burner, the need to expose girls and young women to more opportunities in the digital ecosystem, in line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) resolution 70, which advocates gender mainstreaming and promotion of gender equality, as well as the empowerment of women through information and communications technology (ICT).
The EVC later commissioned the e-library of the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, an arm of Bayero University, which was donated by the Commission in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the promotion of digital economy programmes.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of African technology, few figures bridge the gap between high-level research and grassroots digital execution as effectively as Nnaemeka Ani.
Nnaemeka Ani
As the Founder of MGX Research Center and the visionary behind MexyGabriel, Ani has emerged as a leading protagonist in the narrative of Nigeria’s technological self-reliance.
The Visionary: Founding MGX Research
At the heart of Ani’s philosophy is MGX Research, a center dedicated to “first-principles thinking.” Under his leadership, the center has become a beacon for data-driven innovation, moving beyond the “hype” of the tech world to focus on persistent, localized solutions.
Through MGX Research Center, he is building a multidisciplinary ecosystem that cuts across artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital identity, e-governance, EdTech, HealthTech, robotics, and automation
Ani’s mantra – “Africa’s rise begins with its own innovation” – is not just a slogan; it is a call to arms for African builders to stop seeking international validation and start authoring their own digital destiny.
As Founder and CEO of MexyGabriel Tech Company, Nnaemeka has driven multiple large-scale technology projects across Nigeria, focusing on digital infrastructure, enterprise solutions, identity and payment platforms, and youth-centered innovation programs. MGX Research Center functions as the research and development arm of this broader ecosystem, providing the thinking laboratory, prototypes, and strategic insights that inform products, policies, and investment decisions.
Nnaemeka is passionate about youth empowerment, innovation, and Africa’s digital future. His work through MGX Research Center aims to position Nigeria not just as a consumer of technology but as a creator of solutions, producing world-class research, thought leadership, and practical tools that can be deployed across states, universities, and private organizations.
He frequently collaborates with universities, government ministries, tech hubs, and global partners, championing a model where research is not locked up in theory but translated into deployable systems, smart policies, and scalable ventures.
Ani has demonstrated a unique ability to turn complex code into commercial and social value. His work has focused on:
- Infrastructure for Good: Developing platforms that bridge the divide between urban tech hubs and rural communities.
- Sovereign Technology: Championing the idea that African data should be managed by African-built systems.
The Public Servant: Digitizing Enugu State
Ani’s influence extends into the corridors of power. Serving as the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on ICT, he has been instrumental in transforming the state into a burgeoning digital ecosystem.
His work in Enugu serves as a blueprint for “Governance-Tech Synergy,” proving that when political will meets technical expertise, public service delivery can be revolutionized.
“We are no longer just ’emerging’; we are competing. Africa will rise by code, by courage, and by us,” said Nnaemeka Ani.
Quick Facts: Nnaemeka Ani
Category | Detail |
Current Roles | Founder, MGX Research; Founder, MexyGabriel; SA on ICT to Enugu State Governor. |
Core Philosophy | “First-Principles Thinking” – Breaking problems down to their core truths. |
Key Advocacy | Digital Sovereignty, Sovereign AI, and localized STEM education. |
Notable Mantra | “By Code and By Courage.” |
Why He Matters in 2026
As Nigeria enters a transformative year marked by the January 1, 2026 Tax Reforms and the push toward 70% Broadband Penetration, Ani represents the “New Guard” of leadership. He is one of the few voices consistently advocating for the Tripod Method, balancing technology, local policing, and traditional authority, to ensure that Nigeria’s digital growth is matched by national security.
Nnaemeka Ani is not just as a “tech guy,” but as a Strategic Reformer. He is a “Leader to Watch” because he understands that for technology to thrive in Nigeria, it must be supported by sound policy and cultural relevance.
MTN Nigeria has hosted the Prestige Experience, a refined evening of culture, connection and celebration, as part of its ongoing Y’ellotide initiative marking the Yuletide season.
MTN Nigeria
The event, held on Friday at The Royal Box, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together customers, partners, stakeholders, and dignitaries in an atmosphere of appreciation and festivity.
The Prestige Experience showcased Nigerian creativity and elegance through a curated blend of fine dining, fashion, and music. Guests were treated to Michelin-inspired cuisine prepared by renowned Chef Stone, fashion showcases highlighting African heritage, and soulful performances by acclaimed singer Asa.
The evening was anchored by popular hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Michelle Dede, with comedic interludes from veteran comedian Alibaba.
Speaking at the event, Dr Ernest Ndukwe (OFR), Chairman of MTN Nigeria, described the gathering as an expression of gratitude and partnership. He said the Prestige Experience reflected MTN’s appreciation for the trust Nigerians continue to place in the brand.
“The MTN Prestige Experience is a cornerstone of our commitment to you, our valued partners. Your trust and continued patronage are the bedrock of our success, and this gathering reflects our appreciation for that trust.
“We are not just a service provider but are committed to being a trusted partner in Nigeria’s progress,” Ndukwe said.
In his remarks, Dr Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of genuine connection during the festive season.
“We recognise the immense value of the relationships we have built together, and we are committed to ensuring that your experience remains unparalleled.
“You are essential partners in our journey, and we look forward to many more years of shared success and collaboration,” Toriola said.
Distinguished guests at the event included members of MTN’s Board and Executive Management, industry leaders, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives from the creative sector, reflecting the diversity and richness of the MTN ecosystem.
The Prestige Experience forms part of MTN’s broader Y’ellotide celebrations, which reaffirm the company’s belief that meaningful connections and shared experiences remain central to its relationship with Nigerians.
Google has unveiled a new feature that allows Gmail users to change their existing email addresses without losing data or access to services, marking a major shift in the company’s long-standing policy.
Gmail
According to an update on Google’s account help page, the new option enables account holders to replace their current @gmail.com address with a new one while retaining all associated data, including emails, photos, and integrations with services such as Google Drive, Maps, and YouTube.
The guidance, however, was first spotted on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting that the rollout may begin in India or Hindi-speaking markets before expanding globally.
The English-language support page still carries the older advisory that Gmail addresses “usually cannot be changed.”
Google explained that under the new policy, users who update their Gmail address will automatically keep their original address as an alias.
This means emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the inbox, and the original address will remain valid for signing in to Google services.
Previously, users seeking a new Gmail address had to create an entirely new account and manually transfer their data, a process that often disrupted third-party app integrations. The new feature eliminates that inconvenience, ensuring continuity for users.
The company further clarified that while users can reuse their old Gmail address at any time, accounts that change their address will face certain restrictions.
These include a 12-month waiting period before another new Gmail address can be created, and the inability to delete the newly chosen address once it has been set.
Google assured users that all existing data would remain intact after an address update, including stored photos, messages, and emails.
The gradual rollout of the feature indicates that full global adoption is expected in the coming months, a move likely to be welcomed by millions of users who have long requested the ability to update their Gmail identities without starting afresh.
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