Broadcasting
NDLEA, NCC Renew Partnership to Check Piracy, Drug Abuse Crimes
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have renewed their partnership in the fight against organized crimes, including drug trafficking and copyright piracy across the country.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, and Dr. John O. Asein, Director-General of NCC, made this commitment during a courtesy visit of NCC delegates to the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja last week.
The Chief Executives noted that drug trafficking and copyright piracy were inimical to national development. They also expressed concern that both criminal activities adversely affect the youths particularly, thereby destroying the country’s creative resource “who also represents the future of Nigeria”.
Brig.-General Marwa further stressed the linkage between drug abuse and copyright piracy and assured of renewed institutional support and capacity building to boost the enforcement capacity of NCC while both agencies would continue to share intelligence.
“We are going to collaborate and work together because the drug scourge requires collaborative efforts. All hands must be on deck, and we are happy to work together with NCC”, he stressed.
Earlier, the Director-General, NCC had commended NDLEA for supporting the Commission’s efforts at fighting piracy, through training of officers, logistic support and information sharing.
He agreed that drug traffickers often channel their ill-gotten wealth through copyright piracy to give a semblance of legitimate business. This, according to him, underscored the need for both Agencies to strengthen the partnership against criminal activities for the good of society.
While restating the commitment of the Commission to its mandate, the Director-General used the opportunity to commend the Federal Government for the new Copyright Bill which was recently passed by the National Assembly.
He expressed optimism that the Bill, when signed into law, would enhance the Commission’s enforcement capacity and serve as a catalyst for revamping the nation’s creative economy.
The Chairman, NDLEA, used the occasion to commend the Commission on the passage of the Copyright Bill and for the numerous achievements of NCC in bringing sanity to the creative sector. He gave further assurances that NDLEA would join other stakeholders to canvass for early presidential assent to the Bill.
Both Chief Executives agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their renewed partnership.
The NDLEA Chairman used the opportunity of the visit to decorate Dr. Asein as an Ambassador in the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). In turn, Dr. Asein thanked the Chairman for the honour. He promised to lend his voice to the campaign and solicit the support of stakeholders in the creative sector to also propagate the message that “illicit drugs are bad”.
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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