Broadcasting
NGOs Train Ajegunle Youth
Ten talented Nigerian youth living in Ajegunle, a high density, low income neighbourhood in the sprawling Lagos metropolis, learned important life skills at a three day workshop organised by Communicating for Change (CFC), in partnership with LEAP Africa and Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN).
CFC initiated the workshop as part of the process of filming three exceptional young women in a soon to be released documentary on the struggles of urban youth vis-a-vis achieving the millennium development goals.
The workshop focused on leadership skills taught by life coaches from LEAP Africa’s Youth Leadership Program, and computer and new media skills taught by trainers from Paradigm Initiative’s ajegunle.com, an award winning grass roots project committed to teaching inner-city kids information technology skills.
The training was complemented by a mentoring session on how to run a small scale fashion enterprise by Bayo Adegbe, the CEO of Modela, one of Nigeria’s leading fashion houses, and a talk on business basics, by Eniola Agbesoyin, chief operating officer of the Olive Micro-Finance Bank.
“Over the years we have seen the positive impact of training youth to connect to their inner selves, build self- confidence, set goals, take necessary risks, identify dream stoppers, and manage their funds and resources,” said Mosun Layode, executive director of LEAP AFRICA, one of Nigeria’s exceptional youth empowerment organisations teaching young people to be change agents in their communities.
“Supporting CFC’s film production work by training under-served youths in Ajegunle is an important way of addressing our development challenges,” added Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, a youth led ‘technopreneurship’ organisation which started ICT training in Ajegunle almost ten years ago by equipping young people to solve their problems through the creative use of technology.
“The workshop was very cool and motivating”, commented twenty-four-year-old Thompson Ojeme who participated in the workshop. We have really learnt a lot. It has greatly helped us with our computer and leadership skills,” added nineteen-year-old Donatella Raymond, who said she enjoyed the session on goal setting.
CFC’s partnership with LEAP and PIN is a positive example of development communications, in which documenting African stories from a home-grown perspective, is coupled with capacity building and creating a platform for youth to be empowered through life skills training.
Besides focusing on film making, CFC regularly organises workshops on script writing and video story-telling, in an effort to teach media skills, reflect Nigerian youths amazing creativity, and give them a voice. “We are delighted to join forces with PIN and LEAP in ensuring that our dynamic youth have better chances at leadership, entrepreneurship, technology and creativity,” concluded Sandra Obiago, CFC’s Founding executive director.
LEAP is a non profit organization, which provides leadership training programmes and executive coaching services for business owners, social entrepreneurs and youth. LEAP invests in continuous research on leadership development
Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is a social enterprise seeking to help deliver ICT for socio-economic opportunities in Nigeria. Having worked with government, civil society, private institutions and international organisations, PIN has set standards in ICT education, telecentre support, ICT applications in rural areas, and other ICT4D interventions in Nigeria.
Communicating for change is one of Nigeria’s leading development communications organisations, which produces film, radio, television, print, and web based media to tell development stories from an African point of view, ensuring that audiences across the continent are informed and empowered to make good choices.
CFC also conducts video training workshops for different interest groups, which includes training on all aspects of the production process, so participants are empowered to create videos that articulate their own experiences. CFC is appreciated by broadcasters as an important content provider of high quality African stories and its award winning films have been aired across Nigeria and in 40 countries.
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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