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Paradigm Initiative Announces 2019 Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellows

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Following an extensive selection process involving 261 applications from 39 countries, Paradigm Initiative is pleased to announce the 2019 Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellows.

 

The Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship was designed to embed early-career media professionals in the digital rights and digital inclusion ecosystem in Africa, through the work that Paradigm Initiative does in advancing digital rights and digital inclusion, in order to bring them closer to the issues and empower them as digital rights and inclusion champions during and after their Fellowship.

 

The inaugural 2018 Fellowship saw two fellows, Victor Ekwealor (Nigeria) and Emmanuel Vitus (Togo), immersed in the ecosystem, touring our offices, and authoring illuminating articles on the role digital rights and digital inclusion play in Africa, focusing on the work of Paradigm Initiative.

Tope Ogundipe, Director of Programs at Paradigm Initiative, stated that “the Fellowship experience begins with a briefing session that connects Fellows with Paradigm Initiative’s team members from Cameroon (Francophone Africa), Nigeria (covering Anglophone West Africa), Tanzania (Eastern Africa), Togo and Zambia (Southern Africa).

 

“That session is followed by a tour of Paradigm Initiative’s Nigerian offices in Ajegunle, Yaba, Aba, Abuja and Kano.

 

“Focusing on digital inclusion and digital rights, Fellows are immediately immersed into the work our organization does in connecting youths in underserved communities to ICT-enabled opportunities, while also advocating for their rights in the digital space’’.

Adeboye Adegoke, Paradigm Initiative’s Program Manager on Digital Rights for Anglophone West Africa noted, “Although the work of expanding digital access to underserved communities and advocating for the digital rights of people across Africa have become very important in light of their connections to the emergence of progressive, open and inclusive societies, little is known of what this work entails, and public awareness of the work of advocates working in this field is poor.

 

“Our Media Fellows will work to help improve public awareness of the issues, and raise the profile of digital inclusion and digital rights advocacy in Africa.

 

“Their tour of our Abuja office, focusing on digital rights, will deepen their appreciation of the work done by actors in the ecosystem’’.

Tosin Abolaji, Program Manager, Digital Inclusion, added: “By touring our digital inclusion centres in Ajegunle, Aba and Kano, the Fellows will experience, first-hand, the impact of our work in improving the livelihoods of underserved youth in Nigeria through digital skills’’.

 

He added: “Our 2019 Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellows are young and accomplished media professionals with a track record of impact in Africa.

 

“Both 2019 Fellows, Damilola Adeniran and Rose ‘Matlhohonolofatso Moremoholo, are early-career media professionals who have gained rich experiences in media practice and will benefit greatly from the Fellowship that runs from September 2019 to January 2019.’’

Damilola Adeniran, with OrderPaper Nigeria, is a young multiple-award winning writer and sustainable development advocate based in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

He was the first Nigerian to win the blog4dev contest organised by the World Bank.

 

Damilola also represents Nigeria in the Youth Transforming Africa Program. In addition, his writing on violent extremism and sustainable peace in Nigeria won a Peace Write Now prize from the Embassy of Ireland in June, 2018.

 

His works have been published in Nigeria and the United States of America both in English and in French.

 

At Order Paper Nigeria, Damilola has produced several reports on legislation, corruption, digital inclusion, and human rights.

 

He has also been involved in a community development project known as ConsTrack, designed to ensure the transparent implementation of constituency projects by members of Parliament in Nigeria.

 

The ConsTrack project won at the inaugural Global Tech4Dev competition organised by Chemonics International in the U.S.A in 2017.

 

Damilola is an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology Akure and also completed a leadership and management course at the prestigious Lagos Business School in 2017.

 

Rose ‘Matlhohonolofatso Moremoholo is a Journalist and a mother born and raised in Lesotho. She obtained her Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management (PDMM) at Rhodes University’s Sol Plaantje Institute (SPI) through the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) scholarship for African women.

 

Prior to this she completed her BA (Hons) in Broadcasting and Journalism from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in 2014 and has been working as a journalist at The Post Newspaper for four years.

 

During her enrolment in PDMM Rose was appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of the institution’s annual newsletter called IlizwiLolwazi (Voice of Knowledge), produced by students.

 

The newsletter was themed Women in Media. Having been a practicing journalist for at least four years, Rose has been fortunate to write feature stories on issues of not only of national but also global concern.

 

She values teamwork, trust, integrity and communication and believes that without these values it is impossible to break limitless boundaries of success.

 

She finds peace and strength in giving a platform to the voiceless to see them have a say in policy making, national reforms and service delivery from politicians who often forget their constituencies.

The Paradigm Initiative Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship is an 18-week Fellowship that connects media and practice, in order to reduce the gap between digital rights and inclusion actors, and the media people who can help them amplify their work.

 


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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

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NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

This directive was  contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.

The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.

In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.

Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”

The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.

Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.

The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.

The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.

The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.

Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.

Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”


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Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

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Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.

Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.

The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.

The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.

“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.

Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.

 


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GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

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Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.

The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.

GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.

These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.

More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.

As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.

Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.

 


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