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Swedish Firm Launches War on Cancer App on iOS and Android

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War On Cancer, Swedish-based tech company that aims to improve the mental health of everyone affected by cancer, with future partnerships set to bridge the gap between patients and crucial oncology research through users opting in to share their health data, has been launched on iOS and Android.

 

Co-founded by 32-year-old Fabian Bolin, ceo, War On Cancer who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2015 (currently in remission following 900 days of chemotherapy), the War On Cancer storytelling platform allows users to share their journey through pictures, stories and updates which help them to inspire and be inspired.

 

With 2018 research from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) showing that 1 in 5 cancer patients suffer from depression, compared to 1 in 20 across the general population, the free-to-download War On Cancer app aims to radically improve the mental well being of everyone affected by cancer, enabling people to feel, often for the first time, that they do not have to go through their experiences alone, while simultaneously empowering them to make a genuine difference to the lives of others.

 

War On Cancer facilitates more authentic connections when compared to other platforms: helping patients, survivors, and loved ones to interact with, follow, and discover people sharing real-life experiences.

 

The Inspiration Behind War On Cancer The technology company was co-founded in 2015 by CEO, Fabian Bolin, and COO, Sebastian Hermelin.

 

Earlier that year, Fabian, a former investment banker in London’s Canary Wharf, had been diagnosed with leukaemia, a type of blood cancer.

 

From his hospital bed, Fabian uploaded a post to Facebook which went viral, attracting 13,000 shares within the first 24 hours.

 

Enthused by this response, he went on to blog about his experiences of battling cancer and, through doing this, realised the positive effects that storytelling had on his own mental health, and the impact that a digital platform which allows people from all over the world to share their own experiences.

 

Fabian Bolin, ceo and co-founder, War On Cancer said: “We help people affected by cancer to engage, learn, and thrive. From my own experiences of fighting cancer, I know too well the mental trauma that comes with it, and I often didn’t feel as though I was treated like a human being.

 

“One of the hardest things that people have to deal with is the severe loss of their self-worth and self-esteem.

 

“Our aim is to unite people all over the world with others going through similar experiences to ensure that no one feels as though they have to fight their illness alone.”

 

War On Cancer and researchers at Stockholm’s world-renowned Karolinska Institute are currently applying for funding for a research project to explore the effects that using War On Cancer has on patients’ mental well being.

 

The completion of this study will provide validation that could potentially result in the platform being digitally prescribed to cancer patients by healthcare professionals.

 

Anna Mia Ekström, Professor, MD, MPH, PhD, and Research Group Leader at Karolinska Institute, said: “The profound loss of self-worth is the largest contributory factor to mental illness amongst patients.

 

“This is especially true for those with serious and stigmatizing diagnoses such as cancer and HIV.

 

“This is a neglected area of research on which we need to focus more in the future, as it potentially holds the keys to radically improved quality of care and life for both patients and their loved ones.”

 

At launch, War On Cancer’s focus will be on fostering and sustaining a community which will help it to achieve its mission of improving the mental health of everyone affected by cancer, but is in ongoing and advanced discussions with leading organisations within the healthcare and life sciences sectors, as well as renowned universities and researchers.

 

War On Cancer is passionate about data ownership being given back to users, and with these partnerships will create a new data sharing dynamic in which nothing is provided to external organisations without a user giving their consent.

 

Through this transparent and consensual data sharing, War On Cancer will empower its users to have a genuine, positive impact on the wider cancer ecosystem, which further increases their sense of self-worth.

 

According to Research! Sweden , 95% of the Swedish population is willing to share their health data, such as the result of a blood test of the effectiveness of certain treatments, for research and health purposes.

 

“Moving forward, we will empower cancer patients to contribute to research,” adds Fabian Bolin.

 

“This not only has a huge impact on their mental health and sense of self-worth, but also helps to drive genuine advancements within the field and save lives.

 

“This will play a crucial role in the acceleration of research and healthcare, help to facilitate more successful clinical trials, and provide users with an even greater sense of purpose.”


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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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MTN Nigeria Crowns Ayo Benzi Winner of Next Afrobeats Star

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L-R: Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Ayodeji Benson, Winner, Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1) and Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communication, MTN Nigeria, at the grand finale of the Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1), held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
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MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, has announced Ayodeji Benson, popularly known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the maiden edition of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show.

MTN Nigeria Crowns Ayo Benzi Winner of Next Afrobeats Star

L-R: Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Ayodeji Benson, Winner, Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1) and Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communication, MTN Nigeria, at the grand finale of the Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1), held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

The grand finale, held on Sunday night at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos, marked the climax of a nationwide talent search that began in September with over 15,000 aspiring musicians.

After weeks of auditions, mentorship, and rigorous training, five finalists – Ayo Benzi, Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay – battled for the top prize in a high-energy showcase of performance and artistry.

At the end of the electrifying contest, Ayo Benzi emerged victorious, securing a ₦150 million music deal. Dave Cash was named first runner-up with ₦100 million, while Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million respectively.

Throughout the season, contestants were mentored by leading Afrobeats producers Sarz, Puffy Tee, P Prime, and Andre Vibez. Benzi, who was part of Puffy Tee’s team, credited the mentorship programme for sharpening his craft and stage presence.

Speaking at the event, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and cultural expression.

“The Next Afrobeats Star platform is about creating real opportunities for young Nigerians and giving their talent the structure, visibility, and support it deserves.

“Afrobeats continues to place Nigeria on the global cultural map, and MTN is proud to be enabling the next generation of artists who will take this sound even further,” she said.

She added that the finale was not just a competition but a celebration of growth and readiness for the global stage.

In his acceptance speech, Ayo Benzi described the victory as a defining moment in his career.

“A big thank you to MTN. From the audition days, the treatment MTN has given us has been amazing. God bless the brand,” he said.

The finale also featured guest performances by Afrobeats stars Iyanya and Bella Shmurda, adding glamour to the night and reinforcing the show’s connection to the wider music ecosystem.

With the successful conclusion of the season, MTN Nigeria and its partners reaffirmed their role in championing youth ambition, supporting creative industries, and shaping the future of Nigerian music through platforms that turn potential into opportunity.


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T2 Faces NCC Probe in Benue Over Major Service Outage in 9 LGAs

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T2, formerly known as 9mobile, is under investigation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Benue State for an undisclosed incident disrupting USSD, SMS, voice, and data services across nine local government areas.

T2 Faces NCC Probe in Benue Over Major Service Outage in 9 LGAs

T2

The affected areas include Ado, Agatu, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu, and Otukpo, as detailed in an advisory on the NCC Major Outages Portal, which tracks significant disruptions reported by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Neither T2 nor its public relations firm, Chain Reactions, has responded to inquiries on the outage’s cause or restoration efforts as of this report.

The NCC’s continued reference to the operator as 9mobile, months after its public rebranding to T2 in August 2025, has sparked questions about whether the name change was formally notified to the regulator.

This probe aligns with NCC mandates requiring operators to disclose major outages, their impacts, and timelines for fixes, with compensation obligatory for disruptions exceeding 24 hours under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.

Industry watchers note that such incidents, often linked to fibre cuts, power failures, or infrastructure faults, underscore ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, particularly amid T2’s subscriber losses post-rebrand. NCC vows transparency via its portal to hold operators accountable and protect consumers.


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NCC Unveils Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap, 60 GHz License-Exempt Guidelines to Boost Broadband, Innovation

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled two pivotal regulatory draft documents aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s communications sector over the next five years and fast-tracking deployment of ultra-high-speed wireless technologies.

NCC Unveils Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap, 60 GHz License-Exempt Guidelines to Boost Broadband, Innovation

NCC

In a public notice dated December 19, 2025, and issued pursuant to its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Commission published the Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030) and Draft Guidelines for the Use of the 60 GHz License-Exempt Band for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems.

Both documents are accessible on the NCC website for stakeholder review, with the roadmap outlining strategic spectrum planning, allocation, and management to optimise utilisation, support emerging technologies like 5G and IoT, expand broadband access, and align with global best practices.

The Spectrum Roadmap emphasises four core pillars: bridging the digital divide through low-band spectrum and satellite services, attracting investments via flexible licensing models, enhancing service quality with mid-band optimisation, and fostering innovation in areas such as direct-to-device connectivity and secondary spectrum trading.

It sets ambitious targets including universal 4G coverage nationwide, 50 per cent 5G penetration in state capitals, and average broadband speeds of 100 Mbps by 2030, while addressing rising data demand through band refarming and efficient management.

Complementing this, the 60 GHz Guidelines establish a license-exempt framework for the 57–66 GHz band, enabling multi-gigabit speeds up to 10 Gbps for short-range applications like WiGig, fixed wireless access, enterprise connectivity, urban broadband, and backhaul solutions.

The rules mandate NCC type approval for equipment, site registration for outdoor use, and interference mitigation measures, while prohibiting wide-area networks to safeguard primary users.

In line with Section 58 of the NCA 2003, NCC invites comments from industry operators, equipment manufacturers, consumer groups, and the public, with submissions due by Friday, January 16, 2025, via email to [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

The notice, signed by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, stresses that stakeholder inputs will refine the frameworks to drive innovation, investment, competition, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem.


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