Connect with us

Telecom

Tough Call against Use of Phone While Driving

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Mobile phone use while driving is common, but it is widely considered dangerous due to its potential for causing distracted driving and accidents.

 

Use of mobile phone when driving are opposite sides of a coin.

 

Cell phone technology is supposed to help us carry out the tasks of daily life but using it while driving is dangerous and stupid.

 

Today, there are nearly 150 million telephone lines in the country, all playing integral roles in the lives and businesses of the owners.

 

But making or receiving call while driving is a significant distraction and increases the risk of the driver crashing and causing harm to other road users.

 

Many different studies have shown that when drivers use a cell phone while driving, it can be very dangerous.

 

Despite warnings, mobile phone use while driving is still very common in Nigeria.

 

There are two dangers associated with driving and cell phone use, including text messaging.

 

First, drivers must take their eyes off the road while dialling.

 

Second, people can become so absorbed in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on the act of driving is severely impaired, jeopardizing the safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians.

 

The distraction of using a cell phone while driving is the same as fiddling with the radio, dealing with kids and pets, applying make-up, eating and so on.

 

Nigeria has banned use of mobile phone while driving but many have continued to ignore the law leaving tears, blood and avoidable damages in their wake.

 

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) road traffic accidents are a significant cause of injury and deaths in the country.

 

Many of the deaths are preventable and are caused by sheer recklessness.

 

Some of them are caused when drivers who use cell phones on wheels are distracted from the road.

 

A recent World Health Organisation’s  ‘global status report on road safety’ also  indicates that well over one million people are killed on the world’s roads every year, half of these being pedestrians and motorcyclists.

 

As many as 50 million people per year are injured in road traffic accidents, many sustaining severe permanent disabilities and loss of mobility.

 

As far back as six year ago, Lagos state signed  the Lagos Traffic Bill, making it drive or ride a vehicle while using a hand-held mobile phone.

 

The penalty is a three-year jail term or a fine of N20, 000 for first offenders and N30, 000 for subsequent offences or both for any other breaches subject to the discretion of the presiding magistrate.

 

FRSC should also invoke the penalty in the Act establishing it which stipulates that punishment for use of cell phone on wheels is a fine of N4, 000.

 

Other state governments must also follow in the step of the Lagos State government because life is precious and should not cut short by reckless loose ranting cell phone users.

 

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) must also review the convenience cell phones offer against the hazards they pose.

 

But well-meaning Nigerians must not wait for the law. They should start acting responsibly now and avoid putting other motorists and Nigerians in dangers.

 

The FRSC and NCC should embark on a nationwide public enlightenment exercise on the dangers of driving, smoking, talking and texting on the mobile phone while driving or riding.

 

 

 


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Telecom

NCC Expands IPv6 Board with the Appointment of Olusola Teniola, Funke Opeke Others

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Olusola Teniola, ipNX Director has been named to the newly inaugurated IPv6 Council Board by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as part of a broader industry effort to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).

The inauguration, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos, underscores the Commission’s renewed commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), a critical enabler of the country’s digital future.

Mr. Teniola joins a distinguished group of industry leaders, including Funke Opeke, Muhammed Rudman (Chairman), Chris Uwaje (Vice Chairman), Mary Uduma, Gbenga Adebayo, Lanre Ajayi, and Latif Ladid, alongside representatives from key regulatory and government institutions.

Speaking on his appointment, Teniola expressed appreciation to the NCC for the opportunity to serve and reiterated the importance of collaborative action in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“The transition to IPv6 is no longer a future consideration; it is an immediate priority for Nigeria’s digital economy. As data consumption grows and emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI become more pervasive, we must ensure that our underlying infrastructure is scalable, secure, and globally competitive,” he said.

He further emphasized that achieving meaningful IPv6 adoption will require strong alignment across stakeholders, including telecom operators, internet service providers, enterprises, academia, and government.

“This is a collective responsibility. We must invest in capacity building, drive awareness, and create the right policy and regulatory environment to accelerate adoption. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in an increasingly connected world.”

The IPv6 Council Board has been tasked with developing and overseeing the implementation of a national IPv6 strategy, monitoring progress, and providing periodic updates on adoption levels across the country. The Council will also play a key role in addressing infrastructure challenges, strengthening technical expertise, and recommending policy incentives to support nationwide deployment.

Teniola’s appointment reflects ipNX’s continued commitment to shaping Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and advancing the development of resilient, future-ready network infrastructure across the country.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

QNET, Manchester City Host Football Clinic for Young Talents in Ghana

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In a transformative initiative focused on youth empowerment, talent development and community impact, QNET, an international wellness and lifestyle company and a decade-long Official Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City , has successfully hosted an elite football clinic in Accra for 25 promising young Ghanaian footballers aged 7 to 11.

QNET, Manchester City Host Football Clinic for Young Talents in Ghana

QNET

Delivered by official Manchester City coaches from 21 to 24 May 2026, the football clinic brought together talented young boys and girls from different communities across Ghana at AIS School Park, East Legon, for a unique opportunity to receive world-class football coaching, mentorship and life-skills training inspired by one of the world’s leading football clubs.

For many of the participants, the experience represented more than football. It was an opportunity to dream bigger, build confidence and believe that through hard work, discipline and determination, young Ghanaians can achieve their full potential both on and off the pitch.

Football holds a special place in Ghanaian culture and identity, inspiring generations of young people across the country. Through this initiative, QNET and Manchester City Football Club aimed to contribute meaningfully to the future of youth development in Ghana by creating an inclusive platform where children can learn, grow and thrive regardless of their background.

Trevor Kuna, Chief of Network Development at QNET said, “Football does something that few things can — it cuts across language, background and circumstance and gives young people a common language of ambition. When you watch these children on the pitch, you see not just their talent but their hunger to grow, to prove themselves, to be seen. At QNET, we believe that hunger deserves to be met with opportunity, and that is exactly what this clinic is about.”

The clinic focused not only on football skills and tactical development, but also on teamwork, leadership, discipline, perseverance and self-belief, values that are essential both in sport and in life.

Cherif Abdoulaye, QNET’s Deputy Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, said,“,“When QNET took this initiative to Nigeria in 2023, we saw first-hand what happens when young people are given access to world-class coaching in their own communities — it shifts something in how they see themselves and what they believe is possible. Bringing it to Ghana felt like the natural next step. Ghana has a football culture that runs deep, and a new generation ready to carry it forward. We are proud that QNET and Manchester City can be part of that story.”

Philipa Harrison, Partnerships Marketing Manager for City Football Group’s MENA region, said “Over the past few days, we have witnessed tremendous passion, energy and commitment from these young players. This football clinic is about helping young people develop their abilities, enjoy the game and believe in what they can achieve in the future. We are proud to partner with QNET to bring this experience to young players in Ghana.”

For more than 10 years, QNET has been the Official Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club. QNET has also maintained a longstanding partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), supporting major African interclub competitions including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

These partnerships reflect QNET’s broader commitment to youth empowerment, community engagement, and the development of sports across Africa.

Beyond its sports and community initiatives, QNET continues to champion ethical business practices, transparency and public education across its markets while working closely with stakeholders and authorities to address the misuse of its brand by unauthorised individuals.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Telcos Mull Calculator to Address Data Depletion Complaints

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) may introduce  data calculator to enable users to measure their data usage and address complaints of rapid data depletion.

Telcos Mull Calculator to Address Data Depletion Complaints

Data depletion is the rapid exhaustion of your internet data bundle before its expected expiration.

The data calculator is a tool that will show subscribers how their data is used daily.

Telecom operators, largely the MNOs, are already providing subscribers a daily report of data used the previous day, as part of directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to drive transparency.

According to a report by Nairametrics, an industry source confirmed the new measure, noting that subscriber complaints over data depletion have now become a major concern in the industry, as it undermines trust.

“An average subscriber believes their service provider steals their data once their data is exhausted before time or depletes faster than they expected, which is not true.

“Over the years, we have tried to enlighten subscribers on factors that could lead to the fast depletion of their data, which include smartphone functionality, among others.

“And now, we are looking at tools that could show the subscribers not just what they have used, but also how they have used it to further promote transparency,” the source said.

According to the source, operators are also intensifying their sensitisation campaigns to help subscribers understand why their data can run out quickly.

Recall that NCC carried out an audit about 24 months ago across the mobile networks and found out that there was “no major” issue of data depletion, contrary to claims and complaints by subscribers.

Findings showed that the major issue still concerns the types of mobile phones and the activities users perform on them.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending