Metro
Glo’s EVC Bella Disu Expresses Readiness to Unveil Innovation Hubs to Drive Digitalization
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has expressed its readiness to help drive the realization of the Federal Government’s digitalization agenda and enablement of technological advancement in the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the company, Mrs. Bella Disu, who made this remark at the launch of Nigeria’s Digital Economy Report themed ‘Driving Economic Growth through Digital Transformation’ on Thursday in Abuja, also harped on the need for continuous harnessing of the transformative powers of emerging technologies by Nigeria.
The Glo EVC said, “We see the current challenges in the sector as a responsibility to be at the forefront of enabling tech advancement. We are at the moment doing two things which key into the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy’s strategic blueprint. Under the pillar of Knowledge, the ministry is planning to have about 3m technical talents by 2027 and also increase digital literacy. In Glo, we have a Glo learning management solution which has the capacity to train up to 100,000 users a month on different skill sets from digital marketing and other professional courses some of which we plan to offer as CSR and also on courses covering Python, blockchain, AI to really push digital literacy”.
She added that, “Under innovation, we plan to have four innovation hubs, with one to be rolled out in Lagos in the fourth quarter of the year, and three to be commissioned by the second quarter of 2025 in PH, Ibadan, and Abuja. We see these hubs as being an eco system and a catalyst for technological advancement where we have hubs for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, incubators and accelerators to really collaborate, thrive and learn”.
Explaining that the impact of digitalization was already visible in a few sectors, Mrs Disu noted that “digital platforms have completely revolutionised the transportation and mobility services sector with ride-hailing companies facilitating hundreds of millions of rides in the last seven years, in ecommerce, the sector has grown significantly with online user market now about 76.7 million users. We have also seen a huge growth in POS terminals from about 155,000 in 2017 to now 1.8 million in 2023″.
She explained further that more and Nigerians are going into remote work, and with the right training, they will be able to take up even more lucrative roles in the sector. ‘In entrepreneurship and start-ups, through fintech and content creation and startups, the opportunities are vast,” Mrs Disu added, promising that Globacom would continue to support the sector.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida received Mrs Disu’s commendation for showing their commitment and political will to resolve the challenges in the telecom industry.
In his speech, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy stated that Nigeria is well placed to play a critical role in a connected economy with its huge population and resources.
He said “We can only do that by diversifying our economy and strengthening technical efficiency. This is why there is immense focus on digitalizing our economy and accelerating development in sectors like agriculture and mining to improve quality of education so we can improve learning outcomes and as such deepen pour workforce, improve on transportation and infrastructure so that our economy can get the backbone that is required to make it work for our people”.
The duo of GSMA Africa and the World Bank presented the Digital Economy Report at the event.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General, Training and Development, DIG Frank Mbah, has commissioned and officially handed over 10 state-of-the-art mobile medical clinics to the Nigerian Police Force.
The clinics, designed to improve the welfare and well-being of police officers, recruits, and trainers, were handed over at a well attended ceremony held at the Police Centtal Stores in Ikeja, Lagos State, and witnessed by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The event, according to Police authorities, is part of an ongoing Police Reform project generously funded by the Government of the Republic of Germany and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with GS-Foundation, who were physically represented at the event by their very senior officials.
Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Annett Günther, remarked: “This handover exemplifies Germany’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s police force in its journey towards modernization and improved welfare standards. By addressing the healthcare needs of police personnel, we are investing in the stability and security of communities across Nigeria.”
Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme stated: “These clinics are a testament to the power of partnership in delivering sustainable development. At UNDP, we believe that the well-being of individuals forms the bedrock of effective institutions. This initiative underscores our dedication to equipping the Nigeria Police Force with the tools and resources necessary for meaningful police services.”
Arno Langanke (retired Commissioner of Police, German) representative of Global Security-Sector-Reform Foundation Global Security-Sector-Reform Foundation stated: “The mobile container clinics we are officially handing over today are a product of an intense procurement process, that GS-Foundation was committed to. We are delighted that these clinics can now find their final destinations at the preselected police training schools to benefit both the NPF and the local population at the respective locations. We are confident that this project will provide a significant contribution to improving healthcare and emergency care in police training schools and surrounding communities.”
In his keynote address, the IG, speaking through DIG Mba, noted that his administration will continue to see to the wellbeing of officers and men of the Force, stressing that a lot more is still in the offing for the Police under his command.
“These landmark contribution reaffirms our vision and shared commitment to a Police Force that is professionally competent, service-driven, and fully aligned with the principles of the rule of law. These mobile clinics symbolize more than just healthcare assets; they represent a significant advancement in the NPF’s Health Policy, prioritizing the mental and physical well-being of our officers. The impact of this reform project therefore extends beyond policing; it contributes to broader goals of human security, economic growth, and national development,” he said.
He further noted that “The mobile clinics, equipped with solar power systems, advanced medical equipment, furniture, patient beds, and other essential resources for full functionality, will be stationed at various Police Training Institutions nationwide. These facilities aim to ensure that officers and recruits have access to quality medical care as a way of prioritising their health and well-being as they undergo rigorous training.
“This initiative follows a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in 2022, during which the project team evaluated the conditions of NPF training institutions. The findings highlighted critical gaps in infrastructure and the urgent need for investments to make these facilities fit-for-purpose. In response, these solar-powered mobile clinics were developed as a tangible step toward addressing these needs.”
The Police Reform project has seen significant milestones in its efforts to enhance police capacity and welfare. In September 2023, the initiative successfully delivered a 2,000-capacity mobile barracks to the Nigeria Police Force, addressing critical accommodation challenges for officers on field deployment exercises across the country.
The handover represents another step forward in ensuring that police officers and recruits operate in an environment that supports their health, safety, and productivity, just as the facilities reflect the commitment of all partners involved to strengthening the NPF through targeted investments in infrastructure and welfare.
The event was graced by presence of serving AIGs, Commissioners of Police among other senior officers including AIG Ochalla.
An unconfirmed number of children have reportedly lost their lives in a stampede that occurred during a children’s carnival in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
It was gathered that over 30 children lost their lives, with many others injured during the incident.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed that the stampede occurred at a private children’s funfair at Basorun Islamic High School after which the government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team.
The commissioner noted that victims had been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention.
While appreciating the Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately activating all available response teams to assist at the scene, Oyelade said, “The state government will do all it can to support the victims of this tragic incident during this difficult period.
“The government was not involved in any planning, nor was the Ministry of Health asked to provide logistics for the private children’s end-of-year funfair.”
Oyelade, however, emphasised the importance of proper coordination when organising events of such magnitude, particularly those involving children and the elderly.
The commissioner indicated that they were awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident.
“Parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children are urged to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan, where affected children have been taken for proper medical care, with valid means of identification:Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ringroad State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital; and the University College Hospital, Ibadan.”
He extended the government’s deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy, urging the public to remain calm as relevant information is gathered and necessary support arranged for the victims.
A businessman, Kehinde Balogun, has told a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to put an end to his 14-year-old marriage with his estranged wife Stella, on the grounds of adultery.
Balogun, a father of three, said with regrets that if he had known that Stella would bring him such an embarrassment, he would not have exchanged marital vows with her.
“My lord, I became completely frustrated when I found out that Stella was having extra-marital affairs with my plumber and I made her realise this.
“Then, she decided to move out of my house, packing my belongings with her and abandoning our three children,” Balogun said.
During cross examination, the petitioner said his wife did not catch him on their matrimonial bed with any woman.
He also denied sending her photographs to anybody.
However, Stella denied any wrong doing, stating that one of her friends had told lies against her.
“That friend of mine had told Balogun that I’ve been sleeping around and he consequently began to react to me negatively.
“He turned me into a punching bag and stopped sleeping in the house.
“Later on, Balogun started sending my photographs to his woman-friend.
“My lord, he has remarried with my three children in his care and they are not properly catered for,” Stella told the court.
Delivering judgment, the court’s President, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, pronounced the marriage dissolved on the ground that both Balogun and Stella were no longer willing to continue with the union.
Akintayo granted an order restraining Stella from harassing, disturbing, threatening and interfering with Balogun’s private life henceforth.
