IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have agreed to share mobile phone network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda. Statements by the duo on Wednesday said the agreement is aimed at saving investments while still increasing service coverage.

Mobile operators in Africa are seeing sustained demand for digital and financial services, but building and maintaining networks is expensive, especially for fast 5G connections. The companies also said they will explore various opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda and Zambia. Among the deals under consideration are radio access network sharing, the largest portion of the cost in network deployment and operation; commercial and technical agreements for fibre infrastructure sharing; and, if necessary, the construction of fibre networks, they added.

The companies said, “This engagement does not preclude the parties from collaborating with other operators in any respective market.” Speaking on the agreement, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita in a statement said “As MTN, we are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress. “We continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets. To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers.

That said, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns.” 

Electricity consumers paid ₦509.84 billion in Q4 2024, even as Nigeria experienced five grid collapses within the period, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

NERC reported three total and two partial grid collapses in Q4, contributing to the 12 outages recorded throughout 2024. Despite this, revenue collection by electricity distribution companies (DisCos) rose from ₦466.69 billion in Q3 to ₦509.84 billion in Q4, with collection efficiency improving by 2.89 percentage points.

Eko and Ikeja DisCos had the highest collection efficiencies at 90% and 82.3%, respectively, while Jos Disco recorded the lowest at 49.68%. NERC attributed the revenue boost to reduced energy offtake and improved metering, noting that over 4,000 Band A customers were metered under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme.

Meanwhile, two partial grid collapses have already occurred in Q1 2025, deepening power supply challenges for consumers. 

...as Gov. Uzodinma Sets To Receive Festival Torch Light Thursday

_By GOC Nwadike, Owerri. 

State Trials of the over 670 athletes drawn from the recently concluded Local Government And Zonal trials in Imo State have been concluded today, Tuesday, 25th of March, 2025.

The two-day exercise which commenced Monday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, had an initial One Thousand Plus athletes who registered for the Meiden Edition Of the Niger Delta Sports Festival scheduled for Uyo, Akwa Ibom State between 1st and 9th Of April, 2025.

Members Of the State Liaison Committee for the festival in Imo, led by their chairman, the Honourable Commissioner For Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha and the Secretary, Hon. Willie Okolieogwo were on ground supervising the exercise and ensuring compliances to rules.

At the end of the exercise, about 430 selected athletes would be invited to a closed camping which will commence on the 29th of March, 2025 till departure date of April 1st.

Meanwhile, the festival Torch Light which commenced its tours of the Nine mandate states of The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, would be arriving Imo on Thursday, 27th of March 2025.

In a release by the Main Organizing Committee made available to SLC, the Festival Torch Lighting Ceremony in Imo shall commence Thursday morning with the arrival of the Torch in the state, at Heartland Stadium, to be received by the Imo's Festival Ambassador, Mr. Emmanuel Amunike, mfr. 

This will be followed by a Procession to Government House Gate where Amunike shall be handing over the Torch Light to the Honourable Commissioner For Sports, Hon. Obinna Evaristus Onyeocha.

The Commissioner shall proceed to hand over the Torch Light to the Executive Governor Of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodinma, and thereafter, a Brief Ceremony before handing over to MOC. 

The Torch Shall depart Imo next day for Abia State, and finally to Cross Rivers State next week Monday. 

The organised labour has warned of potential nationwide disruptions if the Federal Government does not reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.

In a joint statement, the Rivers State leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) condemned the emergency rule, calling it illegal and undemocratic. They argued that suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and House of Assembly members was unconstitutional and undermined democracy.

The unions also highlighted the financial hardship faced by local government workers, many of whom have not received salaries due to the crisis. They warned that Rivers State's economic instability could have severe consequences for Nigeria, given its strategic role in the nation’s economy and the Niger Delta region.

Furthermore, they pointed out that the uncertainty has deterred potential investors, weakening the state's internally generated revenue (IGR) and affecting job creation.

While acknowledging the need for security, the unions insisted that governance must align with constitutional principles. They urged the Federal Government to prioritize citizens’ welfare over political interests, warning that continued hardship could escalate tensions and resistance. 

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), has dismantled an interstate child trafficking network and arrested seven suspects, including a female truck driver.

The syndicate, known for abducting and trafficking children across Nigeria, was intercepted in Abuja while attempting to sell a three-year-old girl stolen from Damaturu, Yobe State. Among those arrested was 33-year-old Hasana Jacob, a truck driver for a well-known cement company in Obajana, Kogi State.

Other suspects include Aisha Suleiman, Murtala Tanimu, Shamsu Tanimu, Adamu Jacob, Abubakar Ahmed, and Ali Muhammed. Preliminary investigations revealed that the group used a cement truck to transport abducted children undetected, selling them for up to ₦600,000 each.

NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Bello, condemned the crime as "a heinous act against humanity," expressing shock that a woman played a leading role in the operation. She commended the DSS for its support and urged stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies to combat child trafficking.

Meanwhile, the 22-tire cement truck used in the operation has been impounded as investigations continue. 

The 15th edition of the Young Achievers Nigeria Awards (YANA), Nigeria’s most prestigious youth-focused event, is set to take place on April 20 at Ibis Ikeja Hotel, Lagos. The annual event celebrates outstanding young Nigerians who have broken barriers and excelled in their respective fields through hard work and dedication.  

This year’s keynote speaker is Ambassador Seyi Tinubu, with other distinguished guest speakers including:  

- Dr. Ayo Aderinwale – Chairman, Just Rite Retail Stores  

- Dr. Jide Adediran (Jandor) – Former Lagos PDP Governorship Candidate  

- Fiona Ahimie Ahmed – MD/CEO, FBNQuest Securities  

- Dr. Alex Nwuba – Aviation Expert & Investor  

- Chief Niyi Babade – International Media Mogul & Entrepreneur  

In a statement released by Adeduntan Ibrahim Yinka, Publisher and Convener of the awards, he emphasized that despite Nigeria’s leadership and economic challenges, several young Nigerians have continued to make significant contributions on the global stage. According to him, this year’s honorees embody qualities such as honesty, competence, progress, intelligence, and inspiration.  

Some of the outstanding individuals to be recognized include:  

- Olanike Nafisat Balogun – First female pilot in the Nigerian Customs Service  

- Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni – First female fighter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force  

- Mariam Oludamilola – Best graduate, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, UNILAG  

- Abubakar Ai-Ihsan Muhammad – Best graduating student, Ahmadu Bello University (CGPA 4.95)  

- Taiwo Shittu – Nigeria’s youngest automotive MD  

- Kola Oladejo – Young entrepreneur with a Midas touch  

- Ayo Alabi – First-class graduate excelling as a young manager in the private sector  

- Aisha Mohammed – Youth development coach & enlightenment manager at EFCC  

The Young Achievers Nigeria Awards (YANA) remains a platform for celebrating today’s trailblazers and tomorrow’s industry leaders.