Connect with us

News

Osinbajo, Communication Minister to Attend 6th TNCG Conference

Published

on

Spread the love

Former Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, are among the dignataries to grace the 6th edition of the Technology, New Media, Citizens and Governance (TNCG) conference in Lagos.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, being organised by BudgIT and Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, is scheduled to be held on Nov. 28 in Lagos, with the theme: “Technology: The Present and Future of Political Action in Africa”.

 

NAN reports that the conference seeks to examine the growing influence of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), on governance across the African continent.

 

NAN reports that Osinbajo will deliver the keynote address, while the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, will participate in the discussions and give the closing remarks.

 

Other notable speakers include Ousman Kallay, iLAB Liberia; Co-Chair of Africans Rising Movement Coordinating Collective (Kenya), Mutemi Wa Kiama; Head, Stears Open Data, American in Nigeria, Hannah Kates, and MD, Futures Africa, Nigeria, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.

 

Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday, the Country Director of BudgIT, Gabriel Okeowo, said the conference aimed to leverage technology for accountable governance in the country.

 

Okeowo noted that AI was identified as a key tool to enhance interaction between government and citizens, citing the impacts of the EiE WhatsApp-enabled chatbot to promote good governance.

 

The country director added that other innovative technologies will be showcased at the conference.

 

He said that the conference aims to share best practices from different parts of Africa on using technology, new media and AI to improve political actions.

 

“At BudgIT, we’ve observed that some government agencies are increasingly open to using technology to enhance public service delivery.

 

“While there’s still progress to be made, with support from civil societies, these efforts can become more impactful and effective,” he said.

 

In her remarks, the Executive Director, EiE Nigeria, Opeyemi Adamolekun, gave the breakdown of the proposed agenda for the event, noting that the conference would address critical issues at the intersection of technology and governance.

 

Adamolekun emphasised that the focus of the conference was to bridge the gap between the demand side (citizen use of technology) and the supply side (government and technology providers).

 

She acknowledged that the presence of the Minister of Communication at the conference will provide a direct government perspective on issues.

 

“Technology has given ordinary Nigerians unprecedented power to hold their leaders accountable and shape public discourse.

 

“The TNCG Conference will explore how we can continue to harness these tools to deepen political engagement and drive systemic reforms that strengthen democracy,” Ms Adamolekun said.

 

She noted that key sessions at the conference would include an evaluation of elections in Africa, adding that the panel will explore how technology is being used to improve governance in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria’s 25 years of democracy.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names

Published

on

Spread the love

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.

 

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.

 

Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.

“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.

 

The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.

According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.

Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.

He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

News

Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.

 

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.

He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.

The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.

The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.

They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.

The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.

Continue Reading

International News

Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.

 

Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.

Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.

The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.

On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.

Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.

The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.

“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.

“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.

“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.

“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.

“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”

The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.

Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.

Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.

His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 TheColumn NG