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9mobile Partners Girl Effect, iSON to Empower Girls

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By Olubori Oduntan

Nigeria’s innovative telecommunication company, 9mobile, has reiterated its commitment to the development and empowerment of the girl-child by partnering with Girl Effect, a not-for-profit, and iSON Group, an IT company, to facilitate delivery of a unique service that enables girls to listen to pre-recorded inspiring stories on their mobile phones and then connect to a specially trained role model who provides answers to their questions.

Tagged Girls Connect, this initiative is a pioneering partnership created by Girl Effect, which uses media and mobile technology to empower girls, and IT company, iSON Group.

Together, they developed the innovative service that enables girls to draw inspiration using an interactive voice response platform on their mobile phones, and also learn more from qualified women that talk through the stories they have heard to make them more meaningful to the girls’ lives.

With 9mobile’s support for the initiative, girls and young female adults will be able to access on-the-go and free of charge, information that can enhance their economic wellbeing, state of health and wellness as they interact with the specially-trained role models on their mobile phones.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Kano on Tuesday, July 24, Chief Human Resource Officer of 9mobile, Abigail Isokpan, said the partnership was borne out of the telecom company’s passion for development of its customers, host communities, and indeed Nigeria.

“We are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to create value; and one of the ways we are achieving this is by aligning our business agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We have been consistent in seeking ways to drive sustainability of our business through platforms and programmes that ensure progress of our critical stakeholders, in recognition of the fact that their success is our success. Girls Connect is one of such platforms,” she stated.

Describing the initiative as ground-breaking, she said Girls Connect is designed to improve the lives of girl-children in Nigeria in line with the key objectives of the SDGs, which include elimination of poverty, promotion of good health and wellbeing, economic growth, and bridging inequalities especially for the girl-child.

Isokpan added that, “All these goals tie-in to the ideals and objectives of Girls Connect, therefore we are pleased to be partnering on this initiative. At 9mobile, we are mindful of our responsibility as a corporate citizen, and as such we are appreciative of opportunities such as this, that enable us to build on our work in making the Nigerian society healthier, safer, and more productive.”

She also revealed that the Girls Connect initiative further enables 9mobile to utilise its core competence as a telecommunications company and to affirm its position as a leader in leveraging technology to promote social good.

Girl Effect and iSON Group ran a successful pilot of Girls Connect across five locations in Kano last year.  44,000 calls were made to the service during the eight-week campaign, five times more than originally expected.

With the support of partners including 9mobile, Arewa24, and respective state governments and Ministries of Women Affairs, the initiative is now live in Kano state and will be launched in Edo State later this month. The service is accessible in Hausa language and Pidgin.

9mobile over the past nine years has been at the forefront of promoting and supporting initiatives that make positive impact on its stakeholders across Nigeria. It instituted the first taught Master’s Programme in Telecommunications Engineering in West Africa at the Ahmadu Bello University; and has awarded scholarships to undergraduates in more than 30 universities across Nigeria under its Merit Awards programme.

Through its Adopt-a-School initiative, it has built and renovated educational structures as well as provided ICT equipment to primary and secondary schools, and conducted teacher’s training programmes in three states. It has also distributed tens of thousands of insecticide-treated nets to communities most affected by the malaria scourge; and continues to tackle HIV/AIDS by enabling subscribers make toll-free calls to receive information on its prevention and control.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Dominion City Camp Meeting 2026 Participants Highlight Deep Spiritual Encounters, Others

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Global Camp Meeting 2026, organised by Dominion City under the theme, Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers, left a lasting impact on attendees.

The six-day international conference ended with waves of miracles, revival, and life-changing testimonies, Business Post gathered.

From the onset, the atmosphere of the gathering was marked by deep spiritual intensity, with participants reporting life-changing experiences.

The first night of the Night of Glory witnessed remarkable miracles, including the deliverance of a 14-year-old girl from a seven-year struggle with pornography, healing from cancer, restoration from partial blindness and deafness, and recovery from heart and severe skin infections.

In addition, several children were reported to have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, with many seen praying in tongues, a development that further underscored the depth of the spiritual impact across all age groups.

Beyond these, numerous testimonies poured in from participants across different locations. Chinecherem S. shared how he arrived at the Enugu camp meeting on crutches due to a bone fracture but left completely healed, able to walk, run, and jump freely.

Similarly, Faith from Lagos testified to being healed of a fibroid, noting that a previously noticeable lump in her abdomen had completely disappeared.

Blessing recounted a profound encounter during a teaching on The Cross, which led to her deliverance from hard drug use and prostitution, describing it as a turning point in her life.

International participants were not left out, as Ella M. from Namibia described the teachings as “uncompromising truth,” while Boikanyo M. from Botswana testified to experiencing God’s power remotely, expressing belief in an impending revival in her nation.

These are a few of the overwhelming testimonies of miracles, salvation, deliverance, and spiritual renewal experienced at the event, which drew over 60,000 in-person participants and millions of online viewers worldwide.

For many, the impact extended beyond physical healing to clarity of purpose and commitment. Peter B. from Lagos shared that he received a clear sense of his calling to disciple others and rededicated his life to fulfilling God’s purpose, adding that he also experienced deliverance during a baptism session.

The meeting also featured ministrations from Dr David Ogbueli and other global ministers, who emphasised moral renewal, spiritual growth, and leadership development.

Participants were equipped not only spiritually but also through sessions addressing innovation, career growth, and societal impact.

Organisers noted that the conference also contributed to local economic activity while providing free transportation and medical services to attendees.

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NCS, PEBEC Unveil Framework to Strengthen Trade Competitiveness

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), has launched a strategic reform agenda aimed at enhancing port efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the opening of a three-day operational workshop in Apapa, Lagos, themed Customs Leadership in Port Efficiency, Inspection Reform and Clearance Timeline.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, outlined a five-pillar strategy designed to transform port operations. The framework focuses on joint inspections, risk-based cargo clearance, optimisation of scanning infrastructure, enforcement of service timelines, and improved inter-agency collaboration.

Mr Adeniyi emphasised that the Service is shifting from policy formulation to effective implementation, stressing the need for consistent execution of established best practices.

He noted that the “workshop was aimed at bridging the gap between knowledge and action within the system.”

He further highlighted the transition to intelligence-led cargo processing, stating that ongoing investments in digital platforms and scanning systems must result in faster, more transparent clearance procedures for traders.

To ensure accountability, the Customs boss disclosed that the workshop would produce a reform execution matrix subject to close monitoring, adding that he would personally track progress reports.

He also urged officers to uphold professionalism, integrity, and commitment in the discharge of their duties.

In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Mrs Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, underscored the importance of adopting risk-based, data-driven inspection systems.

According to her, efficient and transparent border processes are essential to reducing the cost of doing business and improving Nigeria’s global trade standing.

Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Mrs Caroline Niagwan, said the evolving mandate of the Service places it at the heart of trade facilitation and economic growth, adding that efficiency must be reflected across all commands.

As part of the engagement, the Customs and PEBEC delegation visited the National Single Window facility, where they held discussions with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji, and other stakeholders to review progress and address operational challenges.

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Madica Invests $600k in Nigerian Data Startup Biovana, Two Others

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Madica, a structured investment programme for pre-seed African startups, has announced new investments totalling $600,000 in three tech-enabled startups, including Nigerian data startup, Biovana.

According to the initiative, these investments further reinforce Madica’s commitment to supporting founders and startups often excluded from traditional venture funding. The other startups include Tanzania’s Kilimo Fresh and Kenya’s Hakimu.

Each company has secured up to $200,000 in funding and will take part in Madica’s 18-month programme. This includes a tailored curriculum, hands-on mentorship, executive coaching, and two fully funded immersion trips to key technology ecosystems, both locally and internationally. The startups will also gain access to Madica’s global investor network, helping position them for growth and long-term success.

Madica’s programme seeks to counter the concentration of Africa’s tech funding in a few markets, verticals, and well-networked entrepreneurs and instead drive more equitable growth across the continent. This is done by backing a mix of underrepresented founders, startups from underserved regions, and innovators in overlooked sectors.

Launched in 2022, Madica is a sector-agnostic investment program designed to address structural gaps in Africa’s startup ecosystem. The program tackles key challenges startups face, such as limited access to capital, a scarcity of investors, and insufficient mentorship. It also provides the structured support necessary for startups to resolve critical issues and foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation across the continent.

Kilimo Fresh (Tanzania), co-founded by Ms Baraka Chijenga and Mr Justice Mangu, connects smallholder farmers in Tanzania to reliable urban markets by aggregating, processing, and distributing fresh produce through a technology-enabled supply chain, aiming to reduce food waste.

Hakimu (Kenya), Hakimu, co-founded by Ms Rawan Dareer, Mr Ahmed Ahmed and Mr Ahmed Elbashir, is building a pan-African legal infrastructure leveraging the power of AI.

Biovana (Nigeria), co-founded by two female founders, Ms Estelle Dogbo and Dr Jumi Popoola, is a data harmonisation and certification platform focused on unlocking African health datasets for global pharmaceutical, AI, and clinical research applications.

Commenting on the new portfolio companies, Mr Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica, said, “Each new investment brings us closer to the portfolio we set out to build, one that reflects the full breadth and diversity of African entrepreneurship. These three startups join a growing community of founders we’re backing with the resources, relationships, and runway they need to succeed at this early stage. The opportunity across the continent is enormous, and we’re committed to being a crucial and consistent partner in realising it.”

“Joining the Madica portfolio is a significant moment for Hakimu. We’re revolutionising access to justice across Africa, and having a partner that understands the specific challenges and opportunities of scaling in Africa makes a real difference,” said Ms Dareer, co-founder and CEO of Hakimu. “We’re grateful for the trust, looking forward to the hands-on support, and clear-eyed about the work ahead.”

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