General
9mobile Partners Girl Effect, iSON to Empower Girls
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.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A platform to bring together critical stakeholders for the development of the South East region of Nigeria has been created by Afia Media, Nigeria’s only broadcaster dedicated to the South-East on DStv and GOtv.
The company, established by a foremost media and communications practitioner, Mr Emeka Mba, launched the Afia Annual Lecture and Awards for this purpose.
It is to bring together leaders from government, business, academia, culture and civil society to discuss the future of the South-East and celebrate excellence across the geo-political zone.
The initiative is expected to become an annual gathering focused on thought leadership, policy dialogue, regional development and the recognition of outstanding contributions to society.
The inaugural edition, themed Uwa Bu Afia: Trading Ideas for Development, is fixed for the fourth quarter of 2026 in Enugu.
Uwa Bu Afia was derived from the Igbo expression meaning the world is a marketplace. It was chosen to reflect the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and innovative capacity that have long defined the people of the South-East.
The event will be broadcast live on Afia TV (DStv Channel 263 and GOtv), Afia 99.3 FM Enugu, and streamed digitally to audiences across Nigeria and the diaspora.
According to the organisers, the Annual Lecture and Awards are designed as a platform that will convene policymakers, business leaders, academics, innovators, creatives, development partners and other stakeholders to examine opportunities and challenges facing the South-East.
Mr Mba said the platform reflects the organisation’s commitment to amplifying the voices, aspirations and development priorities of the region, noting that, “The South East is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial and culturally vibrant regions. The Afia Annual Lecture and Awards is designed to provide a credible platform for dialogue, recognition and collective action towards the region’s future.”
The programme will feature two major segments: the Afia Annual Lecture, bringing together public and private sector leaders, policymakers and development stakeholders for high-level conversations on the future of the region, and the Afia Awards Gala, celebrating individuals and institutions making significant contributions to society.
Organisers said the event is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants physically, while millions more are projected to follow proceedings through television, radio and online broadcasts.
A director at Afia Media, Mrs Ijeoma Ezeasor, said the region must take ownership of its narrative in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.
“If we do not tell our own story, others will tell it for us. We are entering an era where artificial intelligence is shaping conversations, interpreting history and influencing decisions based on the information available to it.
“If the South-East does not deliberately document its achievements, define its aspirations and contribute its perspective to global conversations, others will define us on our behalf.
“Uwa Bu Afia is therefore a call to think critically about our future, confront our challenges honestly and shape the narrative of our region in a rapidly changing world,” she stated.
The platform will serve as an annual opportunity to evaluate regional progress, stimulate policy conversations, encourage investment, promote innovation and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The Afia Awards will recognise individuals and institutions making outstanding contributions to regional development, across categories including Governance, Business Leadership, Technology and Innovation, Cultural Excellence, Diaspora Impact, Civic and Humanitarian, Leadership in Education, and Youth.
Nominations, partnership opportunities and additional programme details will be announced in the coming months.
Afia Media said it intends for the initiative to evolve into a lasting institution that promotes regional storytelling, celebrates achievement and contributes to the long-term development of the South-East.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed reports linking the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nandap, to an ongoing investigation into alleged visa racketeering involving some immigration officers.
The anti-graft agency said Mrs Nandap was not under investigation and had no connection whatsoever with the cases currently being handled by the commission.
The clarification was contained in a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X handle, noting that the clarification became necessary to address media reports and insinuations suggesting that the NIS Comptroller General was being investigated over the alleged visa fraud.
“The commission wishes to state unequivocally that it has no case with the Immigration CG,” the EFCC said.
However, the agency confirmed that it’s prosecuting some immigration officers over alleged visa fraud, adding that investigations remain ongoing.
“There are subsisting cases of alleged visa fraud against some immigration officers at the Federal High Court. Further investigations are ongoing with the possibility that more NIS officers could be arraigned for alleged fraudulent practices in the near future,” the statement read.
The EFCC stressed that despite the ongoing investigations and court cases involving some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Comptroller General was not linked to the matter.
“However, the Immigration CG is not remotely connected to these investigations,” the organisation stated.
The anti-corruption agency also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information relating to its activities before publication to prevent the dissemination of inaccurate reports, appealing to the media “to always seek clarifications on the activities of the EFCC to avoid misrepresentation of facts.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted bail to the former Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, Mr Jimoh Yisawu, in the sum of N500 million.
Mr Yisawu is standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to all eight counts after they were read to him. The charge, dated and filed on June 22, 2026, was brought by the Federal Government.
The prosecution, led by Mr Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that the defendant allegedly committed offences contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the first count, the Federal Government alleged that Mr Yisawu “indirectly converted the aggregate sum of over $789,950… being proceeds of unlawful activity”, contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Act.
In the second count, the prosecution alleged that he made cash payments exceeding $789,950 to one Samaila Bala without using a financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the anti-money laundering law.
In the fourth count, the government further alleged that Yisawu made cash payments totalling $122,600 through one Rasheed Olaitan Yusuf outside the banking system and due process, in violation of the anti-money laundering law.
Following the defendant’s plea, Iheanacho applied for a trial date.
Counsel for the defendant, Wale Balogun (SAN), informed the court that he had filed a bail application.
Responding, Mr Iheanacho said the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application and urged the court to refuse bail.
Balogun, however, argued that the prosecution had earlier granted Mr Yisawu administrative bail and had already seized his international passport. He urged the court to maintain the existing bail terms.
After adopting their respective processes, both counsel argued for their applications.
In a ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the defendant was entitled to bail.
The judge said, “Going by Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015)… I therefore grant bail in the sum of ₦500m with one surety in like sum.”
Justice Ekwo ordered that the surety must be a responsible Nigerian with landed property in Abuja and must submit proof of ownership to the court registrar.
The judge also directed the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Mr Yisawu should remain in the custody of the prosecution.
The case was adjourned until October 25, 26, and 27, 2026, for trial.
