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IBEDC Begins Distribution of Smart Meters in Ogun

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By Ahmed Rahma

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has commenced the distribution of smart prepaid meters to customers under its franchise in Ogun State.

The programme, which kicked off Thursday, was launched by the Head of Metering of IBEDC, Mr Adewale Obajemu, at Ota.

According to Mr Obajemu, the federal government plans to distribute one million meters to unmetered electricity customers across the country in phase zero of the scheme.

He disclosed that the distribution would be made by the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), adding that IBEDC would distribute 104,000 of the meters to customers in its franchise.

Mr Obajemu said IBEDC had partitioned the entire Ogun area into different groups and that every area would be covered.

He said, “This is phase zero of the programme, which is like testing the grounds. We will soon move to phase one.

“We have about 350,000 customers in Ogun but a good number of them had earlier been metered.

“We will ensure that the process is transparent and sincere to enhance the cooperation of the people,” he said.

Mr Obajemu explained that the meters would be installed, notwithstanding the outstanding bill of any customer.

He, however, stated that customers with outstanding bills would be expected to contact the firm not later than 30 days after installation to discuss such bills, failure of which, he said, such outstanding would be factored into subsequent energy purchases.

The IBEDC official also explained that customer’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) would be required before installation for accounting purpose.

Mr Obajemu stressed that customers must ensure that their service cables were up to standard, saying that it must be, at least, 16 mm and should not extend into the ceiling to prevent tampering.

He warned that meters must only be serviced by technicians of IBDEC and not just any power engineer.

“If you have any issue with the meter, please contact our customer care numbers or our office closest to you.

“If anybody should work on the meter, that will amount to tampering and such customers will face the full wrath of the law.

“Please note that the meters have in-built security seals and tampering sensing devices to detect tampering,” he said.

He explained that the meters were entirely free of charge and pleaded with the customers not to pay anyone for installation.

The IBEDC chief, therefore, appealed to customers to exercise patience, adding that every area targetted under phase zero would have been covered by the end of March.

Mr Segun Daodu, the Chairman of Ifesowapo Community Development Association (CDA), where the programme was launched, commended the federal government for the initiative.

He expressed optimism that the development would bring an end to the challenges associated with estimated billings while assuring that the community, through its WhatsApp platform, would continue to educate and dissuade its members from tampering with the meters after installation.

Ahmed Rahma is a journalist with great interest in arts and craft. She is also a foodie who loves new ideas. She loves to travel and would love to visit other African countries someday. She is a sucker for historical movies and afrobeat.

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NCC Arraigns Netnaija’s Emma Analike Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chief executive of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Mr Emmanuel Analike, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The suspect appeared before Justice Suleiman Liman on Wednesday over allegations bordering on copyright infringement.

He was accused by the NCC of using his online platform to make movies and others not belonging to him available for users to download on the internet.

According to the agency, Mr Analike has infringed copies of audio-visual materials distributed online via his website for online users. Netnaija is an online movie and music download site.

The prosecution counsel, Ms Gladys Isaac-Ojo, who works with the NCC, told the court that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.

However, Mr Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, prompting his counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, seek his bail.

The lawyer informed the court that the application was filed on Monday and supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.

But the judge refused to give a bench ruling and adjourned the ruling of the bail application to Monday, March 9, 2026, ordering the remand of the Netnaija chief in Kuje Correctional Centre.

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Entries Open for ClimateLaunchpad Green Business Ideas Competition

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Entries for the 2026 edition of the world’s largest green business ideas competition, ClimateLaunchpad, have opened.

In 2025, the programme, organised by Climate KIC, received over 2,700 applications from 40 countries. The winning ventures gain prize money, investor connections, and access to a global cleantech network.

This year’s edition is expected to be bigger and better, with climate innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world given the opportunity to apply.

Since its inception in 2014, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 ideas across 97 countries, and this year, it is expanding its presence in Asia with Singapore hosting both the regional final and global grand final for the first time.

Participants move through several stages, including an initial mini-course to refine the concept, an intensive multi-day Boot Camp led by expert trainers, targeted coaching to perfect value propositions and investor pitches, national and regional finals, and a place at the global grand final, with prizes and access to a global climate network.

“Strengthening ClimateLaunchpad’s presence in Asia marks a profound new chapter for this programme and for the climate innovation movement more broadly. Asia is where so much of the world’s climate and nature future will be shaped, through business leadership, public-private partnerships and long-term strategic thinking,” the chief executive of Climate KIC, Kirsten Dunlop, stated.

“We look forward to supporting this momentum with new business ideas and innovation ecosystem collaborations across more than a dozen countries.

“This expansion opens space for deeper cross-cultural connections and for first-time founders to turn sparks of imagination into solutions that serve both people and planet,” Dunlop added.

Also commenting, the chief executive of Better Earth Ventures, Ms Rebecca Sharpe, said, “We are proud to host ClimateLaunchpad’s regional and global grand final in Singapore and to convene an international group of climate entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries.

“Climate solutions are emerging from every corner of the world, and bringing them together creates the kind of cross-border exchange and collaboration this moment demands. Our focus is to ensure early-stage founders have the structure, ecosystem access and support needed to move from idea to credible impact.”

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Nigeria Okays Alphanumeric Digital Postcode System to Boost Delivery

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has finally approved the use of an alphanumeric digital postcode system for the country, 17 years after it was first considered.

According to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, the system was okayed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, in line with the ministry’s strategic blueprint.

He said working in collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), the ministry will introduce a modern, geospatially intelligent addressing system that improves accuracy across the country and enables faster and more reliable mail and parcel processing.

“Beyond strengthening postal operations, the Digital Postcode System will also serve as an important national enabler supporting better national planning, improved emergency response, more efficient logistics and e-commerce, and the delivery of government services.

“As our digital economy continues to grow, foundational systems such as this play an essential role in building the infrastructure required to connect people, businesses, and services more efficiently across the country,” he said.

He noted that the approval represents another step forward in the Mr Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to building the enabling environment to support a modern, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy.

On her part, Ms Tola Odeyemi, the Post Master General and chief executive officer of NIPOST, said the implementation is a foundational step toward building the digital infrastructure required for a modern economy.

“First conceptualised in 2009, this initiative is finally becoming a reality in 2026 under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“A digital postcode system is more than a postal reform. It is critical national infrastructure that enables e-commerce, logistics, emergency services, financial inclusion, security, urban planning, and effective public service delivery,” she added.

By introducing an alphanumeric addressing framework, Nigeria will now be able to identify locations with far greater precision across cities, towns, and rural communities.

“This will significantly improve how goods, services, and digital platforms reach Nigerians everywhere.

“This milestone reflects a shared commitment by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s digital backbone and unlock new opportunities for innovation, commerce, and national development,” she further stated.

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