Redmond, USA — Microsoft has unveiled plans to invest approximately $80 billion in AI-enabled data centers worldwide, with a significant portion of the funding dedicated to bolstering Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation in the United States. The announcement was made by Microsoft’s vice chairman and president, Brad Smith, in a blog post outlining the company’s strategic…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed claims by a media outlet alleging it approved a 40% hike in telecommunications service tariffs starting January 2025. The report claimed the tariff increase would result in telephone calls costing N15.40 per minute, SMS priced at N5.60, and a minimum cost of N1,400 for a 1GB data bundle….
Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace has unanimously voted to lift the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signaling a major shift in the country’s internet policies. The state-run IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday that the decision was reached during a council meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian. The council includes influential members…
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has commended African Natural Resources and Mines Limited for its role in driving local value addition in Nigeria’s mining sector. This recognition came during the commissioning of the country’s first ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State. Dr. Alake described the facility as a milestone…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the 2024 Electricity Bill into law, signaling a major shift in the state’s power landscape. The new legislation aims to enhance energy generation through diverse sources, including renewable energy, while fostering energy efficiency, investment, competition, and innovation in the sector. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Ikeja, Governor…
The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has emphasized the need for technology-driven solutions to tackle the financial constraints faced by the Court. Speaking at the opening of a three-day judicial retreat, Gonçalves highlighted the importance of innovation in optimizing resources and enhancing the Court’s operations. The retreat, themed “Judicial…
In today’s world, we’re constantly connected to the internet, whether through reading news, visiting forums, checking emails, or managing online banking. While this connectivity brings many benefits, it also exposes us to risks, including cybercriminals trying to make easy money through scam. People often talk about the importance of staying safe online but rarely provide…
Written and compiled by Onwuezobe Victoria chidera The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, Osun State The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed every facet of society, and journalism is no exception. Gone are the days when print newspapers, radio broadcasts, and evening news programs dominated the media landscape. With the advent of the internet, social media, and sophisticated data…
The Federal Government, in collaboration with local companies, plans to use domestically produced equipment to address the persistent issue of oil theft and promote local content in the industry. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, announced this initiative during an inspection tour of a local company in Abuja. He noted that the…
Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, is set to appear in a French court following his arrest at an airport near Paris. The arrest took place at Le Bourget Airport on Saturday evening, after Durov arrived from Baku, Azerbaijan, according to reports from AFP. Durov’s detention stems from an arrest warrant issued by France’s Office for the…
The United States is collaborating with Nigeria to develop a framework for the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military operations. This was revealed by Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability at the U.S. Department of State, during a media roundtable in Abuja. Stewart explained that the goal…
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is set to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools to identify and combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) and other fraudulent activities. During the opening session of the first NFIU management staff retreat, NFIU Chief Executive Officer Hajiya Hafsat Bakari highlighted the organization’s commitment to equipping its staff…
President Bola Tinubu is set to officially launch 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, generously donated by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). The donation comes in response to the economic challenges faced by the country following the administration’s recent policy changes. In an earlier meeting with President Tinubu, IPMAN members committed to…
President Bola Tinubu has underscored the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation as a critical economic strategy for Nigeria, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s public transportation and energy policies. Speaking at the commissioning of 30 hybrid-powered CNG buses at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu highlighted the pressing need for…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed rumors of an increase in telecom tariffs or the introduction of new tariff plans. In a statement released on Saturday via its official X handle, the NCC addressed reports suggesting that the regulator had approved a tariff increase for network operators. “The NCC has not approved any new…
Meta has taken down 63,000 Facebook accounts associated with Nigerians allegedly involved in financial sextortion schemes. The U.S.-based company announced this action in a statement on Wednesday titled, “Combating Financial Sextortion Scams From Nigeria.” This development comes shortly after the Nigerian Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta and its messaging platform, WhatsApp,…
Nigeria is on the verge of securing a commitment from CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, to establish a manufacturing plant in Evergreen City. This development emerged following a visit by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, and his team to CATL’s Global Headquarters in Ningde,…
Spanish authorities have detained three individuals allegedly involved in cyberattacks targeting Spain and several NATO countries, purportedly for terrorist motives. The suspects, arrested for their suspected roles in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on public institutions and critical sectors, have not yet been publicly identified or formally charged, according to the Civil Guard. The…
The Federal Government has imposed a $220 million fine on Meta Platforms for unauthorized personal data appropriation, discriminatory practices against Nigerian users, and abuse of its dominant market position. In a statement released on Friday, a 38-month joint investigation with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) found that Meta’s data privacy practices and…
Meta announced on Friday that it is lifting certain restrictions previously imposed on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. The company stated that the decision was made to ensure that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has equal access to the platforms as Democrat President Joe Biden. “Our responsibility to allow…
Approximately an hour after Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Thursday night, the rocket’s second stage failed to reignite, resulting in the deployment of its 20 Starlink satellites on a shallow orbital path. These satellites are expected to reenter and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere soon. The attempt to reignite…
The Federal Government has introduced Nigeria’s first technology-based media audience measurement system. This groundbreaking initiative was formally launched by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to provide accurate and reliable data on television viewership in the country. Minister Idris emphasized the significance of the Audience Measurement System in ensuring broadcasting efforts are…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an efficient, accessible, and competitive telecommunications industry in Nigeria. Dr. Aminu Maida, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, made this commitment during the launch of a two-day public inquiry into three key regulatory instruments. He emphasized the Commission’s consultative approach to ensure inclusivity in regulatory development….
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has temporarily suspended the issuance of new licences for operators in three specific categories, effective May 17, 2024. Reuben Mouka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, announced that the affected categories are the Mobile Virtual Network Operator Licence, the Interconnect Exchange Licence, and the Value-Added Service Aggregator Licence. This suspension aims…
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco International to enhance skills development and implement national training programs aimed at nurturing new talent while reskilling and upskilling existing professionals to meet future demands. Dr. Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, the Director General of NITDA, and Clayton Naidoo, Cisco’s…
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, David Ajang, has delivered a cautionary message urging Nigerians to uphold human values while integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies into daily life. Speaking during a homily at St. John Catholic Church in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Bishop Ajang emphasized the importance of maintaining humanity in the face of…
Four individuals associated with the popular social media platform TikTok have been formally charged with spreading false information. This action follows their apprehension subsequent to the filming of a fabricated robbery scene outside a police station in coastal Kenya, as reported by local media outlets. The incident, which garnered significant attention globally through social media…
In a recent address at a convened stakeholders meeting spearheaded by the House of Representatives committee on Power, Sanusi Garba, the Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), underscored the necessity of a staggering N3.2 trillion subsidy injection to revert the recent surge in electricity tariffs. Garba underscored the insufficiency of current investments in…
By Afolabi motunrayo A. D22/Mac0043 Department of Mass Communication The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, Osun State Virtual Reality (VR) offers a simulated experience that utilizes pose tracking and 3D near-eyes displays, providing users with an immersive sense of a virtual world. Widely utilized in aviation, military, and manufacturing industries, VR is a powerful tool for training and…
In a press announcement, the Ekiti State Government revealed its ambitious plan to allocate N600 million for power interventions in the upcoming year, as outlined by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Niyi Adebayo. The disclosure occurred during the presentation of the N159.5 billion budget, aptly named the “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development”…
In the latest news, Russian content creator Alex Burkan is bringing your fantasy gearhead dreams to life. He’s not just upgrading his cosplay game; he’s constructing a real-life Iron Man suit complete with repulsors, an exoskeleton, and firepower that would impress even Pepper Potts. This isn’t Burkan’s first dive into sci-fi tech – he holds…
