Opay Partners with Dolly Children Foundation to Equip Lagos Pupils with Essential Learning Materials

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Opay Digital Services Limited, a leading provider of digital financial solutions, in collaboration with the Dolly Children Foundation (DCF), has brought smiles to the faces of over 850 pupils in Lagos State. Under the banner of DCF’s “Back to School Project,” the partnership provided school bags, exercise books, and other essential learning materials to students in Jubril Martins Memorial Primary School, Agege, Issa Williams Primary School, and Anwar-ul Islam Primary School, Agege.

Speaking at the event, Itoro Udo, Corporate Social Responsibility Project Manager at Opay, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting education and community development. “We are not just any digital bank; we are Opay—a bank that integrates CSR into its core values.

This partnership with the Dolly Children Foundation underscores our commitment to empowering communities. By easing the burden on parents, we aim to ensure these children can focus on their education and build a brighter future,” Udo stated.

The initiative, rooted in the shared vision of both organizations, aims to address critical gaps in access to quality education for underserved children. Adedolapo Osuntuyi, Founder of the Dolly Children Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s enduring commitment to education: The only tool you have to stop the cycle of poverty is education.

As an organization, we are therefore committed to making sure all children attend and stay in school. This intervention guarantees that students remain interested and involved. Our goal of giving resources to kids in need is being furthered by our partnership with Opay.

Mr. Kehinde Bukola James, Head of Human Resources Management and Administration, also attended the occasion on behalf of Education Secretary Mrs. Catherine Ogunyomi.

He expressed gratitude to Opay and DCF for their kindness, pointing out the important influence the donations had on the students’ academic paths. Many of these kids come from households that find it difficult to buy even the most basic necessities.

In addition to helping the students, such initiatives give the community hope. In order to meet urgent educational requirements, we invite additional organizations to collaborate,” James said.

By establishing a benchmark for significant corporate social responsibility, this partnership between Opay and the Dolly Children Foundation demonstrates the effectiveness of teamwork in tackling societal issues.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

MTN can drive Nigeria to a $1 trillion economy” says CEO, Kari ToriolaCEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola has said that the organization can drive Nigeria towards a $1 trillion economy.

He made this statement at the CWG Africa Texcellence Conference 3.0, highlighting the company’s evolution from a traditional telecom provider to a forward thinking technology company.

“The shift Telco to TechCo represents a massive opportunity for Nigeria. By embracing digital, investing in infrastructure and fostering innovation, Nigeria can accelerate its journey toward becoming a $1 trillion economy”, he said, emphasizing MTN’s vision to drive Nigeria’s economy, with a focus on strengthening community connectivity, promoting financial inclusion, and empowering businesses nationwide.

He noted the telecommunications industry’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy, saying “The telecommunication sector has been a critical sector of economic growth in Nigeria, contributing roughly 14% GDP”.

Toriola detailed MTN’s dedication to reshaping Nigeria’s digital future through key initiatives such as SG deployment, advancements in fintech, and the integration of artificial intelligence.

“The telecommunication sector has been a critical sector of economic growth in Nigeria, contributing roughly 14% GDP. At MTN Nigeria, we are undertaking a transformative shift from a telecommunications provider to a technology company.

While this transition is a significant challenge with its own risks, it presents immense opportunities, especially with the launch of 5G technologies.

We are moving to revolutionize connectivity nationwide by creating urban centers, providing fixed broadband solutions for businesses and homes, creating a foundation for major advancements”, he said.The MTN Chief Executive officer highlighted some of the company’s present digital solutions and initiatives contributing to Nigeria’s digital economy, including MoMo PSB, Ayoba and MTN play, while also emphasizing the power of 5G in driving economic development.

“The low latency and high- speed capabilities of 5G open up exciting possibilities in areas such as the internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (At), expanding our reach into sectors like healthcare.

Mobile money services are also at the forefront of our transformation from a Telco to a TechCo, as we aim to meet evolving consumer demands and build new business cases in financial solutions”.

He also noted the ongoing construction of MTN’s data center, which will enable the ICT firm to provide extensive infrastructure and storage services for various businesses.

Karl Toriola’s submissions at the Texcellence Conference indicated that MTN’s transition from Telco to TechCo goes beyond business solutions, also forming part of the firm’s strategic efforts to enhance Nigeria’s economic growth.

ZENITH BANK HOLDS 4TH EDITION OF ANNUAL TECH STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Fourth Edition of the Zenith Bank Tech Fair, tagged “Future Forward 4.0: Embedded Finance, Cybersecurity & Growth Imperatives – The Impact of AI”, is set to hold on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

The fair will showcase leading technological innovations that cut across Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Risk Management, Compliance, Financial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Communication Technologies, among others.

The event will also feature a Start-up Pitch Competition – Zecathon – to identify innovative startups, panel discussions, masterclasses and exhibitions.Among the rich lineup of activities, the event will feature opening remarks by Jim Ovia, CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank and a welcome address by Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

There will also be a goodwill message to be delivered by the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen. Kashim Shettima and the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu.

The keynote address, “Banking Transformation in a Digital World “, will be delivered by Robin Speculand, a renowned Strategy & Digital Implementation Specialist. Other prominent IT practitioners who represent top global brands will make presentations.

These include; Danillo McGarry, Global Expert in Digital Transformation & AI; Jania Okwechime, Partner, Africa, AI & Data, Deloitte and Rupert Nicolay, Director, Microsoft Worldwide Financial Services, amongst others.The panel discussion which has Wole Odeyele, Client Technology Lead for Microsoft Inc. as its host, will feature six discussants including Ada Jabaru, Founder & Director, Nistad Limited; Funke Opeke, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MainOne; Guy Futi, Chief Executive Officer, Orda; Dr Auwal Adam Sa’ad, Founder, ZamzamPay; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General/Chief Executive Officer, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The masterclass will be divided into seven (7) different classes, and facilitated by key industry players that cut across renowned tech giants such as: Microsoft, Oracle, CyberSoc, IBM, Google, Huawei & Amazon Web Services.To register and participate, visit www.zenithbank.com/techfair. The fair will be live on Zoom and streamed on the bank’s social media pages.