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We overshot our budget due to protracted power outage – Organisers

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The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) says it has overshot its budget for the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair due to the protracted power outage.

The Director-General of ECCIMA, Uche Mba, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, on Wednesday.

Mr Mba blamed the development on the chamber’s dependence on its diesel-powered generators throughout the duration of the fair.

According to him, operating on diesel increased the fair’s daily costs, especially with the two-day extension.

“We have recorded a lot of unanticipated costs, particularly buying diesel at the present exorbitant price.

“The huge expenses incurred in running our generating sets also ate deep into our general budget for the fair,” Mr Mbah said.

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He blamed the situation on MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited’s failure to meet its assurances to provide regular power.

“It is unfortunate. We even visited the company to seek its cooperation to ensure they provide stable electricity during the fair,” he said.

Speaking on the poor power supply, the spokesman for MainPower, Emeka Ezeh, said the company was experiencing challenges with energy allocation, which he said had dropped significantly.

Mr Eze also said that the situation had lingered since late last year, adding that “it is not peculiar to MainPower DisCo, but all other distribution companies in the country.

He said, “We did not and cannot deprive ECCIMA of power during its crucial fair.

“Rather, we serve them and all our other customers based on the energy allocation we received from the national grid.

READ ALSO: Enugu Tech Festival aligns with Tinubu’s policy on innovation – Igbo-Eze South chairman

“Unfortunately, with what is currently going on in the power sector, MainPower cannot deliver a constant supply because the energy allocation it receives from the national grid is not sufficient to do so.”

Mr Eze reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting ECCIMA and all its programmes and initiatives, including the ongoing trade fair.

“However, it would only be fair that ECCIMA appreciates the current power supply challenge, which is experienced across the country,” he said.

NAN reports that the theme of the 10-day fair is “Empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for Global Competitiveness”.

The event, which kicked off on 21 March 21, is expected to end on 1 April, after a two-day extension.

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NCC Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration to Tackle Telecom Sector Threats

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR —-The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration with the nation’s security institutions to combat criminal activities threatening the telecommunications sector.

The appeal was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, as part of efforts to safeguard critical telecom infrastructure and sustain industry growth.

He disclosed this at the North Central Zonal Sensitization Workshop for security agencies held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

He said the collaboration and partnership is important to enable the Commission to “move steadily in harnessing fully, the potential of telecommunications and to sustain the exponential growth in the sector in view of the central role telecommunication plays in the social and economic development of the nation”

The EVC seized the opportunity of the forum to thank the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Nigeria Police Force; the Department of State Services; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Nigeria Customs Service; the Federal Road Safety Commission and other agencies involved in security governance for the support they have offered the NCC in its effort to contain telecom crimes.

The Workshop, which was attended by personnel from all these agencies, featured paper presentations covering the gamut of challenges of enforcement processes including the role of ICT in Effective Policing; Challenges of Prosecuting Telecom Offences; Overview of NCC Enforcement Regulations; and Overview of NCC Enforcement Powers under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

Resource persons at the Workshop include Dr. Solomon Arase, former Inspector General of Police; and Paul Usoro, SAN; as well as the representation from the Commission which includes Efosa Idehen, Head Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement who represented the EVC; Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Deputy Director Research & Development; Helen Obi, Head Zonal Operations; Salisu Abdu, Head Enforcement; GT Mohammed, Assistant Director Legal and Regulatory Services; and Al-Kassim Umar, Head Compliance Monitoring.

It was a highly participatory workshop marked by lively, robust and seminal discussion the Commission will find quite useful in its strategic plan to re-engineer its operations for improved regulatory efficiency, robust stakeholder engagement and better quality of consumer experience.

The post NCC Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration to Tackle Telecom Sector Threats appeared first on Business Today NG.

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Nigeria Moves to Strengthen Digital Sports Infrastructure with NCC Support

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR —-Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward modernising its sports sector, as the National Sports Commission (NSC) moves to strengthen digital infrastructure through a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In a move that underscores this commitment, the Director General of NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, with his top delegation recently visited the top management of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe.

The engagement focused on building a transformative alliance aimed at fast-tracking sports digital transformation and positioning Nigeria’s e-sports industry on the global stage.

Speaking during the meeting, Olopade underscored the Commission’s readiness to integrate technology as a central pillar of sports advancement.

“Our goal is to collaborate closely with the NCC to strengthen sports science, especially e-sports, through sustainable sponsorship models. We are counting on the Commission to enhance connectivity and help attract the level of corporate investment required in today’s sports landscape,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of increased private sector participation.

“Corporate Social Responsibility must take on a more prominent role in sports development. A modern sports ecosystem cannot thrive without active involvement from the technology and telecommunications sectors. Strong synergy between the NSC and NCC will drive tangible progress in sponsorship and digital infrastructure,” Olopade added.

The NSC boss further noted that the NCC’s support would be vital in unlocking the full potential of e-sports in Nigeria.

“From improved internet speeds to advanced gaming infrastructure, the NCC’s contribution is key if Nigerian athletes are to compete successfully on the global stage,” he said.

In his response, NCC Chairman Idris Olorunbe expressed optimism about the collaboration, describing it as a forward-looking initiative with far-reaching impact.

“Whatever is achievable in conventional sports can equally be realised in e-sports. The issue is not whether it can be done, but the strategy for execution,” he stated.

Olorunbe also pointed to the broader economic opportunities tied to the partnership.

“This collaboration holds immense economic promise. Beyond sports, it has implications for youth employment, digital innovation, and the country’s global image. The Director General’s initiative is highly commendable,” he said.

He further emphasised the shared national vision guiding both institutions.

“The objective is to drive national development. For our e-sports athletes to succeed, we must invest in gaming hubs, improve connectivity, and establish enabling policies that support talent development,” he added.

They agreed to set up a joint technical working group tasked with outlining a strategic roadmap for sports digitalisation, structuring e-sports leagues, and developing a national framework to attract investment into the digital sports space.

The emerging partnership between the NSC and NCC signals a landmark move—potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators—towards building a sustainable digital sports economy.

The post Nigeria Moves to Strengthen Digital Sports Infrastructure with NCC Support appeared first on Business Today NG.

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