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NCC Unveils New Licensing Framework To Boost Tech Innovation

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The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced a new licensing framework designed to foster innovation and expand opportunities for startups and technology-driven enterprises within the telecommunications sector.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Barrister Rimini Makama, at a stakeholders’ forum on the Draft General Authorisation Framework held on Thursday in Abuja.

Maida said the General Authorisation Framework was designed to offer a more flexible and responsive approach to telecom licensing, one that recognises and accommodates emerging services not currently captured under the existing regime.

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We are now at a turning point where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling,” Maida said.

READ ALSO:Reps Order NCC To Shut Down Porn Sites Nationwide

According to him, the new framework introduces three key regulatory instruments, including Proof-of-Concept pilots to test novel solutions in real-world conditions; a Regulatory Sandbox to allow controlled testing of ideas like Open RAN and spectrum sharing; and an Interim Service Authorisation for services that fall outside current licensing categories.

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Maida explained that these tools will provide innovators—whether startups or large firms—a safe environment to demonstrate feasibility, assess risks, and validate ideas before going to market.

This model encourages experimentation and responsible innovation while safeguarding consumer rights and public interest,” he said.

While calling for support from all industry players, the NCC boss emphasised that stakeholder collaboration will be critical to the framework’s success.

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He urged mobile network operators, service providers, infrastructure companies, OEMs, academia, and civil society to contribute their insights toward refining the regulatory model.

READ ALSO:Finally, NCC Announces Deadline For NIN-SIM Linkage

The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is no longer distant. It is unfolding right before us. And at the heart of this future is the communications sector—our shared infrastructure for innovation, inclusion, and economic advancement,” he noted.

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Maida concluded by expressing hope that the engagement would strengthen investor confidence, deepen the innovation value chain, and pave the way for sustainable growth across the communications ecosystem.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the NCC, Usman Mamman, said the draft framework was developed through cross-departmental collaboration, internal reviews of recent service applications, and international benchmarking.

He said, “A Benchmark Study was carried out to learn how other Countries support innovation, including the UK’s Ofcom Sandbox model and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority testbeds. These examples helped us understand how to promote innovation in a way that still meets regulatory goals.

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: NCC Approves 50% Tariff Hike For Telecoms

The proposed framework aligns with national digital economy policies, such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the National Broadband Plan, and the wider goals of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

Mamman explained that the Commission identified a growing number of novel service requests that could not be accommodated under existing categories, prompting the need for a more agile licensing structure.

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He noted that the proposed framework incorporates safeguards such as data protection, cybersecurity measures, and customer information policies, all designed to ensure the responsible deployment of new technologies.

He noted that stakeholder feedback will be critical in refining the document.

The session drew participants from across the telecom industry, regulatory bodies, and the tech ecosystem, all of whom were encouraged to submit recommendations that could help align the framework with national development goals.

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Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

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Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

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They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

READ ALSO:23 Ships With Fuel, Food Items To Arrive Lagos Ports – NPA

Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

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The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

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READ ALSO:Food Security: 14,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From N4bn Smart Agriculture Training In Bauchi

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

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This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

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How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

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NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

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READ ALSO:Married Man Denies Wife At Brazil Concert To Kiss Tems On Stage [VIDEO]

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

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Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

READ ALSO:Lagos Names Mandy Kiss Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador

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The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

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Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

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Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

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Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

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She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

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The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.

 

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