A telecommunication expert and budget and financial control manager, Mr Omodara Bamidele Emmanuel has revealed how the evolution of telecommunications in Nigeria has reshaped the country in various positive ways.

In an interview with newsmen on Saturday Omodara expressed optimism that telecommunication will witness more progress and transformation globally and in Nigeria, stating that its evolution from inception has been quite impressive.

He said, “ As we look back on the history of telecom, we can see how far we’ve come. From the first generation of cellular networks (1G) that was primarily analogue and provided only basic voice communication. The shift to digital technology in 2G also paved the way for the development of more advanced mobile networks, such as 3G and 4G. These networks have continued to evolve, with the latest generation (5G) promising even faster speeds and more advanced capabilities. Each innovation has brought us closer together and changed the way we communicate. And with 5G on the horizon, we can expect even more exciting developments in the years to come.”

Highlighting the most significant changes in telecommunications, he said, emerging technologies such as 6G, IoT and AI were capable of shaping the future of telecommunications.

According to him, “As we move forward, the world of telecommunications is set to experience even more significant changes. Emerging technologies such as 6G, IoT, and AI will play a crucial role in shaping the future of telecommunication. As we explore the evolution of telecom, we must consider not only the technological advancements, but also the social implications of these changes.”

On his journey into the telecom industry and what basically attracted him, Omodara said, it all started two decades ago after the birth of GSM in Nigeria. The introduction of GSM in the telecommunications industry provided the opportunity to join the telecoms with enthusiasm to grow with the industry. It has been a good experience working with a Multi-National Telecommunication industry and adding value to the success of the industry at large. I am a Manager, Budget & Financial Control and a Subject Matter Expert & Process Lead in Order2Cash & Receivables Oracle Cloud applications.

“The attraction is about endless career opportunities, Career advancement, capacity building and constant innovation. Telecoms is a vast industry with numerous roles and specialisations. Telecoms is an industry that thrives on innovation, from 2G to 5G, the evolution of wireless technology has been nothing short of remarkable.

“The skills you acquire in this industry are transferable globally, Moreover, telecoms professionals often work on projects that impact global communication networks, contributing to the betterment of society on a global scale.

“And working in telecoms space allows me to address real-world challenges, allows for best practice and how to turn them to opportunities. And the work environment is more fun, exciting, and engaging.”

​On how the evolution of technology impacted the industry, he said, “The evolution of technology has impacted greatly in so many ways. One of it is by implementing digital transformation, telecom firms not only progress the efficiency and reliability of their services but also innovate new solutions that open fresh business opportunities. This transformation is critical for staying ahead in a competitive market where technology changes quickly.

“Secondly is changes in communication methods. Technology has introduced new ways of communicating, such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing. These methods have made communication faster and more convenient, but they have also led to a decrease in face-to-face communication.

“Thirdly is Improved Efficiency and Productivity. Technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) allow businesses to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.

“Lastly is Innovation and New Revenue Streams. Digital transformation fosters a culture of innovation within organizations, encouraging experimentation and the development of new products, services, and business models. It opens avenues for creating additional revenue streams and staying ahead of competitors.”

Speaking on the various projects he had executed, he said, “It was a good experience to be part of the project team that champion the system migration from one ERP Financial System to another better, robust Cloud ERP Financial System in year 2021. As a Order2Cash Process Lead for the Implementation of ERP Oracle Cloud Fusion Application Solution for the Back Office Operations Standardization & Transformation (BOOST) project in MTN Nigeria. This involved end to end of the entire project management program cycle.

Program Organisation and Governance: Delivering of status report during weekly programme governance and risk management meetings.

“Architecture and Design: Inventory Organization hierarchy setup, hub and spoke product design, data management and Integrations to optimize O2C processes.

Build: Drafting of several business requirement documents and involved in stakeholders’ engagement according to Oracle’s True Clod Methodology (TCM)

Testing: such as Unit, Integration, System Integration and Smoke testing were done. Transaction and Cutover Management. A key part of the transaction and cutover committee, Overseeing Order to Cash(O2C) related activities to ensure readiness and successful cutover. B And a Business Continuity Programme (BCP) was established and put in place for business continuity in ensuring minimal disruptions with no revenue loss.”

On some of the unique roles he had played in the industry, he said strong analytical and critical thinking skills to analyse data, identify trends and patterns, and make informed decisions to drive operational improvements and cost savings couldn’t have been left out.

He stressed on effective communication skills to communicate goals, expectations, and feedback to the team and communicate with other departments and stakeholders as some of his greatest skills.

He hammered on Business Intelligence tools and financial modelling skills to developing budgets, and forecasting profit and loss statements. According to him, this helps to allocate resources effectively, optimize spending, and align financial objectives with organizational goals.

“Predictive analytical skills to supports the development and execution of the sales strategy, in alignment with the organizational goals and objectives.

“Financial Modelling skills to support the Financial Reporting of the organisation on the 3-statement format and also used to calculate the impact of a future event and decision making,” all formed part of those unique skills that made him thrive in the industry.

On problem solving in the industry, he said divergent thinking was capable of generating lots of potential solutions and possibilities, otherwise known as brainstorming.

He said hosting regular brainstorming sessions, team meetings, and collaborative projects provide opportunities for employees to bounce ideas off one another.

Narrating one of the most challenging situations you faced and how he surpassed it, he said: “the challenging situation is about the declining of gross connections which resulted into drop in market share. And to address the situation it was imperative to have a business strategy to grow gross connection and increase the market share to be a market leader.

“The situation is about making use of the Big Data analytics to determine the focus areas across the geo-political zone of the country.

As the Sales Analysis & Reporting Manager, I developed a Model and a Dashboard using a predictive analysis and regression/correlation analysis on gross connection growth forecast the future. The Dashboard report is published daily for the use of the field sales team in monitoring daily performance of target vs actual. Partners and Stakeholders engagement for active collaboration on Trade Activations and direct-to-retail sales.

“The model was adopted across all the regions and there was a positive result with increase in gross connection which also led to increase in market share.

​Highlighting some of the biggest challenges facing the telecommunications industry today, he said “In this fast-evolving landscape, challenges have also emerged in areas that include market competition, regulation issues, and cybersecurity threats, Economic factors such Higher Interest rates, Higher inflation, Forex Liberalisation, high taxes and the remover of fuel subsidy affect the telecommunication industry. Business performance to profitability is threatened with these challenges- because of high operating cost.

​He said some of the emerging trends or technologies will shape the future of telecommunications.

“Artificial intelligence (AI), Robotic and automation are the most transformative and consequential technologies to impact telecommunications. Integrating AI into networks and operations optimizes performance, automates repetitive tasks, and improves customer service.

“Network operations are transformed using AI and Machine learning (ML) techniques, realizing operational and performance efficiency.

The transformation from Cloud-Native to Edge-Native. This is done to achieve low latency, effective bandwidth consumption, and security with uninterrupted operations.

“Cyberattacks and threats are increasing and becoming complex with technological advancements. To cope with cyberattacks, key security trends are evolving in the cybersecurity market such as application security, cloud, and edge security, IoT and mobile security, and Zero Trust framework.”

To stay up to date with industry trends and advancements, he said it requires continuous learning and professional development, “Read all you can about your industry, your market and the world in general. Get involved in your industry, Networking and Industry Events, keep in touch with your customers, monitor your business, Study statistics, observe your competition, leverage Technology and Tools, Analyse Market Reports and Research and engage in Online Communities. Attend industry conferences and seminars to learn about emerging trends and technologies and researching new technologies and industry trends.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein

He stressed on the importance of continuous learning and professional development, stating that, “CPD is about developing your professional practice. So it may help keep your skills and knowledge up to date; prepare you for greater responsibilities; boost your confidence; help you become more creative in tackling new challenges; enable you to make better decisions, or help you take your career further.

“Learning new skills and approaches broaden a person’s perspective and enhance problem-solving skills. Professionals who engage in continuous development are better equipped to address complex challenges and contribute innovative solutions.

“Continuous learning helps to achieve career development goals and obtain or update professional licenses or certifications. It helps in a way to explore new opportunities and perspectives about the work and personal development.”

Speaking on how impactful he has been to the industry, he avowed that “The use of big data analytics (BDA) in the telecommunications industry has the potential to positively impact the companies by providing valuable insights into consumer behaviour and preferences.

“Data Analytics in Telecom industry is highly used to monitor and handle network coverage disparity in different locations. With the help of real-time data analytics, we are able manage the network capacity and build predictive coverage models to expand the network connections.

Telecom companies use analytics to gain insight into their operational expenses, network optimization and identify opportunities for cost reduction. The outcome of the analytics can be used to make better decisions, improve efficiency and productivity, and create new products and services.

“Business Intelligence-BI plays a crucial role in enhancing organizational efficiency, competitiveness, and overall performance by turning data into actionable intelligence, thereby facilitating a more informed and proactive approach to business management.

“Optimizing operational efficiency and costs is fundamental to the performance of any business, not least when input costs are rising. We gauge the true state of operations and provide transparency of indirect spending. An operational efficiency exercise can make a business much more competitive and profitable.

“Throughout my career as an experienced professional, I have had the opportunity to work on numerous impactful projects and achieve significant milestones. One achievement that stands out is my leadership in spearheading a process improvement transformation initiative through system automation that eliminate manual processes with cost savings. My achievements have also given me an Award of Excellence as a Unique Contributor to the Organisation.

Taking journalists through his career aspirations, he said, “My career aspirations are centred around constant growth and skill enhancement. I am committed to staying updated with the latest trends and technologies in the industry. In the year, I plan to pursue specialized certifications and attend industry conferences to learn from experts.

“One of my career aspirations is to be an expert in my profession build capacity and influence other, people management oriented and make positive impacts in the leadership position.

“I am eager to learn and contribute to a team where I can utilise my leadership and professional skills and continue to build upon them.

“In five years, I see myself as an important part of the telecom industry, having grown in my role and contributing to the company’s success. I want to improve my skills in Artificial Intelligence-AI relevant to the industry and take on more responsibilities, working with my team to reach our goals. My goal is to be a solution provider in a challenging environment, collaborate with stakeholders, and provide efficient solutions and make crucial decisions while applying my leadership skills.

According to him, the telecommunications industry is poised for groundbreaking transformations in the next decade. Advancements in technology, evolving consumer behaviours, and global connectivity are shaping a future where telecommunications will play a pivotal role, he said.

“There are some upcoming developments that may likely take place in the next decade such as the over-the-Top (OTT) partnerships, the Launch of 6G, Artificial intelligence-AI which has come to stay, the Internet of Things (IoT) will never be the same and increasing focus on fortifying cybersecurity and protecting data.

“Our previous experiences and knowledge of the world shape not only our behaviour, but also how we perceive our environment. I am always positive about things, hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (FCA). And my experience in risk and compliance and financial control assisted my profession as a Certified Professional Forensic Accountant (CFPA).

On what motivates him, he said, “The feedback from our customers and other stakeholders’ engagement gives me a new experience everyday by turning those engagement and challenges to opportunities. And feedback is a gift for improvement in our products and service and the way we do things. There are always room for improvement and developing new strategies on how to achieve our shared goals in the organization​“

Only 1.3 per cent of Nigerian informal businesses reach over N2.5 million profit on a monthly basis, the Informal Economy Report 2024, has shown.

The report, compiled by financial technology provider, Moniepoint, revealed that the network of unregistered businesses, contributing over half of the country’s GDP with teeming street vendors, artisans and service providers, appeared prosperous based on revenue figures.

Launched over the weekend in Abuja, the report also showed that businesses in the informal market contributed over half of Nigeria’s GDP as 72.3 per cent of informal businesses surpassed the N1m mark in monthly revenue.

It explained, “Put together, businesses in the informal market contribute over half of Nigeria’s GDP. This is evident in their revenues with the bulk of them (72.3 per cent) hitting monthly revenues of over N1,000,000 monthly.”

The report noted that their actual profit deviated from the high figures, saying that individually, most of them make less than N250,000 monthly, on the higher end of the spectrum, only about 1.3 per cent of businesses in Nigeria’s informal economy earn above N2.5m monthly.

According to the report, a significant portion (68.2 per cent) of their income went towards feeding and family expenses, stressing that it is followed by reinvestment in the business (29.7 per cent), with only a small percentage (3 out of 10) prioritising reinvestment.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anita, expressed optimism that the report would help the government to better understand the informal sector to know their needs and enhance growth and inclusion in the country.

She stressed, “We will see how we can take every recommendation and move the report forward. We will support you to do much better. We will rely on this report to better understand the informal sector and know their needs as it aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of financial inclusion in the country.”

The Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odili, on his part said that the numbers support the reality as reaffirmed by this report, pointing out that the vast majority of Nigeria’s approximately 40 million small businesses reside in the informal sector.

He added that they are all around them from the unregistered beauty shop that began with a simple stool under a tree for customers to sit while the stylist worked her magic to the fruit store that grew from a wheelbarrow that is born of both necessity and entrepreneurial zeal, they exemplify the famous ‘hustling.

The Managing Director of Moniepoint MFB, Babatunde Olofin, believed that the report was focused on the significance of Nigeria’s informal economy, the challenges faced by informal businesses in accessing credit, the impact of credit access on business growth and the challenges in formalising businesses.

Reverend Father Mikah Suleiman, who was abducted from his rectory at Damba area of Gusau in Zamfara State on Saturday, has been released by his abductors.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Kukah, disclosed this in a video when he said: “surprise, surprise, I have with me a friend of mine, which I wish to introduce to you”.

Suleiman, in the video, thanked the people for their prayers and support towards his rescue and said by the grace of God, he is out of the hands of bandits and now in the Office of the National Special Adviser, NSA, with his brother Father Chike.

DAILY POST recalls Mikah was abducted in the early hours of Saturday, June 22, in the Father’s Rectory in the Damba area of Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

The cleric works under the Sokoto Catholic Diocese and is the Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria.

The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, has been sent to trial on charges of terrorism and deaths of more than 400 of his followers.

The self-proclaimed pastor appeared in court in the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa along with 94 co-defendants on Monday.

Mackenzie was arrested in April 2023 for allegedly inciting his followers to starve to death in order to “meet Jesus”.

He and his co-accused also face charges of murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and child torture and cruelty in separate cases.

It was reported that the remains of more than 440 people have been unearthed in a remote wilderness from the Indian Ocean coastal town of Malindi.

According to autopsies carried out on some of the bodies, it was revealed that while starvation appeared to be the main cause of death, some of the victims including children were strangled, beaten, or suffocated.

Previous court documents also said that some of the bodies had had their organs removed.

American rapper, Lil Durk’s 10-year-old son allegedly shot his stepdad, Joshua Pippens, during a domestic dispute with the youngster’s mother.

Surveillance cameras captured the moment the child allegedly grabbed a weapon from his stepdad, Joshua Pippens, aimed the gun at him, and fired.

In the footage, Pippens, seen in orange, can be observed attempting to restrain the child’s mother, who is wearing purple. In the middle of the confrontation, the child, wearing a red t-shirt and shorts, aims what seems to be a gun directly at Pippens.

Subsequently, the child points the weapon at Pippens, and a single gunshot is heard. Pippens can then be seen falling to the ground after being hit by a bullet.

The shooting incident occurred on July 1, since which time Pippens has spoken out from his hospital bed.

Speaking via his Instagram page, Pippens claimed that he was not the aggressor and that the young child acted on the institutions of his mother.

He wrote, “As y’all can see I was not the aggressor. And y’all also can see how I still had my gun on my hip. He grabbed my gun off my hip following his mom’s lead and tried to shoot me and then actually shot me.

“My gun was on my hip and I was trying to protect myself from getting shot. I never in a million years thought a kid I bought four wheelers and paid football leagues and everything would do this but he only knows what mom shows him. I still love him like he’s mine.”

Pippins suggested that the argument may have been about custody arrangements over a child the couple share.

“Whatever makes y’all feel better. That’s why I got custody of my kids and she don’t. Y’all so internet think [sic] god it was me that took the shot and not her,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, rapper Lil Durk is yet to react to the incident.

Commissioners for Education in the country will engage with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja to strategise on the best way to address the pervasive issue of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.

The meeting, which is expected to focus on sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, is convened by the ICPC and Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

Ms Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director, Gender Mobile Initiative, said the engagement would focus more on prevention frameworks rather than punitive measures.

“Development partners, education regulators, student groups and civil society organisations will engage and commit to the state-level adoption and implementation of sexual harassment prevention frameworks,” she said.

According to Ogunrotimi, the engagement scheduled to hold on July 9 will address the grave concern that undermines the safety, dignity and academic integrity of both victims and institutions.

“It is imperative that we create a learning environment where all students and educators can pursue their goals free from fear and intimidation.

“To achieve this, it is essential to implement comprehensive policies and effective prevention strategies.

“To this end, a stakeholders engagement will be convoked on July 9, in Abuja, to address the pervasive issue of sexual harassment on campuses, with a comprehensive focus on prevention frameworks,” Ogunrotimi said.

The authority of the Nigerian Army stated that the institution remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the values of secularism and religious freedom, ensuring that all personnel can serve with dignity and respect for their individual beliefs.

DAILY POST recalls a viral report suggesting that the Nigerian Army only runs a School of Islamic Affairs, ignoring other faiths.

Clarifying the report, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement on Monday, described the report as not only fake but also as making a futile effort to portray the Nigerian Army as exclusively encouraging religious bigotry among its personnel.

“Considering the gravity of this falsehood, the Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that this propaganda in its entirety is dead on arrival as it clearly does not reflect the values of our esteemed institution,” the statement said.

“The Nigerian Army is a secular organisation that upholds the principle of religious freedom for all its personnel and ensures that personnel, irrespective of rank, are free to practice their religions without any form of bias or endorsement of a specific religion.

“Our unwavering commitment to secularism guarantees that religious diversity is respected and accommodated, allowing soldiers to observe their faith without hindrance to their duties.

“Our dedication to secularism is aimed at fostering a professional and inclusive environment where individuals can serve their country without fear of religious discrimination or bias.

“This approach ensures that all officers and soldiers can practice their beliefs in a supportive and respectful setting,” it added.

A famous businesswoman, AbdulShally, has weighed in on the custody battle between singer Davido and his baby mama, Sophia Momodu.

Reacting to the development, AbdulShally, noted that a baby mama shouldn’t expect a wife’s benefit.

Recall that Sophia had accused Davido of abandoning their daughter, Imade and failed to provide financially in the last two years.

Davido on his part claimed that Sophia rejected the offer to stay in an apartment he bought at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, insisting that he must continue to pay over N20 million yearly rent. And also rejected his N5 million accommodation support.

Speaking during an Instagram live session with popular media personality, Daddy Freeze, AbdulShally stated that N5 million offer is sufficient for yearly housing allowance.

She said; ” I’m not for or against any of them because nobody really knows the story. But, to me oo, I said N5 million is enough money for housing allowance for anywhere in Nigeria. My own opinion is based on my personal experience. A baby mama shouldn’t expect a wife’s benefit.”

Watch her speak below

Nigerian disk jockey, Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has revealed what she can offer in a relationship.

According to the billionaire heiress, who recently got baptised at a UK Church, the Holy Bible is what she brings to the table.

She disclosed this while joining the viral social media ‘What do you bring to the table’ challenge, which implies what a partner can offer in a relationship or marriage.

On her X handle, Cuppy shared: “‘What do you bring to the table?’

“Me: Holy Bible.”

The music star recently shared updates on her spiritual growth with fans.

She explained that embracing her faith has made her realise that being beautiful is more than just an outward appearance.

According to her, true beauty is about inner peace, purpose, and self-worth.

DJ Cuppy is publicly known to be single at the moment.

Her most recent relationship was her failed engagement to British boxer, Ryan Taylor.

The duo parted ways in July 2023, barely seven months after their shocking engagement in November 2022.

Cuppy has been vocal about her desire to find her “true love,” saying being “single and childless” in her 30s is “lonely and boring.”

Famous Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, aka Rema, has said that it’s insulting for anyone to say he’s not on the same level as Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy.

The singer stated this while addressing the backlash that trailed his controversial tweet; “No more Big 3 there’s now a Big 4” in his new song ‘Hehehe,’ which was released via Mavin Global Holdings on Monday morning.

Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido are widely regarded as the biggest Nigerian/Afrobeats artists in the world and are jointly referred to as the “Big 3.”

But Rema has been insisting that he is now on the Afrobeats megastar list, making it a “Big 4.”

He sings: “No more big 3, there’s now a big 4. People go para but what for? Dem go say I don’t deserve it but that is an insult.”