Airtel Nigeria has announced that in the next episode of “Airtel Touching Lives”, the companys TV series that spotlights its efforts to bring succour to underprivileged Nigerians, the focus will be on Timilehin Segun, a visually impaired teacher.
Segun, who Airtel describes as extraordinary, devotes his life to educating and inspiring the youths in his community, despite his own physical limitations.
The upcoming episode, which is the third in the seventh season, was aired on Sunday, 9th July 2023, and took viewers through Seguns journey from a blind pupil to the neighbourhood mentor who now runs a popular programme, “Reliable Link Tutors”, an after-school centre created to help improve the academic performance of secondary school students.
Commenting on the new episode of Airtel Touching Lives, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran expressed Airtels delight to be a part of the journey of unyielding determination and passion.
“Seguns determination, resilience, and enthusiasm for education demonstrate the spirit of Airtel Touching Lives, and we hope that his story will inspire our viewers to pursue their dreams, no matter the odds”, he said.
This instalment of the programme will also include a segment on Irede Foundation, an Airtel Touching Lives beneficiary from the previous season.
The non-governmental organisation provides young children with prosthetic limbs and helps to prepare them for a self-reliant living and, this Sunday, the series will review the progress the foundation has made since Airtels intervention in 2022.
Airtel Touching Lives continues to showcase extraordinary individuals like Segun, who have not only overcome personal challenges, but have also dedicated themselves to improving their immediate environment.
With Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to empowering lives and making dreams come true through Airtel Touching Lives, the telecom giant has restored hope for countless vulnerable individuals and families across the country, encouraging other corporations to commit more resources towards making positive social impact.
Airtel Touching Lives Season 7 is broadcast on Sundays on four national and cable TV channels, and one streaming app.
The platforms include African Magic Urban at 5:00 pm, NTA Network at 6:30 pm, and Startimes Channel 108 at 6:00 pm.
Re-runs are broadcast on Tuesdays on African Magic Urban at 3:30 pm, and on Wednesdays on Startimes Channel 108 at 6:30 pm. Current and previous episodes are also available to stream on Airtel TV.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasised the need for collaboration to unlock Nigeria’s potential in Internet of Things (IoT) and its revolutionary impact on the countrys digital ecosystem.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, who disclosed this is in a bid to implement the Digital Transformation pillar of Strategic Road Map and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) of the agency.
Inuwa made this plea while delivering his keynote address at the IoT West Africa Conference and Exhibition 2023 in Lagos State, recently.
The DG noted some challenges that need unlocking in order to access the potentials of IoT, especially infrastructure, cyber security, and data protection, stating  that most IoT use cloud-based solutions  Alexa, Google, and others.
According to him, todays computer systems are outperforming humans in many endeavours, especially the rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), chat GPT, etc.
He said that is the fabric of the shift humanity is witnessing in accelerating the convergence between physical, biological, and digital world.
“Looking at the areas you can apply them, such s in agriculture, we need to increase our agri-products, and IoT can help us to do that with lesser human efforts”, he said.
He explained further that there are wearable plant sensors at the moment, which is one of the top technologies in 2023.
The NITDA boss hinted that farmers can have a sensor attached to their plant to manage its health, watering, fertilizer, pesticides, and this would invariably enhance the increase of food produce.
He asserted that by 2050, Nigeria will be the third largest population in the world, therefore, there is need to explore how we can use IoT to increase the countrys food production.
In addition to agriculture, the NITDA Director General discussed the role of IoT in addressing security challenges, saying that IoT devices can monitor activities.

The DG emphasised that IoT could be utilised to enhance oil theft prevention by monitoring pipelines and sending alerts for quick security response.

He advised that there is also the need to develop the talent within the country.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Chisom Kenneth Gbali, has said the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department of the state will be the cardinal point of the mantra of the consolidation and development programme of the Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubura- led administration.
Gbali revealed this when he visited the state’s ICT department at Port Harcourt/Aba expressway for an on-the -spot accessement  of the facility in Port Harcourt on Monday.
He said the move became necessary due to determination to revive the place.
According to him, Information Technology (IT) has come to stay with Artificial Intelligence (AI), being capable to drive the space.
“We have gone round to ascertain the place. We have seen the nature, it is through Private Public Partnership arrangement. We will not let it die”, he said.
The Commissioner noted that the ICT department has trained a lot of youths in the state and would ensure that it was put back in a better shape.
One of the places that calls for urgent attention,he said, was the Computer Unit, which needed to be revived and upgraded.
To record the anticipated feat, he  hinted on plans to bring all relevant stakeholders and willing individuals on board.
“The Government will buy into the project. This place must be brought back to life . It is a wonderful place”, he said.
To fast track the process,  he said he will ensure that his team will report back to the Governor for prompt action.
The Tide learnt that the move was part of the electoral promises of the Governor Fubara administration in a bid to revive all sectors of the economy.
The ICT Team, led by its Director of Administration, Aleruchi  E. Akani, thanked the Commissioner and his entourage as she assured of encouraging sinergy between the Government and the Department.

By: King Onunwor