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Use Tech To Rewrite Negative Narrative About Nigeria, Mrs Tinubu Tells Women …Launches Skills Training In Rivers
Wife of the President and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has charged women to use the opportunity provided by technology to rewrite the negative narrative portrayed against the country in the cyberspace that is in sharp constrast with its true national value.
She has also urged women to start the process of building solid value-based foundation to launch Nigeria into the technology world in the next decade.
Senator Tinubu gave the charge while declaring open a two-day Women in Tech Skills Training for Women Entrepreneurs for the South-South Region, organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in partnership with Huawei, at the African Centre for Excellence, University of Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Represented by the Wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu said with Nigeria facing enormous challenges amidst negative narrative, it behoves every citizen of the country, particularly women, to use every available opportunity to project it in positive trajectory.
She said, “This training programme, jointly coordinated by technology giant, Huawei and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), pet project of the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a gateway programme targetted at raising the number and influence of women in technology in Nigeria.
“Our nation is facing a tough time with the narrative being presented through the cyberspace. This narrative, which does not represent our true value, is sad testimonial on our national image, and it must be corrected. It is my belief that rewriting the narrative starts with you.
“Every citizen owe it to this country to use every opportunity available to put Nigeria in positive pedestal. I am aware that women have always occupied strategic positions in development planning in Nigeria, and as the world continues to evolve, especially in technology-driven disciplines, it is only very necessary to immediately commence the building of a solid value-based foundation for Nigeria’s sojourn in the tech world in the next decade,” she noted.
The Wife of the President, who noted the strategic roles women play in society and the challenges faced as a result of gender bias, lack of representation and access to leadership, stated that the programme was put in place to develop and grow more women who are determined, skillful and committed to breaking new grounds in tech development.
Senator Tinubu, while noting the leading role of Germany, France and others in the tech business as a result of deliberate plan to achieve set goals, stressed optimism that Nigerian women can also become world leaders through deliberate training, and nurturing to achieve desired aim.
She emphasised, “In partnering with Huawei for this training, the Renewed Hope Initiative is not oblivious of the strategic roles women play in the healthcare and health services sector, the educational sector, and indeed, in government and private sector organisations.
“However, it is our conviction that giving the enormous endowment of every Nigerian woman, there should be a deliberate focus of finding ways of increasing their productivity, especially in technology-driven areas.
“It is obvious that the biggest underlying challenges has always been gender bias, lack of representation, lack of access to leadership opportunities, and that is precisely why the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has floated this programme to grow more determined and skillful women that are committed to staying focused in breaking new grounds in tech development.”
She observed, “Germany, France and others around the World are leading in the tech business today because there was a deliberate plan to do so. It is, therefore, our conviction that Nigerian women can rise to be world beaters, if we make deliberate plan to train, nurture and position them for such sectoral leads.”
The Wife of the President noted the great potentials inherent in women, and urged them to build more frontiers for networking, skills building initiatives and fostering new areas of mentorship for younger generation of women committed to tech development.
She added, “The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) believes that every woman here has great potentials. I, therefore, urge you to build more frontiers for networking with global women in tech movement, skills building initiatives, and also foster new areas of mentorship for the younger generation of women interested in tech development.”
According to her, “When you do this, rest assured that you would have built the future of e-governance business and championed the course of a new position thinking, tech service generation of Nigerians on all fronts.”
She called on Nigerian women, irrespective of ethnic affiliation, to continue to support the efforts of the Wife of the President in uplifting society through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of today’s event. When I was called upon to represent our beloved mother, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, Wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria in this event, I saw it as an opportunity to meet with women who have the capacity and knowledge to shape the country of our dream.
“I am, therefore, delighted to represent our First Lady, a woman whose vision in the transformation of female values in Nigeria is unequivocal, and I call on Nigerian women, irrespective of ethnic affiliation, to support her genuine efforts in uplifting the family through quality programmes embarked upon under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).”
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill, expressed gratitude to the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for initiating the programme geared towards upscaling women in technological skills.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Prof Iyeopu Siminalayi, Prof Georgewill noted the partnership that had existed between the university and Huawei in upscaling it’s students in IT skills like networking, cyber security, and commended Huawei for partnering with the First Lady of Nigeria to undertake the programme, while expressing the belief that the programme will benefit the women in the state who are being underrepresented in the tech world.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Huawei, who spoke through the Country Representative, Dr Nihinlola Fafori, said the programme is the 5th batch of the RHI’s Women in Tech Training, which covers the South-South Region.
She stated that the programme, which has been on since the first quarter of this year, had covered over four geo-political zones with about 25 states in Nigeria, emphasizing that the training will enable participants drive their businesses through technology and explore more opportunities within the tools that will enable their business to be reached across other consumers not just within the region but in Nigeria and globally.
Presenting the Training Overview, Huawei Consultant, Chinedu Ogbiede, noted that the training will afford participants the opportunity to understand the role of women in ICT, become more employable, run their businesses better, harness the potentials of ICT, and support their families and communities.
He asserted that with the training, the era of ‘I don’t know were to start’ is over, because with the aid of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), they will be able to launch a business.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs Efe Ovrine, lauded the Wife of the President for her deep-seated idea of putting the programme together to train women and empower them technologically, promising to utilize the experience gained to impact on society.
City Crime
Ministry Raises Concern Over Rising Teenage Pregnancies, Begins Adolescent Sensitisation Campaign
The Department of Public Health in the Rivers State Ministry of Health has raised concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies in society as it intensifies efforts to educate adolescents across the state.
Programme Manager for Adolescent Health and Development in the department, Mrs. Tammy Briggs, expressed the concern during a sensitisation programme held at Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Briggs explained that the campaign was designed to educate adolescents on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and other health-related issues affecting young people.
According to her, teenage pregnancy is currently on the rise, making it necessary for the ministry to step up awareness programmes among students.
“This is something that is on the rise for now. We have observed that there are many cases of teenage pregnancies, so we are here to sensitise them on ways to prevent it entirely,” she said.
She disclosed that the sensitisation campaign is being carried out in selected schools across four local government areas of the state, namely Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and Eleme Local Government Area.
Briggs noted that the programme focuses on several key issues affecting adolescents, including sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, emotional health and proper nutrition.
She added that the outreach programme also featured tuberculosis screening for students as well as the distribution of sanitary pads and mathematical sets to support their health and academic development.
The programme manager commended the management of Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme for their cooperation and support in hosting the sensitisation exercise. She also advised the students to avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Nwadike Chinonso urged the students to make informed decisions about their lives and remain focused on their education.
He cautioned them against engaging in early sexual activities, stressing that abstinence remains one of the most effective ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Some of the students who participated in the programme expressed appreciation to the team for the awareness campaign and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to make responsible life choices.
Disturbing allegations of extortion, intimidation and the smuggling of prohibited items have unsettled the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Delta State, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the national authorities of the Nigeria Correctional Service amid fears of potential security breaches within the facility.
The development was disclosed by a senior officer at the Delta State custodial facility, who expressed concern over what was described as entrenched irregularities capable of undermining discipline and operational standards at the centre.
According to the source, detailed findings compiled between December 2025 and January 2026 highlighted patterns of misconduct and warned of possible security consequences should the allegations remain unchecked.
At the centre of the claims is a powerful corrections official serving as Officer in Charge of the Kwale facility, accused of presiding over persistent financial extortion, high-handedness and the victimisation of inmates under his supervision.
The document further indicated that the alleged practices may have originated during the tenure of a former General Provost, reportedly with the collaboration of another senior custodial official within the system.
Intelligence details suggested that inmates were allegedly compelled to contribute funds for projects and items considered outside the statutory framework of inmate welfare, raising questions about compliance with established correctional guidelines.
Among the financial demands reportedly imposed were ¦ 300,000 for the repair of a Hilux vehicle, ¦ 600,000 for the purchase of a freezer and ¦ 750,000 for a generator allegedly designated for the Officer in Charge’s residence.
The report also alleged that inmates were required to make payments before being conveyed to court, while Awaiting Trial Persons in Cells One to Nine were directed to raise ¦ 30,000 per cell, with Convict Cells One to Three, including a designated VIP cell, similarly mandated to pay ¦ 30,000 monthly.
Observers noted that if substantiated, such practices would amount to grave breaches of professional ethics and custodial administration standards, eroding principles of fairness, transparency and inmate welfare within correctional institutions.
Beyond the financial allegations, the intelligence brief raised concerns over the purported possession of unauthorised communication devices, alleging that a serving General Provost had two Android phones while another influential inmate was also reportedly found with a mobile device.
The document further alleged that prohibited items, including alcoholic beverages, Indian hemp and other hard substances, may have been smuggled into the custodial yard under the guise of routine supervision duties, with security sources warning that the cumulative effect of extortion, intimidation and contraband trafficking has heightened tension within the facility.
In view of the gravity of the allegations, they called for an immediate and discreet investigation by the minister of Interior for immediate action to safe the life of inmates.
The administrative review of implicated officers, even as officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service had yet to issue an official statement, with stakeholders insisting that a transparent probe and decisive action are essential to restoring confidence and safeguarding institutional integrity at the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the government’s alleged failure to withdraw “unlawful mass phone-tapping rules” known as the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019.
LICR 2019 is a regulation that authorises telecom licensees to install technology for security agencies to monitor communications, including voice, data, text, email, and browsing, for national security and to combat crime.
SERAP, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, yesterday, said the suit followed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that the phone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was intercepted.
El-Rufai reportedly claimed, “The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me.”
In the suit numbered ECW/CCJ/APP/11/26, filed last Friday at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is seeking “a declaration that the failure of the government to withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations is unlawful and a violation of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The organisation is also asking the court to declare that the government’s failure to withdraw the regulations “constitutes an official endorsement of unlawful mass phone-tapping rules, as the Regulations are patently unlawful, and violate the rule of law, democratic principles, and the right to privacy.”
It is further seeking “an order directing and compelling the Nigerian government to immediately withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations, and to commence a legislative process to ensure that any interception regulations are in conformity with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni, Valentina Adegoke and Maryam Mumuni, argued that “the Regulations establish a sweeping mass phone-tapping regime that violates Nigerians’ constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights, including to privacy and freedom of expression.”
“Where powers affecting fundamental human rights are exercised in secrecy and concentrated in political authorities without independent supervision, the risks of arbitrariness are substantial.
“Surveillance measures that lack strict necessity, proportionality and independent judicial oversight can easily be weaponised against political opponents, journalists, civil society actors and election observers,” it added.
SERAP also warned that the regulations raise concerns as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, noting that broad interception powers could be abused during politically sensitive periods.
“In an electoral climate, even the perception that private communications are being monitored can chill political organising, investigative reporting and voter mobilisation.
“Free and fair elections depend on confidential communications, protected journalistic sources and open democratic debate. Any misuse of intercepted data for intimidation, political advantage or disinformation would fundamentally undermine Nigerians’ right to political participation and electoral integrity.
“As 2027 approaches, interception powers must be narrowly defined, subject to prior independent judicial authorisation and backed by effective remedies. Without robust safeguards, these Regulations risk threatening privacy rights, freedom of expression and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process,” the suit stated.
SERAP maintained that any restriction on the right to privacy must comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, arguing that the regulations fail to meet these requirements.
SERAP also cited the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as stating that mass surveillance programmes based on indiscriminate and blanket collection of personal data are arbitrary and cannot satisfy the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.
The group said the Nigerian government has a duty to adopt clear laws, safeguards, independent oversight mechanisms and accessible remedies to prevent abuse by state agencies and private actors, including telecommunications providers and technology companies.
According to SERAP, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) adopted the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019 while exercising its powers under Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The organisation argued that Regulation 4 grants broad discretionary interception powers to the National Security Adviser and the State Security Services, with little clarity on the scope or limits of such authority.
SERAP also pointed to inconsistencies within the regulations, noting that while Regulation 4 and Regulation 12 restrict interception powers to the NSA and SSS, Regulation 23 expands the category of authorised agencies to include bodies such as the Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and any other agency the commission may designate.
The organisation said this ambiguity undermines legal certainty and creates the risk of arbitrary application and abuse.
It also criticised provisions allowing interception without a warrant in certain circumstances, arguing that such powers are overly broad and susceptible to misuse.
SERAP further expressed concern that the regulations do not require authorities to notify individuals who have been subjected to surveillance, which it said weakens the ability of citizens to challenge unlawful monitoring.
The organisation warned that requirements compelling telecommunications licensees to install interception equipment and disclose encryption keys could undermine cybersecurity and discourage privacy-enhancing technologies.
SERAP acknowledged the government’s responsibility to address national security and organised crime but argued that such measures must remain within constitutional and international human rights limits.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.