By Chidera Orji

It was a different kind of competition at Globacom on Saturday as the telecommunications company’s 23rd anniversary celebration came alive with football, games, laughter and spirited rivalry, as staff gathered at The Stable, Surulere, Lagos, for Glo Fitfest 2026.

For a company accustomed to the language of technology, targets and connectivity, the occasion offered a refreshing change of frequency. The workplace was temporarily left behind as colleagues stepped into the arena of sport, where departmental loyalties were tested, friendships strengthened and the competitive spirit found a joyful expression.

The anniversary fell on a Saturday, creating a natural opportunity for members of the Glo family to unwind after another demanding year of building the business. Dressed in specially produced, colourful T-shirts, the staff transformed the venue into a kaleidoscope of corporate colours, with cheers, banter and music punctuating the air as one contest followed another.

The programme featured an entertaining mix of sporting and recreational activities, including table tennis, Big Ludo, Big Snooker, Beer Pong, Sack Race and Big Ayo. The centrepiece, however, was a football tournament involving various departments, grouped into clusters to encourage both healthy competition and stronger bonds of teamwork.

The football matches quickly became the day’s principal attraction. What began as friendly rivalry soon acquired the intensity of a proper cup competition, with departments determined to prove their superiority on the pitch. Some teams even reinforced their ranks with colleagues who were accomplished footballers from outside Lagos, adding greater quality and tactical sophistication to the contest.

The strategy paid dividends for Glo Rockets, comprising staff from the Sales Force and Value Added Services Department. Drawing on their strengthened squad, the team overcame Strikers FC, representing the Rollout, Information Systems, Gloworld Development and E-Pin departments, to emerge champions.

Glo Strikers received a giant trophy and N1 million, while the runners-up were rewarded with N750,000. Players from both teams received medals for their performances, while winners in the other sporting events were also presented with medals and cash prizes.

Yet, beyond the trophies and prize money, Glo Fitfest 2026 offered something perhaps more valuable: an opportunity for colleagues to reconnect outside the structures and pressures of everyday work.

On the field, departmental boundaries became little more than coloured shirts. Colleagues who ordinarily interacted across conference tables, emails and official assignments now cheered one another, exchanged playful taunts and celebrated victories together. For a few memorable hours, the corporate machine gave way to the human spirit that powers it.

The relaxed atmosphere continued long after the final whistle. Staff danced, laughed and celebrated with abandon, turning the anniversary outing into a vivid tableau of fellowship and shared accomplishment.

As Globacom marked 23 years of enterprise and innovation, Glo Fitfest 2026 provided a fitting reminder that behind every network, product and corporate milestone are people—and that sometimes, after years of running the race of business, there is wisdom in stopping briefly to celebrate those running it with you.

Our Reporter with agency report

Uber on Wednesday announced the discontinuation of its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective Sept. 2.

Ms Lorraine Onduru, Head of Communications, Uber in East and West Africa, made this known in a statement in Lagos.

Onduru said that the decision followed a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa.

She also said that the resolution was limited to Nigeria and Uganda, and would not affect its operations across the rest of Africa.

“Uber remains deeply committed to Sub-Saharan Africa, where we continue to see robust growth and long-term opportunity,” Onduru said.

She said that its immediate priority was supporting affected drivers, riders and employees throughout the transition.

Onduru said that Uber had begun communicating directly with affected employees, drivers and riders on arrangements following the discontinuation.

She said that active drivers would receive a token of appreciation as they transitioned out of the platform.

Onduru also said that rider support would remain available for 21 days after operations ceased, to address outstanding and transition-related issues.

She said that Uber for Business services in Nigeria would also be discontinued as part of the exit, and partners were being contacted over the transition.

On data privacy, Onduru said that rider information would continue to be handled in line with applicable data protection laws, privacy requirements and its data protection policies.

She said that data retention would be limited to legally required periods, while appropriate security controls would remain in place.

Onduru also clarified that the company’s decision to exit Nigeria was not connected to the recent FAAN directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports.

According to her, the exit is driven by its broader review of business priorities and investment focus across the continent. (NAN)

By Chidera Orji

The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) says it has discovered an alleged plan by Mr. Kenule Nwiya, Chief Executive Officer of Ken-Eva, to destabilise the forthcoming Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit scheduled to hold in September 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary of the NDCCITMA Board, Chief Solomon Edebiri, and made available to newsmen, the Chambers said it had initially resolved not to join issues with Mr. Nwiya over what it described as frivolous, baseless and misleading claims concerning the alleged indiscriminate use of his trademark.

The Chambers, however, said it has become necessary to set the records straight and draw the attention of the public to the facts surrounding the matter.

For the records, it is pertinent to state that, contrary to an advert placed on AIT and circulating on some media outlets , NDCCITMA did not at any time approach the claimant to seek permission to use the purported trademark name,” the statement said.

The Chambers explained that following the conception of the name and acronym “Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit,” it proceeded with the necessary registration process.

According to NDCCITMA, its application was received and approved by the relevant department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry on 16 August 2025, while the application purportedly filed by Mr. Nwiya was received on 3 September 2025.

The Chambers therefore questioned the basis of the claimant’s assertions, noting that, to its knowledge, there was no credible evidence of an earlier approval or acceptance of the claimant’s application by the relevant government agency.

NDCCITMA described the allegations as an attempt at blackmail and an affront to the aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta, stressing that the proposed summit was conceived to promote economic development, investment, trade and regional cooperation in the Niger Delta region.

The Chambers further stated that, despite interventions by prominent personalities from the region aimed at resolving the disagreement amicably, Mr. Nwiya had allegedly continued along what it described as a path capable of undermining the summit and weakening the collective aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta.

NDCCITMA consequently urged members of the public, particularly stakeholders in the Niger Delta, to disregard what it described as the claims and assertions of the claimant.

The Chambers also challenged Mr. Nwiya to produce valid documentary evidence establishing an earlier application and approval for the use or registration of the disputed name, predating NDCCITMA’s application and the acceptance document dated 16 August 2025.

The Chambers reaffirmed its commitment to the successful hosting of the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit, describing the event as a collective initiative aimed at advancing the economic interests and development of the Niger Delta region