Access to Films: Airtel’s Inclusive TV Entertainment
Access to Films: Airtel’s Inclusive TV Entertainment
Airtel Nigeria, a telecommunications company, has introduced the Airtel Smart Router, a 4G router that connects up to 10 devices. This device also provides a smart TV experience on a standard television.
Airtel announced the new device will enable customers to gain access to affordable and superior entertainment from multiple streaming services on Non-Smart TVs.
Also, its advanced connectivity and user-friendly interface will allow a mixture of entertainment, security, work, or leisure devices all on the same internet subscription for Smart TV users, said the telecommunications giant.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that the number of active internet subscriptions by technology has increased by over 6.8 million in the last year.
The number steadily increased from 158 million in March 2023 to 164 million in March 2024. This is an increase of 4.3% in the last one year.
The majority of active internet subscriptions in Nigeria utilize Mobile (GSM) technology, with Airtel being a key stakeholder in this sector.
Among the four major GSM providers, Airtel has the second-largest market share in the telecommunication sector in Nigeria with over 63 million subscribers and a market share of 28.93%, the 2024 NCC Report indicates.
The launch of this innovation by Airtel has the potential to increase its market share in the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.
The Airtel Smart Router is designed to utilize both wireless and Ethernet connections to deliver a smart TV experience directly to users' television screens, especially for Non-Smart TV users.
It has integrated applications where users can easily access popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Showmax, significantly enhancing their viewing experience with personalized, immersive, and up-to-date content.
The Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, during the launch, stated, “With the Airtel smart routers, we can now deliver affordable and superior entertainment content from multiple streaming services to many Nigerian homes without a Smart TV set. By integrating advanced connectivity and a user-friendly interface, we are offering our customers the ability to unlock a world of digital content directly on their TVs.”
Also, for those with smart TV advantage, the SIM-based, 4G-capable Smart Router can concurrently connect entertainment, security, work, and leisure devices under a single internet subscription.
Access to Food: 79% Non-Inclusive in Nigeria
The percentage of people facing food insecurity has risen by over 79% in the last 8 years, data from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) shows.
In its response, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced a 150-day duty-free import window for the import of maize (corn), husked brown rice, wheat, and beans through land and sea borders.
The policy is part of the strategic measures designed by the Federal government to be implemented in the next 180 days to address the high food prices and ensure food security in the short term.
In 2022, the number of moderately or severely food insecure people in Nigeria rose to a staggering figure of 148.7 million out of a population of 218.5 million people.
This implies that over 68% of Nigerians are facing food insecurity either moderately or severely.
This situation is worsened by increasing food prices, as seen in the food inflation data in the last 6 months.
Food inflation rose to 40.7%, the highest it has been in the last 25 years.
The NBS data on GDP showed that agricultural production, which consists of crop production, forestry, fishery, and livestock share of GDP, has gradually declined in the last 5 years.
Clearly, declining domestic food production has further exacerbated the country’s dependence on food imports, furthering an increase in the foreign exchange rate and domestic inflation rate, a situation that is complicated by insecurity, climate change, and other internal factors.
The 150-day import-free policy elicited diverse responses, especially from the local agricultural farmers.
Countries implement import tariffs, particularly on agricultural products, to safeguard domestic farmers and promote the cultivation of locally produced food.
Thus, local farmers are afraid that the import-free policy might lead to an increase in the number of imported food products - wheat, rice, and maize, leading to a crash in prices that may also hurt the investments made by local farmers in the local production of these food products.
The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc. Kabir Ibrahim stated, “The gains made in internal sufficiency will certainly be lost in some of the three competencies mentioned viz; rice, maize, and wheat.
“Nigeria and Nigerians have made sizeable investments in rice production and processing such that it is going to be very painful, and if it is absolutely necessary. The wheat and maize issues if properly interrogated are easier to handle because some limited importation has always been there.”
On the other hand, the policy might increase the availability of food and bring down the prices of food in the market.
According to the statement released by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, the other strategies to boost food security in the country include:
The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.
Engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.
Ramp-Up of Production for the 2024/2025 Farming Cycle
Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives.
Strengthen and accelerate dry season farming nationwide.
Embark on aggressive agricultural mechanization to reduce drudgery, lower production costs, and boost productivity.
Collaborate with sub-national entities to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation.
Work closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation.
Developing strategic engagement for youth and women for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilize prices, and address food shortages.
Fast-track ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme and encourage other para-military establishments to utilize available arable lands for cultivation.
Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee
This committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to develop and implement policies prioritizing livestock development in alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and a ministry of Livestock Development has been created.
Enhancement of Nutrition Security
Promote the production of fortified food commodities.
Thank you for reading this week’s Marina and Maitama. It was written by Lucy Okonkwo and edited by Oluseyi Olufemi