The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, has commended the HelpSphere Foundation for its consistent efforts in promoting value reorientation among young Nigerians.

He gave the commendation while delivering the keynote address at the 2nd edition of the Values for Daily Living (VDL) International Conference, themed “In Pursuit of Excellence,” held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Base Landmark Event Centre, Enugu.

Organized by the HelpSphere Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to advancing values education, climate action, and humanitarian causes, the conference, also known as the “TAKE IT BACK Conference”, brought together key national stakeholders, development partners, educators, parents, youth advocates, and civic leaders to reignite conversations on rebuilding Nigeria on the foundation of core values.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Sandra Ani, President of the Foundation and Convener of the VDL movement, emphasized that:

“Our nation stands at a defining moment, as the place of character quietly slips away”.

She noted that this drift from the values that once held us together has left visible cracks in our homes, institutions, and society — revealing that the crisis we face is not simply one of governance, but a moral crisis. Renewal, she affirmed, begins with families that nurture virtue, young people that embody purpose, and a society that chooses to let values lead once again — so that true excellence and national transformation can be restored.

A major highlight of the conference was the Grand Finale of the 2025 VDL National Essay Competition, which recorded over 800 entries from secondary and tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Dickson Sunday from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, emerged as winner of the tertiary category, receiving ₦1,000,000, while Amarachi Nkemakolam Moses from Federal Government Girls College, Lagos, clinched the secondary school category, winning ₦500,000.

Other finalists received consolation prizes and were decorated as VDL Ambassadors, tasked with championing values advocacy campaigns in their respective states and institutions.

In his address, Mallam Issa Onilu described the initiative as a timely intervention in Nigeria’s value reorientation journey, reaffirming NOA’s readiness to collaborate with the HelpSphere Foundation to deepen civic education and promote ethical leadership among young Nigerians.

Other speakers and panelists echoed the call for collective responsibility among government, schools, families, and communities in rebuilding Nigeria’s moral foundations. The conference concluded with renewed enthusiasm among participants and partners to advance the Values for Daily Living Campaign, a movement inspiring a new generation of Nigerians to live right, lead right, and influence right.

Mastercard has announced the successful onboarding of its employees in Nigeria onto the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) flagship training platform, the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA).

This milestone underscores Mastercard’s commitment to privacy, data responsibility, and regulatory compliance, while advancing its broader ambition to embed responsible data practices across Africa’s digital economy.

The VPA is a training program developed by the NDPC to equip professionals with essential knowledge on personal data governance, lawful processing, cybersecurity hygiene, and emerging regulatory obligations.

It distills the core principles of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 framework into engaging, locally relevant content for employees across all sectors.

The urgency is clear, data breach incidents in Nigeria surged by 64% in the first quarter of 2023 alone, and the NDPC investigated 213 privacy breaches between 2023 and 2024, underscoring the critical need for widespread privacy awareness training.

“Privacy is not just a compliance requirement; it’s a core pillar of digital trust. By enrolling all our Nigerian staff in the NDPC Virtual Privacy Academy, we are embedding privacy awareness into the fabric of our operations and supporting Nigeria’s digital rights agenda,” said Mark Elliott, Division President for Africa at Mastercard.

“The Virtual Privacy Academy represents a landmark opportunity to scale privacy knowledge in a way that is both practical and impactful. Our collaboration with NDPC is equipping professionals with the tools to make ethical, informed decisions that protect individuals while enabling innovation,” said Derek Ho, Deputy Chief Privacy, AI and Data Responsibility Officer, Mastercard.

“We are proud to work with Mastercard to deliver real-world solutions that strengthen Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem. The Virtual Privacy Academy will play a critical role in empowering professionals with the knowledge and confidence to uphold ethical data practices in a rapidly evolving digital world,” said Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC.

Following the completion of the training for all Mastercard employees in Nigeria, Mastercard plans to extend access to the VPA to its vendors and suppliers, in line with NDPC guidelines. This initiative builds on Mastercard’s work with regulators, professionals, MSMEs, and fintechs to foster a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital environment.

As part of this broader ambition, Mastercard is helping unlock Africa’s $1.5 trillion digital payments potential by 2030 by strengthening digital trust, enabling innovation, and championing responsible data practices across the continent.

I still find it difficult to believe sudden demise of Rafatu Salami.  I first came in physical contact with her when I joined International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria. Before then, we had never met, but only knew our names while practicing journalism

That our maiden meeting was at the 3-day conference of International Press Conference (IPI), in October 2024, held in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ikeja axis of Lagos State and I can attest to the proactive nature of Rafat, which I admired, as she was up and doing to ensure a successful outing. That skills coupled with her accommodating nature made us to be professionally close

In similar vein, our second encounter was during a training organized for senior journalists in Nigeria by the Nestle Nigeria Plc held between September 11 to 13, 2024. Interestingly, myself and Rafat represented International Press Institute (IPI) and this also provided opportunity for two of us to be more united in journalism.

I recalled vividly that she exhibited her cerebral skills at the training session with robust contributions, and also added glamour to the programme, with her no dull moment nature, which also caught attention of all participants.

I can attest to the accommodating nature of Rafat, and it will be difficult for all other participants that we knew each other less than two years, because her accommodating nature was superb. She always relates with me as if we have known each other for decades.

The known outspoken and vibrant late female journalist is somebody I cherished because of her humility, proactive nature and hardwork among other qualities, particularly in the media industry. She doesn’t believe in failure, but always optimistic that there should be positive results for whatever project she shows interest

In October 25, 2024 she sent me a message about a proposed conference being organized by an establishment to take place in Abeokuta, and asked me to help secure venue and attend to other logistics, which I swiftly responded to, as a way to also appreciate her, because if you handover an assignment to her, Rafatu would also ensure that she provide good results

In the course of our discussions, I even encouraged her to come and join Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), which I am also a member, because of her competence in the media, and in response she said she would join when she attain the position of Deputy Director in her office, explaining that she was still an Assistant Director.

She expressed optimism that she would soon get her promotion which will pave way for her to join the Guild.

However, on November 3, 2024 when I didn’t hear from her about the proposed conference, I was curious to know cause of delay, but sent me a message that she had been experiencing excruciating pain on her legs and could not walk or sit, but making attempt to walk round her room.

I felt for her, and had to recommend a pain relief lotion which I sent the image to her so she can buy and start applying on the legs, I was thinking it was just a minor pain at that time. She appreciated my concern, and replied me she would source for it.

Below is first round of our WhatsApp contact chat

[09/12, 11:00 pm] Ijesakinsman: Uv done ur conference in Abeokuta?

[09/12, 11:01 pm] Rafatu IPI: No. I’ve been incapacitated for 8 weeks now

[09/12, 11:02 pm] Ijesakinsman: What went wrong

[09/12, 11:02 pm] Rafatu IPI: Had excruciating pain on my right leg, could not walk or sit

[09/12, 11:03 pm] Rafatu IPI: But I have begun walking around my room now

[09/12, 11:03 pm] Rafatu IPI: At least I go to toilet without support

[09/12, 11:05 pm] Ijesakinsman: God perfect ur healing

[09/12, 11:05 pm] Rafatu IPI: Amen

But I became shock on December 12, 2024 when I her saw on wheel chair during the conference of International Press Institute (IPI) held in Abuja. Honestly, I was dazed with that picture posted on the Institute membership platform.

I could not resist to keep mute over the development and had to send text to her later in the evening of the event, telling her that I never, knew the medical situation was so heartbreaking, and in response said she cried for hours before she could accept to use the wheel chair to attend the event

This worrisome development motivated me for regular and daily contact with her both on chat and video calls, to know how she’s fairing everyday. This our regular conversation was between December 9 to 17, 2024, as produced below, not until early morning of Friday, just about 48 hours of our chat and video discussions with her, I got the sad news.

Yet I still didn’t believe, because I still spoke with her few days. My curiosity made me to put a call across to her phone at about 7am, that was when it dawned on me, when receiver of the phone call who identified himself as a brother-in-law confirmed the bad news which shattered the day for me and the journalism family.

One thing that is clear is that we cannot query God, who knows everything. Rafat has done her bit, came and gone, but her good work, particularly in the media industry will forever remain a reference point in the nobble profession. No doubt, her sudden exit will be felt in the journalism world, which was her love profession. God rest her soul.

As I earlier stated above, second version of our conversation between December 9 till Tuesday December 17 before her final exit from this sinful world is produced below

[12/12, 1:32 pm] Ijesakinsman: I never knew is that serious that ur on wheel chair

[12/12, 1:35 pm] Rafatu IPI: Yeah

[12/12, 10:23 pm] Ijesakinsman: God will perfect the healing

[12/12, 10:50 pm] Rafatu IPI: Amen

[12/12, 11:02 pm] Ijesakinsman: Honestly, I was shocked when I saw it.

[12/12, 11:03 pm] Rafatu IPI: I cried for a whole day before agreeing to use it

[12/12, 11:06 pm] Ijesakinsman: U don’t need to cry, just be optimistic. I can understand cos I know how proactive ur, and to be confine on wheel chair can be difficult experience. I know God will heal you

[14/12, 11:53 pm] Rafatu IPI: Getting better by the day

[14/12, 11:54 pm] Ijesakinsman: I already have you in my prayer point

[14/12, 11:54 pm] Rafatu IPI: Amen and amen

[14/12, 11:56 pm] Ijesakinsman: Honestly, I was shocked when I saw that ur pix at conference. But am optimistic that you will get over it

[14/12, 11:56 pm] Rafatu IPI: By the special grace of God, the worst is already behind us

[14/12, 11:57 pm] Ijesakinsman: God grace

[15/12, 7:20 pm] Ijesakinsman: God grace and very soon you will rise up to your feet and be more agile and proactive

[15/12, 7:30 pm] Rafatu IPI: Amen and amen

[16/12, 11:49 pm] Ijesakinsman: How are u fairing now

[16/12, 11:49 pm] Rafatu IPI: Much better. Thank you sir

[16/12, 11:50 pm] Ijesakinsman: You will walk on ur own

[17/12, 1:11 am] Rafatu IPI: Amen

Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is founder Penpushing Media and member International Press Institute(IPI). He wrote this piece from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Headquarters of the Penpushing Media