Category: The Nation – Nigeria

founder and Chief Executive Officer of Small-Scale Enterprise, Adesola Jimmy-Eboma, is set to host the second MBA Business showers, to celebrate the cohort 2 graduates and heighten conversation on role of MSMEs in the economy.

The event: ‘Innovation. Inclusion. Impact: Redefining MSMEs in Nigerian Economy, holds tomorrow in GRA Ikeja, Lagos. Keynote address will be delivered by Mr Charles Odii, director-general and chief executive of SMEDAN, and Ms Esther Obiekwe, group head of Retail and SME Banking at NOVA Bank.

There will be a fireside chat, featuring Bunmi Kola-Dawodu, state manager of SMEDAN; Meksley Nwagboh, divisional head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity; Afolabi Solebo, general manager of LASCOPA; Ayomide Olofinjana, founder of Florence Richards Africa; and Adanna Uche, founder of Ady’s Agro Processing, to be moderated by Founder of Moore Organics, Mrs. Adebisi Odeleye.

At the programme, Jimmy-Eboma said, ‘participants will examine role of policymakers, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs on need to collaborate and unlock finances, strengthen quality and consumer protection, and accelerate international competitiveness.”

According to Adesola, ‘Nigeria has enormous potential locked within her people. If every state intentionally develops its local resources into finished goods by turning cassava into packaged flour, hibiscus into export tea, and shea butter into global beauty products, we can transform our economic narrative.

‘The MBA Business Showers has rapidly become a leading platform spotlighting innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in Nigeria’s small-scale manufacturing sector. Powered by SSE Lab, the initiative bridges the gap between vision and venture by equipping founders with practical structure, market-ready knowledge, and strategic support to thrive in today’s dynamic economy.

‘The Manufacturing Business Accelerator (MBA) is a 90-day intensive transformation program tailored for product-based founders and micro-manufacturers. Over three months, participants progress through a disciplined pathway of conceptualisation, product validation, branding, packaging, regulatory compliance, and market launch, transforming raw ideas into proudly made-in-Nigeria brands capable of competing globally.

‘Through the MBA Business Shower, we have built entrepreneurs who can make vision real because we have seen ordinary individuals like; traders, artisans, and dreamers become structured, compliant, export-ready businesses within 90 days. This is a statement of possibility.’

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says he is investing in infrastructural development across the state to fastrack economic development.

Adeleke said this while inspecting the Lagere flyover and other projects on Wednesday in Ile-Ife.

The governor said he believed that improved infrastructure would fast track economic development, hence, the various infrastructural development in the state.

Adeleke, who decried the neglect of Ile-Ife and abandonment of several projects by the previous administration, said the cultural capital of Yoruba people deserved the best roads and other infrastructures.

According to the governor, the flyover is strategically located at an economic nerve center of Osun East, connecting Osun West, Ijesahland and Ondo State through Garage Olode.

‘An economic hub is being created through this iconic flyover bridge.

‘Aside from the making of an economic hub, our administration is conscious of the tourism potentials and importance of Ile Ife to millions of Yoruba people at home and in the diaspora.

‘In our creative economy agenda, Ile-Ife occupies a prime place.

‘ The cradle of Yoruba nation thus deserves mass infra upgrade to support our vision of a cultural capital drawing multi billion dollar tourism opportunities in the near future’, he said.

Adeleke, however, threatened to terminate any non-performing contractor handling various infrastructural projects in the state.

‘I urge various contractors handling our various infrastructure projects to be up and doing.

‘I task them to show commitment to delivering on the awarded contracts. I expect those contractors to maintain presence and ensure memorability of the roads while the contract lasts.

‘Our administration will not hesitate to terminate any non- performing contracts.

‘Our people expect so much from the administration and we would not allow slack in the implementation process.

‘I task the officials of the ministry of Works to strengthen their monitoring of ongoing projects.

‘The public should be regularly updated on the state of each project. Project implementation reports should henceforth be issued on a monthly basis’, he said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Enlightenment, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, has lauded Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his visionary leadership and commitment to positioning the state as a trailblazer in technological innovation through the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Lawson in a statement following the recent Ondo State Artificial Intelligence Adoption Summit, described the Governor’s foresight in embracing AI as ‘a defining moment in the state’s march toward a smarter, more inclusive, and digitally driven governance model.’

The two-day summit, organized by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), is being hosted under the theme of responsible and inclusive AI adoption, with participants drawn from government institutions, academia, private sector innovators, and youth-led tech initiatives.

Lawson particularly commended the Executive Chairman of SITA, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, for his ‘exceptional leadership, dedication, and vision,’ noting that his stewardship is turning SITA into a hub of innovation and a key driver of Ondo State’s digital transformation agenda.

Quoting from Akinribido’s welcome address at the event, the SSA said: ‘This summit is more than an event; it is a movement, a call to action for governments, industries, academia, and citizens to embrace artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as an enabler of progress, innovation, and inclusive growth.’

Lawson praised the emphasis on ethical, transparent, and inclusive AI deployment, stressing that the summit underscores the Governor’s broader commitment to using technology to enhance public service delivery, drive economic growth, and improve the quality of life of citizens.

He further noted that under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration, Ondo State has made remarkable strides in digital governance, automation of public services, and capacity building among civil servants and youths, which have collectively laid the groundwork for this new AI initiative.

‘Governor Aiyedatiwa’s decision to champion AI adoption demonstrates courage and clarity of purpose. It reflects a leadership that is not afraid of the future but is determined to shape it responsibly,’ Lawson said.

He added that the government’s partnership with innovators and technology stakeholders through SITA represents a sustainable model of public-private collaboration in advancing the state’s digital ecosystem.

As deliberations continue at the summit, the SSA expressed optimism that the outcome would define Ondo State’s strategic roadmap for AI integration in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and governance, making the Sunshine State a reference point in Nigeria and beyond.

‘The Aiyedatiwa administration is not just building infrastructure; it is building intelligence, transforming governance through knowledge, data, and innovation,’ Lawson said.

The United States has revoked the B1/B2 visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

A B1/B2 visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa for business or tourism purposes.

Soyinka revealed the development during a news conference themed: ‘Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface!’ held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos yesterday.

He explained that no reason was given for the action by the U.S.

The revocation, he told reporters, appeared to be a form of witch-hunt, which he linked to his long-standing criticism of the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

‘I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,’ the playwright said.

The Nobel Laureate said he received official notification of the visa revocation six days ago through a letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

Part of the letter reads: ‘This letter serves as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations. Additional information became available after the visa below was issued.’

The 91-year-old Soyinka, who appeared calm during the session, said he could not decipher the reason for the revocation because at no point did he violate any laws.

‘I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any past criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation. Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I gone against the law anywhere?’ he questioned.

The playwright, however, clarified that he bore no resentment toward the US and its citizens.

He maintained that his advocacy for justice and equality remained intact.

‘I will continue to welcome any American to my home if they have anything legitimate to do with me,’ he said, adding that he would keep speaking against racism and policies he considered unjust, including those of President Trump.

Soyinka said that the news conference was to notify people in the US who might be expecting him for engagements not to waste their time, as he could no longer travel to the country.

Soyinka had declined an invitation from the U.S. Consulate for a visa re-interview scheduled for September 11, 2025, saying he felt it was a scam.

‘I thought it came from scammers who prey on those eager to get visas elsewhere, promising to deliver them for a certain amount. It was very strange because I had never received that kind of letter from that or any other embassy,’ he said.

Upon discovering its authenticity, he stated that attending such an interview was out of the question.

‘The question of going to such an interview is totally out of consideration,’ he said, adding that holding the re-interview on September 11, a date he described as one for ‘deep, sober reflection’ in the U.S., was inappropriate.

Soyinka referred to the American government at the time as being led by a ‘white Idi Amin,’ in apparent reference to Trump.

The Nobel laureate had, in December 2016, publicly torn his U.S. Green Card following Trump’s victory in the presidential election, fulfilling a promise he made before the polls.

The House of Representatives yesterday passed for the second reading a Bill to strengthen the recovery and management of the proceeds of crimes in the country.

The Bill, sponsored by Yusuf Adams Gagdi (APC, Plateau), seeks to amend the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management Act Number 92 of 2022.

In his lead debate on the general principles of the Bill, Gagdi recalled that the Bill was enacted to provide a uniform legal framework for the recovery, management, and disposal of proceeds of crime or unlawful activity in Nigeria.

The lawmaker said it was a landmark legislation aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption, money laundering, and economic and financial crimes.

According to him, in the course of implementation, certain legal, procedural, and practical gaps have become apparent.

Gagdi noted that the gaps have limited the effectiveness of the Act in facilitating non-conviction-based forfeiture, protecting whistleblowers, safeguarding witnesses, and ensuring expeditious judicial processes.

He said the amendment Bill seeks to strengthen the Act by closing the identified gaps, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and expanding its operational scope to align with contemporary anti-corruption and asset recovery standards.

Justifying the rationale for the Bill, Gagdi, who heads the House Committee on Navy, said the Bill is rooted in the need to make the proceeds of crime act more effective, responsive, and just in the recovery and management of proceeds of unlawful activities.

He said: ‘The fight against corruption and illicit financial flows in Nigeria must go beyond conviction-based recovery of assets. Many cases of corruption, economic sabotage, and illicit enrichment cannot be effectively prosecuted due to death of suspects, flight from jurisdiction, or complex legal hurdles.

‘Non-conviction-based forfeiture provides an important tool for recovering assets in such situations, while still ensuring due process and judicial oversight.

‘Furthermore, the amendment seeks to introduce clarity, consistency, and procedural fairness in the operation of interim and final forfeiture orders, admissibility of evidence, and management of forfeited assets, including digital or virtual assets. This is in line with global best practices and Nigeria’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations.’

Gagdi said the key objectives of the Bill include strengthening the legal framework for non-conviction-based forfeiture by expressly providing for the recovery of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds or instrumentalities of unlawful activity, even without a criminal conviction.

The lawmaker said it would provide for whistleblowing and witness protection mechanisms under a new Section 81 of the Act, empowering relevant agencies to receive, investigate, and act on credible information while ensuring the safety and welfare of whistleblowers.

Also, the Bill will streamline judicial procedures by defining clear timelines for publication, response, and hearing of forfeiture applications, ensuring expeditious determination of cases and minimizing abuse of court processes, while recognizing virtual assets and digital proceeds of crime by establishing a National Confiscated Wallet for Virtual Assets to be managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria alongside the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account.

Besides, the law, he said, would enhance the admissibility of evidence, including hearsay evidence, where necessary for the effective prosecution and recovery process, consistent with civil forfeiture standards, strengthen institutional coordination by empowering relevant organizations to act efficiently and transparently in the recovery, preservation, management, and disposal of forfeited properties and ensure victims’ rights are protected, by allowing proceeds of forfeited properties to be applied for restitution where applicable.

He described the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as a forward-looking reform aimed at consolidating Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.

He said: ‘It will make asset recovery more efficient, enhance transparency and accountability, and build public confidence in the justice system.

‘By supporting this Bill, we will be strengthening the institutional and legal capacity of our nation to trace, recover, and manage proceeds of crime both within and outside our borders.’

Former Petroleum Minister (State), Chief Timipre Sylva, is not involved in any coup as rumoured in some quarters, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, has said.

Bokoru, in a statement on Wednesday, said desperate and narcissistic politicians plotting to actualise their ambitions in 2027 were behind the rumour because of their perception of Sylva as their obstacle.

He said such evil politicians took their desperation to a sickening level following Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility exposing their dark, self-serving ambitions.

Describing the former Governor as an unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat, Bokoru said Sylva had shown unwavering support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

He recalled that Sylva recently mobilised the entire structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa expanded stakehokders’ meeting.

Bokoru, however, admitted that Sylva’s Abuja home was subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters, saying they inflicted significant damage on the property.

He said the security operatives that raided Sylva’s house did not provide any reason for their action.

He confirmed that Sylva and his wife were already out of the country at the time of the raid.

Explaining their absence, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for a routine medical check and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

Bokoru added: ‘In the past forty-eight hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has ‘fled’ the country in connection with certain purported matters.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.

‘Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.

‘It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.

‘As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

‘The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence’.

He added: ‘While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever-either in planning or in logistics-with any such plot.

‘Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.

‘His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.

‘These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle-a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions’.

The Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN), Bashorun J. K. Randle, has reaffirmed the pivotal role of the private sector in driving Africa’s transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ahead of a high-level business forum scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed: ‘Mobilising Africa’s Private Sector for AfCFTA towards Africa’s Economic Development Amid Global Uncertainty,’ the event will bring together leading voices from government, business, and development circles to explore how private sector innovation and investment can accelerate intra-African trade and industrial competitiveness.

Speaking ahead of the Forum, Randle emphasised that unlocking the continent’s full economic potential hinges on the active participation of private enterprises.

He said: ‘The private sector remains the engine of Africa’s transformation. Through this Forum, we aim to build actionable strategies that will strengthen Africa’s economic resilience, promote cross-border trade, and ensure inclusive prosperity for all.’

According to NBGN, the Forum will serve as a platform to promote partnerships and facilitate practical dialogue on the private sector’s role in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth across Africa. Discussions will focus on ‘policy alignment, trade facilitation, investment promotion, value-chain development, and industrial cooperation’ among African economies.

The event is expected to attract participants from federal and subnational government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as financial institutions, regional economic communities, chambers of commerce, business associations, development partners, and captains of industry from across the continent.

Organisers said the outcomes of the Forum would inform policy formulation and implementation frameworks designed to enhance regional trade integration and support Nigeria’s long-term development goals. The deliberations are also expected to contribute to the realization of Nigeria’s Agenda 2050, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (The Africa We Want), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN) is a private sector-led platform dedicated to advancing the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

The Group works to promote sustainable economic growth, regional integration, and public-private partnerships across Africa. It serves as a bridge between government, business, and development partners, driving investment, trade, and industrialisation initiatives that align with Africa’s long-term development agenda.

A new major policy requiring electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to meet a minimum capital adequacy requirement to qualify for the renewal of their operating licenses is underway. The policy is aimed at addressing the capital adequacy requirement to strengthen the financial health and liquidity position of the utilities.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, made this known yesterday at the opening session of the Nigeria Energy Week 2025 which kicked off in Lagos at the Landmark Event Centre. The summit, organised by Informa Markets, has as its theme: ‘Powering Nigeria through Investment, Innovation, and Partnership.’

According to Adelabu, the sector continues to face challenges of under-capitalisation among several Distribution Companies (DisCos) and a severe debt burden.

‘As the tenure of their operational licenses approaches renewal, the government intends to introduce a minimum capital adequacy requirement as part of the license renewal process, to strengthen the financial health and liquidity position of the utilities,’ Adelabu said.

The minister also disclosed that prior to the coming of the present administration, Nigerians spent about N15 trillion on diesel and fuel to power their generators in a year because of unreliable public power services.

He, however, said that given the reforms of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration the narrative has changed as he claimed that there is better power provision currently.

Adelabu’s disclosure corroborates with the report of the National Bureau of Statistics which stated that the cost of petrol imports rose by 105.3 per cent to N15.42tr in 2024 from the N7.51tr recorded in 2023.

He therefore charged the private investors to invest more in the nation’s power sector, adding that the federal government alone does not have the capacity to fund all the investment needed to make very efficient.

The minister also used the occasion to give updates on critical infrastructure projects. He confirmed that contracts for the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) Phase One have been signed, with the aim of adding 7,000MW of operational capacity to the grid. He also revealed that generation capacity has been sustained at an average of approximately 5,300MW in 2024, up from 4,200MW in 2023.

‘In parallel to the grid expansion, generation capacity is being expanded through the rehabilitation of existing NIPP plants to unlock about 345MW, alongside the successful integration of the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant into the grid.

‘Collectively, these interventions have helped sustain an average generation capacity of approximately 5,300MW in 2024 up from 4,200MW recorded in 2023’.

The Minister disclosed further that the government has operationalized the Presidential Metering Initiative, with N700 billion already secured to deploy 1.1 million meters by the end of 2025.

He also noted that the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into two organisations: the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which manages the operation of Nigeria’s electricity grid and coordinates the electricity market, and the Transmission Service Provider (TSP), which owns, maintains, and expands the physical transmission infrastructure marks a long-awaited and critical structural reform in the power sector.

Adelabu direct appealed for investment, emphasising that Nigeria’s power sector remains open and ready for business more than ever before. He pointed to the over 10 GW of stranded generation capacity as a critical opportunity, assuring stakeholders that market fundamentals are improving, policy environment is clear, and the national leadership is committed.

‘As we commence today’s forum, let me once again emphasise to our investors, financiers, and innovators that Nigeria’s power sector remains open and ready for business more than ever before. We recognize that achieving the scale of investment required to transform the sector requires greater private sector participation across the entire value chain, particularly in the transmission segment.

‘A useful reference is South Africa’s ambitious $25 billion transmission grid expansion initiative, which seeks private developers to deliver 14,000 kilometers of new power lines and connect over 59 GW of new capacity within the next 14 years. This is remarkable when compared to Nigeria’s Presidential Power Initiative (the Siemens project) valued at $2.3 billion.

‘In Nigeria today, we have over 10 GW of stranded generation capacity. Energy that could power industries, create jobs, and even support electricity exports to our neighbouring countries through the regional power pool. We are therefore open to strategic partnerships to mobilize the necessary investments and unlock this potential. Our market fundamentals are improving, our policy environment is clear, and the national leadership is committed to creating the enabling conditions for long-term investment and innovation,’ Adelabu said.

He also spoke of the comprehensive reform agenda for the sector since 2023, describing it as a multi-pronged approach to reposition the Nigerian power sector for sustainability, efficiency and growth.

He said: ‘This approach spans critical pillars which include legislation, policy reforms, infrastructure development, energy transition and access expansion, and local content and capacity development with each designed to address structural challenges, unlock private capital, and enhance service delivery across the electricity value chain.’

The Minister highlighted the Electricity Act 2023 as a foundational milestone, which has already granted regulatory autonomy to 15 states. On the policy front, he revealed that the first comprehensive, sector-wide policy in nearly two decades, the Integrated National Electricity Policy, has been approved.

He said: ‘This represents a clear shift towards a liberalized and investment-friendly electricity market. Since its passage, 15 states have received regulatory autonomy to establish subnational electricity markets with one fully operationalized. We are working actively with these states to ensure strong alignment between the wholesale market and the retail market. In this regard, we believe the active involvement of state governments, particularly in the off-grid segment is critical, given the series of roundtable engagements held with governors by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), as well as the ongoing efforts to closely track the Distribution Company (DisCo) performance within their respective jurisdictions.

On stabilisation of the market and sector commercialization, he said the government is deepening power sector commercialization to strengthen revenue, liquidity, and investor confidence. ‘Through tariff policy reforms which enabled cost-reflective tariffs for select consumers, supply reliability has improved while reducing energy costs for industries, and industry revenue has increased by 70 percent to N1.7 trillion in 2024 compared to previous year and the revenue is expected to exceed N2 trillion for 2025.’

To stabilise the market, he revealed: ‘Mr. President has approved a N4 trillion bond to clear verified GenCo and gas supply debts. Alongside this, a targeted subsidy framework is being developed to protect vulnerable households and ensure a sustainable path toward full commercialisation and viable industry,’ the minister concluded.

Preparations are underway for the inaugural edition of À?É10: A Reign of Peace, Culture and Unity, a global cultural festival designed to celebrate Yoruba heritage and strengthen connections across the African diaspora.

Organised by SloweGanzi International, the week-long event will hold from November 30 to December 7, 2025, under the royal patronage of Arolé Odùduwà, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojájá II, the 51st Ooni of Ife.

The festival coincides with the Ooni’s 10th Coronation Anniversary, marking a decade of what organisers describe as visionary leadership dedicated to peace, youth empowerment, and the global renaissance of Yoruba culture.

According to a statement from SloweGanzi International, À?É10 represents more than just a cultural gathering. It is a movement to reunite Yoruba people at home and abroad, from Africa to the Americas, the Caribbean, and beyond, in a renewed spirit of shared identity and cultural pride.

The festival will unfold across Lagos and Ile-Ife, combining exhibitions, performances, academic discussions, and traditional ceremonies that highlight the richness of Yoruba civilization.

Activities will include art and cultural showcases, film premieres, scholarly dialogues on Yoruba identity and Pan-Africanism, fashion and culinary displays, as well as music and dance performances blending traditional and contemporary influences.

A royal banquet and fireworks display will crown the week-long celebration in Ile-Ife, often regarded as the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people.

In addition to the festivities, organisers will unveil plans for the Yoruba History and Arts Museum, a landmark legacy project to be established in Ile-Ife.

The museum is envisioned as a global center for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba art, history, and philosophy, ensuring that future generations can access and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Speaking on the significance of the event, a representative of SloweGanzi International described À?É10 as ‘a call to reconnect, rediscover, and reassert the power of Yoruba heritage as a global force for unity and peace.’

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, also commended the initiative, noting that the Ooni’s decade on the throne has redefined traditional leadership as ‘a living, evolving anchor for culture, unity, and development.’

The organisers said the festival aims to promote cultural preservation, strengthen diaspora bonds, foster economic empowerment through tourism and creative industries, and position Ile-Ife as a global hub for African creativity and identity.

SloweGanzi International has called for participation from traditional rulers, cultural custodians, artists, scholars, entrepreneurs, development agencies, and sponsors across the world.

Based in the United States and Nigeria, SloweGanzi International is a global sports and entertainment event company known for creating transformative cultural experiences that connect communities, inspire engagement, and promote social and cultural growth.

The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), has sworn in its 23rd President and Chairman, Governing Board, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe.

Ezeibe was sworn in as the third female president of the council in its 63 years of existence. She takes over from Babatunde Oguntade, who served for two years.

The Chairman of the occasion and doyen of insurance, Olola Olabode Ogunlana while speaking at the ceremony, called for collaboration within the sector and beyond.

Ogunlana said that ideally, there should also be linkages across all sectors of the Nigerian financial system.

He stated that this collaboration must extend to insurers, regulators, and governments alike.

He said: ‘Up to now, we have neglected insurance education for potential insurers. We must now go out of our way to make insurance a household word. Schools, higher institutions of learning, marketplaces, work sites, and wherever potential insurers may be. We must reduce our dependence on government insurer portfolios. The current free-for-all approach neither recognises merit nor encourages innovation or skill enhancement.

‘We must stop worrying our heads and time on those with deep pockets and their collaborators. Of course, we are not giving agriculture the enthusiasm and innovation it deserves. We must prioritise settlement of claims.’

He charged the new NCRIB President to pursue her agenda with vigour, adding, ‘We shall all support you.’

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission, Olusegun Omosehin, said the emergence of Ezeibe was a powerful statement on inclusion.

‘The emergence of Ezeibe as the third female president in the 63-year history of this council is a powerful symbol of progress and inclusion. It is of quiet strength and strategic impact, both at the NCRlB and generally within the Nigerian insurance industry. Of note is her strategic leadership as the chairperson of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Committee on AfCFTA. Under her guidance, the committee has championed industry enlightenment, capacity building and policy advocacy to ensure the Nigerian insurance industry is well positioned to harness the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ he said.

Omosehin went on to urge the NCRIB to work with it on microinsurance and Takaful options.

‘Inclusive insurance models also become very critical, so we would like to partner with the NCRIB to develop broker-led micro insurance and takaful solutions for our public. NAICOM’s stance is simple. Deliver only what you can support and support everything you deliver. Clear promises and prompt service build trust, and trust drives penetration.

‘We invite the NCRIB, under the leadership of Mrs. Ezeibe, to actively partner with the Commission in implementing the provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025. NAICOM, therefore, remains open to dialogue and committed to harmonising the roles of all industry players.’

Meanwhile, the immediate past President of NCRIB, Prince Babatunde Oguntade while reeling out his achievements as the president of NCRIB in the last two years said brokers have strategically partnered stakeholders including regulators, industry associations, and international organisations to deepen penetration.

Oguntade said these partnerships opened up new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and business development.

He stressed that his regime broke several new grounds with constituent bodies where insurance had never been mentioned, particularly in the entertainment and housing environment, believing his successor would sustain the tempo.