Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Enthused by her experiences at the recently concluded CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa, in Algiers, Convener, Quramo Festival of Words, (QFEST) Mrs Gbemi Shasore has urged storytellers, publishers and readers to be courageous in advocating for change, which she said, is not an abstract thing. ‘Change is not an abstraction for me. It is visible in the streets, on our screens, in who reads and in how we read. It demands courage from storytellers, publishers and audiences alike,’ she added.

On returning from Algiers where Zimi, the 2023 Quramo Writers’ Prize winner was shortlisted for the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa, she was renewed with vigour. That trip felt like a quiet nudge: the small labours of a modest publisher in Lagos can reach beyond our borders. It reminded her that when we nurture writers at home, their stories travel farther than we imagine.

That sense of possibility sits at the heart of this year’s theme: A Brave New World. This year’s QFest was designed as a festival that meets this moment: a space where difficult histories can be held, new technologies interrogated, bold futures imagined and new writers and stories discovered through the Quramo Writers Prize. The festival opens tomorrow and runs till Sunday October 5 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Among guests expected at the festival include Prof. Mukoma wa Ngugi, a writer, poet and scholar, who teaches at Cornell University and has produced fiction and criticism that question memory, language and identity across Africa and its diaspora.

He will lead an intimate conversation on Saturday October 4, a rare chance for festival audiences to hear directly about the ideas and the craft behind his novels and poetry. Also on the guests list is Stephen James Smith, the award-wining Irish poet, and James Murua the Kenyan writer at the festival.

According to Shasore, their presence is more than star power; ‘it’s a reminder of the intergenerational, Pan-African and intercontinental conversations we’re trying to sustain at Quramo between those who inherit our literary traditions and those who reinvent them.’

‘Across the programme you will see that thread. We open with master-classes tomorrow with masters of their craft like Dele Sikuade, BB Sasore, Prof. Mukoma and Prof. Sarah Dorgbadzi the Ghanaian storyteller at the Quramo Hub in Victoria Island.

‘On Friday, October 3 features a conversation with the Quramo Writers’ Prize Top Five, culminating in the evening unveiling of the 2025 winner – moments that celebrate new voices and our ongoing commitment to publish and platform them. Saturday holds conversations that move from the intimate – a Writers Exchange between poets Tade Ipadeola and Stephen James Smith – to the public and urgent: a carefully framed conversation on the Nigerian Civil War, 961 Days: Brothers at War. Never Again- which aims for reflection and healing rather than recrimination with voices like Major General Akintunde Akinkunmi (rtd) and Ed Keazor amongst other discussants. That afternoon we honour film storytelling with the exclusive screening of Thicker Than Water from Nemsia Studios and, on Sunday, a moving documentary by Remi Vaughan-Richards, Sin is a Puppy That Follows You Home.

‘We have sought balance: workshops and masterclasses to sharpen craft; panels on AI, migration, climate and film distribution to test new ideas; cultural exchanges like Siamsa to remind us how stories sit inside ritual and song; and spoken-word nights that let younger voices speak directly. These sessions are not separate acts – they are parts of one conversation about who we are, what we owe each other, and how storytelling can help us imagine safer, fairer futures.’

The quiet layers of memory and history came alive at the inaugural Archivist Talk held at the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Yaba, Lagos. The event, themed A Collective Remembering, brought together artists, archivists, cultural workers, and journalists to reflect on the role of archives in shaping Nigerian and global contemporary art.

The Archivist Talk is part of the CCA Lagos’ ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of its founder, the late Bisi Silva, whose vision of connecting Nigerian artists to global audiences continues to inspire projects in archiving, documentation, and storytelling.

The session featured interactive activities such as collage-making and digital storytelling, designed to engage participants in new ways of experiencing archival materials. Technology was at the forefront of the conversations, showing how archives are evolving into dynamic platforms of creativity.

Multidisciplinary artist, Rasak Akorede, described the project as inspiring and innovative.

‘It was quite interesting because different people had different reactions. Some were able to ask questions about events as far back as the 1990s, and the archive gave them answers immediately. That shows how technology can change the way we engage with history,’ he said.

Curator and founder of the Arts Bridge Project, Tony Agbapuonwu, stressed the importance of documentation beyond art. ‘This programme shows us the importance of documenting the times we live in and the role of technology in preserving our stories. Beyond art, archives are tools for understanding culture and shaping the narrative of our society,’ he said.

For cultural reporter, Pelu Adegbesun, the event was a timely reminder of the need to embrace archiving in Nigeria. ‘In the past, many people did not pay attention to preserving memory, but with initiatives like this, young people are beginning to take interest in documentation. This is a beautiful development for our cultural heritage,’ he noted.

Project archivist, Jenny Agu, emphasized the continuing influence of Bisi Silva in Nigeria’s art ecosystem. ‘Her legacy is still very visible in the arts community. She believed in connecting Nigerian artists to global audiences, and this project continues that mission by opening access to archives in creative ways,’ she said.

Agu added that the Archivist Talk was not only about revisiting the past but also about shaping the future. ‘Preserving memory gives us a sense of identity. By using art and technology, we are ensuring that today’s stories will be available for generations to come,’ she explained.

President Bola Tinubu has described Nigerian youths as the nation’s greatest asset, urging them to dream boldly, innovate, and dominate in diverse fields of endeavour.

ý

ýThe President made this charge on Wednesday during a televised address marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

ý

ý’I have a message for our young people. You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country.’

ý

ý’You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector.’

ý

ýTinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through impactful policies and targeted funding initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

ý

ý’Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.’

ý

ý’We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits.’

ý

ý’Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions.’

ý

ý’As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.’

ý

ýHe also highlighted the success of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), which has disbursed N30 billion in affordable loans to over 153,000 Nigerians for essential needs like transport, solar power, and digital tools.

ý

ý’YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement.’

ý

ýTinubu emphasised the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision of a Nigeria where every youth-regardless of background-has a fair chance at success and a better future.

ý

ýHe spotlighted the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme driven by the Bank of Industry in partnership with key international development agencies like AFDB, French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank.

ý

ýHe said initiative supports young entrepreneurs and creatives, fostering innovation and job creation across the tech and entertainment sectors.

ý

ýTinubu acknowledged that ongoing reforms have caused some short-term hardship but said they were necessary to avert a looming economic crisis.

ý

ý’The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government.’

ý

ý’However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option.’

ý

ý’Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand.’

ý

ýHe called on all citizens to contribute actively towards building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria.

An expert has challenged operators in the insurance and pension sectors to come up with strategies that will bring the full informal sector under insurance and pension coverage.

The expert, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Stevens Asset Management Limited, challenge the operators at the Annual Conference of Insurance and Pension journalists in Lagos, with the theme: ‘Strengthening Pension and Insurance Framework for Better Economy’ noted that the informal sector constitutes about 70 million Nigerian working population.

He identified the two sectors as key sub-sectors of the financial services industry of the economy that have capacity to accumulate long term investible funds.

He however, regretted that both sectors for years, have been suffering from under development due to lack of public confidence and trust as well as poor awareness of the value of the sectors on the part of the public. Highlighting the underdeveloped nature of the two sectors, Amolegbe said pension and insurance coverage remained low, observing that only 26.3 percent of Nigerian workers had access to pension plan and health Insurance in 2023 largely due to the high number of informal sector workers in the country.

‘Approximately 92 percent of Nigeria’s employed population works in the informal sector, voluntary Micro pension scheme adoption has been low as of December 2024. Micro pension registration was barely 172.936 six years after the introduction of the scheme, for the inclusion of the informal sector’.

On insurance performance he said ‘Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains largely low at less than 1.0 percent compared to South Africa ‘s 11.54 percent, Namibia’s 7.41 percent Morocco’s 4.10 percent, Kenya’s 2.25 percent and the global average of 6.8 percent,’ he observed.

To address the problem, he said the operators’ first step towards capturing the informal sector into insurance and pension fold was to rebuild their confidence and trust towards the sector.

He said this was necessary because without regaining their confidence they could not be captured into pension and insurance nets because they would not want to put their money where they could not easily access it.

He also urged operators of the two sectors to device simple and different system of enrolling the informal sector operators into the system using modern technology.

He said operators of pension sector should begin to think how to establish micro PFAs and operate such firms in areas where micro people live.

He urged insurance operators to use the opportunity of publicity created by the NIIRA 2025 to promote financial literacy among young Nigerians and make people have feelings for savings through insurance and pensions.

Highlighting statistics on the performance of the two sectors between 2020 and 2024 Amolegbe said: ‘The pension and insurance sectors have recorded substantial growth, positioning them as critical pillars for economic stability and capital market deepening. Total pension assets reached over N23 trillion in 2025, equivalent to approximately 8.6 percent of GDP. Between 2020 and 2024, public sector contributions rose by 71.7 percent to N5.89 trillion, while private sector contributions grew by 65.7 percent to N5.42 trillion. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, contributions totaled N342.23 billion, with total Assets under Management standing at N22.51 trillion. Retirement Savings Account registrations rose by 14.8 percent over five years to 10.58 million accounts, and the Micro Pension Plan attracted N1.06 billion in cumulative contributions, highlighting the untapped potential of the informal sector’, he stated.

He noted that the insurance industry achieved a 56 percent increase in gross written premiums in 2024, reaching N1.562 trillion, with the non-life segment accounting for N1.1 trillion and the life segment N470 billion. Industry assets rose by 46.1 percent to N3.9 trillion, while market capitalisation climbed 41 percent to N1.2 trillion. Net claims paid totaled N622 billion, with growth driven by fire, oil, gas, and group life products. He however noted that penetration remained below 1 percent far behind regional peers such as South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, and Kenya. He highlighted benefits of pension as driving long term investment, reducing poverty level among the elderly, promoting social stability and reducing dependency on family and government.

NHe also highlighted insurance benefits as mitigating financial risks, and enabling businesses to invest and grow with confidence, promoting economic stability by compensating losses from unforeseen events and attracts foreign investment by offering risk coverage, boosting capital inflows among other benefits.

The Nigerian Insurance Industry is set to host no fewer than 250 foreign and local delegates for the 2025 West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference to provide strategic platform for deliberations on the impact of climate change on the insurance industry, as well as actionable strategies to safeguard the future of insurance education and practice.

The conference is scheduled to take place from Sunday, 12 October to Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

This year’s conference, organized by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) with the theme ‘The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change,’ will bring together insurance practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and thought leaders representing countries across the West African sub-region.

Member countries of WAICA, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia, will be represented, making the conference a truly regional platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration.

Speaking yesterday at a press briefing on the upcoming conference held at the Insurers House, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), 2025 WAICA Education Conference, Mrs. Ebelechuwu Nwachukwu said it is particularly important for African insurers to engage in robust discussions on climate change.

She stated that as the continent faces unique vulnerabilities such as extreme weather events, flooding, drought, and agricultural disruptions that directly impact businesses, communities, and livelihoods.

She said: ‘For insurers, these challenges translate into rising claims, increased risk exposures, and the urgent need for innovative products and risk management strategies. By coming together at the WAICA conference, African insurers not only strengthen their collective preparedness but also position themselves to engage competitively with their global counterparts in shaping sustainable insurance practices and climate resilience solutions.

‘Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s most vibrant megacities, was carefully selected as the host destination of the conference for its unique blend of business dynamism, cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality infrastructure. With its strategic role as a financial hub, Lagos provides an ideal environment for fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among West Africa’s insurance community. On Sunday, 12 October 2025, the WAICA 2025 conference will begin with a Cocktail Welcome Reception at the Insurers House, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

‘The Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has confirmed to deliver the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony of the conference on Monday, 13 October 2025, while Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is the Chief Host.

‘The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2025 WAICA Education Conference has assembled an array of eminent local and international insurance industry leaders, dignitaries, and technical experts who will speak on and critically dissect the theme and various sub-themes of the conference. These include Dr. Abiba Zakaria, Ag. Commissioner of Insurance, Ghana; Mr. Wole Oshin, Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc; Mr. Bockarie Kaloko, Deputy Minister of Finance, Republic of Sierra Leone; and Ms. Tola Adegbayi, MD/CEO, Mutual Specialist.

She continued: ‘Following the paper presentations, three panel sessions will be held and chaired respectively by Mr. Sunday Thomas, Former Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM; Alhaji Mohammed Kari, Former Commissioner for Insurance (NAICOM)/Wazirin, Bauchi; and Ms. Olamipo Adeola, Head, Corporate Communication and Branding, Scib Nigeria and Co. Ltd.

‘The LOC have put in place adequate arrangements for the transportation and security of foreign delegates and other participants at the conference to ensure a seamless and safe experience throughout their stay in Lagos.

‘The 2025 WAICA Education Conference promises to be a landmark event, reinforcing regional cooperation and highlighting the critical role of insurers in responding to climate challenges while offering delegates a unique opportunity to experience the dynamism of Lagos’, she noted.

The Spelling Bee competition organised by Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) brought together brilliant minds from primary and secondary schools across the council.

The event, held at the Council Secretariat Hall, created a vibrant atmosphere as students showcased their spelling skills and intellectual abilities.

The competition was moderated by Mrs. Adetola Pinheiro, a retired principal with decades of experience in the education sector. Contestants displayed remarkable focus, determination, and confidence, spelling even the most intricate words with impressive ease.

In her opening remarks, wife of the council chairman, Mrs. Muibat Ogidan, encouraged the pupils to remain committed to learning.

She noted that success is about effort, not just winning.

Head of Education and Library Services, Mr. Taiwo Adejumo, emphasised the value of participation over competition, stating: ‘Whether you win or not, the real courage lies in your participation.’

In the primary school category, Miss Obiorah Chikaima emerged as the winner, while Masters Orji Philip and Alameen Omokehinde claimed the first and second runner-up positions respectively.

In the secondary school category, Samuel Emmanuel secured the top prize, with Chima Chinecherem and Nwokeocha Favour emerged as first and second runners-up.

Special recognition was also given to outstanding participants for their dedication and commitment to academic excellence.

The event was graced Vice Chairman Mathew Olaleye, management team, teachers, and pupils from participating schools.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, till October 27 for making a false claim against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore, the publisher of Saraha Reporters and serial presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was to be arraigned yesterday on a five-count charge the Department of State Services (DSS) filed against him and two others.

The two other defendants listed in the charge are: X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

At the mention of the case yesterday, lawyer to the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, averred that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and applied that the defendants’ plea be taken.

But Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, objected, stating one of the defendants – X Incorp – was not represented by either a lawyer or an official.

Abubakar claimed that his client had not been served with the charge and that X was not represented.

The defence lawyer contended that in a criminal case, it is mandatory that all the defendants are present in court for a proper arraignment to take place.

At that point, the judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, looked through the case file and confirmed that X and Meta were served with the charge electronically through their email addresses.

On noting that Sowore was yet to be served personally (as required), the prosecuting lawyer sought the court’s permission to serve Sowore (who was in court) during the proceedings, a request the judge granted.

But Sowore’s lawyer prayed for an adjournment to allow his client adequate time and opportunity to prepare for his defence, as provided for under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Justice Umar adjourned till October 27 for Sowore’s arraignment.

A lot has changed since our 64th Independence Day anniversary, a year ago-and positively so. Nigeria today is better positioned for enduring economic growth and prosperity than it has been in a long time.

In this piece, I would like to highlight the progress we have made as a nation over the past year.

External reserves have grown from $37 billion to $42 billion. The Naira has gained about 6 percent against the US dollar since a year ago. Headline inflation, which stood at 32.7 percent a year ago, has fallen to 20 percent and is still declining. The Central Bank has just cut interest rates for the first time in five years, reflecting rising confidence in macroeconomic stability. In June 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) affirmed that ‘Nigeria [is] no longer on the list’ of countries where airline funds are blocked from repatriation.

Four landmark tax bills have been passed-the single largest fiscal reform in our recent history. On the strength of reforms that have grown revenues and blocked leakages, we have achieved the unprecedented feat of hitting the federal revenue target for the 12 months of 2025 in August-five months ahead of schedule.

In infrastructure, the presidential legacy projects have moved from fledgling ideas to visible, tangible wonders-mile after mile of imposing concrete roads stretching through communities from Lekki to Calabar to Enugu to Akwanga to Sokoto, and more. Across the country, state-of-the-art cancer centers, electricity substations, MSME hubs, student loans, cash transfers, and new Regional Development Commissions are impacting the lives of the Nigerian people.

In oil and gas, we have seen the conclusion of the historic IOC divestments, ushering in a new chapter of indigenous strength and capacity in our energy industry. We have also welcomed a $5 billion FID from Shell-in the Bonga North deepwater project-alongside several new gas supply agreements that will transform the LNG market both domestically and for export.

Many notorious terrorist and bandit leaders who were actively unleashing violence a year ago have been neutralised or are now in captivity, while our security agencies continue to score improvements in both capacity and synergy.

In sports, our women’s national teams made history: the Super Falcons with their Mission X triumph, and the D’Tigress with their Mission V success-five consecutive AfroBasket titles.

The past year has also brought Grammys, Guinness World Records, and our first official selection ever for the Cannes Film Festival-a testament to Nigerian grit and cultural genius.

The period has also seen several Nigerians elected or appointed into key international organisations, including the Vice Presidency of the International Association for Ports and Harbours; Vice Chairmanship of the International Telecommunication Union Council; Chairmanship of the World Customs Organisation Council; and the Executive Directorship of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, among others.

Nigeria is now the AU’s Digital Trade Champion, and the designated provider of strategic sea support services to the Union, through the Nigerian Navy. And in January 2025, we attained the status of a BRICS partner country.

In the first half of 2025, Nigeria-China trade surged to $15.48 billion, a 34.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This comes almost exactly a year after our bilateral relations with China were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

There is indeed much to celebrate, affirming President Tinubu’s uplifting charge to the nation on October 1, 2024: ‘While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together.’

Today, as we turn 65 and begin our 66th year as an independent nation, every word of that charge rings true. The road has been challenging, but the rewards have been real, and we have forged a bold path toward the light, just as the President promised.

At 65, a person is considered a senior citizen-typically retired from active service. But for a nation, 65 years of independence is not a long time; it is correct to say this is ‘morning yet on creation day’ for us. That said, we are no longer the traumatised 39-year-old that took tentative steps into democracy in 1999.

We have grown wiser, made mistakes, and learned from many of them. We have come to understand, by experience, what Winston Churchill meant when he said that ‘democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried.’ We will never allow this democratic journey to be undermined.

Twenty-five years into this historic Fourth Republic, Nigeria has at its helm a bold and experienced reformer-one unafraid to take hard but necessary decisions for the country’s future; and with a vision to deliver a trillion dollar economy by 2030.

We are able to look ahead to the coming year with great hope and confidence that we are on the right path, moving in the right direction. In the next few weeks, preparations for the 2026 budget will gain momentum, with all hands on deck to deliver a budget that truly works for the people. And in January, the new tax laws will take effect, opening a new chapter of economic dynamism.

In his 2024 Independence Day address, President Tinubu urged: ‘I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support.’

Looking at how the past 12 months have validated these powerful words-a challenging road that nonetheless opens up endless possibilities for growth, prosperity, and progress-I have no doubt whatsoever about the greatness that lies ahead as we begin the count down to our 66th Independence anniversary.

AIICO Insurance Plc, a trailblazer in Nigeria’s insurance industry, has bagged the Outstanding Insurance Company of the Year award at the 2025 MARKETING EDGE Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards held in Lagos.

This recognition marks the third consecutive year that AIICO has been celebrated at the prestigious event, reinforcing its stature as a leading composite insurer that continues to define excellence in the marketplace.

In 2023, AIICO was named ‘Insurance Company of the Decade’, followed by another top industry honour in 2024, before emerging this year’s Outstanding Insurance Company of the Year.

The organisers of the award noted that AIICO’s selection was based on its sterling performance and the remarkable positive impact it continues to make on the Nigerian financial services industry.

The company’s consistency in delivering value to customers, while driving innovation and service excellence, has positioned it as a brand of choice across generations.

Speaking on the recognition, Head of Marketing and Communications, at AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Segun Olalandu said the recognition affirms their strength and relevance in the marketplace.

At AIICO, we will not rest on our oars. We remain intentional about delighting our customers, meeting their needs, and surpassing their expectations with innovative solutions and superior service. This latest award further strengthens AIICO’s long-standing reputation as a trusted brand and a consistent leader in Nigeria’s insurance sector, he said.

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s economic participation, saying deliberate investment in women is key to inclusive growth and prosperity.

Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat, spoke at the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA)’s flagship conference, WAPA Connect 2025.

According to him, the recently launched Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap was designed to dismantle barriers that limit women and girls from contributing fully to the economy.

‘WAPA Connect Conference is our flagship 2025 event, uniting government officials, civil society, private sector partners, and everyday women across Lagos. This year’s theme underscores our strong commitment to making policies practical and impactful, ensuring measurable outcomes for women’s empowerment. We believe that investing in women is not just an act of charity-it is a matter of economics, justice, and prosperity. A society cannot really thrive if it leaves half of its population behind,’ he said.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the roadmap, developed from real-life experiences of Lagos women across sectors, would expand opportunities in entrepreneurship, agriculture, skill acquisition, the traditional labour market and emerging industries.

He added that the state was prioritising partnerships with women-led organisations and private sectors to ensure measurable results, while improving data collection to guide targeted interventions.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, described the programme as a platform that enables women from all backgrounds to connect, network and explore opportunities.

She said this year’s theme serves as a reminder that empowering women benefits families, businesses and the wider economy.

Highlighting the ministry’s achievements, Mrs Dada said 28,913 students had graduated from the state’s 19 free skills acquisition centres since the inception of the administration, while 17,213 beneficiaries received equipment under the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI).

She added that 18,241 women were trained under the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP), 5,494 benefitted from agricultural programmes in Badagry, while more than 5,500 widows received cash grants and empowerment packages.

According to her, over 28,000 sanitary pads have been distributed to schoolgirls under the menstrual hygiene programme, while the ministry’s Purple Project provides shelters, psychosocial counselling and legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence across the 57 councils.

She said the initiatives have strengthened food security and created employment opportunities across the state.

The commissioner commended the state government’s continuous support and stressed that WAPA’s achievements reflect Sanwo-Olu’s vision of placing women at the heart of development.

Wife of the governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, also commended the commissioner for sustaining the conference and placing women at the centre of its agenda.