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Seplat Energy says that domestic gas remains the engine of prosperity for Nigeria and Africa in general, from powering homes, to fuelling industry and providing a cleaner alternative for cooking and transportation.

This, the company said, informed its decision to invest heavily in gas processing capacity devoted to the domestic market, including the ANOH gas plant which is expected to come on stream before the end of the year.

The Director, New Energy at Seplat, Mr. Okechukwu Mba, said this at the 2025 Africa Energy Week (AEW) held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Mba, who spoke during a panel discussion titled ‘Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets’, said stakeholders need to ensure that the challenges in the gas-to-power value chain from molecules at the wellhead to electrons in homes are addressed for Nigeria to realize the goal of increased power supply to Nigerians.

He also emphasised the importance of a commercially viable power sector which is critical to achieving growth in the domestic gas market.

He said: ‘Bankable anchor customers are needed to underpin the development of new gas projects whilst identifying infrastructural challenges in power transmission and distribution as well as the liquidity crises in the power sector as two areas that require urgent attention in order to unlock new gas projects.

Mba highlighted that Seplat Energy currently supplies gas to five power stations in Nigeria which underscores its commitment to the power sector, noting that gas is well positioned to provide reliable and affordable base load energy to drive to economic growth.

According to Mba, Seplat Energy adopted a comprehensive approach to growing the domestic gas market.

‘Beside investments in pipeline gas projects, Seplat is also investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities,’ he added.

In addition to the significant volumes of butane now supplied to the domestic market from its NGL plant in Bonny River Terminal, Seplat Energy also intends to commence delivery of LPG from its Sapele and ANOH gas plants before the end of the year.

This, Mba said, would make Seplat Energy one of the leading suppliers of LPG, displacing biomass and providing a cleaner cooking fuel that will improve the health and living conditions of Nigerians.

He added that Seplat Energy’s investment into CNG was to make gas available to customers not currently connected to the domestic gas pipeline network.

The New Energy boss at Seplat stated that the company plans to take its operated gas production to over 1 Bcf/d by 2030, while noting that the recent incentives granted by government to the gas sector will aid the achievement of this goal.

In a related development, the Director External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, who featured in a panel discussion dubbed ‘Bureaucracy or Bridge? Tailoring Global ESG Approaches for African Realities’, said in all the company’s moves in driving to drive access to reliable and affordable energy for Nigerians, ESG fundamentals are strongly upheld and practicalised.

According to her, the peculiarities of the Nigerian people and Africa at large remain very germane in implementing Seplat Energy’s ESG framework and affirming its commitments.

She said: ‘For a truly successful and impactful ESG implementation, it is highly imperative to move from a ‘one size fits all’ mindset to a co-created framework and implementation that is focused on value creation and empowers African nations to define their own sustainable growth plan. One that ensures ESG principles become a bridge across industries and countries, driving growth and not a bureaucratic exercise.’

‘Adapting ESG to local needs is key. Therefore, we should explore customizing global ESG frameworks to address the unique socio-economic conditions, developmental challenges, including infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as vulnerabilities to climate change and economic empowerment, across the continent.’

Speaking to the company’s model, she noted that: ‘At Seplat Energy, our approach has been a regular and systematic process of identifying and analyzing the development ‘gaps’ in our areas of operation and partnering with our communities to define project goals, prioritize resources and develop effective strategies to achieve them.’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, on Friday formally inaugurated its leadership council, with a vow to deliver President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwwori in the 2027 general elections.

The council has the party’s founding leader in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, as its Chairman; Chief Fred Majemite, first vice chairman; Chief Terry Noah, second vice chairman; Chief Festus Agas, Secretary; Chief Raphael Emecho, Assistant Secretary; Mr. George Oyefia, Organising Secretary; Chief Roland Odeni, Assistant Organizing Secretary; Sir Festus Ahon, Publicity Secretary; David Edjukonemu and Chief Adjode Prosper, Ex-Officios.

Also inaugurated were the Finance and Fundraising Committee with Stella Okotete as Chairperson and Mr. Kelly Oghenekevwe as Secretary, as well as the Elders Committee chaired by Prof. Samuel Ibodje.

Speaking at Evwreni, venue of the inauguration, Emerhor urged members to regard the council as a focal point for mobilisation.

He said: ‘See, if you are not here, you are not a politician, you really are not. I have not seen, for a very long time in this dispensation, a gathering of this caliber of persons. I have been involved in political battles and elections since 1999, and looking around this place today, I know we are prepared and ready to go to battle. I don’t see any reason to be worried.

‘We are ready and prepared physically. We are ready and prepared financially. We are also ready and prepared spiritually. I didn’t do anything extraordinary to stand up for the APC; it is neutral for a more progressive agenda. I think His Excellency the President and our government can go to rest; there is no fear in Ughelli North. We are prepared and ready.’

Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, warned against indiscipline within the party.

He cautioned: ‘If some people are here and think they are bigger than the party, let me be clear: the party is too big to wait for anybody. The president was very empathetic, he said, ‘Go and work with these people.’ We are ready to work together.’

Also speaking, Professor Samuel Ibodje and Morrison Olori advised party leaders to focus on inclusion, stressing that no member should be disregarded or undermined.

The council was inaugurated by Honourable Matthew Omonade, the lawmaker representing Ughelli North Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has officially flagged off its annual Customer Service Week for the year 2025, embracing the global theme ‘Mission: Possible’ to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to making the impossible possible for its customers across Africa and beyond.

Every year, Customer Service Week celebrates the vital role of service excellence and customer engagement, and UBA joins the rest of the world to mark this all-important event, given its Customer 1st philosophy which states that the customer at the forefront of all its activities.

This year’s theme resonates deeply with the bank’s vision of turning challenges into possibilities, consistently going beyond expectations to deliver innovative solutions for individuals, businesses, and communities.

Speaking on the launch, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said that the bank prides itself as customer-centric, and does all it can to ensure the satisfaction of its customers across all touchpoints.

He said: ‘As Africa’s global bank, we understand the unique challenges our customers face across different markets. That is why we are constantly investing in technology, people, and processes that make banking easier, faster, and more rewarding. This week is not just about celebrating our customers, but about renewing our pledge to make the impossible possible for them, because at UBA, we remain committed to not just meeting expectations; but we are also committed to exceeding them.’

Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, noted that this year, noted that this year’s celebration marks a renewed commitment to deepening the bank’s focus on customer satisfaction and doing even more to deliver value at every touch point.

‘At UBA, our mission is clear: to make the seemingly impossible possible for our customers. Whether it is enabling cross-border transactions in real time, ensuring seamless digital access to banking, or supporting small businesses to scale against the odds, we are committed to delivering service that transforms lives. This week is a celebration of that mission, and of the customers who inspire us to raise the bar every day,’ she noted.

UBA has a proven track record of turning ‘impossible missions’ into success stories. From being the first Pan-African bank to introduce uninterrupted 24/7 multilingual contact centres, to pioneering innovative digital banking solutions like Leo, the first AI-powered virtual banker in Africa, and facilitating cross-continental remittances for millions of Africans in the diaspora, the bank continues to break barriers in customer service.

As part of this year’s celebration, the bank is rolling out a series of mission-driven initiatives that go beyond banking including business series for Small and Medium Scale business owners, opportunities for their kids and wards to participate in the ongoing National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools, and other financial literacy programs to equip them to navigate today’s economic realities.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

Leadway, one of Nigeria’s foremost non-banking financial services and wellbeing providers, is marking its 55th anniversary with renewed commitment to innovation, financial inclusion, and regional expansion across West Africa.

Founded in 1970 as an insurance company, the group has grown into a diversified conglomerate with services spanning life and general insurance, health coverage, pensions, asset and wealth management, estate planning, hospitality, and credit solutions.

Over the decades, Leadway has positioned itself as a key player in helping individuals and businesses build resilient financial futures.

‘Leadway’s journey is, in many ways, the story of Nigeria itself, one of resilience, diversity, and progress,’ said Tunde Hassan-Odukale, Group Managing Director of Leadway Holdings.

‘We began with the mission of providing succour and financial freedom through risk management, and today that mission has expanded into building a holistic ecosystem that serves millions across the continent,’ Hassan-Odukale added.

The group’s reputation for reliability is underpinned by its claims record; between 2016 and 2024, Leadway paid out nearly ?500 billion in claims, including ?117 billion last year alone, reinforcing its standing as Nigeria’s most consistent claims-paying insurer.

Through its Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) subsidiary, Leadway provides healthcare access to millions of Nigerians via a network of more than 2,500 partner hospitals nationwide.

Its pensions and asset management businesses continue to secure retirement benefits and build wealth portfolios for countless Nigerians.

Expanding beyond Nigeria, the company has established a strong presence in Côte d’Ivoire through Leadway Assurance, Ankara Services, and Leadway IARD, consolidating its role as a leading non-banking financial group in Francophone West Africa.

Beyond business, Leadway invests in social impact and community development initiatives such as Leadway Media Dash support young entrepreneurs and SMEs by showcasing their businesses on company-owned platforms, while long-standing sponsorship of the Lagos International Trade Fair demonstrates its commitment to commerce and enterprise.

The group also contributes to Nigeria’s creative economy through sponsorships of the Lagos Leather Fair, the Nigerian Pavilion at the London Design Biennale, the +234 Art Fair, and the Creative Bloc Carnival.

Its youth-focused programmes, LeadForward for NYSC members and Campus Connect for university students, promote financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and wellbeing.

In 2024, the company launched Hersurred, a women-focused platform offering mentorship, skills workshops, networking, and annual events to empower women across industries.

As it celebrates 55 years, Leadway says its next chapter will focus on leveraging technology and people-first solutions to deepen financial and social impact.

‘We are committed to creating the next chapter of Africa’s financial services wellbeing powerhouse, offering digital-first solutions that are unparalleled, people-focused, and globally competitive,’ Hassan-Odukale reaffirmed.

Union Bank of Nigeria held its first-ever Stay Recharged Health Walk, a dynamic event that affirmed the Bank’s steadfast commitment to employee well-being and sustainable workplace development.

The walk kicked off at the Stallion Plaza, Union Bank’s Head Office in Marina. It concluded at the Bank’s Sports Complex, The Stable, on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, tracing an energising 7.5km route through Lagos’ vibrant streets.

The overwhelming participation and enthusiasm from employees from diverse departments and locations made it a celebration of physical fitness, mental health, and the power of community spirit.

Stay Recharged is a featured event drawn from a cornerstone of Union Bank’s employee value proposition: employee wellness, thoughtfully crafted to foster a culture where health, happiness, and productivity flourish.

The initiative responds directly to the urgent need for purposeful wellness programmes that nurture both physical and mental health at work. It reflects the Bank’s recognition that employee wellbeing is fundamental to sustained productivity, engagement, and organisational excellence.

Omayuli Wale-Ajayi, Chief Talent Officer, emphasised the significance of this milestone event: ‘At Union Bank, well-being is not an afterthought; it is part of how we work.

‘Our inaugural Stay Recharged Health Walk reflects our commitment to building a culture where our people are energised, supported, and thriving. When we take care of ourselves, we build stronger teams and stronger institutions.’

The Stay Recharged Health Walk aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

This initiative reflects Union Bank’s commitment to fostering a workplace culture that prioritises employee wellness, supports decent and productive work, and contributes to long-term organisational sustainability.

By investing in these wellness experiences, Union Bank not only strengthens its internal community but also reinforces its reputation as an employer of choice.

Union Bank remains dedicated to developing innovative, health-focused programmes that inspire employees to adopt healthier lifestyles, supporting long-term growth for both individuals and the organisation.