News Agency of Nigeria
NBA-YLF urges BRIPAN on greater collaboration on insolvency practices 
General News

NBA-YLF urges BRIPAN on greater collaboration on insolvency practices 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Rukayat Moisemhe

 

The Nigerian Bar Association – Young Lawyers Forum (NBA-YLF) has urged the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) to foster stronger collaboration.

 

 

 

The forum said such collaboration would enhance youth inclusion and increase participation in Nigeria’s insolvency practice landscape.

 

NBA-YLF Chairman, Mr Timothy Clement, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to BRIPAN President, Mr Chimezie Ihekweazu (SAN), on Saturday in Lagos.

 

 

 

Clement expressed young lawyers’ growing interest in insolvency and business recovery and requested training concessions to boost their engagement.

 

 

 

He noted that the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 had reformed Nigeria’s insolvency laws significantly.

 

 

 

According to him, the Act introduced flexible mechanisms for business recovery and restructuring, helping viable businesses to remain operational instead of shutting down.

 

 

 

Clement said the shift from liquidation to restructuring would reduce litigation, preserve economic value, and sustain employment across the country.

 

 

 

He added that young lawyers needed access to professional training and support to understand insolvency principles and contribute to national recovery efforts.

 

 

 

Responding, BRIPAN President, Ihekweazu, appreciated the visit and emphasised the importance of professional standards in insolvency practice.

 

 

 

He said CAMA 2020 prioritised professionalism and offered flexible options like company administration and voluntary arrangements instead of liquidation.

 

 

 

According to him, the Act empowers licensed practitioners to manage distressed firms towards recovery, encouraging sustainability and continuity.

 

 

 

He added that BRIPAN would consider inclusive membership concessions in line with its goal of boosting business survival rates in Nigeria.

 

 

 

Ihekweazu urged young lawyers to invest in building capacity and expanding their practice areas for long-term benefits. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu / Kamal Tayo Oropo

Expert calls for collaboration among West African tour operators
Culture & Tourism

Expert calls for collaboration among West African tour operators

 

 

 

By Folasade Adeniran

A tourism expert, Mr Ikechi Uko, has urged West African tour operators to collaborate closely to promote travel and tourism within the region and achieve shared objectives.

 

Uko spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the just-concluded eighth edition of the West African Travel Expo (Accraweizo 2025).

 

The event, with the theme, “Reimagining The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol”, was held in Accra, Ghana, from June 27 to July 1.

 

NAN reports that the event focused on seamless travel in West Africa, exploring its opportunities and challenges.

 

It featured a summit for West African tour operators and transporters.

 

Uko, who organises the annual event, said this year’s edition particularly focused on tour operators because they are the real enablers.

 

“Transporters and tour operators have been the ones sustaining regional travel, but they’ve rarely worked together.

 

“So, we thought, let’s convene them. First, to network. Second, to challenge one another. And third, to get them to take a position on how to improve. That’s how the idea of a tour operators’ summit came about,” Uko explained.

 

Uko commended ECOWAS for its role in the summit.

 

He stated, “We’re happy that one way or another, ECOWAS themselves reached out to us and decided that they are interested in what we are doing.

 

“Over the past years, they have been attempting to engage more with tourism and travel, but mostly at the level of national federations.

 

“Now, they see the value of engaging directly with practitioners. They realised the actual issues with the protocol aren’t entirely ECOWAS’s fault; it’s in the implementation by sovereign states.”

 

According to Uko, ECOWAS has requested a compilation of a report based on the deliberations of the tour operators.

 

“I have asked them to identify five key issues and recommendations.

 

“We don’t want to impose a report from the top; it must be participatory, something they own. Once it’s done, we will present it to the ECOWAS president,” he added.

 

Uko said networking plans were already underway for Accraweizo 2026.

 

“For example, we have 21 tour operators from East Africa planning to come solely to find West African partners. This is how we grow,” he noted.

 

According to him, the goal is to improve travel and tourism growth in West Africa through easy access to towns and cities within the region, improving and simplifying airport and border processes, among other things.

 

“West Africa is the biggest region in Africa, with over 400 million people rich in culture and tourist attractions.

 

“It receives the least number of tourists, yet West African countries generate the highest number of outbound travelers in Africa.

 

“There is a need to encourage West Africans to travel within the region, and this is the goal of Accra Weizo,” Uko highlighted.

 

NAN reports that during the summit, the push for unity and collaboration was reinforced by Yvonne Donkor, President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA).

 

She stressed the importance of advocating policies that support cross-border tourism, continuous dialogue among stakeholders, and innovative partnerships that could break down barriers limiting regional travel.

 

Also, Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), said that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are vital for achieving seamless cross-border travel in West Africa.

 

She urged governments in the region to collaborate on infrastructure development, such as border facilities, roads, and transportation systems.

 

She also noted that creating bilingual content collaboration would bridge the region’s language divide.

 

NAN reports that the event drew stakeholders from countries in the region, including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Togo, Benin Republic, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

 

BRICS reshaping global economic power — Economist
Foreign

BRICS reshaping global economic power — Economist

 

By Busayo Onijala

Expansion of BRICS highlights its strengthened representation and burgeoning global appeal.

It also signals that a structural shift in the global economic dynamics is quietly underway.

An economist, Alexander Odonkor, made the assertion ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6 and July 7.

Odonkor is a member of the African Finance and Economic Association and Commentator for China Global Television Network.

The 17th BRICS Summit has the theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.

It will host an expanded grouping of 11 members and 10 partner countries, marking a significant milestone in the history of BRICS.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BRICS is an inter-governmental organisation originally composed of four members – Brazil, Russia, India and China.

South Africa joined in 2011.

From 2024 to 2025, it admitted six new members – Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, becoming BRICS+.

During the Kazan Summit in Russia in 2024, its leaders approved the establishment of a BRICS partner country category.

One of its objectives is strengthening political, economic and social cooperation among its members while increasing the influence of Global South countries in international governance.

Nigeria became a partner country earlier in 2025, joining Bolivia, Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Nigeria will make its debut as a partner country at the Brazil summit with President Bola Tinubu participating in a plenary and delivering an address on the country’s ongoing reforms aimed to reposition it for global competitiveness.

NAN also reports that Tinubu is one of the four African presidents invited to the summit.

The others are presidents of South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia.

For Nigeria and the wider African continent, the expanded BRICS offers new opportunities for trade, investment and development cooperation amid shifting global economic dynamics.

According to Odonkor, the 11 member-countries of BRICS represent more than 40 per cent of the world’s population, 40 per cent of global oil production and exports, and 40 per cent of global trade.

He said for the participating countries, BRICS expansion means a larger market, additional resources, including energy, and huge potential for investment, as the group would seek to deepen cooperation among Global South countries.

“For example, in the area of international trade, a powerful driver of economic development and poverty reduction, cooperation between BRICS members and other developing countries has significantly advanced South-South trade.

 

“Despite the absence of formal trade agreements, BRICS has expanded intra-group trade and reduced dependence on traditional markets, enabling member- countries to tap into one another’s sizable market,” he said.

 

Referring to a 2025 policy brief by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Odonkor said that, from 2002 to 2021, the total global trade of all BRICS countries grew more than sevenfolds, crossing $4 trillion from $572 billion.

 

He said the group had made significant progress toward forming its own network of complementary supply chains and diversifying trading relationships.

“For non-BRICS developing countries, the rapid intra-group trade between BRICS members, underpinned by its network of supply chains, presents an attractive alternative cooperation to advance the global value chain and create new growth opportunities to support development.”

 

The economist said that beyond trade, cooperation in the group offered an opportunity to attract more investments and collectively contribute to global growth.

 

He noted that in 2023, China was among the world’s top three Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recipients, while Brazil and India each recorded notable rise in inward direct investment.

According to the economist, this makes BRICS a key driver of FDI growth, especially in emerging markets.

 

“Supported by expanding FDI inflows which facilitate technology transfer and capital inflows and enable member-countries to tackle development-related challenges, including climate change, BRICS has witnessed a marked expansion in its economic influence, becoming a key driver of global growth.

 

“In 2018, BRICS overtook the G7’s share of global GDP in terms of purchasing power parity, and by 2024, the difference further widened.

 

“BRICS accounted for 35 per cent, compared to the G7’s 30 per cent,” he said.

 

NAN reports that at the 2025 BRICS summit, discussions will focus on global health cooperation, trade, investment and finance, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, multilateral peace and security architecture, and institutional development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Experts call for academia-industry partnership in hospitality
Culture & Tourism

Experts call for academia-industry partnership in hospitality

 

 

 

 

 

By Joan Odafe

Hospitality and tourism experts have called for a stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industry practitioners to prepare young Nigerians for meaningful careers in the sector.

 

The experts made the call during a panel session at a summit for students in hospitality and tourism on Friday in Lagos.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, ‘Hospitality and Business Summit (HBS) 2025’, was organised by Tourism and Hospitality Mentorship for Development (TMD) Brand, in collaboration with Eko Hotels and Suites.

 

The event had the theme, ‘Wonders of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow: Positioning for Global Impact – The Role of Youth in the Industrial Revolution’.

 

The panelists called on academic institutions to urgently reform internship structures and student engagement strategies to bridge the widening gap between classroom theory and practical realities.

 

The Managing Director of Eko Hotels and Suites, Mr Ghassan Faddoul, said the most urgent shift needed to prepare young people for the hospitality sector was to bridge the gap between academics and the practical.

 

Faddoul said schools had to make their internship programme compulsory every year, from year one for every student, so they could undergo hands-on training.

 

“We don’t take it lightly here because we don’t just do trainings. We do training and development.

 

“When we train someone, we train for him or her to do the job better but when we develop our employees and interns, we develop them to become a better person, a better manager, a better employee,” he said.

 

Rita Opiah, General Manager, Radisson Hotel Group, said in addition to the compulsory annual internship, there was need for accountability on the part of the institutions, through enforcement of the training.

 

Opiah urged leaders of tourism and hospitality institutions to be more intentional, by ensuring that the students are present for the exact duration planned for.

 

“You have to come onsite and ensure a task force that will also talk with the industry leaders, to monitor them and see what they are doing, and also hear our feedback,” she said.

 

Opiah also called for collaboration among stakeholders, noting that the tourism and hospitality industry had a lot of career opportunities including travels, event management, tour operators, resort management, marketing destination tourism and travel events.

 

Yvonne Joseph, a hospitality career mentor and advisor, however, said that youth disinterest in hospitality was a major concern, with many of the mindset that the sector was boring.

 

Joseph said: “They want to express their creative side in their businesses.

 

“Even if they are working in the front desk or doing their internship in the front desk, they want to see how they can make it more fun.”

 

She urged industry leaders, that by giving students and interns room to share ideas, they were helping to close gaps in the industry.

 

She added that their suggestions could also impact meaningfully on their businesses.

 

In response, Susan Akporiaye,former president of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), said apart from hotels, there were vast opportunities in travel and tourism.

 

Akporiaye cautioned the students against the notion that because they were in the digital age, they had nothing to learn from the older players in the industry.

 

She urged them to blend the age of humanity and technology, as well as improve on skills that would ensure they are employable in the industry.

 

The Director of Sales and Marketing of Eko Hotels and Suites, Dr Iyadunni Gbadebo, urged the students to explore ways in ensuring that content creation is seen as a serious role within the industry.

 

Gbadebo urged stakeholders in travel, tourism and hospitality to collaborate to sell ‘Destination Nigeria’ for national growth.

 

Also, the General Manager of Eko Hotels and Suites, Mr Danny Kioupouroglou, emphasised the need for training, hard work and focus as important factors that would make the students best leaders in the industry.

 

Citing examples of his growth in the industry, Kioupouroglou told the students that he started off at the lowest level, took up difficult roles, made mistakes before he eventually got to his present position.

 

“Leadership isn’t about showing off. It’s about showing up; before you can lead, you have to serve,” he said.

 

In his remarks, the South-West Regional Coordinator of TMD Brand, Temitope Sadiq, said the summit was aimed at exposing students in tourism, hospitality and transportation to veterans in the industry, so they could gain more insight and leverage their experience.

 

NAN reports that no fewer than 2,000 students from various schools across the nation attended the programme. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

9mobile, MTN seal nationwide roaming deal
Science & Tech

9mobile, MTN seal nationwide roaming deal

 

 

By Funmilola Gboteku

9mobile and MTN have confirmed a national roaming partnership, with a full nationwide rollout expected by the end of July.

The Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Obafemi Banigbe, and MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, made this known at a joint news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

Banigbe stated that all roaming tests would conclude over the weekend, and rollout would begin across Nigeria depending on the results.

“By the end of this weekend (July 5–6), technical preparations for activation will be complete, allowing for immediate rollout,” Banigbe said.

He said the partnership was a first in Nigeria and across West, Central, and East Africa, and would redefine connectivity for millions.

Banigbe emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration and said it had been long anticipated by stakeholders.

“Today, we are proud to confirm a three-year national infrastructure-sharing agreement with MTN,” he announced.

The partnership enables 9mobile to extend coverage using MTN’s radio infrastructure in areas where it lacks presence.

“It is not a merger or coalition, but a commercial partnership focused on operational efficiency,” Banigbe clarified.

He added that the agreement reflects 9mobile’s strategy—to build only where necessary and share where possible.

Banigbe noted the move would enhance customer experience and reduce capital expenditure, attracting more telecom investors.

“This collaboration allows expansion without duplicating infrastructure, which is highly capital-intensive in telecom.

“With Nigeria’s population expected to hit 400 million in 20–25 years, and 70 percent under 30, the market remains ripe for growth.

“There’s no freeloading. This isn’t a subsidy or favour. It’s a commercial deal ensuring both networks deliver quality service,” Banigbe said.

He confirmed that 9mobile subscribers would remain on the 9mobile network and be billed accordingly.

“This partnership creates new possibilities. It redefines competition, proving that collaboration can drive innovation,” he said.

On her part, Saint-Nwafor said the agreement exemplifies “co-opetition”—a blend of cooperation and competition in telecom.

“This is pioneering. We are proud to move from pure rivalry to cooperation in efficiency, while still competing in service and innovation,” she stated.

She praised 9mobile for its collaborative approach and expressed pride in expanding boundaries within Nigeria’s telecom space.

Saint-Nwafor applauded the NCC and its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, for enabling such industry progress.

She also commended the Minister of Communications, Dr Bosun Tijani, for supporting sustainability and cost-effective innovation.

“Industry sustainability is our shared goal. This deal supports national priorities like digital inclusion and infrastructure optimisation,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experts task professionals on digital tools for organisational growth
General News

Experts task professionals on digital tools for organisational growth

 

 

 

By Adebola Adegoke

Legal experts have charged legal and governance professionals to embrace digital tools to provide strategic value to engender organisational growth.

They made the call on Thursday during Kaizen Academy’s webinar series with the theme: “Setting Yourself Apart: Unlocking Value as Company Secretary, In-House and General Counsel”.

Kaizen Academy is a consulting firm that provides corporate strategy, compliance and governance advisory services.

The Company Secretary, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mrs Cecilia Madueke, urged legal professionals to embrace digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Madueke urged them to build their digital competence through online learning and hands-on experience.

“Tools like AI can boost legal research, documentation, and data-driven strategy, making legal teams more responsive and effective,” she said.

Madueke highlighted the tangible benefits of digital adoption, including cost savings, improved stakeholder engagement, and faster decision-making.

She, however, warned of the risks that came with digital tools, such as cybersecurity breaches and data misuse.

 

Also speaking, the Company Secretary, Ninety One, South Africa, Ms Nana Aston, warned against blind reliance and insisted on cross-checking AI-generated insights against actual legal texts.

 

Aston recommended setting up an ecosystem of trusted legal and regulatory information sources, such as alerts from leading law firms and updates from regulatory bodies.

“To remain relevant, professionals should pursue continuous learning through accredited courses, masterclasses, and cross-border legal roundtables,” she said.

Dr Denis Peterson, the General Counsel and Company Secretary, Mercedes-Benz, South Africa, noted that in-house counsels were uniquely positioned within the business to offer relevant, integrated solutions.

Peterson highlighted four key traits that distinguished exceptional general counsel.

“They are: empowering teams and fostering collaboration; blending legal advice with business-savvy risk management; embracing technological transformation like AI.

“Also, clearly demonstrating the value of the legal function to leadership, ” Peterson said.

He also identified trust as the bedrock of lasting impact, established through consistent delivery of quality advice.

“Trust is fragile and can be eroded by small, repeated missteps or by compromising one’s independence.

“A general counsel who becomes too close to the board or executive team may lose their strategic objectivity, which in turn undermines trust.

“Once trust is lost, regaining it is extremely difficult and without trust, legal professionals risk becoming irrelevant despite their technical prowess,” he said.

Mrs Abidemi Ademola, the Legal Director and Company Secretary, Guinness Nigeria Plc, called on legal professionals to embrace a mindset of creativity, leadership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

 

Ademola said effective in-house counsel must build meaningful relationships across business units.

She also highlighted the growing role of legal teams in data management.

“Data is the new currency and helping your organisation access information at the speed of light adds value,” she said.

 

The General Counsel of the Zempler Bank, United Kingdom, Dr Solomon Osagie, stressed the need for legal professionals to evolve, develop leadership capabilities, and maintain independence.

 

Osagie underscored the importance of understanding the business and being strategically involved, while maintaining legal independence and embracing innovation.

“While it is crucial for general counsel to understand and contribute to business discussions, there remains a delicate balance.

“Lawyers must advise from a place of independence, ensuring that their counsel retains its professional privilege and impartiality,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Oyetutu Ayeni, the Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JP Morgan Chase, United States, emphasised the importance of balancing legal risk with business innovation.

Ayeni said in-house lawyers could achieve this balance by streamlining approvals, automating low-risk contracts, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to support innovation effectively. (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

 

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

NGO holds scholarship award exams for Lagos public schools
Education

NGO holds scholarship award exams for Lagos public schools

 

 

 

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

 

Sweetthinkers, a non-profit- organisation, on Thursday organised stage one of its Academic Excellence Award examination for pupils in public primary schools in all local governments areas of Lagos State.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is to support and improve academic excellence in government-owned schools and give scholarships to winners of the competition.

 

The organisation tested the candidates in Mathematics, English, Science and General Knowledge and it was conducted by officials of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB).

 

Ten candidates from each of the LGAs with 26 marks and above will qualify for the stage two of the exercise scheduled for September.

 

A representative of Sweetthinkers, Media Department, Nnenna Chinedu, said that the project was targeted at elevating and projecting academic excellence among pupils within government schools in Lagos State.

 

Chinedu noted that the organisation was passionate about seeing every child, particularly in public schools thrive, regardless of their socio-economic background.

 

“We observed that there is always more focus on private schools, so, we decided to spotlight the government schools, create and give the pupils the platform to compete among themselves, ” she said.

 

She explained that the examination would be divided into four segments, saying, “This is the preliminary stage; 10 pupils with the highest score from the ongoing examination will move to the second stage, third stage and then the grand finale.”

 

Chinedu disclosed that there would be educational scholarships for the first runner-up, second runner-up and winners of the examination at the grand finale in 2026.

 

Earlier, Mrs Adeniji-Arron Abidemi, Desk Officer, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority, which was one of the examination’s centre, lauded the initiative.

 

Abidemi said that the exercise would expose the pupils to phases of examinations and preparedness.

 

She noted that the candidates were restricted to pupils in primaries four and five, as they still had ample time in the school, unlike the current primary six that would progress to secondary schools in September.

 

She expressed delight on the turn out and performances of the pupils.

 

“ We told the schools to present two best students from each of the 31 selected schools and they all did well, but we picked the best 10.

 

“We are very happy with Sweetthinkers for bringing this initiative to the grassroots and extend this opportunity to our students; this is not common in public schools, and we say a big thank you and they should keep it up.”

 

The officer encouraged the pupils to see themselves as winners, adding that there would be other similar opportunities to compete.

 

The participating schools include Lagos State Model Primary School; GRA Primary School; Army Model Primary School; Central Primary School.

 

Others are Ikeja Primary School; St Peter Primary School; Onilekere School; Bola Memorial Primary School, among others. (NAN)(www nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Joe Idika

CIIN president lauds tech-driven solutions at maiden Insurance Week Hackathon
Economy/Business

CIIN president lauds tech-driven solutions at maiden Insurance Week Hackathon

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

Mrs Yetunde Ilori, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), has commended the innovative and technology-driven solutions presented during the institute’s maiden Insurance Week Hackathon competition.

 

Ilori gave the commendation after the completion of the competition on Thursday in Lagos, held at the College of Insurance and Financial Management in Asese, Ogun, as part of the Insurance Week organised by the CIIN.

 

She described the solutions as crucial to the industry’s transformation and relevance in the digital age.

 

“This shows that the future is bright for the Nigerian insurance industry. We are transforming as an industry, and digital innovation is at the heart of that transformation,” Ilori said.

 

She noted that 19 teams initially applied for the competition, but only six were shortlisted.

 

The competition, which targeted young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 29, engaged six finalist teams over a four-week intensive innovation process, culminating in a demo day on Wednesday in Lagos.

 

The hackathon focused on real-world challenges in the sector, such as inclusive insurance, fraud detection, risk management, and improving customer experience.

 

It was designed to cultivate the next generation of insurance innovators, deepen insurance awareness, and promote financial literacy among Nigerians.

 

The teams that participated in the final stage of the competition were: Ifokanbale, Insurbridge, Insurvate, Team Aegis, Team Phoenix, and The Assured Team.

 

Team Aegis developed “Hustle Guard”, a microinsurance solution for tricycle drivers covering health, life, and income, in an effort to demystify microinsurance in Nigeria.

 

The Assured Team presented “Kolo Plus by Card”,  an unstructured savings plan with payment and interest features tailored to low-income earners.

 

Team Insurbridge created “Smarter Claims”,  a solution aimed at improving the insurance claims process.

 

Team Phoenix introduced “HerShield”,  a solution focused on empowering women and building trust in the insurance sector.

 

The Assured Team also developed additional ideas to drive insurance penetration in underserved and informal communities.

 

After an engaging pitch session before a panel of judges, Team Insurvate emerged as the overall winner with its solution, “Claim Central”, an end-to-end digital platform designed to streamline the insurance claims process from policyholders to insurers.

 

Team Aegis secured second place, while Team Phoenix came in third.

 

The panel of judges included financial sector experts such as Norah Igwe, Tunji Andrews, Diana Mulili, Sakeenat Bakare, Ibraheem Babalola, and Prince Adeshina Adeyemi-Doro.

 

Also speaking, Mr Eddie Efekoha, Chairman of the Insurance Week, said the hackathon demonstrated a conscious effort to explore how technology can help distribute insurance products to all parts of the country.

 

“We believe this initiative will spark more interest among the youth to engage with insurance, not just as consumers but as creators and innovators,” he said.

 

Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Mr Odunayo Ojeremi, leader of Team Insurvate, described the competition as highly competitive and rewarding.

 

“We are excited and grateful for the opportunity.

 

“We didn’t expect to win, but we are glad our solution was recognised. We hope to improve ‘Claim Central’ and make it a platform that ensures seamless claims processing,” he said.

 

The Insurance Week, which began on Saturday, June 28, is set to conclude on Friday, July 4.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Minister endorses West Africa Industrial Summit to drive regional economic growth
Economy/Business

Minister endorses West Africa Industrial Summit to drive regional economic growth

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has formally endorsed the 2025 West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing, and Trade (IMT) Summit and Exhibition.

Sen. John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional industrial and trade advancement in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

The endorsement signals strong governmental backing for the Summit, scheduled for Oct. 21 to Oct. 23 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.

The theme of the IMT Summit is “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity”.

It aims to convene key stakeholders from across the region, including policymakers, industrial leaders, investors, and development institutions, to chart practical strategies for industrial growth.

Enoh stated the ministry was pleased to collaborate with dmg Nigeria events, the organisers of the Summit.

He said, “The ministry formally endorses and consents to collaborate with dmg Nigeria events in the successful organisation of the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade Summit and Exhibition 2025.

“The ministry commends dmg Nigeria events’ efforts in promoting industrial, manufacturing and trade development across the West African Region and looks forward to a successful partnership in delivering a high-impact Summit.”

Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director, Nigeria and Portfolio Director, Energy for dmg Nigeria events, also siad, “As we witness Africa’s rising in global manufacturing and trade, the endorsement from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment marks the beginning of the transformation required for real economic development and growth.”

According to him, this is a strong validation of the strategic importance of the maiden edition of the West African IMT Summit and Exhibition.

Oyelana added, “It reinforces our shared commitment to accelerating industrial development, strengthening local manufacturing, increasing regional and international trade, and driving investment into the region.”

West Africa IMT 2025 operates as an implementation platform where policy briefings, cross-border investment showcases, and technical panels address infrastructure gaps, regulatory alignment, and industrial capacity building.

This approach moves beyond conceptual discussion toward actionable regional industrial development strategies.

As Ghana and Senegal demonstrate measurable progress in manufacturing output and policy implementation, the summit provides infrastructure for scaling these approaches across West Africa’s broader industrial landscape. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

NGO trains activists on human rights app
General News

NGO trains activists on human rights app

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Oluwatope Lawanson

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Devatop Centre for Africa Development, has trained 100 human rights activists on the effective usage of “TALKAM” app to strengthen grassroots responses to abuse and promote digital justice.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was held on Friday in Lagos in partnership with the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH).

 

The Executive Director, Devatop, Mr Joseph Osuigwe, said the workshop was focused on advocacy and community engagement with the use of the app.

 

Osuigwe, represented by its Lagos Project Lead, Miss Janet Homo, said the workshop was organised to educate human rights activists on how to use TALKAM App, a mobile platform developed to enable citizens report human rights violations in real time.

He said the training under the Talkam Human Rights Initiative Project, held simultaneously in Lagos and Cross Rivers states, was facilitated by experts in human rights and digital advocacy.

 

According to him, the initiative reaffirmed Devatop’s commitment to building a network of digitally skilled and proactive human rights defenders across Nigeria.

He said the initiative would help Nigerians who were not only aware of their rights to take action wherever injustice occurs.

“The trainers led participants through engaging sessions on human rights fundamentals, community-based mobilisation, and how to navigate myths and misconceptions that often hinder advocacy efforts.

“It is a bold step toward equipping a new generation of human rights defenders with the tools, strategies, and digital platforms they need to challenge abuse and uphold justice at the community level.

“A major highlight of the workshop was the introduction and hands-on use of the TALKAM App.

“The participants were taught how to submit cases through the app, interact in the TALK Room, and provide feedback through the Google Play Store to help improve user experience,” he said.

 

He added that the aim of the of the training was for participants to develop customised community action plans, gain digital advocacy skills, and express increased confidence in their ability to identify human rights violations.

Mr Bemshima Abako, a facilitator, highlighted that a common myth was the belief that only governments were responsible for protecting human rights.

Abako stressed that individuals also had a vital role to play in protecting human rights.

During group discussions, Prudence Inana an advocate, emphasised the importance of giving children the space to participate in decision-making processes.

Another participant, Ayoola Gandonu, called for the training to be replicated in other states for wider reach and greater national impact.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr Anthony Oyigbeche, one of the newly trained advocates, expressed gratitude to Devatop for the knowledge shared and the smooth coordination of the programme.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email