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African Reinsurance Corporation , UNICEF Sign US$1.5 Million Partnership To Empower Nigerian Youth

African Reinsurance Corporation and UNICEF Sign US$1.5 Million Partnership  to Empower Nigerian Youth through Climate Change Education and Green Skills UNICEF and African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) has signed a landmark agreement to support climate change education and green skills development for children and young people in Nigeria.
The signing ceremony took place at Africa Re’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Under the agreement, the African Reinsurance Corporation will contribute US$1.5 million over a five-year period to UNICEF to strengthen climate change education and empower young people to take action in their communities and access employment opportunities in the green economy.
“This partnership with Africa Re reflects our shared commitment to building a more climate-resilient future for children and young people,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “By supporting climate change education, we are giving young people the tools to protect themselves, lead action in their communities, and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable Nigeria.”
The collaboration will enable UNICEF to expand access to climate-resilient education and digital learning platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport and Youth Marketplace Agency (YOMA), train teachers, equip schools, and support youth-led climate initiatives.
The programme will particularly target vulnerable children and young people in states most at risk from climate-related shocks.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on behalf of Dr Corneille Karekezi, Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Africa Re, who was unavoidably absent, Mr Kiiza Bichetero, Deputy Managing Director / Chief Operating Officer Elect,  stated: “Africa Re is very proud to be associated with this noble initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund namely, supporting the empowerment of the youth through Climate Change Education and Green Skills. This partnership with Africa Re will provide the knowledge and skills needed by children and adolescents to respond to the climate crisis and contribute to implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions in Nigeria”.
This initiative builds on UNICEF’s work with the Government of Nigeria to integrate climate change into national education policies, curriculum, teacher training, and infrastructure. Through this partnership, UNICEF aims to reach over 4.8 million children and young people with climate education and green skills development.
The agreement also provides for storytelling, media engagement, and site visits to showcase the impact of the African Reinsurance Corporation’s support and elevate the voices of young changemakers across Nigeria.
IHS Nigeria , UNICEF Partner To Deliver Emergency Support To Flood-Affected Communities In Niger State

By Winifred Bosa
In response to the devastating floods that struck Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger State, IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, and UNICEF have joined forces to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
On May 29, 2025, torrential rains triggered flash floods across five communities: Tiffin Maza, Ungwan Hausawa, Yagbagba, Ndayeko, and Wubegi—resulting in one of Niger State’s worst humanitarian crises in recent memory.
The disaster claimed over 153 lives, left hundreds injured and displaced, and wiped out over 10,000 hectares of farmland in this critical agricultural region.
Among those most affected are more than 1,600 children and nearly 800 pregnant and lactating women now living in precarious conditions. Over 500 people are reported to be missing.
In continued support of humanitarian relief efforts, IHS Nigeria has pledged an emergency grant to support UNICEF’s rapid response in Mokwa.
This includes the construction of three solar-powered motorized boreholes, ventilated improved pit latrines, and the renovation and solarization of a damaged primary healthcare center to restore access to clean water, sanitation, and essential health services.
“This emergency support from IHS Nigeria comes at a critical time when thousands of children and families are facing enormous hardship,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “Our longstanding partnership with IHS Nigeria has always prioritized reaching the most vulnerable communities. Together, we have made strides in strengthening primary healthcare systems, education, and child protection. Today’s renewed collaboration ensures that the children of Mokwa are not left behind.”
As the Global Cluster Lead for WASH, Nutrition, Education, and Child Protection, UNICEF has rapidly deployed integrated life-saving interventions across the affected communities.
These include the provision of clean drinking water, emergency sanitation facilities, health services, therapeutic nutrition for children, psychosocial support, and the establishment of temporary learning and child-friendly spaces.
Through this joint response, more than 30,000 displaced people and community members are expected to benefit from access to safe water, improved sanitation and better primary healthcare services, while children will regain access to education and critical child protection services.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, “At IHS Nigeria, we are driven by the belief that communities must not only survive disastrous incidents, but emerge stronger from them. Our partnership with UNICEF is a proven model for helping deliver sustainable impact in some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable regions. We have supported similar interventions across other communities impacted by natural disasters, and by working together once again in Mokwa, we are helping deliver access to water, health services, and dignity for families who need it most.”
Gov Mbah Inaugurates National Sports Festival LOC

Mary Onyeali, Owumi, others make list as Gov Mbah inaugurates National  Sports Festival LOC - Vanguard NewsLarryBravo Nwaiwu
 Olympic bronze medalist, Mary Onyeali and former General Manger of Rangers International Football Club as well as current Chief Operating Officer of Nigeria Professional Football League, Davidson Owumi, were among the big names in the nation’s sports industry on parade as the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah inaugurated the Local Organising Committee, LOC, for the 2026 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state.
Other members of the LOC, which has the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, as the Chairman, are Bamiduro Olumide, a seasoned sports management professional and recently retired Director of Elite Athletes Development, National Sports Commission; Aku Aghazu, a skilled lawyer with expertise in sports management; a representative of Nilayo Sports Management; and Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Blessing Ekwe.
Also, on the Committee are the Director of Organising, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports; Director of Coaching in the Ministry, Ephraim Ochomma; Obiora Obasi, also of the state Ministry; Chairman of Enugu State Football Association Tony Ugwu; and President, Modern Pentathlon Federation of Nigeria, Jonathan Nnaji.
Inaugurating the LOC in his office, Mbah, said the state was not just determined to host the NSF, but to also give the nation’s sports industry and sports lovers an unforgettable experience.
Mbah said the government was deliberate in the choice of members, assembling experienced persons from around the country to ensure that Enugu lived up to expectation.
“We want to set the standard because we are Enugu. I am happy that the membership of the LOC is quite rich. It comprises people with great experience in sport administration, and frankly speaking, their reputations precede them. Therefore, we are glad to have this pool of resources to be members of the LOC,” he said.
Mbah added that the state would also leverage its experience hosting the 2009 Under 17 FIFA World Cup and the recent Enugu City International Marathon, noting that his administration was already taking steps to ensure that the sports infrastructure for the NSF were brought to world standard.
“We have started taking steps at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. We are going to do an extensive revamp. It is going to take a new look. You are not going to recognise the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium because we will bring it to almost a brand new stadium.
“We are also identifying other sporting centers that are not there, such as the aquatic centre. They are going to be there. We are also doing a fit-for-purpose games village known as the Agwu Games Village. We are building new structures there.
“We are indeed poised to give Nigerians and the world at large a world class sporting festival,” Governor Mbah concluded.
Listing the terms of reference of the LOC, he said the Committee would, among other things “be responsible for the successful conduct of the festival; be responsible for the planning and execution of the festival to ensure that the event is organised with the relevant regulations guiding the games.”
The Committee is also to set up relevant subcommittees as it deemed fit and in accordance with the Festival’s regulations and be responsible for coordinating the activities of the various Sub-Committees; and ensure the availability of the games village that will accommodate all the accredited athletes and officials.
Responding, LOC Chairman, Ekweremadu, thanked the governor for considering them fit for the job, assuring that the Committee would work to give the participants the best experience as directed, but also ensure that Enugu State hosts to win.
“The members of the local organising committee are very mindful of Your Excellency’s vision to execute a world-class National Sports Festival, which will set a benchmark for sports festival in Nigeria moving forward. We are determined to win and to make you and the people of the state proud,” he added.
The Chairman equally used the opportunity of the inauguration to present to the governor the flag for the NSF as passed on to Enugu State by Ogun State at the just concluded 22nd edition in the South West state.
Fidelity Bank Supports Quality Education Delivery In Bauchi

L-R: Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Commissioner for Education, Bauchi State, Dr. Lawal Mohammed; Permanent Commissioner Bauchi SUBEB, Alh. Ishiaku Azare; and the Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank, Bauchi State, Ibrahim Aliyu Representing the Regional Bank Head, Northeast Region, Dr Musa Tarimbuka; during the commissioning of a renovated three blocks of seven classrooms at Kobi Government Primary School in Bauchi recently.
…Delivers Renovated Classrooms At Historic School
As part of its commitment to enhancing access to quality education, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has renovated three blocks of classrooms at the historic Kobi Government School in Bauchi State.
The project, executed under the Bank’s Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), was made possible through voluntary contributions by staff of the bank’s Bauchi GRA Branch. Their contributions were then matched by the Bank’s Management for the execution of the project.
Speaking during the handover event, the Regional Bank Head -North-East Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Musa Tarimbuka, represented by the relationship manager, Fidelity bank Bauchi GRA Branch, Ibrahim Aliyu, described the initiative as a testament to Fidelity Bank’s dedication to improving the lives of residents in its host communities.
“This initiative underscores our belief that our success is deeply connected to the well-being of the communities we serve. The renovated classrooms are a testament to the power of collective impact and our ongoing efforts to improve access to quality education and youth empowerment,” He said.
Receiving the renovated blocks on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Mohammed, expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for the generous intervention and encouraged other corporate organizations to follow suit.
“This is a commendable contribution by Fidelity Bank, and we assure you that the facility will be put to optimal use. I encourage other organizations in Bauchi to follow suit in supporting the development of education and infrastructure across the state,” Dr. Mohammed stated.
Fidelity Bank’s renovation of the Kobi Government School joins a long list of interventions executed by the bank in alignment with its CSR pillars of Quality Education and Youth Empowerment. It will be recalled that the bank recently awarded school fees support worth N512.8m to 884 Fidelity Personal Savings Scheme and 472 Fidelity SWEETA customers.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.