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Waves Of Innovation: How First Bank Turned Lagos Into Africa’s Electric Playground

The Lagos Lagoon glistened in shades of blue and gold as electric powerboats sliced through the water, cheered on by an ecstatic crowd that lined Victoria Island’s waterfront from Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 5 October. For two unforgettable days, Lagos became Africa’s capital of clean energy, glamour, and innovation, all powered by First Bank of Nigeria, the sponsor of the continent’s first-ever E1 Lagos Grand Prix.

From the rhythmic sounds of Afrobeats echoing across the Marina to the sight of sleek, futuristic boats gliding silently on water, the E1 Lagos GP was more than a race, it was a celebration of Lagos’ vibrant spirit and Nigeria’s march towards sustainability.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a goodwill message, hailed the event as a bold statement of intent by Nigeria and Lagos, praising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, First Bank, and other partners for delivering a world-class spectacle.

“The E1 Powerboat series combines world-class entertainment with clean energy innovation. This championship is not just a thrilling spectacle on water but a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future,” the president had said at the opening ceremony of the great event on Friday, 3 October.


He described Lagos as “a gateway to innovation, technology, and global sporting excellence,” affirming the nation’s readiness to lead Africa’s transition to clean energy.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who led the regatta that opened the event, described the championship as a proud moment for Lagos and a reflection of its global potential.
“E1 Lagos GP is more than a race; it is a celebration of Lagos’ dynamism, the Spirit of Lagos,” the governor said, adding that “It shows our capacity to host world-class events and underscores our commitment to sustainability.”

Crowds thronged the Lagos Lagoon and fan zones, having fun, snapping selfies, and soaking in the festive atmosphere.

International sports icons, investors, and fans came from across the world, including former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba, co-owner of Team Drogba Global Africa, who added a touch of celebrity magic to the weekend.

For First Bank of Nigeria, the event was not just about sports, it was about making history. Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said sponsoring the E1 Lagos GP reflected the bank’s heritage of innovation and renewal.

“Innovation, sustainability, excitement, speed, we are a heritage bank that has been around for 131 years, and for every one of those years, we have constantly renewed ourselves,” Ijabiyi said, saying that “When this opportunity came, who else could bring the first E1 GP to Nigeria but First Bank? We are proud to have presented Lagos and Nigeria to the world.”

At the First Bank Pavilion, visitors enjoyed interactive experiences, lifestyle engagements, and product showcases, while music, fashion, and food added a distinctly Lagos flavour. Families and young professionals mingled with entrepreneurs, all celebrating a fusion of technology, culture, and sustainability, hallmarks of the bank’s brand identity.

“This race is a net-zero emitter,” Ijabiyi added. “We are strong on sustaining the environment and supporting a cleaner, greener future. It’s innovation meeting responsibility.”

The E1 partnership also connects with the bank’s #FirstBankDecemberIssaVybe series, an annual celebration of entertainment and lifestyle that lights up Nigeria’s festive season. “December is the Vybe,” Ijabiyi teased. “This is just a taste of what’s to come-fun, fashion, food, and amazing experiences.”

The finale on Sunday was nothing short of electrifying as Team Brazil claimed victory, with pilots Timmy Hansen and Leva Millere-Hagin steering their electric boat to glory, beating Team Blue Rising and Team Drogba to the podium.

As the sun set over the Lagoon, the waterfront transformed into a sea of lights and cheers, a moment that captured the heart of Lagos: energetic, ambitious, and always ready to lead.

With its sponsorship of the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, First Bank once again proved that it is more than a financial institution, it is a lifestyle brand championing innovation, sustainability, and national pride.

In the words of Latoya Johnson, a Lagosian who attended the event: “I grew up knowing First Bank as the reliable one. Seeing them behind something this big makes me proud. They’re not just banking our money, they’re banking our future.”

From clean energy to cultural celebration, from racing boats to smiling faces, the E1 Lagos GP was a powerful reminder that when innovation meets tradition, the result is pure magic.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Sanya By Oyin Olugbile Clinches NLNG 2025 The Nigeria Prize For Literature

…New Prize category on Creative Arts introduced

By Winifred Bosa

Sanya by Oyin Olugbile has emerged winner of the 2025 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, clinching one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honour valued at $100,000.

The announcement was made on Friday, 10th October 2025 at the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Grand Award Night in Lagos by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who revealed the winner out of 252 novels submitted for the NLNG-sponsored Prize.

According to Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Olugbile’s mythology retelling approach was distinct and daring for casting Sango as a female and for the projection of Yoruba mythology through a story that captivates and meanders into a fantastical world. She stated that Olugbile achieved this through lucid and straightforward language, making for easy reading.

“We were impressed by the quality of the shortlisted books written by three writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The books, Sanya by Oyin Olugbile; The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma, both published by Masobe Books; and This Motherless Land by Nikki May, published by Narrative Landscape, indicate an improvement in the quality of local publishing.

“After much careful assessments and deliberations, we concluded that very little separates the novels and each is a potential winner of the award. However, Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya slightly takes the edge and is therefore our pick as the winner of the 2025 The Nigeria Prize for Literature,” she stated.

She further announced Okwudiri Anasiudu as the winning entry for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism. Anasiudu won for his submissions titled Afropolitan Identity and Afrodiasporic Otherness in Selected African Novels; Allegorical Conjectures in Helon Habila’s Measuring Time; and Mimetic designs in Helon Habila’s Oil on Water. The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism comes with a $10,000 prize money.

In his opening remarks, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Philip Mshelbila, highlighted the enduring influence of literature, describing The Nigeria Prize for Literature as “a reminder of the power of words to shape identity and deepen understanding. Winning the Prize is recognition of scaling the highest heights of literature. All the shortlisted books this evening are works of the highest calibre,” he said.

He also revealed that The Nigeria Prize for Science will be renamed “The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.” He said the new name reflects NLNG’s belief that progress depends as much on creativity and fresh thinking as on technology and infrastructure.

In another revelation, Mshelbila announced that NLNG would be resting The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and introducing a new Prize category “The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts,” with focus on Documentary Film. He stressed that the new Prize would inspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect Nigerians more deeply to who they are as a nation and who they can become.

On energy, he stated that, according to the International Energy Agency, Africa requires over $200 billion annually in energy investments to achieve its climate and development goals. He added that Nigeria has the capacity and responsibility to lead this effort. He added that every kilometre of pipeline, every processing plant, and every household gas cylinder represents opportunities.

He stated further that NLNG takes pride in what it produces and enables, adding that “Train 7, now over 80% complete, is a $10 billion demonstration of what happens when policy, planning, investment and execution align. It is proof that investment yields results. A clear example of Nigerian content development at work. And it is a signal that Nigeria can remain competitive in the global LNG market if we stay focused, coordinated and ambitious.”

During his speech, Mshelbila unveiled a new book “Voices of Our Leaders,” a commemorative book on NLNG’s history and progress over three decades. He noted that the book captures the voices of some of those who have guided NLNG’s journey from dream to reality.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in his keynote speech, remarked that while there was much to celebrate, it was equally important to pause and reflect. He noted that The Nigeria Prize for Science, with its theme “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development,” had not produced a winning work in 2025. He said it was a reminder that without innovation, Nigeria cannot hope to compete in a digital future.

He emphasised that Nigeria must deepen its investment in science, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, which he described as key to addressing many of the country’s developmental challenges. Concluding his remarks, he called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the broader national vision of nurturing both science and art, strengthening education, investing in digital technologies, and powering the engines of sustainable energy.

In September 2025, the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science announced a no-winner verdict for the Prize.

Through The Nigeria Prizes, NLNG continues to reaffirm its enduring commitment to inspiring a sustainable future.

Two Nigerians Appointed As Independent Non-Executive Directors At Savannah Energy

By Winifred Bosa
Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focused around the delivery of Projects that Matter, has announced several planned Board changes, in line with the Company’s succession planning regime.
The company announced the retirement of Sir Stephen O’Brien and David Clarkson from the Board, extending its sincere thanks to both for their dedication and service as Directors over the past eight years.
 It said that during their tenure they have been instrumental in supporting the Company’s governance framework and Board processes.
Savannah also announced the intended appointments of Uyi Akpata and Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju as Independent Non-Executive Directors. Uyi and Kehinde bring significant experience in audit, finance and legal affairs, further strengthening the Board’s capabilities in these key areas. Upon joining the Board, Mr Akpata is expected to serve as Chair of the Audit Committee.
Joseph Pagop Noupoué, Chairman of Savannah, commented:
“The changes announced this morning form part of Savannah’s ongoing and dynamic Board succession planning process, which is designed to evolve in step with the Company’s strategic direction, operational priorities, and growth trajectory.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to wish Sir Stephen and David every success in the future. As part of our structured approach to Board renewal, their agreed retirement reflects the natural progression of our governance planning.
That said, both have been highly valued colleagues whose insight, integrity, and presence around the Board table will be genuinely missed. We are delighted that both have agreed to take on ongoing consultancy roles, ensuring the Company can continue to benefit from their extensive experience and deep understanding of our business. We wish them every success in the future and thank them wholeheartedly for their service.
I am also delighted to welcome Uyi and Kehinde as incoming Directors. Both are internationally respected professionals in their respective fields – finance and legal – and have proven track records supporting dynamic, high growth organisations. I believe their expertise will be instrumental as Savannah continues its growth trajectory across Africa.”
Sir Stephen O’Brien, Retiring Vice Chair and Non-Executive Director, Savannah, commented:
“Having been involved with the Company since its very inception 11 years ago, and after eight stimulating years as Vice-Chairman of Savannah, I am stepping down with pride in what has been built together as a team. Over this time, Savannah has transformed into a leading African energy company, advancing projects across the continent in both hydrocarbons and renewables. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to our journey. I wish everyone at Savannah every success and look forward to maintaining my support for the company in a new political advisory role.”
David Clarkson, Retiring Non-Executive Director, Savannah, commented:
“Since joining the Board in 2017, I have enjoyed a wonderful journey with Andrew and my Board colleagues as Savannah grew in stature delivering Projects That Matter. I wish the Company every success as it continues to build sustainable businesses across its portfolio of opportunities. I look forward to supporting the Company as Technical Advisor to the Board.”
New Director Biographies
Uyi Akpata
A Chartered accountant by background, with an over 40-year career, Uyi Akpata held multiple senior leadership roles at PwC, the leading international audit and professional services firm, prior to his retirement on 30 June 2024.
His key roles include Senior Partner for Nigeria and Regional Senior Partner for West Africa, Head of Oil and Gas for Africa and a member of both the firm’s Global Oil & Gas Leadership team and Africa Leadership team. With his assurance services background, Uyi led audit work for the energy supermajors active in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and a host of high growth emerging energy companies.
He has also supervised teams auditing companies outside of the energy sector, in areas such as financial services, consumer goods and agriculture. More recently, in October 2024, Uyi founded Rusa Advisory, where he specialises in providing governance and risk management advisory services, partnering with business leaders to drive sustainable growth, efficiency and profitability.
Uyi is currently Chairman of the Board of emPLE Life Insurance, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Unified Payments Limited, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Unity Schools Old Students Association and President of the Nigerian Cricket Federation. He also served as Chairman of the Professional Services Group of the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce. Uyi holds a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Accounting from the University of Lagos. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and is currently a Fellow of the Institute.
In recognition of his contributions to the business environment in Nigeria, Uyi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management Science by Wellspring University in 2018. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Miva Open University, where he also serves as Professor of Practice in Financial Accounting.
Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju O.F.R., S.A.N., FCIArb. (U.K.)
Kehinde is the Managing Partner at Afe Babalola & Co, a leading African law firm. Since his appointment in 2017, and continuing to date, he has remained one of the youngest Senior Advocates of Nigeria (“SAN”), the Nigerian equivalent of a King’s Counsel, ever appointed.
His practice has seen him successfully represent the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in over 100 disputes and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in multiple international disputes, including against a near US$5 billion claim at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) in Washington DC.
He has worked on many Nigerian and international arbitrations.
Kehinde received the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (“OFR”) as part of the National Honours List from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) UK, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (“CIIN”), the International Bar Association and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture, and is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (“ICSAN”), the professional body for corporate governance practitioners in Nigeria.
Kehinde began his legal education at the University of Ibadan, where he earned his LL.B with Honours.  He continued his studies at the Nigerian Law School, obtaining his B.L. in 2005, and then pursued an LL.M. in International Commercial Law at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, in 2007.
Regulatory disclosures (in accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules) are as set out below:
Uyiosa Nosawaru Akpata (aged 61) holds or has held the following directorships or partnerships in the past five years:
Current Directorships/Partnerships
Past Directorships/Partnerships
Maven Partners
Axum Constructs Limited
Proper Tee Limited
De-Petraco Leasing Co. Limited
Rusa Advisory
Kush Constructs Limited
Ecoba 74/79 Concept
PwC Africa Limited
emPLE Life Assurance Limited
PwC Nigeria Limited
Set-79 Investment Limited
Quince Prime Limited
Trishbeth Investment Limited
Unified Payments Limited
He has no shareholding in the Company.
Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju (aged 43) holds or has held the following directorships or partnerships in the past five years:
Current Directorships/Partnerships
Past Directorships/Partnerships
Abuad Management Company Ltd
N/A
Adga Investment Nig Ltd
Afe Babalola & Co.
Bita Exploration and Production Limited
Curlew Express Limited
Dekra International Services Limited
Doxology Oil Services Ltd
Doxology Oil Trading and Logistics Ltd
Kwaliteit Frieden Energy Resources Ltd
Lumen Energy Limited
Septagon Bros Limited
Strasbourg Shore Nig Ltd
Tee’s Mums and Kids Limited
He has no shareholding in the Company.
Financial Reporting Update
The Company now expects to publish its 2024 Annual Report and Accounts and its Half Year Results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 during the week commencing 13 October 2025, together with a comprehensive trading update for the nine months ended 30 September 2025. As a result of the delayed publications, and pursuant to the requirements of AIM Rules 18 and 19, trading in the Company’s shares will remain suspended until both sets of accounts and the trading update are published.
2025 Media Awards : Nestlé Nigeria Calls For Entries

By Winifred Bosa
Nestlé Nigeria is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 2025 Nestlé Media Awards, an annual initiative that celebrates journalistic excellence and impactful storytelling across Nigeria.
Since its inception, the Nestlé Media Awards have celebrated journalists who use their platforms to highlight real issues that matter to Nigerians, from affordable nutrition and youth empowerment to sustainable livelihoods and community resilience.
This year, Nestlé Nigeria introduces a new category, Business and Economy Reporting, which recognizes outstanding journalism that explores Nigeria’s business landscape including economic trends, entrepreneurship, policy challenges, and opportunities for growth.
Unlike other categories, this is the only area where stories do not have to focus on Nestlé, allowing journalists to highlight broader solutions and developments shaping the nation’s economy.
This addition reflects Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to promoting solution-driven reporting that informs, inspires, and contributes to national development.
Speaking on the continued impact of the Awards, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, said:
“Over the past five years, the Nestlé Media Awards have reinforced our commitment to advancing responsible journalism that drives meaningful progress in society. We are proud of the role this platform continues to play in recognizing stories that inform, challenge perspectives, and elevate conversations around national development.
 This milestone edition strengthens that commitment with the introduction of the Business and Economy category, reflecting the realities of doing business in Nigeria today. By spotlighting journalism that amplifies solutions and supports growth for both small and large enterprises, we aim to contribute to a more resilient and inclusive economy for all.”
Journalists are also invited to submit entries across the existing categories: Nutrition and Affordable Food Solutions, Environmental Sustainability, Youth Empowerment and Development, Women Empowerment, Community Development, Finance, Agriculture, and Best Photojournalist Award. Entries in these categories must focus on Nestlé Nigeria’s activities or initiatives, either locally or globally, that align with the theme.
The Awards are open to journalists and media professionals in print, broadcast and digital media. Submitted stories must have been published between November 9, 2024, and November 7, 2025, and must align with one of the award themes, highlighting activities of Nestlé Nigeria PLC or Nestlé globally.
Each entry must include a link or copy of the published work, a short profile of the entrant (minimum 100 words), and a brief description of the story (100 words). Also, each participant may submit one entry per category, and each piece of work may only be entered in one category.
Submissions must be made via the 2025 Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards Entry Form no later than November 8, 2025.They will be evaluated by an independent panel of experienced media and industry professionals using criteria such as accuracy, depth of storytelling, and relevance to societal needs.
Winners will be announced and celebrated at an award ceremony in Lagos on December 5, 2025.
Three Visionaries Harnessing Project Management To Fight Climate Change

 TIME Studios and Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority for project professionals, have teamed up to co-produce a new documentary series called The Solutionaries, highlighting three innovators driving scalable transformation to address the climate crisis. Cyrill Gutsch, Rebecca Hu-Thrams, and Lisa Dyson are The Solutionaries, making bold moves to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges and expanding their impact through project management.
United by a shared mission to drive cultural and social impact through storytelling, each innovator’s work is featured in an episode, the first of which premiered on Wednesday, October 8th, on time.com. Further episodes go live on Tuesday, October 28th, and Monday, November 10th.
“The Solutionaries demonstrate that the answers to our greatest challenges often come from individuals with the courage to build the world they imagine,” said Menaka Gopinath, Chief Marketing Officer at PMI. “To deliver real-world impact and address the urgent climate crisis, these innovations need to be unleashed – the world can’t afford to keep them in experimental labs. That’s where the power of project management to scale innovation makes all the difference, and The Solutionaries are doing just that.”
Episode #1: Parley for the Oceans – October 8
Episode one introduces viewers to Cyrill Gutsch, a German-born designer and founder of Parley for the Oceans, a global environmental organization that brings together creators, thinkers, and leaders to raise awareness about the fragility of our oceans and collaborate to end their destruction. Through Parley Future Material® they are introducing natural materials, biofabrication and green chemistry as alternatives to conventional and often harmful and toxic material standards, disrupting the status quo of the fashion and design industries and driving a material revolution.
• In 2024, Parley intercepted 1,609,979 kg of debris from the environment, cleaning a 16,028,161 m2 area.
• In partnership with Dior, Parley launched their third Beachwear Capsule collection, crafted entirely from innovative materials, including 30% made with Parley Ocean Plastic®, a bold step toward an eco-innovative future and a ‘Symbol of Change’ for fashion.
Parley’s mission is a powerful reminder that ocean health is the foundation of human and economic well-being. This is extremely evident in Africa, where the ocean is both a lifeline and a vast reservoir of opportunity. Africa’s oceans are among its greatest economic assets. Stretching over 30,000 kilometres of coastline and bordering two of the world’s most dynamic oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, they sustain millions of livelihoods and power key sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and transport. Healthy oceans are essential to Africa’s food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience, but they are under increasing threat from pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. Protecting these blue ecosystems is therefore both an ecological and economic imperative. As global innovators like Cyrill Gutsch demonstrate through their work, reimagining our relationship with the ocean can spark a material revolution, one that aligns sustainability with creativity.
For Africa, maintaining ocean health is not just about conservation; it is about safeguarding a foundation for future prosperity, ensuring that the continent’s blue economy becomes a driver of inclusive growth rather than a casualty of neglect.
Episode #2: Glacier – October 28
The second episode spotlights Rebecca Hu-Thrams, co-founder of Glacier, a next-generation robotics company reinventing recycling to reduce landfilling and unlock a circular economy at scale. Today, Glacier’s robots process recycling streams for 1 in 10 Americans, a sign of how quickly material recovery facilities in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Phoenix, and San Francisco are adopting the technology.
Glacier designs custom-built robots powered by proprietary AI models to trace and recover more recyclables from the waste stream. Their compact units install directly into recycling facilities, where robots extract valuable materials and computer vision captures real-time footage of every item, using AI to classify each one. The result: more materials recovered, higher-quality feedstock for manufacturers, and verified evidence for brands seeking accountability.
• Physical AI meets recycling: Glacier’s models already identify and sort more than 50 categories of materials—including plastics, fiber, metals, cartons, glass, and branded packaging—at industrial scale.
• From waste to feedstock: A single Glacier robot can recover over 10 million items per year, preventing 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions (the equivalent of removing 500 cars from the road!)
• Circular manufacturing + brand intelligence: At full scale, Glacier could divert 200 million tons of recyclables annually and eliminate over 260 million tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions, while delivering the item-level data brands need to design more responsibly.
Episode #3: Air Protein – November 10
Episode three features Dr. Lisa Dyson, a physicist turned entrepreneur whose work was inspired by witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She is the founder and CEO of Air Protein, a company that is pioneering AirFermentation™, a NASA-inspired process that transforms elements of the air (CO₂, oxygen, nitrogen, and water) into complete, highly nutritious protein. The result is a flour rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can function as a drop-in alternative to egg, dairy, and soy.
Air Protein’s technology is patent-protected and backed by leading partners including ADM and DARPA. By producing nutrition anywhere on Earth without relying on fragile agricultural supply chains, the company is creating what it calls the “Air Chain™”, a new category of ingredients designed for resilience, reliability, and scalability. For governments, food producers, and humanitarian organizations, it offers a stable, future-proof way to secure supply with efficiency and climate benefits built in.
• Air Protein is rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, with all 20 amino acids, including all 9 essential amino acids and 2x the amino acids of soybeans. It contains more protein per kg than most other proteins and is free from GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics.
Menaka Gopinath adds: “More often than not, the barrier to implementing solutions tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges is just figuring out where to start and having the tools and mindset to move from idea to action. The project profession is a critical element to enabling action. At Project Management Institute, we’re redefining how the world tackles environmental challenges, championing for every project to be designed with sustainability at its core. Our research shows projects with sustainability baked in are nearly twice as likely to deliver successfully. Our mission is to inspire project professionals to use their skills to shape a more sustainable future to drive meaningful change.”
Directed by Academy Award nominee Edward Buckles Jr., whose film Katrina Babies demonstrated his ability to find hope and humanity within complex challenges, The Solutionaries brings emotional depth and visual artistry to the climate conversation.
Project Management Institute (PMI): PMI is the leading authority in project management, dedicated to guiding the way to project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the power of project management and the people behind the projects. With a global community, gold-standard professional certifications, and career-long learning opportunities, PMI empowers current and aspiring project professionals, as well as organisations, with knowledge and resources to lead effectively and create an impact in the communities they serve.
Customer Service Week/ Mission Possible – Unity Bank MD Celebrates Resilient Frontline Staff

By Winifred Bosa
Unity Bank staff bring ‘Mission: Possible’ to life with roleplays on Day-One of CSW 2025
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, has said that a service culture built on responsiveness and innovation will differentiate the impact that customer service can make in any organisation.
Making the remarks at the flag off of the Customer Service Week 2025 in Unity Bank, Mr. Kolawole stated that “apart from constantly improving the way in which better customer support can be achieved, the increasing sophistication of our customers have made the Bank to also begin to focus more on customer experience innovation with investment being made in technology, systems, and people which enable us redefine our customer journey altogether”. 
A cross section of teams from Human Capital Development celebrate the Customer Service Week, 2025
While extolling the Bank for always rising to any occasion, the Managing Director celebrated the resilient frontline staff for their unwavering dedication and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service across all touch points, stating that this year’s celebration, themed “Mission: Possible,” underscores the Bank’s unwavering belief that every customer needs can be met through innovation, teamwork, and with service culture.
“The Bank’s customer service teams are well acclaimed for their passion, professionalism, and resilience in fulfilling the institution’s mission to provide exceptional service to its growing customer base”, the Unity Bank MD further stated.
In further acknowledgement, Mr. Kolawole stated: “At Unity Bank, our mission is clear — to make banking simple, accessible, and rewarding for every customer. ‘Mission Possible’ captures the spirit with which we approach every challenge and opportunity to serve; whether through our digital platforms, branch interactions, or customer support channels”.
Additionally, the Bank’s Chief Customer Service Officer, Elfrida Igebu, emphasised the
significance of recognising and celebrating staff who consistently go above and beyond to serve customers.
“This year’s theme reminds us that what may seem challenging is always achievable with the right attitude, teamwork, and customer-first mindset. Our frontline teams embody this every day by demonstrating that at Unity Bank, service excellence is not just a goal, it is our mission,” Igebu said.
Throughout the week, Unity Bank organised activities across its branches and offices
nationwide to reflect the Customer Service Week 2025, from customer appreciation
engagements, Award of recognition for Staff, setting up festive ambience and decor,
flamboyant service and cultural costumes donned by members to digital media activations.
In time past, Unity Bank was among the first financial institutions to introduce a multilingual USSD platform, *7799#, and from then onwards, the Bank continues to upgrade features of its mobile banking platform, Unifi app, for optimisation, reinforcing customer experience innovation and convenience.
E1 Lagos GP: Lagos Trends Worldwide After Hosting Africa’s Maiden Water Racing Event

By Winifred Bosa

From L-R: Winners of The E1 Lagos GP Championship, Team Brazil; Timmy Hansen with Marit Stromoy, Team Drogba; Oban Duncan, Micah Wilkinson and Team Blue Rising; John Peeters and Sarah Misir, during the price presentation to the winners of the Championship at E1 Lagos GP 2025 in Victoria Island recently.

History was made on October 4 and 5, 2025, on the waters of the Lagos Lagoon as Team Brazil by Claure Group claimed victory at the E1 Lagos GP presented by FirstBank. The landmark event marked Africa’s debut on the global calendar of the E1 Series, the world’s first electric powerboat championship, and positioned Lagos at the forefront of sustainable sporting innovation.

The E1 Lagos GP drew thousands of fans to multiple viewing locations across the city, from the vibrant Official Fan Zone to the Ocean’s Club at Black Diamond Hotel and the Lagos Oriental Hotel Decks, which hosted premium hospitality experiences along the waterfront. The Official Fan Zone quickly became the heartbeat of the event, attracting young Nigerians with immersive brand activations, race simulators, live music, and a festival energy that perfectly matched the excitement on the water.

After an action-packed weekend of competition, Team Brazil by Claure Group finished first, fending off strong performances from Team Blue Rising who placed second, and Team Drogba Global Africa who finished third. Pilots Timmy Hansen and Ieva Millere-Hagin powered Team Brazil to victory, with Timmy Hansen named PIF Pilot of the Race. Racing was briefly delayed by a tropical storm over the Lagos Lagoon, but organisers and teams worked together to ensure the programme resumed safely and on schedule.

The outcome strengthens Team Brazil’s momentum as the season moves toward the Miami finale in November, while Team Brady retains the overall championship lead and a tight contest continues with Team Rafa. The Lagos event also reinforced the E1 Series’ sustainability mission, showcasing zero emission race technology and local legacy initiatives including coastal clean-up and mangrove restoration programmes.

The race weekend attracted local and international media, dignitaries and sporting figures and underlined Lagos’ capacity to host major global sporting events on its waterways. By successfully staging the first E1 race on African soil, Lagos joins Monaco, Dubrovnik and Doha as an E1 host city and affirms its positioning as a centre for innovation, culture and sustainable sport.

Redefining Power Solutions : Luminous Unveils Advanced Lithium , Solar System 

By Winifred Bosa

L-R: Movie Producer & Actor/Simba Group Featured Personality, Ramsey Nouah; Group Managing Director, Simba Group, Vinay Grover; Executive Director, Simba Group, Sohan Sharma; and Executive Director, Simba Group, Pradeep Balakrishnan, during the launch of Luminous Solar, Inverter and Batteries at Radisson Blu Ikeja GRA Lagos recently.

Simba Group, in partnership with Luminous Power Technologies, today hosted a landmark event at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, to unveil the new range of Luminous solar inverters and lithium batteries. The gathering brought together the top 50 of Simba’s channel partners from across the country, underscoring the strong bonds that have defined the journey of Simba and Luminous in Nigeria.

The event was met with resounding success, as channel partners and industry stakeholders welcomed the new products with enthusiasm. Attendees highlighted Luminous’s pioneering role in shaping Nigeria’s inverter industry, alongside Simba Group’s unmatched strength in nationwide distribution and after-sales service infrastructure, as the foundation on which this next chapter is being built.

L-R: Product Manager, Luminous, Kulpreet Singh; Head of Marketing, Simba Group, Maureen Humphrey-Izzi; Group Managing Director, Simba Group, Vinay Grover; Retail Head, Simba Group, Bimpe Adebisi; and Simba Nigeria Business Manager for Luminous, Wasi Mohammed, during the launch of Luminous Solar, Inverter and Batteries at Radisson Blu Ikeja GRA Lagos recently.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Vinay Grover, Group Managing Director of Simba Group in Nigeria, emphasized the changing energy needs of Nigerian households and businesses: “Nigerians need power solutions that are not just reliable, but also intelligent – capable of supporting modern lifestyles, from home offices to family entertainment. Our new lithium and inverter systems are designed precisely for this. They represent a smarter investment in uninterrupted living and peace of mind.”

Simba Group executives also underlined how solar and lithium technologies are reshaping the global energy landscape and opening new opportunities in Nigeria for energy independence, reliability, and cost efficiency.

The newly launched products reflect Luminous’s continued focus on innovation and tailoring solutions for regional requirements, while leveraging Simba’s longstanding reputation for trust, reach, and dependable service. Together, the companies reaffirm their commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality, and future-ready energy solutions for Nigerian homes and businesses.

Simba Group is a leading Nigerian conglomerate with interests across diverse sectors, including mobility, power, communications, and customer experience. With a commitment to innovation, service, and trust, Simba has built a reputation for bringing world-class products and solutions to the Nigerian market.

Luminous Power Technologies is a global leader in power backup, storage, and solar solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the company delivers cutting-edge products – from inverters and batteries to solar applications – that meet the evolving energy needs of millions of homes and businesses across emerging and developed markets.

Edge Awards Honour Sucre House As Industry Leader In Influencer Marketing

Sucre House of Entertainment has been named the Outstanding Influencing Marketing Agency of the Year at the prestigious Edge Awards 2025, held on 26 September 2025 at the Balmoral Event Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja. The annual awards, organised by Marketing Edge Magazine, celebrate excellence and innovation in Nigeria’s marketing and communications industry.

Founded by visionary entrepreneur Olatunji Emmanuel .O., Sucre House has quickly become a trailblazer in the entertainment and influencer marketing space. The agency is widely respected for its creative campaigns, precision-driven execution, and commitment to helping brands and talents achieve global visibility.

Speaking after receiving the award, Olatunji said: “This honour is a reflection of our discipline, creativity, and the trust our clients place in us. At Sucre House, we don’t just deliver campaigns — we elevate experiences and set new standards.”

In just a few years, Sucre House has built an impressive portfolio, managing projects for top brands such as the European Union, Crocs, MAC Cosmetics, Tecno, Infinix, and Bet9ja. It is also known for nurturing leading influencer talents, including social media sensation Enioluwa, popularly called the lip gloss boy.

Marketing Edge CEO, John Ajayi, praised the agency’s rapid rise, describing it as “proof that with vision and excellence, Nigerian agencies can lead the future of influencer marketing.”

With this milestone, Sucre House is cementing its place as a powerhouse shaping the future of influencer marketing in Africa.

Farm For Health Africa Partners With NICERT , Nigeria Export Promotion Council To Host “African Agro Health And Export Readiness Conference”

*Farm for Health Africa (FHA)* announces the African Agro-Health and Export Readiness Conference 2025, to be held on Thursday, 30th October in Lagos, Nigeria, with the theme: “Advancing Africa’s Health and Global Trade through Scalable Agro-Health and Export Standards.”

This high-level gathering will convene farmers, exporters, government officials, food safety agencies, certification bodies, researchers, AgriTech providers, investors, NGOs, and consumer advocates across Africa to explore practical solutions for strengthening food safety and export readiness in Africa’s agricultural sector.

*Why This Conference Matters*
Africa’s agriculture is the backbone of its economy, employing over 60% of the population. Yet, food safety challenges such as pesticide residue, microbial contamination, weak traceability systems, and non-compliance with international standards continue to limit Africa’s global competitiveness. These problems not only harm public health but also lead to billions in rejected exports annually.

The African Agro-Health and Export Readiness Conference 2025 will:
• Showcase innovative solutions to improve food safety and compliance.
• Engage policymakers in strengthening agro-export policies.
• Equip farmers and SMEs with tools for export readiness.
• Foster stronger partnerships across the agro-health ecosystem.

*Target Participants*
• Smallholder & commercial farmers
• Agro-exporters & aggregators
• Government ministries & regulators
• Food safety & certification bodies
• Cooperatives & farmer organisations
• Research institutes & international agencies
• Buyers, processors & retailers
• AgriTech innovators & service providers
• NGOs, development partners & donor agencies

*About Farm for Health Africa (FHA)*
Farm for Health Africa is a hybrid model organisation advancing safe, organic, and export-compliant farming practices. Through its Foundation (a non-profit organisation), FHA drives training, advocacy, and farmer empowerment, while its Ventures (business arm) delivers seedlings, traceability solutions, cold chain services, and value-added processing support. FHA envisions a continent where African farmers produce safe, healthy, and globally competitive food.

_“Food is medicine, and Africa’s farmers are the first doctors. This conference is about equipping them to heal, feed, and trade with the world.”_
– *Farm for Health Africa*

*Event Details:*
Date: Thursday, 30th October 2025

Venue: Lagos, Nigeria (with hybrid participation online)

Theme: *“Advancing Africa’s Health and Global Trade through Scalable Agro-Health and Export Standards”*

*Conference Speakers:*
Dr Nonye Ayeni, DG, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
Rev. Tony Akinyemi, Healthy Living Coach
Annabel Kamuche, GMD, NICERT
Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, DG, NAFDAC
Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, DG, SON
Engr. Sola Obadimu, DG, NACCIMA
Tunde Banjoko, Chairman of the LCCI Agro-Allied Group
Amb. Abiodun Olaniyi, Executive Director, Agriquest Africa Network
Bright Doro, Founder, Bright Doro AgricTech
Ademola Oyetunji, Project Director – GMG AGRIC Farm4us
Dr Farouk Rabi’u Mudi, The National President, AFAN
Blessed OLA Saint, The Founder & CEO, FHA

*Registration and Sponsorship*
Secure your spot now—register to join key changemakers in Africa’s agri-food future!

*Register today:* https://farm4health.africa/conference

*Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities*
Farm for Health Africa invites corporate organisations, development partners, impact investors, certification bodies, and agri-tech providers to partner as sponsors.

*By sponsoring, your organisation will:*
• Gain exclusive brand visibility before a pan-African and international audience.
• Connect with policy shapers, export buyers, and agribusiness leaders.
• Demonstrate leadership in driving Africa’s food safety and export competitiveness.
• Be featured in the Healthy Africa Video Broadcast (HAVB) campaign, reaching millions.

*Sponsorship and Partnerships:*
Email: partnerships@farm4health.africa | Call/WhatsApp: 09050828207