CBN Advert
“Golden Jubilee Of Grace: Stella Ihezue Celebrates 50 Years Of Life And Legacy”

By Nnedinma Michael
In a grand celebration that will be etched in the memories of guests for a lifetime, Mrs. Stella Azuka Ihezue, mother-in-law to Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, marked a major milestone in her life – her 50th birthday. The golden jubilee celebration, aptly themed “Stella’s Jubilee of Grace,” was a testament to her life of faith, love, and resilience.
Held at the prestigious Signature Hall of Radisson-Onyx Hotel in Awka, Anambra State, the event was a spectacular display of elegance, warmth, and heartfelt tributes. Family, friends, and dignitaries converged to honor a woman whose presence radiates strength, humility, and divine favor.
Prince Ukachukwu, in a moving tribute, described Mrs. Ihezue as a rare gem, whose presence brings light, warmth, and wisdom into every room she walks into. He commended her for nurturing a closely-knit family anchored on love and faith, and praised her for being a pillar of strength and inspiration to her family.
The celebrant, in her remarks, expressed profound gratitude to God for guiding her through life’s journey. She thanked her family and in-laws for their love and support, and spoke glowingly of Prince Ukachukwu’s compassion and generosity.
The evening was filled with music, laughter, and dancing, as guests were treated to soul-stirring performances and gourmet dishes. The celebration was a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman who has lived a life of purpose and has touched the lives of many.
As Mrs. Ihezue embarks on the next chapter of her life, she is surrounded by the love and admiration of her family and friends. Her 50th birthday celebration will be remembered for years to come as a testament to her legacy of love, faith, and resilience.
Nirsal Unlocks N70bn In Financing Agriculture In 2025, Strengthening Its Role In Supporting Food Security , Economic Growth

Nirsal Unlocks N70bn In Financing For Agriculture In 20 -Freshangle News

The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) has announced a remarkable rebound in its operations, which has resulted in the facilitation of over ₦70 billion in commercial financing for agribusiness as at Q3 2025, its strongest annual performance since inception.

In operation since 2013, this result represents nearly a quarter of the organisation’s cumulative ₦270 billion facilitated for agriculture and agribusiness to date, an achievement that underscores the impact of NIRSAL’s revamped strategy under its new Board and Executive Management.

The timing of this turnaround is critical: Bank lending to agriculture had been in steady decline, falling from 6.18% of aggregate lending in 2022 to 4.82% in 2024, while sectoral growth slowed from 2.5% to 1.7% within the same period. By applying its signature tools for value chain modelling to address identified issues, providing technical support to agribusinesses and financial institutions, all while deploying its risk-sharing frameworks, NIRSAL has restored lender confidence thus channelling fresh funds into key value chains, including grains, cocoa, shea, and livestock.

In terms of impact, there has been an improvement in local production across key commodities and a positive balance of trade for agriculture, with over 32% of the facilitated sum directly supporting value-added commodity export. Most notably, agriculture’s share of bank lending has risen again to 5.33% as of May 2025, reflecting renewed interest from financiers. Two newly licensed banks have also entered the sector relying on NIRSAL’s frameworks, contributing to the ₦70 billion facilitated so far this year.

Commenting on the milestone, NIRSAL’s Managing Director/CEO, Sa’ad Hamidu, said: “₦70 billion may appear modest compared to the size of Nigeria’s agricultural financing needs, but the significance is profound. It proves that agriculture can be commercially and sustainably financed. With the right blend of capital, technical support, and risk mitigation, the sector can become more productive, resilient, and globally competitive.”

Hamidu added that NIRSAL remains confident of hitting its ₦150 billion target for 2025: “This is not yet the peak of the harvest season when merchants typically seek credit for offtake and storage, and when super agro-dealers stock up on fertilisers and inputs ahead of the next planting cycle. Therefore, the opportunities still to come give us every reason for optimism.”

Beyond headline figures, NIRSAL is working to reshape the lending landscape for agriculture. Its integrated model, spanning prospect identification, deal structuring, business advisory, and credit guarantees, handholds agribusinesses from loan origination to disbursement. Also, by providing tailored advisory and risk mitigation, the institution helps businesses once deemed unbankable to gain access to sustainable credit.

Through this approach NIRSAL aid the creation of a pipeline of emerging agribusinesses while supporting established firms to scale. Meanwhile, several borrowers who once engaged NIRSAL have since graduated into routine lending relationships with their bankers whose understanding of the dynamics of agribusiness has grown, leading to greater comfort in lending. This proves that the NIRSAL model is a pathway to long-term sustainability in the agriculture sector.

The ₦70 billion facilitated so far this year is a direct outcome of NIRSAL’s sustained capacity-building efforts for financial institutions. Through targeted training sessions for over 1,100 staff of banks, NIRSAL has deepened understanding of agricultural financing within its risk-sharing framework leading to an increase in loan request approvals. Similar training programs for agricultural value chain actors, including 450 participants trained on feedlot management, commodity export, and climate finance so far, will become increasingly evident over time, as capacity and confidence grow across these sub-sectors.

As part of its forward agenda, NIRSAL is developing a digital network it calls the NIRSAL LandBank portal—a connected ecosystem of agricultural stakeholders, from research and development to markets, to provide data-driven insights for investors, policy makers, and development partners for the identification of opportunities, risk reduction, and informed decision-making.

The LandBank portal would become an additional channel for project development, with climate finance another potential source of funding. NIRSAL continues to deepen its interest in and collaboration around climate finance, recently signing an understanding with the Rural Electrification Agency to provide off-grid power to production and processing clusters in rural locations. These efforts, the institution believes, will build resilience into the agricultural value chain and aid Nigeria’s push toward a $1 trillion economy.

Since its establishment, NIRSAL has remained faithful to its mandate of de-risking agricultural lending, facilitating finance across the value chain, and proving that agriculture is both bankable and sustainable. Its 2025 performance to date signals not just recovery, but a new era of confidence for Nigeria’s farmers, financiers, and the wider economy.

Elites Traders Endorse Ukachukwu For Governor, Praise His Business Acumen 

By Nnedinma Michael
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Anambra State, has received endorsement from the Anambra State elites traders forum for his proposed economic and security policies.
Ukachukwu aims to restore security and public confidence in Anambra State, citing the current state of insecurity as unacceptable.
He plans to address this within the first 90 days of his administration.
His economic vision includes,
Creating an environment where investors feel secure, valued, and supported,  unlocking the potential of agriculture to ensure food security and create export opportunities and revitalizing
industries and promoting entrepreneurship to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, Focusing on reliable electricity, agricultural transformation, and infrastructure renewal.
Ukachukwu has pledged to appoint a trader as Commissioner for Trade and Commerce and ensure democratic elections for market leaders.
He also plans to make agricultural loans accessible to farmers across the state. establishing a primary health center in every community and a fully equipped general hospital in each local government area.
Speaking to the women in the forum, he shared a personal and emotional story about of his journey, struggles and significant role his mother played in his life, and expressed gratitude for the strength and resilience on how his mother inspired him.”My mother played a vital role in shaping my life, I am happy i impacted positively in her before her death, and will not forget the memories and lessons she shared with me,
Ukachukwu promised  of making positive impact in the lives of women.” He Concluded. “
The Anambra State elites traders forum, led by Mr. Onyebuchi Onwukeaka, has expressed total support for Ukachukwu, indicating that he is a strong contender in the upcoming election.
Forgery Scandal: Carry Your Cross, Enugu Govt Tells Minister Uche Nnaji

Forgery Scandal: Carry Your Cross, Enugu Govt Tells Minister Uche Nnaji |  Independent Newspaper NigeriaLarryBravo Nwaiwu
The Enugu State Government has denied sponsoring allegations of certificate forgery against the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, urging him to “carry his cross” and clear his name before Nigerians.
The government, in a press statement issued in Enugu on Monday by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, said it had no hand whatsoever in the controversies surrounding the Minister’s academic records.
“The Enugu State Government dissociates itself completely from these allegations. The Honourable Minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him,” Mr. Nebo declared.
The Director of Information recalled that Chief Nnaji had invited journalists to a world press conference scheduled for Monday at 2:00 pm to address the matter, but failed to show up.
“A large number of Nigerian and international journalists reportedly gathered on the Minister’s invitation to hear directly from him. But rather than appear before them to answer questions and establish his innocence, the Minister absconded, leaving behind proxies who could not withstand the barrage of legitimate questions from journalists.
“Who can narrate Chief Nnaji’s UNN story better than him? Why invite the media, only to outsource the conference? Why send third parties, who lack the answers to critical questions, if he truly has nothing to hide?” Mr. Nebo queried.
“Did he, for his screening, present a purported degree certificate to the Senate showing that he graduated from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in July 1985?
“Is it true that he deposed in a Federal High Court filing in Abuja that he was not issued any degree certificate by UNN and, if so, how did he come about the degree certificate he presented to the Senate?
“Is it also true that while he claims to have graduated in July 1985, he applied to the university to retake Virology (Course code: MCB 431) in the September 1985 Supplementary Examination, having failed the course?
“Is it also true that the university, in a November 8, 1985 letter, informed Uche Nnaji that he again failed Virology (Course code: MCB 431) in the Supplementary Examinations, but could register to retake the course in the June 1986 examinations, provided he paid an examination fee of N4.00 (Four naira)?
“Is it true that on January 3, 1986, he again applied to retake the Virology (Course code: MCB 431) examination in June 1986, stating in his letter that the receipt for the payment of the N4.00 (Four Naira) resit fee had been attached?
“Is it true that while he claims to be in possession of a university degree, he only submitted his Secondary School WASC Certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for his participation in the 2023 governorship election?
“Why did Uche Nnaji’s proxy state at the Abuja press conference that the Minister “graduated”, while avoiding stating categorically that he was issued a degree certificate?
“Did he also present a purported NYSC discharge certificate showing that he commenced his national service in April 1985, three months before his supposed graduation, and served until July 1986 — an unusual duration of 13 months instead of the usual 12 months of national service?
“Whereas the CEO of the NYSC at the time he claimed to have undergone the national service was Col. Edet Akpan (January 1984 to December 1987), Uche Nnaji’s NYSC discharge certificate was signed by Col. Animashaun Braimoh, who was NYSC CEO from January 1988 to December 1990.
“Is it true that NYSC certificates issued up till October 1990 had six-digit numbering devoid of alphabetic characters, but Uche Nnaji’s discharge certificate, supposedly issued in 1986, was numbered A231309, which includes the alphabet ‘A’?
“And above all, is it a fact that he deposed to an affidavit in the suit he filed in court that UNN did not issue him any certificate? And if that is the case, Nigerians want to know how he came about the certificate he submitted to the Senate of his own free will in 2023.
“These are the clarifications Nigerians earnestly yearn for, and Chief Uche Nnaji is urged to brave up to clear his name, if he is truly innocent, rather than trading blames,” Nebo stressed.
Vice President Kashim Shettima Commends Shell Investments At Nigeria Economic Summit

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries at Shell’s exhibition booth during the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja… on Monday
L-R: Business Value Manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, Chidi Nkazi; Vice President, Kashim Shettima and Shell’s General Manager, Corporate Relations, Abukakar Ahmed visiting Shell’s exhibition booth during the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja… on Monday

 

Amaka Obiefuna

Vice President Kashim Shettima today commended the investments of Shell in Nigeria as he visited the company’s exhibition stand at the opening of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja.

 

The exhibition complements the participation of Shell in the summit and features the operations of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), All On and Daystar Power.

 

Vice President Shettima who had earlier declared the summit open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,was briefed on the contributions of the companies to the economic development of Nigeria, especially the energy sector.

 

Accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Vice President Shettima said he was impressed with the investments of Shell in deep-water including the $5-billion Bonga North development. Work on the project is in progress following the FID which was taken early last year.

 

Business Value Manager Chidi Nkazi, who conducted the VIPs round the exhibition stand, also highlighted the impact of Shell’s social investments in health, education and employment generation. “Every year our operations generate revenues which are used to finance development,” Chidi said, adding; “In 2024 alone, Shell Companies in Nigeria paid $1.209 billion in taxes and royalties to the Federal Government.”

 

Collecting Now Exhibition : Yemisi Shyllon Museum Of Art Presents Its Second Edition

Participating Collectors and Exhibition Insurance Partner at the Opening Event of Collecting Now 1. L-R Mr Adeniyi Adenubi, Mrs. Eyamba Dafinone, Mr. Stanley Evans, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, Dr. Jess Castellote
Works on Display at the Olori Funmilayo Exhibition Gallery of the YSMA

By Winifred Bosa

The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, is proud to announce the public unveiling of the second edition of its landmark exhibition, Collecting Now.

 Opening on October 11, 2025, the exhibition presents 90 significant works on loan from six distinguished Nigerian collectors – Olufemi Akinsanya, Ifeyinwa Momah, Tayo Odunsi, Nonso Okpala, Bimpe Nkontchou and Yemi Ogunbiyi – offering audiences privileged access to a diverse range of traditional, modern and contemporary art rarely seen outside private collections.

Following the success of its maiden edition in 2024, Collecting Now has become an important platform for highlighting the practice of art collecting in Nigeria and its role in sustaining the country’s cultural and creative economy. Featuring works across painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, the exhibition illuminates the interplay between individual taste and collective heritage.

This year’s showcase is particularly notable for spotlighting two women collectors whose perspectives illustrate the multifaceted power of collecting—as a way of living and as an act of advocacy.

“The Collecting Now series reinforces YSMA’s role as a pioneering institution that brings private visions into public spaces,” said Dr. Jess Castellote, Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art. “We are not only presenting exceptional works of art but also shaping a critical conversation about collecting as a cultural practice that ensures continuity, strengthens our art ecosystem, and connects Nigeria’s artistic legacy with future generations.”

Reflecting on her participation in the exhibition, one of the featured collectors, Ifeyinwa Momah, shared: “For me, art is everyday living—it fills my spaces, shapes my memories, and inspires how I see the world. This exhibition is deeply meaningful because it allows these personal experiences to be encountered publicly, sparking conversations that affirm the value of art in our daily lives. I am proud to stand alongside fellow collectors in sharing our journeys through this platform at YSMA.”

The exhibition enjoys the continued support of Ark Insurance Brokers, who, for the second time, are sponsoring the insurance of the entirety of works on display.

 Their renewed partnership underscores their position as a leading brokerage provider for the arts in Nigeria, with a longstanding commitment to supporting culture and creativity alongside their broader insurance expertise.

“Our partnership with YSMA for Collecting Now reflects our enduring belief that Nigerian art is a national treasure worthy of world-class protection,” remarked Kayode Awogboro, Managing Director of Ark Insurance Group. “As a trusted name in insurance, we take pride in safeguarding collections of immense cultural value, while affirming our commitment to the arts as part of the fabric of society.”

Through this initiative, YSMA affirms its position as a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing cultural scholarship, deepening public access to art, and celebrating the vision of Nigerian collectors as curators and preservers of history and heritage.

The general public is invited to see Collecting Now II between October 11, 2025 to February 9, 2026 at the Olori Funmilayo Shyllon Exhibition Gallery of the YSMA at Pan-Atlantic University.
Court Strikes Out Ismaila Isa Funtua’s Suit Against 9mobile

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by businessman Abubakar Ismaila Isa Funtua, who alleged that his 43 million shares were transferred without his consent to Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), operators of 9mobile.
Delivering judgment in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1971/2024 on September 24, 2025, Justice Mohammed Umar held that Isa, the lone plaintiff, lacked the locus standi (legal capacity) to institute the action against the nine defendants.
The defendants in the case were: Seltrix Limited, Hayatu Hassan Hadejia, Teleology Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Edewor, EMTS, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), LH Telecommunication Limited, and General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.
Isa, through his counsel Femi Atteh, SAN, had commenced the suit on December 27, 2024, seeking 11 reliefs, including a declaration that he was the beneficial owner of the disputed shares allegedly held in trust for him by Seltrix Ltd in Teleology Nigeria Ltd.
However, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th defendants, represented by Michael Aondakaa, SAN, C.I. Okpoko, SAN, R.O. Atabo, SAN, A.T. Kohol, Esq., and C.C. Ogbonna, Esq., filed a joint preliminary objection dated February 5, 2025, urging the court to dismiss the case for want of jurisdiction and as an abuse of court process.
After reviewing arguments from all parties, Justice Umar upheld the objection, ruling that Isa failed to show any legal interest in the subject matter.
Justice Umar held: “I carefully perused the said exhibit to see if the allegation of the Plaintiff is substantiated, I did not find any. Nowhere was there any figure of the 43,000,000 million ordinary shares held in trust for the Plaintiff by the 1st Defendant mentioned.
“In fact, the 2nd Defendant denied any business dealings with the Plaintiff and these facts were not controverted by the Plaintiff. The said exhibits cannot by any imagination constitute a trust to confer locus standi on the Plaintiff. The said exhibits were tendered by the Plaintiff, but nowhere did it link the Plaintiff to his claims to enable him to institute an action on the facts alleged therein.”
Furthermore, the court held that the plaintiff failed to establish the facts he asserted and to link his claims to the exhibits he himself tendered by virtue of averment in this suit.
“I find that the Objectors have adequately countered the said exhibits in their reply on points of law in tandem with the law that failure to respond to a counter affidavit is deemed to be an admission,” Justice Umar held.
In the final analysis, the judge added: “I resolve the issue of locus standi against the Plaintiff, and the law is that where a Plaintiff has been adjudged to lack locus standi, it does not matter what other issues have been raised for determination in the suit.”
The court noted that since the Plaintiff lacked the capacity to institute the action, there was no need to make a pronouncement on grounds two to nine (2-9) of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th Defendants’ Notice of Preliminary Objections, which included claims that the suit was statute-barred, incompetent, and that Isa was a “meddlesome interloper” seeking to frustrate the operations of EMTS.
“I therefore make an Order striking out this action for lack of locus standi of the Plaintiff. This is the Order of this Court,” the judge added.
The case was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1971/2024.
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

Nigerian Widow Empowerment Takes Center Stage At CBA Foundation Conference

By Winifred Bosa
The Chinwe-Bode Akinwande (CBA) Foundation has announced  its upcoming conference themed “Empowering Widows in Nigeria: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Vulnerability,” scheduled to be held on 9 October 2025 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
The pivotal event is aimed at spotlighting the pressing challenges faced by underprivileged widows across the country.
The CBA Foundation is a registered not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to providing a beacon of hope for underprivileged widows and children, protecting and empowering them with the courage to build better lives.
Widows, particularly those from marginalised communities, frequently endure isolation, neglect, and systemic injustice.
 The CBA Foundation Conference will provide a platform for meaningful conversations that illuminate these realities and explore empowerment strategies such as skill acquisition, microfinance, impact investing, and advocacy.
Speaking about the conference, the founder of the CBA Foundation, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, stated, “Widows are often exploited, largely because they are vulnerable. Our mission is to empower them through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, amplifying their voices and strengthening their positions in society. With this conference, we are creating a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences on these issues, proffer solutions to them and drive everyone to commit to implementing the solutions.”
The conference will feature a keynote address by Amina Oyagbola, Founder of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), and a plenary session moderated by Hansatu Adegbite, Executive Director of Women in Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ).
The event will also include interactive discussions, success stories from impact-driven programmes, and a call to action for attendees to engage in meaningful support for widows across the country.
It will bring together stakeholders from civil society, government, academia, and the private sector to share experiences, successes, and policy recommendations to build more supportive environment for widows.
Since its official launch in 2015, the CBA Foundation has impacted over ten thousand widows with women empowerment/capacity building projects.
It has provided support for over seventeen thousand widows with health intervention support, food distribution, business start-up assistance, clothing, and one-on-one counseling.
The Foundation has also supported over 100 underprivileged children with tuition fees and skill acquisition training.
NLNG Calls For Africa-Centric Strategies To Safeguard Energy Security

By Winifred Bosa

Olakunle Osobu, NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, delivering a keynote address titled “The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market” at the Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in South Africa.

NLNG has urged Africans to move beyond the role of raw material suppliers and take their place as key players in the global LNG market.

According to a press release by NLNG , speaking during a keynote address titled “The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market” at the Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in South Africa, the Company’s Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu, stated that Africa was not a bystander in this conversation on energy security, affordability, and sustainability.

He also said  Africa was a rising pillar of global supply, and that Nigeria has a duty to lead.
He stressed that with more than 850 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, about six percent of the total global reserves, Africa has the resources, the position and the ambition to double its share of the global LNG market within the next decade.

Osobu highlighted Nigeria’s role as the continent’s LNG pioneer, pointing to the NLNG Train 7 expansion project, which will grow the company’s capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30 MTPA, as a demonstration of sustained leadership.
“Our investment in expansion shows that Nigeria is driving LNG growth not only for exports but also for domestic industries and energy access. We must prove that Africa can deliver LNG that is secure, competitive, and sustainable,” he added.

Osobu noted that emerging LNG frontiers across the continent collectively represent more than 45 MTPA of potential new supply. With these additions, Africa’s LNG output could rise from about 70 MTPA today to 120 MTPA by 2035, further consolidating the continent’s standing as a global LNG hub, he added.

While noting Africa’s strategic advantage, shorter shipping routes to both Europe and Asia, Osobu warned that competitiveness, financing, and domestic responsibility remain Africa’s biggest hurdles.

He pointed out that the U.S. and Qatar are rapidly expanding LNG capacities, while financiers increasingly demand low-carbon and decarbonised LNG projects.

He stressed that Africa’s LNG journey must strike a balance by supplying the world reliably, catalyse African industrialisation, and demonstrate sustainability in line with global decarbonisation goals.

Organised by the African Energy Chamber, Africa Energy Week 2025 brought together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to shape Africa’s energy future.