General News
Sanwo-Olu Unveils 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled the 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta noting that the monthlong event will help the state’s recovery efforts after the devastations of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor stated this on Friday at the unveiling ceremony of the Fiesta themed ‘Lagos Rocks’. It will feature activities including cycling, photography and fashion competitions, the Xmas Souk Village, traditional games, and the popular Greater Lagos Concerts featuring A-list artistes in all five divisions of the state.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, explained that the pandemic affected the three critical pillars of society. He said the Greater Lagos Fiesta, holding from December 1 to 31, is part of efforts to reposition the state further.
He said, “society relies on three tripods; economy, health and well-being and security of lives and property. What COVID 19 has done is to affect all the three as well as nightlife but this edition of the Greater Lagos Fiesta, which activities speakers have highlighted for you, will help reflate our economy.”
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, explained that the 2020 edition didn’t hold because the Lagos State government prioritised public health and safety, but this year’s will be with a “blend of uniqueness and touch of innovation and creativity.”
She added that ‘Lagos Rocks’ will be “an immersive experience of entertainment, awe and inspiration, the likes of which has never been seen before in Nigeria from December 1 to January 1, 2022.”
The Commissioner also said that the government “will be using the Greater Lagos Fiesta to further transform Lagos into a major African tourism and entertainment hub by exploring and promoting the potentials that abound in the state as well as integrating the trending entertainment and art industry as a viable platform to attract visitors and create job opportunities.”
She disclosed that only vaccinated persons against COVID-19 will be allowed into the Fiesta’s venues and assured adequate security and emergency services.
Also highlighting the Fiesta’s importance, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, said it affirms his principal’s commitment to tourism development.
“The Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021 is a reflection of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s love for tourism and entertainment and fervent belief in the ability of the ministry to organise an event that would portray the standard Lagos has been known for over the years,” he said.
Explaining the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021 brand and how it would reflate the economy, Chair, Marketing Communications Sub-Committee for the Fiesta, Mr Israel Jaiye Opayemi, gave a detailed analysis.
He noted its evolution from ‘Lagos Countdown’ to ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta’ and how despite the changes in its name, its purpose remains “to serve as a unifying platform to Promote Entertainment, Commerce, Arts, Culture, and the Bubbling Spirit amongst the people of Lagos State”
Opayemi, the Managing Director/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Nigeria, a leading integrated marketing communication consultancy, also shared the statistical justification for the 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta.
He said, “40 per cent of consumers are looking forward to HIGH energy this coming festive season as makeup for December 2020’s COVID induced low energy. Over 80% of consumers want brands and businesses to organise events and festivals this December.
“As a form of escapism and make up for COVID-19 social and psychological restrictions. 42% of Consumers are willing to attend parties and concerts than other social gatherings this December as part of their “high energy” December expectations.”
Opayemi further noted that Lagos Fiesta 2021 is a celebration of “The Resilience of our Spirit in the Fight Against an Unseen Enemy Called Covid.”
Explaining the brand identity and meaning of the logo, he disclosed that: “red symbolises – Courage, Love, Vigour, Warmth; orange symbolises – Energy, Excitement, Vibrancy, Youthfulness, Change and blue is Peace, Trust, Calmness, Healing.
YELLOW to symbolise – Cheerfulness, Passion, Friendship; GREEN to symbolise – Growth, Prosperity, Progress; BLACK to symbolise – Power, Prestige, Strength, Elegance and WHITE to symbolise the clarity of our vision
“The bold fonts used to render Lagos was carefully selected to underscore the bold character of our people. If you are in doubt, go and ask COVID and some of the adversities we have faced as a people. It underscores the RESILIENCE of our people.
“The iconic Lekki –Ikoyi Link Bridge was carefully embedded inside the Letter O to boastfully remind ourselves that we are not just the melting pot of the diverse cultures of our land, but we are the bridge that connects peoples of the over 250 ethnic nationalities. ”
The 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta, a deliberate economic strategy to reflate the state’s economy, will start on December 1 with an opening ceremony at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
The cycling competition will hold on December 5, while the photography and fashion contests will be held on December 7 and 10. The Xmas Souk Village featuring children’s corner, book exhibition, food, fashion and Santa’s Grotto, will open in Lagos’ five divisions of Ikorodu, Ikeja, Badagry, Lagos Island and Epe on December 18.
The Marina Experience, showcasing the state’s water treasures, will hold on December 26. It will then be four unbroken days of quality music from A-list musicians and upcoming ones across the five divisions from December 27 to 30. The official closing will happen at Eko Atlantic on December 31.
Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has warned of possible floods in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.
According to information posted on NIHSA X handle, the Agency announced medium flood advisory in force for the next 7 days across Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other States.
“Localised inundation is forecast along the main channel; named communities below sit on the projected footprint. Stations: Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, Amber on the Amber river.
“Adamawa; Lemsa, Lamurde, Numan Exposure: 147 comm. 49 schis 40 hith 6 mkts17 relig. Bauchi-Bauchi, Ningi, Shira. Exposure: 4 comm. Kaduna; Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, +6 more. Exposure: 1 comm.
“Borno-Gubio, Mobbar. Exposure: 680 comm. 8 schls 6 hith 5 mkts 21 relig. Edo-Akoko-Ed, EtsakoEa, EtsakoWe, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmw, OviaNort, OviaSo.. Exposure: 3 comm.
“Imo-Aboh-Mba, Oguta, Ohaji/Eg, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri West. Exposure: 3 comm. 7 more states affected and severity LGAs”.
NIHSA advised people in the affected areas to “do NOT cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river-mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre-identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
General News
First Trustees Advocates Estate Planning as an Essential Tool in Every Wealth Creation Strategy
First Trustees Limited, a subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc., and a leading provider of fiduciary and trusteeship services in Nigeria, is encouraging individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to view Estate Planning not as an end-of-life exercise, but as a strategic investment tool for protecting, preserving, and transferring wealth across generations.
As more Nigerians focus on wealth creation through businesses, real estate investments, and other income-generating assets, experts are emphasizing that building wealth is only one part of the equation.
Equally important is creating structures that ensure those assets remain protected, properly managed, and seamlessly transferred to succeeding generations in accordance with the asset owner’s wishes. Importantly, Estate Planning is not solely for the wealthy, it is a prudent step for anyone with assets, dependants, or a business to protect, regardless of age, profession, or net worth.
Speaking on the importance of Estate Planning, Ereifemi Akeredolu, Managing Director/CEO, First Trustees Limited, noted that Estate Planning should be considered a core pillar of every long-term financial strategy.
“Many people focus on creating wealth but give litle thought to preserving it. Estate Planning is a wealth protection strategy that helps individuals safeguard their assets, secure their family’s future, and ensure that the value they build today continues to benefit future generations.”
Using tools such as Trusts, Wills, and advanced succession plans, individuals can build structures that support wealth preservation, business continuity, asset protection, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
For entrepreneurs and business owners, Estate Planning serves as a powerful tool for ensuring business sustainability, helping organizations remain stable and operational regardless of unforeseen circumstances.
First Trustees continues to emphasize and educate on the importance of Estate Planning as a comprehensive strategy for proactive planning. It remains one of the most important financial decisions an individual can make: it provides clarity, minimizes uncertainty, and protects assets from unnecessary erosion and disputes. It also creates financial security for loved ones, supports business succession and continuity, and facilitates long-term investment and legacy planning.
General News
Nearpays, Nigerian Fintech Becomes First African Startup to Win UN’s AI for Good Innovation Factory
Nearpays, Nigerian fintech, has won the AI for Good Innovation Factory grand finale — the first African startup ever to take the global title in the competition, which runs as part of the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit.
The competition drew more than 500 startups worldwide, each pitching AI solutions aimed at social and economic challenges.
The summit itself is organised by the UN through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with several UN agencies, convening governments, researchers, startups, and technology companies around AI’s role in development.
Nearpays’ route to the title ran through Johannesburg, where it won the African regional competition, before advancing to the global finals in Geneva.
There, the company progressed through the semi-finals and claimed the grand finale — a first for the continent.
The company describes the win as bigger than a corporate milestone, calling it a victory for African innovation and proof that technology built to solve local problems can compete, and win, on the world stage.
Nearpays was founded to close a stubborn gap in African payments: small and medium-sized businesses that can’t afford or access traditional point-of-sale terminals.
Cost, availability, and deployment hurdles have kept many merchants — particularly in rural and underserved communities — locked out of digital payments.
Its answer is SoftPOS: an AI-powered platform that turns compatible Android smartphones into payment acceptance devices, letting merchants take contactless card payments with nothing more than their phones. AI is embedded across the platform, supporting payment processing, compliance, fraud detection, and business operations.
Crucially, the platform was built for African infrastructure realities — it works both online and offline, so merchants can keep accepting payments even without internet connectivity.
The company credited its team’s years of product development and customer engagement for the result, and thanked the UN, the ITU, and the AI for Good initiative for building a platform where innovators can apply AI to real-world problems.
It also said it hopes the win encourages more African founders to build technology that answers local needs while competing internationally.
For Nearpays, the title closes one chapter and opens another, as the company pushes on with expanding digital financial infrastructure across Afric
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