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Arewa Festival 2025 to Showcase Entrepreneurial Acumen of Northern Nigeria

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L-r: Mrs. Onajite Eshareghran, head, corporate banking, TAJ Bank; Mrs. Omotayo Olaobaju, head of Category, Culinary ONGA, Dr. Olawale Anifowose, managing director, Global Entrepreneur Network (GEN) Nigeria, Mrs. Shuhda Muhammed, founder, Tripoint Academy and convener, Arewa Festival and Seni Ogunkola, vice president, brand and Communications, T2 at the media briefing for Arewa Festival 2025 held in Lagos
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The Arewa Festival 2025, a major cultural and commercial initiative aimed at revitalising economic activities across Northern Nigeria. The festival, themed “Reliving the African Trade,” was introduced during a press conference held in Lagos.

An initiative of Tripoint Academy in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Nigeria. The event drew senior figures from the financial sector, telecommunications industry, consumer goods companies and entrepreneurship organisations, who expressed strong support for the festival’s mission to stimulate economic and cultural transformation across the region.

Speaking during the briefing, the Founder of Tripoint Academy, Mrs. Shuhda Muhammed, said the festival was conceived as a strategic platform to reconnect Northern Nigeria with its historic identity as a commercial powerhouse.

She explained that, “Arewa has always been a centre of trade, innovation and cultural exchange, and this festival is designed to revive that legacy by creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, creatives, agribusinesses and communities across all 19 Northern states.” She added that the festival would “bring people together through commerce, culture and creativity, while opening new economic doors for thousands of small businesses.”

The press conference was attended by the Managing Director of SANEF, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo; the Head of Corporate Banking at TAJ Bank, Mrs. Onajite Eshareghan; the Vice President for Sales and Digitisation (North) at T2 (formerly 9Mobile), Mr. Ibrahim Katsina; the Vice President for Brand and Communications at T2, Mr. Seni Ogunkola; the Assistant Brand Manager for Culinary at ONGA, Mrs. Babatunde Kudirat; the Head of the Culinary Category at ONGA, Mrs. Omotayo Olaobaju; and the Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, Dr. Olawale Anifowose.

Dr. Anifowose said the festival aligns with GEN’s global mission to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. According to him, “This festival for us is not just an event. It is a movement that would accelerate economic transformation in Northern Nigeria and help to showcase the entrepreneurial acumen and true professionalism of the region. One of the things we believe will come out of this is access to markets for many businesses in Northern Nigeria, and we believe the Arewa Festival is going to be a light that will be shown across the entire world.”

Modelled after historic trans-Saharan trade routes and ancient markets that once supported regional prosperity, the Arewa Festival aims to stimulate modern economic activity by creating opportunities for small businesses, artisans, agribusiness operators and emerging creative talents. Organisers project that more than 200,000 visitors will attend, while over 5,000 small and medium enterprises are expected to benefit from expanded platforms for exposure, networking and commerce.

A major announcement at the briefing was the introduction of AREWATECH, the festival’s long-term development blueprint known as Africa Rebuilds Economy With Agriculture, Trade, Entrepreneurship, Education, Creatives and Hospitality.

The initiative is designed to strengthen agricultural value chains, expand inter-state and international trade, accelerate youth entrepreneurship and enhance capacity in the creative and digital sectors while positioning Northern Nigeria as a tourism and hospitality destination.

The AREWATECH framework will evolve into innovation hubs, annual marketplaces, export pathways and a year-round entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Organisers also outlined the diverse experiences that will define Arewa Festival 2025, including trade exhibitions, cultural showcases, fashion presentations, food tourism activities, entrepreneurship masterclasses, youth innovation programmes, art exhibitions and literacy engagements. The festival will take place over two days, with coordinated activities across all 19 Northern states.

The event is expected to attract entrepreneurs, investors, agribusiness stakeholders, creatives, students, development agencies, government officials and tourists. Stakeholders believe the festival will support job creation, expand market access, encourage cultural preservation, improve youth participation in economic activities and contribute to a more positive narrative about Northern Nigeria.

Organisers also called on public and private institutions to join as partners or sponsors. They noted ongoing collaboration with the Northern Governors’ Forum, Emirate Councils, government ministries, banks, telecommunications companies, consumer goods brands and international development agencies. Sponsorship packages offer broad visibility and opportunities for engagement across Northern Nigeria.

Arewa Festival is positioned as a major convergence point for trade, culture, entrepreneurship, hospitality and innovation. It seeks to reconnect the region’s historic commercial legacy with modern development goals while empowering the next generation of business leaders and innovators.


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World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

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World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform begging them to stop lending money to Nigeria.

World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

The protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion dollar loan for approval on June 26.

Some Nigerians asked the World Bank to provide more details about the purpose of the loan and how the funds would be managed.

Others said the country should reduce dependence on foreign loans and focus on improving local revenue.

The federal government has continued to defend its borrowing plans.

Officials say the funds will support economic reforms, development projects and efforts to strengthen the economy.

Nigeria remains one of the major borrowers from the World Bank in Africa, with different administrations securing loans over the years for infrastructure, social programmes and economic support.


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Lagos Plans New Cybersecurity Centre

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The Lagos State Government plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to strengthen protection of government systems, digital services and citizen data amid rising cyber threats linked to the city’s expanding digital economy.

Tunbosun Alake, Lagos commissioner for innovation, science and technology, said the centre would help secure the infrastructure supporting online payments, e-government services, cloud platforms and technology-driven business operations across the state.

According to Alake, the facility will monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting government networks, digital transactions and sensitive public data.

The move comes as Lagos accelerates its smart city agenda through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital identity systems and automated public services.

Alake said Lagos had already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which he described as the highest number among Nigerian states, to strengthen compliance with data protection regulations.

Alongside the proposed cybersecurity centre, the state also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade project aimed at improving digital infrastructure within the public sector.

The upgrade is expected to improve network performance, automate internal government processes and enhance digital engagement with residents. The cybersecurity initiative follows the release of Lagos State’s cybersecurity guidelines in April.

The framework recommends measures including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability testing, encrypted backups and tighter endpoint security controls.

The guidelines align with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

 


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LG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions

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LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its commitment to smarter and more energy‑efficient living by spotlighting its range of inverter‑powered refrigerators designed to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian households.

As electricity costs continue to rise and inflationary pressures shape consumer spending, LG’s refrigerator portfolio is positioned as a practical solution that combines dependable performance with responsible energy consumption.

Refrigerators are among the most frequently used appliances in Nigerian homes, operating 24 hours a day and accounting for a significant share of household electricity usage. LG addresses this challenge through its proprietary Inverter Compressor technology, which intelligently adjusts cooling power based on actual usage conditions.

By reducing unnecessary energy draw, the system delivers stable temperature control while helping households lower energy consumption and manage monthly utility costs more effectively.

Beyond energy savings, LG refrigerators are designed to support food security and reduce waste, an increasingly important consideration for families navigating rising food prices. The inverter system enables faster cooling recovery after power interruptions and helps maintain consistent internal temperatures, preserving food freshness for longer periods. With fewer friction points in the compressor design, LG refrigerators also offer enhanced durability and long‑term reliability, minimizing maintenance costs over time.

LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator lineup includes Top Mount, Side‑by‑Side, and Door‑in‑Door models, each tailored to different household sizes, storage needs, and lifestyle preferences. The Top Mount refrigerators offer practical, space‑efficient designs ideal for everyday family use, delivering reliable cooling with optimized energy efficiency.

The LG GN-F452PFAQ model keeps food perfectly fresh with FRESH Converter+ that optimizes temperature as per food items and never runs out of ice with the Auto Ice Maker.

For households that require larger storage capacity and improved organization, Side‑by‑Side models provide generous interior space, improved visibility, and consistent cooling across compartments.

For more design‑conscious consumers, LG’s Door‑in‑Door refrigerators reduce cold air loss by allowing quick access to frequently used items, supporting both energy efficiency and long‑lasting freshness.

At the premium end, LG continues to innovate with advanced models such as the MoodUP™ refrigerator, which combines customizable aesthetics with functional energy‑saving features like the InstaView panel, allowing users to view contents without opening the door and reducing unnecessary cold air loss. This refrigerator comes with a washing machine as a bundle promotion.

According to LG, this range‑based approach reflects a deep understanding of how Nigerian households differ in size, consumption habits, and lifestyle needs.

“Nigerian consumers are becoming more intentional about how they use energy and manage household costs,” said Mr. Oktai Kim, General Manager, Home Appliance Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria. “By offering a diverse range of inverter‑powered refrigerators, we are giving families the flexibility to choose solutions that suit their homes while delivering long‑term value through energy efficiency and dependable performance.”

Rather than focusing on technology alone, LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator portfolio emphasizes everyday benefits, efficient operation, reliable cooling, and designs that adapt to real living conditions. Available nationwide, LG refrigerators continue to support smarter living and economic resilience, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering durable, consumer‑focused home solutions for Nigerian households.


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