Broadcasting
Coca-Cola Foundation, IGEC Partner for Women Economic Empowerment
The Initiative for Gender Empowerment and Creativity (IGEC), which was created to inspire creativity and empower vulnerable women, has unveiled its Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility project funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation on July 28, 2021.
L-R: Mrs Bolanle Emmanuel, State Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); Mr Samson Ilori, Head of the Atisbo LG, representing the LG Chairman; Executive Director, Initiative for Gender Empowerment & Creativity (IGEC); Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, and Mrs F.F Akande, Secretary, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, at the launch of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility project, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, recently.
The NGO officially launched the much-anticipated project at a commemorative event in Tede, Oyo State, following a grant awarded by the Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company.
The project, one of many to receive funding from the Coca-Cola Foundation this year, is focused on supporting rural community women who make a living through farming and trade in the Shea Butter value chain.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, director, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola, emphasized the economic opportunities the facility presented to the women of Tede community and expressed her faith in the implementing partners, IGEC, to deliver beyond expectations.
In her remarks, she said, “The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) is deeply committed to improving lives and creating a better-shared future for its host communities. 2020 was a challenging year that taught us more about how to adapt to new realities in the face of a harsh economic situation.
“We are confident that this grant that has been awarded to IGEC will go a long way in economically empowering the women in the Tede community.
“The Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility is a project that offers these women in the less privileged communities a competitive edge in shea butter production while providing economic opportunities for the community at large.’’
Ekuma Eze, director, Public Affairs & Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), expressed delight as the Oyo State has hosted its bottling operations for so many years.
“As the company celebrates its 70 years of doing business in Nigeria, we believe there is no better time to unveil this project.
“we are deeply excited at the huge impact the project will have on the community and the economy.
“The Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility offers unprecedented economic opportunities and inclusion for the women.” he added.
Shea butter production is known as a major preoccupation of the rural dwellers in the Tede community and most of the Shea processors are women, often without formal education.
Over the years, these Shea processors have relied on crude techniques that are often time-consuming and physically demanding.
As part of efforts to support sustainable community initiatives around the world, TCCF awarded this grant to IGEC, an NGO that has sought to alleviate poverty through economic empowerment in less privileged communities.
The project, which runs through 2021, birthed the establishment of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility in the Tede community.
Olasunmbo Adeleke, executive director, Initiative for Gender Empowerment and Creativity (IGEC), lauded the financial support from TCCF, reflecting on the positive impact that this project will have on the community.
“At IGEC, we are very honoured to receive the grant towards the establishment of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility which will empower women and youths in Tede Community.
“With the establishment of this facility, there are now huge economic opportunities for women in this community in Shea butter production. Undoubtedly, this project will empower the women of Tede who are the most involved in this trade and create job opportunities for others in the production and supply chain.
“We are very pleased to be implementing this exciting project and thank our partners Coca-Cola System for providing us with their support,’’ she said.
A community water project was also deployed with three source taps which would provide the community with treated potable water.
The facility was unveiled by the ATISBO local government Chairman, Honorable Adeagbo Fasasi Ademola and the wife of Onitede of Tedeland traditional ruler who commended Coca-Cola for this impactful intervention.
Other dignitaries in attendance include the Nigeria Export Promotion Council represented by Mrs Bolanle Emmanuel, Oyo state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Raw Materials Research and Development Council and many others.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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