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Sahara Foundation Honours African Social Innovators, Entrepreneurs At SIPA

Published

4 years ago

September 12, 2022

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Sahara Foundation, the personal and corporate social responsibility vehicle for Sahara Group, in collaboration with LEAP Africa, Ford Foundation, and Impact Investors Foundation celebrated its 2021-2022 Sahara Impact Fund (SIF) Fellows whose businesses are set to promote sustainable development across Africa.

The Fellows were honoured at the LEAP Africa Social Innovators Programme & Awards (SIPA) ceremony which held on Thursday, 8 September 2022, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria.

This year’s SIPA event themed ‘’Reawaken, Redesign and Re-emerge: Africa Beyond Potential’, drew speakers and panelists from across Africa, Europe, and North America to discuss challenges that impede Africa’s growth and development with a keen focus on social entrepreneurship while providing novel strategies to enable the much-desired transformation.

Speaking at the event, Pearl Uzokwe, Executive Director at Sahara Foundation, lauded the Fellows for their efforts in creating innovations that promote social impact. “We are excited to be part of this transformative partnership that is committed to bringing sustainable change to the African continent. We are also proud of our Fellows who have risen above the structural limitations and social barriers to solve societal problems. I urge you to put your training to good use, think beyond the profit and focus on doing good and doing well”, Uzokwe said.

Present at the event to receive their awards, were 11 SIF Fellows from across 7 African countries. They include Aminu Moses Rex, Michael Osumune, Olawale Thompson, Aliyara Assurance Oluchi, and Oluwamayowa Salu, from Nigeria. Also awarded were James Thuch Madhier from South Sudan; Ligare Allan Muliru from Kenya; Siwelwa Lazarous from Zambia; Lamin Ceesay from The Gambia; Gadi Banda from Malawi; and Albert Moghomaye from Cameroon.

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, Founder, LEAP Africa, commended the partners for supporting the initiative and reiterated the need for impact investments for social entrepreneurs to scale sustainably. She said, “We recognise that youth leadership and inclusion are critical to wealth creation and development across the continent’’. Nwuneli commended the African youths for leveraging their entrepreneurial abilities and innovation to solve Africa’s social problems, adding, “LEAP Africa will continue to raise and empower a movement of young African social entrepreneurs and enterprises capable of transforming Africa into the Africa of our dreams.”

Sahara Foundation, through the Sahara Impact Fund (SIF), leverages the LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme to bridge the gap in social innovation and social entrepreneurship, and foster relations amongst African innovators. It serves as a platform to equip young entrepreneurs with the requisite skills, knowledge and network that enables them to scale their enterprises sustainably and, in turn, impact the society bringing about positive social change through their business ventures.
The three-month Fellowship programme which combines virtual learning and in-class experiences, through its ‘governance unusual curriculum’ challenges the Fellows to be the measure ‘’for doing the right thing’’ against all odds. This inspiring mindset has the potential to turn them into impactful business leaders with the potential to influence a positive cultural paradigm shift and promote a movement of people who willingly and consistently choose to do the right thing.

The programme which helped equip Fellows with the knowledge, skills, and proven methodologies they require to improve their business models and scale profitably, ended with the recognition of outstanding SIF Fellows at the LEAP Africa Social Innovators Programme & Award Ceremony (SIPA).

The Sahara Impact Fund connects social innovators to a network of potential investors, partners, clients, and customers as Sahara Foundation continues to build the next generation of leaders to accelerate Africa’s growth.

With a focus on “increasing access to energy” and “building sustainable environments”, Sahara Group, through the Sahara Foundation is committed to impacting lives and building sustainable societies in Africa.

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Bigi Wins “Friendly Brand of the Year 2023” at Media Consortium Conference and Awards 2023

Published

3 years ago

October 10, 2023

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Bigi, a flagship brand of Rite Foods Limited, has been honoured with the prestigious “Friendly Brand of the Year 2023” award at the inaugural Media Consortium Conference and Awards (MCCA) held on September 28, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos. The conference, themed “Consumer Journey in a Digital Age: Prospects and Challenges,” united industry leaders and experts to explore the ever-evolving consumer landscape and underscore the vital role of customer-centric approaches.

The Media Consortium Conference and Awards (MCCA) 2023 marked a significant milestone by emphasizing the necessity for brands to adapt to the ever-changing consumer journey, maintain transparency in data collection and usage, and safeguard customer data privacy. In a world where digitalisation continues to redefine consumer interactions, this recognition reaffirms Bigi Cola’s commitment to meeting the dynamic needs of its consumers.

During the conference, industry experts and thought leaders convened to share valuable insights and best practices for thriving in the digital age. They highlighted the importance of maintaining continuous consumer engagement and prioritizing customer-centric approaches as essential keys to success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Biola Aransiola, the Assistant Brand Manager of Bigi, expressed profound gratitude to the Media Consortium and the esteemed industry professionals who acknowledged Bigi’s remarkable contributions. She stated, “it is an honour to receive the ‘Friendly Brand of the Year 2023’ award. This recognition speaks to Bigi’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional products and memorable experiences to our loyal consumers. We remain steadfast in our dedication to placing consumers at the heart of our brand strategy.”

The “Friendly Brand of the Year 2023” award underscores Bigi’s dedication to excellence and its exceptional ability to cultivate meaningful connections with consumers in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Rite Foods Limited remains resolute in its mission to deliver innovative, top-quality products while continually prioritising the preferences and needs of its valued customers.

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Nigerian Journalists, Media Houses, Battle For Awards At 17th NMNA, Oct 29th

Published

3 years ago

October 2, 2023

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The Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award (NMNA) is here again. And up for grabs are professional awards that stands out the worth of a Journalist and the Media Houses they represent.

The Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award since its inception in 2006, has honoured journalists in various categories of the media profession viz a viz Politics, Crime, Aviation, Tourism, Society and others.

Who wins this year? Which newspaper will emerge the best this year 2022-23? Which is the Best TV Station In Nigeria and which is the Radio Station of the Year?

The event will also have in attendance Top government officials, Captains of Industry, and Corporate organisations that are presently making waves. These will be honoured for their different contributions to the growth of the country and for their strong support and identification with the Nigerian Press.

The event is slated for Sunday, October 29th. The D-Day for Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award at The Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Host is the Honourable Minister for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Co-host, Honourable Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. Special Guest of Hounour, Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, Honourable Minister for FCT, Nyesom Wike and many other distinguished guests.

Keynote Address will be delivered by the Chairman of Odu’a Group, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru.

This year’s theme is: ‘A Way Out Of Nigeria’s Quagmire In The Next Four Years.’

Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award, a celebration of the fourth estate of government.

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Development Expert, Mary Ikoku, Honored with Chieftaincy Award in Ghana

Published

3 years ago

September 23, 2023

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Accra, Ghana – Mary Ikoku, a renowned figure in Nigeria’s development and public relations sphere, has been bestowed with the prestigious ‘Ugwu Igbo 1’ of Ghana chieftaincy title by the Eze Ndigbo Ghana, Dr. Amb. Chukwudi J Ihenetu.

This remarkable recognition comes as a tribute to Mary Ikoku’s exceptional integrity and leadership qualities that she has consistently demonstrated throughout her illustrious career, as well as her unwavering commitment to serving humanity.

The investiture ceremony took place during the 11th Igbo Day & New Yam Festival, held on September 17 at the picturesque Efua Sutherland Park, situated just opposite the National Theatre in Ghana.

Dr. Amb. Chukwudi J Ihenetu, the Eze Ndigbo Ghana, who presided over the ceremony, hailed Mary Ikoku’s outstanding leadership and pioneering contributions to humanitarian causes, emphasizing that her dedication sets her apart as a beacon among her peers.

Reacting to the honour, Mary Ikoku expressed her surprise and gratitude at receiving the title. She acknowledged that it served as a testament to the recognition of her contributions to the betterment of humanity through her intervention to the welfare of women and children by people beyond the borders of Nigeria.

Mary Ikoku is a multi-skilled development and policy expert specializing in strategy and communications. She has significantly advanced developmental initiatives in Nigeria, particularly focusing on women, children, the vulnerable and displaced populations, as well as policy formulation and execution.

In addition to her distinguished career, Mary Ikoku ventured into politics and stood as an aspirant for the House of Representatives in the Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Constituency, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the previous general elections. Her multifaceted contributions have continued to inspire and make a lasting impact on various facets of society.

Mary Ikoku’s receipt of the ‘Ugwu Igbo 1’ chieftaincy title in Ghana stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to integrity, leadership, and service to humanity, further solidifying her legacy as a distinguished figure in Nigeria and beyond.