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Olam Agri’s Seeds for the Future Wins Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award 2023

Olam Agri in Nigeria, a leading agribusiness in food, feed and fibre, has been recognised for its impactful sustainability investment. The agribusiness’ Seeds for the Future (SFTF) initiative emerged as a Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the African Food Awards 2023, held on June 16 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Africa Food Awards recognises and celebrates the best companies and individuals in Africa’s rising food manufacturing, retail, academia, and food service sector. The awards celebrate excellence and encourage adopting world-class practices and technologies in Africa’s food manufacturing, retail, and service sectors.
As one of the winners of the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award, the Olam Agri Seeds for the Future Initiative was launched as Olam Agri in Nigeria’s wheat value-chain social sustainability investment vehicle in 2021 and is driven by five key levers, which are supporting farmers and farming communities, enabling broader education & skill development for young people, empowering women (farmers & bakers), promoting health & nutrition, and reducing carbon emissions in business operations.
In 2022, the initiative announced an impressive first-year result of its multi-year research, seed trial and multiplication effort. It generated optimism that Nigeria is making strides toward increasing local wheat production levels. Now a full-fledged foundation, the initiative is extending its impact to other segments.
Francis Juma, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FW Africa, the organiser of the awards, said “After evaluation by our judging committee, Olam Agri’s sustainability investment through the Seeds for the Future Foundation met all criteria of reach, depth, and impact, and towers above the competition in the sustainability investment category and deserves to receive one of the Sustainability Initiative Award for the year 2023.”
He congratulated the business for its exceptional leadership and focused investment, which aim to drive impactful economic growth across operating markets.
Speaking on the award recognition, Ashish Pande, the Country Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, explained, “We will keep scaling up investment in projects that positively impact farming communities, consumer health, the environment, and government’s economic growth agenda. The Seed for the Future Foundation is a major vehicle for driving our wider investment actions. The Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award recognition underscores our impact level.”
He thanked the award organiser for the recognition reiterating that the business would not rest on its oars. He maintained that it would keep investing in strengthening the Nigerian food production and processing segments.
Winners in the same category at the awards include Bio Food Products, Ngorongo Tea, Farmers Choice, EARBL, the Marindi Healthy Woman, and Broadway Bakery.
The Africa Food Awards took place during the Africa Food Industry Week, which consists of high-level events such as the Africa Sustainability Symposium, AFMASS Food Expo and the Africa Food Safety Summit, all held in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Bigi Wins “Friendly Brand of the Year 2023” at Media Consortium Conference and Awards 2023

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

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

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.
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