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Excitement Greets Design and Innovation Exhibition in Lagos

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L-R: Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kola Adeleke; Founder, Design Week, and the Design, Innovation and Inventors Hub of Nigeria, Titi Ogufere; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; CEO, Out of Africa Lifestyle Ltd, Dr Kaine Dosekun, and former Cross-River State First Lady, Onari Duke, at the Ongoing 2025 Design and Innovation holding at Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos

. Young Innovators Flood Venue

Lagos, February 26, 2025 – The Design and Innovation Exhibition 2025 has kicked off with much anticipation, drawing a large crowd of young innovators and industry leaders to the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos.

The event, running from Tuesday, February 25 to Sunday, March 2, showcases the immense potential within Nigeria’s manufacturing and creative industries.

Titi Ogufere, founder of Design Week Lagos, highlighted the exhibition’s mission to showcase the remarkable talent and creativity within Nigeria. She stressed the importance of increased support from the government and financial institutions to help Nigerian designers compete on a global scale, especially in the rapidly growing design market, valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

“This exhibition is a testament to the talent and hard work happening in Nigeria’s creative industries. We’re here to celebrate and showcase the potential of our local designers and manufacturers,” said Ogufere.

“The global design industry offers immense opportunities, and with more support, Nigerian designers can truly thrive on the world stage.”The exhibition, themed “Building a Made-in-Nigeria Brand,” aims to emphasize the creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship of Nigerian designers while highlighting the importance of industrialization and export.

It also reflects a commitment to developing a sustainable industrial ecosystem that supports local talent and fosters economic growth across Africa.

Ogufere continued, “We have a wealth of untapped creative potential in Nigeria. It’s time for us to shift focus from foreign markets and showcase what we can do right here at home. The global furniture market alone is valued at over $700 billion, and Nigerian designers can carve out a significant share of that.”Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, also attended the fair, stressing the importance of strengthening the synergy between Nigerian creativity and manufacturing. “By leveraging our country’s rich creative resources, we can modernize products, promote locally-made furniture, and build stronger economic connections,” Musawa said, reaffirming the federal government’s support for such initiatives.Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, spoke on the bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Represented by Omoboye Odu, Head of SME, Partnerships, and Collaboration, Lawal remarked, “The success of SMEs is key to transforming Nigeria’s economy, and we recognize the importance of collaborating with the right partners. Titi Ogufere and Design Week Lagos are the perfect fit for us to help elevate Nigerian creatives and provide a platform to scale their businesses.”The exhibition is featuring 58 designers, including collaborations between manufacturers and designers, offering a glimpse into the future of Nigerian design.

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Africa Caught Off-guard as Idris Elba Stuns with FIFA World Cup Message

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SuperSport viewers across Africa were left stunned when normal programming was suddenly interrupted by Hollywood star Idris Elba, who delivered a message saying “Everything else can wait.”Millions of DStv and GOtv viewers across Africa experienced the surprise interruption during prime-time viewing on 15 April 2026 at 7pm, including in the middle of live sport broadcast. Screens abruptly went black before a countdown appeared, followed by a familiar silhouette.It was Idris Elba.Ten Of Us NowThe award-winning actor addressed Africa directly with a message celebrating a historic football moment. Ten African nations have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most ever.“There are ten of us now,” Elba said in his unmistakable gravelly voice. “I honestly don’t care which one of us wins. I just want to see African football light up the world stage.”“My mum is from Ghana, my dad is from Sierra Leone. But my heart is African,” said Elba, a global superstar who remains deeply connected to the continent. “That’s why I’m watching. Every. Single. Game.”Africa’s Greatest World Cup?The FIFA World Cup 2026™, hosted across Mexico, Canada and the USA, will see Africa represented by Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo.It is a milestone tournament, and SuperSport on DStv and GOtv is positioning itself as the home of every kick, goal and celebration.“History doesn’t always tell you when it’s going to happen,” Elba continued. “But I’m here to tell you where it may happen. SuperSport. Only on DStv and GOtv. Everything else you thought you were going to be doing… it can wait.”Energetic Big Brother Mzansi star Smash Afrika and the ever-stylish host of Big Brother Naija, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, are also starring in the wider DStv and GOtv FIFA World Cup campaign.Every Match, Every ScreenAll 104 FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches will be available live on SuperSport across DStv, DStv Stream, GOtv and GOtv Stream.Viewers can follow the tournament through satellite TV or stream on phones, laptops and smart TVs, depending on their preference and connectivity.Coverage will also include local language options, including pidgin, making the tournament more accessible to audiences across the continent.The World Cup kicks off on 11 June 2026 with the opening ceremony in Mexico City, live on SuperSport. From the opening match to the final, fans across Africa will be able to follow every moment.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Receives Nigerian Air Force Delegation in Gusau to Strengthen Security, Combat Terrorism

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Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal P.hD, received a high-level delegation from the Nigerian Air Force during a strategic visit aimed at strengthening ongoing efforts to combat insecurity across the state.

The visit featured a presentation and inspection of key military air assets, including a combat-equipped helicopter designed for rapid response and real-time operations.

The Governor, alongside top government officials and security chiefs, was briefed on the aircraft’s capabilities, operational features, and its role in tackling banditry and other security challenges.

During the session, Air Force personnel demonstrated key features of the aircraft, including weapon systems and surveillance technology, highlighting its effectiveness in reconnaissance and combat missions.

Governor Lawal expressed strong interest, inspecting the equipment and asking questions about deployment and coordination with ground forces.

He commended the Federal Government and Air Force leadership for their commitment to restoring peace in Zamfara and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to supporting all security agencies through collaboration and strategic initiatives.

The visit marks a significant step toward enhancing aerial surveillance and rapid response capabilities in Zamfara, reflecting renewed progress in addressing insecurity in the state.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 120-Day Rapid Intervention Plan to Revamp Zamfara’s Educational Sector

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Governor Dauda Lawal has approved a 120-day Rapid Intervention Action Plan aimed at addressing systemic failures in Zamfara State’s education sector.

The Governor presided over the State Executive Council meeting on Monday at the Government House in Gusau, where key decisions were taken.

During deliberations at the 65th Council meeting, issues related to education, health, works, and other sectors were discussed and approved.

The Council endorsed a 120-day rapid intervention plan built on prior diagnostic activities conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Education Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA). The plan, presented by the overseeing Commissioner for Education, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, includes payroll audits, school mapping exercises, and infrastructure assessments. It proposes targeted, time-bound interventions across governance, infrastructure, digital transformation, teacher development, and student welfare.

The Council also approved the formation of a joint committee to immediately assess all illegal or unapproved structures built around schools in the state, with a view to relocating them and securing school environments. The committee will be led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST).

Additionally, the Council approved a single, unified Education Sector Bill (covering Early Childhood Care Development Education to Tertiary level), to be developed in consultation with stakeholders including agencies, institutions, civil society, traditional rulers, and development partners. A draft bill will be presented to the State House of Assembly for enactment within the emergency timeframe.

The Governor further approved the transfer of non-teaching staff—such as messengers, labourers, gardeners, cooks, guards, drivers, health workers, and artisans—from the Ministry’s payroll to appropriate MDAs (CPG, MoH, Establishment) or private firms.

Among other important issues, the Council approved the composition of the Zamfara State Steering Committee on the State of Emergency on Education and authorised the Committee to constitute a Technical Working Group (TWG) and co-opt stakeholders including the NUT, UNICEF, UBEC, traditional and religious leaders, private school proprietors, and CSOs.

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