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The Real Padi: Aquafina’s 11-Year Run With Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

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Since 2016, Seven-Up Bottling Company’s Aquafina Premium drinking water, has shown up at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon every single year. As the partnership enters its 11th edition, athletes, organisers, and fitness advocates reflect on what a decade of sustained support really means.

At 6:30 am on February 14, elite athletes, thousands of runners, including first-timers, formed thick streams at the starting line of the 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. They could be seen adjusting race bibs, stretching calves and taking photographs. Friends who had trained together for months since the announcement of the race was made were ready to run.

Interspersed among the title sponsor’s branding were the unmistakable blue and white colours of Aquafina. The brand was everywhere: at the start and finish lines, at hydration points every 2.5 kilometres, on volunteer vests, and in the hands of race marshals pressing chilled bottles into the palms of passing runners.

When the marathon first launched in 2016, organising a full 42-kilometre international race in Lagos was a major undertaking. As participation grew, including runners from across Africa, the need for reliable hydration planning became even more important. Aquafina’s continued involvement has aligned with that growth, helping organisers maintain a consistent hydration structure as the event expanded.

For the 2026 edition, Aquafina built its engagement around the 10KM race with the theme “Run am with your Padi,” a Nigerian Pidgin phrase that speaks to companionship. The message reflected how many participants approach the 10-kilometre category, running with friends, training partners, or social groups rather than competing professionally. The campaign appeared across outdoor and digital channels, reinforcing the social side of the race.

From a runner’s perspective, hydration was where Aquafina’s dominance on the course was most obvious. Harriet Wonder, a participant in the 2026 marathon, described her experience simply: “There was more than enough water and drink for everyone. At intervals, there was always water, like if you wanted to drink 100 bottles of water, you’ll get it. Hydration was not a problem.” Her comment captures how Aquafina’s strong presence at the event translated into a race experience where runners rarely had to think about water availability.

Aquafina’s 2026 activation also introduced one of the event’s biggest talking points, a N1million reward for the first 10 padi groups to cross the finish line in the 10-kilometre fun run. Rather than focusing only on elite competitors, the incentive placed attention on everyday runners, who make up the largest share of participants.

That decision also added excitement to the community category. For many runners, the fun run is about personal fitness goals or showing up with friends. Adding a significant reward recognised their contribution to the marathon’s energy and scale.

More than just a prize, the move reflected Aquafina’s awareness of the growing fitness culture around the event. It placed value on grassroots participation, the runners who return each year and help shape the marathon atmosphere.

In sports sponsorship, longevity builds familiarity. After eleven consecutive years, Aquafina’s presence has become an expected part of the marathon experience for returning runners. Hydration stations are not just branded touchpoints; they are functional stops runners plan around as they move through the course.

Nigeria’s recreational running culture has expanded steadily since the marathon began, with more clubs and informal groups encouraging participation. Large events like the marathon reflect that growth, and consistent corporate support helps sustain the infrastructure required to host thousands of runners.

More than a decade into the partnership, Aquafina’s role is defined by consistency. By providing reliable hydration year after year, the brand has entrenched itself as the ‘Padi of Life’, becoming race day essential for runners navigating one of Lagos’ largest sporting event.

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Nestlé Nigeria Convenes Stakeholders at Nestlé for Good Summit to Advance Nutrition, Community, and Sustainable Food Systems Agenda

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Captions: Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria,(left); Patricia Ekaba, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Central and West Africa,(middle); Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, Honourable Commissioner, Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State; Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, at the Nestle for Good Summit held in Lagos, recently

Nestlé Nigeria has convened government representatives, healthcare professionals, development partners, academia, industry leaders, civil society organisations, and the media at the Nestlé for Good Summit 2026, a stakeholder platform focused on advancing practical, collaborative solutions to improve nutrition outcomes, strengthen communities, and support more sustainable food systems in Nigeria. At a time when Nigeria continues to navigate evolving nutrition, public health, and food system challenges, the Summit provided a timely forum for cross-sector dialogue on how to drive meaningful and scalable impact. Held in Lagos, the Summit brought together key stakeholders including the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, alongside leaders from development organisations, public health institutions, and the private sector. The discussions centered on practical pathways to improving nutrition across the life stages, strengthening local food systems, and building more resilient communities. Participants explored the role of partnerships in addressing interconnected challenges spanning nutrition, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini, said the Summit reflects Nestlé’s long-standing belief that creating shared value is fundamental to how the company operates. “At Nestlé, we are guided by a simple but powerful purpose: to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Delivering good food consistently and at scale depends on strong systems across the value chain — from responsible sourcing and manufacturing to distribution, livelihoods, capability development, and environmental sustainability,” he said. He added that Nestlé for Good provides a clearer, more connected expression of how the company delivers impact across Nutrition, Thriving Communities, and the Planet. In her keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, commended Nestlé Nigeria for convening stakeholders around issues critical to both public wellbeing and economic development. “The conversations we are having today are not only about food. They are about human capital, productivity, public health, economic growth, and ultimately, the future of our society,” she said. She also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration across government, industry, development institutions, and communities in delivering improved nutrition outcomes at scale. Providing further perspective on the company’s approach, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, noted that the platform helps bring together the full scope of Nestlé’s impact. “Nestlé for Good is not simply about showcasing individual initiatives. It is about demonstrating how our products, sourcing, partnerships, and community investments connect in practical ways to support healthier lives and more resilient communities,” she said.Also speaking, Patricia Ekaba, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Central and West Africa, highlighted the importance of long-term, system-focused thinking. “Sustainable progress requires looking beyond short-term interventions. Business growth and social progress are interconnected, and lasting impact comes from creating value for both the business and the communities it serves,” she said. A key feature of the Summit was an impact showcase, where participants engaged with real stories of beneficiaries connected to Nestlé’s initiatives in women empowerment, youth capability development, dairy development, and environmental sustainability. These stories illustrated how targeted interventions across the value chain are contributing to improved livelihoods, stronger communities, and more sustainable practices. The Summit also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to experience how Nestlé’s products and initiatives contribute to nutrition, livelihoods, and sustainability across different stages of the food system. The Nestlé for Good Summit marks an important step in deepening dialogue and strengthening partnerships that can translate into measurable progress. As Nigeria continues to address complex nutrition and development challenges, Nestlé Nigeria remains committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to drive practical solutions that improve quality of life at scale.

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Quickteller, Verve Champion Storytelling Excellence at the 12th AMVCAs

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L-R; Lateef Adedimeji, Actor; and Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, Interswitch, presenting the Best Writing (Movie and Series) award, sponsored by Verve, at the 12th AMVCAs which held recently in Lagos.

The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) brought together the very best of African film and television in a vibrant celebration of storytelling, creativity, and cultural expression, while also highlighting the systems that help make experiences like this seamless and engaging.

As one of Africa’s most influential entertainment events, the AMVCAs once again convened the continent’s leading creatives and industry voices in Lagos, Nigeria for a weekend that spotlighted excellence, creativity, and the expanding reach of African film and television.  At the heart of this year’s AMVCA activities were Quickteller and Verve, Interswitch’s flagship brands, both of which played a strategic role in enhancing engagement and elevating key moments across the event.

The brands’ involvement went beyond visibility. Quickteller and Verve sponsored three key category awards that celebrate the depth and craftsmanship behind African storytelling. Quickteller backed the Best Music Score category award, while Verve supported both Best Writing in a Movie category award and Best Writing in a TV Series category award, recognising the creative brilliance behind the music and storytelling that shape unforgettable screen experiences.

The Best Music Score category award featured an impressive lineup of nominees, including Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra for their work in ‘My Father’s Shadow’, Nissi Ogulu for ‘Cold Dishes, and Tolu Obanro, recognised for both ‘Gingerrr and ‘The Party. On the awards night, Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra  emerged as the winners for their work in the movie, ‘My Father’s Shadow, a testament to the power of music in shaping cinematic storytelling.

In the writing categories, the spotlight fell on the creative minds shaping Africa’s film and television narratives. From ‘The Herd and ‘Blackout to ‘MTV Shuga Mashariki’ and ‘The Party, the diversity and strength of storytelling on display reflected an industry that continues to evolve in both depth and global relevance. Wale Davies took home the award for Best Writing in a Movie for his work in ‘My Father’s Shadow’, while Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, and Makgano Mamabolo won the Best Writing in a TV Series award for their work in the TV Series, ‘MTV Shuga Mashariki’, further highlighting the richness of African storytelling.

Interswitch’s support for the AMVCAs was underscored by a high-level delegation on the AMVCA stage; Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, presented the Best Writing in a Movie category award while Franklin Ali, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, presented the Best Music Score category award.

Together, these appearances reinforced a simple but powerful message that supporting creativity means showing up, not just in name, but in presence and participation. Beyond the awards, Interswitch extended its presence across key moments of the AMVCA experience.

At the Cultural Day celebration held at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, the vibrancy of African heritage set the tone for a weekend that celebrated identity as much as achievement. This energy carried through to the main awards ceremony at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, where storytelling, style, and spectacle came together in a seamless blend of culture and entertainment.

Across both touchpoints, Interswitch delivered engaging on-site activations that connected guests with the capabilities of Quickteller and Verve. The AMVCAs are no longer just a celebration of African storytelling; they are a reflection of a growing creative economy.

For Interswitch, supporting this platform is part of a broader commitment to enabling the ecosystems where culture, creativity, and commerce intersect. Through Quickteller and Verve, the company continues to enable access, participation, and meaningful experiences across industries that shape everyday life. And at this year’s AMVCAs, both brands played a role in supporting the stories, talent, and creativity that brought the celebration to life.

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Interswitch Deepens Support for Federal Revenue Collection on RevOP Platform

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Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, has reinforced its role in supporting Federal Government revenue collection through its continued participation as a Payment Service Solution Provider (PSSP) on the Revenue Assurance and Optimization Platform (RevOP). The move underscores Interswitch’s ongoing contribution to strengthening public sector payment infrastructure and supporting Treasury Single Account (TSA) collections in Nigeria. It also reflects the Federal Government’s sustained push to improve transparency, enhance revenue assurance, and enable real-time visibility into collections across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Through its integration with the RevOP platform, Interswitch continues to enable secure, end-to-end processing of payments initiated via the portal. Transactions are seamlessly routed into the TSA framework, ensuring compliance with Federal Government financial regulations while supporting efficient and accountable revenue management. Leveraging its robust payment infrastructure, Interswitch facilitates multiple payment channels, including card and digital payments, delivering a seamless and reliable experience for citizens, businesses, and government agencies fulfilling their payment obligations. Speaking on the development, Muyiwa Asagba, Managing Director, INCLUSIO at Interswitch, said the company remains committed to supporting government-led financial reforms through secure and efficient payment solutions. “Interswitch is proud to continue supporting the Federal Government’s drive toward greater transparency and efficiency in public revenue management. Our role on the RevOP platform reflects our commitment to delivering secure, seamless, and compliant payment infrastructure that enables all stakeholders to meet their obligations with confidence,” he said. Interswitch’s continued role on the platform builds on its longstanding experience in supporting critical national payment infrastructure and collaborating with regulatory and financial institutions to drive digital transformation across Nigeria’s public sector. Its infrastructure is designed to ensure high transaction uptime, real-time processing, and secure data handling, all essential for effective public revenue collection. By deepening its participation on the RevOP platform, Interswitch further strengthens its position as a trusted partner within Nigeria’s evolving digital payments ecosystem, while continuing to support initiatives that promote fiscal transparency, operational efficiency, and sustainable governance across government institutions.

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