Category Archives: News brief

Event announcement, News brief

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GIRLS AS FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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The African Women Foundation for Nation Building, WINBAFRICA, as part of its commitment in promoting girl-child education and empowering women and young girls in critical thinking and leadership skills in secondary schools across Africa, has announced the annual school debate competition and scholarship programme for 20 young girls. The Schools Debate, to celebrate the NGO’s 10th anniversary under the theme, Bridging the Gab: Celebrating a decade of Nation Building” is scheduled for Monday, February 26, 2024 at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga center, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking on the initiative, which is the first event in the series of events in 2024 to commemorate its 10th anniversary, the President, WINBAFRICA, and Chief Strategist, Irachy PR, Dr. Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi said the organization is looking forward to expanding its reach and impact, and continuing to make a difference in the lives of girls across Africa.

Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi

She noted; “Through initiatives like the scholarship programme, WINBAFRICA is paving the way for a brighter future for girls and empowering them to reach their full potential. WINBAFRICA’s 10th anniversary is a testament to the organization’s dedication and commitment to promoting education and empowering women and girls in Africa.

“This year’s programme is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, where girls have the opportunity to thrive and succeed, paving the way for a brighter future for girls and empowering them to reach their full potential. As we celebrate WINBAFRICA’s achievements over the past decade, let us continue to support and champion the rights of girls to education and empowerment. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.

According to her, “The school debate competition will provide a platform for girls to showcase their talents and engage in meaningful discussions on important social and economic issues facing them and the continent.”

The lineups for this year’s celebration, according to WINBAFRICA will be between Steady Steps School, Lekki, and Bomak International Schools Surulere, Lagos, who have emerged at the final stage of the competition. Both schools will be competing for WINBAFRICA YOUNG NATION BUILDERS’ TROPHY (WYNBT) in a debate.

Speaking further, Dr. Jaiyesimi revealed that aside from the Schools Debate competition, the senior secondary students of Bomak International College, Surulere, Lagos would be at the front burner discussing Environmental Responsibility during the WINBAFRICA Business Roundtable.

Founded in 2014 by a group of dedicated women led by Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, an Entrepreneur, Pan-Africanist, and multiple award recipient with a passion for projecting women’s issues, WINBAFRICA is present in Ghana, Gambia, South Africa, and Ethiopia. The organization has been at the forefront of championing the rights of girls to education and providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed. Over the past decade, the organization has impacted the lives of thousands of women and young girls in Africa through its various programs and initiatives.

Event announcement, News brief

Africa round trip: Nigerian hodophile set to break Guinness World Record tripping 54 African countries by road and sea

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>By Sanmi Falobi<

He is one of a rare breed. A Wanderluster, who is consumed by the desire to explore and discover new places and the thrills of the culture and norms of Africa.

Ileri Babalobi, a Nigerian hodophile is set to visit all 54 African countries via road and sea travel in an attempt to become the first African to complete such a feat, and setting two Guinness world records in the process. As with hodophiles, an ancient Greek word which simply means ‘One who loves to travel’ and those who are one, 31 year old Babalobi has been to all the 36 states of Nigeria, all the 16 regions of Ghana as well as over a dozen African countries.

“I have always wanted to visit all African countries, a dream stretching back over ten years ago. I had already taken steps towards that, by visiting more than a dozen of them on my own”, Babalobi said in an exclusive chat with SDNonline.

According to his travel itinerary, he will visit 48 African roads by Public transport and 6 Island countries by sea. The attempt, which is titled “Naija to the World” is aimed at showcasing the resilience that Nigerians are made of. He will also use the trip to galvanise support for the Nigerian Red Cross. At the Borders of each Country, He will take a picture with the Nigerian Flag.

“The Nigerian Red Cross does so much good work for Nigeria. I’ll be raising awareness for funds for the Nigerian Red Cross at every step of the trip. I fell in love with this country when I visited all the 36 states and I consider myself a patriot. I’ve always wanted to do something Gratis for Nigeria, and I found an opportunity by combining multiple passions. The Red Cross also have a track record of effective charity” Babalobi said, giving further insight into the travel expedition tagged, “Naija to the World”.

“I am a travel enthusiast because I love seeing new cultures and how people live. Even before this attempt, I have been to all the 36 states of Nigeria and when I lived in Ghana, all the 16 regions of Ghana as well. I have long said that I’m probably the only person in the world that has seen Ghana and Nigeria completely, by going to all 36 states in Nigeria and all 16 regions in Ghana.

Additionally, I’ve been to over a dozen African countries and my last road trip stretched for three months – July to October 2023 where I visited 10 African countries”, he said.

Ileri Babablobi who started travelling shortly after appearing on the Game show ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ and winning a million naira, said he chose to spend his resources on travelling because he wanted to explore other people’s cultures and to satisfy his curiosity about Africa and Africans.

He would also be promoting the Borderless Africa campaign by the NGO, Africans Rising.

Under the ideals of the borderless Africa campaign, he believes there should be a deeper brotherhood among Africans and that Africans should be able to easily travel from one Africa country to another.

“It’s a pity that Africans have to pay expensive visa fees to visit most other African countries. I look forward to a future where most of the barriers to migration for Africans within Africa are removed “.

While calling for private and public organisations as well as the government to support his expenditure, he noted that the voyage will take about 9 months, spending 3 or 4 days on average in each country and visiting the tourist sites and interacting with the culture of each country. He added that the adventures of each day would be posted on YouTube. The “Naija to the World” expedition is scheduled to start in March 2024.  

According to him, though there might be hazards in the course of the journey, he was unperturbed.

“I am not afraid. I trust God. Nevertheless, there are likely to be challenges on the way. Some areas are not very safe, but safety is relative. Additionally, I have experience in road trips. By taking basic precautions, I should be fine. I have some precautions I’m talking which I won’t mention publicly for now” he added.

According to him, the expedition is a very important one for him because “it feels like I was born for this”.

Ileri Chukwuemeka Babalobi, with a degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, is an indigene of Osun State. He was born in Enugu, and grew up in Northern Nigeria before moving to Ibadan as a child.

He can be reached/followed on social media @

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ileribabalobi/

https://youtube.com/@africatours

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ileribabalobi

News brief

Digital skills growth: Firm donates computers to Army Children School

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The Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja, Lagos have received set of computers from MediaFuse-Dentsu. The computers were donated last week by the Dentsu in a bid to empower students with the tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s tech-driven world.

Group Chief Executive Officer of MediaFuse-Dentsu, Emeka Okeke, who was represented at the occasion by the Chief Operating Officer of D’Agyle, Marian Ogaziechi, said access to technology had become a necessity and no longer a luxury.

Emeka explained that the donation would also enable the students to prepare adequately for their examinations, reiterating the company’s commitment to educational excellence and community development.

While advising the students to focus on their studies, he said, “We are committed to supporting the educational aspirations of all students, and we believe that this donation will make a significant impact on the lives of those at Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja.”

The Financial Director of MediaFuse-Dentsu, Funmi Lawal,noted that the computers were provided to the students as a gateway to a world of information and learning opportunities.

She emphasised MediaFuse-Dentsu’s commitment to educational excellence and community development extends beyond the donation of computers.

“We also plan to partner with schools and other organisations to provide technical support and training for instructors and students in the areas of Information Communication Technology, entrepreneurship and marketing communications,” she added.

The school’s principal, Mrs Agbona, B.L, expressed their gratitude for the donation, adding that the computers will be invaluable in helping students prepare for the future and reach their full potential.

Agbona, who was represented by the school’s computer tutor, Mrs Tosin Olusola, said, “This will enhance the students’ practice before and after examinations. It will also enable ICT students in Senior Secondary School Two and Senior Secondary School One to have practical knowledge along with theoretical knowledge.

“With the support of MediaFuse-Dentsu, we can provide our students with enhanced educational experiences and nurture their talents and passions to reach their full potential.”

According to a statement by Dentsu Nigeria’s Corporate Communications Manager, Sodiq Oyeleke, the donation of the computers was part of commemorative activities of the advertising firm’s 10th anniversary, noting that the firm would also embark on more community service and engagements.

News brief, Special report

BigSwiss harps on Customers’ satisfaction, reiterates commitment to seamless VTU services

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In an era where Virtual Top-Up (VTU) services is emerging as preferred options for payments for bills, BigSwiss Group, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies offering VTU services, has reiterated its commitment to making bills payment seamless and readily convenient to Nigerians and other customers within the African continent.

According to Mr Basil Okongwu, CEO of BigSwiss, the advent of technology has made it rare for people to go out to purchase either airtime from local vendors or walking to electricity distribution companies to pay for their electricity bills and other bills payment, hence the need for BigSwiss app, which is backed by the firm’s commitment to ensure seamless VTU transactions.

Giving insight into the firm’s commitment to customers satisfaction in a brief to journalists, Okongwu noted that the entry of BigSwiss as a VTU service provided is to bridge the widening gap in bills payment and help people get easy access to these services at their fingertips with less stress.

Mr Basil Okongwu, CEO, BigSwiss

A commitment to customer satisfaction

“BigSwiss and group brings to the market value self-service access. We made our app to be less cumbersome and straight to business. And we also made it in such a way that those in the rural areas can easily use these services without asking people for help. Our services are specifically tailored towards the needs of our customers irrespective of the region or location.”

Providing further insights, Okogwu explained that BigSwiss has plans targeted at various strata of people in the society, regardless of the region they are residing, customers are able to access its services and pay their bills effortlessly.

Accessibility and Reliability guaranteed

“We have been able to create a very strong presence. And for customers in this virtual top of the competitive era, our service, accessibility, flexibility and percentage setup is one of the things that we can actually use to help customers choose.

“Reliability is one of the things that we hope to use to get our edge in the market. We’re definitely not ignorant of the challenges that would come through but we are sure going to conquer them with our unique services.

“We see our brand becoming the most reliable virtual App. This is one of our visions and missions. And also taking over as one of the reliable brands in this sector not just in Nigeria, but also in Africa and beyond. Also to provide massive employment for youths across Africa.

It’s all about seamless services

“Customer service is very crucial to us, in fact it is the bedrock of our services. We have a different life channel of chain customer service agents who are not only friendly but available 24/7 to promptly attend to customers without delay. Our priority is the satisfaction of our customers. And that is why we have created different lines of channels for customer’s assistance and satisfaction,” Okongwu stated.

Media event, News brief

Bridging leadership and digital literacy gaps: Ensuring girls are not left behind

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By Tobi Oyetunde

With the advent of ICTs and Artificial intelligence, it is no longer news that technological innovations now drive things. However, the gender inequality parity within the socio-economic domain is also found to exist within the scope and the dynamism of innovative use of information technology.

Thus, it was apt, that as part of efforts to commemorate the 2023 International Girls Day (IGD), that young girls in secondary schools were sensitised and made aware of the need to develop appropriate leadership and digital literacy skills so that they are relevant in the scheme of affairs. This was the underpinning objective of the Initiative for Social Impact and Sustainable Development (ISISD) at an interactive programme held for secondary school girls in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently.

The interactive session, organised by ISISD with support from Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) and Innate Communications was centred around the IGD 2023 theme: “Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being.”

ISISD Coordinator, Funmi Falobi, who was lead facilitator at the event noted that it was imperative to keep encouraging girls so that they are not left behind but motivated and mentored to exhibit potentials that would take them to the top.
“As girls and emerging women, you cannot afford to be pushed aside in the affairs of life, but you must strive to do your best to excel and showcase your potential for a better society”, she said, noting that the theme of the 2023 IGD served as a call for young girls to believe in themselves and brace up for leadership opportunities that would launch them to the global stage. She also challenged them to be digitally savvy in the world of technology that is changing the narratives around the world.

While looking at women who had proved their worth in business, governance, industries and career, Falobi enjoined the girls not to settle for less in life.
“For the fact that you are girls you are at a disadvantage, but despite the challenges facing girls, you must be motivated to be great in life. Women are doing great in various fields of endeavour including politics, so don’t let anything limit you. Don’t let anyone shut you down in achieving your goals,” she charged

Looking at the ancient city of Abeokuta and the impact of great women from the historic town in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general, the girls were enjoined not to be discouraged but weather the storm to be great.

“Ogun State has produced great women with great impact in Nigeria and Africa. It is important to learn from this. Face your studies, have role models and mentors and this will help you greatly in attaining your full potential in life. You are a leader, don’t let anyone look down on you or limit your vision,” Falobi said.

She also encouraged the girls to look into taking up career in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) saying, “this are areas girls don’t delve into. As the world is now a global village as a result of technology, it is important girls are not left behind but encouraged to take interest in digital literacy to bridge the gap.”

At the interactive programme, the girls explained that some of the challenges they face include inadequate parental attention, bullying, low self-esteem, lack of encouragement to pursue their goals among others. They however showed the interest to be great leaders to contribute their quotas in the society.

While commending the organisers for the programme, Mrs. Hannah Adeneye, Head, Vocational Department, Muslim High School, Abeokuta, said girls must not limit themselves but know that the world is waiting for their manifestation.

“There’s nothing boys are doing that you cannot do. They have enlightened us today and I want you to venture into the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics courses. Don’t limit yourself to feminine courses alone. We have women doing great in technology and we want to have more. And I’m sure you have made up your mind to be one of the greatest females in science oriented courses and be great leaders in life,” she advised.

Apart from the interactive session, sanitary pads and educational materials were distributed among the girls.

News brief

IGD2023: WSCIJ urges joint action to protect girls’ rights in Nigeria amid global concerns

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By sdnonline

Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has called for joint action to protect the rights of girls in Nigeria.

Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka said the 2023 theme for the International Day of the Girl Child, ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being,’ underscores the urgent need to increase investment in girls’ education, health, violence prevention programmes and overall well-being to protect their rights and support them to maximise leadership opportunities.

According to a 2022 UNICEF report, 6 million girls are out of school in Nigeria – 3.9 million at the primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary levels, implying that over 50 percent of Nigerian girls are not attending school at the basic education levels. Despite the federal Child Rights Act (2003) prohibiting marriage below the age of 18 in Nigeria, 43 percent of teenage girls are married before their 18th birthday, and 16percent are married before the age of 15. Hence, Nigeria ranks among the highest on the African continent for early child marriage, according to the United Nations Development Programme in 2020.

This data validates a recent report from the United Nations – Secretary-General, António Guterres, who mentioned that the world is still 300 years away from ending child marriage and its ripple effect globally is 110 million young women and girls out of school and about 340 million girls and women will face extreme poverty by 2030. This alarming analysis is a clarion call for the media, government, CSOs and other stakeholders to intensify their efforts as champions of equality, equity and inclusivity to protect girls and women’s rights through nuanced investigative reportage, multilevel advocacy and timely sustainable interventions that defend the girl-child and protects her rights to live, learn and dream.

“At the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), we are dedicated to improving the reportage of girls and women-focused issues, empowering female journalists to champion the cause of equality in the news, newsroom and facilitate the evolution of gender policies and practices that affect girls and women representation as leaders. All these and more we continue to support with the Report Women! programme, initiated in 2014,” Alaka said.

She explained that the centre has trained and rewarded female journalists on leadership projects centred on women and girls empowerment. The programme has also produced documentaries and published research reports under the Report Women! Programme on the gender status of news and newsroom leadership, the gender policy and practice in Nigerian newsrooms and assessment of the Report Women! FRLP fellowship. With a forthcoming report on the representation of women in the leadership of news and newsrooms in Nigeria, the centre aims to contribute to a more inclusive media landscape.

“In the upcoming fourth quarter, WSCIJ will launch a website featuring 500 female expert sources across eight sectors, reflecting its commitment to amplifying the voices of women in news and news programmes. We urge everyone, particularly the journalists and media managers, to champion this cause within their spheres of influence, transcending traditional, economic, religious, social, and security-related challenges.

“Together, let us create a future where the rights of the girl child are protected, and opportunities for leadership and growth are accessible to all,” she said.