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Exhibitors Hail 2025 FNITCC Atlanta 2025 as Catalyst for Non-Oil Export Growth

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Exhibitors Hail 2025 FNITCC Atlanta 2025 as Catalyst for Non-Oil Export Growth

Exhibitors at the just concluded Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, Georgia, have described the event as a transformative platform for promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports and creative industries on the global stage.

The three-day fair, held from September 18 to 20, 2025, was hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc in collaboration with AFRICON, bringing together export-ready Nigerian businesses across fashion, arts, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. With vibrant showcases, networking opportunities, and cultural displays, participants hailed the 2025 edition as “a clear step up” from previous years.

“It was an honor to exhibit among such a vibrant community of creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural ambassadors. We left FNITCC 2025 with new customers, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Well done to Fidelity Bank for championing Nigerian businesses and bridging global markets,” said the team from By Nuga Designs.

Beyond commercial outcomes, exhibitors highlighted the power of resilience and collaboration. One participant recounted how fellow Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) members stepped in to represent her booth when unforeseen delays kept her away. A surprise buyer visit led to an impromptu video-call deal, an example of how community spirit turned challenges into opportunities.

Another exhibitor, representing FSGF Africa Ltd, expressed gratitude to the organizers: “On behalf of FSGF AFRICA LTD, I extend our deepest gratitude to Fidelity Bank for hosting such a wonderful event. The warmth, professionalism, and commitment of the Fidelity team made this experience truly remarkable.”

The exhibition also spotlighted the rising influence of women-led enterprises and a renewed confidence in Made-in-Nigeria products. “This is the Africa we want, Nigerians are believing in Nigerian products, and that belief is powerful,” remarked one participant.

Speaking on the vision behind FNITCC, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, emphasized the bank’s mission to expand Nigeria-U.S. trade beyond oil.

She noted that while Nigeria’s annual non-oil exports remain under $5 billion, the potential is immense. “At Fidelity Bank, we believe access to global markets is a pathway to shared prosperity. That belief inspired the creation of FNITCC,” she said.

Nigerian Shipping Agent Laments ₦20m Loss Over Nigeria Customs’ B’Odogwu Migration

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A Nigerian shipping agent, Nze Chidiogo Okpara, has raised concerns over the Nigeria Customs Service’s NCS recent migration from the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System, NICIS II to its new B’Odogwu platform, describing the transition as chaotic and financially draining for stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Okpara, Chairman of Chidosky Marine Concept, said his company lost more than ₦20 million due to delays, downtime, and increased demurrage charges associated with the switch.

He made this known during the September edition of the Council of Maritime Media Practitioners of Nigeria, CONMMEP Monthly Roundtable Discussion, held at Bene Stars Suite, Tafawa Balewa Crescent, Surulere.

“We lost not less than three months during the migration, and it was a big loss. Personally, I lost over ₦20m to B’Odogwu because of the teething challenges, the delays caused by downtime, and the payment of demurrage,” Okpara stated.

Okpara explained that the new B’Odogwu system has operated at only 30–40% efficiency since its rollout, often forcing agents to wait for hours before processing transactions.

“The system sometimes only works at night, not during afternoons. Imagine a transaction that used to take one minute now dragging for two hours,” he lamented.

Documentation challenges also compounded the difficulties, particularly for clearing forms involving more than 20 items, which Okpara said frequently stall within the platform.

The maritime expert further highlighted the sharp rise in clearing costs, noting that clearing a 40ft container now costs as much as ₦16 million — an unsustainable burden for importers and businesses.

He also criticized Customs for introducing a 4% levy overnight without adequate stakeholder consultation, a move that was later suspended after pushback from industry players.

“Government must involve stakeholders before announcing such sensitive changes,” he cautioned.

While acknowledging Customs’ strong daily revenue generation figures, Okpara stressed that entrenched corruption at Nigeria’s ports continues to hinder fair business practices.

“Corruption is everywhere, but if your hands are clean, you can survive. What we need is fairness and transparency,” he emphasized.

Stakeholders at the roundtable agreed that while modernizing Customs operations through technology is vital, adequate stakeholder engagement, transparency, and system efficiency must remain at the core of implementation to avoid further crippling Nigeria’s maritime trade.

FirstBank Partners Lagos for E1 Lagos GP

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FirstBank Highlights Step by Step Process to Install, Register FirstMobile App

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its partnership with the organizers of the E1 Lagos GP, the continent’s first all-electric powerboat racing championship, scheduled to hold from October 3rd to 5th, 2025, in Lagos.

Speaking at the E1 Lagos GP Stakeholder Immersion session, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication of FirstBank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to promoting initiatives that foster human development while leaving enduring legacies.

“Our involvement in the E1 Lagos GP is about driving legacy and enabling the passions and aspirations that unite Nigerians. We are a bank that has been in business for over 131 years and we recognize that sports drive us as a country. Through our First@Sports initiative, we continue to invest in platforms that inspire and elevate our people,” Ijabiyi said.

He highlighted FirstBank’s long-standing contributions to sports development, noting the bank’s support for legacy tournaments such as the Georgian Polo Cup, which it has hosted for 105 years, and the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship, which it has supported for 64 years.

Positioned at the start of the last quarter of the year, the E1 Lagos GP will also align with FirstBank’s signature DecemberIssaVybe campaign, a festive season initiative that curates unforgettable experiences blending culture, entertainment, and lifestyle.

“As presenting partner, we are creating meaningful touchpoints with customers and prospects, offering them a world-class experience of relaxation and celebration that captures the true essence of Lagos during the festive season,” Ijabiyi added.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who was also present at the event, lauded the partnership, describing the E1 Lagos GP as an opportunity to grow sports tourism while showcasing Lagos’s vibrant culture, dynamic people, and global influence.

The championship will feature elite teams owned by some of the world’s biggest stars, including Tom Brady, LeBron James, Didier Drogba, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, and Rafael Nadal. Lagos will host one of the final legs of the global competition before the 2025 season concludes in Miami, USA.

Nigeria’s Health Financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn Tobacco Settlement

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Nigeria’s Health Financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn Tobacco Settlement

By Robert Egbe

Nigeria’s decision to earmark SIN taxes, levies on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks – for health financing, signals a firm commitment to prioritising citizens’ health. It also aligns with long-standing calls from Nigerian public health advocates and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The move could not be timelier. Earlier this year, a major investigation revealed that Nigerians spend about N1.92 trillion (roughly $1.26 billion) annually seeking treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Almost 30 percent of deaths in the country are linked to NCDs, with tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks among the biggest culprits.

Tobacco use alone fuels a raft of debilitating diseases: cancers of the lung, mouth, bladder, and colon; heart disease and stroke; chronic respiratory illness like COPD; type 2 diabetes; ectopic pregnancy; and premature, low birthweight babies. Globally, tobacco kills more than seven million people annually – 300,000 in Africa alone.

Eight in ten smokers live in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, feeding Big Tobacco’s multi-billion-dollar profits. In 2015, the six largest cigarette firms raked in $62 billion in profits – more than the annual budgets of several small nations.

These resources bankroll relentless marketing campaigns, youth-targeted advertising, lobbying against regulations, and deceptive promotion of so-called “reduced risk” products such as vapes, heated tobacco, snus, and nicotine pouches. Far from solving the problem, these new products hook a new generation on nicotine while undermining tobacco control efforts.

Yet Nigeria’s funding for tobacco control remains pitifully low. In 2024, following persistent advocacy, the government allocated N13 million to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) but this falls far short of the about N300 million minimum required to operationalise it.

If Nigeria is serious about reducing tobacco’s deadly toll, it must explore innovative financing tools – including holding the industry itself to account.

In 2024, the Canadian government reached a landmark C$32.5 billion settlement with three tobacco giants – JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco Canada. The payout compensates provinces, territories, and former smokers for decades of healthcare, social, and economic costs caused by tobacco. The deal, finalised in August 2025, capped a 27-year legal battle that proved the industry can be held liable for its deception and harm.

The Canadian settlement echoes the United States’ historic 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, where four leading tobacco firms agreed to pay $206 billion over 25 years (with payments continuing indefinitely).

For Nigeria, these precedents offer a roadmap. As WHO’s tobacco control chief Adriana Blanco Marquizo put it, the Canadian deal has “far-reaching” global implications—demonstrating that Big Tobacco can be forced to pay for its destruction.

Nigeria already has some experience. In 2023, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined British American Tobacco parties $110 million for breaching public health regulations – the largest fine ever issued by the regulator. This shows legal action is possible on home soil.

But to scale up, Nigeria needs legal groundwork, such as building airtight cases around healthcare costs, drawing on Canada and U.S. litigation. Civil society mobilisation is also key. Groups like Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) are necessary to sustain advocacy pressure.

Robust data is also critical to document the true cost of tobacco hospitalisations, lost productivity, premature deaths. Furthermore, international collaboration with global networks that have taken on Big Tobacco before will smoothen the process and help to counter Big Tobacco’s legal tactics.

Nigeria should also emulate Canada’s Tobacco Claims process, which allows individuals who developed illnesses because of smoking, or from second-hand smoke (SHS), or family members of those who died from tobacco-related diseases to seek compensation directly, with no upfront legal fees. This is separate from the recent settlement funds. Such an approach would bring justice to victims while amplifying public support.

Perhaps the toughest fight is not against cigarettes but against the new wave of smokeless products and vapes, which Big Tobacco falsely markets as safer. Any Nigerian settlement must explicitly fund counter-marketing campaigns, research, and enforcement to dismantle this harmful narrative. Canada was careful to exclude industry-backed “harm reduction” foundations from its deal. Nigeria must follow suit.

Nigeria’s young population is already a prime target for flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Failure to act risks a generation addicted to nicotine, burdened by disease, and robbed of potential. But success could deliver a turning point in funding healthcare, empowering advocacy, and saving millions of lives.

The question is whether Nigerian leaders will put lives above the lobbying power of Big Tobacco. Canada has shown it can be done. If Nigeria follows through with political will, legal rigour, and strong civil society support, it can not only transform its health financing but also send a powerful message across Africa that the era of tobacco impunity is over.

About Robert Egbe

Egbe is a tobacco control advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

Soludo Fulfills Promise, Inaugurates13km Road Leading to Nzam

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Soludo Fulfills Promise, Inaugurates13km Road Leading to Nzam

In a fulfilment of his campaign promise, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo returned to Nzam in the Anambra West local government area to officially commission the newly constructed 13-kilometre Nzam road.

Speaking at the local government headquarters after visiting various markets and locations, Governor Soludo declared that the barrier has finally been overcome, allowing residents to commute on a tarred road.

According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor highlighted other fulfilled commitments made by his administration since taking office, stating, “This is an emotional journey for me. I made a promise accompanied by a significant consequence during the last gubernatorial campaign. Today that promise has been fulfilled as we can now drive into Nzam in September.”

Governor Soludo, at the event, welcomed prominent figures from Anambra West politics who have chosen to join the strong political movement of APGA, which he likened to a religion in the state.

He emphasized that his current focus is on project inspection, commissioning, and launching initiatives, as he is committed to an agenda with a set timeline. “We are on a mission of transformation and development, reaching out to those who have been overlooked and neglected,” he said.

Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne remarked on the significant changes in the political landscape, noting that every local government area has benefited from the democratic dividends in less than four years under Governor Soludo’s leadership.

Also, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Ifeatu Obiokoye, welcomed new members from other political parties who joined APGA.

He recalled when the gubernatorial campaign train stopped at Mmiata Anam for the open air campaign, thanking Governor Soludo for delivering on his promise to connect Nzam.

On behalf of the new members, Chief John Ozoemena pledged unwavering support to ensure that Soludo and APGA are re-elected for another term of four years.

Rite Foods Launches Bigi Flex Sausage Roll with More Beef, More Exciting Taste

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Rite Foods Launches Bigi Flex Sausage Roll with More Beef, More Exciting Taste

Rite Foods Limited, Nigeria’s leading food and beverage company has launched its latest innovation, the Bigi Flex Sausage Roll, into the market on Tuesday, 16th September 2025.

Bigi Flex is a bold step in snacking innovation, deliciously unique taste and more beef in every bite. Designed to delight taste buds and connect with today’s adventurous consumers, Bigi Flex lives by the brand promise to “Bite into Happiness.”

Positioned as the ultimate expression of choice and creativity, Bigi Flex taps into the growing desire among Gen Zs and young adults for variety, adventure, and self-expression. With its unique beefy taste combination, every bite becomes an opportunity to show off your vibe and personality.

Speaking on the new product, Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods Limited, said, “Bigi Flex was created with our consumers’ well-being and lifestyle in mind. It is nutritious, refreshing, and perfect for anyone looking for a snack-on-the-go that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality.

At Rite Foods, we are committed to delivering innovations that keep our consumers excited and satisfied, and Bigi Flex is another step in that direction.”

With the premium Bigi Flex sausage roll, Rite Foods is rewarding consumer loyalty with a boldly satisfying, unique taste and deeply filling sausage roll without additional cost.

The company, with a world-class, state-of-the-art infrastructure at its factory at Ososa, Ogun State, has been redefining consumer experiences in the sausages segment, and the addition of the Bigi Flex Sausage demonstrates Rite Foods’ strategic marketing appeal in ensuring consumers get reinvigorated with another high-quality product with utmost satisfaction.

Indeed, Rite Foods’ dedication to quality and value has earned its sausage products the “Best Value for Money – Sausage Brand” in 2023, amongst others.

Rite Foods Limited

Rite Foods Limited is Nigeria’s foremost food and beverage company, known for its iconic brands such as Bigi soft drinks, Fearless Energy Drink, Sosa Fruit Drink, and the popular Bigi Sausage Roll.

With innovation, quality, and consumer delight at the heart of its operations, Rite Foods continues to redefine taste experiences for millions of Nigerians.

Access Bank Opens Applications for 2025 Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton

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Access Bank Opens Applications for 2025 Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton
L – R : Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, Group Head, Women Banking; Chozoba Iheme, Group Head, Product and Segment; and Ifeoluwa Oyeyipo, all of Access Bank PLC during a session to announce the launch of Womenprenuer Pitch-a-ton Season 7, in Lagos recently.

Access Bank Plc has announced the commencement of applications for the 2025 Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton, its flagship women-in-business support programme designed to empower female entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, visibility, and access to funding.

Applications officially opened on Friday, September 19, 2025, and will close on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, Group Head, Women Banking at Access Bank, highlighted the impact of the programme since its inception in 2019.

“The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton has empowered hundreds of women entrepreneurs through capacity-building, mentorship, and financial support. This year, the programme is back and better, offering women the opportunity to scale their businesses, gain continental visibility, and connect with like-minded trailblazers across Africa,” she said.

Kunle-Ogunlusi explained that participants of the 2025 edition will benefit from an intensive Mini-MBA programme, developed in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The programme will equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and strategies to build sustainable businesses.

In addition, over ₦17.5 million in grants will be awarded to outstanding participants, with other finalists also receiving consolation prizes, business support services, and increased brand visibility.

Reinforcing this commitment, Oyeyipo Ifeoluwa, Project Manager, Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton, noted the programme’s impressive track record:

“Since 2019, we have trained over 878 women and awarded grants worth up to $175,000. The initiative goes beyond competition—it is a holistic journey designed to transform women-led businesses and contribute to Africa’s economic growth.”

The programme is open to female entrepreneurs who: own at least 50% shareholding in their business, operate a registered business and have been in existence for over one year

Registration Details
Interested applicants can apply through: https://thewcommunity.com/womenpreneur/

With this initiative, Access Bank continues to strengthen its position as a champion of women’s economic empowerment, contributing meaningfully to sustainable business development across Africa.

Mayor of Atlanta Applauds Fidelity Bank’s FNITCC Conference, Backs Stronger Trade Ties with Nigeria

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Mayor of Atlanta Applauds Fidelity Bank’s FNITCC Conference, Backs Stronger Trade Ties with Nigeria
L – R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON; Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, Andre Dickens; and Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo at the 2025 Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) held in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend.

Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens has lauded Fidelity Bank Plc for hosting the 2025 edition of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect, FNITCC, describing the platform as a bridge for deeper collaboration between Atlanta and Africa.

The three-day event, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, over the weekend, brought together business leaders, exporters, policymakers, and investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s non-oil sectors and expand access to the American market.

In his remarks, Dickens underscored the shared history and economic potential between Atlanta and Africa, noting that partnerships in logistics, finance, technology, and the creative industries could drive lasting impact.

“This conference presents a unique opportunity for thought leaders from Atlanta and Africa to collaborate. Our shared legacies, from civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela to our mutual strengths in trade and investment form a strong foundation for cooperation,” the mayor said.

Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, explained that FNITCC was conceived as a strategic initiative to equip Nigerian businesses for global competitiveness.

“We began by teaching small businesses the fundamentals of export. Once they were ready, we created this platform to showcase them to the world. Our goal has always been to help Nigeria shift from an oil-dependent economy to a diversified, export-driven one,” she stated in her welcome address.

The third edition of FNITCC featured exhibitions, deal rooms, panel discussions, and a gala dinner. Regulatory agencies from both Nigeria and the United States also held sideline sessions to provide participants with guidance on compliance standards and export processes.

As part of the engagements, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led a delegation to the Georgia State Capitol, where he declared Lagos open for business and proposed a sister-city partnership between Atlanta and Lagos to strengthen bilateral trade.

Fidelity Bank Plc, which has over 9.1 million customers across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, has in recent years positioned itself as a leading financier of non-oil exports, particularly in agriculture. The bank has also won several local and international awards for innovation, SME support, and export financing.

Ogun Police Arrest Man for Assaulting Wife in Viral Video

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Ogun Police Arrest Cultist in Igbesa, Launch Manhunt for Accomplices

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Fatai Quadri after a disturbing video showing him physically assaulting his wife, Mrs. Rukayat Quadri, went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on September 15, 2025, at their residence in Illese-Ijebu. In the footage, the suspect was seen repeatedly punching the victim, leaving her with visible injuries. He was swiftly apprehended by operatives of the Igbeba Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Ode.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the violence stemmed from a marital dispute linked to allegations of infidelity. Police sources disclosed that Mr. Quadri had allegedly transferred ownership of a jointly built 10-room en-suite apartment to another woman, sparking the confrontation that led to the assault.

The victim is currently receiving medical treatment, while the suspect remains in custody. Police say he will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Ph.D, condemned the act and reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for domestic violence. He warned that perpetrators of such crimes would face the full weight of the law.

The Command also urged victims of abuse to report incidents promptly, stressing that “silence only empowers perpetrators, but timely reporting ensures protection and justice.”

Blacktalker Media Network Partners Starr & Glenn for Fifth Edition of Open Mall Fashion Show

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Blacktalker Media Network Partners Starr & Glenn for Fifth Edition of Open Mall Fashion Show

Blacktalker Media Network has announced its role as an official media partner for the highly anticipated fifth edition of the Open Mall Fashion Show, scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Lagos City Mall, Onikan.

Organised by Starr & Glenn (PR, Media & Management Firm), the Open Mall Fashion Show has become a signature platform for celebrating creativity, style, and entertainment in Lagos.

This year’s edition promises to raise the bar with an exclusive showcase of 10 elite fashion designers, featuring 50 runway models and electrifying performances from 10 music artistes, all set to thrill fashion enthusiasts and lifestyle lovers.

As a media partner, Blacktalker Media Network will provide pre- and post-event coverage, amplifying the visibility of the event across its platforms and ensuring the spotlight shines on the designers, models, and performers who bring this edition to life.

“We are excited to partner with Starr & Glenn in spotlighting the Open Mall Fashion Show,” said Adewale Olowoporoku who is Team Lead for Blacktalker Media Network. “This collaboration aligns with our mission of telling impactful stories, celebrating African creativity, and connecting audiences to the vibrant fashion and entertainment culture in Nigeria.”

In recognition of this partnership, Blacktalker Media Network’s logo will be prominently featured on the red carpet backdrop and across pre-event publicity materials, affirming its role as a proud supporter of this iconic fashion and lifestyle showcase.

The Open Mall Fashion Show continues to cement Lagos’ place as a hub for fashion innovation, creative expression, and cultural celebration, with the 2025 edition set to deliver unforgettable runway moments and performances.

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