Amb. Maryben Omollo (Founder, Maryben foundation) Five years ago, when Maryben Omollo needed therapy, she couldn’t afford it. She was so broke that even securing a meal was not guaranteed. However, she bumped into a complete stranger on LinkedIn who offered to pay for her therapy. Describing her case as ‘urgent’ and needing someone to save her, she says her new-found psychologist called Kiarie “never saw the short, ugly way I described myself or how I was described by someone close. I remember each time I would say that, he would burst with laughter and ask me to look at…
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The African Leadership Institute is delighted to announce the 24 Associates – – a group of exceptional African leaders – who have been selected for the 2024 Class of the Tutu Fellowship programme, after emerging from the more than 400 nominations received. Affiong Williams (Founder, ReelFruit) is one of 24 entrepreneurs selected for the 2024 Tutu Leadership programme The 2024 cohort includes associates from Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Their current endeavours span the domains of private business, public governance and civil society, and their areas of influence…
📸 Ifeoma Dike Created in 1998, PAD was the 1st created Design fair in the world, after 24 editions, remains the leading event for international Design collectors. The Paris edition, which held between April 3-7, 2024 was no exception, bringing together the best International and French galleries of Historical and Contemporary Design. Art Pioneer, Adviser, Curator, and Collector Ifeoma DIke (Founder, Idioblast Dynamic Development UK – IDDUK), was present at PAD Paris 2024, and had these detailed insights, with spots of realist humour) to share: “PAD Paris got design enthusiasts like me into Paris last week. Fortunately, it was happening…
Serlina Boyd (Founder, the Cocoa School of Journalism & Creative Arts) Serlina Boyd (founder of Cocoa Girl magazine – the first major Black children’s magazine in the UK) has hit another first. On Monday, April 08, 2024, Ms. Boyd opened the Cocoa School of Journalism & Creative Arts, which is the UK’s first Black-owned journalism school for children, with the aim of inspiring and nurturing children of all ages, who are interested in news journalism, podcasting and story writing. The curriculum will teach the young ones all about the elements of journalism, including news reporting, video editing, and illustration. Said the…
Oluwadamilola Awe (Founder, DDEE Farms) The Agropreneur Award, an initiative of the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria, was up for grabs, with three finalists in contention for the top spot: Agro Optimizer, East West Seed Nigeria, and DDEE Farms. During a ceremony held in Lagos on March 27, 2024, at the Consulate-General in Lagos, Netherlands in Nigeria was thrilled to announce DDEE Farms – a major supply chain for products between farmers and companies – as winner. Introducing Damilola Awe (Founder, DDEE Farms) Said the Embassy: ” After meticulously reviewing 20 nominations, each nominee showcased innovative solutions, sustainable practices, and impactful…
Tolulope Makinwa (Founder, Muazu Africa) Social entrepreneur and founder of Muazu Africa, Tolulope Makinwa, has shared first-hand insights into the recently-held Stakeholders Awareness Session on the Nigeria Startup Act – a joint initiative by Nigeria’s tech startup ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potential of the country’s digital economy through co-created regulations. The Act is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s laws and regulations are clear, planned and work for the tech ecosystem. Says Tolulope: “The Stakeholders Awareness Session on the Nigeria Startup Act was a great way to engage ecosystem builders on incentives, linkages and support The Act provides. I…
Natalie Ojevah MBE (R) created the Barclays’ Black Founders Accelerator in 2020 Barclays Eagle Lab (UK) is thrilled to announce that applications are now officially open for its Black Founder Accelerator. Barclays have partnered with Foundervine (now for the fifth time) to run the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator, a programme especially designed to champion diversity in entrepreneurship and showcase Black Founder-led businesses. Foundervine is an award-winning social enterprise with a strong track record of helping entrepreneurs from under-represented communities to start their own business. 📸 Natalie Ojevah This year’s programme will be on the look out for 25 ambitious Black…
The case for Cassava (L-R): Dr. (Mrs). Florence Ajimobi, Oluyemisi Iranloye (Founder/ Managing Director, Psaltry International) On March 22, 2024, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi (wife of the late Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi) paid a courtesy visit to Oluyemisi Iranloye (Founder & Managing Director, Psaltry International – Africa’s largest producers of Cassava and Cassava derivatives). Mrs. Ajimobi’s visit was poignant. It was not just a testament to the longstanding relationship and mutual respect between both parties, but also a nod of recognition as to why root crops such as cassava are the future of food security in Africa.…
The Hive is a celebration of creativity, culture, and community, powered by Nigeria’s ProvidusBank. Taking place between March 30 and April 01, 2024 at The Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos (Nigeria), the festival is both a vibrant showcase of local talent and a platform for connecting with the heart of Lagos. There is The Hive marketplace – one of the most diverse, featuring over 150 local exhibitors showcasing the finest in fashion, food, and beauty. And then the interactive workshops and insightful masterclasses led by industry leaders – the very best in their game: from fashion and beauty, to cooking and entrepreneurship.…
Financial literacy on the front burner (3rd-L) Rewa Udoji (Founder, the Pink Room) As Nigeria wades through a tough economic environment, increased emphasis is being placed on the need for financial planning, which involves looking at one’s entire financial picture and making a strategic plan on how to achieve short- and long-term financial goals. Recently, The Pink Room – a female-dedicated platform that supports financial wellbeing – went into solutions mode by hosting a financial literacy workshop, targeted at ladies who are intentional about pursuing and achieving financial independence, with purpose. 📸ThePinkRoomNG Some of the brainstorming questions asked: What are…