Zenith Bank Plc Hosts 2026 International Women’s Day Seminar with Bold Call to Action:

“Take It, You Own It,” Aligned with Global Theme “Give to Gain”

Zenith Bank Plc will commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day with a renewed call to purposeful action, leadership, and ownership. As part of activities marking this global celebration, the Bank will host its annual International Women’s Day (IWD) Seminar on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the The Civic Centre.

Aligned with the global theme, “Give to Gain,” which underscores the belief that sustainable progress is achieved when individuals and institutions intentionally invest in women, Zenith Bank’s 2026 IWD Seminar is themed “Take It, You Own It.” The theme reflects the Bank’s conviction that while institutions must give by creating enabling environments and equitable systems, women must also step forward to claim space, own their value, and lead with confidence. It is both an affirmation and a challenge—embrace opportunity, empower yourself and others, and take ownership of your growth journey.

Building on the success of previous editions, including the 2025 seminar themed “Winning On All Fronts,” the 2026 programme is designed to deepen meaningful engagement around women’s empowerment, leadership, and sustainable impact. Over the years, Zenith Bank’s International Women’s Day initiatives have convened women leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging talents for dynamic dialogue, inspiration, and shared learning on gender equity, professional growth, and inclusive opportunity.

More than a commemorative gathering, the 2026 seminar is positioned as a convergence of influence, insight, and inspiration, bringing together accomplished women and progressive leaders across business, governance, creative industries, technology, and social impact.

Speaking ahead of the seminar, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Adaora Umeoji, OON, who will deliver the welcome address, said:

“International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress requires intentionality. ‘Give to Gain’ speaks to the responsibility institutions have to create real opportunities, while our theme, ‘Take It, You Own It,’ challenges women to step forward boldly and lead. At Zenith Bank, we are deliberate about building environments where women are supported to grow, thrive, and shape outcomes—not only within our institution but across the communities and industries we serve.”

The seminar will feature sessions focused on leadership insight, professional empowerment, wellbeing, and collaboration, offering participants opportunities to engage deeply with thought leadership and practical strategies for advancing equity.

With a carefully curated programme comprising keynote addresses, panel discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, and creative interludes, Zenith Bank’s 2026 International Women’s Day Seminar is poised to serve as a catalyst for meaningful action.

Through its alignment with “Give to Gain” and its bold seminar theme, “Take It, You Own It,” Zenith Bank reaffirms its belief that when institutions give intentionally and women lead confidently, entire ecosystems rise. As conversations around inclusion continue to shape the future of business and society, the Bank remains steadfast in its mission to create platforms where women’s potential is recognised, amplified, and fully owned.

*Aregbesola’s Grassroots Effect Sees Massive e-Registration Of ADC Members In The Southwest*

The political atmosphere in Nigeria’s Southwest has shifted significantly following an unprecedented surge in online membership registration by the African Democratic Congress. Within just 48 hours of launching its upgraded digital portal, the party reportedly recorded over one million new sign-ups, with the bulk of the momentum traced to the Southwest. Analysts widely attribute this dramatic response to the enduring regional clout of former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, whose political structures and loyal following remain deeply entrenched across the zone.

The ADC’s decision to activate a free nationwide digital registration platform came on the heels of its physical membership and revalidation exercise launched in Abuja last month. Party officials describe the move as both strategic and necessary, particularly in view of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates credible, verifiable, and digitally maintained party registers. Under the new framework, only members properly captured and authenticated in the official database will be eligible to vote or stand as candidates in party primaries, a provision designed to strengthen internal democracy.

Yet compliance alone does not explain the speed and scale of the Southwest response. The phenomenon widely described as the Aregbesola effect appears to have converted political sympathy into measurable digital action. Across Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti states, established grassroots networks, ward coordinators, youth blocs, and ideological allies reportedly mobilised swiftly, encouraging supporters to align with the ADC. Years of political organisation and movement building have evidently provided a ready structure capable of translating influence into numbers within record time.

Beyond personality politics, the surge also signals a broader recalibration within the region’s political landscape. Many observers interpret the mass registration as an indication of growing appetite for alternative platforms and a restructuring of opposition dynamics. The Southwest has historically played a decisive role in shaping national political currents, and this rapid mobilisation suggests that key actors and voter blocs are reassessing alignments ahead of future electoral contests.

Since February, when the ADC began its nationwide grassroots registration drive, interest had been steadily building across the country and within diaspora communities. The introduction of the online option significantly lowered participation barriers, allowing professionals, artisans, students, and organised support groups to enrol seamlessly. Members who registered under the previous system are now required to revalidate their details on the upgraded portal to ensure full compliance with regulatory standards and electoral guidelines.

While the party continues to voice reservations about aspects of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable issued by INEC, it maintains that institutional strengthening remains its priority. In the Southwest, however, the headline is unmistakable. The rapid accumulation of over one million registrations in less than two days underscores not merely administrative efficiency but a potent combination of political influence, organisational readiness, and shifting voter sentiment. At the centre of this development stands Aregbesola, whose regional imprint appears to have catalysed one of the most remarkable digital mobilisations in recent Nigerian party politics.

Celebrating K1 De Ultimate At 69 : The Capo Di Tutti of Fuji Music And The Call For Unity 

By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)

Today, the drums roll a little louder for K1 De Ultimate.

Born Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 turns 69 — not merely as a Fuji legend, but as a cultural institution whose influence stretches far beyond the stage. In recent years, admirers and loyalists have increasingly referred to him as *Capo Di Tutti of Fuji Music* — a title borrowed from Italian hierarchy meaning “boss of all bosses.” In Fuji’s world, it signals reverence, seniority, and undisputed authority.

And whether one prefers the classic sobriquet “King of Fuji” or the newer “Capo Di Tutti,” one thing is clear: K1 remains one of the most consequential figures in the genre’s history.

From Talazo To Global Stages :

Fuji music itself evolved from Were — the Ramadan street music of southwestern Nigeria — before being transformed into a commercial force by pioneers like Ayinde Barrister and Kollington Ayinla. But it was K1 who rebranded, modernised, and exported Fuji into elite spaces.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, he introduced the Talazo Fuji concept — sleeker production, cosmopolitan aesthetics, and a performance style that blended tradition with showmanship. Albums like *Talazo ’84, Fuji Music, and later releases cemented him as a bridge between grassroots Fuji and upper-class patronage culture.

He didn’t just perform Fuji; he elevated its perception.

From high-society owambes in Lagos to international tours across Europe and North America, K1 redefined what Fuji could look like — structured bands, refined branding, and a leadership persona that commanded both loyalty and fear.

The Capo Di Tutti Title — What It Represents

Titles in Fuji are not decorative. They are symbolic capital.

To be addressed as Capo Di Tutti of Fuji Music suggests supremacy — not just in discography, but in influence. It acknowledges his seniority in a generation that saw intense rivalries, territorial fan bases, and power struggles.

But titles also carry responsibility.

And that brings us to the conversation many within the Fuji community are quietly having today.

A Moment For Unity :

Beyond celebration, there is an undercurrent of expectation. As K1 marks another year, many fans and insiders believe this is the perfect moment for something bigger than accolades — a moment of reconciliation.

The Fuji industry has long been marked by factions, feuds, and generational divides. Some rifts have been public. Others simmer quietly in the background. As the widely acknowledged Capo Di Tutti, K1 occupies a unique moral and cultural position.

There is a growing call for him to:

1. _Unite all Fuji acts under one umbrella of respect and collaboration._

2. _Forgive those who may have offended him over the years._

3. _Embrace younger and older artistes alike, reinforcing Fuji as one family._

Leadership in music is not only about dominance; it is about stewardship.

And history often remembers peacemakers more kindly than conquerors.

The Legacy Is Already Written — But the Final Chapter Is Still Being Edited

At 68, K1’s legacy is secure. Few artists can boast decades of relevance, sustained patronage, and cross-generational impact. He has influenced not just Fuji, but Nigerian popular culture — from fashion to stagecraft to elite party circuits.

Yet the most powerful moves of any icon often happen in their later years.

Reconciliation. Mentorship. Consolidation.

Fuji today competes in a Nigerian music landscape dominated by Afrobeats and global streaming algorithms. For the genre to maintain cultural weight, unity among its torchbearers matters more than ever.

If K1, as Capo Di Tutti, extends visible gestures of inclusion and healing, it could reset the tone for the entire industry.

A Birthday Beyond Celebration :

Birthdays for legends are never just about cake and tributes. They are checkpoints — moments to reflect, recalibrate, and redefine legacy.

Today, we celebrate K1 De Ultimate for his artistry, his endurance, and his towering presence in Fuji music.

But we also recognise the opportunity before him.

To unify.

To forgive.

To embrace.

To lead — not only in power, but in grace.

Happy 69th Birthday to the Capo Di Tutti of Fuji Music.

The drums are still playing.