Business
WEMA BANK ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR ITS YOUTH-FOCUSED HACKATHON, HACKAHOLICS 5.0*
*WEMA BANK ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR ITS YOUTH-FOCUSED HACKATHON, HACKAHOLICS 5.0*
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the Call for Entries in the 5th edition of its flagship youth and startup-focused tech competition, Hackaholics. This announcement was made at the Press Conference held at Wema Bank’s Head Office on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, declaring the registration portal for Hackaholics 5.0 officially opened.
Hackaholics is an annual tech and innovation competition birthed by Wema Bank in 2019 to provide a platform for young Nigerians with tech-driven ideas to bring their game-changing ideas to life, scale their ventures or startups and access a wider market for these tech-enabled solutions. Over the past 4 editions, Hackaholics has transformed thousands of Nigerian lives and businesses, helping Youth with interests spread across different areas to build their own Startups, create sustainable sources of income and gain a competitive edge on the global tech and innovation scene. Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank has powered the launch and expansion of a plethora of Startups through Hackaholics, disbursing over N150,000,000 in cash prizes in just 4 editions.
With the launch of Hackaholics 5.0, Wema Bank is reportedly pulling all the stops to make this edition the grandest ever. Themed “Meta-Idea: DigiTech Solutions for Africa’s Prosperity”, Hackaholics 5.0 will be executed over a six-month period, touring 10 Universities across the country and challenging the Youth to pitch unique, innovative and practical Digi-Tech solutions to positively impact the acceleration of progress, development and prosperity not just in Nigeria but across the African continent.
Encouraging Nigerian Youth to leverage Hackaholics as a launchpad to their success in the digital world, Wema Bank’s Chief Transformation Officer, Babatunde Mumuni, highlighted the bank’s vision for Hackaholics. According to him, “With the birth of ALAT, a few things became clear, one of which is that while we have adopted innovation and digital excellence as our path to greatness, we need talented bright minds to drive this innovation, and this is one of the reasons we launched Hackaholics. With Hackaholics, we are not only empowering these youth to scale but also funding STEM education towards national development. Also, we are strengthening our nation’s capabilities and providing a platform for creative and innovative youth to thrive. We are in search of people who are curious, who are innovative enough to question the status quo, refine the norm and challenge themselves to make things better. If this is you, then Hackaholics 5.0 is the perfect platform to help you thrive”.
Highlighting the career opportunities available in Hackaholics 5.0, Ololade Ogungbenro, the Divisional Head of Brands, People and Culture, said, “Nigeria possesses a vibrant population of young people who are digitally skilled and willing to leverage innovation and technology as a tool to build digital products that are usable, scalable, and sustainable. All they need is an opportunity, a platform, and the right nurturing environment for their talents to thrive. That is one value we hope to harness with Hackaholics 5.0. The pitch sessions across the different universities present a unique opportunity for us to double our impact to not only empower these youth to own their own Startups from as early as their undergraduate years, but further provide them with access to first-rate employment opportunities. Through the career fairs we will host, participants and attendees can interact with us, learn about the bank’s culture, values, and job opportunities, and gain insight into the banking industry and learn about various technology-related roles available in the Bank. They’ll also enjoy Speed mentoring and Networking opportunities, Interview Preparation and a chance to hone their soft skills. So, if you are a young person who is keen on building a thriving career in Tech, then attending, and actively participating in the Hackaholics Career Fair should be a top priority for you”.
Wema Bank’s Head of Innovation, Solomon Ayodele, concluded saying, “This year, you’re going to experience the Coachella of the tech industry at our Hackaholics 5.0 grand finale tech festival, and the journey begins today. We have a cash prize of over N70,000,000 for our winners this year and we are not limiting you to any specific verticals. Any verticals you can think of will be accepted. Our focus for Hackaholics 5.0 is the brilliance of your mind so we leave it to you to discover a problem area that matters and develop an innovative solution that will drive positive impact. Our goal is to birth solutions that address diverse aspects of real-world challenges, and you have the opportunity to be a part of this transformative journey. To submit your entry please visit https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/register”.
Wema Bank has transformed thousands of lives across Nigeria, facilitating the successful creation of hundreds of startups across the country through Hackaholics. With the bank’s impact constantly proliferating especially in the digital space, it is no wonder that Wema Bank is regarded as Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank.
Interested participants are encouraged to submit their registrations for Hackaholics 5.0 at https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/register.
WEMA BANK ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR ITS YOUTH-FOCUSED HACKATHON, HACKAHOLICS 5.0
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the Call for Entries in the 5th edition of its flagship youth and startup-focused tech competition, Hackaholics. This announcement was made at the Press Conference held at Wema Bank’s Head Office on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, declaring the registration portal for Hackaholics 5.0 officially opened.
Hackaholics is an annual tech and innovation competition birthed by Wema Bank in 2019 to provide a platform for young Nigerians with tech-driven ideas to bring their game-changing ideas to life, scale their ventures or startups and access a wider market for these tech-enabled solutions. Over the past 4 editions, Hackaholics has transformed thousands of Nigerian lives and businesses, helping Youth with interests spread across different areas to build their own Startups, create sustainable sources of income and gain a competitive edge on the global tech and innovation scene. Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank has powered the launch and expansion of a plethora of Startups through Hackaholics, disbursing over N150,000,000 in cash prizes in just 4 editions.
With the launch of Hackaholics 5.0, Wema Bank is reportedly pulling all the stops to make this edition the grandest ever. Themed “Meta-Idea: DigiTech Solutions for Africa’s Prosperity”, Hackaholics 5.0 will be executed over a six-month period, touring 10 Universities across the country and challenging the Youth to pitch unique, innovative and practical Digi-Tech solutions to positively impact the acceleration of progress, development and prosperity not just in Nigeria but across the African continent.
Encouraging Nigerian Youth to leverage Hackaholics as a launchpad to their success in the digital world, Wema Bank’s Chief Transformation Officer, Babatunde Mumuni, highlighted the bank’s vision for Hackaholics. According to him, “With the birth of ALAT, a few things became clear, one of which is that while we have adopted innovation and digital excellence as our path to greatness, we need talented bright minds to drive this innovation, and this is one of the reasons we launched Hackaholics. With Hackaholics, we are not only empowering these youth to scale but also funding STEM education towards national development. Also, we are strengthening our nation’s capabilities and providing a platform for creative and innovative youth to thrive. We are in search of people who are curious, who are innovative enough to question the status quo, refine the norm and challenge themselves to make things better. If this is you, then Hackaholics 5.0 is the perfect platform to help you thrive”.
Highlighting the career opportunities available in Hackaholics 5.0, Ololade Ogungbenro, the Divisional Head of Brands, People and Culture, said, “Nigeria possesses a vibrant population of young people who are digitally skilled and willing to leverage innovation and technology as a tool to build digital products that are usable, scalable, and sustainable. All they need is an opportunity, a platform, and the right nurturing environment for their talents to thrive. That is one value we hope to harness with Hackaholics 5.0. The pitch sessions across the different universities present a unique opportunity for us to double our impact to not only empower these youth to own their own Startups from as early as their undergraduate years, but further provide them with access to first-rate employment opportunities. Through the career fairs we will host, participants and attendees can interact with us, learn about the bank’s culture, values, and job opportunities, and gain insight into the banking industry and learn about various technology-related roles available in the Bank. They’ll also enjoy Speed mentoring and Networking opportunities, Interview Preparation and a chance to hone their soft skills. So, if you are a young person who is keen on building a thriving career in Tech, then attending, and actively participating in the Hackaholics Career Fair should be a top priority for you”.
Wema Bank’s Head of Innovation, Solomon Ayodele, concluded saying, “This year, you’re going to experience the Coachella of the tech industry at our Hackaholics 5.0 grand finale tech festival, and the journey begins today. We have a cash prize of over N70,000,000 for our winners this year and we are not limiting you to any specific verticals. Any verticals you can think of will be accepted. Our focus for Hackaholics 5.0 is the brilliance of your mind so we leave it to you to discover a problem area that matters and develop an innovative solution that will drive positive impact. Our goal is to birth solutions that address diverse aspects of real-world challenges, and you have the opportunity to be a part of this transformative journey. To submit your entry please visit https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/register”.
Wema Bank has transformed thousands of lives across Nigeria, facilitating the successful creation of hundreds of startups across the country through Hackaholics. With the bank’s impact constantly proliferating especially in the digital space, it is no wonder that Wema Bank is regarded as Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank.
Interested participants are encouraged to submit their registrations for Hackaholics 5.0 at https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/register.
Business
ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative
ADVAN Earns Global Recognition As WFA President’s Award Winner For “Project Freedom”
The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been recognised on the global stage as a recipient of the prestigious WFA President’s Award, presented by the World Federation of Advertisers during its Global Marketer Week in Stockholm. The recognition places ADVAN among a select group of leading industry associations worldwide acknowledged for driving meaningful impact in marketing and society.
The WFA President’s Awards, established in 2010, celebrate national industry associations whose initiatives advance the marketer’s agenda and contribute to positive change. This year’s honours were awarded following a rigorous selection process involving 38 submissions from associations across the WFA’s global network, with winners chosen for their measurable impact and potential for replication across markets.
ADVAN’s recognition comes through its advocacy initiative, Project Freedom, a bold and strategic effort focused on addressing the challenges of stifling, non–data-driven regulations affecting businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. The initiative underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking while championing the constitutional right to freedom of commerce.
Through Project Freedom, ADVAN has taken a proactive leadership role in engaging key stakeholders and shaping conversations around fair, balanced, and transparent regulation. The initiative reflects a shift toward constructive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support innovation, protect consumer interests, and enable sustainable business growth.
By earning this global recognition, ADVAN reinforces the growing influence of African marketing institutions in shaping international discourse. Its work highlights how local advocacy, when rooted in data and guided by clear principles, can deliver impact not just within national borders but across the global marketing ecosystem.
The award also affirms ADVAN’s commitment to strengthening self-regulation within the industry, fostering accountability, and promoting standards that align with global best practices while remaining relevant to local realities.
As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ADVAN’s recognition by the World Federation of Advertisers signals a strong endorsement of its leadership and vision. It positions the association as a key voice in advancing responsible marketing, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring that businesses can operate in an environment that supports both innovation and economic freedom.
Business
PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.
UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.
In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.
Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.
Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.
Thank you.
Business
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”
Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.
The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:
“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”
As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.
With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.
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About Laffmattazz
Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.
About First Bank of Nigeria Limited
First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.
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