As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025, Women in Advertising (WIA)—a leading platform dedicated to empowering female advertising professionals—has taken centre stage with a compelling call for bold, purposeful action.

In a statement released today, Oluwaseyi Layade, Chairperson of WIA and Chief Operating Officer at Leo Burnett Lagos, Nigeria’s foremost advertising agency, urged women across the globe to accelerate progress for personal growth and the advancement of their communities and industries.

“Accelerating action is more than a theme—it’s a mindset,” Layade declared. “It means making bold decisions, pushing boundaries, and showing up with unwavering confidence in every space we occupy. Real change is forged when we take deliberate steps toward our ambitions, challenge limitations, and actively shape the future we envision.”

Layade emphasized that the power of collective action lies in every individual contribution—big and small. By advocating for equal opportunities, mentoring the next generation, and harnessing the unique creative energy inherent in the advertising world, women are positioned to drive meaningful change that resonates well beyond their professional circles.

“Every idea we champion, every barrier we break, and every woman we uplift creates a ripple effect,” she added. “The time to act is now.”

As celebrations unfold worldwide, this call to action serves as a reminder that progress is a continuous journey. Women in Advertising remains steadfast in its mission to nurture talent, foster collaboration, and elevate voices that have long been overlooked.

With a commitment to both creativity and strategic innovation, WIA is poised to redefine industry standards and inspire a legacy of empowerment.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A federal lawmaker from Oyo State, Ms Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has alerted of an invasion of an area in the Oluyole Federal Constituency of the state by armed herdsmen.

According to her, these terrorists have instilled fear in residents of Ogunmakin, destroying farm produce and intimidating local farmers in the Gambari Reserve area of the community.

In a statement on Friday, the member of the House of Representative claimed that these armed hoodlums have been using weapons such as guns and cutlasses to terrorise her people, noting that this has jeopardised the livelihoods of farmers, exacerbating the economic crises and food insecurity of the region.

Ms Akande-Sadipe, who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, said she raised this concern in a matter of Urgent Public Importance in a motion on the need to avert further loss of lives, humanitarian and food security crisis as a result of invasion of farmlands by armed herdsmen in Oluyole Federal constituency on the floor of the House earlier in the week.

She called on relevant arms of the federal government and security agencies to intervene before the people are completely wiped out from their ancestral homes.

Ms Akande-Sadipe, who chairs the House committee on Humanitarian Services, further accused the armed herdsmen of “a deliberate agenda to destroy farm produce, intimidate local farmers, and using weapons such as guns and cutlasses to instil fear, thereby jeopardizing the livelihoods of farmers, exacerbating the economic crises and food insecurity of the region.”

The lawmaker further noted that despite multiple reports to law enforcement agencies, no decisive action has been taken to address the situation, leaving farmers vulnerable and unprotected.

“The failure to act swiftly has emboldened the perpetrators, leading to increased attacks, destruction of crops, and threats to lives and property, with the risk of further escalation if immediate action is not taken,” she ascertained.

Ms Akande-Sadipe recalled the resolution of the Igangan crisis in 2021, where decisive steps were taken to address similar issues, including the enforcement of anti-open grazing laws and the deployment of security forces to restore peace and protect farmers;

She called for an immediate investigation of the reported cases of intimidation, destruction of farmlands, and use of weapons by herdsmen in the area and ensure the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.

Ms Akande-Sadipe asked the House to call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to: Provide immediate relief materials and support to affected farmers and communities to mitigate the impact of the crisis on their livelihoods, enable them to recover from losses incurred, and resume agricultural activities.

She also begged for an immediate conduct of an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Ogunmakin, Gambari Reserve, and environs and engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Oyo State Government, security agencies, and community leaders, to develop a sustainable solution to the crisis.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has joined others to mourn the passing of the former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Doyin Okupe.

Mr Okupe, who also served as the Director General of the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, died on Friday morning at 72.

In a statement today by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, the Lagos Governor described the demise of Mr Okupe, a physician and co-founder of Royal Cross Medical Centre, as a great loss to Nigeria, especially the people of Ogun State.

He further described the former National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) as an accomplished politician and strategist known for his bold positions and unfiltered opinions on political and national issues.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, also commiserated with his Ogun State counterpart, Mr Dapo Abiodun, over the passing of one of the political icons in the state.

“On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos, I mourn the passage of a renowned political and media strategist and former presidential aide, Dr Doyin Okupe.

“Dr Okupe was an accomplished politician and strategist who had been involved and played an active role in Nigeria’s politics for over three decades. He was actively involved during the Third Republic as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He also served passionately as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, and Publicist for Senator Bukola Saraki and Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“As a medical doctor, Okupe also impacted many lives positively in his chosen profession. He worked in both public and private hospitals in different parts of Nigeria before co-founding Royal Cross Medical Centre in the Obalende area of Lagos State.

“Dr Doyin Okupe’s departure is a great loss to Nigeria, particularly the political class. I pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.