Connect with us

General

NSIA Unveils Startups for Innovation Accelerator Prize

Published

on

NSIA Prize for Innovation

By Adedapo Adesanya 

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the startups to participate in the second phase of the accelerator stage (physical bootcamp) of the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 2.0).

The week-long physical bootcamp will culminate in a mini demo day where the small firms will pitch their solutions before a panel of judges drawn from the technology and the business ecosystem for a chance to proceed to the Demo Day and vie for a total combined prize value of $220,000 with an all-expense paid five-week training at Draper University, Silicon Valley, USA.

Speaking on this, the chief executive of NSIA, Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, noted that the agency remained focused on leveraging the prize to propel socio-economic development, especially by catalysing the technology ecosystem.

He also said it would encourage youth entrepreneurship, advancing innovative solutions to everyday challenges and positioning Nigerian tech talents for global relevance.

The two-part accelerator phase initially had 100 start-ups selected after rigorous evaluation and due diligence carried out on over 7,000 early-stage businesses that registered for the competition.

Out of these, and following additional screening, the following start-ups from multiple sectors have been shortlisted to proceed to the physical bootcamp.

Mr Umar-Sadiq further explained that the NPI was the authority’s multi-year commitment to identify and nurture early-stage businesses with potential for transformative impact in the country.

Currently in its second edition, NPI has garnered significant attention as high-quality applications from interested businesses grew from 2,000 in the maiden edition to over 7,000 in 2024.

The initiative aligns with the authority’s ongoing commitment to catalyse the technology ecosystem by identifying and rewarding Nigerian innovators, equipping them with the right tools to scale product–market fit, connecting start-ups with potential investors and delivering a robust community of technology innovators and entrepreneurs.

It is a phased competition broken into the pre-selection stage, where innovators submit their application through the application portal; the accelerator stage, where the top finalists participate in a virtual and in-person training bootcamp and demo day, where the top 10 finalists pitch their solutions to a panel of technology and business leaders.

The post-demo day stage has the top 10 finalists participate in an all-expense paid training programme at Draper University, Silicon Valley, USA.

The start-ups selected for the bootcamp include Magic Carpet, Materials Pro, Jump n Pass, Awacash, VPay, Betalife, Centio Healthcare, Yalo, Pocket Lawyers, Doktorconnect and Trashcoin.

Others are One Health, Redease, VPD, Kunda Kids, Agroxchange Technology, Sycamore, Passcoder, Earlybean, Powerfull,  Adashe,  Cash Africa, TownHall, Sakula, Pave, Tribapay.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

General

Without an Empty Grave, There is no Christian Faith—Apostle Flourish Peters

Published

on

Jesus + Nothing Worship

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Lead Pastor and Apostolic Head of the Love of God in Christ (LOGIC) Churches Global, Apostle Flourish Peters, has stressed the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Christian faith.

Speaking at the church’s inaugural Jesus + Nothing Worship on Good Friday in Lagos, he informed the congregation that, “Without an empty grave, there is no Christian faith.”

“Our faith is fundamentally premised on this singular, undeniable truth – the empty grave. This is what distinguishes our faith; while over 4,000 religions exist, only one points to a vacated tomb.

“Ours is the unique faith where the very person we worship lives within us. We are truly elated that through the resounding success of Jesus + Nothing Worship, we were able to bring christocentric worship to the masses,” the cleric added.

Business Post reports that the programme, a powerful evening of gospel music, left attendees deeply moved and spiritually uplifted.

It served as a profound reminder of the sacrifice and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasising the core message that through a sober Friday came a Good Friday for all.

Several entertainers, including Timi Dakolo and Greatman Takit, alongside Neon Adejo, SMJ, Noble G, Steve Hills, Lily Perez, Joxie, Anderson Qozan, Pastor Victor Paul, Emeka Songz, Flo, Dorcas Moore, Magpsalms, Mera Owili, Gerald Bishung, Phebe Lion, Larry J and the Evolution Children’s Choir delivered soul-stirring performances that resonated with the central theme of redemption through Jesus Christ at the church’s headquarters in Lekki.

Apostle Peters said Jesus + Nothing Worship was an impactful success, declaring that it would become an annual event.

He emphasised that this worship session is intentionally focused on Jesus Christ, the message of salvation, and providing a vital platform to unveil the gospel talents within The LOGIC Church.

Jesus + Nothing Worship has been a truly unifying experience, allowing us to collectively focus on the profound significance of Jesus’ death and the abundant life we have in His resurrection.

“It is our vision to create a consistent platform where the power of music can amplify the core message of the Gospel and provide an opportunity for the incredible music ministers within our church to impact lives,” he stated.

Building on the momentum of the successful 2024 Jesus + Nothing Conference, the Jesus + Nothing Worship further solidified The LOGIC Church’s mission to cultivate a family centred on grace and faith, where the transformative Love of God in Christ is tangibly felt.

Continue Reading

General

Tinubu to Return to Nigeria Today After 19 Days Away

Published

on

Tinubu address nation

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria today from his work visit to France, the presidency has said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday.

President Tinubu left Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for Paris, France, on a short working visit. This means the President would have spent 19 days in the European nation if he arrives today.

According to the statement, President Tinubu used the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.

His latest trip had been faulted by major opposition leaders who criticised him for being away despite the rising insecurity in the country, especially in Benue and Plateau states, where scores of residents have been killed in attacks on several communities.

President Tinubu closest opponent at the 2023 presidential election and former Vice President, Mr Atiku Abubakar, asked him to end his trip to France and address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

Mr Atiku questioned Mr Tinubu’s continued stay in the European country despite the spate of killings across Nigeria.

“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks,” his spokesman, Mr Paul Ibe, said in a statement on April 17.

Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, urged Mr Tinubu to suspend his France trip and urgently return to Nigeria to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.

Continue Reading

General

NTYTP Advocates Youth-Driven Leadership, National Renewal

Published

on

Nigerian youths

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A youth-focused leadership development advocacy group known as the Not Too Young To Perform (NTYTP) has called for a renewed focus on youth-driven leadership and national transformation in Nigeria.

In a statement to greet Christians around the world for Easter, the organisation emphasised the urgent necessity of bringing more young people into leadership positions, noting that resetting the nation’s trajectory requires fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a break from the mistakes of the past.

In the message signed by its National Secretary, Mr Muhammed Bello, NTYTP described the 2025 Easter celebration as a period for deep reflection on the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ — a story that embodies patience, perseverance, sacrifice, and ultimate victory.

It said the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ stand as timeless examples of strength, determination, and divine restoration, offering crucial lessons for a nation like Nigeria, which is currently in need of significant economic, social, and institutional reforms.

“We use this yuletide period to appeal to all State actors to prioritize the progress of this country above politics, region, ethnicity, and religion.

“Our actions today will determine whether future generations inherit a country they can be proud of,” the group stated.

NTYTP also expressed hope that the spiritual significance of Easter would inspire Nigerians to work collectively towards building a nation where unity, justice, and prosperity reign.

Continue Reading

Trending