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Reps Seeks Urgent Action Against Xenophobic Attacks

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By Dipo Olowookere

House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately send a delegation to the South African government to express the utmost disappointment and disapproval of the series of attacks meted out to Nigerians resident in the country.

Chairperson of House Committee on Diaspora, Mrs Rita Orji, rising under matter of urgent public importance, drew the attention of the chamber to the organized mob action by some South African citizens targeting the wanton destruction of lives and properties belonging to Nigerians.

She informed that these recent spree of attacks speak volume to the fact that there has not been any serious commitment by the South African authorities to curtail the senseless attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in their country, as graphic videos of the South African police officials are often seen standing-by while the killings, maiming and destructions orchestrated by the mob are taking place.

She added that these act by the South African citizens amount to gross violation of the United Nations charter forbidding any form of hostility against foreigners by the host nation. She stated that the attacks are now carried out at intervals of every Six months.

The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to treat the matter with all sense of urgency it requires because there is an intelligence report that there is yet a planned protest by the same mob scheduled to hold on Friday, February 25, 2017.

She prayed the House to do what is necessary within it capacity to ensure that no Nigerian residing in South Africa is gruesomely killed by these barbaric mob. Other members of the Legislature lent their voices to the issue, including Leo Ogor and Nnenna Elendu Ukeje.

They decried the despicable attacks on Nigerians and seized the moment to call on the South African Government not to be so much in a hurry to forget history, particularly the role Nigeria played during their dark days in apartheid.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

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World Youth Day 2025: NBC Spotlights Young Changemakers Driving Nigeria’s Future

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NBC World Youth Day 2025

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), the official bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria, is marking World Youth Day 2025 by celebrating the resilience, innovation, and impact of young Nigerians who are transforming their communities and driving inclusive growth.

At the core of this celebration is NBC’s flagship #YouthEmpowered initiative—designed to equip young people with essential life and business skills for the future of work. Since its launch in Nigeria in 2017, the program has empowered over 60,000 youth through hands-on training, digital upskilling, mentorship, and entrepreneurial coaching.

As part of this year’s activities, NBC will premiere a documentary that spotlights inspiring YouthEmpowered alumni who are building businesses, leading change, and shaping brighter futures for themselves and their communities. The documentary will be available to the public on NBC’s official website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms.

Featured in the film is Esohe Ekunwe, who now leads Alpha Connect, a community initiative focused on financial literacy, wellness, and civic engagement. She credits the YouthEmpowered program with not only influencing her business journey but also transforming her mindset.

The documentary also highlights other changemakers such as Doyin Ogunye, founder of Women and Youth Empowerment, whose environmental work in Lagos is tackling waste and creating jobs; and Kingsley Oguchechukwu, founder of Kingsman Luxury in Enugu, who turned a major business setback into a thriving fashion brand.

By shining a light on these stories, NBC reaffirms its commitment to empowering young Nigerians and supporting their vital role in national development.

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Two Nigerian Innovators Shine at 2025 Anzisha Prize Awards Gala

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2025 Anzisha Prize Awards Gala

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

It was a glorious moment for Ms Bunmi Esther Olalude and Ms Christianah Madu, the two Nigerian innovators honoured at the prestigious Anzisha Prize Awards Gala held on August 6, 2025.

They were among the four prize winners who received a $10,000 prize each to further the impactful work they are already delivering in their communities.

Ms Olalude was honoured with the Job Creation Award for creating the most jobs, particularly for women and youth, and she informed the audience, “If I keep on doing what I am doing, I know I can go anywhere and reach my biggest dreams.”

On her part, Ms Madu was awarded the Storytelling Award for her powerful communication and ability to increase visibility for her venture.

Another winner was Ms Cebolenkosi Gcabashe from South Africa, who earned the Revenue Growth Award for his business which showed the greatest increase in profitability.

“As a person from a rural area, this award means the world to me and the community I come from,” he said, urging young business leaders to “start where you are with what you have and the rest will come along with your journey.”

The fourth winner, Mr Tafadzwa Manyanye, received the Systems of Delivery Award for building strong operational systems to scale efficiently, and he advised other aspiring entrepreneurs to “just start,” noting, “whatever you are doing, starting today means you are gearing up for a successful tomorrow.”

The ceremony was part of the Anzisha Entrepreneurship Education in Africa (EEA) Summit, held at the African Leadership Academy campus.

The event concluded with a powerful call to action for business and community leaders to support the continent’s very young entrepreneurs.

The summit brought together policy architects, educators, investors, and business leaders to explore best practices in entrepreneurship education and celebrate the innovative strategies driving youth-led growth.

“Youth entrepreneurship isn’t the backup plan, it’s the blueprint. For too long we have treated entrepreneurship as plan B, the path we take when the real systems fail you. But today has reminded us that youth-led enterprise isn’t what happens when things go wrong, it’s what happens when young people take control of their futures,” Anzisha Prize Managing Editor, Didi Onwu, said.

“We’ve heard from our entrepreneurs who are running digital schools, inventing organic farming alternatives, designing global fashion brands, solving health challenges and more – all before the age of 25. They’re not asking if they’re too young. They’re building anyway,” Onwu added.

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Nigeria Racing to Meet EU’s Cocoa Sustainability Deadline

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Cocoa Processing Plant

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, has described the regulation of the European Union (EU) on cocoa sustainability, which could impact Nigeria’s export, as both a “formidable challenge and a transformative opportunity” for the country.

On Monday, the federal government and stakeholders in the cocoa value chain met to assess the progress so far made towards complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on sustainability.

She said the regulation was a call to action as it remained a “pivotal moment for Nigeria’s cocoa industry.”

The EU, which accounts for over 60 per cent of Nigerian cocoa exports, had set the December 31, 2020, deadline (later extended to December 2025) for Nigerian cocoa farmers to comply with the regulation which bordered on sustainable cocoa trade under the EUDR Compliance framework.

The deadline applies to the broader EUDR, which includes cocoa and other commodities, and was extended from an earlier date to allow for more preparation time.

Failure to comply could lead to rejection of Nigeria cocoa exports to Europe, among other punitive measures.

Mrs Oduwole said the roundtable was more than a high-level dialogue but a “platform to align national ambition with global standards, as well as a crucial step in ensuring the resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness of our cocoa value chain.”

The Minister pointed out that the the EU deforestation regulation was reshaping the way agricultural commodities are traded globally.

“But beyond that, Nigeria and this administration is at the forefront of climate change and climate justice, and what is important to is the use of our land for sustainability.

“So, without even an external project, this is something that is Nigeria first. As Mr President has put it, always Nigeria first in this issue. We’re thinking first and then joining the rest of the world to see how we’re using our resources for the betterment of everybody.

“So, for Nigeria, Africa’s fourth largest cocoa exporter, it’s both a formidable challenge and a transformative opportunity.

“With the EU accounting for over 60 per cent of our cocoa exports, compliance is not optional. It is an economic, environmental, and developmental imperative. And importantly, we have to support our domestic farmers and investors who are in this space,” she said.

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