Showbiz
Mary Kay Sustains Support for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership
More than 55 years after Mary Kay Ash founded what is now one of the world’s leading corporate champions of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, Mary Kay Inc. continues its support of female leadership as a presenting sponsor of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Cornerstone Conference.
The event, held April 10-12 in Barcelona, Spain, brings together thought leaders, innovators and trailblazers from around the world to explore global issues through a woman’s lens.
The IWF Cornerstone Conference provides a dynamic opportunity to support female leadership on a global and local level. IWF is a member-and-mission driven organization of more than 7,000 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents. Participants come together to share knowledge, provide a network of support and exert influence.
Gema Aznar, General Manager of Mary Kay Spain, will introduce the “Fashion Forward” panel presented during the IWF Cornerstone Conference. Spain is a growing force in fashion, home to familiar brands including Zara, Mango and Desigual. This panel will explore the rapidly changing dynamics in this industry and examine some of the innovative ways designers and manufacturers are working to make fashion more sustainable.
“Mary Kay was founded by a woman, for women and our sponsorship of the International Women’s Forum further strengthens our efforts to empower women around the world,” said Gema. “Mary Kay Ash’s lifetime of achievements in empowering women made her a trailblazing entrepreneur and her lasting legacy made her an icon. We are proud to continue her work through this sponsorship and many others that provide a global platform to some of the most powerful and influential women of our time.”
Panel speakers at the Barcelona event include Misha Nonoo (UK), Designer and Creative Director of Misha Nonoo; Jennifer Fleiss (USA), Co-Founder of Rent the Runway and Head of Business Development, Co-Founder and CEO of Jetblack within Walmart’s Store No. 8 Incubator; Beatriz Bayo (Spain), Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at MANGO; and Moderator, Maria Eugenia Girón (Spain), Executive Director of IE Premium and Prestige Business Observatory, board director and member of IWF Spain.
“We’re excited to work with Mary Kay because the company’s mission of promoting female entrepreneurship and leadership aligns so well with our own,” said Stephanie O’Keefe, CEO of IWF. “It’s vital to have relationships with corporate leaders like Mary Kay as we continue to make an impact for women worldwide.”
Each year, IWF convenes two international conferences offering a unique opportunity for thought leaders to examine global issues within a local context and through a woman’s lens, including international progress, business, economics, enterprise and sustainability. Mary Kay is honoured to also be a presenting sponsor of the 2019 World Leadership Conference in Toronto, Canada, on November 13-15, where thought leaders will come together with “Open Minds” to look at new ways to create, collaborate and connect.
Winner Achimugu, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Best Graduating Student 2024, has embarked on a six-week scholarship at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA). This achievement not only celebrates her exceptional talent and dedication but also reinforces MTF’s commitment to nurturing world-class African filmmakers ready to make their mark on the global stage.
Since its inception, MTF has been more than just a training ground; it’s a launchpad for African storytellers. Alumni from the academy have consistently demonstrated excellence, with films and projects winning awards, receiving grants, and gaining international recognition. Notable projects include 2070, which clinched Best Short Film at the African SDGs Film Festival, and Isekonu, a Zee World short film, officially selected for the Lagos Fringe Festival 2025 and nominated for Best Student Film at the Bayelsa International Film Festival.
These achievements reflect MTF’s ethos of equipping young filmmakers with both the technical skills and creative vision necessary to succeed, both locally and internationally.
The 2024 Best Graduating Student, Winner Achimugu, distinguished herself among her peers with a combination of talent, dedication, and storytelling finesse. Her selection for the NYFA scholarship is a testament to her hard work and to the quality of mentorship and training at MTF.
Through this program, she will engage in intensive workshops, hands-on training, and industry exposure that promise to elevate her craft. The scholarship is not just an award, it is a bridge connecting African storytelling to global cinematic opportunities, embodying MTF’s brand promise of fostering talent that transcends borders.
This scholarship opens new avenues for growth, offering exposure to international techniques, networks, and collaborative experiences that could define the trajectory of her career. For MTF, it’s a validation of its mission: cultivating a generation of filmmakers whose creativity, vision, and impact will resonate far beyond Africa.
As this journey unfolds, it reinforces the message that African cinema is on the rise, powered by storytellers who are ready to take their place on the world stage. With MTF alumni leading the way, the future of African filmmaking looks brighter than ever.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
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