
News
Nkiru Balonwu to deliver Keynote at QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit
Founder of The Africa Soft Power Group, Dr Nkiru Balonwu, will deliver the keynote address at the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit on August 12, 2025.
The event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
The announcement was made in a statement on Wednesday by Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, publishers of the online newspaper QEDNG.
The summit is themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy.” It will bring together leaders from across sectors to share ideas on how to grow and support Nigeria’s creative industries.
Participants will include policymakers, investors, industry professionals, and emerging talents.

Speaking on why Dr Balonwu was chosen, Olumide Iyanda, CEO of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and Convener of the summit, said her experience made her a perfect fit.
“Dr Balonwu’s work in advocating African voices in global discourse and her expertise across law, technology, finance, show business, and international development continue to inspire transformation across the continent,” he said.
“As a visionary championing Africa’s creative potential, her insights will resonate deeply with the audience of policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Her keynote address will set the stage for robust dialogue, highlighting the unique opportunities within Africa’s creative economy and inspiring actionable steps to unlock its full potential.”
Iyanda added that the summit will explore funding solutions, build partnerships between creatives and investors, and offer tools for financial management. It will also create space for collaboration to drive long-term progress in the sector.
Dr Balonwu leads The Africa Soft Power Group, the umbrella company for three organisations with mutual objectives: The Africa Soft Power Project, ASP Global and African Women on Board. The organisations focus on using culture, media, and technology to reshape Africa’s global influence.
She was formerly the CEO of Spinlet, Sub-Saharan Africa’s first major music streaming platform, which grew to over two million subscribers under her leadership.
Balonwu holds a Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s from University College London, and a Law degree from the University of Manchester. She has been called to the bar in England, Nigeria, and New York.
In 2022, she was listed among New African magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Africans. In 2019, she received the Powerlist UK Black Excellence International Award for her work with African Women on Board.
She also served as a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government from 2022 to 2023, focusing on the role of the private sector in shaping gender policy in Africa.
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is expected to be a landmark gathering for professionals in Nigeria’s creative space. More speakers and panellists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Business
AFRAA welcomes Enugu Air, strengthens Nigeria’s Domestic Aviation growth
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.
This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.

“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.

“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”
Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.
“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.
“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.
Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.
The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.
As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.
Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.
The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.
AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.
The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
News
Aiyedatiwa appoints 1,004 aides, picks commissioner, three advisers
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.
The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.
Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.
The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.
Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).

Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.
Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.
News
40 feared dead as boat capsizes in Sokoto
About 40 people are suspected to have lost their lives after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident occurred while the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms.
An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after taking off.
The village head was among those on board but he was reportedly rescued.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.

According to him, the victims comprised farm owners and labourers who had been engaged to harvest rice.
“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said. (Daily Trust)
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