Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is set to make a bold statement on the global stage as it will be gathering world leaders, policymakers, and investors and other private sector players at the forthcoming 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

This year’s gathering at the UNGA, which is the 80th Edition, will be held between September 15th and September 25th, and as always, UBA Group has mapped out series of engaging activities to spotlight Africa’s opportunities and foster high-level dialogue with global leaders towards boosting the continent’s potential.

A key part of the event, will be the UBA’s unveiling of a ground-breaking whitepaper that presents actionable strategies for unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential, as part of the bank’s mission to drive sustainable growth across the continent.

The whitepaper, a first-of-its-kind initiative by a leading African financial institution at UNGA, titled ‘Banking on Africa’s Future: Unlocking Capital and Partnerships for Sustainable Growth’, will highlight opportunities in trade, infrastructure, digital innovation, climate finance, and inclusive growth.

By providing a roadmap for collaboration between Africa and the global community, UBA aims to position the continent not just as a beneficiary of investment, but as a critical driver of future global prosperity.

Apart from the Whitepaper launch, other activities of the group will include the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) Roundtable to be hosted by UBA America, as well as the annual UBA Reception.

The reception will convene world leaders, policymakers, and influential business executives who will be involved in critical dialogues on investment and development across the continent.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, emphasized the strategic importance of these dialogues, explained that over the past few years, UBA has become an active leader in conversations and activities that will drive tangible investments to the continent.

“These conversations are fundamentally different from previous discussions because they will be followed by feasible and actionable decisions. UBA will actively work to implement these outcomes for the benefit of the continent, as committed partners in Africa’s development and sustainability,” Elumelu noted.

Continuing, he said, “’The United Nations General Assembly is the largest and most official gathering of world leaders, and we cannot let such an opportunity pass without major African players like UBA taking centre stage to bring these leaders together and showcase Africa’s potential.”

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who remarked on the upcoming event, especially the whitepaper’s significance, emphasized the need for more private organizations and players to demonstrate their commitment to the continent’s development through concrete action and proven capabilities.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today, Sunday, August. 31, formally accepted the hosting rights for the 2025 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious pan-Nigeria, annual event.

The presentation took place at the Lagos House, Marina, where the governor received a delegation of Nollywood stars including Segun Arinze, Biola Adebayo, Femi Branch, Wole Ojo, and Scarlet Gomez, along with BON Awards founder, Seun Oloketuyi, and the Executive Director, Feranmi Olaoye.

The event, which was also witnessed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Toke Benson- Awoyinka, highlights the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting the creative industry.

During the presentation, the governor commended the organisers for their ambitious plan to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest red carpet, spanning an impressive 8 kilometers.
In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on the importance of government support for the creative sector, beyond just financial sponsorship. “Sometimes, it’s difficult to quantify what we do, but we know too well that the industry needs support. The sector needs to be elevated and encouraged.”

He added, “Everything that we’re doing should be thought of around the benefits that come, not necessarily to us as a government, but, in a way that people will appreciate. It’s certainly not about us, it’s not about the ministry; it is about the people, that’s the whole context for us.

“We are also very intentional about helping the creative industry give opportunities and voices to the voiceless that may not get the opportunity to be heard. More importantly, also help in terms of employment generation and wealth creation, ensuring that we can support a huge demographic of young people,” the governor added, linking the vision to the state’s broader economic agenda.

“For us, it’s really not just about supporting or sponsoring; it’s more around ensuring that the sector has the kind of support that is needed.”
In his statement, Oloketuyi, reiterated that while BON Awards began in Lagos, in the last 17 years, it has visited all six geo-political zones of the country and has yet to return to Lagos. He shared that the awards has been hosted by states like Kwara, Kano, Imo, Oyo, Osun, Kogi, Ondo and more.

Billed to hold on Sunday, December 14 at the Federal Palace Hotel, V/I, Lagos, the event promises to add even more colour to the annual Detty December season thatbhas become Lagos’ flagship Yuletide celebration.

The Best of Nollywood Awards, founded by Seun Oloketuyi, is a celebrated platform that honours outstanding achievements in the Nigerian film industry. The decision to host the 2025 edition in Lagos is a strategic move, solidifying the state’s status as the heart of Nigeria’s creative economy and providing a grand stage for the industry’s biggest night.

Tiwa Savage, the award-winning Nigerian singer, has spoken out about challenges in the music industry, describing it as “filled with darkness.”

During an Instagram Live session, the You 4 Me crooner said her faith in God has helped her remain grounded and prevented her from “falling” despite the negative influences she has observed.

She explained:
“This industry is filled with so much darkness. I wish you guys knew, so much darkness. But I thank God that I’ve kept my eyes on Him. I haven’t fallen.”

Savage also addressed reactions to her latest project This One Is Personal, revealing that some critics dismissed the album because it lacked “big-name features.”

According to her, she intentionally chose to create a deeply personal record without club hits, focusing instead on authenticity. She emphasized that she values having genuine supporters more than having a massive fan base.

She said:
“When I put out the track list of my album, I saw so many people saying I didn’t feature the big names from America or the A-listers.”

“They just automatically concluded that because I don’t have those features on the album, it’s not going to be good.”

“I wish people understood music the way I understand it. Yes, I don’t have huge cosigns, and I wasn’t actively seeking them. All I have is all I have, isn’t it?”

“Honestly, having you guys is enough for me. Sometimes, like they say, you don’t need a lot of people, you just need the right people. I don’t need millions of fans, I just need the right ones.”

Reflecting on the album’s journey, she disclosed that it took more than two years to complete and involved many setbacks, doubts, and discouragement from those who felt a vulnerable project would not succeed commercially.

“There were so many hurdles I wish I could tell you guys about—the fights, the challenges, the people who doubted me and told me that doing this type of vulnerable record wouldn’t work, that nobody would listen or care.”

“People just want to hear gbedu, bangers, and club records. I don’t have any club records, and they said it wasn’t going to work, that people wouldn’t stream it.”

This is not the first time Tiwa Savage has raised concerns about the music scene. Back in January, she had described the industry as being “filled with dangerous sharks.”