Cristiano Ronaldo had an eventful game as he scored a goal, and missed a penalty to help Portugal to a 5-2 win over Denmark in a Nations League quarter-final clash, while he was also handed a Guinness World record award.

The encounter ended 3-3 on aggregate after 90 minutes as Portugal avenged their 1-0 loss in the first leg with a 3-2 win.

Ronaldo missed an opportunity to give the hosts the lead in the sixth minute after he was fouled in the box by Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu but Kasper Schmeichel saved his effort.

Denmark’s Joachim Andersen headed Bruno Fernandes’ corner into his own net just before halftime.

Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside on the stroke of halftime before Rasmus Kristensen made it 1-1 for Denmark after the restart.

The Al Nassr forward finally found joy in the 72nd minute with a close range finish after Schmeichel saved Fernandes’ effort.

Christian Eriksen converted Dorgu’s low cross to make it 2-2 before the game burst into life when Francisco Trincao made it 3-2 in the 90th minute to send the tie into extra time.

He added his second goal of the game in extra time to make it 4-2 before substitute Goncalo Ramos put the icing on the cake for 5-2.

After the game, Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with the Guinness World Record award for the most international wins in history with 132.

Portugal will now take on Germany in the semi-finals of the competition.

In the other Nations League quarter-final fixtures, Germany recorded a 3-3 draw against Italy to advance to the semi-finals despite surrendering a 3-0 lead.

Julien Nagelsmann’s team won the first leg 2-1 to go through on a 5-4 aggregate win, they will battle with Portugal for a place in the final.

Spain defeated Netherlands 5-4 on penalties to seal a place in the last four after the regulation time ended 3-3.

The European Champions earned a 2-2 draw in the first leg and kept their nerves to advance in the shootout to set up a place with France.

Les Bleus overturned a 2-0 loss in the first leg defeat to Croatia in the first leg to qualify for the semi-finals.

Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele scored in regulation time to give France a 2-0 lead to make the aggregate 2-2 after which Dayot Upamecano scored the winning penalty to send them through.

Germany will take on Portugal on June 4, while France will slug it out with Spain the following day for a place in the final.

…Zimbabwe Vow To Defeat Eagles

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has banned visitors, and Sports Journalists from the team’s camp ahead of the clash against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

The team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe confirmed that the coach demanded full concentration from the players as the team round up preparations for the encounter.

Efoghe said: “Coach Eric Chelle is not carried away by the win over Rwanda and he is demanding maximum concentration from the players prior to the next game (vs Zimbabwe).

“To this end, he has imposed restrictions in and around the team’s camp, no visitors, no journalists.

“Monday’s session will be open for the mandatory 15 minutes and this will be shortly after the official press conference. Provisions will be made for mixed zone interaction with the players on match day.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe coach, Michael Nees has urged his players to work hard to earn the maximum points against the Super Eagles in Uyo on Tuesday.

Both sides will meet at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in the second leg of their World Cup qualifiers clash.

The visitors are in search of their first win in the series as they aim to climb out of the bottom position.

Nees admitted that the Super Eagles parade world class players but he is confident that his players can get a positive result if they can fight hard in the encounter.

He said: ”Benin Republic was really strong but with Nigeria and the names they parade is top class and they messed their campaign at the beginning really up, it’s the third coach now involved in this campaign, they won away in Rwanda which was always a difficult opponent so they will come against us with confidence and all their power to turn this campaign around so do we.

“It would be an exciting game, we have to perform to our maximum, but we should expect a really tough opponent who would give everything and must also give everything and we will.”

“We must accept the challenge, the climate, the pace, the conditions, they must accept the challenge and enjoy it, we mustn’t be afraid of anything, we can play football, we will analyze opponents, we would analyze our game, the players don’t need to be nervous. They’ve shown it many times that they are very good players, I’m really looking forward to this match.”

Similarly, Zimbabwe winger Tawanda Chirewa has revealed that the team has no reason to fear the Super Eagles.

He said: “I am just looking at recovery and going again on Tuesday against Nigeria, which is a very good team.

“A lot of players play in England and Europe. Obviously I want to go out there and show what I can do. Our team has got so many good players as well so we can’t fear Nigeria.”

This will be the fourth World Cup qualifier meeting between the two sides, with the Super Eagles emerging victorious in two of the previous three encounters.

The Presidency has alleged that militants in Rivers State were on standby, awaiting directives from Governor Siminalayi Fubara to launch attacks on oil pipelines before President Bola Tinubu foiled their plans by declaring emergency rule in the state.

The state of emergency was declared on March 18. Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the Constitution and appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s sole administrator. The National Assembly approved the emergency rule two days later, despite opposition from some lawmakers.

The emergency rule suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

According to President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, his principal’s intervention prevented threat to the country’s oil production and economic stability.

Onanuga stated this in an opinion piece defending the declaration of the state of emergency in the oil-rich state amidst criticism from different quarters.

According to him, intelligence reports confirmed that militants had been mobilised and were waiting for Fubara’s signal before carrying out the attacks.

Onanuga stressed that President Tinubu’s action was justified by the political crisis between Governor Fubara and the state House of Assembly which had spiraled out of control and grounded governance in the.

“A responsible leader like President Tinubu, who swore an oath to protect the constitution and corporate existence of the country, can not fail to act when a constituent part of the Federation is careering towards the precipice. The political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly who owe allegiance to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that blew open barely six months into the administration of the Governor has degenerated by 18 March. A chain of events since the war of attrition started 14 months ago among the combatants had indeed paralysed the government of Rivers State to the point where Fubara, copying from the bad book of former Governor Obaseki in Edo, emasculated an arm of government entirely. This reality informed the Supreme Court’s damning verdict about the absence of government in the State as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, as amended. The court also excoriated Fubara for acting like a despot.

“Rivers was in a grave situation, as the combatants refused to allow reason to prevail, even after the Supreme Court judgment, before President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on 18 March. The President took action in the best interest of the people of the State, who had become victims of the warring politicians, the people they elected to serve them. President Tinubu needed to act. He chose prevention over cure,” he wrote.

Onanuga reaffirmed that President Tinubu’s actions were in line with his constitutional responsibility to maintain national stability.

He dismissed claims that the intervention undermined democracy, arguing instead that it was meant to preserve democracy.

“Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution empowers the President to act when the nation faces a breakdown of law, order, and economic security —precisely the case in Rivers, a bastion of Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy. Intelligence confirmed militants, told by Fubara to await signals, were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect.

“Historical precedents, such as the past emergencies in Plateau and Borno and the doctrine of necessity, support the President’s proactive measures to avert disaster. The President’s oath demands he must not fail in his sacred duty to safeguard national stability, not watch idly as partisan strife strangles our democracy and the material well-being of Nigerians, whose prosperity depends on the social and economic interdependence of every part of the country. Rivers State is a significant hydrocarbon economic artery in Nigeria, and any dislocation and politically motivated disruption of the oil industry in the state will have ripple effects on the national economy,” he wrote.

Responding to critics of Tinubu’s action, Onanuga added: “Critics claim the emergency rule in Rivers undermines democracy. Their position misrepresents reality. The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring—not replacing—democratic institutions. The suspension of political actors for six months is no power grab; it is not a permanent removal but a reset to disarm warring factions. Notably, the same critics who assailed the President’s action for suspending the political actors remain silent on Governor Fubara’s refusal to collaborate with the legislature, exposing their partisan bias. Democracy can not thrive amid lawlessness—anarchy.”

Tinubu’s action had drawn criticism from former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka.
Jonathan, speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja, condemned the suspension of democratic governance in the state.

He expressed disappointment that elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly, were removed from office.

Jonathan warned that such actions could damage Nigeria’s reputation and deter investment, blaming all three arms of government for engaging in abuse of power.

“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” Jonathan, who was the chairman of the colloquium, said.

“The key actors in Nigeria from the executive to the legislature and the judiciary know the correct thing to do but they are refusing to do it; they are pretending to sleep, and waking such a person is extremely difficult because the person knows the right thing.

“A clear abuse of offices, clear abuse of power, clear abuse of privileges, cutting across the three arms of government — from the executive through the parliament and to the judiciary,” Jonathan said.

Soyinka had also criticised the move in an interview The Africa Report, saying the emergency rule was against the principles of federalism.

He argued that the 1999 Constitution grants excessive powers to the president and called for a national discussion to amend the Constitution to ensure true federalism.

In response, President Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, dismissed the criticisms as personal opinions.

“Professor Wole Soyinka and former President Goodluck Jonathan are respected statesmen. Like many Nigerians that have offered varied opinions on the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the two distinguished Nigerians have also offered their own opinions too.

“President Tinubu has a country to govern, and he has exercised his power under the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“President Tinubu has a duty to preserve the corporate existence of Nigeria. He won’t allow any part of the country or state to descend into chaos.

“The Supreme Court ruled that there is no functioning government in Rivers State known to the constitution of Nigeria. President Tinubu won’t fail in his sacred duty to protect and preserve the country,” said Ajayi.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned reports that the federal government has released Rivers State allocation to the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas.

Naija News recalls that the Supreme Court had in a recent ruling ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to release funds to the Rivers State Government until a budget is presented before the State House of Assembly.

But following the appointment of a Sole Administrator and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the federal government released the allocation to Ibas.

Reacting in a post on his social media on Monday, Peter Obi stated that the release of funds to the Administrator is a clear disobedience to the Supreme Court order.

According to him, the federal government move is a brazen disregard for the rule of law and democratic principles.

Peter Obi wrote: “What is happening in the country today as it relates to River State is an aberration, unknown to our Constitution and must be condemned by every discerning mind.

“What we are witnessing in Rivers State is a brazen disobedience and disregard for the rule of law and our democratic principles. The decision to release statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing order of the Supreme Court, is not just unlawful — it is a direct challenge to the authority of the highest court of our country.

“The Supreme Court had explicitly barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from releasing these funds until a properly constituted House of Assembly passes a valid Appropriation Act. Yet, we see a situation where this order is being ignored. This raises serious moral intentions, and questions of what is happening in Rivers State.

“By disregarding the judgment of the Supreme Court, those involved are setting a dangerous precedent. The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary. We cannot build a nation where those who swore oaths to uphold our constitution and obey the laws are doing the opposite.

“This is about more than just Rivers State; it is about protecting the very fabric of our democracy, and our existence as a nation.

“A country cannot function where the rule of law is trampled upon, where the separation of powers is disregarded, and where judicial decisions are treated as mere suggestions. If we continue this way, we are undermining the future of our democracy. We must choose to do the right thing — to respect the law and uphold the principles that bind us as a nation.”

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that it was a necessary step to restore governance and avert further crisis.

Naija News recalls that President Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and all members of the state House of Assembly due to the ongoing political turmoil in the oil-rich state. He also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the sole administrator for the state.

In an interview with The Nation, Idris emphasized that the president had no intention of taking over the governance of Rivers State or appointing a new governor.

“Rivers State belongs to the people of Rivers State,” he stated. “Just like all other states have their governors and are functioning, the president also wants Rivers State to function effectively.”

Idris described the decision as “very responsible but very painful,” noting that governance in the state had collapsed.

He highlighted the dysfunction of the state House of Assembly and the serious challenges facing the executive branch.

He explained, “The way democracy is designed in this country is that the three arms of government must work together, and one will be checking the other. So, we cannot have just the executive functioning and say we have a functional democracy. We didn’t have that, and therefore, the president had to act.”

The minister further clarified that Tinubu relied on constitutional provisions to take the necessary action, stressing that the situation had become critical, requiring immediate intervention.

“Those who designed our constitution envisaged that this kind of situation could arise, and that was why they made the provision for it. The president relied on the constitution to exercise his powers and take action,” Idris added.

He emphasized that the president’s decision was in the best interest of the people of Rivers State, aiming to prevent further violence and chaos.

“It would have been irresponsible for the president to allow the slide into violence that we were seeing in Rivers State,” he stated. “At what point would he have intervened? The president had to responsibly step in to ensure that law and order, and governance, were restored in the interest of the people of Rivers State.”

Idris assured that the president would not maintain the emergency rule longer than necessary.

“As soon as he assesses that sanity has returned to Rivers State, he will ensure the restoration of all democratic structures in that state,” he concluded.

A lawmaker, Dawodu Bashiru, has defended the use of a voice vote by the House of Representatives in approving President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, amid growing controversy over the decision.

The use of a voice vote in the approval of the president’s move has sparked backlash, with critics questioning the transparency of the process.

Despite this, Dawodu, who represents Oshodi/Isolo in Lagos State, has brushed off criticisms, asserting that the House is constitutionally empowered to determine how it operates, including the method of voting.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Dawodu explained that the House is within its rights to choose the format of voting for each matter, noting that this was in line with the constitution.

He said, “The point that I’m making is that it’s also constitutional that the House is going to determine the way it operates on an everyday basis, that is the law.”

While acknowledging that the House has used electronic voting on some occasions, Dawodu emphasized that the lawmakers are not obligated to do so in every situation. He pointed out that different circumstances and rules apply depending on the issue at hand.

Dawodu further explained that voice voting is a regular practice in the House, and this instance was not out of the ordinary.

“Well, it depends on what we’re doing in terms of the rule. I’ll give you an example. When you look at the last time, we also had electronic voting when we were going to elect the speaker [Femi Gbajabiamila]. It’s different from what happened this time when we’re going to elect the speaker [Tajudeen Abbas]. So the rules are different,” he said.

He concluded by asserting that voice voting has always been a part of the House’s daily practices and that there was nothing unusual about its application in this particular vote.

Dawodu added, “I think every day in our practice, we do voice voting. I don’t think this particular situation is different.”

The 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominations have been announced, with Lisabi: The Uprising and Seven Doors leading the pack.

Lisabi: The Uprising, directed by Adedimeji Lateef, earned a remarkable 10 nominations, including ‘Best Movie,’ ‘Best Actor,’ ‘Best Art Direction,’ ‘Best Cinematography,’ and ‘Best Indigenous Language Western Africa.’

Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors trailed closely with eight nominations, including the newly introduced category of ‘Best Score/Music.’ Other significant contenders include Skeleton Coast, Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, and Inside Life.

This year’s ceremony will feature 28 categories, both voting and non-voting, as well as two special recognition awards.

A panel of judges, chaired by acclaimed film director and producer Femi Odugbemi, will determine the winners in 18 categories, while the remaining 10 categories will be decided by fans through voting on the Africa Magic website, with voting closing on May 4.

The 2025 AMVCA will be held over four days, from May 7 to 10, celebrating outstanding achievements in film production, culture, fashion, music, and other facets of African entertainment.

See the full list of nominees below:

Best Supporting Actress

• Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
• Tina Mba – Suspicion
• Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
• Ini Dinma – Skeleton Coas
• Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
• Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
• Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo

Best Supporting Actor

• Efa Iwara – Princess On A Hill
• Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni (Mr Macaroni) – Lisabi: The Uprising
• Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
• Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
• Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) – Christmas in Lagos
• Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
• Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
• Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way

Best Lead Actress

• Chioma Akpotha – Seven Doors
• Gbubemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
• Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
• Uche Montana – Thinline
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
• Hilda Dokubo – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
• Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre

Best Lead Actor

• Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
• Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
• Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
• Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast
• Bimbo Manuel – Princess on A Hill
• Stan Nze – Suspicion
• Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
• Lisabi: The Uprising – Adedimeji Lateef

Best Movie

• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Skeleton Coast
• Suspicion
• Inkabi
• House of GA’A
• Freedom Way
• Christmas in Lagos
• Farmer’s Bride

Nominees for Best Scripted (M-Net Original)

• Uriri — Xavier Ighorodje
• All Mine — Hadizat Ibrahim
• My Fairytale Wedding — Chinenye Nworah and Taiwo Adebayo
• Italo — Rogers Ofime
• The Caller — Brain Munene
• Kam U Stay — Damaris Irungu Ochieng

Best Writing Movie

• Phoenix Fury
• A Ghetto Love Story
• Christmas in Lagos
• Freedom Way
• The Weekend
• House of Ga’a

Best Short Film

• Brukaci
• In Bloom: ‘Afefe’
• Sukari
• The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí
• What Are You Truly Afraid Of?

Best Director

• House of Ga’a – Bolanle Austen-Peters
• Inkabi – Norman Maake
• Seven Doors – Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo
• Skeleton Coast – Robert O Peters
• The Man Died – Awam Amkpa
• The Weekend – Daniel Emeke Oriahi

Nominees for Best Cinematography

• Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra
• Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield
• The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman
• Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston
• Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee
• Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo
• Agemo — Papama Tangela

Best Score

• Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde ‘Louddaaa’ Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo
• Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro
• Inkabi — Seoli Bongani Mashaba
• Skeleton Coast — Chris Letcher
• Soft Love — Kolade Morankinyo (MPSE) and Efa Iwara (Love and Hate)

Best Makeup

• Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
• Inside Life
• Farmer’s Bride
• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Seven Doors
• Suspicion

Nominees for Best Editing

• Inkabi — Tongai Furusa
• Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande
• Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen
• Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane
• Lisabi: The Uprising — Anthill Studios
• Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede

Best Documentary

• Dundun
• I Will Remember You
• O.Y.O (On Your Own)
• Walvis Tale
• Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women

Best Art Direction

• The Man Died
• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Christmas in Lagos
• Seven Doors
• Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre

Best Sound Design

• Beast of Two Worlds
• Freedom Way
• Inkabi
• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Seven Doors
• Suspicion

Best Indigenous Languages in East Africa

• The Empty Grave
• Makosa di Yangu
• Sabotage
• The Caller
• Wa Milele? (Forever)

Best Digital Content Creator

• Jide ‘Pounds’ Ibitoye (Jide Pounds)
• Dorcas Ariyiike Owolagba (Ariyiike Dimples)
• Iyo Prosper
• Elozonam
• Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma)

Best Series Scripted

• Inside Life
• Cheta M
• Princess on a Hill
• Seven Doors
• Roses & Ivy

Best Series Unscripted

• Ebuka Turns Up For Africa
• Skillers (The Builders Show)
• Style Magnate
• Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine
• Wa Milele? (Forever)

Best Writing TV Series

• Anikulapo: Rise Of The Spectre
• Cheta M
• Princess on a Hill
• Roses & Ivy
• Seven Doors
• Tuki
• Untying Kantai

…Calls Process Unconstitutional

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has rejected the National Assembly’s endorsement of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing the process as unconstitutional.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, criticized the lawmakers for deciding such a critical matter through a voice vote, arguing that it fell short of constitutional requirements.

Osigwe explained that the Constitution mandates the National Assembly to ratify such a decision by a two-thirds majority. He emphasized that to fulfill this requirement, the number of lawmakers present, those who voted in favor, those against, and those who abstained must be recorded.

“You can’t clear that by a voice vote. A voice vote falls short of the constitutional requirement because, by a voice vote, you are unable to determine whether the threshold for ratification has been met,” he said.

According to him, the use of a voice vote in both chambers undermines the constitutional process, rendering the entire endorsement invalid.

“Even that ‘ratification’ by the National Assembly does not meet the constitutional requirement, and it is in itself unconstitutional,” he added.

The NBA’s rejection of the endorsement raises further legal and political concerns over the controversial state of emergency, as critics argue that due process was not followed in declaring it.

Beneficiaries of  Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, have raised over $4.2 billion in revenue and pulled over two million Africans out of poverty.

The Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, disclosed this at the unveiling of another set of 3,000 benefiting entrepreneurs in Abuja at the weekend.

An excited Elumelu disclosed that in the last 10 years, the organization had invested $100 million in grants to over 21,000 beneficiaries across 54 African countries which, according to him, has resulted in transformation among young entrepreneurs across the continent.

He added that in one decade, beneficiaries of TEF who received $5,000 grant each, created 1.5 million jobs, in addition to 2.5 million Africans granted access to training in Africa.

Elumelu said:  “We share a vision of a self-sustaining African continent, a prosperous Africa, powered by the energy, innovation, leadership and resilience of young African men and women.

“But my wife and I also know the challenges that these young Africans face in their resilience, in their ambitions and in their willingness and desire to contribute to the transformation of Africa.

“As an entrepreneur, I understand very well the opportunities that abound in Africa. I understand the entrepreneurship transformative power that our young ones can unleash on the continent.

“But we know that there are challenges. We also know that if empowered and encouraged, these young Africans can face the challenges we have across all that we live with in Africa.

“Give them the resources, to give them the training and the guidance that they need to succeed.

‘’In ten years, we took a journey of entrepreneurship and capitalising of love and economic prosperity on the continent.

“In 2015, as people with private sector mindsets, we decided, we know that what can’t be done can’t be done. So we decided to take one-step forward, to launch the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, to set metrics, targets, that will help people to continue.

‘’Fast forward, this year is the 15th year of the setting up of Tony Elumelu Foundation. When we look back, we are humbled by the progress that we made, by the achievements that we made, by the impact that we created, not just in one country, not just in one family, but across all 54 African countries.

“Based on statistics, we have been able to empower 21,000 young African men and women, each spending over $100 million. And the good news is, these people have helped to lift at least 2 million people out of poverty.

“To us, we are excited that we have been able, working with our partners, to lift at least 2 million people out of poverty. Because at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we share common beliefs.

‘’One is that poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us everywhere.   And two, is that no one but us will develop Africa. So what we do at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the validation from the successes we see and listen to our young entrepreneurs who have just shared their testimony here, is inspired, supported, motivated by these accomplishments.”

Not out of Abundant wealth

He said that the philanthropic gesture of his foundation was not out of abundant wealth but out of a deep conviction that it was an existential interest.

His words:  “What we do at the Tony Elumelu Foundation is not out of the abundance of wealth. It is a realisation, deep realisation, that if we don’t do this, this is very essential, if we don’t do this, we’re creating problems for ourselves, the so-called successful people, and our children, our children’s children. It is in our collective existential interest to identify and support others.”

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of TEF, Ms. Somachi Chris-Asoluka, revealed that the organization believed in gender mainstreaming, adding that 45 per cent of the TEF beneficiaries were women.

She said TEF was also reducing inequalities, as 64 per cent of those who received the grants were creating job opportunities for persons with disabilities.