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10 Years Impact: Tony Elumelu Foundation Enhances its Flagship Entrepreneurship Programme to Benefit More Entrepreneurs Across Africa

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Following ten years of impact and current 9,631 beneficiaries, Tony Elumelu Foundation enhances the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme to empower more entrepreneurs
Thousands of entrepreneurs to receive business training
Continent wide Pitching competition to herald the final selection of entrepreneurs to receive seed capital funding
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Caption: A Cross-section of African Entrepreneurs at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum

On the heels of the tenth anniversary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the private-sector-led philanthropy focused on empowering African entrepreneurs has enhanced its flagship Entrepreneurship Programme to empower more entrepreneurs across the continent.

These enhancements, which took effect from January 1, 2020—the launch of the 6th cycle of the Programme—will achieve the Foundation’s mandate to transform the African continent through entrepreneurship.

Most prominent among the enhancements are the new dates in the Programme cycle, its emphasis on providing thousands of entrepreneurs with business training, and its focus on leveraging technology to optimise the application and selection process as well as personalise the journey of each applicant in the Programme tailored to their knowledge and business stage.

The Programme cycle has been updated to place more emphasis on getting more entrepreneurs through the business training. Hence, the announcement of the finalists, who will ultimately be inducted into the TEF Alumni network, will no longer be held on March 22 but will be made at the TEF Forum – the largest entrepreneurship conference in Africa.

Maximising the value derived from the Programme, applicants will now receive instant feedback on their progress to the next stage of the Programme, following their applications. Shortlisted applicants will receive business training tailored to their business stage and for those who move to the next stage mentorship and finally the top performing entrepreneurs from each country will proceed to the business pitching competition, which will determine the finalists to receive seed capital and an induction into the Foundation’s fast-growing alumni network across 54 African countries.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is the $100million commitment by investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu, CON through his investment company, Heirs Holdings. The Programme has become a beacon of hope for African entrepreneurs, currently empowering 9,631 beneficiaries across 54 African countries with training, mentorship, seed funding and exclusive access to global opportunities as well as a strong entrepreneurial community.

TEF Alumni such as Ugandan Kwabena Danso who manufactures bicycles and its accessories from bamboo is one of the thousands of beneficiaries whose business has expanded beyond the shores of Africa to a global market, and is one of the success stories and impact recorded by the Programme’s innovative approach to the sustainable development of Africa. Others include Mohammed Dhauoafi from Tunisia, founder of Cure, a 3D printed, biosynthetic prosthesis manufacturing company and Princess Adeyinka Tekenah from Nigeriawhose coffee making business has been dubbed Africa’s Starbucks by The Financial Times.

The application for the 2020 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open till March 1, 2020 on TEFConnect.com.

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Caption: Princess Adeyinka Tekenah, TEF Alumnus from Nigeria with her locally sourced and processed coffee

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Caption: Mohammed Dhaouafi, TEF Alumnus from Tunisia with his affordable, 3D printed, bionic customiseable prosthesis.

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Wike Begins 6-Council “Thank-You” Tour In FCT

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has begun a thank-you visit to the six area councils of the territory, over the outcome of the Feb. 21 area council elections in the FCT.

The visits, which began with Bwari Area Council on Tuesday, according to the Minister, is to thank the people for keeping to their promises to support President Bola Tinubu’s candidates in the election.

“So, on behalf of Mr President, let me thank you all for fulfilling the promise you made, that you will support the candidates that are supporting him to win.

“Mr President said I should thank you and that he is not going to take this show of love for granted. He will also fulfill his own part, and that will be done through me.

“Some people don’t understand when we say agreement—what is agreement? When we agree on something, you do your own part, I do my own. That means we have fulfilled the agreement,” he said.

The Minister said that the time has come for politicians to keep to their promises, stressing that under Tinubu’s administration “we will give Bwari the necessary support”.

He promised to work closely with the council’s Chairman-elect, Mr Joshua Ishaku saying, “anything you ask through Joshua, consider it done”.

He thanked the traditional leaders in the area and promised to do everything possible to give them their due honour and respect.

In his remarks, Ishaku thanked Wike for the visit and for the good job he was doing for Tinubu.

Describing Wike as a “humble father”, Ishaku assured the Minister that Bwari Area Council would leave no stone unturned in supporting the restoration of the Renewed Hope Agenda in 2027.

“As you assured us yourself, we can see, we can feel and we can touch the developmental strides you have recorded just within two years of your assumption into office.

“What more can we say? What more can we ask for? This is indeed what governance is all about,” Ishaku said.

(NAN)

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MDCN Panel Suspends Euracare Director, Two Doctors After Establishing Negligence In Death Of Chimamanda’s Toddler

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The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has invoked its order of suspension against the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, and two others, after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence against them in the management of the 21-month old son of renowned writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

Nkanu passed away on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

Channels TV reports that apart from the Medical Director at Euracare, the panel also suspended the anesthesiologist at the same hospital, Dr. Titus Ogundare, as well as the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh.

In a statement signed by its secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, the panel mentioned that the trio are suspended from medical practice in Nigeria pending the determination of their case by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

The panel also stated that there is a prima facie case of misconduct in a professional respect against 10 other doctors. They are Dr. Adeseye Akinsete, Dr. Chidinma Ohagwu, Dr. Anthony Ajeh, Dr. Amarachi Bayo, and Dr. Nkechi Peji. Others are Dr. Olaoye Oludare, Dr. Agaja Oyinkansola, Dr. Patricia Akintan, Dr. Babatunde Bamgboye, and Dr. Raji Faidat.

The panel, which also cleared 8 other doctors, reached these decisions after considering the complaint against all 21 doctors and reviewing their counter-affidavits, including their oral depositions on oath.

The panel concluded its investigation at its 25th session held at Excel Hotel & Resort in Abuja on Feb 17th & 18th, 2026,

The 21-month-old child, Nkanu Adichie-Esege, was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.

While arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.

However, the child passed following the procedures.

His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.

 

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DSS Detains Five Airport Officers Over El-Rufai Security Breach

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Following a joint investigation into a security breach at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, five security officers have been arrested.

The arrests are coming weeks after security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on February 12, 2026, shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt, aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877.

It was gathered that suspects and are set to face prosecution.

The arrests followed a joint investigation conducted by the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Those detained include ASP Ayuba Yakubu of the Nigeria Police Force, Murtala Inuwa of the DSS, Najeeb Murtala of the Immigration Service, and Aviation Security personnel Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.

According to AIT, investigators disclosed that the suspects allegedly admitted to receiving bribes to grant unauthorised access to restricted sections of the airport and to interfere with lawful security procedures.

Authorities described the development as a grave insider breach of critical national infrastructure.

The suspects have since been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC) for prosecution.

Meanwhile, additional Immigration and Customs personnel who were found to have misused their official uniforms to facilitate unauthorised access but were not deemed criminally liable will face internal disciplinary measures.

According to the authorities, the action reflects zero-tolerance to internal compromise within Nigeria’s aviation security system.

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