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Prodiva set to celebrate Nigeria’s unity in diversity on Independence day

Published

8 months ago

September 1, 2025

Prodiva Set to Celebrate Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity on Independence Day

As Nigeria is set to mark its 65th Independence Day on October 1, 2025, a new cultural initiative, Prodiva, has unveiled plans for a vibrant celebration of the nation’s prosperity through its diversity.
The event, titled “Prodiva Independence Fiesta”, is the brainchild of Bolatito Ajibode, a veteran banker turned entrepreneur, who is passionate about showcasing Nigeria’s unique cultural identity.
The celebration is being organized by Prodiva, a name derived from Prosperity and Diversity, and will take place at Muri Okunola Park in Lagos, according to a statement obtained on Monday.
Sponsored by Ginger Up Nigeria Limited, makers of healthy ginger-based beverages like Ginger Up and Ginger Shot, the fiesta will feature a panel of young Nigerian entrepreneurs.
These trailblazers, many of whom have launched successful small and medium-scale businesses, will share their journeys—challenges, triumphs, and lessons—in a bid to inspire the next generation.
“Our goal is to energize young Nigerians to believe in what is possible here at home,” Ajibode said.
“We want to motivate them to build rather than flee, to see opportunity rather than despair.”
The keynote speaker at the event is Ifedolapo Runsewe, the innovative founder of Freee Recycle Limited in Ibadan, which has gained national attention for its transformative work in tyre recycling.
In addition to motivational talks and cultural showcases, the event will also offer free exhibition booths for partner brands and businesses to display their products and services.

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Ajibode, who describes herself as “a woman with green blood” for her unwavering love for Nigeria, said the Lagos edition is just the beginning. Prodiva Independence Fiesta is envisioned as an annual, nationwide movement, rotating across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
“By God’s grace, it will become a national event,” she said. “After the second edition in Lagos, we plan to move to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano—eventually hosting it simultaneously in all six zones.”

A Cultural Fabric with a Purpose
The inspiration behind Prodiva is more than just a celebration—it’s also about creating a unifying cultural identity. Ajibode first launched the Prodiva fabric in 2020 to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary.
Unlike Ghana’s iconic kente cloth, she felt Nigeria lacked a fabric that truly represents all its peoples.
Prodiva fabric is a carefully designed textile that incorporates symbols from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:

North Central – Lush green landscape, representing the region’s vast agricultural potential.

North East – The handcrafted calabash, used for serving cow milk, symbolizing tradition.

North West – The Arewa knot, a symbol of unity and political identity.

South West – The Oduduwa crown, signifying heritage and authority.

South East – The Ofor staff, representing justice and truth in Igbo culture.

South South – The Fedora black hat, also known as the Niger Delta cap, symbolizing resource control and identity.

“Despite being the largest consumer of Ankara in Africa, Nigeria lacked a signature fabric like Ghana’s kente,” Ajibode noted. “So I decided to create one that reflects who we are—diverse, yet united.”
With support from design experts at Yaba College of Technology, the Prodiva fabric was born and has since gained traction as a proudly Nigerian attire. It will also be promoted during the Independence Fiesta, encouraging Nigerians to wear local instead of imported fabrics.

From Kitchen Startup to National Brand
Ajibode’s story mirrors the very essence of Prodiva. In 2016, while still a top executive at Stanbic IBTC Bank, she began making a ginger-and-honey mixture at home for her husband. When imported ginger granules disappeared from shelves, she saw an opportunity. With support from her employer’s Outside Business Interest (OBI) policy, she started Ginger Up Nigeria, now the country’s pioneer in commercial ginger-based drinks.
Today, the company employs over 50 people and is steadily building a footprint beyond Nigeria.
After a 32-year banking career across three major banks, Ajibode retired in July 2025 from her most recent role as Deputy Managing Director of the Lekki Free Zone Development Company, where she served for three years.
She now focuses full-time on growing her ginger beverage business and promoting Prodiva as a cultural and entrepreneurial movement.
For Ajibode, this event is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to action.
“We are the prosperity in our diversity,” she said. “And it’s time we told that story to the world.”

Prodiva Set to Celebrate Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity on Independence Day

Related Topics:diversity Independence Day Nigeria Prodiva

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Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

Published

10 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has called for enhanced collaboration between religious leaders and security agencies to strengthen peace and security across Oyo State.

Sheikh Akeugberu made the call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at its headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan, where he was received by the State Commandant, Augustine Padonu.

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

The Grand Imam said the engagement was aimed at deepening cooperation between faith-based institutions and security operatives in addressing emerging security challenges and promoting peaceful coexistence in communities.

He stressed the importance of unity among stakeholders in maintaining societal stability, noting that religious leaders have a critical role to play in promoting intelligence sharing, conflict resolution, and community awareness.

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Sheikh Akeugberu also commended the NSCDC for its efforts in safeguarding lives and protecting critical national assets, describing the Corps as a key pillar in Nigeria’s internal security framework.

He assured the Command of continued support from the Muslim community in Oyo State, particularly in promoting peacebuilding initiatives and grassroots collaboration aimed at improving security outcomes.

In his response, Commandant Augustine Padonu expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and significant in strengthening community-security relations.

Padonu reiterated the Corps’ readiness to work closely with religious leaders and other stakeholders to enhance security awareness and improve engagement at the grassroots level.

He emphasized the importance of trust, cooperation, and mutual respect in achieving sustainable peace, assuring that the NSCDC would remain committed to its mandate of protecting citizens and maintaining law and order.

The visit ended with a mutual commitment by both parties to deepen collaboration in the interest of peace, stability, and development across Oyo State.

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

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Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

Published

11 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), just months after his appointment, in a major shake-up within Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory leadership.

The President has also nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the agency, subject to Senate confirmation.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the decision was taken “in the public interest” and in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

The statement explained that the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency and improving governance in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior officer in the NMDPRA will oversee the agency in an acting capacity.

The Presidency also thanked the outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

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Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, the newly nominated head of the agency, is described as a seasoned energy executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is noted for expertise in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

His nomination comes months after Tinubu initially submitted Mohammed’s name to the Senate for confirmation following leadership changes in key petroleum regulatory agencies. At the time, Mohammed had been expected to lead the NMDPRA, while another nominee was proposed for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Mohammed, a chemical engineer with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, previously served in senior positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) structure, including Managing Director roles at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company. He also participated in several national gas infrastructure projects.

The latest development is part of ongoing restructuring within Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework under the Petroleum Industry Act, which has seen changes in leadership across key agencies.

The Senate is expected to consider the nomination of Rabiu Umar in the coming days as part of its confirmation process.

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

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Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

Published

11 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

police officer kills handcuffed suspect in Delta

Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, describing the incident as “criminal and unprofessional” and inconsistent with police standards of engagement.

Addressing journalists at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the April 26 incident was unacceptable and reaffirmed that no officer has the authority to take the law into their own hands regardless of the circumstances.

The IGP confirmed that the principal suspect, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, along with other officers involved in the operation, have been transferred from the Delta State Command to Abuja to face disciplinary proceedings. He added that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) has already taken up the case.

He further disclosed that three inspectors who were part of the operation have been subjected to an Orderly Room Trial as part of internal disciplinary procedures to determine their individual levels of involvement.

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Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

According to the police leadership, investigations established that ASP Usman violated Force Order 247, which governs the use of firearms, as well as other standard operational procedures regulating police conduct during arrests and engagements with suspects.

The Force has recommended the immediate dismissal of all officers found culpable in the incident. It also directed that they be handed over to appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over unlawful homicide after their removal from service. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final approval.

The Inspector-General distanced the institution from the actions of the officers, stressing that they acted outside official rules and the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force. He stated firmly that “no uniform is a licence to kill” and reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on abuse of power and extrajudicial conduct.

He also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured Nigerians that justice would be served transparently. The IGP urged residents of Delta State and the general public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while investigations and disciplinary actions continue.

The police leadership said the case reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability within the Force and ensure that officers who violate professional standards face appropriate sanctions.