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Shettima, Sanwo-Olu, Aare Babalola, others to attend NACC 20th presidential inauguration gala in Lagos

Published

1 year ago

April 8, 2025

Lagos will host political and business leaders as the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce marks 65 years and inaugurates its 20th president

Lagos is set to host a major gathering of political and business leaders as the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) celebrates its 65th anniversary and inaugurates its 20th president, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, on April 12, 2025.

Also read: Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce to inaugurate 20th president, executive council, unveils bold economic agenda

The high-profile event will take place at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed “The Power of Co-Operation: 65 Years of Optimizing Nigerian-American Economic Relations,” the landmark gala will reflect on the Chamber’s role in promoting bilateral trade and investment relations between Nigeria and the United States.

The celebration will also feature the unveiling of the proposed NACC multi-storey headquarters building and the induction of fifty-two new members into the Chamber.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will serve as the chief host of the day and will also be honoured alongside other notable personalities, including Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Senator Barau Jibrin, Governor Uba Sani, Governor Dauda Lawal, Governor Umo Eno, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and Dr. John Momoh, among others.

Distinguished individuals and brands will be recognised for their contributions to the Nigerian-American business community. Among the awardees are His Excellency Americo D’Oliveira Dos Ramos, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Prince Arthur Eze, and Chief Pius Akinyelure.

The Chamber will also honour, posthumously, the late Ambassador Walter Carrington, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria; the late Mr. Richard Kramer, founder and CEO of African Capital Alliance Limited; and the late Mr. Sylvester Turner, the 62nd Mayor of Houston, Texas.

The event’s special guest of honour is His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with His Royal Highness Malam Dr. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau as the royal father of the day. The occasion will be shared by Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation.

Also to be recognised are outstanding Nigerian and American companies, alongside former presidents of the Chamber, whose work has advanced economic growth and bilateral trade relations.

Corporate supporters of the gala include Mainstream Energy Solutions, Zenith Carex, FastCredit, The CocaCola Company, Flour Mills Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, PWC, Turkish Airline, Lagos Continental Hotel, EightMedical, FortuneGlobal and Zenith Bank.

Media partners include Channels TV, BusinessDay, Studio24, TheCable, Naija Times, Lagos Post, and Freelanews.

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce has, for over six decades, served as a premier platform for business development, networking, and strategic trade cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

The 20th presidential inauguration gala will serve as both a celebration of legacy and a launchpad for a new era of visionary leadership and economic collaboration.

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Vice president Shettima to attend NACC 65TH anniversary gala in Lagos

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Opinion

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Fiorentina Target Zirkzee in €5m Loan Deal

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Fiorentina Target Zirkzee in €5m Loan Deal

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”