News
Lagos-Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator Officially Launched
Lagos-Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator Officially Launched
By: Michael Mike
The French Embassy has announced the launch the of Lagos-Paris Fashion & Design Accelerator, a 9-months programme (from October 2023 to June 2024) aimed toward supporting 10 high-potential Nigerian brands within the fashion and design ecosystem.
According to a statement on Thursday, the accelerator emphasizes on providing close mentorship, nurturing creativity, reinforcing business literacy and guiding Nigerian emerging creatives and their teams in navigating the French and global fashion industry.

The statement revealed that through this platform, the French Embassy in Nigeria aims at celebrating Nigerian creativity and cultural preservation initiatives, sustainable practices and cross-cultural collaborations, while giving the tools and skills for creatives to build long lasting and incremental financial growth for their company.
The statement added that the aim of the programme is not only to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of 10 Nigerian brands, but also to support their export opportunities to France by participating in key events.
The programme, the statement said, has been thought in collaboration with several remarkable Fashion and Design stakeholders and its curriculum, which combines group and individual training, mentoring and master classes (over 120 hours per brand), has been defined in conjunction with renowned French and African experts and the Nigerian incubator for creative industry CCHUB, stressing that however, the laureate brands are considered in their singularity with a tailored accompaniment.
The statement also disclosed that the Accelerator will also close off with professional travels to Paris, designed to immerse the selected brands in the world capital of fashion via unique access to key industry players and events.
It stated that: “The Accelerator will comprise of: Physical tailored 1 on 1 courses on a broad range of subjects, with actual deliverables and tools; Monthly mentorship sessions; High-level masterclasses; Direct & indirect grants; Investment readiness module with pitching sessions to investors; Support to the participation to a French prescriptive event in 2024.
The statement revealed that the 10 brands selected for this 2023-2024 cohort, amongst more than 120 applications are:
- For Fashion: Lagos Space Programme, TJWHO Design, OBIDA, EKI KERE, ELEXIAY and WAF – Wafflesandcream Limited;
- For Accessories: MALIKO and Ethnic Africa;
- For Design: OMI Collective et Aga Design and Culture Limited.
The statement also said the Lagos-Paris Fashion & Design Accelerator is part of a global programme announced by the French President, Emmanuel MACRON in February 2023, called “Création Africa”. This programme’s aim is to increase support and resources to the French diplomatic network and its action toward the global ecosystem of creative and cultural industries.
The official launch of this initiative which will take place in Paris with a tremendous event to be held from 6 to 8 October, 2023 with dozens of talents from the worlds of animation, video games and cinema being showcased. A strong Nigerian delegation will attend.
It said: “As of such, the Embassy of France in Nigeria operates since June 2023 a €1.2 million fund to support entrepreneurs in the Nigerian cultural and creative industries in the fields of design, fashion, video games, audiovisuals and dance. The “Lagos-Paris Fashion & Design Accelerator” is financed via this grant.”
Lagos-Paris Fashion and Design Accelerator Officially Launched
News
Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno
Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully ambushed Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno, forcing them to flee and abandoning logistics items.
A military source said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday by a combined team of 50 Task Force Battalion/24 Task Force Brigade and 134 Special Forces Battalion, supported by volunteer forces.
The source disclosed that the troops, who had laid in wait at Momoh village along the Marte–Dikwa road, made contact with the insurgents moving on bicycles at about 12:45 a.m.
“On sighting the terrorists, the troops engaged them decisively, compelling them to retreat in disarray,” the source said.
He added that troops immediately carried out exploitation of the general area, leading to the recovery of eight bicycles believed to have been used by the insurgents for mobility, as well as some beverages suspected to be part of their logistics supply.
The Marte–Dikwa axis has remained a critical corridor in counter-insurgency operations, with sustained military pressure limiting the activities of insurgents in the area.
The source reaffirmed the commitment of troops to sustain aggressive operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety of communities across Borno.
Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno
News
Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms
Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno, killing several insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday when terrorists advanced from multiple directions toward the base.
According to the source, troops who had taken ambush positions engaged the insurgents with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The troops demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority, effectively repelling the assault and immediately launching a counter-exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, inflicting further casualties on the fleeing insurgents,” the source said.

He confirmed that no personnel of the Nigerian military was killed during the encounter, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The source added that at least eight terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and a cache of ammunition.
“Blood trails were observed along the withdrawal routes, indicating that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.
He further disclosed that injured personnel from the encounter were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility in Biu.
Zagazola gathered that additional bodies of fleeing terrorists were sighted along their escape corridors toward the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent enclave. We saw four more bodies,” said sources.
The military sources also revealed that abandoned weapons and casualties were observed in Garin Mallum and Garin Gajere, suggesting heavy losses suffered by the insurgents during the failed attack.
The military leadership urged to sustain the operational tempo, retain the initiative, and consolidate on the gains recorded against the insurgents.
Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms
News
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is set to sharpen its policy direction in the global space ecosystem as Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited prepares to host the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Stephen Kwande, noting that the event will convene top government officials, regulators, and international stakeholders to shape the future of satellite governance and digital infrastructure.
Egerton-Idehen said the forum is coming at a critical time when countries around the world are strengthening their space capabilities as part of broader national development strategies.
According to her, satellite technology is increasingly linked to economic growth, national security, and digital connectivity, making strategic investments in space infrastructure a priority for many nations.
She explained that the conference is expected to attract high-level participation, including cabinet members, defence authorities, development finance institutions, and technology innovators from across Africa.
The NIGCOMSAT boss also highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in global space policy, pointing to her emergence as Vice Chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association as a sign of the country’s expanding role in international satellite governance.
She further cited ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the Kenya Space Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships within Africa’s evolving space ecosystem.
Egerton-Idehen described the upcoming satellite week as both a reflection of Nigeria’s 20-year journey in satellite development and a strategic platform to define the country’s next phase in an increasingly competitive global space economy.
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
