President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Fene Osakwe on winning the Cyber Personality of the Year award at the 2025 Cyber Security Awards in the UK.

Dr Fene Osakwe

According to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President in a statement, Dr Osakwe is the chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the first African to win in the Cyber Security Awards category.

He was recognised for his exceptional leadership, advocacy, and expertise in cybersecurity and data privacy, clinching the prize ahead of other finalists from the United States, the UAE, Qatar, the Netherlands, and the UK.

President Tinubu celebrates Dr Osakwe’s achievements, underscoring his immense contributions to cybersecurity and his efforts to evolve new horizons in the field.

The President described the 2025 Cyber Personality of the Year as an exceptional Nigerian and a worthy representation of Nigeria’s talented, innovative, and pace-setting youth.

While extolling the youth as Nigeria’s greatest asset, President Tinubu stated that Dr Osakwe’s nomination and subsequent win foreground the global impact of young African professionals in cybersecurity.

The President wished Dr Osakwe more success in his endeavours.

Insight Publicis, one of Nigeria’s leading integrated marketing communications agencies, has announced its decision to resign from the Airtel Nigeria account, effective immediately.

This decision follows an extensive evaluation of the engagement, during which both parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms that appropriately reflect the scope of work and the value Insight Publicis brings to the partnership.

While both organizations hold each other in high regard, the agency remains committed to engagements that align with its strategic priorities and industry benchmarks.

Speaking on this, Dolapo Ogunbambo, chief operating officer of Insight Publicis, said “Our commitment to excellence necessitates that we engage in partnerships where there is mutual alignment on value creation and strategic objectives.

“We have valued our association with Airtel Nigeria and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.”

Insight Publicis will ensure a seamless transition and remains focused on delivering exceptional marketing solutions to its diverse clientele across various industries. She said.

Founded in 1979, Insight Publicis is a pioneer in Nigeria’s marketing communications landscape, offering a full suite of services, including brand strategy, multimedia creative solutions, digital marketing, and consultancy. As part of the global Publicis Groupe, Insight Publicis combines deep local expertise with international insights to drive impactful brand storytelling and business growth.

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos Special Offences Court has scheduled March 19, 2025, for the continuation of the trial involving Ahmed Kuru, the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), and four others. They face allegations of defrauding Arik Air of ₦76 billion and $31.5 million.

During the proceedings on March 17, 2025, the court heard testimony from Mr. Peter Omokaro, a former Assistant General Manager at Union Bank Plc, who served as the first prosecution witness.

Omokaro detailed the bank’s role in facilitating aircraft purchases for Arik Air through guarantees provided to foreign banks, HSBC and US EXIM Bank. He clarified that Union Bank did not disburse cash for the acquisitions but later sold the guarantees to AMCON.

Omokaro also revealed that a meeting in London between AMCON, Union Bank, HSBC, and US EXIM Bank excluded Arik Air, the primary obligor. He stated that Union Bank attempted to rectify errors in the transaction but emphasized that the first and third defendants were not involved in the London meeting or the original transaction.

The defense counsel cross-examined Omokaro, who confirmed that the third defendant was not AMCON’s Managing Director at the time of the transaction and that he was unfamiliar with the second defendant. The court admitted Omokaro’s statement from the investigation as evidence.

The trial will resume on March 19, 2025, for further proceedings.