Author: Salisu Sani-Idris

By Taiye Olayemi

The Nigeria International Lighting Expo (NILE) 2025 will showcase low-carbon technology in Lagos from Sept. 17 to Sept. 19.

The Expo is organised by Zhongsheng International Business (Zhongshan) Co. Ltd.

At a news conference on Saturday, Ms Lisa Lin, General Manager of Zhongshan Company Ltd., said the event would hold at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.

She said the Expo would explore the theme ‘Zero-Carbon Lighting: Supporting Nigeria’s Energy Transition Goals’, which aligns with the nation’s energy transformation agenda.

Lin noted that the exhibition would provide a platform to showcase low-carbon and smart lighting technologies, while boosting Nigeria’s lighting industry and enhancing global influence.

She disclosed that the exhibition would attract nearly 100 top exhibitors, including C-TORCH, AKT, VELLMAX, OKELI, BLUE CARBON, SHINNINGSTAR and VANGE SOLAR.

According to her, the Expo will cover 3,000 square metres and host over 5,000 professional visitors and buyers from Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

“The Expo will feature commercial, decorative and outdoor landscape lighting, alongside products for industrial use, stage entertainment, transport, medical applications and vehicle lighting.

“It will also showcase solar-powered lighting, LED innovations, intelligent display systems, advanced manufacturing materials and precision testing equipment,” she added.

Lin stressed that the Expo would drive regional industrial collaboration and position Nigeria as a gateway to the African market.

Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel Akintubosun, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Energy, reaffirmed government’s commitment to energy transition.

He said this had been demonstrated through solar street lights, energy-efficient public lighting and integration of smart technology.

Akintubosun urged collaboration with international manufacturers and technology providers to foster innovation and create opportunities for Nigeria’s energy sector.

On his part, Mr Xu Fan, Director of Commercial and Trade Affairs at the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, said the Expo would enhance Nigeria-China trade relations.

He noted that demand for high-quality, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting products in Nigeria was growing as consumers increasingly embraced smart and sustainable solutions.

Xu added that China was ready to strengthen partnerships with Nigeria through zero-tariff treatment and deepen bilateral ties under the China-Nigeria strategic partnership framework.

“China is willing to sign an economic partnership agreement with Nigeria, implementing zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines.

“Through concrete actions, we aim to deepen the China-Nigeria strategic partnership and build a high-level community with a shared future,” Xu said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi and Olamide Akintunde

Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, has urged senior and retired engineers to mentor younger professionals to sustain excellence and inspire resilience in engineering.

Its Chairman, Dr Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi, made the appeal on Wednesday at the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, Awards and Election, held at the APWEN Lagos Resource and Innovation Hub, University of Lagos.

“Mentorship is at the heart of our progress.

“We encourage our senior and retired members to stay actively engaged with younger professionals because their wealth of experience is invaluable to building confidence and resilience in the next generation,” Owolabi said.

She noted that APWEN Lagos had impacted hundreds of young female engineers through its mentorship and capacity-building programmes, including the SheEngineers Consultancy Apprenticeship Programme (SECAP).

According to her, SECAP has empowered 200 young female engineers and reached more than 1,500 girls through STEM education.

Owolabi highlighted that the newly inaugurated APWEN Lagos Innovation and Resource Hub at UNILAG was one of the chapter’s achievements, serving as a platform for collaboration, mentoring, and knowledge sharing between senior and younger engineers.

“As part of bridging the classroom and real-world experience, we organised site visits to Schneider Electric, Greenpeg Engineering, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, and other leading organisations. We guided career paths, created apprenticeship opportunities, and expanded our student chapters across UNILAG, YABATECH, and LASU,” she said.

The outgoing chairman also listed other milestones, including training members in AutoCAD and digital manufacturing, cybersecurity workshops, and the SHEnovation Hackathon, which attracted over 100 submissions.

She added that the chapter’s membership base had grown by more than 120 new members, with stronger student-to-professional transitions to ensure sustainability.

Owolabi, who handed over to new executives at the AGM, expressed confidence that the chapter’s initiatives would continue to expand opportunities for young female engineers while promoting innovation and leadership in the industry.

By Taiye Olayemi

Whitecrust Finance Company says it provided loans to no fewer than 16,000 civil servants, small businesses, and individuals across the country within the last two years.

Mr Kingsley Eremionkhale, Managing Director, company, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Eremionkhale, described the development as a major milestone in the company’s mission to empower Nigerians.

He said the milestone reflected the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and its resolve to support underserved groups such as civil servants, women, youths, and the elderly.

He said, “We have seen first-hand the incredible resilience of our people, especially civil servants, who are the economy’s backbone; the entrepreneurial drive of our women and youths, and the wisdom of our elderly who continue to contribute to our society.

“Our mission is to meet these groups where they are, understand their unique challenges, and provide simple, flexible financial products that are tailored for them.

“This milestone of empowering 16,000 individuals in two years is more than a number; it is a testament to our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable economy.

“We are proud to be a partner in their journey to success and will continue to work tirelessly to extend our reach across Nigeria and Africa at large.”

Eremionkhale noted that obtaining a licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had further strengthened the company’s operations.

According to him, some of the firm’s financial products included Term Investment, Hiyield Investment Coupon, Fixed Term Investment, Senior Citizen Investment, and Target Investments such as Relief, Early Starters, and Vacay.

Whitecrust Finance is a subsidiary of Whitecrust Investment Ltd., which provides loans, business advisory, and investment solutions aimed at empowering individuals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, on Friday organised a free STEM holiday camp for girls in Makoko community.

The initiative, held in honour of Dr Felicia Agubata, a past president of the association, aimed to inspire girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Speaking at the event, APWEN Lagos Chairman, Dr Atinuke Owolabi, said the camp was designed to nurture curiosity and encourage early engagement with STEM subjects among young girls.

She explained that the camp also marked World Humanitarian Day, serving as a platform for APWEN to give back by empowering future female innovators and problem solvers.

“The focus is on girls aged six to twelve, a crucial stage where curiosity is high and proper guidance can ignite a lifelong passion,” Owolabi said.

Through fun experiments, STEM games, drawing and quiz competitions, the holiday camp sought to build enthusiasm and endear the participants to science and engineering.

Owolabi stressed that science and technology were vital tools for nation-building and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to ensuring no girl was excluded from STEM education.

She urged government, the private sector, community leaders and families to collaborate in supporting girl-child education and empowerment, stressing the need for collective responsibility.

Owolabi also commended APWEN partners, volunteers and the STEM Committee for their efforts, encouraging the girls to remain bold, curious and confident in pursuing their dreams.

In her remarks, Dr Agubata encouraged the girls to stay determined in their studies, noting that her rural upbringing in Anambra never hindered her growth.

She said that rural life should not be seen as a barrier and emphasised that faith in God and commitment to learning could unlock success.

According to her, education enabled her to travel the world and achieve financial independence, proving that discipline and perseverance remain vital tools for advancement.

Agubata urged the girls to cultivate obedience, honesty, respect and strong character, while prioritising education as the gateway to exceeding their expectations and achieving greatness.

She further described STEM as a driver of economic growth and advised the participants not to allow environmental circumstances to limit their ambitions.

In a remarkable gesture, Agubata awarded a scholarship to Miss Adijat Ajeigbe, an out-of-school girl, covering her education from primary to university level.

Ajeigbe, recently bereaved and with a deaf and dumb mother, said the scholarship rekindled her hope and renewed her determination to pursue her dreams.

Mrs Gbemisola Lanre-Shobona guided the children through basic engineering concepts, demonstrating a volcano eruption experiment using vinegar and baking soda, alongside lessons in electronics and magnetism.

The event also featured career talks, STEM games, fun experiments, drawing contests, scholarships for disadvantaged girls, and other activities designed to spark interest in engineering.

Commending the initiative, Chief Akeem Adeshina, Baale of Makoko, praised APWEN for bringing the camp to the community and pledged support in guiding children towards engineering.

He described the Makoko people as transparent and peaceful, while welcoming continued collaboration with APWEN for the empowerment of the community’s younger generation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)