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Martell Names Adesope Olajide, Sheniece Charway, and Abdul Abdullah as Cultural Ambassadors

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Martell Names Adesope Olajide, Sheniece Charway, and Abdul Abdullah as Cultural Ambassadors

Martell, the iconic French cognac house, has taken its cultural influence further by unveiling three Cultural Ambassadors for Afrobeats during its Afrobeats Live event. The newly appointed ambassadors are Adesope Olajide, Sheniece Charway, and Abdul Abdullah, each chosen for their significant contributions to media, music, and culture.

Sheniece Charway

Strengthening Cultural Influence

This move aligns with Martell’s broader strategy to deepen its connection to Afrobeats culture — championing creativity and collaboration that reflects the genre’s energetic global momentum. Martell’s Cultural Partnerships & Influence Marketing Manager explained that while Afrobeats is a powerful cultural force, Martell seeks to walk alongside the movement with intentional support and integrity.

Adesope Olajide

Introducing the Ambassadors

  • Adesope Olajide (Shopsydoo) is a leading UK-based media personality and founder of The Afrobeats Podcast. His deep understanding of Afrobeats culture and media makes him a natural liaison.

  • Sheniece Charway brings her experience as a music executive and podcast host, offering critical industry insight and narrative-building expertise.

  • Abdul Abdullah, founder of AfroFuture Festival and Culture Management Group, contributes his extensive experience in cross-cultural storytelling and creative event-building.

Abdul Abdullah

What This Partnership Means

Beyond appointing ambassadors, Martell’s involvement — strengthened by its renewed partnership with Afrobeats heavyweight Davido — reflects a lasting commitment to the genre and its legacy. At the Paris event, Olajide moderated a panel on the evolution of Afrobeats, covering themes like talent development, storytelling, and cultural infrastructure.

A Move Toward Cultural Legacy

This initiative signals Martell’s belief that legacy is shaped through bold cultural engagement. By supporting key creative voices in media and music, the brand is emphasizing the importance of authenticity, collective progress, and impactful storytelling.

Orange expands OpenAI partnership, adds African language focus

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Orange expands OpenAI partnership, adds African language focus

French operator Orange has announced further collaboration with ChatGPT creator OpenAI, including accelerated use of African languages in AI models.

Tech support expert wearing headphones doing checkup on AI system
(SOURCE: DC STUDIO ON FREEPIK)

Telecoms operator Orange has announced further collaboration with ChatGPT creator OpenAI that includes incorporating several African languages into artificial intelligence (AI) models.

This is part of a bigger announcement from Orange that it will deploy OpenAI’s new advanced open-weight reasoning models, “gpt-oss-120b” and “gpt-oss-20b,” in its infrastructure.

It said this will make customers’ data even safer and meet the growing demand for sovereign, state-of-the-art AI solutions.

“As an early access partner, Orange is one of the first companies globally to deploy OpenAI’s new open models,” the French operator said in a statement.

Inclusive AI for Africa

Orange said a core focus of the collaboration was driving digital inclusion and AI innovation across Africa and accelerating the use of African languages in AI models.

The underrepresentation of African languages in large language models (LLMs) remains a barrier to AI adoption on the continent, with only a small fraction of Africa’s over 2,000 languages being supported.   

OpenAI’s gpt-oss models will enable Orange’s customers across its 18-country footprint in Africa and the Middle East to communicate naturally in their local languages with customer support, sales and marketing.

“In the future, Orange will release the customized AI models in open source for free, to local government authorities to use across its public services,” the telco said.

Orange’s operations in Africa and the Middle East are a key priority area for the French telco which last month said the region was the main contributor to revenue growth over the first six months of its financial year.

Futuristic AI chip on circuit board

OpenAI’s new models will enable Orange customers in Africa to communicate naturally in their local languages with customer support, sales and marketing. (Source: Freepik – AI-generated)

Steve Jarrett, chief AI officer at Orange, said the collaboration with OpenAI will drive new use cases to address sensitive enterprise needs, help manage its networks and enable new customer care solutions, including African regional languages.

Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer at OpenAI, said the tie-up shows how businesses can use open models “to solve real-world problems” like boosting network efficiency and improving African language support.

‘Frugal’ AI approach

Orange said it had a “frugal” AI approach – aiming for high performance with less computing power, less data and less energy as part of what it calls its “Responsible AI framework.”

Jarrett explained that the telco was looking to balance value generation while mitigating cost and environmental impact.

Orange said it can run the OpenAI models in its own data centers and directly manage and optimize the power consumption of the customized models to reduce emissions.

“By maintaining control over the deployment environment, Orange can host AI workloads locally across any of its 26-country footprint [globally], whilst safeguarding sensitive data and complying with diverse and evolving national regulations across Europe, Middle East, and Africa,” it said.  

New applications and services

Orange said the deployment of OpenAI’s open-weight reasoning models will also help it develop new applications and services for customers.

This includes natural language understanding in multiple languages for voice assistants and chatbots.

It will use AI to improve the quality and resilience of its networks and achieve higher levels of network automation.

It also sees an opportunity to offer custom AI solutions to its enterprise customers such as AI chatbots, advanced voice recognition-based services and AI analysis of sensitive data. 

Orange has already been using AI to optimize its networks in several African countries.

Former Orange Middle East and Africa deputy CEO Brelotte Ba told Connecting Africa at the end of 2024 that the company was investing in AI to increase automation and improve customer service.

Orange’s AI-based “Smart Capex” solution was first piloted in Spain and has now been rolled out in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali and Jordan to help optimize network capacity and streamline investment.

credit: connecting Africa

Arewa International Film Festival 2025 Officially Unveiled in a Cultural Milestone

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Arewa International Film Festival 2025 Officially Unveiled in a Cultural Milestone

In a landmark moment for Northern Nigeria’s creative industry, celebrated actress and cultural advocate Rahama Sadau officially unveiled the Arewa International Film Festival (AIFF) 2025, an ambitious platform designed to elevate the voices and stories of Northern creatives to a global audience.

Rahama Sadau and Hon. Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy

Speaking at the official press unveiling, Rahama Sadau described the event as the realization of a long-held vision — “a spark of a new era in Northern Nigeria’s creative landscape.” She emphasized that AIFF 2025 is more than a festival; it is a cultural rebirth, a movement, and a bold declaration that Northern stories deserve global recognition.

“AIFF 2025 is not just a festival.
It is a movement. A call to reimagine the creative possibilities of the North.
It’s our stories — told by us, shared with the world,” Rahama said passionately.

High-Level Stakeholder Support

The unveiling ceremony attracted key government and industry leaders, signaling strong institutional backing for the festival’s vision:

  • Hon. Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, delivered words of encouragement and highlighted the national importance of creative expansion, expressing unwavering support since the festival’s inception.

  • Dr. Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, praised the initiative and reaffirmed the Corporation’s full support from its early development stages.

  • Hajiya Aisha Augie, Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC), commended the festival as a beacon of pan-African creativity, highlighting her personal dedication to the project.

  • Rahama Abdulmajid Shareef, Personal Assistant to the President on Radio and Broadcast, was present to signify executive-level support for Nigeria’s cultural sector.

  • Ife Adebayo, National Coordinator of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE), emphasized the vital role of youth and digital innovation in the creative economy.

Rahama Sadau Unveils Arewa International Film Festival 2025

A Festival With Purpose

According to the founder, AIFF 2025 aims to be more than a celebration of film. It will be a multi-layered platform that promotes cultural identity, creative excellence, and economic empowerment through film screenings, workshops, industry masterclasses, and special showcases that spotlight the rich heritage of the Arewa region.

The event also acknowledged the dedication of the festival’s core team, whose hard work and resilience turned the dream into reality.

Looking Ahead

With the powerful support of federal institutions, cultural leaders, and private stakeholders, AIFF 2025 is positioned to become a defining force in the African creative space—amplifying Northern voices, transforming the narrative, and uniting the world through storytelling.

250 Deported Illegal Immigrants Is Not A Threat To Rwanda – President

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250 Deported Illegal Immigrants Is Not A Threat To Rwanda – President

This is the number of illegal immigrants deported from the United States that Rwanda is preparing to receive. An agreement to this effect was signed between Kigali and Washington last June for Rwanda to accept certain immigrants.

Donald Trump had already announced the expulsion of millions of foreigners illegally present in the United States. The Rwandan spokesperson stated that “Those accepted will receive vocational training, health care, and housing assistance to restart their lives.” Other African countries such as South Sudan and Eswatini have also begun accepting migrants.

Makolo emphasized that Rwanda’s willingness to participate in the relocation of migrants stems from its national experience with displacement and its long-standing principles of reintegration and rehabilitation.

Similarly, It could be recalled that Rwanda signed in 2022, aimed to transfer individuals seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda, where their cases would be processed. However, Britain’s Supreme Court ruled against the policy in September 2023, stating that Rwanda was not a safe destination for asylum seekers. Although the UK had already transferred a substantial portion of the agreed-upon funds, Rwandan officials insist that an additional £50 million is still owed.

BREAKING: K1 Had Alcohol In His Flask At Point Of Boarding — FAAN

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BREAKING: K1 Had Alcohol In His Flask At Point Of Boarding — FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that acclaimed King of Fuji, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1 De Ultimate, had alcohol with him at the point of boarding a Value Jet flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, Obiageli Orah, said this in a statement she issued over the incident involving K1 and Value Jet.

Recall that K1 De Ultimate was almost crushed when the pilot of the flight took off with him in front of the aircraft with some ground staff.

They had to duck for the wing of the aircraft not to hit his head.

Addressing the issue in the statement on Wednesday, Orah said: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to formally address the incident that occurred on Monday, 5th August 2025, at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The incident involved a notable Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (also known as K1 De Ultimate), and a pilot of ValueJet Airlines.

“Preliminary investigations confirmed that the passenger was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201). During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain.

“In accordance with international aviation security standards—specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17—liquids exceeding 100ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared. The passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.

“As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door.

“At this juncture, the passenger moved to the front of the aircraft and refused to leave the area despite repeated requests. He was ultimately escorted away by AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released.

“FAAN reiterates its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all passengers, crew, and airport personnel. The Authority will not tolerate any actions that compromise operational integrity or undermine aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.

“This matter remains under thorough investigation, and all parties found culpable will be held accountable according to the law.

“FAAN is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and regulatory compliance across all Nigerian airports.”

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES THREE NIGERIAN STUDENTS FOR EXCELLING AT GLOBAL COMPETITION

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES THREE NIGERIAN STUDENTS FOR EXCELLING AT GLOBAL COMPETITION

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli on emerging world champions in English language communication skills and debate at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, United Kingdom.

 

According to the press statement made available to us by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) August 6, 2025, Seventeen-year-old Nafisa was named the overall best in English language skills; 15-year-old Rukayya emerged as the overall best in debate, while Hadiza clinched the outstanding talent award (gold medal).

President Tinubu commends these exceptional young Nigerians for the feat and affirms that the nation’s future is much brighter with many of its youth as repositories of excellence.

 

The President also commends the institutions of learning and states that these accomplishments are a testament to the quality and potential of Nigeria’s education system as a nurturer of some of the world’s brightest minds.

 

President Tinubu believes that education is a critical element for national development; hence, his administration’s significant investment in the sector and the removal of financial barriers for indigent Nigerians seeking higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

 

The President encourages Nafisa, Rukayya, and Hadiza to remain steadfast in their studies and wishes them continued success.

 

I Bought That Car for $150K! Leave Me Alone!” — Shatta Wale Rants After Lamborghini Seizure

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I Bought That Car for $150K! Leave Me Alone!” — Shatta Wale Rants After Lamborghini Seizure

Ghanaian dancehall star, Shatta Wale, has lashed out in a f+ery outburst following the seizure of his Lamborghini by Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a viral video, the visibly agitated singer screamed:

“I bought the Lamborghini for $150,000! Ow! Ow, Charlie! After this thing, remember what I tell you? I will leave the car for you people! Don’t come to my house! Make nobody say they invite me!”

The seizure reportedly stems from an ongoing investigation into a $4.7 million fr@ud case involving one Adu Boahene, the alleged original owner of the exotic car. Shatta Wale claims he had no idea the vehicle was linked to any illicit dealings.

“Why am I coming here from Ghana? Because this car matter, we talk about, eh? You dig? I didn’t know it was from Adu Boahene,” he yelled in frustration.

The artist, known for his bold personality and explosive rants, made it clear he wants no part in the scandal, stating repeatedly:

“I will leave this car for you people. Don’t even try and say they invite me! I will wake up one day and go to the president!”

EOCO has yet to comment officially on the status of the investigation or whether Shatta Wale is being treated as a suspect or a witness.

 

BREAKING: Ghana’s defence, environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

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BREAKING: Ghana’s defence, environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

 

A helicopter crash has killed 8 people including the nation’s defence and environment ministers, according to Ghana’s government.

Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the victims of the crash in the southern Ashanti region of the country, said Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, on Wednesday.

“The president and the government extend their condolences and solidarity to the families of our comrades and soldiers who fell in their service to the nation,” said Debrah.

Also among the victims were Alhaji Muniru Muhammad, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Agriculture, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of President Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

The Ghanaian Air Force had reported earlier Wednesday that a military helicopter had disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Accra at around 09:00 (local time and GMT), bound for Obuasi, north-west of the capital.

Debrah announced that flags would be flown at half-mast.

The Presidency said that Mahama had suspended all his official activities for the day.

#amebonewshub

Leon Kiptum, fintech exec who believed in people and purpose, dies at 44

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Leon Kiptum, fintech exec who believed in people and purpose, dies at 44

When Leon Kiptum left his role at Flutterwave in June, his goodbye post on LinkedIn didn’t read like the end of a chapter; it felt like a gentle turning of the page. He wrote about slowing down, prioritising health, and reflecting on two intense years leading the East Africa business for one of Africa’s most high-profile fintechs.

 

“My time at Flutterwave,” he said, “has been incredibly insightful.” A month later, he was gone.

 

Kiptum passed away on August 3, aged 44, after a long battle with cancer. News of his death has hit the Kenyan fintech community hard. In the hours after it was announced, tributes poured in—from startup founders he mentored, former colleagues, board members, and friends—each remembering a different version of the same man: calm, wise, generous with his time, and quietly ambitious.

 

“He was a wonderful mentor to me at the start of my banking career, always cheering me on and offering invaluable guidance,” wrote Rosemary Muriungi, a customer relationship manager at Equity Bank.

 

He joined Flutterwave in 2023, at a tricky time for the company in Kenya. Regulators had started paying closer attention to the payments giant, as questions swirled around licensing and compliance. With his banking background and reputation, Kiptum was tapped to steady the ship.

 

He spent over a decade in the country’s major banks, rising through the ranks at Barclays (Absa), KCB Group, Credit Bank, and Family Bank, before leading digital banking at Sidian.

 

He later shifted into fintech, leading Chipper Cash’s operations in Kenya. Then came a stint at Betway, where he helped introduce online casino gaming to Kenya and ran local sports CSR campaigns.

 

But it was at Flutterwave that Kiptum faced some of his most complex leadership moments. As Senior Vice President and East Africa Regional Lead, he was tasked with not only growing the business but also navigating regulatory relationships, patching reputational gaps, and rebuilding trust with partners.

“Customer-centricity is paramount. Innovation is a daily grind. Your team is your greatest asset. These aren’t just ideas, they’re hard-earned truths,” Kiptum wrote in one of his last posts.

 

Colleagues and friends say what made Kiptum different was his groundedness. In a world where careers hinge on projection, he stood out by being deeply present, focused on the work, the people, and the purpose.

 

Outside his executive roles, Kiptum was a board member and deputy secretary general at the Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFIK), where he chaired partnerships and marketing. His fingerprints were all over the organisation’s more mature, unified posture in recent years.

 

At AFIK, he pushed for stronger industry representation, better engagement with policymakers, and more honest conversations between startups and regulators.

 

“Leon was more than a colleague; he was a transformative leader. His mission was to activate, inspire, and motivate everyone around him to be their best selves,” AFIK wrote in a tribute.

 

“His dedication to our fintech ecosystem extended beyond his professional role. As a Board Member of AFIK and advisor to numerous tech startups, Leon believed deeply in the power of innovation to create positive societal impact.”

 

Kiptum had just begun a new chapter at Rigour Africa, focused on helping startups grow with intention. He wanted to reshape how venture capital works for African founders, deepen coaching ecosystems, and show the next generation of leaders that it was okay to slow down.

 

Kiptum is survived by his three children—two boys and a girl—whom he frequently described as his greatest motivation.

Credit TechCabal

 

Airtel Africa signs multi-million dollar deal with Xtelify to deploy AI across 14 markets

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Airtel Africa signs multi-million dollar deal with Xtelify to deploy AI across 14 markets

Airtel Africa has entered a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership with Xtelify, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, to deploy a cutting-edge, AI-powered software platform aimed at simplifying telecom operations and improving customer experience across its 14 African markets.

Through the deal, Airtel Africa will deploy the Xtelify Data Engine and Xtelify Work platforms to empower its 150,000 field agents with deep market insights that enable micro-targeted strategies.

The technology will also support critical functions such as spam detection and fraud prevention, enhancing overall customer protection.

Xtelify’s new platform, launched this week, is designed to address complexity in telecom operations by offering an end-to-end solution that enhances service delivery, reduces churn, and increases average revenue per user (ARPU).

Replicating India’s success in Africa 

Airtel said it would deploy Xtelify IQ to drive secure, real-time, omnichannel customer engagement, thus positioning units to deliver hyper-personalized experiences and boost customer satisfaction.

“This partnership marks a transformative leap in our mission to build Africa’s digital future. By harnessing Airtel’s AI platforms that have proven scale in India, we are simplifying operations and accelerating personalized experiences across our 14 African markets,”said Group Chief Information Officer at Airtel Africa, Jacques Barkhuizen.

Bharti Airtel described the partnership as a strategic move that highlights the internal synergy between its African operations and its digital innovation arm.

“We are thrilled to partner with Airtel Africa. Combining our Xtelify platform with Airtel Africa’s vision will allow us to address industry-wide challenges like spam and fraud while ensuring customer protection and digital transformation,” said Chief Business Officer, Global Business, Bharti Airtel, Binod Srivastava.

Airtel cloud 

In addition to the Xtelify platform, Bharti Airtel also unveiled the ‘Airtel Cloud’, a sovereign, telco-grade cloud platform capable of handling up to 140 crore (1.4 billion) transactions per minute.

Initially built for Airtel’s operations in India, the platform is now being expanded to support businesses in the Indian market.

Hosted on next-generation sustainable data centers and managed by over 300 certified cloud experts, Airtel Cloud offers Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), advanced connectivity, and Gen-AI powered provisioning.

Telcos embrace AI

The move by Airtel comes as the latest in the race to leverage AI for transformation by African telecommunications operators.

  • Just recently, MTN Group also announcedthat it had begun deploying AI solutions to optimise network traffic and enhance service delivery in Nigeria, as part of a broader continent-wide strategy to transform its operations using responsible AI technologies.
  • The Group said AI is now being operationalised at scale across its operations under the “MTN Genova” transformation programme.
  • According to MTN, the deployment in Nigeria is part of a series of targeted AI use cases across key domains, including intelligent fuel consumption management for data centres in South Africa, dynamic energy management in Benin, and fibre cut sensing in Côte d’Ivoire.

 

 

 

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