emPLE has announced a strategic partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH) and Bastion Health to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 through its emPOWERHer campaign.
This community-focused health initiative aims at promoting preventive healthcare for women and their children.
Taking place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, by 8am at emPLE’s headquarters in Lagos, the initiative brings together public and private-sector partners to offer free screenings, vaccinations, and wellness activities in a unified call to action for proactive women’s health.
Under the collaboration, LSMOH will lead specialised medical interventions, including cervical and breast cancer screenings as well as free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for girls aged 9–14. Bastion Health will coordinate routine health checks, such as hypertension screening, blood sugar tests, and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments.
The programme will start with an awareness walk from emPLE’s head office to Muri Okunola Junction, and back, symbolising collective advocacy for women’s wellbeing. This will be followed by a cardio and fitness session, along with a full range of health screenings.
Commenting on the initiative, Olalekan Oyinlade, Managing Director/CEO of emPLE General Insurance Limited, said, “International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that protecting women’s wellbeing requires practical action. Through emPOWERHer and our partners in Lagos State and Bastion Health, we are helping remove barriers to early detection and prevention by bringing essential services closer to the community.
Also commenting, Jolaolu Fakoya, Acting Managing Director/CEO of emPLE Life Assurance Limited, stated that “When women have access to timely screening, routine checks, and credible health information, outcomes improve for families and for the next generations. emPOWERHer reflects our commitment to empowering Nigerians, especially our women, to take proactive steps toward protecting their health.”
The event is also supported by Sosa Fruit Drinks, which will provide its refreshing fruit drinks to participants. Activities for the day include an awareness walk, cardio and fitness session, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, hypertension checks, blood sugar level tests, BMI assessments, and free HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14.

Leadway, Nigeria’s leading non-banking financial and wellbeing conglomerate, has deepened its commitment to the growth of the nation’s creative industry by sponsoring the +234 Art Fair for the third consecutive year.
Leadway’s continued sponsorship underscores its belief in creative expression as a powerful driver of cultural and national development. Through its partnership with the +234 Art Fair, Leadway provides not only financial backing but also strategic support to strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy and nurture long-term artistic talent.
This year’s edition of the +234 Art Fair takes place from March 5–8, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos. The 2026 fair places strong emphasis on Inclusivity, a principle that goes beyond a slogan to shape how the fair is curated, experienced, and remembered. The approach ensures broader access, diverse representation, and meaningful engagement across Nigeria’s artistic landscape.
“At Leadway, we recognise the creative industry as an essential part of Nigeria’s cultural and economic fabric. A true national soft power,” said Managing Director, Leadway Pensure, Olusakin Labeodan on behalf of the Leadway Group.
“Beyond the artistic value, the creative sector contributes meaningfully to job creation, fosters innovation, and enterprise development. Our partnership with the +234 Art Fair reflects our commitment to supporting structured platforms that provide emerging creatives with access to markets, mentorship, and sustainable growth opportunities.”
Launched in 2024, the +234 Art Fair has quickly become one of Nigeria’s most important platforms for emerging and unrepresented artists. The fair brings together painters, sculptors, photographers, and digital artists, creating opportunities to connect with collectors, art enthusiasts, and industry stakeholders. It has established itself as a vital avenue for professional development and increased visibility within both local and international art markets.
By centering inclusivity, the fair highlights the importance of accessible opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and communities within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. This focus reinforces its commitment to broad representation and equitable participation in the arts.
“For more than fifty years, Leadway has stood as a pillar of innovation and impact in Nigeria. We recognise that investing in the institutions that shape our society is not only a responsibility, but a strategic imperative for national progress. Our support for the +234 Art Fair is an expression of this commitment to inclusive growth, cultural preservation, and generational nation-building. We are determined to champion platforms that empower emerging talent and ensure that our legacy endures across Nigeria’s creative landscape”, said Labeodan.
Leadway has been an active partner of the +234 Art Fair since the fair’s earliest edition, supporting the initiative while helping artists connect with collectors, curators, and new audiences. Beyond the fair, this approach reflects the company’s broader ethos of backing platforms that create lasting value across communities, industries, and society.

BusinessToday Communication Limited has announced the confirmed lineup of speakers for its 10th Annual Conference and Exhibition, holding on April 2 at Oriental Hotel in Lagos.
The theme of the conference is “Youth Advantage: Redefining Insurance and Pensions for a New Era.”
According to the organisers, this year’s edition will focus on how young Nigerians can drive innovation, inclusion, and long-term sustainability within the insurance and pension sectors.
Chief Strategist, MelvinAfrica, Chiamaka Ugo-Obidike, will be the Keynote Speaker.
Ugo-Obidike is a client strategy and enterprise growth executive with nearly two decades of experience spanning banking, insurance, and capital markets. She is known for building client-centric operating models that enhance revenue retention, drive customer acquisition, and position organisations for sustainable growth in dynamic financial markets.
Other confirmed speakers are: Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN); Anthonia Ifeanyi-Okoro, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp); Mr. Kunle Ahmed, Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA); Mr. Adedayo Arowojolu, MD/CEO of Unitrust Insurance Company Limited; Dr. Japhet Ogueri Duru, MD/CEO of Universal Insurance Plc; and Ms. Idu Okwuosa-Okeahialam, Group Managing Director of Royal Exchange Plc.
The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Olusegun Omosehin and the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, are also expected to participate.
Both regulatory agencies will engage stakeholders on reforms aimed at expanding access, simplifying processes, and encouraging youth participation in insurance and pension schemes.
According to the Convener, Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor, the conference will feature a youth dialogue session themed “Insurance Reforms Made Simple,” designed to demystify industry changes for young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Another key session, “Start Young, Retire Strong: The PPP Advantage,” will explore how early participation in pension plans can strengthen long-term financial security.
Now in its 10th edition, the conference is expected to attract over 20 speakers and more than 300 participants drawn from insurance, pensions, banking, capital markets, information technology, entertainment, media, and the broader financial services ecosystem.
Students from the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, and Trinity University are also expected to attend, alongside members of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) and the Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN).
Organisers say the event will emphasise the need to modernise insurance and pension products in line with the realities of the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and the growing gig workforce, with the ultimate goal of building a more inclusive and responsive financial protection system for young Nigerians.