A new two-month programme using sport to empower vulnerable young people and strengthen communities against crime has launched across three Lagos Local Government Areas, thanks to a partnership between UK charity Clean Herts Community (CHC), the UK Home Office, TAG International, and the British High Commission in Lagos.

The programme, running from September to November 2025, will provide boxing and football coaching alongside life skills training and mentoring to young people in:

• Ajeromi – Boxing

• Ikorodu – Boxing and Football
• Ifako Ijaiye – Boxing

The initiative was officially launched at EliteBox Gym on 15 September, with training sessions now underway across the three Local Government Areas. Local coaches will deliver regular community-based sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills, and create positive opportunities for participants.

Speaking at the launch, British Deputy High Commissioner Simon Field said:

“ The UK is proud to support this initiative alongside CHC and TAG International. This programme demonstrates how international and local partnerships can provide young Nigerians with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive, and build local communities that are resilient against crime”

Nikita Joshua, Director of CHC, said:

“ We are excited to return to Lagos after our successful pop-up earlier this year. Sports has the power to transform lives, instil discipline, and provide young people with alternatives to crime. This programme is about showing young people that hard work, resilience, and sincerity can open up brighter futures.”

Mr Adekunle Lamikanra, Coordinator of Ikorodu Crime Prevention Partnership (CPP), said:

“This programme creates positive pathways for our young people by harnessing the power of sport. Football and boxing build resilience, instil discipline, and draws them away from the streets. Just as important are the mentoring sessions which speak directly to their minds and help them resist negative influences such as cultism and cybercrime. With continuous funding and support, programmes like this must remain a constant in our communities to safeguard our youths and to build a better future for all.”

Programme Background

Earlier in March 2025, CHC carried out its first international giveback in Lagos, where over 45 young people showcased their boxing, football, and digital skills. That event, supported by partners including the British High Commission Lagos, EliteBox Fitness, TAG International, Cleen Foundation, and Cyber Security Education Initiative (CYSED), demonstrated the positive impact of structured youth engagement.

Building on this success, the September–November programme will extend CHC’s reach and deepen its engagement at the grassroots of Lagos communities. The initiative is part of the wider Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme, funded by the UK Home Office and implemented in Nigeria by TAG International.

“I’ve been looking for the opportunity to go big and showcase my sound to the world, let people hear my experiences and my journey,” Lagos-based singer, Mogueto confessed.

He was born Gbadamosi Ibrahim Gbolahan. Raised in Ibadan, he has been chasing music since secondary school, sneaking headphones into the hostel to practice songs with friends and eventually, moving to Lagos to chase his dreams.

When he stumbled on the Next Afrobeats Star (NAS) auditions while scrolling Instagram, he knew it was the chance he had been waiting for.  he said.

The audition process delivered lessons. “I’m going to actually take the fact that I built the courage to come here, and I did something,  it shows that okay, there’s more that I can do.” Beyond the stage, he also found connections with other artists whose sounds align. “We shared our social media handles, and we’re hoping to make something out of the connection.”

For Hope Kesemen, better known as Specta, the Lagos auditions were about pushing her creativity. A singer-songwriter who also doubles as a lawyer and business owner, she has always found ways to bring humor into music. “When I was in secondary school, I would always just remix songs, make popular songs funny, songs about garri and stuff like that.”

But her path hasn’t been simple. “I come from a family where my father is a pastor,” she explained. “Breaking out of that to explore my creativity has been a challenge. My mother was never cool with it. But I got a little bit of support from my dad, and that little support helped me a lot.”

Then there was Praise Okafor, AKA Rohila, an 18-year-old model and singer who came looking for more than just the prize. Though not her first audition, she said the NAS platform felt bigger and more validating. “The exposure, the cameras, everything makes me feel like this is where I belong,” she said. “Regardless of what happens, my takeaway is to be myself and do what I love.” For her, music is a family affair. “We all sing, like my mom sings. We are living this for her dream, but also for ourselves.”

The Lagos leg of Next Afrobeats Star (NAS) lit up Ultima Studios from September 5 to 8, pulling in hundreds of young talents eager to prove they belong on the Afrobeats stage. For many, it wasn’t just about chasing a $100,000 music deal with ONErpm, it was about testing themselves and finding their place in Nigeria’s most dynamic music scene.

By the close of auditions, it was clear why NAS matters. The talent is abundant, but platforms like this give young voices the visibility, mentorship, and access they need to break through. Next stop: Abuja on September 13 and 14, then Port Harcourt on September 20 and 21.

Sahara Group, a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate, is celebrating the recognition of two of its business leaders on the African Energy Chamber’s 2025 “20 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars” list, a landmark that reinforces the company’s role in shaping the next generation of global energy leadership.

Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, Head of Integrated Gas Ventures at Asharami Energy, and Yetunde Sorinola, Chief Financial Officer of Egbin Power Plc, were named among the continent’s rising stars for their outstanding contributions to Africa’s energy sector.

Their recognition reflects a wider global shift as the energy industry navigates the twin imperatives of expanding access to power and advancing a just energy transition.

The “20 Under 40” list shines an international spotlight on women who are redefining Africa’s oil, gas, and renewable industries, at a time when the continent’s leadership in innovation and resilience is increasingly shaping global conversations.

Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka, Executive Director at Sahara Group, described the recognition as evidence of Sahara’s long-standing commitment to empowering leaders who drive impact across Africa and beyond. “Mariah and Yetunde embody the Sahara spirit of resilience, innovation, and excellence. Their achievements demonstrate our commitment to Making A Difference by nurturing talent that can thrive on the global stage while bringing energy to life responsibly for communities across the continent and the globe,” she said.

Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, said the recognition also reflects Sahara’s people-focused strategy across the energy value chain. “At Sahara, our people strategy is centered on growing expertise and giving our employees platforms to express their abilities maximally, both within and outside the workplace. Our core values of being disruptively creative and ambidextrous empower every member of our team to harness their potential, drive innovation, and deliver impact that transcends borders,” Obioma noted.

As Head of Integrated Gas Ventures, Lucciano-Gabriel has been a driving force behind Sahara’s midstream gas business, accelerating revenue growth and expanding access to cleaner energy. “Being named among such a dynamic cohort of women is a powerful reminder that Africa has the talent and vision to lead global energy conversations,” she said. “This recognition inspires me to keep pushing boundaries, driving innovative gas solutions that can fuel inclusive growth” Lucciano-Gabriel added.

Sorinola, who leads the finance operations of Egbin Power Plc — Africa’s largest privately-owned thermal power plant — has built a reputation for strong governance, compliance, and financial stewardship of capital-intensive projects. “This honor belongs to the entire Egbin and Sahara team whose collective drive makes our work possible,” Sorinola noted. “We know that reliable power is the bedrock of economic progress and community empowerments and our focus at Sahara remains on championing financial governance, sustainability, and mentoring the next generation of leaders who will power Africa’s future.”

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, added “These women are not only recognized for their amazing careers, but for their work and commitment across their respective communities. This is what happens when women are given opportunities to lead in the industry; going beyond executing their jobs to championing communities and mentoring others to become part of the larger African energy family.”

With operations in over 42 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Sahara Group continues to drive equitable career growth across an inimitably diverse and growing workforce of more than 5,000 irrepressible people committed to Making A Difference, bringing energy to life responsibly.