Vbay blogs

🎥 Last week in Abuja, Institut Francais aired the documentary, #Freemen , about the centuries-old Igbo apprenticeship system known as ‘Igba Boi’. As part of their cultural exchange programme, the centre showcases films, music, art exhibitions, language programmes and other cultural activities. It provided much insight into the apprenticeship system and the experiences of Igbo traders. The Igbo apprenticeship system is regarded as one of the most powerful, community-driven models of entrepreneurship in Africa. Rooted in shared prosperity, it transforms young apprentices into business owners through on-the-job training and eventual capital support. Some business lessons it teaches include the power of collaboration, negotiation, continuous learning and improvement, and finding a niche when there are gaps. This informal yet structured system is said to have become the cornerstone of Igbo economic success, particularly after the Nigerian Civil War. As Ill Bliss (Nigerian rapper) narrate...

Breaking news! 😁 We are happy to announce that Nigeria has adopted its first menstrual health policy nationwide. This happened in Abuja on August 15, 2025. This new policy is all about breaking the stigma around menstruation, making sanitary products more affordable and accessible, and helping girls stay in school — even during their periods. It was officially approved by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and it’s a major win for gender equality and health. The policy tackles issues like shame, lack of information, and poor access to safe menstrual products — all of which can lead to girls missing school, dropping out early, or facing intimate partner violence, child marriage and early pregnancy. In short, it’s a game-changer and the vision is bold: by 2030, no girl in Nigeria should have to choose between her education and managing her period. More here https://von.gov.ng/nigeria-adopts-first-menstrual-health-policy-nationwide/ Thanks for stopping by. Don't f...

In Nigeria, there's this disturbing trend where individuals caught committing crimes or misconduct are publicly humiliated through exposure of their nudity. The recent incident involving the Ibom Air cabin crew and passenger, Comfort Emmanson, is an example. The circulation of footage showing her bare chest was unnecessary and dehumanizing. Such actions not only violate the individual's rights but also perpetuate a culture of shame and violence. ⚖️Legal Implications: The Cybercrime Act in Nigeria , specifically Section 24 , prohibits the dissemination of obscene or indecent content . Sharing such footage can result in severe consequences, including imprisonment or fines. 📢The Broader Impact: Weaponizing nudity as a form of punishment perpetuates gender-based violence. It sends a dangerous message that a person's body can be used as a tool for public shaming. It's important to recognize the harm caused by this practice and work towards creating a culture that val...

From July 16–17, 2025, the National Summit on The Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy held at Transcorp Hilton and Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja. Led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the summit brought together diverse Nigerian voices - elder statesmen, youth, civil society, diaspora, academia, religious leaders, market leaders, and more - to tackle this very question. 🎯 The consensus was clear: the 1999 Constitution, seen as a military imposition without the people's input, is responsible for many of Nigeria's systemic failures, including a weakened federal system, growing inequality, insecurity, and a decline in national pride. 🎯 The call to action? A new, inclusive, people-driven Constitution that reflects our aspirations for justice, equity, unity, accountability, and sustainable development. 🎊 Key resolutions aim to establish true federalism with greater autonomy for states and local government areas. The Summit pushed for signifi...

The Senate Committee’s public hearings on the review of the 1999 Constitution are taking place across zonal levels on the 4th and 5th of July 2025. This crucial engagement provides citizens the opportunity to contribute to shaping Nigeria’s constitutional future. It is also a critical opportunity for public engagement on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other matters of national significance. The hearings will mark a pivotal step in advancing inclusive governance and equitable representation. The Reserved Seats for Women Bill represents a move to ensure that the voices of women are fully represented in Nigeria’s legislative framework. Flashback: In March 2022, the National Assembly voted down five major gender-focused constitutional amendment bills, igniting a wave of nationwide protests and widespread public criticism. These proposed amendments aimed to advance gender equity and amplify women’s representation in politics. Among them was the bill on Special Seats for Women in ...

Lauren Sanchez, 55, stunned in a custom Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown as she married Jeff Bezos on June 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. The intricate Alta Moda gown took over 900 hours of artisanal work to create, featuring delicate lace, long sleeves, a corseted waist, and a high neckline inspired by Sophia Loren's 1958 film "Houseboat".  The mermaid-style skirt flowed elegantly to the floor, adorned with 180 hand-finished silk chiffon buttons. Sanchez described the dress as "not just a gown, a piece of poetry" and thanked Dolce & Gabbana for the "magic" behind its creation.  The wedding was a star-studded affair with guests including Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and was estimated to cost around $55 million. Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment, it helps us serve you better.

🌺 Yesterday marked a significant milestone with the first Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Summit in Abuja. The event brought together various government, educational, private, and civil society organizations dedicated to promoting the normalization of menstruation as a natural part of girls' and women's lives. During the summit, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs unveiled plans to formulate a policy on menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM), while the Federal Ministry of Budget committed to creating a budget line for MHHM in the upcoming 2026-2030 plans and Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The summit lamented that: ⭕ Women and girls in rural areas and conflict zones face challenges in accessing information and resources for menstrual health and hygiene management. ⭕ Females with disabilities often receive inadequate support and information regarding menstrual hygiene management. ⭕ Conversations about periods typically exclude boys and men, leading t...

Tech tycoon Jeff Bezos is getting married this weekend in Venice, Italy. A-list celebs such as Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady have started arriving. Meanwhile residents are protesting against the wedding. Find out why...  Jeff Bezos, Laura Sanchez to marry in Venice amid protests – DW – 06/27/2025 https://share.google/uoxCAnY8QPH3FV7tt Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment, it helps us serve you better.

Today's discussion on "Hate Speech & Artificial Intelligence" shed light on the worrisome amplification of hate speech by new communication technologies, posing threats to peace, development, and human rights. Four key takeaways from the conversation: ⭐ In the first quarter of 2025, #Meta removed 3.4 million pieces of content due to violations of guidelines on hateful content, highlighting the significant impact of AI in this context. ⭐ It is important for African governments to develop homegrown AI platforms that align with local culture, moving away from reliance on foreign technologies. ⭐ NGOs play a vital role in emphasizing that hate speech is a human rights violation, and promoting the importance of ethical AI practices. ⭐ More Nigerians should be digitally literate. This will help them  to detect and report hate speech. These discussions underscore the critical need for proactive measures to address the challenges posed by hate speech in the digital era. ...

The rise of new communication technologies has amplified hate speech, spreading divisive ideologies worldwide. If unchecked, it threatens peace and development, fueling conflicts and human rights violations. Join the conversation today June 17, by 11am WAT to discuss “Hate Speech & Artificial Intelligence” in commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Register here 👉 https://bit.ly/3Zx65su Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment, it helps us serve you better.

Photo: Nigerian Tribune Multiple award winner, Wyclef Jean, partners with Niger state government on cutting edge innovations in technology. Read all about it here... https://tribuneonlineng.com/wyclef-jean-etsu-nupe-to-partner-govt-on-fostering-tech-innovation/   Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment, it helps us serve you better.

To think of being much without doing much is to find your life’s efforts a waste. Likewise, to dream of doing much without being much. Are you willing to choose the paths and make the sacrifices that will take you from where you are to where you ought to be? Who do you want to be in the future? Who do you want to be now? Are you willing to become the person you desire to be?

An adage goes like this, ‘when things get more difficult, be more determined than ever to succeed’. This implies that no matter how tough it is out there we are encouraged to keep pushing because it is only through determination that we can succeed. When the odds are against us, it is very tempting to choose the easiest way out – to give up. When we give up, we will never know what lies at the other end of the ocean. Also, when we are afraid, we give ourselves all sorts of reasons to stop trying. 

Where we are at any point in time is as a result of the choices we have made. The right to choose is the most precious gift given to us because it has the power to impact any situation we find ourselves, for better or for worse. The difference between being the smartest, most award-winning individual yet standing on the same spot year after year with no progress, and being not-so academically smart with no awards tied to your name yet moving from one level of promotion, progress, bigger and better opportunities, lies in what we have done with the choices at our disposal.

Entrepreneurship means different things to different people. First, are you in an environment of possibilities? Is there an ecosystem of entrepreneurial activity? Do you have the mindset to start a business that can exploit the voids/gaps in your market? Borrowing to fund your business is not bad. There are different sources of borrowing. It's however essential that you are sure of your business objectives before accessing any credit facility.

What's a financial services company (Square) got to do with a music streaming app (Tidal)? Plenty. “New ideas are found at intersections, and we believe there’s a compelling one between music and the economy,” said Twitter's Jack Dorsey, on the 4th of March 2021, as Square buys Tidal for $297 million. “Making the economy work for artists is similar to what Square has done for sellers,” Jack tweeted. “Square created ecosystems of tools for sellers and individuals, and we’ll do the same for artists.” Square's products include POS machines and debit cards to support small businesses.

I read an article which said that African hair is thick and tightly curled in order to protect the skull from excessive heat. Elsewhere, someone wrote that the compulsory cutting of hair in many African schools is linked to colonialism – a way to control the African identity. African hair comes in various textures ranging from rough to silky. It can also grow beyond the buttocks, whether silky or kinky. Take Daddy Showkey’s hair for instance. This blog post will discuss ways to manage the “thick, woolly” - according to my social studies textbook - type, which for a long time, many blacks have been ashamed of.

I believe everyone was born with talent, yet m any people die without activating them .  As children, we are loaded with our true personalities, our calling, and a deep connection to the creative force. But as we grow older, we tend to forget who we were as children and who we are created to be.  In pursuit of academic qualifications, climbing up the career ladder, or competing with others, we often forget that life is filled with endless possibilities and we all came into this world alone, with special gifts - our talents - something we are very good at, that comes naturally to us . Our gift and service to humanity. Most successful people who walked this earth; regardless of being early or late bloomers, their

The two time-tested secrets to financial stability are saving and discipline. You cannot be financially stable or free from debt if you cannot control your spending habit. To be free from financial problems you must also live within your means; more spending equals less money in your pockets. To be able to save a lot, you will have to sacrifice a lot of luxury. Research has shown that millennials are the highest spenders followed by the generation before them. Getting out of debt is a conscious decision you need to make. Maintaining a savings or personal finance principle for unpredictable times is crucial to having a happy and prosperous year. These 9 tips can help you to become financially free this year: