Category Archives: NEC

Timi Dakolo is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and recording artist widely celebrated as one of the country’s leading voices in soul and contemporary music. He rose to national prominence after winning the inaugural season of Idols West Africa in 2007, a launch that established him as a powerful vocalist with a distinctive storytelling style.

Timi’s discography includes critically acclaimed singles such as Iyawo Mi, Wish Me Well, The Vow, Medicine, and I Never Know Say, as well as his debut album Beautiful Noise.

Known for his rich vocals and emotionally resonant lyrics, Timi has received numerous accolades, including the Headies Award for Best Vocal Performance (Male). Beyond music, he is recognized for lending his voice to social issues.

So join Timi for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Yolanda Okereke is a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur, creative producer, and renowned costume designer known for her work in Nollywood. With a career spanning over a decade, she has worked on some of Nigeria’s most iconic film and television productions, shaping their visual narratives through her costume designs. She is the founder of The Rani Company, a leading costume design and styling firm, and co-produced the reality fashion show Style Magnate on Showmax. In addition to her costume work, she serves as a creative producer for film and television.

She has also played a key role in crafting iconic looks, contributing her creative genius to the success of major productions such as House of Ga’a, Seven Doors, and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

She won an award for her work on Asoebi Diaries at the 2025 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) and was also honored at FAME Week Africa for Best Fashion Collaboration Film. She has also received nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. In 2022, Okereke became the first African costume designer to host a masterclass at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.

So Join Yolanda for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Ekemini Ekerette, known as Kemen, is a master trainer, wellness entrepreneur, and movement architect redefining Africa’s fitness landscape. As founder of 6PN Global Ventures, co-founder of PureFitness Africa, and creator of the Mental Muscle Movement, he leads a revolution where mental strength, physical excellence, and spiritual discipline unite. From headlining fitness festivals like VerveLife to curating immersive formats like BiteTabataWithKemen, his work goes beyond workouts – inspiring self-mastery, resilience, and personal power. As Technogym Master Trainer for West Africa, he develops trainers, designs elite programs, and consults for premium gyms, wellness resorts, and corporate wellness initiatives. Through his leadership at PureFitness Africa, Kemen champions community-driven, world-class fitness experiences, bridging indoor performance and outdoor vitality. With a presence that commands and a message that transforms, Kemen isn’t just building bodies – he’s building a movement empowering Africa to train harder, think deeper, and live stronger.

So Join Kemen for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Henry Ekechukwu is a visionary communications leader and the Chief Executive Officer of HUCE VALERIS, an award-winning perception management and signature events design company renowned for curating distinctive, brand-focused experiences that connect deeply with audiences through powerful experiential touchpoints.

With over two decades of professional experience spanning media consultancy, corporate communications, and sustainable development programme management, Henry has built a career at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and impact. Before founding HUCE VALERIS, he served as Vice President, Corporate Brand and Strategy Communications at Dunn Loren Merrifield Group, a leading private investment banking firm.

Under his leadership, HUCE VALERIS has delivered standout social marketing and event campaigns for global brands including Netflix, USAID, TikTok, Apple, Nexford University, Accelerate Africa, Nigerian University of Technology & Management (NUTM), and the World Bank Group, among others.

An accomplished, multiple-award-winning journalist, documentary producer, and long-standing Conference Coordinator of NECLive, Henry also brings an aesthetic sensibility as a professional interior space designer trained at the Interior Design School, London.

He holds a Master of Arts in Media Management (specialising in Strategic Business Communication) from the University of Westminster, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), United Kingdom.

So Join Henry for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Tomiwo Ojo is a Storyteller and content strategist shaping digital media in Nigeria. He is the Head of Content at Black House Media, overseeing editorial operations for Netng, Neusroom, 234Star, and Orin—platforms reaching millions of Africans globally.
Previously, he led the editorial team at Nigerian tech journal Technext, where he drove significant audience growth and served as Managing Editor for ElectHER. He has also held editorial roles at PACE Sports and Entertainment and Opera News Nigeria, building a reputation for data-driven storytelling and impactful journalism.

His work spans politics, culture, sports, and technology, consistently elevating African narratives through strategic content leadership. He studied at the University of Ibadan and holds professional certifications from Reuters and Google in journalism, data analytics, and digital marketing.

So Join TOMIWO for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Seyitan Atigarin is a TV presenter, broadcast journalist, and media entrepreneur. She is the founder of Abebi and The Good News Anchor, platforms dedicated to storytelling, culture, and community. With a career spanning television, radio, and digital media, Seyitan has worked with leading Nigerian and international platforms, including Channels TV, EbonyLife, Red TV, Inspiration FM, and Arise News Television.

She holds a Master’s degree in International Broadcast Journalism from Birmingham City University, as well as a BA in Mass Communication from Covenant University, Ota.

Known for her vibrant on-screen presence and deep cultural insight, Seyitan has covered some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the 2023 Oscars, the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, the 67th GRAMMY Awards, and the MET Gala. She currently serves as an international correspondent and Head of the Entertainment & Culture Desk at Arise News, where she leads coverage on global entertainment, fashion, and cultural affairs

So Join Seyitan for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Kolapo Olapoju is an award-winning journalist, writer and communications strategist. As editor of TheCable, Nigeria’s leading knowledge-driven digital newspaper, he has been at the forefront of several landmark initiatives, including the launch of the fact-check desk and desks focusing on climate, gender, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). In May 2023, he helped unveil TheCable DINA, Nigeria’s first disability-inclusive news app, earning acclaim and a Google News Innovation Challenge award.

Olapoju’s reporting has exposed lead contamination, environmental degradation, and underage labour, influencing policy decisions. His advocacy on menstrual hygiene management contributed to the federal government’s VAT exemption for sanitary products. He has collaborated with nonprofits like Global Rights Nigeria, and his work has informed global research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Olapoju is a DAME Awards winner, Fetisov Journalism Awards nominee and an alumnus of the Czech Republic’s Young African Leaders Programme. With 15 years shaping Nigeria’s digital media landscape, Olapoju was recently included in the New Media Conference list of 100 digital disruptors of the last decade.

So join Olapoju for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Hero Daniels (born Ifeanyichukwu Daniel, 26 April 1995) is a Nigerian comedian, TV host, presenter and content creator from Anambra State.

He began his media journey aged 13 as a presenter at Anambra Broadcasting Service. Over the years, he has hosted shows for Ebonylife TV, Linda Ikeji TV, and major productions. As a comedian, Hero has also created online skits and performed live across Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania. In 2021, he held his one-man comedy special “That’s a Joke Right?” and later planned “Black Friday Child.”

He made a notable move by taking True Love Games, his online dating reality show, to Cape Town, South Africa, expanding its reach beyond Nigeria. Known for his wit, family-friendly humour and engaging presence, Hero Daniels continues to build a multi-faceted career combining hosting, comedy, and digital content.

So join Hero for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun is a passionate storyteller and multi-talented journalist with over 12 years’ experience in broadcast journalism. After more than a decade in broadcast journalism, she remains passionate about bringing new voices and narratives to the forefront. An award-winning broadcaster, Tolulope is dedicated to perfecting her craft and bringing the best of journalism to her audiences.

Since graduating top of her class with an honour’s degree in Mass Communication, she has continued to improve her journalism skills with extensive training from leading international news agencies. She has hosted political TV and radio shows for over 10 years, bringing a distinct flair and presentation style that leaves the viewer wanting more. She had a very successful 7-year run on radio, where her show ranked among the top 5 in Lagos.

So join Tolulope for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Osikhena Dirisu is a seasoned media and music executive with over a decade of experience across Nigeria and the UK. He currently serves as Programmes Director at The Beat 99.9FM Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, where he has shaped some of Africa’s most influential youth-driven radio programming.

Osikhena currently hosts and manages one of Lagos’s top-rated daytime radio shows The Morning Rush, engaging over a million weekly listeners. Beyond radio, Osikhena has contributed to major album campaigns, including Wizkid’s Made in Lagos and Davido’s Timeless, and has built strategic partnerships with some of Africa’s biggest music stars. He has overseen talent management and operational strategy across four radio stations, leading a team of over 30 staff while aligning content, audience engagement, and music programming with business goals.

His experience extends into the recording industry, where he helps develop hits and elevate emerging talent within the Afrobeats ecosystem. A recognised voice in African pop culture, Osikhena has been featured on MTV Base, BBC, BET, Channel O, and EbonyLife TV. He is deeply passionate about spotlighting Nigerian and African talent on the global stage, bringing creativity, business insight, and cultural expertise to every project he touches.

So join Osikhena for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng