O’Tega Ogra, the senior special assistant to the Nigerian President on Digital Strategy, Engagement and Communications, and Gboyega Akosile, special sdviser, Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have confirmed their attendance to share federal government and state government-Lagos State efforts towards improving and advancing female startups in Nigeria.

The year’s programme themed; “Tools Nigerian women need to compete and succeed’ is designed to unearth critical ingredients Nigerian women require to startup and in the vase of career, the steps required to set out on a good note.

While Ogra would be intimating the participants on the initiatives the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has instituted to ameliorate the suffering of women and encourage the female startup in Nigeria, Akosile would be highlighting the Lagos State government efforts in helping women advance their trade.

According to O’tega Ogra, president Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to advancing the cause of Nigerian women and empowering them towards gender equity.

He said Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment when he spoke at the Empower-Her fund-raising dinner of the Ministry of Women Affairs at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja recently.

The speakers for this second edition are Group Head, Brands & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank Plc, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye and Group Head, Women Bank/ W Initiatives, Access Bank, Mrs. Abiodun Olubitan.

The organisers also announced Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, UBA Group, Mrs. Alero Ladipo and President, Felix King Foundation, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae as chairperson of the conference and co-chairman respectively.

The 2024 Industry Women Conference (tinW) comes on the heels of a successful inaugural edition last year with the theme; ‘She wins’.

Speaking at the unveiling media conference in Lagos yesterday, the convener of The Industry Women Conference, Mr. Goddie Ofose said,

“We arrived at this theme and the speakers this year because we believe the theme resonates well with the Nigerian women at the time particularly with the country’s economy going through a bad patch. We must equip our women for the present and the future.”

According to him, “Women-led businesses are important for many reasons, and this including: diversity and innovation. Women entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives and insights that can lead to better decision-making and more innovative solutions.”

“Women-led startups often prioritize social impact and sustainability, which can contribute to a more responsible and ethical business ecosystem,” he added.

On the economic growth, Ofose stated that “Women-led businesses can reinvest into household incomes and national economies and can close the pay gap and rise to leadership positions while Women entrepreneurs are more likely to invest back into their families and community, such as in education, nutrition, and children’s health.”

On the side line of the 2024, which is also titled the PINK session, The Industry Newspaper will use occasion to recognise and celebrate Top 50 Industry Women in Nigeria who have tenacity, resilience, innovation and industry in the course of the year-2024.

These women cut-across different sectors such as tech, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, governance, healthcare, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, brand management, sales and media.

In the same vein, Chief Mrs. Kehinde Kamson, Founder/CEO, Sweet Sensations Confectionary, Dr. Shade Okoya, CEO, Eleganza Industries Limited, Mrs. Bola Atta, CEO, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, MD/CEO, Unity Bank, Dame Adaora Umeoji, MD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Marketing & Communications, UBA Group, Mrs Ada Cuomo, Vice President, Bet9ja Foundation and Mrs. Adetoro Fowoshere, CEO, GIG Aviation Technologies Ltd will be recognised as the Industry Iconic Amazons.

According to the convener, tinW,

“It is our great pleasure to present to you the Industry Change Maker Awardees in 2024. This recognition is a result of their exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions to their respective industry in Nigeria in 2024.”

“Their tireless dedication, innovative approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on their fields as well as your contributions to their organisations. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to their leadership, expertise, and passion.

“They are an inspiration to countless individuals, particularly women, who aspire to make a difference in these fields in Nigeria because their works have indeed paved the way for future generations, and we are grateful for your tireless efforts,” Ofose stated.

The two-day event, supported by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Digital and New Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took place at the MUSON Center, Lagos, drawing industry leaders, young professionals, students and the media from across the communications and marketing sectors, offering a platform for knowledge sharing and networking.

In his keynote presentation, the Chief Executive officer, TPT International, Adetokunbo Modupe, emphasized that brands must communicate persuasively to capture and keep their audience’s attention.

He averred that persuasion must come from a place of authenticity.

He argued that while the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized marketing and communications, there is no substitute for the genuine, emotional intelligence required to make lasting connections.

In his presentation titled “Cultivating Authentic Connections: Trust and Transparency in a Hyperconnected World,” the Senior Special Assistant on Digital and New Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, O’tega Ogra, emphasized trust as the key differentiator for brands in a thought-provoking session.

He highlighted five crucial lessons on trust and their reversals, underscoring the importance of balancing transparency with strategic communication.

Ogra noted that while authenticity draws people in, there are times when perception, or even illusion, can be more powerful than reality, and brands must be mindful of how they curate their digital presence.

Ogra also touched on emotional intelligence and the power of strategic vulnerability in building meaningful connections.

He encouraged brands to own their mistakes and listen actively to their audiences but cautioned against overexposure and relying too heavily on emotional appeals.

Ultimately, He stressed the value of long-term authenticity over short-term gains, reminding brands that consistency and realness are their greatest strengths in the digital age.

Lanre Basamta, the chief executive officer and co-founder, Optimus AI Labs, delivered a compelling session on the power of content, opening with a quote from marketing expert David Meerman Scott: “Nobody cares about your product, except you. Create interesting content.”

Basamta emphasized that perception is everything—content isn’t just a tool for engagement, but a powerful force that shapes how audiences view a brand.

He highlighted the critical need for aligning content with a brand’s core message, noting that effective storytelling creates emotional experiences that resonate deeply with the audience.

This emotional connection, Basamta explained, not only shapes how people perceive a brand but also determines their willingness to engage with it.

The 2024 Lagos Digital PR Summit highlighted the importance of nurturing authentic connections in a crowded digital space, where trust and emotional resonance are critical for success. Speakers emphasized that realness is a brand’s most valuable asset, and balancing transparency with strategic communication is key to building lasting relationships.

The Summit climaxed with the inaugural Digital PR Awards, which honoured outstanding achievements in public relations and digital communications. The awards recognized organizations and brands that have shown excellence in leveraging digital platforms and content marketing to achieve measurable success.

One of the standout moments of the awards ceremony was the recognition of Akinrodoye Samuel, also known as Coach Dreh, for his remarkable campaign aimed at raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Samuel’s courageous feat of swimming across the Lagos Lagoon served as a powerful example of the role digital activism plays in driving social change.

Additionally, the event saw the launch of the third edition of the Lagos Digital PR Digest, the official magazine of the Summit. This edition features a lead story on O’tega Ogra, titled “From Corporate to Government: How O’tega Ogra is Redefining Digital Engagement,” alongside trending articles, industry insights, and practical guides on digital public relations.

The 9th Lagos Digital PR Summit further solidified its position as a leading event in the public relations industry, equipping professionals with the insights and strategies needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital world.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed this to journalists at the State House on Wednesday, September 25.

Onanuga, who spoke at a press briefing, along with Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, said there is no timeline as to when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will reshuffle his cabinet.

It is worth noting that President Tinubu appointed his ministers in August of last year.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has instructed his ministers to actively promote the accomplishments of his administration. According to Onanuga, Tinubu urged the ministers to “go out there and publicize the administration’s successes”.

He noted that some ministers were hesitant to speak publicly, adding, “Many Nigerians believe the president isn’t doing much, while the government is actually making significant strides.” Tinubu emphasized that his ministers should focus more on communicating these achievements to the public.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday 21, 2004,  swore in 45 ministers to a new cabinet that must get to grips with tackling the problems of sluggish growth, a weak currency and high inflation in Africa’s largest economy.

The ceremony took place nearly three months after Tinubu took office on May 29 after winning a disputed presidential election in February which is being challenged by his main opponents in court.

The reports claimed that a “presidential yacht belonging to the Nigerian government is being used for vacation at St Tropez.”

However, a presidential spokesman on Digital and New Media, Otega Ogra, refuted the reports through his social media handle, stating that “The yacht belongs to a private individual and not President Tinubu or the Nigerian Navy,” as speculated on social media.

Otega clarified that flags used by the president or armed forces do not contain a coat of arms like the one on the yacht.

“There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht was spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht. Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth,” Ogra said on Saturday.

“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around five years since it was constructed.

“It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, president or armed forces. Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply not true and inaccurate.

“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.

“The official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green without a coat of arms in the middle. Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the center. Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation,” the statement clarified.