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Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu make Forbes’ world’s most powerful women 2025

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File: Okonjo-Iweala and Mo-Abudu

Two Nigerian women, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have been listed among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025.

The list, published on the magazine’s website on Wednesday, recognises women who hold significant influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership.

It also highlights the growing impact of both Nigerian women in global trade and media.

They appear alongside world figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (No. 1), European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (No. 2), Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5), and Namibia’s Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (No. 79).

Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, is the current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

She is the first woman and first African to hold the position, which she assumed in March 2021.

Forbes described her as “an economist and international development professional” with “more than 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America.”

She previously served two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2015 and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006.

She also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has “immunised more than 760 million children globally.”

Okonjo-Iweala holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The 71-year-old mother of four is recognized for her belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and promote sustainable development.

Mo Abudu, ranked 98th, is a media entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of EbonyLife Media.

She launched EbonyLife TV in 2006; the network now airs in more than 49 countries, including the UK and the Caribbean.

According to Forbes, she helped EbonyLife secure major partnership deals with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix, the first African media company to sign a multi-title film and TV agreement with the streaming giant.

In November 2025, the company launched a new digital platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Born in London, Abudu spent part of her childhood in Nigeria with her grandmother before returning to the UK.

She is described by Forbes as “one of the most influential women in global media.”

This year’s list also reflects women’s rising influence in technology and artificial intelligence, including Lisa Su, CEO of AMD (No. 10); Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet (No. 12); Colette Kress of Nvidia (No. 37); Susan Li of Meta (No. 41); and Amy Hood of Microsoft (No. 16).

Other notable figures include Daniela Amodei (No. 73), co-founder and president of Anthropic, who became a self-made billionaire after the company’s valuation reached $183 billion, and Sarah Friar (No. 50), CFO of OpenAI.

In entertainment, newcomer Kim Kardashian (No. 71) made the list after raising $225 million for Skims at a $5 billion valuation and launching NikeSKIMS with Nike.

Forbes also recognised the women of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters (No. 100), who command a global fan base that transcends age, gender, and geography.

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11 more arrested over Ozoro “r@ping festival”

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The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.

Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)

“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads

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So Sad: Father Dies While Rescuing Daughter From Midnight Fire, Both Perish in Minna Tragedy (Photos)

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A father’s ultimate act of love has ended in heartbreak after a devastating midnight fire claimed both his life and that of his six-year-old daughter in Minna, Niger State, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning.

The tragedy struck at approximately 2am on March 2, 2026, when fire broke out at the residence of Ikechukwu Michael Njoku, 45, situated within the premises of St. Andrew Anglican Church in the Sabon Gari area of Minna.

According to accounts shared on Facebook by family acquaintance Offor Oscar Onyinye, Njoku was jolted awake by the smell of smoke and the sight of flames rapidly engulfing his home. Without pause for his own safety, he plunged into the inferno to rescue his young daughter, Esther, who was trapped inside the children’s room. Though he managed to pull himself out of the blaze, little Esther did not survive — she died instantly.

Njoku himself emerged from the fire with severe burns across his body. For nearly two weeks, he clung to life, battling his injuries at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna. His struggle ended on March 16, 2026, when he succumbed to his wounds — fourteen days after he had thrown himself into the flames for his child.

His wife and three other children survived the inferno but sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalised at IBB Specialist Hospital, where they continue to fight for recovery.

Father and daughter are to be laid to rest on March 27, 2026, in their ancestral hometown of Mebiokpa Okposi Ohozara in Ebonyi State.

“In just one night, a family lost so much — a father gone, a daughter gone, and others left in pain and trauma,” Onyinye wrote in a tribute that has since resonated widely across social media, with many describing Njoku as a hero whose love for his child knew no bounds.

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I Thought It Was A Joke — Nigerian Man Recounts What He Witnessed During “R@ping Festival” In Delta (Video)

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A video making rounds on social media has triggered widespread reactions after capturing a disturbing incident reportedly occurring in Ozoro, Delta State.

According to multiple posts online, there are claims that several women have been ass@ulted in the area during what some users are describing as a local gathering.

There are also warnings being shared online advising women and girls in the area to stay indoors, with concerns that those outside may be at risk. Some posts further allege that individuals who are unaware of the situation, including visitors and students, may have been affected.

Ozoro is home to Delta State University, and many online users have expressed concern about the safety of students and residents.

The situation has triggered widespread outrage, with many calling for urgent attention, proper investigation, and protection for those in the community.

Delta state police command, SP Bright Edafe, said the police has begun arresting some of the defaulting men.

Watch the video below..

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