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SOUQ News TV Wins “SME-Centric Television Station of the Year” at Nigeria National SME Business Awards
SOUQ News TV, Nigeria’s pioneering business, economic, and development television station, has won the SME-Centric Television Station of the Year Award at the 2024 Nigeria National SME Business Awards, organized by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.
The station was presented the award at the fourth annual ceremony held at the Civic Centre on Victoria Island in Lagos. The award recognises SOUQ News TV’s instrumental role in shaping the narrative around SMEs’ economic contributions and providing them with a national platform for increased exposure.
Over the past year of operations, SOUQ News TV – a member of FemyWalsh Limited – has carved out a distinct niche for itself by offering extensive coverage and innovative programming dedicated particularly to SMEs, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. This award emphasises the station’s critical role in creating the national debate around SMEs’ economic contributions and providing them with a platform to acquire nationwide prominence.
The Nigeria National SME Business Awards was attended by representatives of the Lagos and Ogun State governors, fellow awardees from the private and public sectors such as Wema Bank, Providus Bank, Fate Foundation, Jiji Nigeria, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund among others.
According to ASBON President Dr. Femi Egbesola, the prestigious accolade is in recognition of SOUQ News TV for its exceptional commitment to supporting and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises. “The innovative solutions, unwavering dedication, and outstanding services in the SME sector by SOUQ News have set a commendable standard in the industry.
In his acceptance speech, Vice President of FemyWalsh Limited, Dr. Idahosa Osamhanze expressed delight at the recognition, describing it as an indication of SOUQ News TV’s unique and impactful coverage and reportage. “In an industry where business and economy news are not typically covered by television stations, SOUQ News is determined to use media to develop Nigeria and Africa’s economies by shaping policy through its coverage, highlighting positive business stories, and developing narratives that are beneficial to business owners.”
SOUQ News TV Chief Operating Officer Jide Taiwo added that the award is testament to the vision of the founder Victor Walsh Oluwafemi to establish a media company that caters exclusively to the business community, and that it is a spur to do more great work. “It’s a popular saying that the reward of hard work is more hard work, and this award tells us that we have an opportunity to do more.”
SOUQ News TV is a digital satellite broadcast station, licensed for operations in Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. Its focus is business, development and the economy.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has advised the Nigerian government to rethink its stance on refusing to negotiate with terrorists, saying dialogue may be key to ending the country’s long-running violence.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Kaduna-based cleric argued that Nigeria is being influenced by a “Western slogan” that does not always reflect reality.
He stressed that talks, rather than force alone, could help break the cycle of attacks affecting many parts of the country.
Gumi also warned that weak border control is worsening insecurity, allowing weapons and criminal elements to move freely.
According to him, this has made it more difficult to defeat terrorism and protect citizens.
He pointed to ongoing tensions involving the United States and Iran, saying even powerful nations engage in negotiations despite public positions against it. He urged Nigeria to draw lessons from such situations.
He said: “We should not be misled by the Western slogan, ‘We don’t negotiate with terrorists.’”
Gumi added that violence often leads to more suffering for civilians, as both terrorist attacks and military operations tend to harm innocent people.
He further explained: “As long as Nigeria’s borders remain porous, the cycle of violence will persist.”
The cleric emphasised that understanding the root causes of terrorism is crucial to finding lasting solutions, warning that force alone cannot resolve the crisis.
In his words: “The lesson is clear: lasting solutions require realism, dialogue, and strategic understanding, not just force.”
Gumi suggested that Nigeria may need a neutral mediator to help open dialogue and reduce tensions, similar to efforts seen in other conflict zones.
Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has nominated and forwarded Murtala Garo to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as the new deputy governor of the State.
This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mustapha Muhammad, late Tuesday night.
According to the statement: “The nomination is in line with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the Governor to nominate a Deputy Governor where a vacancy exists.”
Recall that the position of the deputy governor became vacant after the resignation of Abdussalam Gwarzo on March 27, 2026.
“Following wide consultations with key stakeholders, the Governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for Garo’s nomination,” the statement added.
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
Gumi wants Nigerian government to consider dialogue in tackling terrorism
Kano Gov nominates Garo as deputy
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