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Tech Derby hosts funding readiness programme for start-ups in UK

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Tech Derby, a United Kingdom-based innovation and technology community, has hosted another session of its Pre-Seed Accelerator and Founder Readiness Programme aimed at helping start-up founders improve investment readiness and business growth strategies.

The programme, held at the University of Derby’s Game Changers Lab, brought together founders, investors, ecosystem leaders and business support organisations from across Derby and the East Midlands.

The session was themed “Clarity on Funding Readiness & the Funding Stack” and focused on helping entrepreneurs understand investor expectations, fundraising realities and sustainable growth strategies within the innovation ecosystem.

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The Founder Readiness Programme was supported by the British Business Bank, Mercia Ventures, Derby City Council and LemFi.

Experts from across the ecosystem delivered key insights during the event, including Lewis Stringer of the British Business Bank, Amber Jardine of Mercia Ventures and Chris Pook of Derby City Council.

A growth-focused session was also delivered by Damilola Owolabi, Senior Manager, Growth at LemFi, under the topic “Clarity on Growth: Choosing a Repeatable Route.” The session explored practical strategies for business expansion, customer retention, scalable systems and product-led growth.

Founders participating in the programme represented sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, education technology, digital platforms, healthcare innovation and sustainability.

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Speaking after the event, Tech Derby Co-founder Akindayo Akindolani said the programme was designed to expose founders to practical insights from investors, policymakers and business leaders.

“This session was designed to bring real ecosystem voices into the room so founders can better understand funding readiness from multiple perspectives; public sector support, venture investment, founder growth strategy, and the wider funding landscape,” he said.

He added that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Derby and the East Midlands.

“What we are building through Tech Derby is bigger than a single programme. We are helping create a stronger startup and innovation ecosystem for Derby and the East Midlands; one that gives founders access, visibility, confidence, and meaningful support,” Akindolani stated.

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During discussions at the event, one participant reportedly shared their experience using different remittance platforms before returning to LemFi due to its user experience and customer-focused features.

Organisers said the feedback reinforced a key lesson for start-ups — that long-term success depends not only on attracting users but also on building products customers trust and continue to use.

Tech Derby said the Founder Readiness Programme aligns with its wider mission of promoting entrepreneurship, innovation-led businesses and collaboration among founders, universities, investors and local communities.

The organisation noted that the initiative also supports preparations for the upcoming Tech Derby Summit during East Midlands Tech Week 2026, where discussions around artificial intelligence, start-ups, digital innovation and responsible technology adoption are expected to take centre stage.

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Speaking on the programme’s significance, Tech Derby Co-Founder and Project Lead, Olatunji Olawale, stressed the importance of expanding access for early-stage founders.

“One of the most important things we are intentionally building through Tech Derby is access, access to knowledge, opportunities, investors, strategic partnerships, and meaningful conversations that many early-stage founders may not traditionally have access to,” he said.

He added that the programme aims to help founders become more structured, investment-ready and globally competitive.

Also speaking, Adepeju Bello, Tech Advisory and Policy Lead at Tech Derby, said successful start-ups require not only innovation but also resilience, strategic clarity and access to the right support systems.

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See Black Market Dollar to Naira exchange rate today 3rd September 2026

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The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 3rd September 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.

NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.

The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.

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What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 3rd September 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1403 and buy at ₦1395 on Thursday, 3rd September, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1405
Buying Rate ₦1395
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1335
Lowest Rate ₦1326

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Sad! Pastor, wife found dead after domestic fight

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A Celestial Church of Christ evangelist, Abidemi Odukoya, and his wife, Adenike, have reportedly died in separate circumstances following an alleged domestic altercation at their residence in the Akinode/Ibogun community, Ogun State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 25, after the couple allegedly engaged in a domestic dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation.

The altercation reportedly left Adenike unconscious and injured, while her husband allegedly fled the residence.

A former Chairman of the Community Development Association, Adejimi Olawumi, said in a video shared by Arole TV on Wednesday that he was alerted by residents’ cries for help and subsequently found the woman lying in a pool of blood.

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Olawumi said, “It was around 1am when I heard my neighbours shouting, ‘thief, thief.’ On my way out, I saw Daniel. I asked him what happened, and he said it was his mum and dad. Then I went to call my neighbours to come out.

“Immediately, we got inside the house and saw the wife in a pool of blood. At that time, there were no vehicles to take her to the hospital.

“The son said he did not see what happened between his mum and dad because he was in the other room. So, we started calling people together.”

Olawumi said members of the CDA subsequently noticed that Odukoya was missing and began searching for him.

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According to him, they later learnt that the cleric had been hit by a vehicle in the Ifo area of the state.

He said, “When we saw that we did not see the husband, everyone in the CDA came out to look for him everywhere. We called our area chairman to tell him about the incident.

“Later, we heard that Mr Abidemi had been hit by a car in Ifo. The police took him to the hospital, and we confirmed that he was the one. The CDA then started working on how to bring his remains home.

“We have never heard or seen something like this happen before. We only know that they fight sometimes and settle it among themselves.”

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Meanwhile, the late evangelist’s younger sister, in a video circulating online, claimed that the couple had been involved in repeated disagreements before their deaths.

She said the couple had visited her around April following an earlier altercation, adding that the matter was eventually resolved at a police station.

She said, “I have been hearing that they have been fighting for a while now. Around April, they came to my house. He explained everything about how he and his wife fought, and that it was at the police station they settled it.

“I only told them to be patient with each other because it is not right for a husband and wife to fight against each other. They had been fighting for a very long time, and people helped them settle it. And now we just heard that the husband and wife are dead.”

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The woman said the family was informed of the incident after one of the siblings received a phone call, adding that arrangements were subsequently made for the remains of the deceased.

The wife was reportedly buried on the day of the incident, while Odukoya was buried on Wednesday, September 2.

In separate footage seen by PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, some clerics were seen performing burial rites over the remains of the evangelist at an undisclosed location.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths, however, remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

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When contacted on Wednesday, the deputy spokesman for the state police command, Opeyemi Oluborode, confirmed the incident.

“The police is investigating the incident,” he added. (The PUNCH)

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Borno Commissioner backpedals over ‘finger-cutting’ threat as police begin probe

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Borno State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Saina Buba, has retracted his controversial remark threatening to cut off the finger of anyone who pointed at government officials.

Buba had, while speaking at the City Boy Movement Empowerment Programme in Maiduguri, earlier in the week, threatened opponents of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He had reportedly declared that citizens who voted for the ruling party would be fed with honey, while those who refused to support them would face physical punishment by caning.

The aggressive rhetoric sparked sharp criticism from various quarters, with civil society groups and political observers warning that the comments threatened public safety, violated democratic norms, and endangered dissenting voices in the state.

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Critics argued that such language from a serving public official was unbecoming and posed a direct threat to multi-party democracy.

But the commissioner held a press briefing where he said he had no apology for his comment on the ground that there was no opposition in Borno and no one could fairly accuse him of threatening opponents.

After the briefing, the widespread anger continued, with critics blaming authorities and saying the man showed no remorse.

On Tuesday, the police high command said it had launched a critical probe into the inciting comments made by Buba and two other APC chieftains.

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Fielding questions from Defence Correspondents at a joint security briefing in Abuja, on Tuesday, the force spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, described the inciting comments particularly in relation to the electoral process, as “a criminal offence”.

He said, “On the issue of the Senator in Osun State, the Council Chairman in FCT and the Borno Commissioner’s inciting comments, I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State.

“The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.”

Hours after the comment of the police spokesman, Buba issued a statement to address the controversy.

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He expressed regret over the uproar his comments caused and offered an unreserved apology to the people of Borno State.

He said, “In recent days, a comment I made during the empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri has generated considerable concern within the public space.

“I wish to state, unequivocally, that my remark was never intended to harm or violate the fundamental rights of the people of our dear state to freedom of choice and association, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

While noting that he had previously attempted to clarify that the remark was not meant to be taken literally, the commissioner acknowledged the gravity of ongoing public concern, prompting him to issue a formal retraction

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Buba added, “I had earlier provided clarification that the comment was not intended to be taken in its literal sense.

“However, in view of the concern it has continued to generate, I am using this medium to retract my earlier statement formally and to apologise to the entire people of Borno State and beyond for any offence it may have caused.

“Let me state in categorical terms that my comment does not in any way represent the ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of His Excellency, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

“This administration does not in any way undermine the rights of our citizenry. Rather, the party and the administration continue to uphold and respect every segment of our society, particularly our youth, who have remained steadfast supporters of both the party and the Zulum administration.

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“Governor Zulum and the APC have consistently demonstrated a true democratic spirit over the past seven years, and this commitment will remain unwavering to the very end of his tenure.”

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