Sahara Group Foundation, Plan International Nigeria Sign MoU to Advance Inclusive Recycling, Community Empowerment

Sahara Group Foundation, the social responsibility division of international energy conglomerate, Sahara Group, has signed a Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Plan International Nigeria to deepen inclusive, community-led recycling interventions through its flagship Sahara Go Recycling Project.

The partnership brings together Sahara Group Foundation’s waste-to-wealth expertise and Plan International’s global leadership in child rights, gender equality, and community development, reinforcing a shared commitment to environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and social inclusion, especially for vulnerable children, young people, and women.

Speaking at the official MoU signing ceremony, Chidilim Menakaya, Director, Sahara Group Foundation, described the collaboration as a powerful intersection of climate action and human development.

“Sahara Go Recycling was conceived in 2021 as more than an environmental initiative; it is a deliberate platform for inclusion, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods. Designed to unlock economic opportunity at the grassroots, the initiative transforms waste into value while creating pathways for income generation and enterprise. Our partnership with Plan International strengthens this vision by placing empowerment and resilience at the core of our approach, ensuring that environmental responsibility translates into lasting economic value, social inclusion, and shared prosperity for households and communities”.

 

Photo Caption (L-R): Bethel Obioma Sahara Group Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Chidilim Menakaya, Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Dr. Charles Usie, Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, and Sheila Ojei, Director of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilization, Plan International Nigeria, at the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding between Sahara Group Foundation and Plan Internation aimed at advancing inclusive recycling…today

Also speaking, Dr. Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, expressed excitement about the collaboration: “This partnership speaks directly to the kind of future we want to build for girls and their communities. When environmental action is intentionally designed to create livelihood, dignity, and economic empowerment, girls are better positioned to learn, build skills, and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities. We are excited to work with Sahara Group Foundation to ensure that initiatives like Sahara Go Recycling translate climate responsibility into real action, creating opportunities that enable girls to build skills, and a more secure future”

Sheila Ojei, Director of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilization at Plan International Nigeria, added: “Our shared vision is to ensure that young people, particularly girls, can thrive in safe, healthy, and supportive environments. This partnership places strong emphasis on gender inclusion, with at least 60 percent of participants expected to be adolescent girls, while embedding safeguarding and accountability into how economic and environmental opportunities are delivered”

Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, noted that the partnership reflects Sahara Group’s broader sustainability philosophy. “At Sahara Group, sustainability is about people as much as systems. This partnership reinforces our belief that environmental solutions must deliver social value. By aligning Sahara Go Recycling with Plan International’s development expertise, we are creating a model where climate responsibility directly improves lives and livelihoods.”

Sahara Go Recycling is one of the four flagship projects of Sahara Group Foundation. It is a waste-to-wealth initiative designed to empower communities by turning recyclable waste into economic value, while promoting environmental sustainability and inclusive economic opportunities. At its core, the project demonstrates how environmental responsibility can serve as a catalyst for social impact, economic empowerment, and long-term sustainability.

The partnership builds on Sahara Group Foundation’s track record of deploying innovative, scalable solutions that link enterprise development, environmental stewardship, and social impact, while leveraging Sahara Group’s culture of excellence, innovation, and long-term value creation. Both organisations expressed optimism that the project will unlock new pathways for sustainable development by integrating environmental action with social protection, skills development, and inclusive economic participation.

Ultimately, the project will support the promotion of critical Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 4 (quality education), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals).

For more information about Sahara Go Recycling and the EXTRApreneurship initiatives of Sahara Group Foundation, please visit: www.saharagroupfoundation.org.

Sahara Group Cultivates Future Storytellers at UNILAG #MADWITHCOMMS Forum

Leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group reinforced its dedication to nurturing future communication leaders, emphasizing the human advantage over AI at the #MADWITHCOMMS forum at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

#MADWITHCOMMS, which stands for “Making A Difference with Communications,” is a Sahara Group thought leadership initiative designed to support, steer, and shape young professionals for impactful careers in communications.

This year’s theme, “Code vs. Conversation: The Human Edge in a Digital World,” challenged Mass Communication students at UNILAG to develop and deepen their indispensable human skills; their true advantage while leveraging unfolding technological advancements.

Sharing insights on the theme, Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, said comms professionals needed to master AI as a tool for efficiency, data, and insight, but layer over these, their unique human capabilities.

Obioma noted that contextual interpretation, emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and empathetic communication, among others, provide the human advantage that can be the “career differentiator”.

“Within minutes, you can input some prompts, and AI can help you access historical data, generate reports, and insights that inform compelling narratives. But communication is much more than data. Everyone is looking to you for the human touch that will make your output genuine, unique, and impactful,” he said.

He emphasized that rather than seeing AI as a threat, young professionals should embrace it as a tool that enhances but does not replace the human edge. “Your ability to interpret context, understand nuances, feel the emotion behind stories, and communicate with empathy is what will set you apart,” he added. “If you can harness this human advantage, you will not only make a difference, you will also ascend beyond the zenith of your career.”

The event featured engaging breakout sessions where participants were grouped into teams to examine case studies in media ethics, crisis management, advertising biases, and responsible AI implementation. They were tasked with identifying flaws in the sample materials and proposing versions that emphasized ethical, creative, and engaging storytelling, and most importantly, the human edge.

The students’ presentations were assessed by a panel comprising Obioma, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group; and Felix Ofulue, Head, Corporate Communications, Egbin Power Plc, a Sahara Power Group company.

Following the group presentations, winners were rewarded with cash prizes, with further commentary from the panel on how to improve their application of the human advantage in communications.

Participants expressed their delight at the #MADWITHCOMMS initiative, urging Sahara Group to host more learning activities at the prestigious university. Eniola Doherty said, “though we could see the role of AI in gathering data for the presentation in my group, the human edge was critical in helping us transform our presentation.”

Abimbola Adelakun, added that the session had made her confident to adopt the obvious benefit of AI “I have come to realise that AI is a tool and not something I should fear. It can give me the data that I need, but it is left to me to humanize my story for greater impact.” For
Wisdom Udo, the key to making a difference is to “infuse my human touch which leaves an unmistakable imprint on the story.”

In closing, Obioma said the #MADwithComms initiative would be expanded to reach more young professionals across Africa, adding, “We believe in equipping future storytellers with not just the tools, but the right mindset to drive impact, shape narratives, and fuel transformation.”

 

Sahara Power Group, Crescendough Boost Nigeria’s Power Supply with 180MW Afam II Power Plant

Africa’s largest private power business, Sahara Power Group (SPG), in partnership with Crescendough Nigeria Limited (CNL) has successfully commissioned the 180MW Afam II Power Plant in Rivers State, reinforcing the critical role of private-sector collaboration in driving sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria.

Sahara Power Group, a subsidiary of global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, and Crescendough completed the project which was conceived, managed, and delivered in 16 months by predominantly Nigerian expertise.

Hailed as an important addition to the national grid and the quest for promoting energy access, the plant is now fully operational and set to boost supply towards powering homes, businesses, industries, and economic growth.

Describing the project as a “key achievement emanating from the enterprising Nigerian spirit,” President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who commissioned the facility virtually, said the completion of the power plant reinforces the capacity “we have to overcome our challenges; through collaboration, tenacity and renewed hope.”

President Tinubu commended the Rivers State Government for envisioning and enabiling the project in pursuit energy sustainability in Nigeria. “I equally commend the private sector partners; Sahara Power Group, First Independent Power Limited, and Crescendough Nigeria Limited for their investments and expertise. You have transformed this great vision into reality. Nigeria salutes you,” he added.

President Tinubu further noted that the 180MW added to the national grid will ignite and drive economic development. ” Let me emphasize that under my administration, achieving stable power remains an unwavering goal. We will continue to enforce policies that protect investments and prioritize ease of doing business,” the President stated.

Photo Caption (L – R): Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group,  Dr. Kola Adesina,  Executive Director,  Sahara Group,  Ade Odunsi,  The Administrator,  Rivers State, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Hon. Minister for Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu,  Hon. Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, Project Manager, Afam II Power Plant, Olumide Akinlaja at the commissioning of the 180MW Afam II Power Plant in Afam, Rivers State.

Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, said Sahara had, for almost three decades, been a foremost stakeholder in Africa’s energy and infrastructure landscape, leveraging the power of collaboration and cohesion of shared aspirations to deliver sustainable energy solutions.

Adesina said the Afam II project will catalyse productivity in Nigeria, powering job creation, industrial growth, and sustainable development. “This milestone for us is more than the 180MW of additional power; we are celebrating impact, transformed lives, and the privilege we have as an organisation to bring energy to life responsibly.”

Describing electricity as the backbone of modern economies, he added: “Nothing will give Sahara Group more pleasure than its continuing leadership of efforts geared towards uninterrupted and reliable power supply through long-term strategic investments, operational excellence, and collaboration with like-minded stakeholders.”

Adesina stated that Sahara Power is the largest power business in Nigeria, contributing over 20 percent of the power generated in Nigeria through Egbin Power and First Independent Power Limited. “This translates to powering over 50 million homes, businesses, and industries, making a difference in spurring economic prosperity in the nation. However, this is only a fraction of our vision. Sahara has its sights on a Nigeria wholly transformed and globally competitive, enabled by the wings of sustainable power solutions,” he said.

The Administrator, Rivers State, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas , lauded the impressive completion of this plant within a record time of 16 months, describing the feat as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to promoting home-grown solutions

“To Sahara Group and its partners, I say a hearty congratulations. You have demonstrated that indigenous enterprise is alive, capable, and resilient. Your investment here speaks volumes of your confidence in our economy, and in Rivers State as a viable destination for large-scale, high-impact ventures,” he said.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu said the project was a significant milestone, adding, “Sahara Energy’s investment in Afam 2 is a testament to the fruitful collaboration between public reforms and private sector and stands as a beacon of progress and innovation in our nation’s quest for energy security.”

Also speaking, Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said his ministry would collaborate with the power ministry to address gas hurdles towards boosting power sustainability in Nigeria.

Adesina said that with ongoing expansion plans in Egbin Power, the largest private thermal plant in sub-Saharan Africa, innovative upgrades and transformation at Ikeja Electric, the largest power distribution company in Sub-Saharan Africa, tech-driven generation in First Independent Power Limited and planned investments in alternative and renewable energy solutions to support environmental sustainability, “Sahara Power is unwaveringly committed to lighting up Nigeria and Africa responsibly and sustainably.”

Adesina extended gratitude to the Presidency and Federal Ministry of Power for policy leadership, the Rivers State Government for its pioneering role in the project, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Afam host communities for their unwavering support towards bringing the Afam II project to fruition.

Asharami Synergy Kenya debate competition promotes generational sustainability

First place winners, Upper Hill Boys High School, receive their award excitedly

Asharami Synergy Kenya believes the future of the planet we call home rests on the engagement and involvement of all stakeholders, especially, the youths as we work towards protecting our environment. The debate platform is our contribution to ensuring students know and understand these issues to enable them proffer possible solutions

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