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Canon Miraisha Programme Partners with Debra’s Palace Initiative, Empowering Nigerian Youth through Skills Development and Mentorship

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Canon

The Creative Summer School equips young men aged 18 to 25 with hands-on technical training, mentorship, and essential life skills to help them thrive in the growing creative economy

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 24, 2025/APO Group/ —
  • Canon Miraisha Programme and Debra’s Palace Initiative join forces for the second edition of the Creative Summer School in Nigeria.
  • The initiative has empowered over 7,000 creatives across 11 African countries, with a goal to train 10,000 by 2030.

Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) (https://en.Canon-CNA.com), a leading provider of printing and imaging solutions, in partnership with Debra’s Palace Initiative, successfully held the second edition of the Creative Summer School from 8 to 20 September 2025 in Lagos.

As part of the Canon Miraisha Programme, the Creative Summer School equips young men aged 18 to 25 with hands-on technical training, mentorship, and essential life skills to help them thrive in the growing creative economy.

The initiative reflects Canon’s longstanding Miraisha mission of empowering African youth with creative skills and career opportunities, while aligning with Debra’s Palace Initiative’s vision of raising the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

Participants gained exposure to a wide range of creative and professional skills, including photography, cinematography, sound editing, Financial Literacy, Business of Creativity and etiquette training, as well as daily mentorship. Sessions on graphic design and content creation were also held. Additionally, Canon Miraisha delivered a three-day basic photography course combining classroom learning with outdoor photo shoots and project-based assignments. Two outstanding students each received a Canon Selphy CP1000 printer.

Our ongoing collaboration with Debra’s Palace Initiative reflects our belief that creativity is not only a pathway to employment but also a driver of positive social change

Twenty-five young men participated in the daily sessions at MADhouse by Tikera Africa, with a further 50 to 100 participants attending the opening and closing ceremony. Programme mentors and facilitators, including Femi Odugbemi, Bayo Omoboriowo, Daniel Etim Effiong, Osarume Akenzua, Tayo Adetunji, Precious Eniayekan, Uncle Sele and David Adetola, shared their invaluable industry expertise and insights, enriching the learning experience.

Somesh Adukia, Managing Director, Canon Central and North Africa, said: “Through the Miraisha Programme, Canon is deeply committed to investing in Africa’s youth by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and support needed to succeed in today’s creative industries. Our ongoing collaboration with Debra’s Palace Initiative reflects our belief that creativity is not only a pathway to employment but also a driver of positive social change. Together, we’re building opportunities that will inspire the next generation of African storytellers and leaders.”

Speaking on the impact of the collaboration, Damilola Chinedu, Founder, Debra’s Palace Initiative, said“We believe every boy deserves the opportunity to develop his talent and grow into a man of vision, impact, and integrity. The Creative Summer School provides a safe and inspiring space where participants develop the skills and confidence to pursue their dreams. Partnering with Canon Miraisha allows us to prepare boys not just for careers, but for meaningful lives of leadership.”

Building Sustainable Impact

The Miraisha Programme is Canon’s award-winning corporate responsibility initiative dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African creative professionals through hands-on training in photography, filmmaking, and other digital arts. With a strong emphasis on mentorship, sustainability, and community impact, it is rooted in Canon’s philosophy of Kyosei – living and working together for the common good. Miraisha has empowered thousands of participants across Africa, often in collaboration with organisations like the Kings & Queens Art Academy in Nigeria, with Maono Africa in Kenya to empower youth in Dandora and the Lens on Life Project in Cameroon.

Empowering Africa’s Next Generation

Debra’s Palace Initiative is a non-profit organisation committed to empowering young boys to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Addressing the often-overlooked challenges faced by boys in society, the organisation has successfully engaged more than 3,500 participants through initiatives such as the Boy Child Conversation Conference (BCC), BCC Mentorship School Tours, JAMB Scholarship Programmes, and the Creative Summer School with Canon. By providing mentorship and skills development in safe spaces, it aims to shape boys into confident young men who can make positive contributions to their communities, aligning perfectly with Miraisha’s objectives.

With the launch of the second Creative Summer School, Canon Central & North Africa and Debra’s Palace Initiative reaffirm their shared commitment to nurturing Africa’s youth, building not just careers but futures for a new generation of African creatives, storytellers, and changemakers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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