Minister Dr. Mahmoud Mariya, Gbenga Akingbulere, Captain Aliyu Ahmad Yakubu, and Rohan Gurram to Ignite The American Exchange: Fire Festival to Mark UN General Assembly’s 80th Anniversary

The American Exchange, presented by ConcordeApp and One Fuego, is set to host “The Fire Festival,” a premier side event at the UN General Assembly’s 80th Anniversary. In a powerful embodiment of the UN’s theme, “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights,” the festival will serve as a pivotal convergence where Access to Deal Flow + Access to Capital + Access to Impact Investment will ignite culture and community. As Annalena Baerbock, President-elect of UNGA 80, underscored, “no single nation, regardless of its size, might, or wealth, can confront the borderless challenges that we face alone.” This event is a direct response to that call, bringing together Member States, UN staff, civil society, and key philanthropic partners to foster the collective action required to build a better future.

The American Exchange: Fire Festival is scheduled for livestream globally on September 27th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST, aligning with the Global Citizen Festival.

“We founded this festival on the belief that meaningful connections are the ultimate differentiator,” said Chaste Inegbedion, Head of Happiness at ConcordeApp. “This event is about more than just business; it’s about leveraging technology and influence to build a future where every dream, every idea, and every person has the chance to thrive. Our collaboration with the UN and the World Bank proves that social entrepreneurship can be the spark that ignites real-world, redemptive impact.”

“We are honored to produce an event that so deeply embodies the UN’s vision,” stated Pelumi Mogbiele Peters, Executive at One Fuego. “The Fire Festival is a testament to the power of culture and community to drive capital and create lasting change. We are bringing together diverse voices to create a stage where innovation and influence converge for a greater purpose.”

A Convergence of Global Minds

This exclusive gathering is meticulously curated to foster actionable partnerships. The event will be masterfully hosted by Ojuego Onyelukachukwu, a seasoned compere and development specialist with nearly 15 years of experience. Known as the “Man that knows his onions,” Ojuego has moderated events for world leaders and Presidents like Tony Blair and Condoleezza Rice, and his unique style blends maturity with light humor to leave a lasting impression.

The lineup reflects the depth and diversity of leadership excellence, and the stage will welcome voices whose work embodies the principle of building beyond personal achievement. The speakers include: Dr. Mahmoud Mariya, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Pamilerin Adegoke, Marine Engineer turned Media Mastermind; Rohan Gurram, Founder of Cliqk and ColdStart; Aniedi Udo-Obong, Program Manager, Developer Ecosystem, Google; Dr. Murtala Adogi Mohammed, CEO, System Strategy & Policy Lab (SSPL); Dr. Chanita Foster, Founder, Beyond the Game; Ebaide Omiunu, Founder, The Ebaidebheki Initiative; Richard Ojuri, Vice President of Business Banking, M&T Bank; Rafiu Olaore, Executive Director, Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS); Prince Ero Ibhafidon, Founder and CEO, Waterlight Save Initiative; Elijah Affi, Filmmaker and Entrepreneur, Takeout Media; Emenyo Segbefia, Director of Business Development, Chenoa Fund (CBC Mortgage Agency); Mubarak Olalekan Bakare, Founder, BILARTERAL; Bobola Odebiyi, Founder, CrossKudi and Save Circle; Dr. Letisha A. Malcolm, Founder, The Collaborative; Omotola Fawunmi, Fractional CEO, Semaform Foundation and Rebirth Hub; and Ibrahim Ahmed, Outreach Director, Organization for Advancement of Nigeria.

Ignite the Culture Game: A Hot Ones-Inspired Challenge

Get ready for the main event! The ConcordeApp + Venture Valley Podcast Connection Sprint is a live, real-world demonstration of our mission to build meaningful connections through innovative engagement.

Moderated by Elijah Affi, filmmaker and host of the Venture Valley Podcast, this session is more than just networking—it’s a high-stakes, high-spice conversation. Inspired by the hit YouTube show Hot Ones, where celebrity interviews are paired with progressively spicier food, we’re flipping the script to ignite a different kind of fire.

Join us as we put three of Africa’s most influential leaders in the hot seat:

● Juwon Olorunnipa (Jumabee), the acclaimed songwriter and actor, who is as well-known for his music as for his impactful philanthropic work in underprivileged communities.

● Captain Aliyu Ahmad Yakubu, a distinguished pilot-turned-entrepreneur and the Group Managing Director/CEO of Pyatic Group, a multidisciplinary conglomerate with investments spanning Aviation, Oil & Gas, and Real Estate.

● Gbenga Akingbulere, a multi-award-winning Staff Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, who builds AI-powered cybersecurity applications at scale, contributing to systems that enhance financial security across Africa.

As they take on our “spicy” challenge, they’ll share candid stories of leadership, risk, and impact, proving that the hottest moments often lead to the most authentic connections. This isn’t just a game; it’s a conversation that will ignite culture and community.

A Catalyst for Global Impact

Inspired by JPMorganChase, which has created approximately 8,000 jobs and added $2.6 billion to New York City’s economy, this event is a testament to how for-profit and non-profit sectors can benefit from powerful collaboration. A representative of the organization will also share how technology employees can leverage their skills and expertise to drive impact in the social sector and our communities through ideation and hackathon-style events, pro-bono tech solution delivery, and educational offerings.

This is an opportunity to step away from the noise and into a room where meaningful connections are guaranteed and future collaborations are born. The Fire Festival stands as a testament to the UN Secretary-General’s enduring message that peace is possible when humanity stands together.