Business
2019: SOUTH WEST YOUTHS ENDORSE UPN
Caption: L-R: World President, YOSA, USA, Otunba Soji Adeyemi (standing), UPN National Chairman, Professor Bankole Okuwa, and YOSA National Coordinator, Comrade Eric Oluwole during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday…. Photo: Michael Ogunsiji
- Micheal Azeez Ogunsiji, Abeokuta
Youths across the country have declared their readiness to hijack the political structure from Nigerian politicians in order to actualize their political agitation.
The youths under the aegis of “Youths Occupy State Assembly” (YOSA) 2019 on Thursday in Lagos unanimously adopted the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) as a credible political party in Nigeria with youths oriented programmes as encapsulated in the late Obafemi Awolowo’s political agenda in the old western region.
While addressing journalists, the National Coordinator who doubles as the National President, Yoruba Youths Council of Nigeria (YYCN), Comrade Eric Oluwole stated that, the Youth Occupy State Assembly was imperative to fight against the stumbled political system and challenge the old politicians with the motive to reposition the bastardized political system in Nigeria through dutiful involvement in governance and other related governmental affairs.
Comrade Oluwole emphasized that, there resolved in choosing UPN as a political party for the youths was based on the ideologies and philosophy of the late pioneer Premier of the Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s political agenda which include; free education, free and qualitative healthcare service, gainful employment, integrated rural development among others.
Oluwole who commended the National Assembly for the recent enactment of the #nottooyoungtorun bill, stressed that their resolve to occupy the political space was to remodify the leadership mandate that has become a bottleneck in delivery of good governance to the Nigerian masses.
He further stated that, their resolved in choosing UPN as a political party for the youths was based on the ideologies and philosophy of the party in the old Western region, urging all other youth assemblies in the country to join the movement for a better Nigeria.
“Hoping to familiarize our thoughts via our general decisions within the ambit of the fundamental rule of law, which ascertained the right to lawful assembly and the freedom of speech, we the teeming members of various youths platforms in South-West, Nigeria who are politically imbued have come under the aegis of Youth Occupy State Assemblies (YOSA) 2019 to rise against the stumbled political system and challenge the old politicians with the motive to reposition the bastardized political system in Nigeria through our dutiful involvement in governance and other related governmental affairs. It is on this premise, we have decided to adopt Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), as the only credible and youth oriented party to be occupied and endorsed for youths political agitation.
“We have chosen the State House of Assemblies as our steppingstone to exhibit our political potentials in order to meet up with the overriding challenges of good governance, misappropriation of funds and high inflation of contracts by the executive arms at the detriment of the states and the common masses in Nigeria.
“Therefore, such aforementioned development suited our decision to merge our interest and to embrace the dignified principles of Awolowo, to serve, implement human based project and to stabilize the society via the recognition of the youths and the repositioning of governmental structures”.
Also speaking, the World President, Youth Occupy State Assembly, USA, Otunba Soji Adeyemi lampooned Nigerian politicians for not providing a healthy platform for the youths to take the centre stage in the political spectrum of the country, stressing the need for more proactive steps to be taken by the youths.
Otunba Adeyemi noted that, the youths movement have the full support of UPN leadership in Nigeria and its ready to give full autonomy to support any youth who are willing to contest on the platform of the youth assembly in the country.
He affirmed that, the youths assembly consensually agreed to adopt UPN as a result of its campaign for free education and free health programme in the country.
In his own remark, the UPN National Chairman, Professor Bankole Okuwa commended the youth assembly for their tenacity and belief in the political party, promising to hand over the structure of the party to them if proven capable and readiness to take the leadership mantle of the country.
Professor Okuwa therefore, declared that, the UPN nomination ticket is free for any youth contesting under the Youth Occupy Assembly in 2019 across country irrespective of their political affiliation.
“The step you have taken today will redefine the political history of Nigeria. It is high time we allow the youths to take the centre of political leadership this country.
“That is why UPN as a political party, is ready to hand over the party to the vibrant youths who are politically inclined to take up the leadership mantle.”.
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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