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5 Major Reasons to Visit Lebanon

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5 Reasons to Visit Lebanon

5 Reasons to Visit Lebanon

Although Lebanon often gets a bad reputation in Western media coverage, the country’s rich history, culture and diversity deserve positive recognition

Located on the eastern Mediterranean coast bordering Israel and Syria, many people have heard of Lebanon for mostly negative reasons. Strife caused by a 15-year civil war and other regional conflicts has long dominated international news headlines in the Middle East, as well as the explosion in Beirut on Aug. 4. Despite this, Lebanon is a beautiful country with amazing scenery, culture, people, food and so much more. Here are seven lesser-known facts about this beautiful Middle Eastern country.

 

1. Variety of Landscapes

 

Although many people mistakenly refer to the entire Middle East as a desert, this could not be further from the truth. On the contrary, Lebanon’s small landmass has many different landscapes, from a Mediterranean climate by the coast with olive groves to the snow capped Mount-Lebanon to the beautiful and fertile Bekaa Valley. One other beautiful nature area is the Cedars of God in the Kadisha Valley, which is one of the last places in the world where the majestic Lebanon cedar trees can be found today. In ancient times, the wood of cedar trees was used for constructing religious buildings.

2. Ancient History

5 Reasons to Visit Lebanon

What Lebanon lacks in size it more than makes up for in history. Founded by the Phoenicians and later influenced by the Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Ottomans and the French, this variety of civilizations has undoubtedly made a mark on the country’s history. The Phoenicians, who were well known for their skills in navigation and seafaring, traded with empires around the world and established colonies in other parts of the Mediterranean. Phoenicians are also credited with the invention of the first writing system with an alphabet known as “abjad.” Travelers can visit the historical cities of Tyre, Byblos and Sidon, which have distinct Phoenician influences. Additionally, some of the best Roman ruins in the world can be found in Lebanon, including sites in Baalbek and Faqra.

 

3. Religious and Cultural Diversity

 

Lebanon is one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East. Roughly 61% of Lebanon’s population is Muslim, with nearly equal numbers of Shiites and Sunnis, 33% is Christian, and an estimated 4.5% are Druze, a religion containing elements of Islam, Judaism, Christianity and classical Greek philosophy. However, travelers are unlikely to experience widespread friction between the different religious groups. Columnist Taha Meli Arvas traveled in Lebanon and observed that, “I didn’t see any divisions between regions or religions … The people and cultures all blend in seamlessly and to an outsider it is all just Lebanon.” Arabic, French and English are spoken in Lebanon, but it is also common for people to speak the Lebanese dialect, which has notable influences from all three languages.

4. Amazing Food

 

Food lovers rejoice! Travelers will look forward to trying the endless culinary delights of Lebanon. One of the most famous dishes is kibbeh, a Lebanese national dish made up of a mixture of bulgur wheat, ground lamb, herbs and spices. Sfiha, an open-faced flatbread topped with meat, a delicious salad made of herbs known as tabbouleh, bulgur wheat, tomatoes and olive oil, is equally loved. Manoushe or “Lebanese pizza,” a toasted flatbread with za’atar (a herb and spice blend), is also popular, as are olive oil, hummus, falafel, shawarma and many others.

 

5. Friendliness and Hospitality

 
As a whole, Lebanon is relatively safe for travelers, with theft and petty crime being extremely rare. Similar to other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, hospitality is deeply rooted in Lebanese culture. It is considered a great honor to host guests. Lebanese are very family oriented and it is common for travelers to be invited into people’s homes for tea, coffee or a family meal. Prepare to be well-fed; it is considered polite for hosts to serve their guests multiple servings of food. You will likely not leave hungry!
5 Reasons to Visit Lebanon

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Crude Price Surge: Importers, Depots Hike PMS to N940, Dangote Maintains at N825/L

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Dangote is committed to operational sustainability

Crude Price Surge: Importers, Depots Hike PMS to N940, Dangote Maintains at N825/L

 

 

The volatility of crude oil prices in the international market has harmed Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, with importers and depot operators raising petrol prices to between N905 and N940 per litre. In contrast, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has maintained its ex-depot price at N825 per litre.

 

Crude Price Surge: Importers, Depots Hike PMS to N940, Dangote Maintains at N825/L

According to data gathered, Rainoil increased its price to N920 from N850 per litre, while Fynefield and Mainland raised their ex-depot prices to N930 and N920, respectively, an increase of N50 and N10.

 

 

Additional pricing data showed Sigmund selling at N920 per litre, Matrix Warri at N910, and NIPCO rising sharply to N920 from N827 the previous week. Aiteo was reported to be selling petrol at N920 per litre.

 

 

Further increases were recorded as Swift Oil moved to N920, Emadeb and Wosbab to N910, and First Royal to N905. Pinnacle made the most significant adjustment, now selling at N940 per litre.

 

 

These price hikes follow sustained gains in global crude oil markets, with Brent crude trading at $75.63 and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) at $74.03 per barrel, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

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Nigerian Bank Customers Cry Foul Over Excess Charges, Demand CBN Action as AI Sparks Hope for Reform

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Nigerian Bank Customers Cry Foul Over Excess Charges, Demand CBN Action as AI Sparks Hope for Reform

Nigerian Bank Customers Cry Foul Over Excess Charges, Demand CBN Action as AI Sparks Hope for Reform

The Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) has raised alarm over unauthorized and excessive charges levied on customers’ bank accounts, urging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene urgently before public frustration boils over.

BCAN President, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, made this known on Thursday while speaking at the 2025 Artificial Intelligence Conference hosted by SuperNews. Themed “Power of AI: Enhancing Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction for Better Financial Services Experience,” the event spotlighted the role of emerging technologies in improving Nigeria’s banking landscape.

Ogubunka revealed that BCAN has formally petitioned the CBN concerning the controversial end-user billing model for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), which deducts charges directly from customers’ bank balances—contrary, he said, to the CBN’s approved bank fee framework.

“On the issue of excess charges, we’ve written to the Central Bank to find a permanent solution. If they fail to act, bank customers may have no choice but to take to the streets. Let’s pray it doesn’t come to that,” he warned.

He also decried the current state of banking experiences in Nigeria, describing customer satisfaction as practically nonexistent. “If people were truly satisfied, we wouldn’t be seeing petitions piling up at the CBN, NDIC, mediation centers, and the courts. AI has not yet made the impact we expect in Nigeria’s banking sector,” Ogubunka noted.

Keynote speaker Johnson Chukwu emphasized how artificial intelligence is transforming global financial systems—and could do the same for Nigeria. “AI enables hyper-personalisation. One million customers, and each treated uniquely. It knows your face, your spending habits, and tailors services to your needs,” Chukwu said.

He pointed out that AI is already driving a surge in consumer credit accessibility, with instant microloans being approved based on data analytics from telecoms and banking apps. “The machines know your income and expenses. If you’re eligible, you can get a N50,000 loan in minutes,” he explained.

Chukwu also said AI could speed up complaint resolution by leveraging big data. “The system knows what to do with your complaint based on patterns and prior cases—it’s swift and effective,” he added.

He concluded by listing the “7 Cs” essential for implementing AI in finance: capacity, capability, collaboration, creativity, cognition, continuity, and control.

“AI will redefine human interaction in business. Companies that ignore it risk extinction,” Chukwu warned.

As the pressure mounts on financial institutions and regulators, both speakers agreed on one point—artificial intelligence could be the breakthrough tool for resolving long-standing issues in Nigeria’s banking sector, if properly harnessed.

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Festus Keyamo has proven that he is a true son of Delta State through Warri Airport – Igosave

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Festus Keyamo has proven that he is a true son of Delta State through Warri Airport – Igosave

…says the immense roles of the state governor, the Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori (JP) is well appreciated

One of Nigeria’s most prolific and most creative rib crackers, Otaghware Otas Onodjayeke popularly known as Igosave met with the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Keyamo to appreciate his great and selfless contributions to Aviation transportation in Delta State After Igosave dragged them to make more flights available for warri and its environs against the single flights they used to have.

In an appreciation message to the Minister, Igosave expressed the feelings of Warri people as regards the airport and how it will go a long way in boosting the economy of Delta State. He also emphasised on the incomparable and unparalleled contributions of His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori (JP) .

Igosave was quoted during the meeting to have, on behalf of the entire people of warri and its environs say “a very big thank you to Governor Oborevwori and the Distinguished Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo for listening to the cries of the good people of Warri. Igosave added that the people need more flights to further booster economic activities in Warri and it’s environs. He urged all the people of Warri to show appreciation to this bold step taken by the Honourable Minister to ensure that a modern-day air traveling facility is provided for the people, for their own convenience and for business activities to grow in Delta State.

Igosave delivered a very thought provoking but explanatory message to the Distinguished Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, recognising his gallantry input to the Warri nation in particular and Delta State in General.

In his response, Hon. Festus Keyamo appreciated the visit of Igosave and his team and as a bonafide son of Delta state , Keyamo spoke the local dialect, expressing his views on why all hands must be on the desk to develop not only Warri but the entire Niger Delta region.

Hon. Keyamo ascertained that the input of Governor Oborevwori in Delta State. He said, the Governor calls him everyday to ascertain the ministry of Aviation’s input in Delta State and thr modalities to be implemented. Keyamo also expressed that since the 1960s, Warri has not produced any Minister in the aviation sector and this time that God has made it happened, there must be a significant sign of aviation development. The Honourable Minister said this is the first time when a sitting Governor, Minister and senator will combine together foe the development of their state.

 

Keyamo added that illumination lights will be erected at the airport so that the facility will be lightened brightly all nights because for now, there is no conventional light there and which is very important. “As a matter of fact, we are planning to upgrade the airport to international standard and I want to assure you that it’s in the 2025 budget. Our prayer now is that the Federal Government should honour the budget and make this unforgettable dream a reality. One the budget is 80% or 90% funded, of course, the project will be completed by next year. What I used to tell people is that it is not the Federal Government that owns the airport, it was owned by Shell who sold it to a company called Shoreline. All these things we are doing, we are thinking outside the box just for us to develop our region. Meanwhile those companies cannot run the facilities and that is why we need to take over and make it useful for our people.

So it’s not a Federal Government airport, it’s a private airport so it not FAAN that rubs it and not the government. So,like Asaba, Warri Airport is private and not owned by the Federal Government. Thanks.

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A post shared by OTAGHWARE O. ONODJAYEKE (@igosave)

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