Business
Bonang Matheba, Ahmed Soultan, Ika Jong , Hauwa Allhbura To Host AFRIMA 2016
As preparations get into full gear towards the prestigious awards ceremony AFRIMA 2016 this weekend, the African Union and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, have unveiled hosts for the Sunday November 6 ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.
The hosts, who were drawn from the three majorly spoken languages in Africa— English, French and Arabic— are Ahmed Soultan (Morocco); MsBonang Matheba(South Africa; and Ika Jang(Congo).
Ahmed Soultan is a Moroccan music star, who is also an AFRIMA double award winner. He is a leader of the Moroccan Group, Nayda. Soultan is a multilingual artiste and celebrity, who speaks English, French, Portuguese and Arabic fluently. He has performed at the GLO CAF Awards and he is also a nominee for one of the categories of AFRIMA 2016. His albums include ‘Music Has No Boundaries’ (2004), ‘Tolerance’ (2005) and ‘Code’ (2009).
Bonang Matheba, is a versatile South African media personality, who anchors the popular SABC 1 Music Live Show. She is also a winner of the International Golden Horn Award for Best TV Presenter.
Ika Jong is a multi-talented bilingual Congolese TV Broadcaster and celebrity.
However, the Red Carpet hosts are Denola Grey, Denrele Edun, Hauwa AllahBura; and Pam Happi.
Denola is a style blogger, model, fashion enthusiast, broadcaster on Ebonylife TV, Nigeria. He has carved a niche for himself in the fashion industry.
Pam Happi, who is fondly called Miss P is a bilinguist and a household name in Cameroon. She is the renowned hostess of Miss P Show, which is one of the most-watched Cameroonian talk shows.
Hauwa Allahbura is a Nigerian model, actress and a TV personality whose rise to fame came when she won the Miss FCT pageant some years ago. She was born in Kanam Plateau and works as a TV presenter for VillageSquare TV a Nollywood entertainment channel broadcasting on ONTV but now a TV channel known as Trybe TV.
Adenrele Oluwafemi Edun, popularly known as Denrele Edun was one of the red carpet hosts of AFRIMA 2015. Known for his unique fashion style and personality, he started his television career as an actor when he was 11 years and also a presenter/producer on a NTA children’s programme, Kiddievision 101.Denrele is an entertainment personality whose style has been described as “punk and fun”. He went into modelling, and after graduating from school, he joined Sound City, Nigeria, as a TV presenter.
However, the AFRIMA 2016 events will be preceded by AFRIMA Music Village on Friday November, 4, 2016. This is a non-stop music concert with over 40 African artistes performing live at the Waterfront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria. Thousands of guests are expected in Lagos for the event.
This event is free to those wearing the AFRIMA T-shirt which is available at www.ariiyatickets.com or at the Beach venue.
Also, as part of the activities for nominees to have a feel of Lagos, there will be a guided tour of Eko Atlantic City, popularly called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Other tourists sites to visit include the Freedom Park, Broad Street, which houses relics of the slave trade and Nigeria’s struggles for Independence. Other historic places to visit in Lagos, which is AFRIMA’s official host city, will be a visit to the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, which is located in Central Lagos, known as Iga Iduganran.
The grand finale, the awards night, comes up on Sunday November 6, with thousands of guests expected in Lagos from across Africa and the world. The event will hold inside the prestigious Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels & Suites. The All Africa Music Awards is tailored to recognise and reward those who have given African music the most creative competitive edge in the global market within the year under review. Over 154 nominees are campaigning for votes from the public for the various categories of awards.
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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