Business

Helen Paul Celebrates 17 Years on Stage with ‘Life Burial’

Published

10 years ago

April 27, 2016

Multiple award-winning entertainer, Helen Paul, has celebrated her 17 years on stage with the release of her anticipated play, ‘Live Burial’. The event was held amid pomp and ceremony at the University of Lagos Guest House yesterday, Sunday, 24 April.

During the event, which was attended by Prof Olumuyiwa Adebanjo-Falae, (Dean, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG), Barrister Femi Bamisile, Chief Charles Nwoji and Dr. Otun Rasheed among others, Helen Paul also unveiled members of her drama troupe officially.

Prof Adebanjo-Falae, who was the chief launcher of the day with his wife, described Helen Paul as a “special breed. Her husband is lucky to have her, and she is lucky to have a gentleman like him too because without his support and sacrifice, she can’t be where she is.”

Chief Charles Nwoji, who gave Helen Paul her first official public performance as a singer in Abuja in 1999, narrated how he met and discovered the entertainer’s singing prowess almost two decades ago before she was given the opportunity to participate where she emerged the Best Gospel Act.

According to Dr. Otun Rasheed, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos, a genius is someone with one percent aspiration and 99 percent perspiration. He further described Helen Paul as a “focussed lady I have been monitoring from her undergraduate days. She started the idea of writing ‘Life Burial’ five years ago. It is thoroughly edited and I can boldly say that it can compete anywhere in the world.”

‘Life Burial’ is a boisterous comedy on gender relationship, but such relationship between a licentious man, Chief, and his assorted women. Apart from Anike, the only woman that Chief married, marriage and love is a game in the life of the other characters.

In playing the game of love and marriage, Chief maintains a clear distinction between the woman he married, Anike, and the other women who got married to him. Unfortunately, the whole game takes a fatal turn when envy mixes with desire and denial.

In the play, laughter is made an antidote to a confusing and confused world. In an amorphous world where social values are derided, where truth and honesty are evaded and the law is made to look as a buffoon, nothing is left but the surprises of being and becoming.

The playwright, Helen Paul, wrote ‘Life Burial’ as a doctoral student in the department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos. She is one of the finest TV presenters, a stand-up comedian, an actress and above all, a scholar and critic of theatre and performance.

“She is unique in her quest for knowledge despite being acclaimed as a star in the big screen. What types of drama, then, can one expect from Helen except one carefully designed to instruct by entertaining. The play is a good drama with full potentials for the stage. I recommend it to all without reservation,” Dr Osita Ezenwanebe, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, UNILAG rapped.

Helen Paul recently toured some Nigerian universities with her crew to present ‘Live Burial,’ her first work as a playwright.

The tour started from the University of Lagos, before moving to the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Redeemers University, where the drama received accolades from veterans like Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva and Dr. Ahmed Yerima.

Helen Paul said the second phase of the successful tour is scheduled to kick-off later in the year. “Interestingly, we have actually received messages from some international schools requesting that we bring ‘Live Burial’ to their respective institutions. But we would be starting from Cameroon soon,” she stated.

Business

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Published

2 days ago

February 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

Bank

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

Business

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Published

4 days ago

February 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

GTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion

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