Business
I Almost quit music – Banky W reveals as He shares a very touching story about his career
Nothing good comes easy. You have to hustle hard to get to the top in Nigeria, Talent isn’t just enough.
E.M.E Baddest Boss, Banky W, who needs no introduction considering his fame all over the world shared a very touching story on how tough things were for him coming before coming into limelight in a birthday tribute to his friend and partner, Segun Demuren.
Read Below:
“About @segundemuren: The morning of Jan 1st 2009 was one of the worst of my life. I went to Church the night before to pray in the new year… and there I poured my heart out to God. You see, i moved back to Lag on Feb 14th 08. It was a tough decision quitting my well-paid engineering job in nyc and moving back, but I felt incomplete and unfulfilled. That decision however, led to a tough year. I had gained some small popularity in music, but fame comes way before fortune in my line of work.
So yes there were videos on tv, but I was flat out broke. I’d spent all my savings on my music business.. I was driving a beat down car that broke down on every possible major road in Lagos, and I had resorted to “borrowing” 5k from my manager weekly, to fuel my car and buy recharge cards. I’d started second guessing my decision. Shld I have moved back at all? Shld I have listened to folks and stayed in nyc? It was hard. I wasn’t getting any show bookings, infact Segun & I used to show up to events wayyy early just to make sure we could get inside, and times without number we wld beg & plead to get 5 mins to perform on shows only to get turned down. I was frustrated. Why wasn’t my music working here? Why couldnt ppl see what we saw? Maybe I wasnt meant to be here? And then after church that morning, I got accosted by armed robbers, driven around on the joy-ride-from-hell, roughed up, and robbed of everything on me. Phones, money, jewelry, ipod, hat, shoes, u name it. They kept threatening to shoot me, but I just kept praying psalm 91 and somehow I made it home to Segun’s house in one piece. And while I was grateful to be alive, I sunk into further depression. For a week plus I wouldn’t leave my room. I felt like my whole world had come crashing down, and like I had nothing to show for all my effort and prayers. And then Segun walked into my room and said “hey bro.. I know it’s really bad right now. But the good news is, this is rock bottom. U have hit it, and ur still alive. It can only get better from here, but U can’t let it defeat U. U gotta get up, dust it off, and channel all that nervous energy into making music again!!” I was in shock..
I was in shock. How did he expect me to just shake everything off just like that? My mental state was a total mess. I didn’t have a penny to even pay for the studio time, and even my car had been bashed. I said “bro even if I want to record, how would I pay for it?” He asked who I’d wanna work with and I said Cobhams. He asked me to find out how much it would cost… I did. The next day he walked into my room with the entire amount in full that he had borrowed from someone. Plus extra for cab fare.
I paid for the Cobhams sessions, and the very first song we created was “Strong Ting”.. till date one of my biggest hits in Africa. The requests for performances started coming.. I started actually receiving airplay. Ppl finally started understanding me and my music, and better yet, they ACTUALLY liked it! My life changed from that moment and so did my finances.
God has used Segun to guide, direct, help, support and save me on too many occasions. I want to wish my big brother and role model a veryyyy happy birthday, and pray for him that he and his family will never know lack in Jesus name. For the seeds of kindness, love and support he has sown in my life and many others, may God bless him and every generation born of him. I love you forever, and I look up to you.
I shared this particular story because I also want to encourage y’all. I know life can be hard and harsh, but don’t give up hope after the darkest of nights, because your morning is right around the corner.
Business
Harmony Gardens’ Ibeju-Lekki Portfolio Crosses $1bn
Harmony Gardens’ Ibeju-Lekki Portfolio Crosses $1bn
Harmony Garden & Estate Development Limited has expanded its development activities across Ibeju-Lekki, pushing the projected long-term value of its estate portfolio beyond $1 billion.
Led by Chief Executive Officer Hon. Dr. Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa, popularly know Saheed Ibile, the company is developing seven estates within the Lekki–Ibeju corridor. Details available on Harmony Garden & Estate Development show a portfolio spanning land assets and ongoing residential construction across key growth locations.
A major component is Lekki Aviation Town, where urban living meets neighborhood charm, located near the proposed Lekki International Airport and valued internally at over $250 million. The development forms part of the company’s broader phased expansion strategy within the axis.
Other estates in the corridor tagged as the “Citadel of Joy” (Ogba-idunnu) include Granville Estate, Majestic Bay Estate, The Parliament Phase I & II, and Harmony Casa Phase I & II.
With multiple projects active, the rollout of the Ibile Traditional Mortgage System, and structured expansion underway, Harmony Garden & Estate Development Ltd continues to deepen its presence within the fast-growing Ibeju-Lekki real estate market.
Business
BUA Group Showcases Food Manufacturing Strength at 62nd Paris International Agricultural Show
BUA Group Showcases Food Manufacturing Strength at 62nd Paris International Agricultural Show
BUA Group, one of Africa’s leading diversified conglomerates, is maintaining a strong presence at the ongoing 62nd edition of the Paris International Agricultural Show in France, participating as a premium sponsor and supporting the Nigeria Pavilion at one of the world’s most respected agricultural gatherings.
The 62nd Paris International Agricultural Show, taking place from February 21 to March 1, 2026, at Porte de Versailles in Paris, convenes global leaders across farming, agro processing, technology, finance, and policy. The event serves as a strategic platform for industry engagement, knowledge exchange, and commercial partnerships shaping the future of global food systems.
BUA Group’s participation reflects its long term commitment to strengthening the entire food production value chain. Through sustained investments in large scale processing, value addition, and branded consumer products, the Group continues to reinforce its role in advancing food security, industrial growth, and regional trade integration.
Speaking on the Group’s participation, the Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu CFR, said, “BUA’s presence at the Paris International Agricultural Show reflects our belief that Africa must be an active participant in shaping the future of global food systems. We have invested significantly in local production capacity because we understand that food security, industrial growth, and economic resilience are interconnected. Platforms like this allow us to build partnerships that strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness and expand our reach beyond our borders.”
BUA Foods, a subsidiary of BUA Group, maintains a strong footprint in flour, pasta, spaghetti, sugar, and rice production, serving millions of consumers within Nigeria and across neighbouring African markets. The Managing Director of BUA Foods, Engr. Abioye Ayodele, representing the Executive Chairman, is attending the event at the Nigeria Pavilion, engaging industry stakeholders and showcasing the company’s manufacturing capabilities.
Also speaking at the show, Engr. Ayodele stated, “BUA Foods has built scale across key staple categories that are central to household consumption. Our participation at this Show allows us to demonstrate the quality, consistency, and operational strength behind our products. We are also engaging global stakeholders with a clear message that Nigerian manufacturing can meet international standards while serving both domestic and regional markets efficiently.”
The Show provides BUA Group with an opportunity to deepen trade relationships, explore new export pathways, and reinforce Nigeria’s growing relevance within the global agricultural and food ecosystem.
BUA Group remains focused on building enduring institutions, expanding productive capacity, and positioning African enterprise competitively within global markets.
Business
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.
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