Business

“Negative Situations Don’t Move True Servants Of God” – Apostle Johnson Suleman declares

Published

10 years ago

May 13, 2016

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, who is presently in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the country’s edition of the Restoration Conference 2016, shares his experience, the essence of Mother’s Day celebration, celebrity marriage crashes, and more. Excerpt.

Please, the experiences at your recent conference in Minnesota.

It was indeed awesome. God manifested Himself in many miraculous ways. It is a written pact that God’s works done in God’s way never lack positive supplies. God has always been wonderful. The Minnesota experience tagged Minnesota Restoration Conference 2016 was a three-session explosive deliverance episode that was filled with signs of His glory and power. Many things new did happen in the life of many. Of course, when Jesus calls, the world gathers; listens and profits hugely.

You are always on the move around the world preaching the gospel. Where was the next port of call after Minnesota?

God has sent His servant to America to the world to bring restoration and grace to all who would believe. Right now, the world is experiencing His presence in America, as people from all parts of America yearn anxiously for the great encounter. Over the year, American cities like New York, Texas, Chicago, Georgia, Maryland, Florida and several others have experienced the power of God. It was Minnesota two weeks ago, it will be Philadelphia next. We were also in Serra Leone after the Minnesota great experience. The next visit would be Johannesburg in South Africa on May 24th and 25th, while Philadelphia is next that will take us through June 28th and 29th. And God has promised us these are also going to be fulfilling journeys in the life of the hopeless and the downtrodden. As we move around the world through His special grace, millions of people are being freed from all evil foundations that temporarily hold their glories, finances, health, spiritual life and family success.

Your ministry’s Celebration TV just marked its third anniversary. How has the response been using a faith based television channel to reach homes?

We give all glory to God. We saw this vision passionately spreading beyond Africa and it has come to be. We are determined to keep on this blessed track and ensure souls and lives are redeemed as far as technology can reach. The aim for which the Celebration TV of our great ministry of God was established is fulfilling. One of the core objectives is to reach many homes across the world, wiping out tears and restore people back to their destinies through the revelation of the Word and the manifestation of power and the reality of the Holy Spirit. Celebration TV was established to take the gospel into the homes, schools, offices and businesses of millions across the nations. We are going to continue to use this powerful tool for the gospel and expansion of the Kingdom.

Helping people has become a stable feature with you, even as you heal people. Is that the secret why you have so many followers?

To start with, one lesson is the value of time-tested methods. Yes, using the new media for outreach contributes significantly to attracting people to God. But the fact remains that teaching the Word and having personal relationships by way of sharing are the most effective forms of publicity to growing the church. Like I have always shared with people, I have tasted poverty. I come from a very humble background. This is what fires my passion for sharing with the less endowed. We are not graceful with words of mouth; we are also generous with other things that make life worth living for a man.

God understands the needs of man and He is ever ready to provide those needs if man obeys His Word. We regularly share cars worth several millions of naira, cash gift and more. The latest is a brand new multimillion naira Mercedes car we gave out to a member.

Your ministry marked the recent Mother’s Day. Do you think there are other values of mothers that some don’t know?

There are lots of values in mothers. Firstly, no matter how good you are as man, when you have a bad woman around you, you end up a bad man. That is to tell you how very powerful a mother can be. Women are stronger than men. A man uses energy, woman uses strategy, a man uses affluence, woman uses influence. Ahab was a bad king because he had a bad wife. Mothers are heroine. For instance, a successful ministry is successful as a result of the strong love that exists in the home of the leader. So, it is important that we celebrate the grace in mothers’ lives.

There is the story around about celebrity marriages crashing. What are the divine elements needed to keep a marriage enduring?

The Lord says in Genesis 2:18. “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. That is a proof that God wants and is happy with man and woman relationship. For a Christian to keep the home, spouses must avoid anger to the point of leading them to commit evil. In marriage, you need to understand the mystery of the third party. It must be fought. In marriage, spouses must always be one another’s friends. If a marriage must succeed, there in spouses, must be spiritual and emotional maturity. One of the keys to a lasting marriage is communication. Lack of communication gives room for suspicion and the devil sets in. spouses must learn to call each other pet names to deepen the mutual affection, even in Christian homes. A woman must learn to take good and proper care of her body. In marriage, love covers multitude of offences. Immorality sets into marriages when men are not sexually free with their wives.

A lady recently came to your church and later alleged that she was asked to pay for miracle. How did you deal with that matter?

That was a ridiculous claim. It was a set up and an attempt to blackmail God because we speak His Word. We late discovered that a Lagos based prophet was behind the blackmail attempt. But be rest assured that we serve a mighty God, so small situations and circumstances would not move us. A man that wants to catch an elephant does not set his trap with maize. The enemy tried to set fear. But in God we have conquered fear. The only thing that helps me is to fear God more than men. So we are saved out of obedience to God. We are praying for the enemy too. Real love has the courage to tell God to help a man who is going astray. We’re all accountable to God to love others.

Bank

WEMA BANK CELEBRATES 81ST ANNIVERSARY AND 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALAT

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

WEMA BANK CELEBRATES 81ST ANNIVERSARY AND 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALAT

…Set to Reward Hundreds of Customers, Launch 5 for 5 Season 5

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has simultaneously marked its 81st anniversary and the 9th anniversary of ALAT on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026.

Adopting a different approach from its grand 80th anniversary celebration in 2025, Wema Bank is set to celebrate its 81st anniversary this year by giving back to its customers. The Bank’s anniversary celebration features rewards for customers on the ALAT App in celebration of ALAT at 9 as well as rewards for Wema Bank customers at the launch event for the 5th Season of the Bank’s 5 for 5 Reward Initiative, happening on the Bank’s anniversary day, May 2nd 2026.

In line with the Bank’s 81st anniversary theme, “Your Future of Possibilities, Powered by Wema Bank”, the Bank will also rollout a specialised customer success initiative dedicated to helping different demographics of its customers to map out and build the future of their dreams. From businesses to students, working class women, creatives and more, Wema Bank will provide tailored, practical and strategic insights and support that will help these unique demographics access better opportunities, receive useful support and make accelerated progress towards meeting their goals.

Commenting on the Bank’s motive behind its approach to celebrating its 81st anniversary, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, said, “The world is rapidly evolving. Digital evolution and emerging technologies continue to present newer opportunities and realities. To thrive, one must be prepared to adapt where needed and ready to leverage the possibilities ahead; and this is what we want to help our customers achieve. With millions of individuals and businesses in our care, we have a deep sense of responsibility towards helping them make meaningful progress and our 81st anniversary presents the perfect opportunity for us to deepen our efforts towards fulfilling that responsibility”.

“We are building a smarter and more secure financial future for our customers, one where banking is effortlessly aligned with their goals, intelligently anticipating their needs and proactively providing the right solutions. Beyond banking solutions, we are curating opportunities, providing platforms, building an entire ecosystem engineered in the best interests of every unique Wema Bank customer. Our goal is for our customers to grow as we grow, to always be one step ahead, and to make accelerated progress towards their future of possibilities as we journey with them”.

“To every stakeholder who has been a part of Wema Bank’s 81-year journey: our investors, regulators, partners, esteemed customers and dearest employees; this anniversary is dedicated to you, and this is why we have chosen to celebrate this way. On behalf of the entire board and management of Wema Bank, I say THANK YOU for 81 historic years. We have, we are, and we will be with you, all the way. Happy 81st Anniversary to us all”, Oseni concluded.

Wema Bank has established a proven track record of empowering lives, supporting businesses and providing tailored solutions that meet real needs. From financial support to digital solutions, unique opportunities and customised service, Wema Bank continues to show that it is a Bank that truly cares, understands and is committed to helping individuals and businesses thrive and achieve their goals.

For more information on how to tap into the rewards curated by Wema Bank, isit wemabank.com

Business

BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu Rises to Become Africa’s Second Richest Man

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

BUA’s Abdul Samad Rabiu Promises $1.5m Windfall, Goal Bonuses as Super Eagles Fly Past Algeria

BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu Rises to Become Africa’s Second Richest Man

LAGOS – In a notable reshuffle of Africa’s wealth hierarchy, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, has climbed to the position of the continent’s second richest individual. The development highlights the accelerating growth of his industrial empire and the increasing global relevance of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

Recent valuations show the billionaire businessman overtaking long-standing contenders to secure the number two spot, behind only Aliko Dangote. His rise has been driven largely by the strong market performance of his publicly listed firms, BUA Cement Plc and BUA Foods Plc, both of which have recorded significant gains on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

Rabiu’s ascent reflects years of strategic expansion and vertical integration. BUA Cement, Nigeria’s second-largest cement producer, has scaled up operations with new production lines to meet rising infrastructure demand. At the same time, BUA Foods has strengthened its leadership in key segments such as sugar, flour, and pasta, reinforcing its role in regional food supply.

Analysts note that his focus on essential goods has provided stability, helping his businesses maintain steady revenues despite broader economic fluctuations. By prioritizing domestic production, BUA Group has also reduced exposure to external shocks.

Philanthropy and Development Impact

Beyond business, Rabiu has earned global recognition for his philanthropic efforts through the ASR Africa Initiative, a $100 million annual intervention fund supporting education, healthcare, and social development across Africa.

His rise in the rankings is widely viewed as evidence of the power of African-driven industrialization—not only in building wealth but also in delivering meaningful social impact. As Africa’s economic landscape evolves, the shifting billionaire rankings underscore the growing influence of Nigeria’s private sector in shaping the continent’s future.

Bank

ZENITH BANK EXPANDS FRONTIERS WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE SUBSIDIARY, DEEPENS FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA PUSH

Published

4 days ago

April 29, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ZENITH BANK EXPANDS FRONTIERS WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE SUBSIDIARY, DEEPENS FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA PUSH

Zenith Bank Plc has taken a major step in its Pan-African growth journey with the official launch of its Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary, reinforcing its strategic ambition to dominate key markets across the continent.

The grand opening ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to draw top-tier government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside leading business executives and members of the diplomatic corps—underscoring the growing economic ties and investment flows between Anglophone and Francophone Africa.

Licensed in December 2025 by Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Finance and Budget and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, the new subsidiary will operate from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan—one of the region’s most important financial hubs.

The move signals a calculated expansion into Francophone West Africa and positions Zenith Bank as a key financial bridge within the West African Economic and Monetary Union. The subsidiary is designed to drive cross-border trade, offering corporate banking, trade finance, offshore banking, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and beyond.

Speaking on the milestone, Group Managing Director/CEO Adaora Umeoji said the expansion aligns with the founding vision of Chairman Jim Ovia to build a globally competitive African bank.

“The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision. It opens a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforces our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent,” she stated.

The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director/CEO Cédric Tano, who brings over two decades of industry experience. He noted that the bank is entering the Ivorian market at a time of strong economic momentum and increasing regional integration.

“Our goal is to position Zenith Bank as a customer-centric institution that blends global best practices with deep local expertise, while supporting businesses with innovative financing and enabling seamless cross-border transactions,” Tano said.

Beyond Côte d’Ivoire, Zenith Bank is accelerating its expansion into Central Africa, with plans underway to enter the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, using Cameroon as a strategic gateway.
With an established presence in multiple markets—including Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China—the bank continues to strengthen its role as a conduit linking African economies to global capital and trade networks.

Founded in 1990, Zenith Bank has evolved into one of Africa’s most formidable financial institutions, maintaining the highest Tier-1 capital position in Nigeria’s banking industry for 16 consecutive years. Built on its core pillars of People, Technology, and Service, the bank has consistently delivered strong financial performance and earned widespread local and international recognition.