Business
‘No Christian will be allowed to attend any service without Voters Card’ – CAN
The Christian Association of Nigerian has said it would be compelled to make it a law for any Christian believer to produce his or her own voter’s card before being allowed to attend any mass or service.
The Chairman, Plateau State chapter of the CAN, Rev. Soja Bewarang, gave this hint on Saturday at the third annual Plateau State prayer day organized by the state CAN in conjunction with the Plateau State Government.
The prayer session, with the theme: “Endless Love Of Christ Brings Unity,” had its Bible passage from John 15: 12-14.
Bewarang expressed dismay over the lack of unity among Christians, saying political or denominations’ differences between Christians remains the impediment of the progress of the Christian faith in Nigeria.
He however charged Plateau State Christians to shun such sentiments and love one another for the progress and development of the state, adding that the church as a body would be compelled to take stringent measures against any member that fails to obtain a voters’ card to exercise his or her civic responsibility in future elections in the country.
Also in his address, the Governor or Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, begged the people to always verify any information at their disposal before taking it to the market squares
According to Lalong: “Don’t go on using Facebook to backbite my government and don’t listen to voices of enemies who instigate crisis to tear the unity of the state.
“All of us as God fearing should use God’s talents, time and treasures positively in proclaiming, educating and telling the truth not just to the authority but their congregation.”
“Without prejudice to the giant strides being made in the development of the state, we have been witnessing pockets of crises between herdsmen and farmers.”
Lalong told CAN that there are challenges of understanding the issues of grazing reserves and ranching, but for the sake of posterity, there was the clarification of the current position and intentions of the government on the matter.
He said grazing reserves are simply tracks of land acquired, developed and reserved or set aside for farmers or nomads to use in grazing their livestock or domesticated animals, while ranch or livestock production centre is a plot or piece of land dedicated to raising any livestock within a large area or even at a backyard.
The Governor lamented that but for the propaganda by some people who have chosen to politicize the issue, his government has never initiated the establishment or creation of grazing reserves.
According to him, the inherited April 2009 gazette made by former Governor Jonah David Jang, which recognized and established grazing reserves in Plateau State, and as well approved budgetary allocations to effect the development, is being peddled to blackmail him.
Lalong added that his administration didn’t embrace the concept of grazing reserves as solution to abating the series of clashes in view of the fact that in this 21st century and modern times, they are outdated, unacceptable and recurrent recipe for crises as being witnessing.
He explained: “We presented our score card in the light of gains and successes such as engendering peace, hope and harmony amongst the citizenry, initiating and executing new projects across the three geopolitical zones of the state.”
On his part, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius A. Kaigama, commended Lalong and CAN for organizing the prayer session, saying the event has helped the Governor in clearing the air on fundamental issues disturbing the minds of the people.
Kaigama then prayed to God to heal Plateau land and comfort those who lost their loved ones in the recent attacks in the state.
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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