Business
Tears of Joy as Ex-Tomatoes seller becomes Best Graduating Student in Redeemers University
It was Ifeoluwa Bejide’s day at the filled auditorium, during the 9th Convocation ceremony of Redeemer University, Ede in Osun state few days ago. Present was the Visitor of the university Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, his wife Mummy GO of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, the principal officers of Redeemer university, honorary awardees amongst them the elderly Statesman General T.Y Danjuma, boardroom guru Mr. Felix Ohiwerei, the Deputy Governor of Osun state, other dignitaries, the press, parents, guardians, students and friends of the university.
It was at this ivory tower special occasion, that Ifeoluwa Bejide was announced the Best Overall Student of the year 2016-2017. She graduated with a record feat of 4.93 score in Bsc Hons Micro biology. An uproar went up in the auditorium as she walked up to the podium to deliver a short speech and also for a handshake with the dignitaries and collection of her various prizes including cash.
It would’ve been just another celebration of success, but the journey to that celebrated height came with a moving story. One that brought tears to the eyes of many in the auditorium, even as her mother came out of the sitting audience to roll on the floor in her dainty apparel, in honour of God’s goodness in her life and that of her children.
20 year old Ifeoluwa confessed she had sold pepper, tomatoes and swept the classes of Redeemer University all the 4 years of her stay in the campus, along with her mom, to ensure she sailed through her study programme. Even a day before the graduation ceremony, Ifeolowa, in the company of her mom, had attended to this same sweeping duty on campus.
Being raised by a single mom with another sister, Ifeolowa persevered through their low state of income to achieve the academic feat. Many cleaned away the tear stains on their eyes because ironically, Redeemer University, a private university is meant more for the rich and the affluent who were also seated in the auditorium that day.
Asked how her daughters educational journey had been, Ifeoluwa’s mom replied, “It has been rough but God made us to weather the storm to this point. She confirmed that Ifeoluwa had always been brilliant, a source she attributes to a prophecy made by a man of God. “We used to live in Akure at a time. An evangelist/prophet came around then and singled her out for prayer. He told her ‘go and be the head wherever you find yourself.’ And so in her primary school she became the overall student. At the Redeemer Secondary School, she was the best graduating student too. That increased my faith that when God says something, it is bound to happen.”
Also asked where Ifeoluwa’s dad was due to his absence on such a special day, Ifeoluwa’s mom simply replied, “Well, he is not around, and hasn’t been around.”
But for the future, she would love to see her daughter “continue with her education because she is still young and has time to study and become someone in life and then take away the broom from me. Even as at yesterday, we were there in the classrooms, sweeping together.
She went on to reveal how she luckily got the sweeping contract with the university, which ensured Ifeoluwa’s hope of eventually getting a university education.
“I used to work as a secretary at the Redeemer University when it was located at the Redeemed Camp in Mowe. But there was a time when the university was over-staffed and there was the need to down size. Moreover, there was the plan then to move to Ede in Osun state and all the staff could not be taken. I was affected. But because God is faithful and I had a good record, I was allowed to get a sweeping contract with the university after the movement to Ede. We are about seven contractors.”
Does it mean that Ifeoluwa Opeyemi was attending lectures and at the same time sweeping the classrooms of same university she was attending? “Yes, confirmed her mom again, “but it was only when she was not having classes. Also, she was helping out on Saturdays. I had joy in doing my job because the children I’m doing it for, appreciates it and appreciates me. It doesn’t matter what any other person thinks.”
And where did Ifeoluwa’s spoken good English originate from? The mom had a ready answer. “No matter how poor I have been, I have always valued giving my children good education. So right from early age, I placed them in good schools where I knew they will be well taught. Back at Redeemer Secondary School, I owed school fees from time to time because; my salary was not carrying us. Sometimes Ifeoluwa didn’t have food to eat during break time. At such times, she used to come to my office, I would hide her under my table, buy groundnut and soak gari for her. When she finishes that, she would then run back to the classroom. So most often it is what we have that we ate. Today, I thank God that He had never made me regret putting them in good schools. It has been a good investment. Her foundation has been solid. By God’s grace her future will be good ad she will know God more and get married when the time comes.”
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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