Business
‘Why i won Sisi Oge beauty Pageant’ – Chiamaka Chulwrah reveals
CHIAMAKA Chukwurah emerged as the 10th beautiful lady sponsored by My Heritage, My Pride organisation to this year’s edition of Sisi Oge of Africa pageant held in Lagos recently.
The Anambra State-born queen, who is also an entrepreneur, is the originator of Ama Shoes, a shoe brand that she says would play a great role in providing foot wears for the under-privileged children.
In this interview, Chukwurah equally talks about her pet project, Connecting Smiles, which focuses on assist- ing women and youths.
As an Ibo lady, what motivated you to contest Sisi Oge of Africa beauty pageant?
Sisi Oge of Africa pageant aims to promote African values, culture and identity regardless of ethnicity. It’s open to everyone regardless of your state of origin, so my tribe has got nothing to do with it. Over the years, the pageant has produced nine beauty queens before me and if you look at the demographics of these beauty queens, you’ll realise majority of them are not from Yoruba land.
Who talked you into the pageant?
When I heard of the pageant through a friend, my mind wasn’t made up, and to be frank, I was really reluctant. My mum gave me the go ahead to apply and I made a quick decision that if I wanted to be part of it, I had to win. My mum gave me confidence with her prayers and support. She was that voice that gave me the push. That encouragement was what I held on to even while we were in camp and luckily my dream came true. Twenty of us contested the pageant.
You said your mum is a clergy, would you want to follow her footsteps later in life?
I don’t think it’s for me to decide. That is a total calling from God. But right now, I’m a chorister in my church.
What do you try to learn about your mum?
My mum taught me to be a strong woman. That’s one thing that I wish to be. She has been through a lot of things but despite that she’s still herself. She has not gone into depression thinking God is not with her. Life hasn’t made her not to be the good person that she is.
What about your dad?
He is late.
You have an enviable physique. Have you always been a model?
I have done runway and photo shoots, TV com- mercials for MTN as well as for Hollandia before Sisi Oge pageant. I also featured in ‘10 Days In Sun City’, a movie produced by comedian Ayo Makun (AY).
Aside modeling, did you ever attend a grooming school?
Not really, but my mum used to be a fashion designer. She’s been telling me what to do at any particular point in time. Maybe I should call her my coach, as she advises me on what to do, what not to do, what to wear and what not to wear. For instance, I wear African prints a lot even before Sisi Oge pageant. My mum doesn’t believe in long weaves but she likes me to look very Af- rican in my dressing, and we had no inclination that one day, I would take part in the pageant.
What made you stand out to win the crown?
I put in my best. I said the things I needed to say on point. I think everything just worked in my favour. Be- ing intelligent also helps during a time like this.
Do you have any beauty routine?
I try to eat early enough and drink a lot of water. I eat vegetables and I exercise about two, three times a week.
How’s your project, Connecting Smiles, different from other empowerment programmes around?
Connecting Smiles is a beautiful platform for me to reach a lot of people, put smiles on their faces, empower them, make them look inward and not be dependent. In- stead they should aim to be employers of labour. I want to embark on entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programmes where young ladies and women would acquire knowledge they need to improve themselves. A lot of empowerment programmes are out there but don’t amount to much because they don’t understand the needs of the people and don’t know the right people to empower. My first approach would be to identify these people the connecting way. We all have to put our hands together and do something to assist our youths, and we have been able to identify them. Whether we like it or not, all of us cannot work in the bank or offices. With our pride and our heritage, we want to correct miscon- ceptions about life and living. We need to bring back our lost values. Some of our young ladies are not ready to work; they believe N100,000 monthly salary is not enough, but they should look at what they could do in the long term with their hands and become employers of labour.
You are three months on the throne, what have you done since you won?
The last Children’s Day event was one of my focuses. I organised children and entertained them. I advised and encouraged them and made them smile. They were so happy being around me and they tell me ‘Auntie, you look really African, we love your dressing’; you know, children are fascinated with beauty queens. They were so happy.
You won a KIA car, has your lifestyle changed in any way?
I have traveled to Dubai and the United Kingdom as Ambassador of Africa after the pageant. I’ve honoured invitations to events too. I’m very careful these days.
Any advice for ladies who want to be a queen like you?
Be sure that this is what you want to do. It’s a lot of hard work but be confident, make sure you are intelli- gent and the sky will be your limit.
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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