Business
Why We Earmarked N10m For Tree Planting In Our Estates – Pelican Valley CEO, Adeyemo
Why We Earmarked N10m For Tree Planting In Our Estates – Pelican Valley CEO, Adeyemo
By Heritage Odih, Abeokuta
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Dr Babatunde Adeyemo, has explained the rational behind the firm’s huge budget for tree planting and Green ‘Areas areas’ development project within the Pelican Ecostay Apartments and Pelican Brief Estate.
Adeyemo said the ‘Green Areas’ is an integral part of the Estate’s Master Plan as approved in the full layout by the Ogun State Government, adding that the implementation of it which had started in phases, would be executed meticulously.
The realtor dubbed as the ‘Poster boy’ of the real estate sector in Ogun State, said the firm purposely sited the estate at its specific location within Masa – Kobape axis of the state to provide immeasurable “peace of mind” to clients.
He explained to The Daily Crucible that the place was conceived to be an eco – friendly setting, a serene ambience where man and nature would align together to promote “good health and longevity,” and away from the congestion the Abeokuta metropolis has become..
Adeyemo that has recently being inducted as ECOWAS Youth Ambassador in addition to being an Anti – corruption ambassador, said he needed not wait for the good counsel of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) on the importance of leaving a portion aside for ‘Green Areas’ in an estate before embarking on tree planting in his own estates.
According to him, he is naturally in love with Greens, and would effortlessly and gladly plant trees without much prompting from any quarters.
He said the essence is to have a zero carbon emission human habitation, make the place tourists attraction with special built lounge, recreation areas, special built club and a Gymn centre for the comfort of the calibre of clients that had keyed into the concept.
The realtor said, “Pelican Brief Estate and Pelican Ecostay apartments have government fully approved layout. In furtherance of our Master plan, we have Green Areas and at the same time, we have eco-friendly place called Pelican Ecostay apartments. It is conceived to offer comfort and healthy living. There, we are going to use almost N10 million naira to buy plants, we have started buying tree seedlings in phases and we are going to put the seedlings in each plot and compound so that in the next two or three years, you can always have a serene ambience and zero carbon emission because in this estate, there will be no home power generator in any apartment. It is going to be 100% eco – friendly in compliance with ecostay, eco – friendly concept.
“We deliberately sited our estate at that particular spot in Masa Kobape area of Abeokuta to give our clients peace of mind, it is a place where man and nature will align to promote good health and longevity. It is away from the congestion of Abeokuta metropolis.
“In terms of proximity, it is 50minutes drive from Lagos and less than 20 minutes from Abeokuta or Prof Wole Soyinka Train station . It is all encompassing and we truly want to make it tourists attraction. We will have special built lounge, recreation areas, special built club and a Gymn centre. All these are in the Master Plan of Ecostay apartments and we are going to extend same to Pelican Brief estate.
“The beauty of government approved estate is that in every layout of government approved estate, there is a portion mapped out for you, it is compulsory, and the government will do it for and you can’t use that portion for any other thing. Before government approved a layout, you must have a green area, you must have a place for recreation, you must have commercial area so that nobody goes building shops in front of his apartment to sell groundnut or coconut. It will never happen in this kind of estate because we have purpose vouch out facility space for that. We have commercial zone. We are going to have our five – storey building corporate headquarters there. One floor will house Oko Opo Foundation. One floor will be for the supervision of the estate.
“The last floor will be for my second passion, which is broadcasting. We are planning to have a Radio Station because we have a bundle of knowledge converging there. We are talking of Nigerians who have excelled in many endeavours and they want to retire there. We will tap into their wealth of experience by bringing them to handle one or two live programmes in our proposed Radio Station. We are going to utilise what we have optimally. It is going to be the knowledge base of Ogun State, the tourist attraction and future of Ogun State.”
Bank
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
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.
Business
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
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
Business
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Launch Strategic Plan for World-Class Sugar and Agro-Logistics Hub at Khalifa Port
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Sugar Refining, Agro-Industrial Development, and Integrated Global Logistics Solutions
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Monday, 16th February 2026
BUA Group, AD Ports Group, and MAIR Group of Abu Dhabi today signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions. The partnership aims to create a world-class platform that strengthens regional food security, supports industrial diversification, and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for trade and manufacturing.
The proposed collaboration will leverage BUA Group’s industrial and logistics expertise, Khalifa Port’s world-class infrastructure, and AD Ports Group’s operational experience. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to position the UAE as a global leader in sustainable food production and resilient supply chains. It also aligns with Nigeria’s food production- and export-oriented agricultural transformation agenda, focused on scaling domestic capacity, strengthening value addition, improving post-harvest logistics, and unlocking new markets for Nigerian produce across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.

Photo Caption: L-R: Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director, BUA Group; Cpt. Mohammed J. Al Shamisi, MD/Group CEO, AD Ports Group; Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO (Ports Cluster) AD Ports Group; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder/Executive Chairman, BUA Group; and Steve Green, Group CFO, MAIR Group
Through structured aggregation, processing, storage, and maritime export channels, the partnership is designed to reduce supply chain inefficiencies, enhance traceability and quality standards, and also create a predictable trade corridor between West Africa and the Gulf.
BUA Group—recognised as one of Africa’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, with major investments across sugar refining, food production, flour milling, cement manufacturing, and infrastructure- brings extensive industrial expertise and large-scale operational capability to the venture. MAIR Group will provide strategic support in developing integrated logistics and agro-industrial solutions, creating a seamless platform for production, storage, and distribution.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, said:
“This MoU marks an important milestone in BUA’s international expansion and reflects our long-term vision of building globally competitive industrial platforms. Together with AD Ports Group and MAIR Group, we aim to develop sustainable food production and logistics solutions that strengthen regional supply chains and support the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051.”
He further added that, “This partnership represents not just a commercial arrangement but a strategic food corridor anchored on shared economic ambition, resilient infrastructure, and disciplined execution, reinforcing long-term food security objectives for both nations.”
A representative of MAIR Group added:
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing strategic industries in Abu Dhabi and building integrated solutions that reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for trade, food security, and industrial excellence.”
A spokesperson from AD Ports Group commented:
“Our partnership with BUA Group and MAIR Group highlights Khalifa Port’s role as a catalyst for high-impact industrial investments. This initiative will enhance regional food security, strengthen global trade connectivity, and support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification goals.”
This MoU marks a historic collaboration that combines world-class infrastructure, industrial expertise, and strategic vision, setting the stage for a sustainable and resilient food and logistics ecosystem that will benefit the UAE, the region, and global markets alike.
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