Business
‘Yoruba broadcasters should be flexible in the use of language’ – Ace Yoruba broadcaster, Damilola Banire
When talking of broadcasting in the broadcasting world in Nigeria,Damilola Banire will surely be on a front role,especially amongst the yoruba broadcasters! Saharaweekly magazine and sahara online reporter got hooked with the versatile full breasted screen Goddess and had an exclusive chat with her which prompted her briefing on the dos and don’ts of broadcasting ….
Excerpts
Basically ‘iya afin oni Miliki’ grew from the TV show Miliki Express on Orisun TV startimes cable showing every Wednesday and Friday. About November last year in Ibadan I met a young lady make up artist, she actually did my make up, we were gisting and I had a reason to pick a call in her presence, it was a client, so I just concentrated on my call, and after the call she said I never knew you speak good English I watch your program a lot, and she went further to say she never believed most Yoruba presenters are this learnered , now that got me dazed and I looked at her and said “I’m very literate I don’t know about others”… Now returning to Lagos this got me really thinking about our yourba content provision on radio and TV. Now I found out that most presenters /OAP have boxed themselves to the indigenous core Yoruba without flexibility, see I understand so much the meaning of broadcasting which is from a narrow place to a bigger picture that even your legs might never even take you.
I realized that we have a lot of viewers and listeners that are not Yoruba but they love the language so much and they want to learn and understand it, which makes them tune to a yoruba speaking station, radio or TV, but when this language is even taking too seriously by the presenter, how do you carry the non yorubas along? They make the Yoruba presentation stiff and rigid am not saying don’t do the indigenous thing but give your listener’s a blend they can flow with.
This is urban times with so much civilization flying around, I believe we shouldn’t confuse our audience leaving them unravel what the OAP mentioned during the show E.g tabili, takada, iife, ferese! (table, paper, cup, window) in our homes here in Lagos and everywhere, in the Yoruba families cup is cup, biro is biro, window is window, that urbanisation should also flow into our radio and TV presentation style, of course exempting news. We can be left with some programs that the audience will understand and know such program is a core yourba speaking program, considering the world of Internet and digitalisation where TV is even mobile, the least we can do is open our arms and embrace the digital world and amend or fashion out old style of presentation that even make some OAP sound like they are singing nursery rhymes…
On changing my instagram and bbm handle names, that came as a result of rebranding and accessibility, most people don’t even know how to pronounce “Iya Afin Onimiliki” to start with especially those of the other tribe, and with the nature of my profession and occupation I meet with a lot of people, as a TV/radio presenter, event anchor (MC), Engagement orator (Alaga Iduro and ijoko) event planner/director, Publicitist etc, so I just said to myself it’s high time “Damilola Banire” came out from where she’d been hiding and since Jan 1st that the rebranding officially started I have felt more easy in dealing with people with my name.
But above all Yoruba is beautiful, it’s the easiest language to understand and learn. I am Yoruba, I am proudly Yoruba & I’ll love to come back as a yoruba girl again to the world. Yoruba is a complete language when you hear a word of it you will know it’s a yoruba word. God bless broadcast and entertainment, God bless Lagos & God bless Nigeria.
My name is Damilola Banire and this is my rebranding story….
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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