ZENITH BANK ACTIVATES THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH AJOSE ADEOGUN STREET LIGHT-UP

Published

4 years ago

November 22, 2021

Sahara Weekly

ZENITH BANK ACTIVATES THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH AJOSE ADEOGUN STREET

LIGHT-UP

The yuletide season has come to life in Lagos with the 2021 Zenith Bank Christmas Light-Up

Ceremony, which held at the Ajose Adeogun Street Roundabout, Victoria Island, Lagos, on

Saturday, November 20 2021.

With the theme “Let There Be Light”, this year marks the 15th edition of the traditional Light-up

Ceremony at the Ajose Adeogun Roundabout. Following the onset of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

pandemic, which stopped the annual event from holding last year, this year’s ceremony is indeed a

momentous and significant one as it signals the return of what could be described as a spectacle

that has come to be recognized by not only Lagosians but Nigerians in general as an iconic place

and tourist attraction because of the beautiful decorations adorning the length and breadth of Ajose

Adeogun Street – home to Zenith Bank’s Headquarters, during the yuletide season.

The official lighting ceremony, which was performed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of

Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, supported by Executive Management, saw thousands

of the Bank’s staff and customers joining virtually and through the Bank’s social media platforms.

Speaking during the ceremony, Onyeagwu praised Quantum, the company responsible for the

annual decorations, for the very outstanding, gorgeous and extremely beautiful work that they have

done this year. In his words, “each year when we come in, and we see the decorations, I keep

asking myself what next? Would there be something better than what we have seen and I see that

at the end of every season, they come up with innovations and creativity, and they make it even far

better and take it to a higher level”.

Onyeagwu expressed his delight that this year’s Light-up Ceremony is able to hold following the

cancellation of last year’s edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests.

According to him, “last year was a very unusual year. Covid threw a curveball at humanity, and as

a result, it changed the way we engaged and the way we live; it transformed so many other things,

and as a country, we had some unique challenges. As a result of those challenges, especially the

EndSARS protest, last year we couldn’t light up, not because there was no money. It was because

we had to grapple with Covid-19, and again during the EndSARS protest, the fittings that we

employ in having this light-up were terribly vandalized, and it required time and resources for us to

put it together. We didn’t want to have any undue exposure or create vulnerability. Therefore we

had to allow time to put the fittings back, and as soon as we have put it back, here we are today”.

He noted that Zenith Bank is very happy to be able to reconnect with activating the spirit of

Christmas, with the return of the annual turning on of the Christmas lighting and the decorations of

Ajose Adeogun Street, which can compare and compete with any decorations anywhere in the

world – be it in Europe, North America, or Asia.

Whilst wishing everyone a Merry Christmas filled with joy, love, peace and harmony, he enjoined

all to remember that Christmas is also a time for sober reflection when we think about things that

we couldn’t do and focus our thoughts on being better people and building a better society and

country. He also used the opportunity to remind Nigerians and the whole world in general that the

fight against COVID-19 is far from over. He, therefore, appealed to everyone that as “we celebrate

Christmas, we should celebrate responsibly, maintain social distance, wear our masks and for

those of us who haven’t been vaccinated, please take your vaccine for vaccination is saving lives”.

The Light-Up Ceremony is one of the many Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Initiatives of Zenith Bank, as the Bank continues to lead in corporate social responsibility (CSR)

contributions and spending by Nigerian financial institutions. Indeed, Zenith Bank has clearly

distinguished itself in the Nigerian financial services industry as an institution that is committed to

building a more sustainable and inclusive economy and one that promotes responsible business

practices in Nigeria through the integration of sustainability principles in its business operations.

Zenith Bank’s sustainability and CSR initiatives are hinged on the belief that today’s business

performance is not all about the financial numbers – the Bank believes that an institution’s social

investments, contributions to inclusive economic growth and development as well as improvements

in the condition of the physical environment, all constitute a balanced scorecard.

Through its CSR initiatives, the Bank has embodied the overarching objective of the 17 SDGs,

which provide a framework for addressing the major challenges confronting our society. Its social

investments are targeted at health, education, women and youth empowerment, sports

development and public infrastructure enhancement. Overall, Zenith Bank’s total social

investments in 2020 stood at NGN3.29 billion ($8.62million), representing 1.66 per cent of its Profit

After Tax.

The Bank remains committed to furthering the economic, cultural and social development of host

communities, particularly through community-based initiatives and philanthropy. As a good

corporate citizen, it continues to deliver projects that have long-term social and economic benefits

for the communities because it believes that its business is only as strong as the communities in

which it operates.

To demonstrate its commitment to creating and expanding opportunities, the Bank regularly makes

donations towards the setting up of ultramodern ICT centres in several educational institutions

across the country. It also supports various developmental projects, and healthcare delivery
causes in Nigeria and contributes to the development of sports in Nigeria through its sponsorship

of the Zenith Women Basketball League and the Zenith Bank Delta State Principals’ and

Headmasters’ Football Competitions, to mention a few.

The Bank also demonstrates leadership when its host communities deal with a crisis. For example,

following the unfortunate gas explosion incident of March 15, 2020, which led to the loss of lives

and properties at the Abule-Ado area in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State,

Zenith Bank made a donation of NGN100 million to the Emergency Relief Fund set up by the

Lagos State Government for the victims of the explosion.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Zenith Bank’s commitment to sustainability has not waned, as the

Bank donated NGN1 billion as part of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a private

sector-led initiative to support the Nigerian Government to combat the Covid-19 crisis

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

Bank

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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%

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

GTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion

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