Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Wema Bank Plc has secured an upgrade of its Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B’ from ‘B-’ by Fitch Ratings, following improvements in its capital position and profitability, driven largely by a successful capital raise and stronger earnings performance. Fitch also upgraded the bank’s Viability Rating (VR) to ‘b’ from ‘b-’, while its National Long-Term Rating was raised to ‘A(nga)’ from ‘A-(nga)’. The rating agency assigned a Stable Outlook to the lender. According to Fitch, the upgrade reflects Wema Bank’s stronger capitalisation after its 2025 capital raising exercise and enhanced profitability, which are expected to support the bank’s growth…

By Ranking, Dangote Declared Africa’s Most Admired Brand For 8th Consecutive Year. … selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence, and contribution to the growth of brands. Dangote Industries Limited has reinforced its position as Africa’s most influential corporate brand after emerging as the continent’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth consecutive year, while its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers. In the latest rankings, Dangote emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in aided recall, ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In…

Zora African Market, a newly launched digital platform, is expanding access to authentic African food, fashion, and beauty products across the United Kingdom. Co-founder of the platform, Cynthia Anuoluwapo Abraham, said the marketplace was created to transform how African products are discovered and purchased in the UK, making them more accessible, convenient, and affordable for consumers while also opening new opportunities for African vendors. She explained that access to authentic African goods has traditionally been limited to select local stores and community hubs, which often makes it difficult for customers to easily find trusted groceries, fashion items, beauty products, and…

Out of others awards MTN Nigeria received multiple honors, including Best Company in Investor Relations. Finance leaders and corporate stakeholders were recognised at the Africa Finance Festival 2026 gala dinner in Lagos. MTN Nigeria emerged as a standout organisation of the night, while also serving as an event sponsor. The awards focused on governance, investor relations, tax compliance, and leadership performance across the continent’s finance sector. Akin Naphtal, Group CEO of InstinctWave, stated that the awards reflect a commitment to excellence across the continent’s financial ecosystem. “The Africa Finance Awards were established to recognise the exceptional individuals, institutions, and teams…

inDrive, a global mobility and delivery platform, has launched a social initiative to encourage parents to pay closer attention to their children’s emotional well-being and create space for open conversations. School bullying remains one of the most widespread — and at the same time one of the least visible — issues affecting teenagers worldwide. According to UNICEF, millions of children regularly experience bullying, yet many never speak about it to adults. The project is based on inDrive’s “Cancel the School Trip” campaign, first launched in Kazakhstan in April 2026. Encouraged by the significant public interest in the project, inDrive intends…

State Governor, Alex Otti and Samuel Chukwueze. Photo credit: Abia state house Says he was already working on plans to give back to the community that shaped his career. Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday hosted Super Eagles winger and Abia-born international footballer, Samuel Chukwueze, in Umuahia, where he announced plans to commence construction of the proposed Umuahia Stadium City before the end of the year. Chukwueze, who visited the governor alongside friends, was in the Government House to express appreciation for Otti’s support and presence during the burial of his late mother. Speaking during the visit, Otti said…

All players will be required to remain on the field of play while medical officials attend to injured goalkeeper. Players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be stopped from leaving the pitch to receive tactical instructions whenever a goalkeeper is being treated for injury. FIFA referees’ chief, Pierluigi Collina, announced the new enforcement measure ahead of the tournament. The move is aimed at ending what has become known in football as “goalkeeper tactical timeouts.” Teams have increasingly been accused of using goalkeeper injury stoppages to regroup, receive instructions from coaches, break opponents’ rhythm and slow down matches. Under the…

Elegbede Abiodun Ruth Kadiri unveils how she was able to get at spectacular million subscribers using foreign language.  Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has narrated the remarkable story behind her French-language YouTube channel, saying that the idea came through what she described as divine inspiration, despite her initial lack of knowledge of the language. She made the revelation while reflecting on the journey that led to the creation of a platform that has now grown into a major online success with over one million subscribers. The actress said that the inspiration came shortly after the birth of her daughter…

Elegbede Abiodun Says missed deadlines, job losses, or career disappointments should be weighed against the priceless gift of life itself. Nigerian comedian and actor Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has shared a reflective message encouraging gratitude and appreciation for life, health, and everyday blessings in a post published on his Instagram story. Basketmouth urged the public to place greater value on simply being alive and healthy, describing it as a powerful blessing often taken for granted. The Basketmouth Gratitude Message emphasised that many people overlook the significance of basic well-being while focusing on life’s challenges. He noted that setbacks…

File photo: HYPREP logo The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project has declared that Ogoniland in Rivers State is now free of illegal artisanal refining sites, following ongoing remediation and environmental clean-up operations in the area. HYPREP also said it has recorded 90 per cent success in the ongoing mangrove restoration and shoreline remediation in Ogoniland. Mangrove Restoration Officer for HYPREP, Dr Uche Izuchukwu, disclosed this when the International Working Group on Petroleum Pollution and Just Transition in the Niger Delta visited Ogoniland. The group was in Ogoni to understudy the ongoing remediation carried out by HYPREP. Izuchukwu told the delegation that…