Author: Nationalmonitor

Pocari Sweat, the globally recognized ion supply drink brand, has unveiled Nigerian medical doctor, entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and BBNaija star, Faith Adewale, as its newest brand ambassador The partnership marks a significant milestone for Adewale, whose influence continues to grow across healthcare, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, and media. Known for combining professional expertise with a relatable public persona, Faith has built a reputation as a strong advocate for healthy living and personal wellbeing, making him a natural fit for a brand centered on hydration and wellness. While many Nigerians first encountered him through Big Brother Naija, Faith has continued to distinguish himself…

L -R: Nneoma Onuoha, Acting Team Lead, Development Finance & Intervention Funds, Fidelity Bank Plc; Anthony Asonye, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Impact Credit Guarantee Limited (ICGL); Ugochi Osinigwe, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking; Imaobong Nkanta, Product Manager, SME Banking; and Chiwuike Okere, Team Lead, SME Banking, (all of Fidelity Bank Plc); at the Development Bank of Nigeria Service Ambassadors Award which held recently in Lagos. Fidelity Bank Plc has again reinforced its leadership in small and medium-scale business banking as it emerged the winner of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact…

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve to back security forces in the ongoing campaign against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes plaguing the state. Presiding over the weekly State Security Council meeting on Thursday, June 25, at the Government House in Gusau, the governor convened the state’s top security brass for a high-level strategic session aimed at recalibrating the state’s counter-insurgency approach. In a terse but firm statement, Governor Lawal disclosed that deliberations centered on reinforcing troop deployments in high-risk zones, fast-tracking intelligence-sharing mechanisms and overhauling rapid-response protocols to better safeguard civilian populations. “I…

L-R: DGM-Zonal Head, Delta 2 Zone, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Daniel Imani; Commissioner for Finance, Delta State, Hon Fidelis Tilije; The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori; GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji OON; Prime Minister of Okpe Kingdom, Okakuro Mike Affe; Member, Delta State House of Assembly – Representing Okpe State Constituency, Hon James Augoye; at the Opening Ceremony of Zenith Bank Osubi Branch in Delta State on Wednesday. Zenith Bank Plc has expanded its presence in Delta State with the official opening of a new branch in Osubi, Okpe…

Oladapo Sofowora The scorching sun rises over Gusau, Zamfara State, casting golden rays of light on a city that once knew only bleak shadows. Construction cranes, heavy-duty lifting machines adorn the skyline like mechanical giraffes, their arms dangling gracefully as they lift heavy steel and pour concrete into place. The rhythmic sound of hammers, rammers, and drilling machines, and the steady hum of generators fill the air; the unmistakable symphony of a state being reborn becomes all too visible. This is the vivid picture of the Zamfara of today made possible by the Chief Rescuer; Governor Dauda Lawal. As Machiavelli…

L-R: Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, Project Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Mr. Shunom Leo, Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank University of Jos Branch; Ms. Caroline Dafur, Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development; Hon. Sunday Amuna, Executive Chairman, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Mr. Saje Joseph, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Plateau State Ministry of Education; and Mrs. Victoria Abuka, Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc; at the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) Back-to-School outreach in Plateau State recently. In a significant demonstration of its commitment to the development of education…

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) will this week commence a series of empowerment and capacity-building programmes in Kano State aimed at equipping women, youths, and students with practical skills for economic advancement and self-reliance. The programmes, to be led by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, form part of the Agency’s commitment to promoting innovation, renewable energy adoption, entrepreneurship, STEM education, and sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria. The first event, the Closing Ceremony of the NASENI She-Powers Energy Initiative, will hold on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Kano. The initiative trained…

The Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has noted with concern the circulation of unfounded and misleading claims suggesting that its petroleum products are exported to Lomé and subsequently re-imported into Nigeria. The company in a statement stated that, as a matter of policy, the Company does not ordinarily engage with baseless and unsubstantiated allegations. However, in the interest of transparency and to set the record straight, Management considers it necessary to address this deliberate misinformation. Management states unequivocally that the allegation is not supported by verifiable trade data, commercial logic, or the operational realities of Dangote Refinery. A…

1.0 Introduction According to the data, commercial bank credit allocation to manufacturing contracted by ₦1.92 trillion from ₦8.53 trillion in December 2024 to ₦6.61 trillion in December 2025. This represents a significant year-on-year contraction of -22.5%, which is particularly disturbing, given that manufacturing recorded one of the largest credit contractions among the top sectors, surpassed only by the General Services sector at -25%. • This steep decline leaves manufacturing lagging far behind the extractive Oil & Gas Industry (₦10.59 trillion) and a booming Finance sector (₦9.24 trillion), demonstrating a systemic preference for speculative and rent-seeking activities over tangible productivity. • The 22.5% credit squeeze of ₦1.92 trillion from the manufacturing sector stands in unflattering contrast to contemporary global peers in 2025. For…

Photo caption:L-R: Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank Plc, Murtala Muhammed Road Branch, Kano, Victor Ngwu; Export Management Programme (EMP 19) participant, Abayomi Adewuyi; Facilitator, Gemma Ejiofor; Senior Fellow and Head, Department of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Mgt., Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Uche Attoh; Director, Export Management Programme, LBS, Prof. Frank Ojadi; and Team Lead, Export & Agriculture, Fidelity Bank Plc, Emmanuel Nwalor, during the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of the Fidelity Bank Export Management Programme (EMP 19) held recently at Lagos Business School, Lagos. Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda…