Business
Glamour, Fun As Sunquest Partners Zenith, BandRus, Others to Host First Ever Alimosho Food Festival
By Eric Elezuo
The Youth Centre in the heart of Abesan Town in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, came alife penultimate Sunday, when Sunquest Discovery Limited in association with Zenith Bank, BandRus, MMS among others hosted the first ever food festival in the area.
Successful in all ramifications, stakeholders in the food sector, from all walks of life, gathered to showcase their culinary skills and technology embedded in the preparation of local and continental dishes and other edibles while calling on the local and state governments to address inflation and tackle the high cost of food materials so as to curb poverty in the country.

Speaking on the intentions behind the festival, the Chairman Sunquest Discovery Limited, the organisers of the festival, My Isiaka Lawal, said the festival was organised to give opportunities to good vendors to showcase their products as well as allow consumers to purchase food at cheaper prices against the high cost in the market.
He added that Alimosho, being the largest local government in Lagos State, was chosen because of its high population as it would afford more people the opportunity to benefit from the event.

“We understand the plight of the ordinary in trying to make a living, and also the fact that eating healthy food at affordable price will help to face the task of building the nation from all fronts.
“The cost of food as well as food shortage have become a problem in Nigeria which should be addressed by the government. While we call on the government to tackle the problem so as to make life easier for Nigerians, we have chosen this food festival to contribute our quota to alleviating the problem,” Lawal said.

He added that the festival also afforded the organizers the opportunity to test run an application which would allow food vendors to market their goods online.
On their part, stakeholders and food vendors also spoke of their expectations from both the government and organisers, citing high cost items as their major challenge.

One of the vendors, Mrs Omoluyi Esther, who deals in sales of local food commended the organizers for putting together the event.
She however, lamented the daily increase in food items, which according to her, is affecting many companies involved in food production business.
“As small scale business owners, there are challenges we are facing such as daily increases in prices of food.

“Today you buy something for N200 and tomorrow it goes up to N500. Government should try to make sure there is money in circulation and bring down prices of food stuff. In that way, they can address food scarcity,” she said.
Another vendor, Mrs Adekunle Olamide of Checkers Food said for the government to reduce poverty, ‘ it should help to reduce in prices of goods.’
“They should make sure there is stability in the economy. The instability is affecting all brands and they are finding it hard to get materials for production. When they increase prices of their goods, it’s the consumers that bear the brunt. So the government should help us stabilize Nigeria’s economy so that brands will find it easier to produce,” she urged.

A Nollywood actor, Joseph Momodu, who was the special guest at the event commended the quality of food on display at the festival.
“The kind of food you see here, you might need to order them online before you get them, but this event has offered people the opportunity to get them at their doorsteps and cheaper. The festival is of great significance to everyone,” he said.
He added: “There is hunger in the land. The government should help us subsidize food stuff to the nearest minimum to make food available. They should also control inflation especially the dollar scarcity so that the common man can do his or her business. They promised us that dollar will go down but it’s not so now. Government should do their business so that the masses can enjoy.”

While appreciating the over 22 ventures, and all the stakeholders and sponsors, who turned up for the successful test run of the first edition, the Creative Director of Sunquest Discovery, Adekoya Afeez, said the quality of food and products was commendable, promising that the subsequent editions of the festival will be bigger, and also be taken to other parts of the state so that the entire state can feel the impact of the fieata.
Adekoya also invited more stakeholders and sponsors to join hands with the company as they get ready to host another edition in no distant time.

The highlight of the event was display of acrobotics and choreographed dance steps from happy participants and distribution of various food items by sponsors including Labule Farms, which gave out lots of garri, Checkers Custard and a host of others.

Business
Five Game-Changing Facts About FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan
For many Nigerians, home ownership has always felt like a long dream parked somewhere between someday and maybe. However, the MREIF Mortgage Loan by FirstBank of Nigeria is quietly changing that narrative.
Here are five things you should know:
1. Designed for Real People.
This is not a luxury only scheme. It is structured to help middle income earners move from rent payments to ownership with a manageable repayments plan.
2. Single-Digit Interest Is Real (Yes, Really)
At 9.75% per annum, this isn’t your typical Nigerian mortgage with rates that make your eyes water. In a market where double-digit interest is the norm, this government-backed rate feels almost like a financial hack.
3. It is a Step Toward Financial Security.
Rent is an expense. A mortgage is an asset building strategy. This loan bridges the gap between today’s income and tomorrow’s equity.
4. The Diaspora Dream Is Alive
Nigerians abroad, take note; you can access this too. All you need is credit scores from international agencies like Equifax (plus a few extra documents) and that Lagos or Abuja home isn’t just a retirement fantasy anymore. It turns real.
5. Your Down Payment Just Got Smaller
Forget saving 30-40% upfront. MREIF requires just 10% equity contribution. That ₦100 million home? You need ₦10 million, not ₦30 million. The barrier to entry has never been this low for genuine homeownership.
Ready to stop renting and own your own home? MREIF is the key. Visit the FirstBank website now to get started.
Business
Flexible Payment Plan, 30% Discount on Offer As Adron Homes Unveils Easter Fiesta Promo
In celebration of the Easter season, Adron Homes and Properties Limited has announced the launch of its much-anticipated Easter Fiesta Promo, offering Nigerians a unique opportunity to secure land ownership with a 30 percent discount and flexible payment plans of up to 36 months.
The promo, which runs for a limited period, is designed to make property acquisition easier and more rewarding for families, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to build long-term wealth through real estate.

According to the company, the Easter Fiesta covers its estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja (FCT), Nasarawa, and Niger.
Management noted that Easter symbolizes renewal, sacrifice, and new beginnings, values that align with the company’s mission of helping Nigerians secure tangible assets that create generational impact.
“Easter represents hope and a fresh start. At Adron Homes, we believe one of the most meaningful ways to embrace new beginnings is through property ownership. This promo is structured to remove financial barriers and encourage more Nigerians to invest in land, which remains one of the safest and most reliable assets,” the company stated.
Beyond the 30 percent discount, subscribers will also enjoy structured gift packages under both Platinum and Compact plot categories, with milestone-based rewards ranging from food items and livestock to household appliances. The initiative is aimed at providing immediate value while customers build long-term investment portfolios.
Industry analysts have consistently identified land banking in rapidly expanding suburban corridors as a strategic hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. By offering extended installment plans of up to 3 years, Adron Homes is positioning itself as a key player in addressing accessibility challenges in Nigeria’s housing ecosystem.
With verified titles, strategic estate planning, and customer-friendly payment structures, the company continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading real estate brands.
As the Easter celebration approaches, prospective subscribers are encouraged to take advantage of the limited-time Easter Fiesta offer through accredited marketers and Adron Homes offices nationwide.
This Easter, the company urges Nigerians to look beyond short-term festivities and embrace investments that build a lasting legacy.
Business
IWD 2026: Ecobank Nigeria Unveils Enhanced ‘Ellevate’ Programme
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African financial services group Ecobank Group, has unveiled a significantly enhanced version of its multi-award-winning gender financing initiative, Ellevate by Ecobank, as part of activities commemorating International Women’s Day 2026. The upgraded programme reinforces the bank’s long-term commitment to advancing women-led enterprises in Nigeria and across Ecobank’s pan-African footprint.
Originally launched to improve access to finance for women-owned, women-led, and women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its Commercial Banking segment, the enhanced Ellevate programme now adopts a broader, more inclusive structure. The new framework extends across all business segments, positioning Ellevate as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to address the structural financing and growth barriers faced by women entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the development, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, said the enhanced programme further strengthens the bank’s ambition to be the financial partner of choice for women entrepreneurs.
“Since its launch in Nigeria in July 2021, Ellevate has delivered meaningful impact for SMEs and women-led businesses. This next phase deepens our value proposition and reinforces our resolve to remain the preferred financial partner for women entrepreneurs,” he said.
Under the expanded structure, beneficiaries will enjoy improved access to credit on competitive terms, including more flexible collateral considerations aimed at easing traditional financing constraints. Beyond lending, the programme integrates digital payment, collections, and cash management solutions to enhance operational efficiency and support scalability.
A core pillar of the enhancement is structured market access. Through the bank’s MyTradeHub online matchmaking platform and e-commerce enablement capabilities, women entrepreneurs will be better positioned to connect with customers and trade partners across Africa, facilitating cross-border expansion and participation in regional value chains.
The initiative also incorporates robust non-financial support mechanisms, including targeted training programmes, leadership development sessions, and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen managerial capacity and long-term sustainability. This is complemented by access to customised wealth management advisory services, integrated insurance solutions, and a loyalty framework offering commercial incentives through select retail and lifestyle partnerships.
Lawal noted that the programme aligns with Ecobank’s broader ambition to drive inclusive growth by empowering women as critical contributors to economic development.
“African businesswomen deserve world-class banking solutions that drive turnover, profitability, and sustainable growth. Our approach goes beyond financial inclusion to building an enabling ecosystem that enhances competitiveness and long-term resilience,” he added.
He further highlighted that Ecobank Nigeria consistently hosts flagship platforms such as Adire Lagos, Oja Oge, +234Art Fair, the Lagos Pop-Up Museum, SME Bazaar, and the Design & Build Exhibition, which provide prominent opportunities for showcasing and elevating women-owned businesses.
With this enhancement, Ecobank Nigeria deepens its strategic positioning in gender-lens financing while aligning with its wider pan-African mandate to advance financial inclusion, SME development, and regional trade integration.






