Business
Wellness, Wealth Creation Confab: Heathgarde Rewards Distributors, Unveils Rugby Star As Brand Ambassador
Healthgarde International held its third year anniversary in Lagos on Saturday, January 28, with attendees cutting across Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, aiming at boosting the company’s market penetration for 2023.
The network marketing firm, with over 50,000 distributors across countries, is an African company dedicated to improving people’s quality of life by creating wealth through healthcare and wellness promotion.
In a chat with journalists at the event, the chief operating officer of the company, Lovelyn Bassey, stated that the convention is a way to reward top achievers.
“Every year, we have an international convention, where we recognise top achievers in our company from around the world. We look at the body of work they’ve done within one year and then reward the top performers as we have done today,” Bassey said.
Speaking further on the importance of Healthgarde in an African society, Bassey stated that the company also targets self-sufficiency for women as one of its focal points.
“One of the biggest messages that we try to send across as a company is that women have a voice and can also bring the bacon home. They don’t have to be a burden to their husbands, but a partner, by also contributing in the home. This way, the husbands don’t need to drop dead by overworking themselves to cater for the financial needs of their families alone.”
L-R; Healthgarde South African Public Relations, Manager, Tshego Kekana; Marketing Executive, Christine Borrett; Healthgarde Brand Ambassador, Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, CEO, Nneka Nwarueze; and the COO, Lovelyn Bassey at the 2023 Convention of Healthgarde International
On her part, the chief executive officer of the company, Nneka Nwarueze, revealed that HealthGarde is neither a ponzi nor a get-rich-quick scheme.
“Healthgarde network marketing follows best global practices. It is the first major network marketing company owned by an African woman. I’ve been in network marketing for over 20 years with majority of those years spent representing SwissGarde for 17 years until it ceased operation.
“In order to provide an alternative for entrepreneurs who depended on SwissGarde business for sustenance, when it closed shop, we started Healthgarde,” Nwarueze revealed.
The founder also disclosed that aside from the empowerment provided by the network marketing company, an affiliated foundation has successfully empowered over 300 women.
“Healthgarde is also the first network marketing company owned by a Nigerian that has a foundation. And with it, we have been able to empower over 300 women on various programmes. Also, we have four university graduates and about 15 pupils in primary schools who graduated through our scholarship programme.
“The genuineness of our network marketing company is one of the reasons we’ve been expanding rapidly in the last three years of operations. I can authoritatively say that we have bases in Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana and United States, while we already have our eyes set on Cameroon.”
The founder also spoke on the uniqueness of Healthgarde products.
“Our products are exceptional as they are organic (non-synthetic) and we know their origin; they are mainly from African herbs, and are pocket-friendly” Nwarueze said.
The company’s brand ambassador who was unveiled at the event, a Zimbabwean-South African, professional rugby union player and current world champion, just recently retired, Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, said he provided a balance for a company predominantly seen as a woman organisation.
“The services rendered by Healthgarde shouldn’t be seen as only for the female gender. Through my endorsement, men are encouraged to come onboard too and make money selling wellness,” Mtawarira submitted.
According to Healthgarde, the manufacturing of their products has received International Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) registration which ensures that proper methods, equipment, and controls are in place to produce the highest quality dietary supplement products.
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has maintained the benchmark interest rate at 27 per cent, extending its pause on monetary tightening.
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 303rd meeting in Abuja.
Cardoso said, “The Committee decided by a majority vote to maintain the monetary policy stance,” indicating that members were not yet convinced that current economic conditions warranted another reduction.
The move follows the 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025, the only rate reduction since the tightening cycle began under the current CBN leadership.
It also marks the fourth consecutive hold this year.
The MPC had raised rates six times in 2024 amid surging inflation and currency pressures.
The Punch
Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest retail bank, is set to unveil DettyFusion, an innovative all-in-one digital platform designed to help Nigerians at home and in the diaspora seamlessly discover, plan, and enjoy entertainment events during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive season.
Billed as the first-of-its-kind entertainment aggregator in the country, DettyFusion will serve as a centralized hub where users can explore event calendars, purchase tickets, access exclusive discounts, participate in curated festive experiences, and make safe, seamless payments throughout the holiday period.
Speaking on the forthcoming launch, Access Bank’s Head of Mobility, Ishmael Nwokocha, said the platform was inspired by the bank’s commitment to enhancing customer experience during the highly anticipated Detty December season.
“Every December, Nigerians look forward to moments that bring joy, connection, and unforgettable experiences. The launch of DettyFusion will create a single gateway that makes it easier, safer, and more convenient for customers to enjoy the thrills of Detty December,” Nwokocha stated.
He added that the platform reflects Access Bank’s drive to deliver innovative lifestyle solutions that extend beyond traditional banking services. “DettyFusion brings together key features that meet the needs of today’s digitally active and experience-driven audience,” he said.
With this initiative, Access Bank continues to reinforce its position as a leading lifestyle enabler, supporting Nigeria’s creative sector while empowering customers to enjoy top-tier entertainment during the festive season.
With DettyFusion, Detty December just got smarter, more convenient, and even more rewarding.
Across Africa, women are fast becoming the heartbeat of economic transformation. From bustling open-air markets to high-tech boardrooms, women-led enterprises are redefining what is possible for the continent’s future.
Whether as market traders expanding their reach through digital platforms, tech founders scaling innovations across borders, or artisans turning local crafts into global brands, women’s contributions are now central to Africa’s economic resurgence.
Even as they break new ground, many still face formidable barriers. Access to finance, mentorship, business education, and supportive networks remains limited. Structural issues such as weak property rights, gender bias, and inadequate legal protections often hinder women from securing loans or expanding their businesses.
Consequently, many women-owned ventures remain small, informal, and vulnerable to economic shocks.
Recognising both the promise and the obstacles, Access Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of empowering women across the continent. Recently named Africa’s Best Financier for Female Entrepreneurs by the EMEA Finance Awards, the Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable impact.
At the centre of this effort is the W Initiative, one of Africa’s most comprehensive women-focused banking programmes. Unlike conventional banking, it combines finance with mentorship, training, and community support, acknowledging that true empowerment requires more than access to capital. The initiative meets women wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, from start-ups to growing enterprises and corporate leadership.
The W Power Loan offers affordable credit with flexible terms, enabling women to invest in expansion, inventory, or technology. The W Academy provides leadership and business training on financial literacy, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while the W Community connects women to peers, mentors, and role models across industries.
Importantly, these offerings extend beyond urban centres. From microloans sustaining traders in rural markets to leadership programmes developing female executives in multinational firms, Access Bank’s approach is deliberately inclusive. By partnering NGOs, business associations, and government agencies, it reaches women in underserved communities, ensuring participation in Africa’s economic rise.
The results are evident. Thousands of women have accessed credit, training, and networks through the Bank’s initiatives, enabling them to launch and scale businesses, create jobs, and uplift their communities. The ripple effects are far-reaching: increased household income, improved family wellbeing, and greater economic resilience. Women who once faced daunting barriers now serve as role models and change-makers, inspiring others to follow their path.
Studies show that when women thrive, societies prosper. The World Bank and African Development Bank note that empowering women fuels GDP growth, improves health outcomes, and enhances social stability. By directly addressing structural gaps in access to finance and information, Access Bank helps to unlock this transformative potential.
Apart from supporting entrepreneurs, Access Bank promotes gender inclusion within its own organisation. Its leadership pipeline identifies and advances talented women, while mentorship and wellness programmes help female professionals thrive. The Bank also uses public platforms, from conferences to policy dialogues, to share success stories and advocate for gender diversity across sectors.
The EMEA Finance recognition thus goes beyond trophies and titles; it affirms that profitability and purpose can coexist. For Access Bank, supporting women’s advancement is smart economics. By embedding inclusion into its DNA, the Bank is shaping a financial ecosystem that views women as equal partners in progress.
Access Bank’s influence also extends into advocacy. Through forums, roundtables, and research collaborations, the Bank engages policymakers, civil society, and business leaders to identify and dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Its campaigns amplify women’s voices, spotlighting their achievements and driving conversations around inclusive growth.
