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Rewane Urges Deeper Economic Reforms at Lagos Summit, Warns on Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness

Financial expert tells PEARL Awards summit that sustainable reforms and strong institutions are vital for business growth in Nigeria

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Financial expert tells PEARL Awards summit that sustainable reforms and strong institutions are vital for business growth in Nigeria

Bismarck Rewane, Founder of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, has called on government to intensify economic reforms to boost Nigeria’s corporate competitiveness, speaking at the 2026 PEARL Awards Corporate Summit held in Lagos on Monday. Rewane addressed stakeholders from across the country, stressing that a long-term approach to policy reform is necessary if Nigerian businesses are to thrive in a rapidly changing global market.

The summit brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss strategies for fostering business growth amid ongoing economic challenges. Rewane explained that reform should be seen as an ongoing process, not a one-off event, and warned that only sustained commitment would deliver meaningful change for companies and investors. “Reform is a process, not an event. Sustainable reforms are necessary for long-term corporate competitiveness,” he said. “While reforms do not automatically guarantee successful companies, businesses are more likely to emerge, grow and thrive in a well-reformed environment.”

His remarks come as Nigeria continues to grapple with slow economic recovery and persistent inflation. Analysts say the naira’s continued volatility and high operational costs have eroded investor confidence in several sectors, including manufacturing and services. Rewane noted that both sound policies and strong institutions are essential to drive real economic growth and secure Nigeria’s place among leading emerging markets.

He further emphasised that companies operating in a stable, reform-driven economy stand a better chance of expanding their operations and delivering value for shareholders. According to Rewane, “Nigeria’s future competitiveness will depend largely on the country’s ability to sustain policy changes and strengthen its institutions.” The summit concluded with calls from participants urging government to prioritise business-friendly reforms as part of its broader economic agenda.

As at press time, government officials had not issued any direct response to Rewane’s comments at the event. However, many attendees expressed support for his views, pointing out that deepening reforms could help address long-standing bottlenecks hampering productivity and job creation.

Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/nigeria-must-deepen-reforms-to-remain-competitive/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Lagos-Based Pulse Marketing Wins Double Bronze at Pitcher Awards, Delivers 1.98 Million Engagements

Agency’s targeted digital campaigns for Honey and Banana, Salonpas spark industry debate on measurable impact in Nigerian marketing

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7 minutes ago

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June 17, 2026

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Agency’s targeted digital campaigns for Honey and Banana, Salonpas spark industry debate on measurable impact in Nigerian marketing

Pulse Marketing, a leading agency headquartered in Lagos, secured two Bronze medals and one shortlist placement at the recently concluded Pitcher Awards, with both winning entries focused on measurable business results rather than mere brand visibility. The awards ceremony took place on Monday, 17 June 2026, drawing stakeholders from across Nigeria’s advertising and marketing sectors.

The agency was recognised for its data-driven approach in two major campaigns. For Honey and Banana, a health initiative operating in a culturally sensitive category, Pulse Marketing designed a digital-first strategy targeting mobile users during specific call centre hours. By leveraging platforms like Transsion and Eskimi, the campaign created private channels for engagement while remaining mindful of regional sensitivities—especially in Northern Nigeria. The team responded to concerns about radio placements by reallocating investment to digital media. This operational flexibility resulted in nearly 1.98 million click-to-action engagements and more than 63,000 inbound calls, according to figures provided by the agency.

The second Bronze-winning campaign, titled ‘Behind the Hustle,’ was executed for Salonpas, a topical pain relief brand from Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical. Rather than traditional celebrity endorsements, Pulse Marketing opted to partner directly with fitness communities at select i-Fitness gyms in Lagos—including locations in Jakande, Yaba and Gbagada—placing Salonpas products within authentic workout environments. The aim was to reach active professionals seeking alternatives to oral medication through peer influence and contextual relevance.

Industry observers say these wins reflect shifting expectations among Nigerian brands under economic pressure. “Brands are no longer satisfied with just awareness; they want real business results,” said a senior official at the Lagos Advertising Practitioners Council who attended the awards event. Pulse Marketing also noted that effective campaigns must align with operational realities on ground: “For us, marketing goes beyond visibility—it’s about creating meaningful connections that translate into measurable outcomes,” an agency spokesperson said in a written statement.

With scrutiny on marketing spend rising as Nigeria faces persistent inflation—most recently reported at 33.7 percent by the National Bureau of Statistics—analysts believe campaigns that combine cultural sensitivity with disciplined media planning will shape the next phase of Africa’s marketing industry. Pulse Marketing’s performance at the Pitcher Awards is seen as evidence that creativity paired with operational discipline delivers both industry accolades and tangible business impact.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/the-strategy-behind-pulse-marketings-success-at-the-pitcher-awards-2026061711323159419

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Abdulsalami Abubakar Dismisses Poisoning Rumours, Reveals Autopsy Found MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes

Former Head of State cites international autopsy and Abiola’s medical history in new autobiography launched in Abuja

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27 minutes ago

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June 17, 2026

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Former Head of State cites international autopsy and Abiola’s medical history in new autobiography launched in Abuja

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has refuted long-standing claims that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was poisoned while in detention, stating that an international autopsy confirmed the June 12 icon died of natural causes. Abdulsalami made this disclosure in Abuja on Monday during the launch of his autobiography, ‘Call of Duty’, held as part of his 84th birthday celebrations.

In the book, Abdulsalami revisited the circumstances around Abiola’s death on 7 July 1998, which occurred during a meeting with a delegation from the United States government. The delegation included Tom Pickering, then US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, and Susan Rice, then Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. Shortly after the meeting began at an undisclosed Abuja location, Abiola developed a severe cough and complained of feeling hot before collapsing. A doctor was immediately called in and later pronounced him dead from what was diagnosed as a heart attack.

The development reignited decades-old suspicions among many Nigerians that Abiola had been poisoned—particularly theories focusing on a cup of tea served during the meeting. Abdulsalami, however, wrote: “I do not believe Abiola was poisoned. The family requested an autopsy and we assembled American, British, Nigerian and Canadian pathologists to conduct it. The autopsy report attributed his death to natural causes.” He further noted that medical records dating back to 1994 showed Abiola had pre-existing health conditions including hypertension and an enlarged heart consistent with hypertensive heart disease.

Drawing from Susan Rice’s memoir ‘Tough Love’, Abdulsalami described how Abiola began coughing severely almost as soon as the meeting started before suffering breathing difficulties and being rushed for urgent medical attention. “Efforts to save him were unsuccessful,” he added, citing also Tom Pickering’s account that detailed how visibly distressed Abiola became before he passed away. The former Head of State also recalled receiving news from his Chief Security Officer Abdulrasheed Aliyu: “Aliyu, my CSO, called me. As soon as I picked, he said in a shaky voice that there was a problem… He said Abiola was dead. My head went blank.”

Beyond clarifying the cause of death, Abdulsalami used his autobiography to address other key moments in Nigeria’s political history—including the annulment of the June 12 presidential election—and to counter persistent rumours surrounding deaths under military rule. As at press time, opposition figures could not be immediately reached for comment on Abdulsalami’s revelations.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/abiolas-tea-wasnt-poisoned-nearly-three-decades-later-abdulsalami-abubakar-opens-up-on-the-cause-of-mkos-death-2026061711095135699

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Federal Government Cancels Second South Africa Evacuation Flight, Hundreds of Nigerians Stranded in Johannesburg

Nigerian Union South Africa demands explanation as affected citizens say many cannot afford to return home independently

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37 minutes ago

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June 17, 2026

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Nigerian Union South Africa demands explanation as affected citizens say many cannot afford to return home independently

The Federal Government has cancelled a scheduled evacuation flight for Nigerians stranded in South Africa, leaving hundreds in Johannesburg and other cities unable to return home as at 16 June 2026. The announcement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just one day before the planned airlift, gave no reason for the abrupt decision.

The first batch of evacuees, numbering over 260, had arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on 11 June aboard a special Air Peace flight organised by government to respond to rising anti-migrant violence in South Africa. A second flight was scheduled for 15 June but was called off via a brief statement from Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa: “There will be no evacuation flight tomorrow.” No further details were provided.

The cancellation has heightened anxiety among Nigerians still facing threats linked to anti-immigrant sentiment. The President-General of Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi, said many of those affected are distressed and unable to pay for flights on their own. “The inability of the scheduled flight of 15 June 2026 to airlift these Nigerians has further compounded their challenges and raised serious concerns among affected individuals and their families,” Nwobi stated in a written appeal. NUSA called on Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa and relevant ministries to publicly clarify the cause of the cancellation and provide concrete next steps.

Videos circulating online show displaced migrants gathering at temporary shelters across South African cities. One Nigerian business owner with valid documents told reporters he was being forced out despite employing more than 20 locals; he said he only wanted compensation for his assets but this was refused. In another case highlighted by foreign media, a Ghanaian woman described losing her salon to looting and now sleeps on the street with her son and nearly 200 others.

South Africans have reportedly set an informal deadline of 30 June for undocumented migrants to present themselves for repatriation or risk enforcement action. With government support now uncertain following the cancelled evacuation flight, stranded Nigerians say they face increased hardship and insecurity. As at press time, officials had not issued an updated timetable or provided any assurance regarding future flights.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/nigeria-cancels-south-africa-evacuation-flight-2026061710585056115

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