Business
Couple Charges Guests $333 For Ticket Pass To Cut Down Wedding Cost

I n a bold move to cut down on wedding expenses, newlyweds Nova and Reemo Styles turned their nuptials into an unforgettable New York City adventure, charging guests $333 each for a ticket to their big day. The unconventional strategy, which included a seat on a double-decker bus and a 12-hour tour of the city, allowed the couple to save over $70,000 in wedding costs.
For many, weddings come with a hefty price tag, with venues alone accounting for about 37% of the total budget, according to The Knot’s Deputy Editor, Esther Lee. But Nova and Reemo took a different approach, likening their wedding to a concert where guests pay for the experience.
“And I said, ‘People choose to go to a Beyoncé concert because they know they’re going to have an experience. Let’s put the stress on the guests, and let’s sell tickets for our wedding,'” Nova explained. While Reemo initially doubted the idea, guests showed up despite some criticism.
“‘I would never spend money on tickets.’ ‘I don’t care.’ ‘Who do you guys think you are? Jay-Z and Beyoncé?'” Nova recalled hearing. Yet, the couple’s unique approach not only drew attendees but also significantly reduced their expenses.
The Styles aren’t the only ones flipping the traditional wedding script to save money. Other couples are also embracing unconventional celebrations, like brunch weddings, which are becoming increasingly popular. Courtney and Alex Quist, for instance, opted for a daytime wedding with pizza and mimosas instead of the typical evening affair with a formal dinner. Their choice helped them save approximately $40,000.
“We had a beautiful wedding, an awesome reception, and the people that we love and care about the most were able to be there, so I wouldn’t change a thing,” Alex said.
As couples continue to seek out creative and budget-friendly ways to celebrate their big day, these innovative approaches prove that weddings can be both memorable and affordable.
Business
Liberia Woos Investors at 2025 Investment Conference

Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Magdalene E. Dagoseh, has highlighted the country’s immense investment potential at the 2025 Liberia Investment Conference.
The two-day forum, which brought together investors, policymakers, and business leaders, aimed to explore investment opportunities in Liberia.
Minister Dagoseh emphasized Liberia’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment, citing minimal financial barriers and a welcoming regulatory framework.
“Liberia is a place of authority of opportunity, where transformation can take place at all levels,” she stated.
The conference showcased Liberia’s investment potential in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and services.
The agriculture sector, for instance, offers opportunities for investment in crop production, livestock farming, and agro-processing.
She remarked that by investing in Liberia, companies can tap into the country’s growing market and contribute to its economic development.
Diaspora Watch reports that Liberia aims to attract foreign investment, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty by showcasing its investment potential.
With its strategic location, natural resources, and growing economy, Liberia is an attractive destination for investors.
The 2025 Liberia Investment Conference marked a significant step towards achieving these goals, highlighting Liberia’s investment potential to a global audience.
Liberia’s investment potential is enormous, and the country is committed to creating a conducive business environment to attract investors and drive economic growth.
Business
$5 Billion African Energy Bank Enters Final Phase
The Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has announced that preparations for the launch of the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) have entered their final phase.
Lokpobiri made the disclosure after a high-level review meeting in Abuja with President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, and Secretary-General of African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), Dr Farouk Ibrahim.
According to Lokpobiri, key legal and governance frameworks have been concluded, while capital mobilisation discussions have recorded encouraging commitments from both member nations and private investors.
The AEB, headquartered in Abuja, seeks to mobilise capital for energy infrastructure projects across Africa.
“The AEB is poised to become a transformative financing platform for energy projects across the continent,” Lokpobiri said.
“This review confirms that every critical milestone is either completed or on schedule, and we remain fully aligned with our continental partners.”
APPO’s Ibrahim commended Nigeria’s dedication to meeting the stringent requirements for bank establishment, while Afreximbank’s Oramah stated that the bank was ready to deploy its structuring expertise and capital base to ensure AEB’s successful launch.
A definitive launch timeline and inaugural board meeting date have been fixed and will be announced shortly.
The AEB has an initial capital target of $5 billion, with plans to scale up to $120 billion subsequently.
In a separate event, Lokpobiri flagged off construction of the permanent site for Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri (BOGAA), saying the move will contribute to the federal government’s human capacity development plan in the energy sector.
The minister highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to harness the full potential of Nigeria’s energy sector in driving economic prosperity, creating jobs, and enhancing national revenue.
Business
$5.8 Billion Lost to Crypto Investment Scams in 2024: FBI Warns of Growing Threat

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has sounded the alarm on a growing threat in the cryptocurrency space: investment scams.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), investment scams involving cryptocurrency led to a staggering loss of $5.8 billion in 2024.
This alarming figure is part of a larger trend, with total losses from internet crimes reaching $16.6 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year.
The IC3 report reveals that crypto-related scams accounted for $9.3 billion in losses, a whopping 66% increase from 2023.
Investment scams were the most damaging, with losses totaling $5.8 billion. These scams often involve “pig butchering” tactics, where criminals build fake online relationships to convince people to invest in fake crypto platforms.
Older adults were particularly vulnerable, with individuals aged 60 and above losing over $2.8 billion.
In response to this growing threat, the FBI launched “Operation Level Up” in early 2024.
This operation helped identify over 4,300 victims, but the report also revealed that 76% of these individuals didn’t even know they were being scammed. This highlights the sophistication and cunning nature of these scammers.
TRM Labs, a blockchain security firm, supported the FBI’s findings, noting that scams like fake investments and “financial grooming” were the most common crimes in the crypto world last year.
Their report warned that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tools, such as QR codes, crypto ATMs, and digital currencies like USDT and DAI, to trick people.
They even use AI to pretend to be trusted friends or financial experts.
As the use of cryptocurrency continues to grow globally, experts are urging investors to exercise caution.
They advise individuals to verify the legitimacy of platforms and avoid sharing personal details with strangers online.
The FBI’s report serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments and the importance of vigilance in the digital age.
The $5.8 billion loss to investment scams in 2024 is a wake-up call for investors, regulators, and law enforcement agencies.
-
News1 week ago
Kimma Wreh, CISO – Excel Global Media Group Inc. Has Earned CIPM Certification
-
News4 days ago
Diaspora Watch Vol. 46
-
Analysis1 week ago
Nigeria Academic Union, ASUU Elects New President
-
News6 days ago
Nigeria’s Joint Admission Matriculation Board, admits errors in results, over 370,000 candidates to retake exam
-
News2 days ago
African Music Star, Omah Lay survives car accident
-
News1 week ago
UK Bans Overseas Recruitment for Social Care in Sweeping Immigration Reform