News

AGILE: Bauchi Govt Initiates 42 New School Projects

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2024

Editor

Dr Jamila Dahiru, the Bauchi Commissioner for Education, says the state government has concluded arrangements to construct 42 basic and post basic schools under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme.

She said this at a one-day orientation exercise for the Bauchi State AGILE Steering Committee, on Friday in Bauchi.

AGILE is a five-year World Bank-supported education programme being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government and participating state governments.

It aims to tackle education demand-side constraints that hinder girls from attending schools through strategic communication campaigns, advocacy and engagement with community leaders.

Dahiru said the state government had contributed N150 million counterpart funding to the project, adding that 1,003 schools would also be rehabilitated across the state.

The projects, she said, would ensure conducive and inclusive learning environment for students in all the schools.

“This initiative will bring awareness about the importance of girls’ education, dispel myths and misconceptions, and promote community support for education in general.

“Girls will also be empowered to be able to navigate through skills and digital literacy, meeting up with the digital world.

“AGILE project addresses financial barriers to education through the Girls’ Scholarship Programme and would directly supports the poorest households.

“It will also remove the financial burden of sending their daughters to school and promote equitable access to education in the state by providing uniforms, books and other stationery materials,” she said.

Dahiru said the steering committee would play a major role in providing guidance, approved work plans, monitor the project’s progress and address possible challenges.

She tasked the stakeholders to actively participate and contribute their expertise toward the successful implementation of the programme.

Earlier, Ms Halima Dimis, AGILE Communication Officer in the state, said the exercise was designed to orient members of the steering committee on the AGILE programme.

She said that it would also keep the committee abreast of its terms of reference for effective project implementation.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.