News

Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools

Published

7 months ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state government says it has begun the production of exercise books and chalks for onward distribution to schools to enhance academic excellence in the state.

Dr Muhammed Lawal, the state’s Commissioner for Education, stated this in Bauchi on Friday while inspecting the production site of the materials at the state’s Education Resource Centre (ERC).

According to him, the state was not only locally producing exercise books and chalks, it was also rebranding all forms of textbooks to make them look new.

“You can see that exercise books are being locally made in Bauchi state under the supervision of the Ministry of Education with the support of Gov. Bala Mohammed. The government has not sunk in resources wastefully. This has paid off.

“The fact that we can produce exercise books in Bauchi state is a great achievement in this administration and we are getting enough support from the governor by making this happen.

“There is no point going to China and by this development, it will phase out the number of undue, unqualified contractors that supply substandard materials.

“I’m so impressed and overwhelmed seeing what is going on here and as you can see, we are producing not only exercise books, we are rebranding textbooks to make them new.

“If we can have our textbooks made and rebranded in the state, our chalks are being made in the state, what else do we need?” He queried.

The commissioner, who expressed happiness over the development, said that the centre was a clear indication that education was working in the state through the commitment of governor Mohammed.

He explained that the primary aim of setting up the production site was to ensure that the government supplied the schools with ‘home made products’ such as textbooks, exercise books and chalks.

“When we are well fed, then we can think of exporting these chalks for revenue generation to the state and to the ministry as well.

“The chalks are made in millions. We make them, we know how to source the materials and the producers are all our staff who are being paid,” said Lawal.

Also speaking, Kabiru Ahmed, Director, Education Resource Centre, who was supervising the production commended the workers for the pace at which they work and their show of commitment and zeal to deliver.

This, he said, has helped in the production of many exercise books and chalks as well as rebranding of textbooks in the state

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 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

3 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

5 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.