News

BIR Seals Dozens Of Business Premises In Abia Over Tax Default

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2023

Editor

The Board of Internal Revenue, BIR, Abia State, Thursday, sealed several business premises in Umuahia the state capital over tax default.

Some of the affected businesses include fast-food joints, Bars, and Supermarkets among others located in different parts of the state capital.

Addressing newsmen after the exercise, the leader of the task force, and the Officer in charge of Compliance and Enforcement, Mr Francis Emeruwa, said the action became necessary following the refusal of the owners of the affected businesses to honour various demand notices and invitations for dialogue by the Board.

Emeruwa who explained that the indebtedness was from 2022 backwards, expressed displeasure at the nonchalance of business operators to pay tax, an attitude he said, does not support good governance.

“People don’t voluntarily come to pay their taxes. So, we have to use approaches backed by law to enforce compliance.

“Some of them have been owing since 2018, some since 2019. We invited them but they refused to come. We followed due process. We went to court and obtained a court order after they ignored several invitations.”

He said that the current administration in the state had demonstrated care and commitment to work for the people, hence the need for people to reciprocate the various developmental strides of the Government by paying their taxes.

Emeruwa said that the BIR Management led by Professor Udochukwu Ogbonna was committed to improving the Internally Generated Revenue of the state and to judiciously accounting for every revenue generated.

He said that the BIR boss under whose watch the state’s IGR witnessed a leap, was still ready to replicate the feat and complement the efforts of Gov. Alex Otti- led administration in moving the state forward.

The Enforcement Officer, who noted with concern that many taxpayers in the state ” are defaulting”, urged them to pay up to enable the Government to discharge its responsibilities to the citizenry.

It was observed that according to one of the court orders, the affected defaulter owed N650,400 covering 2021-2022.

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

2 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

4 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.