News

Butchers President Raises Alarm Over Shortage Of Veterinary Doctors In Edo Abattoirs

Published

12 months ago

May 16, 2025

Editor

The National President of the National Butchers Employers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Sunny Omokaro, has raised alarm over the acute shortage of veterinary doctors in Edo State’s slaughterhouses, warning that the situation poses a serious public health threat.

Speaking in Benin City after a recent inspection of abattoirs across the South-South geopolitical zone, Omokaro described the situation in Edo State as dire, lamenting that over 70% of animals slaughtered daily are not inspected by qualified veterinary personnel.

“It’s a clear and present danger,” Omokaro declared. “By law, no animal should be slaughtered for public consumption without thorough pre-slaughter and post-slaughter inspection by a veterinary doctor. Sadly, in Edo State today, this law is being violated daily because the state has only eight veterinary doctors—four in the field and four confined to office duties.”

He stressed that the absence of veterinary oversight could have catastrophic consequences, warning that in the event of a meat-borne epidemic, it would be impossible to trace the source due to the lapses in inspection.

“In the past, veterinary doctors were stationed permanently at abattoirs, supervising the entire slaughter process from start to finish. Now, they are hardly seen, and the abattoirs are left in the hands of butchers and health officers who are often overwhelmed or untrained,” he noted.

Omokaro also decried the deteriorating state of slaughterhouses in the state, accusing local government councils of negligence and complicity by granting licenses to individuals without proper facilities or professional training.

“The law is clear, but the authorities are looking the other way. The local governments collect revenue daily from these abattoirs, yet they ignore the rot and the looming disaster. They must wake up to their responsibility, ensure the presence of veterinary doctors in all abattoirs, and stop licensing unqualified operators,” he stated.

Omokaro called on the Edo State Government to urgently recruit more veterinary doctors and deploy them to all slaughterhouses, warning that failure to act could result in a public health crisis.

“The time to act is now. Government must take this matter seriously before we face an outbreak that could have been prevented,” he warned.

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.