News

CITAD Rates CSO’s Involvement In Procurement Process Low In Bauchi

Published

4 years ago

May 30, 2022

Editor

Mr Isah Garba, Senior Programme Manager, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Bauchi has said that the level of involvement of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in procurement process in the state is very low in the state.

Garba stated this in a one-day Town Hall Meeting between CITAD, Civil Society Organisations, Journalists, Public officers from the state public procurement unit, on Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Laws.

He added that this had negatively impacted on the level of awareness by the people especially, in the rural areas about procurement process in the state.

According to him, the essence of the town hall meeting was to see how all the participants can come together and address issues of the procurement system of Bauchi state.

“The next important document in any democratic society is the budgetary and the budget document of the state after the constitution.

“And the budget document of any state can not be effectively implemented without the procurement process. Yet, civil societies are engaging citizens of government in the budgetary process, however, our level of engagement in the procurement process is very low.

“Civil societies are also the elites of the societies but in this case the civil societies are not fully as expected engaging the common man in the grassroots to understand that procurement process and see how he can contribute his own quota towards strengthening the process to ensure accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness”. He said.

The Senior Programme Manager, however, charged journalists and every participants present to embark on massive sensitisation of the people in the rural areas on public procurement process.

He explained that the high level of ignorance of these people is the real cause of lapses in the procurement process and implementation in the state.

“Journalists should always report issues on procurement. Our media houses should please amplify and disseminate any information given to them or at their disposal on public procurement process in the state”. He pleaded.

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.