News

CSOs Applaud Delta’s Zero Waste Strategies, Call For Pickers Inclusion, Anti Incineration Policies

Published

1 year ago

December 8, 2024

The civil society community in Delta State has commended the state government for its efforts towards promoting the Zero Waste Initiative in the state.

The commendation is a sequel to a recently held meeting by the Delta State Ministry of Environment and the outcomes of the meeting.

The civil society organisations viz: Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), and and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternative (GAIA), said the meeting’s recommendations for waste segregation from source, sensitization on waste management, and the prerogative to work with transport workers, faith-based organizations, and government MDA’s would set the state as one of the first to take actionable steps towards Zero Waste, if these recommendations are implemented.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Elvira Jordan,
Media Adviser to the CSOs, Executive Director, CODAF, Richard Benin commended the state government for its laudable step towards waste management and environmental protection.

He called on the government to prioritize waste pickers inclusion in the process, as they are the waste management agents in the field.

According to him, this can be rightly achieved by establishing a Waste Pickers’ Association, to represent the interests of waste pickers and provide a platform for their voices to be heard.

“The state government can also develop and implement policies and regulations that recognize the role of waste pickers in waste management and provide them with legal protection, access to safety equipment, training, and social services, to improve their working conditions and livelihoods.

“The place of public awareness and education campaigns to recognize the contributions of waste pickers and promote social inclusion is vital towards advancing the role of waste pickers in the waste management system,” he added.

Also lending his voice on the issue, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternative (GAIA) Clean Air Program Manager, Weyinmi Okotie, pointed out that the state government can learn valuable lessons from Lagos State’s experience with waste management, emulating its policies towards the advancement of waste management, while ignoring policies that are detrimental to the environment.

He added that Delta State must note that the Lagos State Government’s plan to establish a waste-to-energy incinerator has been met with opposition from environmentalists and civil society organizations, who argue that incineration is not a viable climate solution and can have devastating environmental and health impacts.

Okotie said instead of embracing incineration, the Delta State Government can explore alternative waste management strategies that prioritize sustainability, public health, and environmental protection, such as the reduction of Methane emissions from the waste sector.

“This will be a concerted effort to divert organic waste from the dump site and convert such waste into compost manure, to support agricultural productivity.

“Research has shown that single-use plastics make up a larger percentage of the waste produced, with single-use plastic as a harmful waste material that poses environmental and health risks.

“The Delta State Government should also look towards an outright ban of single-use plastics in the state, as a way of checking the plastic surge in the state,” statement reads.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 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

4 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

6 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.