News

Cultism: Obaseki To Hold Roundtable With Youths, Heads Of Tertiary Institutions

Published

3 years ago

June 7, 2023

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said the State Security Council will meet with heads of tertiary institutions, youth groups, religious bodies and other stakeholders to proffer lasting solutions to the problem of cultism in the state.

The governor disclosed this yesterday during the monthly State Security Council meeting at the Government House.

He said reports about cultism dominated the monthly Security Council meeting and members have resolved to hold a roundtable meeting in the next few weeks with heads of tertiary institutions, youth groups, religious bodies, and security agencies to check cultism in higher institutions in the state.

He said “Cultism is one red flag and it is linked to drug abuse and homicide and we are not comfortable with the progress made in that direction. The Council wants to deal with it through interaction and talking with the most affected groups”.

“Generally, when you compare data with what has been going on this year in the state, crime has drastically reduced as the trend is going down and our intervention is working following the collaboration of all our security agencies in the State.

“Progress has been made in the drive to ensure a State Residency Identity database for citizens. Progress has been made as we are talking with the National Identity Agency which has almost 2.5 million records of Edo citizens. We are signing an agreement with them to collaborate and get all the data as we launch our own Identity Card and in return help them in registering the 2.5 million Edo citizens who are not yet captured in the National Identity Scheme.”

Representative of the Edo State Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Millar Dantawaye said crime in the State has drastically reduced, noting, “Crimes such as kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and other capital crimes have reduced as a result of the collaboration with other sister security agencies.

“Security agencies have carried out robust combing of bushes, patrols and the state is safe and has witnessed a drastic reduction in crimes.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 minutes 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

27 minutes 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

3 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.