News

Defection: APC Writes Edo Assembly Speaker On Party’s Majority Status

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2025

Editor

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has written to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, notifying him of the majority of its members in the House.

A letter from the APC was read on Tuesday by the Speaker during a plenary sitting.

He said the letter personally addressed to him, was titled, “Notification of APC majority status in the Edo State House of Assembly”.

The letter was read in part: “I write to formally notify you that the APC has attained the Majority status in the Edo State House of Assembly following the defection of the following members from their respective party to APC.

“Hon Bright Iyamu, Orhionmwon II, from PDP to APC, Hon Richard Edosa, representing Oredo West constituency on the platform of Labour Party has also decamped to APC.

“Hon Chief Sunday Ojiezele, Esan South-East constituency decamped from PDP to APC and Hon Roland Okogbe, Akoko-Edo II, from PDP to APC.

“At the appropriate time the party shall notify your office of the consequential effect of the present reality in the House”, he said.

Agbebaku, who told the House that the letter was sent to him from the Edo State APC secretariat, noted that by the letter the party now has the majority of elected members in the House.

He, however, wished the defectors well in their endeavours.

He said he was waiting for another letter from the party for the nomination of its principal officers.

“Distinguished members you just heard of the letter that was sent to me from the APC in Edo State.

“So, going by this letter it means APC now has a majority in the House.

“I want to wish the decampees well and I wish them good endeavours.

“Thank you very much. Waiting for the letter from APC for their nominees”, he added.

Recall that the four lawmakers defected from their various political parties to APC last week.

The defection brought the numbers of APC lawmakers in the House to 13 while PDP has 11.

The House, however, adjourned plenary to April 7, 2025.

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.