News

Edo NSIP Beneficiaries Appreciate Buhari, Minister, Obaseki

Published

3 years ago

March 6, 2023

Editor

Beneficiaries of the National Social Investment Programme in Edo State including persons with disabilities have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the programme, which they said has impacted their lives positively.

The Beneficiaries also thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki, for supporting the programme to succeed in the state.

They gave the commendation during a thank you rally to President Muhammadu Buhari for improving their lives through the programme. Beneficiaries of the N-Power programme, GEEP programme, Cash Grant Programme spoke on the benefits of the programme to them.

Participating cooks of the School Feeding Programme in the state recounted the impacts of the programme to them and the school pupils as they await the recomencement of the school feeding programme in the state.

Speaking during the rally, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadia Umar Farouq, said no fewer than 386,194 have benefited from the federal government’s National Social Investment Programme in Edo state.

She listed the programmes to include Job Creation and Youth Empowerment (N-Power), Conditional Cash Transfer, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme GEEP, National Home-Grown School Feeding, Grant for Rural Women among others.

Represented by Mr John Bello, the Minister said of this number, 32,545 youths resident in Edo State are N-Power graduate beneficiaries on N30,000 monthly stipend and 3,905 N-Power non-graduate beneficiaries trained on various N-Build and N-Skills programme, while 3,119 are GEEP beneficiaries.

According to her, 1,566 women benefited from the Grant for Rural Women (GRW) in Edo State and over one million persons have been enrolled in the state social register for the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme for poor and vulnerable Households.

She added that 178 food vendors benefited from HGSFP while 15,679 public primary school pupils also benefited from the programme in the state.

According to her, the Social Investment Programmes have given hope to the beneficiaries who were unemployed before the programmes were initiated by the federal government.

On her part, the State Focal Person, Miss Osayuwamen Aladeselu, commended the beneficiaries for appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for the Social Investment Programme which took off in Edo State in December 2016 with the support from Governor Godwin Obaseki.

She said the President has ensured that the Social Investment programme has been sustained through out his administration and many beneficiaries have shared testimonies of benefits.

She also commended the Edo state government for contributing towards the success of the programmes in the state.

“Edo State Government has created enabling environment for the N-Power programme and other social investment programmes to thrive and ensure relevant MDAs have structures in place for the Social Investment Programme.

“When EdoBEST was launched, N-Power beneficiaries were also trained in digital pedagogy skills and given personal digital assistant devices (tablets) to teach in schools and in 2021, Governor Godwin Obaseki gave an award to the best N-Power beneficiary as well as automatic appointment”.

One of the beneficiaries, Ikponmwosa Joy said the rally was organized as an avenue for the beneficiaries to thank the president for improving their lives and lift them out of abject poverty through the NSIP.

She however appealed to the federal government to allow the programmes to continue beyond the administration of President Muhammed Buhari for the benefit of the people.

Mrs Ogbeide, a GEEP beneficiary said the GEEP loan she received has helped her business.

Mr Igwe Friday, a person with disability, also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the cash grant programme for vulnerable persons which he said has uplift his life.

Meanwhile, the State Independent monitors of the NSIP affirmed that the programme has been of benefit to the beneficiaries as many visited have reeled out stories of impact.

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

6 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.