News

Empowerment: German, FG, Others Train, Ladies On Automobile Skills

Published

6 years ago

December 20, 2019

Editor

As part of its job creation initiative, training and empowering mankind, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in partnership with Federal, Edo State governments and Lady Mechanic Academy empowered women in automobile skills.

The ladies were trained in different areas of specialty including auto-mechanic, auto-electrician, diagnostic technician, body spraying and quick services.

The graduation ceremony which took place in Benin City saw the graduands being empowered with starter-packs.

In her address, the Founder/ Chief Executive Officer, Lady Mechanic Academy, Sandra Aguebor, disclosed that a total of 60 ladies were trained, adding that 25 were sponsored by the German government while 35 were supported by the Edo Youth Academy under the Edo State government.

Aguebor who commended German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Edo State Government for the partnership, noted that the major objective of the empowerment was to lift women out of poverty.

She said the GIZ provided starter packs which according to her include: tools boxes, spraying machines, sewing machines amongst others, while wife of the Edo State Governor, Betsy Obaseki, provided the diagnostics machines for graduands.

She commended the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for giving opportunity to the academy to repair the government’s fleet of vehicles through which the institution was able to train the graduating ladies.

She said the girls were trained free of charge, adding that starter packs were also for the graduands to start their own trade.

Aguebor added that the initiative has changed the narratives of Edo girls and has consequently reduced the number of girls traveling abroad to perform social vices.

She, however, called on other organisations to sponsor the initiative so that more girls can acquire skills in auto mechanic among others.

In her speech, Eseosa Okuko, Edo State Coordinator, Migration for Developments under the GIZ programme, said the programme was geared towards providing reintegration and integration support both for returnee migrants as well as youths in Edo State.

” we have our vocational skills training and under which we have trained 25 ladies in the auto repair and mechanic that are graduating today“, she added.

Okuko, who encouraged the graduands to put into practice what they learnt during the training, noted that it would also encourage the German government not to relent in providing the necessary support to sustain the vocational training.

In her remarks, the Edo State Director, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and Head of Migrant Resources Centre (MRC), Florence Owie, said GIZ in collaboration with her ministry was in the position to create employability facilities for Libya returnees and youths in Edo State.

Owie said the bilateral agreement signed with GIZ to execute the project has been ongoing in Abuja and Lagos for the past three years, but came into Edo State last year.

“We are here to celebrate the 25 ladies who are lady mechanics in various areas. So, this training has been going on for the past three months to these females in mechanics to specialise in different areas.

“Today, marks the graduation, and the federal ministry of labor and employment being in collaboration with GIZ to carry out this project is why we are here to celebrate with them,” she added.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 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

2 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

5 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.