News

FG Flags Off Annual Sports Fiesta As Minister Calls For Fair Play In Bauchi

Published

2 years ago

August 13, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, flagged off the annual sports fiesta in Bauchi state for the workforce of all Agencies under the ministry to enhance productivity.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of of the fourth edition of the Federal Education Sector Games (FEDUGAM) in Bauchi, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, said the sports fiesta was to promote unity, friendship and synergy among the stakeholders within the national and sub-national.

Represented by Alh. Isa Abubakar, Director, ICT, Federal Ministry of Education Headquarters, Sununu said the annual sports games was also to provide an avenue for participants to be active, remain physically fit and mentally alert for efficiency and higher productivity.

“The game is also instructive of the alliance between Sports and Education, which have immense value on the entire stratas of the society.

“It builds bridges across various dividers, while it has evolved to building peace and resolving conflicts.

“Sports has also become a source of economic empowerment to both young and old depending on the side of the table,” he said.

According to him, the game was to serve as a bounding force and not to create disharmony or disaffection among participating participants.

“In other words, fair-play is the key word. It is not a do-or-die encounter, as participation is considered more important than the urge to Win-at-all-cost,” he said.

He appreciated Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for hosting and supporting the funding of the six-day event.

Also speaking, the governor said that the event is an annual exercise where all agencies and departments under the ministry come together to participate in various games.

Represented by Alh. Aminu Gamawa, the Chief of Staff to the Bauchi state government, Mohammed added that the objectives were not to win medals alone but to bring unity and cooperation among them.

“It is also aimed at improving the efficiency and productivity level of staff for the general growth of the service and of the country at large.

“It is a well known fact that engaging in sporting activities and exercise improves one’s physical and mental as well as productivity,” said the governor.

In her address, Dr Jamila Dahiru, the state Commissioner for Education, said that the door of the ministry would always be open for partnership with the federal government in anything that would enhance the productivity of staff and reform the education sector in the country.

Some of the games to be played by the participants in the sports fiesta includes; football, volleyball, table tennis, Chess, scrabble, march past, long jump, badminton, basketball and sprinting among others.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour 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

4 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.