News

FG Gives N1bn Loan To 1,000 MSMEs In Bauchi

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry (BOI) has provided the sum of N1 billion to 1,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) business owners in Bauchi state.

Speaking during the sensitisation of the beneficiaries in Bauchi on Tuesday, Mr Isa Nadada, the Manager, Bank of Industry, Bauchi state branch, said the aim of the intervention is to revive the MSMEs in all the 774 local governments across the country.

According to him, the target of the federal government is to have 75,000 MSMEs as beneficiaries in order to create job impacts.

Represented by Mr Kabiru Musa, Project Officer, BOI, Bauchi branch, Nadada explained that the core mandate of the bank is not only to disburse funds but also to create job opportunities in order to relieve some burdens on the federal government.

“The interest rate is soft because it’s nine per cent all inclusive, either it is a term loan or a working capital.

“The tenure of the facility is three years and there is a six month moratorium.

“As I am talking to you now, I have successfully disbursed N1 million to four beneficiaries today who have met the requirements and we are here to enlighten some of the beneficiaries,” he said.

He said that after the applicant has successfully submitted his application online, officials from the bank would go to the place to see the business and make recommendations for final approval for the loan disbursement by the management.

Nadada added that the bank had earlier disbursed the sum of N50,000 to some nano business owners as a grant across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state in order to boost their businesses.

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Shira, the state Commissioner for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development lauded the federal government for working toward the development of MSMEs in the state.

“Together, we can build a sustainable framework that not only addresses the immediate needs of our businesses but also lays the foundation for long-term growth.

“I want to emphasise that the Bauchi State Government through the Ministry for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development is here for you.

“We are committed to ensuring that this programme is implemented effectively and that it reaches those who need it most,” said the Commissioner.

In his address, Mr Abdulrasheed Aliyu, from Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bauchi office, said the agency provides business development services and business clinics to the beneficiaries.

He said this is necessary in order to utilise the money for the purposes it was meant for.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Musa, said they have been yearning for such an intervention for so long, adding that it would help the women who are based on petty trading.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 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

10 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.