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FG To Disburse Interest-free Loans To Farmers, Small Businesses – GEEP

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The Federal Government will soon commence disbursement of interest-free loans to smallholder farmers and businesses across the country before the end of 2025, the National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Hamza Ibrahim Baba, has said.

Baba made this known on Friday in Kaduna during an engagement with representatives of the traders’ associations and other stakeholders in the state’s informal business sector.

He said the loans, up to N100,000 per beneficiary, were part of the FarmerMoni scheme under GEEP, which aims to support small-scale farmers involved in poultry, aquaculture, livestock rearing, and crop production.

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This pilot phase will support farmers nationwide, small-scale business owners including Kaduna State.

“Beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month moratorium to enable them to produce before beginning repayment.

READ ALSO:Why FG Named KWAM 1 Aviation Security Ambassador — Keyamo

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The funds will help them acquire inputs such as fertilisers, livestock, veterinary drugs, and other critical tools,” Baba said.

Baba said that the programme, domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, was one of the flagship initiatives under the National Social Investment Programme.

According to him, GEEP provides collateral-free, interest-free loans to micro-enterprises, petty traders, artisans, youth entrepreneurs, and farmers to help scale up their businesses and ensure financial inclusion.

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He explained that GEEP operates three schemes: TraderMoni, targeting youths aged 18 to 45 involved in petty trades; MarketMoni, focused on women in small-scale trading; and FarmerMoni, for rural farmers.

Baba added, “These are not grants. They are loans but interest-free.

READ ALSO:FG Secures $5m Loan To Upgrade Power Distribution Infrastructure

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The goal is to help Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid improve their businesses, become part of the formal financial system, and eventually create jobs.

The co-ordinator said the loans ranged from N5,000 to N100,000, depending on the scheme, and were structured to promote sustainability through monitoring and evaluation.

He urged traders’ associations and cooperatives to work closely with GEEP Desk Officers and field enumerators across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to ensure that only deserving beneficiaries were selected.

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The success of this programme depends on transparency and proper targeting.
$We want to reach those who truly need support, not those looking to take advantage of the system,” he added.

Baba assured that the Tinubu administration was committed to expanding the reach of all GEEP schemes, stressing that the pilot farmer intervention would lay the foundation for broader rollout in 2026.

READ ALSO:Credicorp: NYSC Unveils N200,000 Loan Scheme For Corps Members

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He acknowledged the contributions of previous administrations and Ministers to GEEP’s development since its inception in 2016 and extolled ongoing reforms aimed at improving delivery and accountability.

He said, “GEEP also works in synergy with other NSIP components, including the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, and Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

“These are all aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods across Nigeria.”

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In an interview, one of the beneficiaries, Hauwa Musa, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the gesture, stating that the support had significantly impacted her life and helped expand her business.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Launches 1bn Interest-free Loan For Edo Traders

Another respondent, Mallam Umar Usman, said he had not benefited from the programme yet but expressed hope of being included in the upcoming GEEP 3.0 phase, whose disbursement was expected to commence soon.

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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the market leaders and stakeholders also commended the Federal Government for supporting business owners with interest-free loans.

They assured that they would work closely with the GEEP Desk Officers to ensure fair distribution and that the support reached those who genuinely needed it.

 

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JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

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The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It was observed that at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was firmly locked, leaving several employees stranded outside the premises. Security operatives on duty confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in line with the strike directive issued by the union.

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Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the busy Central Business District were completely grounded as workers fully complied with the industrial action.

READ ALSO:Dangote Hits Out At PENGASSAN, Says Union ‘Serial Saboteurs, Serving Oligarchs’

Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told The PUNCH that the union had achieved “100 per cent compliance,” effectively restricting access to staff and visitors.

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He added that his colleagues had also enforced 100 per cent compliance at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies.

PENGASSAN said the strike became inevitable after the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil.

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In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.

READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Reacts As Dangote Refinery Misses Production Deadline

All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

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The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution. Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants.

All eyes are now on Monday’s emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour. Whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.

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‘We Cure Madness With Madness’: Five Things To know About Taye Currency

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The name ‘Taye Currency’ has continued to trend on social media following the Fuji music artiste’s performance at the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Friday.

Taye Currency, during his performance at the coronation event which took place at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, rendered a line in Yoruba, “Were la fi n wo were,” which translates to “we cure madness with madness.”

The line, which seems not to have sat well with many Nigerians, particularly those of Yoruba heritage, has continued to generate a lot of criticism, with many opining that such lyrics were not befitting for the occasion, which had in attendance dignitaries including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and other crème de la crème of society.

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Reacting to the development, the Olu of Kemta Orile in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Adetokunbo Tejuosho, criticised Taye Currency for what he described as “classless and unbefitting lyrics.”

According to him, the musician failed to accord the coronation its due respect, describing his lyrics as unbefitting of the sacred ceremony.

READ ALSO:Ogun Monarch Slams Taye Currency Over Performance At Olubadan Coronation

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He said, “The throne of our ancestors is not a stage for mockery, nor the coronation of a great monarch a subject for careless entertainment.

“Kingship is sacred, adorned with honor and guarded by tradition. It demands reverence, dignity, honor, class and the utmost respect from all who stand in its presence.

“Listening to the musician (Taye Currency), who was invited to render music before the Crown, as a matter of fact before the entire world, to serenade the audience and sing in a way to express admiration, singing songs like (were lafi n wo were) We use madness to cure madness.

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“Such lyrics were classless and unbefitting of such occasions, it is insulting to the sacredness of the gathering.”

While Taye Currency is well known among Fuji music lovers, especially those from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, his performance at the Olubadan coronation has made people want to know more about him.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan, Set To Receive Staff Of Office

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In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five things to know about the trending Fuji musician.

1. Full Name and Age

His full name is Taye Akande Adebisi. Apart from his popular stage name, Taye Currency, he is also known as ‘Apesin.’ He celebrated his 50th birthday on December 17, 2024.

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2. Appointment as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, appointed him as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism in 2019 during the governor’s first tenure.

READ ALSO:Olubadan Unveils Economic Plan For Ibadanland

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3. Father of a Lawmaker

In 2019, Taye Currency’s son, Yusuf Oladeni Adebisi, was elected into the Oyo State House of Assembly to represent Ibadan South-West Constituency 1, which earned Taye Currency another nickname, ’Baba Honorable’ (Honourable’s father). He was re-elected in 2023 as a lawmaker on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

4. Financial Setback

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In April 2025, Taye Currency publicly lamented that he lost N10 million to CBEX, a crypto/investment scheme many now regard as a collapsed Ponzi platform. He explained that he was convinced to invest by close associates, only to see the scheme crumble shortly after.

5. Affiliation with Pasuma

Taye Currency has often maintained that although he never learnt Fuji music from his senior colleague, Wasiu Alabi Odetona, popularly known as Pasuma, whom he first met in 1993, he still considers him a boss.

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JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

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Nigerians may face a nationwide blackout from Monday as power generation companies have raised the alarm over an imminent shutdown of thermal plants following directives from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, Joy Ogaji, raised the alarm over the imminent blackout in a WhatsApp message on Sunday.

She revealed that gas suppliers had issued notices to halt supply to thermal power stations in line with PENGASSAN’s strike resolution.

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READ ALSO:Why We Rejected Govt’s Plan To Sell Assets – PENGASSAN President

Good day, all. Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply,” Ogaji said in the post.

She warned that the development could plunge the country into darkness, as hydroelectric dams alone cannot sustain the national grid.

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Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she added.

READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Shuts OML-18 Over Labour Dispute With NNPC Subsidiary

The warning comes hours after PENGASSAN announced that it would commence a nationwide strike on Monday to protest the dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

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The oil workers’ union, after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, directed its members in all oil and gas installations to down tools until the sackings were reversed.

The action could cripple crude production, fuel supply, gas distribution and now electricity generation, worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians.

With thermal stations accounting for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity supply, industry experts say the shutdown will trigger widespread outages, stretch hydro plants beyond capacity and heighten the risk of a nationwide system collapse.

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