News

Flood Takes Over 12 Edo Communities, Residents Flee

Published

4 years ago

October 2, 2022

Editor

Not less than twelve communities mostly in Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial district have been submerged by flood as a result of torrential rain in the last few days that has resulted in the River Niger overflowing its banks.

Some of the communities mostly hit are Udaba-Ekphei, Anegbette, Ukpeko Orle, Ofukpo, Agbabu, Osomegbe, Udochi, Yelwa, Ake Island and Ifeku Islay.

Many of the residents had to flee because the water level in most of the communities is above the window level of their houses while those who managed to move around go in canoes as residents say this is the worst flood they have experienced since 2012 when they thought they had seen the worst. Churches, mosques, markets, and schools have all been taken over by flood.

Agricultural produce like rice, cassava, vegetables, potatoes, groundnuts and others have been completely submerged by the devastating floods.

The people are calling on federal, state and local governments to come to their aid before they start losing their lives due to the devastating effects of the flood.

An indigene of Udaba, Mr Isaac Omoaka said, “My village is completely submerged. Since I was born, I have never seen such a thing. This year’s flood is 10 times that of 2012.

“We have a prominent son who built schools, a hospital complete with a mortuary, laboratory, x-ray and several amenities all of them now are under the water.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Osasere Evboumwan said, “I was in Etsako Central last Friday with NEMA, SEMA, the Head of Local Government Administration, WHO and others.

“We are sending our report now to see how we can provide relief for them.

“Their farms have been taken over by water. It is a yearly flood and NEMA said the only solution to this is to dredge River Niger otherwise it will continue to occur.

“For the immediate solution, we are going to be supplying food to them, the Internally Displaced Persons’ centre in Ogomeri is dry with good facilities there but the people are reluctant to come there. We are preparing the IDP camp for them, there are mattresses there, there is a generator, fridge is there, the kitchen is there and we will beef up the medical centre.”
PUNCH

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

52 minutes 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

1 hour 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

3 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.