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Gender-based Violence: Edo First Lady Talks Tough, Warns Perpetrators

Published

4 years ago

June 15, 2022

Editor

The wife of Edo State governor, Mrs. Besty Obaseki, has warned those involved in gender-based violence to desist from such act, threatening that anyone caught perpetrating such act would be punished in line with the law, no matter how highly placed such individual may be.

The Edo First Lady gave the warning in Benin on Tuesday at an event held to mark the end of a project for Nigerian Academy of Science-Gender Based Project with the theme: ‘Strengthening the Evidence and Response Pathway for Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Key States in Nigeria.’

The programme was supported by West Africa office of Ford Foundation and Coordinated by Nigerian Academy of Science.

Mrs. Obaseki who said no perpetrator of gender-based violence would go without facing the full weight of the law, urged those suffering from such act to speak out, adding that though some who suffer such act have been keeping mute due to fear of the unknown, activities of the GBV committee have really helped many to come to speak up.

“Some of the victims are afraid to come out and speak up because some of the perpetrators of this crime are persons in high places, so they do not know what will happen to them if they speak up.
But with our works, people are coming out to speak up, we now have many cases being reported

“We’ve increased prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of GBV; we now have sexual assaultry centre of which is here in Benin City.

“Let me say this, no matter who you are, if you are found attempting to cover up such crime case, you and the perpetrator will be prosecuted. Nobody is above the law, “ she declared.

Going down memory lane on how the GBV committee was set up in the state, the Edo First Lady said the death of a lady named Vera Uwaila Omozuwa prompted her to engage in an extensive campaign, which according to her, got attention of other First Ladies who also follow suit.

While lamenting that years after the University of Benin student (Omozuwa) was murdered, the killers have not been brought to book, Mrs. Obaseki said, though painful, Omozuwa’s death has brought about many positive changes as regards gender-based violence.

“I very sadly recall how this journey started. This whole work( GBV) started here in Edo State with the death of our beloved daughter, the young Vera Uwaila Omozuwa.

“Her death, by God’s intervention has brought the prevention of many deaths that would have happened daily if the fight against GBV did not come to life. She’s like a seed that died, buried and sprout again to bring about life. Uwaila’s death has brought about life to many young boys and girls; many women and men.

” It was upon her death, I carried a national campaign which got the attention of many other first ladies and attention of other people in government, and it gave birth to what we now call Nigerian governor’s wife against gender based violence.”

Related Topics:Edo first lady Mrs. Obaseki

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

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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.

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Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

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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.

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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.