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Human Rights Radio Ends ASUU Crowdfunding As Lecturers’ Union Rejects Offer

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2022

Editor

Abuja-based Human Rights Radio has announced the suspension of an initiative to raise funds for striking university lecturers after the teachers’ union rejected the offer.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Saturday rejected an offer by the anchor of the popular Brekete radio, Ahmed Isah, to raise money for the union through crowdfunding, to enable lecturers return to work after a lengthy strike.

The president of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, who was at the radio station on Saturday, announced that the union would distance itself from the campaign and that its name should be removed.

The president of ASUU, Mr Osodeke, a professor, while speaking as a guest at the station on Saturday, said the union was distancing itself from the fundraiser and that ASUU’s name should be removed from the account name.

He said: “Please I want to appeal that we shouldn’t be associated with the money that we are seeing on the floor here. Take notice that ASUU is not part it.

“We saw that the account opened also has ASUU’s name on it. If ASUU’s name is on it, ASUU requests that you kindly remove it.”

Mr Osodeke was referring to a N50 million cash displayed in the studio by Mr Isah.

The N50 million, he said, was received from Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State as part of the fundraiser.

“We will come, we will talk about our issues. But definitely ASUU is not part of what we are seeing here. So also, we will also like to reiterate that we love what you are doing. Everybody has the right to launch a fund for anything including the university,” ASUU president added.

Mr Osodeke, however, explained that his comments were aimed at setting records straight so that the public would not think that his union has accepted money from the radio station.

He said all the money being requested from the government is not meant for his union, but for all the public universities.

He added that ASUU as a union does not receive money from the government and that all funds are sent directly to the universities involved.

“Brekete family can decide to say we are doing a project XYZ in each of the universities, there is nothing wrong with it. You can put your name, your picture,” he said.

Reacting to ASUU’s position, Mr Isah immediately ordered the suspension of the Brekete ASUU Intervention Bank account and donation to the accounts.

Mr Isah, popularly known as ordinary president, had on June 2, announced the creation of two accounts with the name at the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Jaiz Bank to crowd-fund for ASUU.

He said more than N12 million naira has been received into both accounts. The live update of the funds posted on the station’s website.

Mr Isah said he requested the banks to integrate the live update of the funds as they are received online.

Mr Isah also announced and displayed N50 million cash donated by Governor Emmanuel.

Meanwhile, another group of people, Arochukwu Youth Association (AYA) in Abuja, also donated N100,000 during the live programme.

But callers on the programme appealed to Mr Isah not to discontinue the fundraising.

In response to the appeal, he said: “I will think about it. But it remains suspended for now,” he finally said.

Apart from ASUU, other campus-based unions including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), are also on strike, demanding better welfare for their members and the fulfilment of agreement they had with the government.

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 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.

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

Published

6 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.

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N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 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.