News

Ministerial Nominees: Osunbor, Mohammed May Make List

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2023

Editor

Barring any last minute change, former governor of Edo State, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, and a career Ambassador from Taraba State, Amb. Musa Mohammed, may make the ministerial list to be submitted to the National Assembly for screening either this week or latest next week.

Both Osunbor and Mohammed are two of the three persons nominated from one of the political groups that worked for the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential election.

The political group, Elites Coalition for Good Governance with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume as the national leader, was said to have recommended three persons for ministerial position.

The third person nominated was a former Minister of Communications under President Muhammadu Buhari, Adebayo Shittu, from Oyo State, but his nomination appears to be having issues as the state governor, Seyi Makinde, was said to have been given the mandate to nominate someone.

Recall that Governor Makinde was among the then G-5 (Integrity Group) governors that worked against the presidential candidate of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the February 25 presidential election.

Other members of the then G-5 Governors are former Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

It was reported that Makinde and Wike worked for the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

A source close to the Elites Coalition for Good Governance, which was before the election called Northern Elites Coalition for Good Governance, told Vanguard that the three names had been submitted as ministerial nominees.

The source further stated that the Northern Elites for Good Governance, which later changed to Elites Coalition for Good Governance to give it a national identity, worked assiduously for President Tinubu in the election.

According to the source, Northern Elites Coalition for Good Governance was fashioned after the group, with the name, “House-to-House,” with the aim of making people to be part of governance.

He explained that “House-to-House” was established to make people be aware of their responsibilities, including the right to ask questions from their leaders, for them to be aware of the fact that they had every right to know what their leaders were doing.

“We worked for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The present Secretary to Government of the Federation (Senator George) Akume was our national president and Ambassador Musa Muhammed from Jigawa State, Prof. Osunbor from Edo State, former governor, former minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu. In fact, we normally hold our meetings in his (Shittu) house.

“Three of our members have been tipped for ministerial positions. Prof. Osunbor, Musa Mohammed and Shittu. I don’t think his own (Shittu) will sail through but we are still praying.

“All the state coordinators from all the northern states and the southwest nominated the three persons and we asked our national executive to push it through.”

The source told Vanguard that Osunbor campaigned for Asiwaju, adding that immediately after the election “we now changed it to Elites Coalition for Good Governance.”
VANGUARD

News

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

Published

11 minutes 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

2 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.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

20 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.