News

National Honours: Group Slams FG For Allegedly Delisting Two Akwa Ibom Sons

Published

4 years ago

October 20, 2022

Editor

A group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance, has tackled the federal government for allegedly delisting the names of two prominent sons of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Akpan and Mr Effiong Akwa from the nominees for national awards.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred investiture to eminent Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, who have contributed to the development of the country.

But, the integrity group in Akwa Ibom, which claimed that their sons made the list earlier, queried why the investiture committee would at the eleventh hour expunge the names of those people thereby subjecting them and the state to public ridicule.

In a statement signed by the group’s National President, Barr. Stephen Abia and the National Secretary, Prince Imoh Etimudo, respectively, urged the federal government to rescind its decision to avoid laying a wrong precedent.

The statement in parts, “When the list of national awards nominees was released, we took pride in the fact that some deserving indigenes of Akwa Ibom State made the list. We saw the national awards recipients as worthy ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State, whose spirit of excellence, distinction and hard work in their different stations of life align with the true Akwa Ibom Dakkada spirit.

“But we were later to be saddened by the manner in which the name of one of our accomplished sons of Akwa Ibom State, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert was curiously dropped from the list a few minutes to the awards ceremony.”

The group said though it has been informed that Senator Akpan who was nominated for honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, was dropped over alleged pending case of corruption by the EFCC saying, that should not be the reason for dropping his name at the eleventh hour especially since the case has not been established.

The group however reasoned that in law, one is not guilty until proven in court and queried whether the Senator was the only Nigerian with corruption charge nominated for the award?

The group said their sons were being victimized because they are from Akwa Ibom even as they asked what would be their fate if at the end of the day the court does not pronounce the Senator guilty.

The group, therefore, urged the federal government to address the situation as they would not allow their sons and daughters be disgraced.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

56 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.