News

NDE Trains Women On Various Skills, Gives N3.2m Starter Packs

Published

4 years ago

May 9, 2022

Editor

Our Reporter, Bauchi

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), on Monday, commenced a 5-day training of 130 women on different vocational skills in Bauchi.

Speaking during the commencement of the training, the Director General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Fikpo, said that the directorate had made available the sum of N3,250,000 loan to all the trainees as their start-up capital.

He added that the training was being carried out under the ‘Women Empowerment Branch’ (WEB) of the Small Scale Enterprises Department of the NDE.

Represented by the Bauchi state Coordinator of the NDE, Mr Lawan Yaya, the DG explained that each of the 130 women would have access to the sum of N25,000 to ease them start their own business after the training.

Fikpo, who said that the age bracket of the trainees ranged from 18 to 35 years, urged them to take the training very seriously.

“If they are to go and pay for this kind of training, I doubt if you will be able to get about ten women who would be able to foot the bill for this training.

“Therefore, they should be up and doing and be serious about the training,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Sunday Apakasa, Director, Small Scale Enterprises Department, NDE, Headquarters, said that the DG was magnanimous enough to sum up so many skills to train the beneficiaries on.

Apakasa, who was represented by Mrs Justina Akoji, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, NDE, Headquarters, highlighted the skills to include tye and dye, perfume, learning how to stone clothes, make up, headgear tying and event decorations which he said were the money bags of the day.

“They are also going to be learning about organic products. Not everything you’ve to go to pharmacies and shops to buy drugs while we have natural herbs and spices that can do wonders.

“These are but few among all other skills they would be trained on.

“The beneficiaries should count themselves privileged to have been selected to attend this training because out of many people only these numbers were selected.

“They should take it seriously as the D-.G had made available the startup capital for them as well as the transport fare throughout the period of the training.

“If they are wise, they would be attentive, learn effectively what they are about to be taught and then put it into use,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries not to divert their startup capital for a different purpose, adding that they would make it big even by starting with little.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Hajara Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of all, appreciated the NDE and promised to pay maximum attention as well as making judicious use of the start-up capital.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 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

28 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

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.