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Need For Responsible Leadership Takes Centre Stage At Youth Leaders Clinic In Benin

Published

1 year ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

The need for a responsible leadership in Nigeria took the centre stage at a Youth Leaders Clinic for Secondary School Students in Edo State, organized in Benin by Abuja Leadership Centre.

INFO DAILY reports that the Abuja Leadership Centre is a TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership located within the University of Abuja. The centre aims to promote excellence in public governance, leadership, and policy development in Nigeria.

The event which was held on Tuesday attracted over 200 students drawn from various secondary schools in Benin City.

In his keynote address, governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, said lack of good leadership has been a major factor stalling Nigeria’s development.

Represented by Joy Adesina (SAN), a student of Public Governance and Leadership at the Abuja Leadership Centre, Okpebholo, while speaking on the topic: “Shaping the Future: The Importance of Leadership in Edo State Youth Development,” noted that “Leaders must be courageous, visionary, empathetic, and uphold integrity.”

Okpebholo, while urging the students to embrace leadership roles, said: “Discover your strengths, set goals, take action, speak out, and be the leaders Edo State needs.”

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Director, Abuja Leadership Centre, Prof. Gabriel Moti, also identified lack of good leadership and governance as the banes of the Nigeria system, stressing that Nigeria ought not to be where it is currently if the country leaders were responsible.

“One of the biggest reasons, concern and setback in Nigeria is good leadership. We are not supposed to be where we are today. We are blessed with human and natural resources. After 60 years of independence, we should have been better than this, but unfortunately here we are,” he added.

Moti said to bridge the gap of this leadership challenge was the reason why the centre intentionally moved to secondary schools with the aim of catching them young.

Also, in his opening remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Abuja and Team Lead of the programme, Prof. Philip Afaha, lamented that many individuals only grasp leadership responsibilities after assuming positions of power, describing this as an anomaly.

He emphasised the importance of grooming future leaders from an early stage and urged students to take advantage of the training.

In his presentation titled: Understanding Leadership in the Context of Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Ikariale, urged the students to be visionary, and disciplined even as they prepare for leadership role.

He added: “You must have a vision; if you don’t have vision you can’t lead. Vision does not refer to sight here, you must have plans in attaining your leadership role.”

Also in his presentation, titled: Technology and Innovation in Shaping Future Leaders, Abdul Oroh, said they as students of the Abuja Leadership Centre decided to come down to groom the younger ones with a view to developing the leadership in them

Austin Aigbe, in his presentation titled: Leadership Ethics and Accountability for Young Leaders, urged the students to be impactful leaders even as they prepare for the future.

In his goodwil message, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, commended the initiative for its focus on addressing the leadership deficit in the country.

Represented by Kenneth Eguakun, Iyamu assured that the state government would collaborate with the Centre to sustain the training.

Related Topics:Abuja Leadership Centre Edo UNIABUJA

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours 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

3 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

5 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.