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NIgeria @60: Former Lawmaker Comes Hard On Leaders, Says Nothing To Celebrate

Published

6 years ago

September 30, 2020

Editor

Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rolland Owie Wednesday came hard on the current Nigeria’s political class and the military who he said have shown lack of capacity to lead the country and the military instituted corruption even as Nigeria celebrate 60th anniversary.

He said it is a shame that even after sixty (60) years of independence Nigeria has nothing to celebrate about, adding that it has been God that has been helping Nigeria.

While expressing optimistic that a new regime would be voted into government by 2023, he said Nigeria is only existing because God wants it to be.

Owie said; “Forty years ago the naira was 90 kobo to a pound and 60 kobo to a dollar and that same 1980, President Shehu Shagari’s government started building housing estates in all the state capitals, today, those housing estates have been abandoned. The naira today and dollar and pounds are not comparable. It is a shame, there is nothing to celebrate apart from that God still allows Nigeria to exist. Where is the metro line that Lateef Jakande started in Lagos during the UPN regime, abandoned. It is unfortunate.

“Where is Aladja Steel, where is Ajaokuta steel, where is Nigerian Airways, where is Nigerian National Shipping Line, where is Bacita sugar company, where is Iwopin paper mill? All gone into oblivion. It is a bad affair that children who inherited property from their fathers will destroy it.”

Talking about corruption in the country, Owie said, “Military regimes destroyed this country. They brought corruption into this nation. When Murtala Mohammed started dismissing civil servants ‘with immediate effect’, senior civil servants who tried not to be corrupt, waiting for their final retirement and benefits, were dismissed ‘with immediate effect’ those following them behind were shocked and that is why they were disappointed and now believed that they have to prepare for their future, that was how they brought corruption into the civil service as a result of the dismissal of top civil servants who tried not to be corrupt.”

On security he said, “Where are we today that the convoy of a sitting governor will be attacked by armed bandits and security men including police and soldiers died, is that a country? One side of the country trying to dominate over another side of the country, is that what we should celebrate, impunity everywhere? A nation that has no security?

“The president comes from Katsina State, half of the local government in that state is under bandits. All the heads of security agencies are from one side. Where there is no justice, there cannot be peace, injustice gets to a level that God hears it and punishes the people who are involved. What are we celebrating but I believe God in his infinite mercies with what He did in Edo election, I know he will repair this nation in 2023 because as we are now, there is nothing we are only hoping on2023 when a responsible president will emerge like Yar’Adua who for only two and half years, he tried to turn this country around Jonathan built almajiri schools in the north, all those schools have been abandoned, nobody attends them. All our brothers in the north have all run from home to Abuja because they refuse to develop their own people so we have to change”

Related Topics:#Ngeria independence Nigeria @60

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 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

2 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

4 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.