News

Nigeria @60: Oyegun Expresses Sadness Over Insecurity, Unemployment, Confesses Is Despondence In The Land

Published

6 years ago

September 30, 2020

Editor

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has expressed sadness over the insecurity, growing rate of unemployment cum hunger that have been bedeviling Nigeria even as the country celebrate 60th independence anniversary.

Oyegun, while speaking to newsmen in Benin on Nigeria at 60, noted that things have been tough with the nation and her people, just as he lamented “things have gotten to this kind of situation totally outside the control of government.”

The former Chairman of the APC who confessed that it has been tough and rough Nigeria being 60 years, said with the way things are getting worst in the country, it appears to him that some persons outside behind the whole thing.

He said, “I am very worried about insecurity because it is beginning to sound to me as if somebody outside this nation, interests outside this nation, groups outside this nation have interests in our country that are outside the public good. These things happening otherwise do not make sense, and there are a lot of foreigners involved; a lot of arms, AK47 which are coming in through the Sahara.”

“I am a layman in terms of security but it is something that needs very in depth investigation, how as a nation being sabotaged by external countries.”

He continues, “Things have been tough; things have been rough. What I can say confidently is that the basic foundation of future growth have been laid but the administration hasn’t been lucky at all, the administration has had a period of dwindling resources right from the beginning and I think but for careful management, we probably wouldn’t have gotten as far as we have gone today, but there is no question at all that we are moving.”

“Yes there is hunger in the land, the economy is not growing as it should, unemployment is very high, terrorism has raised its ugly head again after an initial success at controlling it, and cost of crude oil is almost equating the cost of production, so the resources are not just there. I just say that I am sad that things have gotten to this kind of situation totally outside the control of government.”

“The only missing link I think is that we are not sufficiently giving the people hope or explaining things to the people and giving the people hope that tomorrow will be better, so there is despondency in the land, that critical ingredient to tell the people that okay things are bad today but it will be better tomorrow is missing. So, in addition to economic difficulties, economic deprivations, we have not successfully conveyed to them the picture of a better tomorrow.”

“There is COVID-19 that has created a lot of economic problems, massive diversion of resources to protecting the lives of the people. It is been tough Nigeria being 60 years but if we contain the difficulties that are confronting us particularly insecurity, this country still has a bright future.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

9 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

31 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.