News

Nigerian Youths Must Be Self-reliance Through Entrepreneurship, Says Ex-VC, UNIBEN

Published

3 years ago

April 5, 2023

Editor

A former Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, UNIBEN, Emeritus Professor Richard Anao has called on Nigerian youths to embrace entrepreneurship with a view to getting out of “their present state of dilemma”, becoming self-reliance and overcoming the present economic challenges and unemployment.

The Emeritus Professor made the call in Benin Tuesday while delivering a lecture titled ‘Self-reliance for the Youths of Nigeria’.

The seminar, with the theme ‘Self-reliance’, was organised by Mere Production and held at Akindeko Hall, UNIBEN.

The former VC who lamented that Nigerian economy is in a deplorable state, insisted that the only way out for the youths is to be self-reliance through entrepreneurship.

He said: “The Nigerian youths must proceed along the entrepreneurial path if they want to become self-reliant.”

The VC added: “The Nigerian economy is historically stifled and its growth stunted. All indices of wellbeing point to the fact that the Nigerian economy is in a deplorable state, that it has been crumbling for a long time now, and has only descended to almost unbearable levels in recent times.”

The Emeritus Prof. who attributed Nigeria’s present economic woes to successive governments policies and incompetence, added: “Dire state of the economy is, of course,the result of bad governance, the deficient and inappropriate economic policies that were deployed by successive regimes to exploit for the benefit of the Nigerian citizens the enormous human and material resources with which the country is endowed. “

He added: “This is unfortunately the case in Nigeria. Nigeria does not utilise her ‘best eleven’ but instead settles for players who display unmitigated mediocrity. Only abysmal outcomes can therefore be expected!”

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the occasion and Executive Director Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Arch. Nnimmo Bassey said the event and the topic of discussion was unique because of the present state of the nation and particularly the youths.

While stating that individual and nation must develop the right understanding, mindset and outlook to having a bearing, he said: “Today is a very unique day. topic for today Conversation is very significant because of where we are at this time.

“We are here today to look at our situation in a more fundamental way. We must strive to have understanding of issues. When we have the right understanding, the right mindset and the right outlook, definitely we can then come together to decide our bearing in life.

“We must take our position based on correct and adequate information.”

In his goodwill message, Barr. Chima Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, opined that “what we need to do as a nation and youths is to unlearn those things that have brought us down, relearn the things that we did in the past that made us great and learn the new things that will move this country forward.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

7 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

29 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.