News

No Mother’s Death Is Acceptable, Says UNICEF

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

Editor

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that no mother across the globe deserves to lose her life before, during pregnancy and postnatal periods.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office stated this in Gombe during a media dialogue on ‘Strengthening Primary Health care system: Gavi-UNICEF Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian government.

She said that is why UNICEF could not compromise on any mother’s health, hence the massive strengthening of health facilities under the Gavi Vaccine Alliance’s PHC MoU especially in Gombe and Taraba states.

According to her, this is evident in the improved availability of skilled birth attendants especially at the apex Primary Health Care facilities following the recruitment of 440 health workers particularly in Gombe state alone.

Rafique explained that UNICEF had been going to the nooks and cranny of communities to reach out to those people who are resistant and don’t believe in vaccination as well as make use of health facilities to sensitize them on the importance of health care services.

The UNICEF boss, who revealed that a lot of mothers die because they don’t get the appropriate medical health care necessary, said “this is a crisis for us. It is an emergency thing that must be addressed.

“We can reach every child and every mother. If we can’t save mothers and children, then what are we doing?

“No mother’s death is acceptable and we can’t compromise on any mother’s health. Zero child, zero mother’s death is achievable and this is why we must reach them, prevent diseases and save them.

“There should be no child that we have not reached through their mothers and that is why health care systems are being strengthened to reach every child and mother”.

Rafique, who highlighted poverty, low awareness among others as major causes of child death, called on all stakeholders to support UNICEF in the campaign and spread the message.

She also urged both the Gombe and Taraba state governments to integrate all the health workers engaged through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance-UNICEF Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) into their state’s civil service to enhance effective and efficient healthcare service delivery.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 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.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

4 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.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 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.