News

Noise Pollution: FCTA To Ban Generating Sets At Area 1 Complex, Demolish Attachments

Published

3 years ago

September 17, 2023

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has asked managers of the popular Area 1 Shopping Complex in Abuja to evolve a uniform source of energy as a way of reducing environmental pollution in the area caused by the hundreds of electricity generating sets used by the traders.

The decision was taken at the weekend after authorities of the FCT Administration made up of the Departments of Development Control, Security Services, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB, as well as the Abuja Investments Company Ltd, held a meeting with traders at the market.

According to the Administration, all the attached shops and other illegal constructions, as well as illegal parking lots which hitherto made the place a motorists nightmare would be removed and the whole environment cleaned up, restoring the complex to its old self.

Director, FCTA Development of Development Control, Muktar Galadima who disclosed these after the stakeholders meeting said the current people-friendly FCT Administration decided to meet with managers of the market so as to reach an understanding before carrying out the cleaning exercise.

He said the congestion at the market, coupled with its unhygienic condition are a recipe for disaster in terms of the people’s health and in cases of emergency.

“The way the market is very congested and unhygienic is not good for the safety and health of the traders and customers”, he said.

Galadima insisted that all the Kebab (Suya) sellers would be located under one roof, while parking spaces inside the market would be removed and that “they should have one source of energy, instead of littering the market with generating sets, causing noise pollution”.

“God forbid, but imagine if there is any fire outbreak in this market, it will be disastrous, and rescue operations impossible. As a government, we do not have to wait for that to happen before we take action.

“Remember we were here last year to do some clean up, but this time, it is different. We are going to remove all the attachments, and create spaces inside the market for parking.

“We are not happy with the traffic situation caused by activities of this market, so we will sanitize it in line with the vision of the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration in sanitizing the Federal Capital Territory”, Galadima said.

Speaking on behalf of the traders, Umar Uba thanked the FCT Administration for thinking it wise to meet and inform them of the plans to remove illegal structures in the market.

Umar pledged that they would assist the authorities in sanitizing the market since it is also for their good.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 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

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.

News

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.