News

Oba Of Benin Berates Ex-minister Agba For Lopsided Representation

Published

3 years ago

June 20, 2023

Editor

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has berated the immediate past Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba for not spreading the benefits of his ministerial appointment across the state.

The First Class Monarch expressed his displeasure when the ex-minister paid him a visit in his palace and to solicit the Benin throne’s assistance in the passage of the budget for the Benin Royal Museum, since he (Agba) had left office.

During the visit, Agba had acknowledged the role the Royal Father played which eventually gave him the privilege to be appointed as a minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

But responding, the traditional ruler said it was gratifying for Mr Agba to acknowledge the role he (Oba of Benin) played in Agba being appointed as a minister by Buhari.

The Oba who frowned at the way the former minister distanced himself from the Edo South Senatorial District, said: “I can’t remember if we actually saw you more than two times throughout your tenure as a minister. The first time you came, you came to complain about the flood in Benin, and now your tenure is completed.

“I would have kept certain things from the public domain, however, I am constrained to talk about them.

“We interacted once in a while; and it is true that my intervention to former President Buhari made you benefit from the office you held. We thank God for that.

“But I was also wondering about many things. As you were a beneficiary of that office – Budget and Planning, I was wondering if any of our people did also benefited from your office.

“I am stating here that anyone that benefited from your office should come to the public to thank you,” Oba Ewuare II said.

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.