News
Obaseki Declares Open 2023 Edo Festival Of Arts, Culture

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the weekend, declared open the Edo State Festival of Arts and Culture (EdoFEST), pledging to sustain efforts to reposition the State as the preferred destination for arts, culture and tourism.
Obaseki, while declaring the week-long event open at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, urged residents to be part of the event lined up for the festivities.
He said, “The Edo State Festival of Arts and Culture (Edofest) is a one-week programme. This is an annual event celebrated at this time of the year. It’s all part of the festivity in the State as several activities have been lined up for the enjoyment of all.
READ ALSO: Obaseki, Ibori, Others Attend 30 Years’ Remembrance Of Mother Of Former Edo First Lady
“There are a lot of cultural and entertainment activities, food, site visitation and a lot more activities that will keep us all busy, particularly those of us in the Diaspora that will be visiting home this Christmas.
“I formally declare open the 2023 Edo State Festival of Arts and Culture. Enjoy yourself while the festival lasts.”
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Arts Culture and Tourism, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka said the festival is a yearly event that showcases businesses, talents, the hospitality sector, trade/investment opportunities, food and cultural appreciation for sustainable economic development.
READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Unveils 17 New Chieftaincy Titles Ahead Igue Festival
She said the festival has assumed a rising profile of cultural rediscovery since the past seven years of Governor Godwin Obaseki “who can be tightly dubbed a patron of the arts.”
She said, “The last seven years has seen a renaissance not only in bronze casting, sculpting, woodcarving but also vibrant and inspiring leaps in the visual arts and creatives, entertainment, film production, creative innovations, paintings, and photography, among others.”
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
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.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
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
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.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies 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
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.
READ ALSO:I’ve Been Blacklisted In Music Industry For 13 Years – Seun Kuti
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).
READ ALSO:My Beef With Wizkid Is For Life – Seun Kuti
“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.
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