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Obaseki, Oshiomhole Mourn Departed Former Head of Service, SSG, Shower Encomium

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2021

The death of former Head of Service, HoS, and Secretary to Edo State Government, SSG, Dr. simon Imuekemhe, has been described as great loss to the state.

He was said to have passed on in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 66.

It was gathered that the former SSG had not been on good health for a while before his health degenerated on Saturday, when he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Benin.

Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, in his reaction to the death of the former civil service doyen, expressed deep shock.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie, and made available to newsmen said, “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has received with deep shock, the news of the death of a one-time Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Omoaka Imuekemhe, KSM, FNIM (JP)”.

“Dr. Simon Imuekemhe joined the then Bendel State Public Service in 1988 as a Consultant Pediatrician. He held several positions in the Hospitals Management Board and was appointed Permanent Secretary in 1999. Dr. Imuekemhe was Head of the Edo State Civil Service from 2005-2011 when he retired from the Civil Service. He was appointed Secretary to the State Government in 2011, a position he held till November, 2012”, the statement traced the trajectory of the deceased in the service of the state.

The statement continues, “Edo State Government mourns the loss of an Administrative Colossus, who impacted positively on all spheres of Public Service having served the State under four (4) Military Administrators and three (3) Civilian Governors.

“Our deep and sincere condolences go to his wife, children, the entire Imuekemhe family, the Public Service and the good people of Edo State. May the good Lord grant us the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” statement added.

Also in his reaction to the death the former Head of Service, former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in a statement said he received death of the former Head of Service with shock, just he described Imuekemhe as a very good man with outstanding personality and excellent career in public service.

Oshiomhole in the statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Benin added that the former Head of Service understood his vision when he was governor, keyed into it, stressing that he (HoS) contributed immensely to the many successes recorded by his administration as governor of the state.

“He contributed immensely to the many successes recorded by my administration as governor of Edo State, by tirelessly offering his expertise and vast experience whenever he was called upon to serve.

“It is noteworthy that he worked assiduously to introduce several far reaching institutional reforms into the Edo State civil service, which enhanced productivity and afforded substantial benefits to the state’s workforce.

“As Secretary to the State Government during my first tenure as governor, he understood my vision and immediately keyed in to be part of it. His loyalty and commitment to this vision was never in doubt and coupled with his courage, boldness, intellectual depth, honesty, managerial capacity and experience, we were able to achieve so much in such a short period of time,” he said.

Oshiomhole therefore prayed God to grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Imuekemhe was Head of the Edo State Civil Service from 2005-2011and when he retired from the Civil Service, he was appointed Secretary to the State Government in 2011, and served till November, 2012. He was also at a time the Chief Medical Director of the Central Hospital, Benin; as as he was Chairman of the state’s Local Government Service Commission.

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.

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

Published

4 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.