News

Ohanaeze Sends SOS To FG, Govs Over Flood Disaster In Southeast

Published

4 years ago

October 15, 2022

The apex Igbo socio-cultural orgainsation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the Federal Government to urgently move into action in Abia, Imo, and Anambra states to save the remaining lives and properties of the people ravaged by floods in both states in the southern part of the country.

This comes on the backdrops of the spot findings by the apex Igbo body on the recent flood disasters in Ariaria International Market Aba, Ohaji-Egbema in Imo, and Oguta local government area in Anambra State, where floods destroyed properties worth billions of naira.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, made the call in a statement issued on Saturday, regretting the devastating effects of the ugly incident on the people.

According to him, “we wish to ask, does it mean that the clips coming out from the ancient town of Anam Ukpo Isaa with villages like Mmiata, Iyiora,Umueze, Umuewelum, Umuobia, Umuikwu, Umudora, and Oroma-Etiti are now sitting under flood is not getting to both the Presidency and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“Is Nigeria too broke that we cannot send serious boats and even airlift the trapped people of Ogwuikpele, Akali-Ogidi, Atani, Osamala, Umu-uzu, Ogbakuba, Umunankwo, and Ogwuaniocha all in Ogbaru Local government area and send relief materials to them because they are currently internally displaced people?

“Can’t the federal and state governments do something for the people of Abacheke in Ohaji-Egbema? Can’t government and NEMA do something about what’s happening at Oguta-Ameshi down to the Amaraocha area,” he queried.

“Can’t they just see that communities like Osemotto, Eziorsu, Orsuobodo, Mgbele, and their neighbors may not be safe now and find fast solutions? How can the government be sleeping while our people are perishing?

“What about those people that died at Osomals/Umunankwo bridge while sailing to Ogbakuba last werk in Ogbaru when their boat capsized and who have located their families? Why all those silence when a national disaster is taking place”, Isiguzoro also queried.

The Igbo chieftain, who described the flooding as an act of nature, advised the federal and state governments and National Emergency Management Agency to carry out awareness campaigns before rainy seasons of every year, tilted at educating Nigerians on the prevention and dangers of flooding.

“They should find solutions because people cannot continue to invest and lose their investments every three years to flood. We have heard from different quarters that what happened could be linked to the release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon”.

Isiguzoro also tasked the governments with permanent solutions to end the ravaging floods being experienced in most parts of the federation to forestall re-occurrences and their devastating effect on human lives and properties, and as well as government-executed critical infrastructures.

His words: “Every solution is necessary now. If it requires tbe dredging of notable Rivers in the affected areas like Orashi Rivers in the affected areas like Orashi River, Ogbuide river (Oguta lake), Omambala (Anambra Rivers), Ezu River, Itu River, Awbana river, Njaba river, River Niger and many others. Every time such may happen, please let it be done at least to reduce the effect”.

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.