News

Ondo Community, Firm Disagree Over Pollution Allegation

Published

3 years ago

May 3, 2023

Editor

Residents of the Obatedo community in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the state government to come to their aid over the alleged dumping of industrial waste into the Oluwa River.

The community has also petitioned the State Environmental Protection Agency, asking it to call the company, Wee-Wood Industries Limited, to order.

In the petition filed by the community’s lawyer, Busayo Oroyo, and made available to our correspondent on Monday, the community said there was a need for the urgent intervention of the government to stop the matter from degenerating into a crisis between the community and the company.

The petition read, “You will recall that the Ondo State Government through the State Environmental Protection Agency initiated a stakeholders forum at Okitipupa on January 12, 2023, over the working environment of Wee-Wood Industries Limited where our client informed the government of the matter pending in court in Suit HOK/15/2022, over pollution of their environment in which your office promised that further meetings would be called to resolve the matter which meeting was never called till today.

“We have the instruction of our client to forward this petition to your office, to inform your office of further dumping of chemical waste by Wee-Wood Industries Limited on Oluwa River which serves as our client’s source of water which has polluted the said water being used for domestic purposes notwithstanding your admonition to the company at the said stakeholders’ forum at Okitipupa and the pending matter in court.

“We have the firm instruction of our client to inform your office that on April 19, 2023, Wee-Wood Industries Limited dumped another industrial waste on our client’s environment and Oluwa River which flowed directly into Obatedo water and the company has done nothing to clean up the water notwithstanding our client’s calls to the company’s community relation manager.”

When contacted, the firm’s Public Relations Officer, Adewale Omolayo, denied the allegation, saying the matter came up almost two years ago and it had been discovered that there was no pollution.

Omolayo said, “The company didn’t dump any waste into the river. The allegation came up some years back and the government intervened.

“They did their investigation and discovered it was not so. In our company, we have a waste management plan and there is nothing like water pollution. More so, the matter is already in court and I will not like to talk much on it.”

News

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

2 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

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.