News

Otuaro: Working To Actualise On Aims And Objectives Of PAP

Published

2 years ago

September 23, 2024

Editor

In his bid to actualising the aims and objectives the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), administrator of the programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro has embarked on a weeklong meeting with stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.

The weeklong stakeholders meeting, which is the second of its kinds by Otuaro with concerned Niger Deltans in this year, is expected to capture traditional rulers across the region; women group; ex-agitators; generals; camp leaders in the region, and hold in Warri, Delta State.

Meeting with traditional rulers on day one of the meeting, which was Monday, September 23, Otuaro, who also doubles as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Niger Delta, said the essence of the meeting was to brief the traditional rulers as critical stakeholders of the amnesty programme on the various reforms put in place by this current administration.

Otuaro reiterated that the stakeholders meeting was very important because the traditional rulers and other interest groups are all critical parts of the amnesty programme.

He told the kings that the office was working hard in expanding the programme to accommodate more people to the thirty thousand delegates already captured in the programme, especially traditional rulers, women groups, elders and youth bodies from the region as impacted beneficiaries.

He further noted that the Federal Government was also working to mop up the Niger Delta communities in order to retrieve small firearms from the youths and incorporate them in the amnesty programme.

He said this would be done so as to sustain the existing peace in the Niger Delta region in particular, and Nigeria at large.

Amnesty boss used the opportunity
to tell the kings that the amnesty programme has many areas of interest, ranging from education scholarship, vocational training, grant/loan and many others.

Responding, the Ibenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, King Joseph Timiyan, Who is also the Chairman, Delta ljaw Traditional Rulers Council, described Otuaro as one of the best coordinators appointed by the Federal Government since the inception of the programme.

Also, His Royal Majesty, Justice FF Tabai, the lbenanaowei of Tuomo Kingdom advised the amnesty coordinator to focus more on the educational sectors, especially the scholarship programme so as to reform the mindset of the ex-agitators back to the society.

He appealed to the amnesty coordinator to always involve the traditional rulers in the activities of the programme, promising to support him to deliver on the assignment given to him.

On his part, the Pere of Akugbene Mein-Kingdom, Pere SP. Luke, the Kalanama Vlll thanked the amnesty coordinator for his laudable initiatives in reforming the amnesty programme.

He noted that the kings were very impressed by his reform agenda ongoing in the amnesty programme, praying to God to give him the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the program to achieve its set goals.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

15 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

37 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.