News

‘Our Voices Unheard,’ Governors’ Wives Lament Underrepresentation

Published

12 months ago

May 7, 2025

Editor

Spouses of the 36 State Governors of the federation on Wednesday called for greater visibility and communication capacity to support their social intervention work, saying their efforts often go unnoticed despite complementing state developmental programmes.

They aired their grievance at a media and leadership retreat in Abuja.

The retreat, tagged “Leading With Impact”, brought together wives of governors from across the 36 states to explore strategic communication, media engagement, and narrative building.

It was facilitated by Emmy Award-winning journalist and former CNN Africa Senior Editor, Stephanie Busari, through her firm, SBB Media.

Addressing journalists, Ogun State First Lady Bamidele Abiodun, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, lamented that despite being wives of elected governors, they are often the intersection of compassion and influence.

In her address, Abiodun emphasised that First Ladies across states work tirelessly to support communities, yet their voices are too often underrepresented or unheard of altogether.

She therefore urged her colleagues to use the training to work on changing the narrative and strengthening their abilities to communicate with clarity, confidence and conviction.

She said, “We each have stories that can move policy, shape perception, and inspire change, not just in our countries but across the continent. It’s about learning how to share our work with the world, not just through speeches but through strategy.

“It’s about embracing the truth that our visibility is not vanity, it is responsibility. We ought to support what the governors do, and usually, what we do is in the social space, like working with women, children and enhancing lives, things that the governors may not be able to identify, or even if they identify, they may not be able to reach those areas.

“So, what we plan to do, what we would like to do as a body and individually, is to be strengthened in those areas of communicating with people—not only communicating with them, but reaching them effectively.”

Earlier in her speech, Busari asserted that First Ladies who are traditionally seen as ceremonial figures are increasingly at the centre of social intervention, advocacy, and policy mobilisation across sectors such as maternal health, education, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment.

She, however, lamented that many of these contributions go underreported or undervalued, largely due to limited access to structured media training or public strategy support.

“We realise that the work that they do is so vital with women, children, health, maternal mortality, things that are affecting so many aspects of our community. Like she rightly said, these are areas that the governors may not have oversight over.

“That is their role. It’s their role also to make sure that you, as members of the press and the general community, know about these things most especially the resources that people can access in their communities”, she said.

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.