News

Out-of-school Children Syndrome, Recruitment For Future Boko-Haram – Obasanjo

Published

2 years ago

October 21, 2024

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the Out-of-school children menace in Nigeria is a recruitment for future Boko-Haram if not addressed now.

Obasanjo stated this in Bauchi on Sunday while commissioning the Dualisation of 7-kilometre Awala-Mairuguri Road, dualisation of 17.70-kilometre Awalah-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa national Airport Road.

Other road commissioned by him included the construction of 30.00-kilomtre Gubi-Ruda Bida-Siyi-Nasarawa Road.

According to him, education and human capacity building are very essential in ensuring development and creation of a safer society.

“World Bank says we have over 20 million Out-of-school children which should be in school but are not in school.

“For a population of about 220 to 230 million, that is 10 per cent of our population that should be in school that are not in school.

“Dear governor of Bauchi state, your Royal Highnesses present here, brothers and sisters, that is recruitment for future Boko-Haram and nobody needs to tell us that.

“Apart from the 10 per cent of our population not being equipped to develop their inate capacity to be able to serve themselves, their family and communities, we are also preparing them to be recruited in 10 or 15 years time for whatever form of Boko-Haram it would be that time.

“We are preparing them for whatever form of banditry and it will not be kidnapers in the usual sense of it by that time, they may be coming to homes and be snatchers of people from their homes. Think about it,” he said.

Obasanjo called on leaders at all levels to put hands together and find a lasting solution to the menace of Out-of-school children once and for all.

The former president commended Gov. Bala Mohammed for embarking on the road construction, renovation and dualisation projects, adding that they would open new opportunities for development.

He further said that the projects would significantly enhance transportation, boost commerce, create new jobs as well as make life easier for the residents and farmers in the state.

Earlier, the Bauchi state governor, said that the projects being commissioned today were part of the larger transformative vision of his administration.

He said “as of today, we have undertaken the construction of over 116 road projects totalling 1,482.25-kilometres across the state.

“Out of these, 79 roads have been completed and are ready for commissioning”.

Obasanjo also flagged off the distribution of 10,000 hearing aids to the indigent people of the Northeast subregion in Bauchi through his Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in Partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation.

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

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.

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.