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Perish Ambition Of Drilling More Oil In N’Delta, IPF Tells FG

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The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has asked the Federal Government to perish the ambition to drill more oil wells in Niger Delta.

Recall that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in a special report on Thisday newspaper of 4th January, 2025, said following the resumption of oil refining by Dangote, Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries, the country needs 123.48 million barrels for the nine Nigerian refineries in the first quarter (H1) 2025, suggesting that the country needs to undergo drilling of more oil to meet both foreign and domestic demands.

The IPF in a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, said following the abject poverty and unspeakable underdevelopment meted on Niger Delta People, the region would no longer allow the Nigerian Federal Government to drilling more oil in the area.

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“We are saying it very unequivocally that Niger Delta will no longer wants the Federal Government to continue to drill more oil wells in the Niger Delta, except there should be a dialogue for the oil ownership in Niger Delta,” the group added.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa Govt Assures IPF Of Support Ahead Of Media Conference

IPF explained that the Ijaw riverine communities with countless oil wells being explored and exploited over five decades have nothing to show for it.

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The Ijaw media practitioners organism said rather, there is reality of rejection, infrastructure decay, pollution, total darkness and untimely death of both infants and adults as a result of oil exploration/exploitation activities by oil multinationals.

The IPF added that should the Federal Government nurse the ambition to drill more oil wells to increase the daily oil production output in Niger Delta and the Ijaw areas, there should be a roundtable negotiation to review the extant laws of oil and gas ownership in the Niger Delta before such ideas could be considered.

It noted that if such roundtable negotiation is not done, the Federal Government should look for somewhere else to look for its oil to increase its daily output and not the Niger Delta territory.

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READ ALSO: Ijaw Unity Takes Centre Stage As IYC Western Zone Partners IPF

The Ijaw media practitioners organisation argued that in the future when the entire oil and gas are exhausted without commensurate benefits, the Ijaw area will be left abandoned like a ghost city, citing Oloibiri town as a reference point.

The IPF expressed disappointment that up till now natural resources like gold and bitumen in Zamfara and other northern states are regarded as private resources for the indigenes despite its high economic values.

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It’s further argued that if gold, iron ore, lithium, coal, granite and other natural resources in Zamfara and other northern states belong to the indigenes, then oil and gas resources in Niger Delta belong to the aboriginal people of the Niger Delta.

IPF called on Niger Delta states governors, federal lawmakers, rights bodies, traditional rulers and other well meaning stakeholders in Niger Delta to educate the federal government to jettison the idea of drilling more oil wells in Niger Delta region for the overall interest of both parties.

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Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

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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.

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READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies 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.

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“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

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N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

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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.

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Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

READ ALSO:I’ve Been Blacklisted In Music Industry For 13 Years – Seun Kuti

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

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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.”

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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).

READ ALSO:My Beef With Wizkid Is For Life – Seun Kuti

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.”

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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.

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Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

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Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

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READ ALSO:South Africa To Investigate ‘Mystery’ Of Planeload Of Palestinians

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

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When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

READ ALSO:South African Ambassador Found Dead Outside Paris Hotel

We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

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DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

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