News

Petition: ‘It’s Fundamental Human Right,’ EDOCSO Tackles CP

Published

4 years ago

August 13, 2022

Editor

The Edo Civil Society Organisation, EDOCSO, has faulted a statement credited to the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, that only petitions written by legal practitioners (lawyers) in the state would be entertained by his office.

The CP had reportedly held meeting with some set of persons wherein he made his position known on who has right to petition him in the state, a position that was backed up by a statement of commendation by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Benin branch.

But the Interim Technical Executive Council (TEC) Chairman, EDOCSO, Comrade Austin Enabulele, in a press conference in Benin on Saturday during the civil society organisation’s general assembly, noted that the CP was wrong to have said only lawyers have right to petition his office, adding that petition, just like letter writing, is a fundamental human right that anyone is entitled to.

Quoting in verbatim Section 89(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act on who and who is entitled to write petition, the Chairman said: “A complaint may be made by the complainant in person, or legal practitioner representing him, or by any person authorized in that behalf,” adding that the Command has a responsibility to treat such petition appropriately.

Comrade Enabulele called on the Commissioner of Police to urgently refute the publication of ‘thank you for making petition writing exclusive to us’ made by the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin branch, if truly he did not make such pronouncement.

The Chairman who said civil society organisations have in the past enjoyed robust collaboration with past CPs in the state and more so the NBA, Benin branch, urged the CP not to cause rift between CSOs and lawyers in the state and that CP Yaro should not to be different in the collaboration.

Members of EDOCSO at the general assembly of the organization in Benin on Saturday.

“The publication of the NBA to the effect that, the COMPOL has decided to entertain petitions from only lawyers MUST be refuted or else it becomes accepted as the true position from the COMPOL and we the people shall resist such abuse of public officer in words and actions to save our society from retrogression to the state of nature,” he added.

While condemning the manners at which the CP has “consistently denigrated the civil society community in Edo state either by abusive statements, sending them out of his office or charging matters to court once the presence of civil society is observed,” Comrade Enabulele added, “Majority of the activists in Edo state, especially members of Edo Civil Society Organisations EDOCSO, are highly educated and well to do individuals and a handful are employers of labour.” (Sic)

He added: “They are not jobless as speculated by our CP Abutu Yaro but only driven by sheer passion by creating time to assisting the weak and voiceless, engaging institutions and government for an egalitarian society beneficial to all.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

46 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

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

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.