News

PICTORIAL: Osun Protesters Observe Jumaat Prayers On Road

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2024

Editor

Residents of Osun State mainly youths on Friday continued the protest in Osogbo, the state capital, demanding reversal of fuel subsidy removal and stoppage of naira devaluation.

The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest had commenced in the state on Thursday and at the Friday procession, the protesters, who converged on Friday Park, Osogbo, were accompanied by police operatives, men and officers of Nigeria Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Immigration Service, alongside operatives of Department of State Security.

Moving through MDS road to Olaiya Junction before heading to Odi-Olowo Street, Osogbo, the protesters accused the federal and state governments of inflicting hardship on Nigerians, insisting that the protest would continue until their demands were met.

The protesters after returning to Olaiya Junction, performed ablution and observed jumaat on the road, while security men who went across the town with them, provided cover while the prayers lasted.

After the prayers, led by one of the protesters, the participants dispersed.

Speaking with journalists, the convener of Nigeria for Good Governance, Wole Oladapo, accused the Federal and State Governments of misplaced priority, adding that the current protest would be a test case, as the displeasure of the masses was gradually building up.

Oladapo said, “It keeps getting from bad to worse and we seem to be at the worst now. The president decided to, by fiat remove fuel subsidy. The entire nation has come into jeopardy. To double the jeopardy, they floated the naira and devalued it so terribly.

“We told the federal government when the subsidy would be removed that you can’t rob Peter to pay Paul. We accept subsidy is a scam. But you didn’t sit down to analyse the subsidy regime, you removed it. You took the money from that and gave it to governors, another set of looters and now, Nigerians can no longer survive.

“We knew how state allocation increased since the subsidy was removed but have we seen the effects on the masses? No! In Osun State, under Aregbesola, he recognised that there was poverty among the youth and he took youths and gave them jobs and they contributed to the economy of the state through the job he gave them.

“That continued until Governor Adeleke came into office. In the almost 2 years, we have not seen anything. In 2 terms, Aregbesola did 40,000 youth employment, this administration has not done one even though the money that Tinubu took from Nigerians and gave to the governors has led to an increase in allocation to the state.”

He said that the resources of the local government had been cornered by the state.

He further stated that their aim was to inform the President, National Assembly members, and governors that the anger of Nigerians had not yet begun, but when it did, they might not survive it.

“That is why they should listen to what the masses are saying at a gathering like this. Our demands include; return fuel subsidy, stopping the devaluation of the naira, open borders for food to come in. Tinubu is doing a road for N15 trillion naira at the expense of the people. The same thing is happening in Osun,” he added.

Also speaking, the Osun Coordinator of Coalition of Concern Nigeria Citizen, Adetunji Ajala, said measures were in place to ensure that the protest remain peaceful.

PUNCH

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 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.