News
Presidency, El-Rufai Trade Words Over Governance, Opposition
A heated exchange of words has erupted between former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy, Daniel Bwala over the state of governance and opposition in Nigeria.
The clash on X on Thursday follows el-Rufai’s remarks at a national conference in Abuja, where he described the current state of governance and opposition as a “national emergency.”
Bwala, responding on social media, questioned el-Rufai’s motives, suggesting that his critique was rooted in personal grievances rather than patriotism.
“My senior brother, if you were in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a Ji soron Allah mana,” Bwala wrote.
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El-Rufai, in a scathing reply, dismissed the notion that he sought a position in Tinubu’s administration, stating that he had made it clear to the president that he was uninterested in joining the government.
He accused Bwala and other supporters of the Tinubu administration of lacking moral flexibility.
“I was cabinet minister 22 years ago and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The pathetic manner all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something I never wanted in the first place reflects your moral flexibility,” el-Rufai wrote.
El-Rufai emphasized his track record of speaking out against issues within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he helped found.
“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder and the government that emerged from it… Go and check my public service record from 1998,” he added.
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In response, Bwala acknowledged his respect for el-Rufai’s brilliance but questioned the motivations behind his recent criticisms, suggesting they were driven by a “need for vengeance.”
He further urged el-Rufai to resolve his grievances internally, rather than through public outbursts.
“My worry, however, is the motive behind your statements and actions; they are not borne out of patriotism, but a need for vengeance. The opposition sees that singular element of vengeance as a veritable tool for your recruitment,” Bwala posted.
Bwala also defended the APC, asserting it remains the “only organized party with identifiable structures across the country.”
He appealed to el-Rufai to return to the party and address his concerns in a dignified manner.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
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.
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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
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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“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
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.
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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).
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“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.
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