News

Presidential Amnesty Programme Office Speaks On Rumoured Demobilisation Exercise For Pipeline Protection

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme has dissociated itself from a purported ‘demobilisation exercise’ being bandied in the Niger Delta by unscrupulous elements who are going about collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public for pipeline surveillance and other vocational trades.

A statement signed by Mr Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, on Tuesday, said the clarification became necessary after the Office was inundated with inquiries from concerned stakeholders over the fraudulent exercise.

It stated that the PAP Office under the leadership of Otuaro does not collect money or solicit favours from Niger Deltans in order for them to become beneficiaries of its educational scholarship scheme and vocational training programmes.

The Office urged the members of the public to be vigilant and report such characters to security agencies so that they are apprehended for prosecution.

The statement reads in part, “It has come to the attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme that some unscrupulous elements are going about collecting money from unsuspecting Niger Deltans for a purported demobilisation exercise by the PAP Office.

“These unpatriotic elements claim that the PAP Office will use the demobilisation exercise to recruit people for training in pipeline surveillance and other vocational trades.

“Our findings show that these dishonest persons have deceived their targets into believing that the exercise will take place at designated centres in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Ondo states etc.

“The PAP office states categorically that it is not organising or carrying out any demobilisation exercise in any part of the Niger Delta.

“The presidential amnesty office does not collect money or solicit favours from Niger Deltans to be beneficiaries of its educational scholarship scheme and vocational training programmes.

“The office therefore advises the youths and indeed the people of the Niger Delta not to fall victim to the criminal activities of these unpatriotic characters. No Niger Deltan should be hoodwinked into taking part in the criminal enterprise.

“The PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, frowns at the brazen attempt by these unpatriotic characters to tarnish the image of the office with their fraudulent activities.

“The PAP helmsman urges security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in the fake demobilisation programme to serve as deterrent to others.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 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

4 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

6 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.