News

Senate Probes Accountant General Over N978bn Service Wide Vote

Published

3 years ago

December 20, 2022

Editor

The Senate has commenced investigation into the N978 billion received by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation from the Service Wide Votes, SWV between 2017 and 2021.

The investigation is coming less than one week after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC said it has collected about N30 billion from the former Accountant General of Federation, Idris Ahmed who is currently being tried for alleged N110 billion fraud.

But the N978billion from the SWV is said to be capital and recurrent expenditures which were disbursed to the ministries, department and agencies of the federal government within the period.

Speaking at the opening of the investigative hearing, the chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee, SPAC, Senator Mathew Urhoghide (PDP Edo South), observed that there are some releases from the Votes without Authority to Incure Expenditure, AIE and this elicited suspicious by the panel.

Senator Urhoghide disclosed that the Office of the Accountant General only provided memos to back the releases, which he declared was acceptable to the committee.

The chairman, who also expressed dissatisfaction with the submission of the Office of the Accountant General, called for “explanation on bit-by-bit of the expenditures for proper understanding because the figures are enormous and response to the committee is not satisfactory.”

“From what I have seen, we may need time so that we can analyse the expenditure one by one. These figures are enormous and the response is not satisfactory,” he added.

However, the Office of Accountant General of the Federation, represented by the Director of Funds, Sabo Mohammed requested for more time to respond to the issues raised by the lawmakers.

He said: “It will take some time (for the Office to respond), we should do it systematically to save our time and your time, this is a matter of going back and doing them one after the other.

“We have responded to some, we will still go back and separate our own from that of the MDAs.

“We have found out that many of the figures may not be correct.”

The panel chairman, therefore, asked the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to go back and put the documents together and appear on Thursday.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 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

5 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

7 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.