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Shun Divisiveness, Relevance Of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality Threatened, GEJ Warns

Published

5 years ago

July 31, 2021

Editor

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on leaders and stakeholders of Ijaw nation to shun divisiveness and work together in love and unity for the collective interest of Ijaw people in Nigeria.

Jonathan made the call when the national executives of the Ijaw National Congress accompanied by the Central Zone officials of the Ijaw Youth Council, paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Friday.

According to him, the relevance of the Ijaw ethnic nationality as a minority group is being threatened because they don’t exist within one location, except in Bayelsa where their homogeneity is very pronounced.

He urged well-positioned Ijaw sons and daughters to sacrifice for the people and to also place collective interest above personal gains, stressing that differences among Ijaw should not jeopardise their unity.

Jonathan said the INC and the IYC have a huge role to play in ensuring the unity of the Ijaw people, especially among the political class, warning that political contestations must not be allowed to disunite them.

He said, “But the key point about us is the unity of the Ijaw people. And that is key. We are not too many in terms of physical number. We are widely spread, not concentrated in a geographical area, so our relevance is threatened along many states.

“Apart from Bayelsa State where we have a majority or almost the whole population, others are spread thinly (in other states). And a people like this need to be united to make impact. The collective interest of Ijaw should take precedence and people must sacrifice because of the interest of Ijaw land.”

The former President congratulated the INC executives on their successful election and subsequent inauguration, and commended them for the programmes and activities they hold to promote the Ijaw cause.

He also thanked them for the visit and encouraged them to feel free to seek his involvement in any issue, adding that he was ready to play his role in service to Ijaw land.

Earlier, the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, expressed gratitude to Jonathan for supporting Governor Douye Diri to ensure a hitch-free election of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, which had been adjudged to be very free and credible.

Okaba, a professor of Sociology at the Federal University, Otuoke, said his leadership hit the ground running soon after their inauguration on May 14, “to drive the Ijaw agenda for resource justice, restructuring and internalisation of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination and self-actualisation.”

While enumerating some achievements recorded by his leadership, he also informed the former president that the INC was working towards holding an all-Ijaw summit to appraise the Ijaw question and future in the Nigerian.

(PUNCH)

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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.

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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.

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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.