News
Under-17 Chess Tournament Commences In Benin
In an effort to promote talent discovery in sporting activities across Edo State, an Under-17 Male and Female Chess Tournament has commenced in Benin, the Edo State capital.
The 3-day tournament, which runs from August 7 to 9, 2025, is organized by the Edo South Senatorial District of the Edo State Sports Commission in collaboration with the Edo State Chess Association.
INFO DAILY reports that
to encourage participants, 1st position in both male and female categories will go home with
cash prizes of ₦25,000, while 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions are expected to go home with 15,000, ₦10,000 and ₦5,000 respectively. Other participants are expected to go home with consolation prizes.
Welcoming participants at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the tournament, the Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the tournament as a key part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to promote talent discovery across the state.
“For the past seven weeks, Edo State has been a beehive of sporting excellence, hosting one major event after another,” Enabulele remarked.
He added: “From the EKUS Judo Championship to the Ardova PLC Handball Premier League, and the NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Premier League which concluded just three weeks ago, Edo continues to affirm its status as Nigeria’s true sporting hub. Now, we are proud to welcome Under-17 chess players to this championship.”
He emphasized that the series of tournaments reflects Governor Monday Okpebholo’s renewed commitment to sports development and youth empowerment, with the goal of nurturing homegrown talent for national and international competitions.
Enabulele further highlighted the crucial role grassroots sports initiatives play in discovering the next generation of champions and fostering healthy rivalry among young athletes.
“It is the mandate of Governor Monday Okpebholo to focus on grassroots sports development, and this tournament is a practical demonstration of that commitment,” he stated.
The Chairman revealed that the top two male and female players will be selected for the National Youth Games camping exercise, after which a final trial will determine the state’s representatives.
He expressed particular excitement about the tournament’s role in building a more formidable state chess team and creating a pathway for emerging talents to participate in the upcoming National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
“I call on other sports associations to emulate the Chess Association by organizing youth-focused initiatives that will contribute to our collective goal of making Edo the powerhouse of sports in Nigeria,” Enabulele urged.
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.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
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.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies 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
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).
READ ALSO:My Beef With Wizkid Is For Life – Seun Kuti
“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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