News

We’re Adding Value To PAP Beyond N65k Monthly Stipend, Says Otuaro

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has expressed his resolve to add value to the programme beyond the N65,000 monthly stipends paid to ex-agitators.

This is as he said his reforms at the PAP are aimed at giving the programme a human face and to help develop the people of the Niger Delta for a better future.

Otuaro stated this at a closed-door meeting in Yenagoa with the leaders of ex-agitators from Bayelsa State led by His Royal Highness, Selky Kile Torughedi alias General Young Shall Grow, with the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri, in attendance.

The PAP boss said his determination was boosted by the strong support of President Bola Tinubu, who understood the challenges of the region, and was ready to do more for the programme.

He, however, said that Ijaw and indeed the Niger Delta people must be united and encourage the president to create more opportunities of growth and development for the region.

Otuaro said, “As soon as my leadership came on board, we started our reforms to add value to the programme beyond the monthly N65,000 stipends paid to the ex-agitators. If we don’t add value to the programme, then we will not be developing the future of our people.

“My concern is that we must give the programme a human face so that tomorrow it will actually be seen to have made impact on the people, and helped them.

“We must ensure that we develop our people, especially now that we have a President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who understands our problems and has been supporting the programme massively. The president will do more if we are united. We must be united, but if we are not, nobody will take us seriously.”

He told the stakeholders that the office, last year, trained 98 beneficiaries for maritime-skills acquisition, four pilot trainees graduated from training in South Africa, 45 persons deployed for aviation engineering training in Lagos would graduate this March, among other laudable initiatives.

On the deployment of scholarship beneficiaries for the 2024/2025 academic session in various partnering universities, Otuaro said he deliberately ensured a thorough and transparent process because it was the right thing to do.

He said he took responsibility for the outcome of the deployment process which had the number of beneficiaries increased from the initial 1,700 to 2,500 for the academic session, vowing not to allow the scheme to be hijacked.

He also said the office was fine-tuning plans to carry out an economic empowerment programme for the region’s women and leadership training for ex-agitators’ leaders and other critical stakeholders in the coming months.

Otuaro maintained that he was in office to render service to the people of the region, and appealed for support and cooperation from all stakeholders who love the area.

In their separate remarks, a former leader of ex-agitators, Paul Eris alias General Ogunboss; Bony Ayah alias General Don Inikio, who is a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly; and Lokpobiri commended the PAP helmsman for restoring the programme to the people and called on stakeholders to support him.

They also extolled the visionary leadership of the chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, noting that his commitment to the liberation of the Niger Delta was unmatched.

Also present at the meeting were General Africa Ukparasia, General Pius, General Darikoro, Elaye Slabo, Iziri Lucky alias General Lucky 7, Hon. Gibson, among others.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

49 minutes 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

1 hour 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

3 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.