News

Why PDP Member-elect Hasn’t Been Sworn In – Abia Deputy Speaker

Published

2 years ago

March 24, 2024

Editor

Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, has explained why the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member-elect for Aba North, Aaron Uzodike, has not been sworn in.

Recall that the Court of Appeal Owerri Division, which sat in Lagos, had on November 27, 2023, sacked the former member representing the constituency, Hon. Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party and declared Aaron as the duly elected member.

Since then, attempts by the lawmaker-elect to be sworn in by the Speaker, have been unsuccessful.

Uzodike and his party, the PDP, have argued that the Court of Appeal remains the final bus stop for House of Assembly electoral disputes, but his swearing in has been stalemated.

Fielding questions from newsmen after declaring open a free medical outreach by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, at Nkata Ibeku, weekend, the Deputy Speaker said that Uzodike would be sworn in as soon as the bottlenecks stalling the process were cleared.

“He will be sworn in as soon as all legal issues surrounding that case are settled.”

Declaring the medical mission open earlier, the Deputy Speaker commended NYSC for the patriotic initiative.

He said it would complement the efforts of Government to provide quality health care services for his constituents.

The Deputy Speaker urged the people to take advantage of the outreach to improve their health status.

Noting that “not only medication that enhances the health status”, the Deputy Speaker advised the people especially youths to abstain from the consumption of substances particularly hard drugs that could endanger their health.

The Deputy Speaker who was one of the sponsors of the exercise, pledged his continued support for the outreach.

Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Ufuoma Dick-Iruenabere, said the initiative under the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme of the corps, wis aimed at mobilizing corps medical personnel, alongside medical equipment and supplies “generously contributed by compassionate Nigerians to provide free medical services to underserved rural communities”.

She said that the exercise which was the first quarter HIRD outreach programme by NYSC in the state, was the corps’ own little way of giving back to its host communities.

The NYSC boss explained that the exercise was conducted in collaboration with the relevant health authorities in the state to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both corps members and beneficiaries.

Some of the beneficiaries, Mr Obioma Ogbonna, and Madam Josephine Nwoko, expressed their gratitude to NYSC for the gesture.

News

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.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 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

4 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.