News

You’re No Longer My President, Umahi Tells Ohanaeze’s President-General

Published

4 years ago

June 12, 2022

Editor

The Ebonyi State Governor, and Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, on Sunday, chided the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, for his alleged role in the failure of the aspirants from the region in the just concluded presidential primaries.

In what looked like a vote of no confidence in Obiozor, Umahi declared he would no longer recognise him as the PG of the pan-Igbo body.

Umahi, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, alleged that Obiozor was partisan, “instead of making himself a rallying point during the struggle for the presidency of Igbo extraction”.

According to the visibly angry Umahi, who stated this during a warn reception in his honour by his supporters, after the APC presidential ticket contest in Abuja, Obiozor failed to stand for the South-East region when it mattered most, saying, “It is a very big shame, I have no confidence in him and he is no longer my President.”

The governor lambasted delegates from other South-East states, who, according to him, sold their votes to willing buyers instead of standing in defence of the calls for the Igbo Presidency.

He also expressed displeasure with the politicians from the South-East region for not justifying the agitation against the marginalisation of Ndigbo during the just concluded APC presidential primary.

The governor, however, commended delegates, stakeholders, and supporters of the ruling APC from Ebonyi State for their massive support during the just concluded primary election.

Umahi said, “First, let me say to the Ebonyi people, you are wonderful people, the presidential (primary) election was a great eye-opener to every son and daughter of Ebonyi State and with your support, we fought very gallantly.

“I had a series of meetings with the party’s chairmen in the five states of the zone, in the company with its national vice chairman. I implored the delegates that the issue was not about me but the mood of the Igbo in the nation.

“I implored that they should vote for any South-East aspirant so that when the votes are counted, we would not be missing.

“We would have made a strong statement in the process, that the Igbo are eminently qualified with due capacity to lead the country,

“There was no sort of lobbying I did not receive, but I maintained that it was about bringing the marginalisation of the Igbo to the forefront.

“The setting of the nation is well-skewed against any contest for the Igbo man, while every zone has about eight states or more, and the South-East has only five. How do you expect an Igbo man to win a contest under this kind of arrangement?

“Prof. Obiozor could not stand for the Igbo when it mattered most; it is a very big shame, I have no confidence in him and he is no longer my President-General.

“In the comity of South-East, Ebonyi people are not regarded. I continue to say that Ebonyi will never be Biafra.

“I weep for our leaders; we are now regarded as people that will sell anything for the sake of money; it is about equity, justice, and fairness upon which I continue to shout for the unity of this country.”

Umahi said he was no longer interested in the South-East agenda, but Ebonyi agenda only, assuring the people that he would fight publicly anyone against the interest of Ebonyi people.

“I am the Governor of Ebonyi State, the only agenda I have for the South-East now is ‘Ebonyi Agenda’. I continue to say that he who sells his brother, even the buyer will not trust him.

“Anyone that fights against the interest of Ebonyi people in the South-East, I will fight the person publicly. Ndigbo, get your PVC and bond together, you have seen that nobody wants you anymore, we have the fighting spirit and the spirit of our founding fathers has been rekindled to fight for us.

“When honourable people are needed in the South-East, they will come to Ebonyi State, everything is not money,” he concluded.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour 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.