News

Youths Block Highway In Edo, Protest Kidnapping, Poor Infrastructure

Published

12 months ago

May 21, 2025

Editor

Hundreds of youths on Wednesday blocked the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo Road to protest the dilapidated state of the road.

According to the protesters, the dilapidated state of the has resulted in a high rate of kidnapping and poor infrastructure in the entire local government area.

They complained that kidnapping had become a daily occurrence because of the bad roads and lack of adequate infrastructure.

The protesters lambasted political office holders from the area who they said were not sensitive to the plights of the people.

The protest created gridlock on the road as travelers including heavy duty vehicles along the road were stalled for several hours.

The protesters lamented the case of a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), identified as Okasime Olowojoba who, according to them has been kidnapped for almost a month, further lamented that he was yet to be released despite the ransom of five million naira paid by family and friends to
the kidnappers.

One of the protesters, Paul Lawani, lamented that “we cannot continue to be slaves in our country. The government should come and tell us what they are doing.

“Akoko-Edo local government area has three general hospitals and none is functioning well.

“What is clear is that our colonial government knew the large size of Akoko-Edo that is why they sited three general hospitals. Today, Akoko-Edo is ripe for a military base, yet we have these bases in areas that may not necessarily need them.

“Is the local government chairman not aware that there is this security challenge before he was given the job? Are they not aware that one of the reasons for this kidnapping is because of this bad road? Instead of fixing the road, they are mounting Tinubu for 2027.

“We also want the state government to come and tell us what they want to do about this road and kidnapping.

“One of our brothers has been with the kidnappers for almost one month, they have collected money in millions, they are yet to release him.”

The protesters also accused the security agents in the area of not doing their job, vowing to to continue the protest until the state government attends to them.

It, however, took the intervention of Otaru of Igarra, HRH, Oba Adehce Saiki who sent emissaries to the protesters to open the road for traffic.

The king told the protesters through his emissaries that he had also written to the state government on the poor state of the road and level of kidnappings.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 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

5 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

7 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.