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Tinubu approves N75bn interest-free loan to 1.5m market women

Published

7 months ago

October 5, 2023

Tinubu approves N75bn interest-free loan to 1.5m market women

The government of President Bola Tinubu will provide non-interest loans of N50,000 to 1.5 million market women as part of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program.

Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, revealed this during a courtesy visit to Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation.

According to her, the N75 billion project will assist women in improving their capital and expanding their enterprises.

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Betta also revealed that the market women fund would be named the Iyaloja Fund for underprivileged female traders.

The minister also that the program would unfold in three phases, with the first set to benefit 500,000 individuals. She said: “We are commencing the GEEP Programme right away, which includes funds such as the Iyaloja Funds, designed akin to the Market Women Money initiative.

“Additionally, there are the Jaga Funds, serving as a capital source for traders, and the Hugo Fund, known as Farmers’ Money. The Farmers’ Money will be allocated to the most financially disadvantaged farmers, facilitating their participation in the upcoming farming season. “The Iyaloja Fund, on the other hand, is intended to support underprivileged market traders by enhancing their capital and facilitating business growth. These loans are provided without any interest to these individuals.”

Tinubu approves N75bn interest-free loan to 1.5m market women

Related Topics:interest-free loan Tinubu

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Student who suffered bullying in viral video demands N500m damages from Abuja School

Published

36 mins ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Namitra Bwala

Student who suffered bullying in viral video demands N500m damages from Abuja School

Namitra Bwala, the student at the heart of a disturbing viral video depicting her being bullied by fellow students, has taken a significant step towards seeking justice.

On Monday, she initiated legal proceedings against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The incident, which gained widespread attention after videos were posted online on April 22, showed Bwala being subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her classmates. The lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under case number FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: MISS NAMTIRA BWALA v LEAD BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LTD, seeks damages from the educational institution for its alleged failure to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.

Marvin Omorogbe, the founding partner of the law firm representing Bwala, issued a public statement on Monday outlining the objectives of the legal action. The lawsuit aims to hold the school accountable for its negligent conduct and seeks redress for the assault, torment, emotional distress, and breach of privacy suffered by Bwala.

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The statement highlights the specific requests made in the lawsuit, including a public apology from the school in two national daily newspapers and an order for the payment of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general damages.

Emphasizing Bwala’s desire for meaningful change, the law firm expressed hope that the lawsuit would prompt the implementation of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The viral video has sparked outrage and condemnation, raising serious questions about the school’s ability to ensure the safety and well-being of its students. Bwala’s decision to pursue legal action underscores her determination to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Student who suffered bullying in viral video demands N500m damages from Abuja School

(Punch)

News

Labour blocks IBEDC Osogbo office, says new electricity tariff killing

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Labour blocks IBEDC Osogbo office, says new electricity tariff killing

Members of the Organised Labour in Osun on Monday blocked the main entrance of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Business Hub, Osogbo, protesting over the recent hike in electricity tariff.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the action was a result of the joint directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to picket offices of power distribution companies (DisCos) in their respective state capital.

The action was to protest the recent increase in electricity tariffs approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The union leaders locked the entrance gates of IBEDC Business Hub and other sub-offices in Osogbo, with an instruction to security personnel not to allow anyone to gain access into the offices.

Speaking to NAN during the protest, Abimbola Fasasi, TUC State Chairman, said that the protest was to make a statement and let the Federal Government know that the electricity tariff increment was unacceptable to Nigerians.

“The FG must reverse its decision on electricity tariff increment. We don’t want it at this time.

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“The government has to develop and improve on electricity generation and supply.

“How many megawatts is Nigeria generating? They are just pumping money into power without results and they want to heap the expenses on Nigerians.

“We are saying NO to electricity increment and additional burden on Nigerians and that is why we are here today picketing IBEDC offices,” he said.

Fasasi said he expected the labour action to yield results in the next two to three weeks, adding that if there is no reversal, labour will shut down the Nigerian economy with a total strike.

Also speaking, Christopher Arapasopo, NLC State Chairman, told NAN that the position of labour is that the recent increase in the electricity tariff by the NERC should be reversed.

“You will recall that on April 3, NERC announced an increase in electricity tariff, and this is killing Nigerians and Nigerian workers say No to this.

“We ought to enjoy power supply for at least 20 hours, but I can not recollect the last time power was supplied to us for eight hours.

“Recently we had the issue of fuel scarcity and again we are battling with hike in electricity tariff. The Federal Government has to do the needful.

“The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the labour unions met on April 30, to take a stand against the electricity hike and that there should be picketing of DisCos today.

“We hope that the FG and DisCos will do the needful and reverse the tariff, but if they failed, the CWC will give directive on further steps to take.” he added.

Labour blocks IBEDC Osogbo office, says new electricity tariff killing

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Activist, students arrested for protesting tuition fee hike in UI

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

University of Ibadan

Activist, students arrested for protesting tuition fee hike in UI

Security personnel at the University of Ibadan apprehended three individuals, including an activist, during a protest against the rise in school fees.

The detained students are Aduwo Ayodele and Nice Linus, alongside activist Femi Adeyeye. Their arrest on Monday morning stemmed from objections to the recent tuition fee increase.

According to Sahara Reporters, they were being held at the university’s security post.

Attempts to contact the school administration for comments were unsuccessful.

In April, the UI Students’ Union Executive Council, led by Samuel Samson Tobiloba, criticized the 750% tuition hike for new students.

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The council urged an immediate reversal of the increment and sought a meeting with the university management to address the issue. The student union’s stance was prompted by the updated fees displayed on the students’ portal, ranging from N133,500 to N372,500 depending on the courses.

“We note with concern that this increment represents about 450% to 750% of the previous bundle fee which ranged from about N20,000 to N30,000,” the students’ body said, noting that it was not in support of the increment.

It, however, advised fresh students to exercise patience and not rush to pay the new fee.

It condemned the “increment in strong terms, and requested that this proposed increment be reverted to the status quo”.

“We are also requesting for a meeting with the University Management towards resolving this issue,” it said.