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FIRSTBANK LAUNCHES SINGLE-DIGIT LOAN FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES, REINFORCES ITS ROLE IN STRENGTHENING GENDER INCLUSION IN NIGERIA

FIRSTBANK LAUNCHES SINGLE-DIGIT LOAN FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES, REINFORCES ITS ROLE IN STRENGTHENING GENDER INCLUSION IN NIGERIA

    • The FirstGem fund (FirstGem loan) is a single-digit loan scheme, exclusively designed to put women at an advantage in contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

    • The loan scheme covers female-owned or partnered SMEs in various sectors of the economy

    • Launched in 2016, FirstGem has been impactful in driving financial inclusion, influencing women’s empowerment through gender-advancement programmes like savings culture, financial literacy, wealth  management and building an investment portfolio.

 

In furtherance of its role in promoting female entrepreneurship across the country, Nigeria’s premier banking institution and leading financial inclusion services provider, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, has announced the launch of the FirstGem fund (FirstGem loan); a single-digit loan scheme, exclusively designed to put women at an advantage in contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

 

The FirstGem loan scheme is designed for female-owned or partnered SMEs  in the following sectors  Food/Beverage processing & Packaging, Beauty and cosmetics, Confectionery, Catering & Restaurants, Transportation (Logistics) and Agric/Agro-Allied (retail value chain). With an interest rate of 9% per annum, FirstGem loan is a collateral-free loan that is available to the bank’s existing and prospective female customers. Based on eligibility, customers can access loans from N500,000.00 to N3,000,000.00.

 

To access the loan, Female owned or partnered SMEs can visit the Bank’s website – https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/more-financing-options/firstgem-funds/ – to download and fill out the Retail Loan Application Form. The completely filled form should be submitted to the nearest FirstBank branch with accompanying documents.

 

Speaking on the loan Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, First Bank of Nigeria Limited said, “we are delighted with the role our FirstGem product plays in creating an avenue to enlarge the business activities and endeavours of female entrepreneurs across the country. Our FirstGem value proposition offers real solutions to constraints encountered by female entrepreneurs and working professionals, as it exposes women to opportunities for the advancement of their business. We implore every female business-minded individual to take advantage of the FirstGem loan as it puts them at an advantage to contribute their quota to the national economy.”

 

Launched in 2016, FirstGem has been impactful in driving financial inclusion, influencing women’s empowerment through gender-advancement programmes like savings culture, financial literacy, wealth  management and building an investment portfolio. FirstGem is  designed specifically to meet the needs of the female gender, aged 18 years and above.

 

FirstGem  is targeted at a broad spectrum of women, working professionals, entrepreneurs or market women through an array of benefits such as free business advisory services, access to finance, specialized training on business development initiatives (virtual  and physical events),  regular insights on business / investment  opportunities and mouth-watering discounts at partner merchant outlets (spas, salons, grocery stores) offering  lifestyle products and services.

 

Recently, FirstBank announced its partnership with CDC Group, the UK Government’s development finance organisation to economically empower women-owned and led businesses as well as local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The facility, which is in the sum of US$100 million will have a minimum of 30% allocated in the form of credit lines to women entrepreneurs.

2023: Atiku reiterate decision to stick with Okowa Despite Calls For Replacement

 

The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his decision to stick with Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa despite pressure to replace him.

Vanguard gathered in Abuja on Saturday that 13 governors and loyalists of the PDP are reaching out to Atiku to douse the tension.

While some are asking for Okowa to be replaced others are demanding a reconciliation which would make Atiku reach out to Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike.

 

However, Atiku, in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle @Atiku, on Saturday said: “Getting this country back on track will require all hands on deck.

“And I am excited to go on this journey with my vice-presidential candidate, H.E Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa @AIOkowa.

“Let’s come together as ONE towards a brighter future for all and one Nigeria.”

He subsequently attached a video of Okowa addressing Nigerians.

In the video, Okowa describes himself as an incurable optimist ready to work towards the insecurity plaguing the country.

Okowa said: “For me, being on the ticket with Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, is an opportunity to play a role in resetting the trajectory of Nigeria back to the path of growth, peace and prosperity.”

 

Obasanjo Turns Keke Rider, Picks Passengers In Ogun

 

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday droved a tricycle (keke) as part of his 85th birthday celebration.

The elder statesman rode through some roads in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun, to pick up passengers.

The former president caught the attention of residents of the community who cheered Obasanjo and took photos.

 

 

 

 

Obasanjo who offered rides to citizens, moved through Moshood Abiola, NNPC Mega Station, and Kuto Market, among others.

The elder statesman’s action was part of his Free Keke Programme of the Youth Development Centre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

Obasanjo called on young Nigerians not to leave Nigeria to those messing it up.

He said youths in the country should take advantage of the available opportunities to make an impact.

Obasanjo said, “Things are not what they should be but youths, individually and collectively, must make contributions to make things the way they should be.

“If you leave things to those who are messing it up for you and who are saying you are the leaders of tomorrow, you will never have that tomorrow.

“God has given you the innate ability to be what He wants you to be. If you make up your mind, God will help you and provide people who would help you.”

 

JUST IN: Police Rescue Over 50 Kidnapped Children In Ondo Church Underground Apartment (Video)

 

Scores of children were allegedly found in an underground apartment of a church in the Valentino Area of Ondo town, Ondo State, on Friday evening.

 

It was gathered that the children were allegedly kidnapped and kept in the underground apartment of the church.

 

A source said victims were over 50 while the police had rescued them and arrested the pastor and some members of the church.

 

In a viral video, the children were seen in a patrol vehicle of the police who took them to the police station.

 

In the one minute, 40 seconds video, a voice was heard saying, “They are kidnapped children found in the underground cell of a church in the Valentino Area of Ondo. The pastor and some members of the church have been arrested and were also in the patrol van of the police.

 

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the victims had been taken to the Akure headquarters of the command.

 

“I don’t have the details yet but they are bringing the victims to the headquarters. I will give you the details as soon as I get it from the DPO,” the PPRO stated.

 

 

 

 

2023: Fresh crisis rocks PDP As Six Governors Move Against Atiku’s presidential ambition

 

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party appears far from over as the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar and the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu seeks to resolve the differences.

The likes of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose have expressed their grievances following the emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

The aggrieved members noted that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is the rightful person for the slot having gained the support of 14 out of 17 committee members put together to pick PDP’s vice-presidential candidate.

A source that spoke with Sun claimed that six governors elected on the platform of the party are against the presidential ambition of Atiku.

The source listed some of the governors who are unwilling to support Atiku as Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ishaku Darius of Taraba and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

According to the source, the trouble started when Ayu failed to zone the party’s presidential ticket to the south.

The source said, “When it was obvious that Ayu wasn’t ready to listen and zone the presidential ticket to the South, governors and other leaders decided to leave the contest open. But they agreed to support a Southern aspirant, but people like Okowa, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and other people, especially from the South-South, started working to ensure that a Northern candidate emerged.”

He added that when Governor Wike lost the presidential ticket of the party, party leaders agreed that the Rivers State Governor should be picked as the vice-presidential candidate.

The source said the six governors met with Atiku and other leaders to pick Wike as a popular choice but were ignored by Ayu and Atiku.

He noted that the six governors who were not pleased with his decision of Atiku have decided not to play an active role during his presidential campaign of Atiku.

JUST IN: Three-Storey RCCG Building Collapses in Lagos

 

A three-storey building under construction has reportedly collapsed in the Mushin area of Lagos.

It, however, gathered that nobody was trapped when the building went down at about 6.30 pm.

The building, located at 17, Cardoso Street, off Martin Street, was reportedly owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The cause of the collapse could not be established at press time.

The Coordinator, Lagos State Territorial District, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident.

He said the personnel of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) were on the ground at the time of this report.

It was learned that the rubbles will be cleared overnight.

 

BREAKING: Alaafin of Oyo’s wife, Olori Kafayat is dead

 

Few months after the demise of Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo, one of the late monarch’s wives, Olori Kafayat, has passed away.

Although details of the queen’s death are still sketchy, POLITICS NIGERIA learned that she breathed her last on Friday night.

 

Olori Kafayat Adeyemi, who was the fourth wive of the late Oba Adeyemi III, was the mother of Prince Adebayo Adeyemi (D’Gov), the present Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Pensions Board.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died in April, lived his life to the fullest.

He was a boxer, gym enthusiast, a dandy dresser, quite energetic (he embarked on a three-hour road walk on his 82nd birthday) and boasted of some of the most beautiful queens in his harem.

That his light-skinned oloris, all 18 of them, could pass for beauty queens was never in doubt.

 

Oyebanji: ‘Why I Am Withholding My Congratulations, Despite INEC Declaration’ – Oni, SDP Candidate

 

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the Ekiti State election, Segun Oni has revealed why he’s yet to congratulate the winner and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Biodun Oyebanji.
In an interview with Punch, Oni disagreed with the outcome of the election stating that investigations are ongoing to ascertain if Oyebanji won the election.

According to the SDP candidate, if the investigations show that Oyebanji won fair and square, he will not need any persuasion before he congratulates him.

He said: “If I agreed, I would have congratulated the winner. That is why I am withholding my congratulations. If investigations show that it was won fair and square, I will not need any persuasions before I will congratulate everybody that needs to be congratulated.”

Oni added that he has no regrets about contesting the election and nobody will be in his position and have any regrets because he did not do anything to diminish his integrity.

He said: “No, I did not have any regrets; rather, I was very happy. Nobody will be in my position and have any regrets. First, I have not done anything to diminish my integrity. That should make me very happy; that should make my friends and associates very happy. That should make those who believe in me very happy. I have not done anything that will tarnish my image.”

 

RCCG’s Adeboye Rains Curses On Terrorists, Kidnappers, Sponsors

 

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has rained curses on kidnappers, terrorists and their sponsors.

Speaking during his sermon at the ongoing July Holy Communion Service, Adeboye said criminal groups terrorising churches and Nigeria will know no peace.

According to the popular clergyman, he was surprised when he heard the news that some people ordered churches to be shut down for three months adding that they have all overstepped their boundaries.

Pastor Adeboye said: “As the Lord lives, every evil plot against the church of the Lord will be consumed by fire in the name of Jesus. From now every kidnapper, terrorists including their sponsors will never experience rest again.

 

“From now on in the name that is above every other name, every kidnapper, every terrorist, all their supporters will never be able to rest again.

“The blood running in their vein will turn to fire, the air they breathe will turn to fire, the ground they step will turn to fire, the bed they sleep upon will turn to fire, when they wake up, they will be waking in fire, when they sleep, they will be dreaming fire.

”As long as Jesus lives, as long as the name of God I serve is the consuming fire, every evil plot against the church of God, the fire of God will consume them.”

Court Directs NIMC To Release Biodata Of Ekweremadu’s ‘Kidney Donor’

 

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigeria Immigration Service has been ordered by a Federal High Court Abuja to provide the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the biodata information of David Nwamini Ukpo who was moved to the United Kingdom to serve as a kidney donor to one of Ike Ekweremadu’s children.

Ekweremadu, Nigeria’s former deputy Senate President, was arrested in UK for alleged organ harvesting of a “child”.

UK prosecutors allege that the child is 15 years but the Ekweremadus insisted he is 21.

Following the development, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had on July 27 urged Justice Inyang Ekwo to order the release of certain official documents of Ukpo domiciled with NIMC, Nigeria Immigration Service and Stanbic-IBTC Bank for the purpose of effectively defending his client the UK.
The reliefs sought includes:

“An order directing the NIS C-G to supply the applicants with the documents and application form of David Nwamini Ukpo in the possession of the second respondent presented for the issuance of International passport No. BO0569974 for the purpose of assisting criminal investigation and tendering same before the Uxbridge Magistrate Court, UK until July 7 in the alleged criminal charge brought against the applicants.

“An order of court directing the Stanbic-IBTC Bank to supply the applicants with the Certified True Copy of mandate card and account opening package of account No. 0032551834 maintained by its customer, Ukpo, with Bank Verification Number 22509616391 in the custody of the bank, for the purpose of tendering same to establish the innocence of the applicants with respect to his age in the criminal charges filed against the applicants.

“An order of court directing UBA to supply the applicants with the Certified True Copy of mandate card and account opening package of account No. 2195739574 maintained by Ukpo with Bank Verification Number 22509616391 in the custody of the bank, for the purpose of tendering same to establish the innocence of the applicants.”

The judge granted the prayers sought by the counsel.

 

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