NEWS
FG Disburses N1.48bn Loan to 29,000 Businesses in Imo

The Federal Government (FG) says it has disbursed the sum of N1.48 billion in loans to 29,000 small business owners in Imo.The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi said this at a town hall meeting on the FG’s loan scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Owerri, on Friday.
Olusi, represented by the bank’s Divisional Head, MSME South, said that the loan scheme was intended to address challenges facing businesses in the state, such as access to finance and cost of doing business. He said that business owners could access up to N5million each at an interest rate of 9 per cent per annum with a three months moratorium and a tenure of up to three years.He added that the disbursed funds were part of FG’s N200 billion Special Intervention Fund in line with President Bola Tinubu’s prosperity agenda. He, therefore, urged business owners to take advantage of the opportunity to grow their businesses.He also urged stakeholders such as the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to mobilise their members to be able to access the loan. “ Application is open to the public and the Bank of Industry facilitates the verification of applicants’ data to facilitate disbursement. “ We, therefore, call on all stakeholders – MSME owners, community leaders, youth groups, women associations, and Local Government authorities to be active advocates of the scheme. “ It is our shared prosperity and we need to empower our young people to be architects of their own future “, he said.Speaking, the Secretary of NASME in Imo, Mr Ugochukwu Ohaegbu, called on owners of registered businesses to identify with the association for optimal benefits.One of the beneficiaries, Chief Nduka Norbert, a pig farmer, thanked the bank for a grant of N50,000 which he had earlier received, adding that it provided a major boost to his business at a time when some of his animals were dying.Report says that a highlight of the meeting was the visual display of a documentary about the success stories of beneficiaries of the FG’s grants and loans. (NAN)NEWS
Kogi CP Pays Tribute to Fallen Officers, Reiterates Commitment to Safety

From Joseph Amedu, LokojKogi
State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye has paid tribute to fallen officers who gave their lives in service to the nation and stressed the need for continuous battle for safety of NigeriansDantawaye particularly mentioned Baba Ali, Rano Division, Kano Command as a case in point and called on all stakeholders to remain committed to the collective mission of peace.
”Let us honor our heroes by sustaining the peace they died to protect us. Kogi must be safe, and that responsibility rests on us all.” he statedThe Commissioner of Police made the call while on a familiarization tour of Area Commands in Ajaokuta Local Government of Kogi state.He said that the tour which began with Ajaokuta will continue across other Area Commands as part of the Kogi Police Command’s broader strategy to entrench community-driven policing, mutual trust, and institutional accountability.During the tour, CP paid a courtesy visit to West Africa Ceramics in Ajaokuta, where he emphasized the vital role of synergy between law enforcement and the private sector in achieving sustainable security and economic growth.He was warmly received by the company’s management, led by Mr. Bello A.A. who expressed deep appreciation for the CP’s visit and acknowledged the longstanding support of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly during the foiled kidnapping attempt in 2022.The tour also extended to BN Ceramics, led by James. He lauded the effective partnership between the company, the Area Command, and the Mobile Police Unit stationed on-site, citing their swift response to emergencies and consistent patrols as key deterrents to criminal activities around the factory and residential areas.While commending police efforts, both companies raised concerns about rising incidents of fraud, including impersonation and the circulation of counterfeit ceramic products.Responding, the CP assured of the Command’s unwavering commitment to investigate and prosecute such cases, emphasizing that no genuine complaint will be ignored.He further encouraged continuous intelligence-sharing, stressing that the safety of lives, properties, and investments is a shared responsibility requiring consistent engagement between businesses and security operatives.As part of the broader tour, the CP also held strategic security engagements with community stakeholders, traditional rulers, and heads of sister security agencies across Itobe, Adogo and Ajaokuta.The initiative is aimed at building an inclusive security network that would enhance grassroots intelligence operations to tackle crimes, particularly kidnapping, armed robbery, and vandalism.In his lecture, CP Dantawaye underscored the need for synergy across all sectors, stating that security thrives when communities and security agencies operate as one family.”Intelligence sharing, community trust, and mutual respect are the foundation for lasting peace. All security agencies are involved in a united security front including Vigilantes and hunters”His Royal Highness, Alhaji Saliu Ocholi, a respected traditional ruler, the District Head of Itobe, delivered a goodwill message, expressing heartfelt appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force, the Area Commander, and his team.He commended their consistent presence, swift responses and dedication to peace and safety within the community.To promote accessibility and responsive policing, Dantawaye made his direct emergency contact number publicly available, assuring residents of an open communication line where necessary.NEWS
Ido-Ayegule Chieftaincy Crisis: Osun Receives Report of Findings on the Olojudo

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
A six-man Panel of Inquiry on Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle Chieftaincy Crisis in Obokun Local Govt area of Osun State set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke has submitted its findings to the State Government.Accordingly, the Government has commenced necessary action with immediate effect on the findings made by the Hon.
Ropo Oyewole led a six-man panel. Osun State Government wishes to use this medium to announce that a White Paper will be released very soon with an assurance that the interest of all stakeholders concerned would be taken into consideration thereby doing justice to all parties involved in the crisis. Pending the time the White Paper would be released, the Government urges all stakeholders to continue to maintain peace and order for the overall development of the people of Esa-Oke/Ido- Ayegule community and Osun State at large.However, the Osun State Government warns that anybody or party to the communal dispute found or caught in one way or the other instigating further crisis, will be made to face necessary disciplinary action in line with the dictate of the law.His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State appreciates all members of the community of Esa-Oke and Ido-Ayegunle for the love, peace and cooperation which ensued in the course of Hon. Ropo Oyewole led a six-man Committee towards bringing the logjam to an amicable end.It would be recalled that Governor Ademola Adeleke visited Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle Town in Obokun Local Government in the wake of the communal crisis wherein he promised to set up a panel of inquiry to look into the cause of the Crisis which broke out at the weekend.NEWS
Edet Takes over as Benue State Command PPRO

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A Deputy Superintendent of Police, Udeme Edet has been redeployed to Benue State as the command’s new Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.She took over from Chief Superintendent, Catherine Anene who has been assigned a position of office by the Force Headquarters.
This was contained in a statement by the outgoing PPRO, CSP Catherine Anene. Anene stated that until her appointment, DSP Edet was the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, Ikpai Omni Division, Calabar, Cross River State.”The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of the appointment of a new PPRO, following recent administrative postings approved by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.“The new PPRO, DSP Udeme Edet, takes over the duties of public engagement and media relations for the Command. DSP Edet is a distinguished graduate of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and International Relations.“DSP Udeme served last as the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, Ikpai Omni Division, Calabar, Cross River State before her posting as PPRO, Benue state command.“The Command calls on members of the public and the media to extend their usual cooperation and support to her in strengthening police-community relations and promoting public safety across Benue State.”