NEWS
NDE Empowers 228 Unemployed Persons with N22.8m to Start Agric Businesses
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has empowered 228 unemployed persons with N22.8 million to set up and manage small-scale agricultural enterprises in their chosen areas in the country.
The Director-General (DG) of the Agency, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, made the disclosure in Enugu on Friday while disbursing the facility to the beneficiaries.
The DG, represented by the NDE Enugu State Coordinator, Eugene Agu, said that these prospective beneficiaries were drawn from a pool of persons, trained by the department of the Rural Employment Promotion (REP) in 12 states, including Enugu.
Agu said, under the scheme, 228 beneficiaries were empowered in the country with the sum of N22,800,000 to enable them set up and manage small-scale agricultural enterprises in their chosen areas of interest to become self reliant, create wealth and generate employment opportunities for others.
He said out of the 288 beneficiaries in the country, 19 persons were empowered in Enugu with the sum of N100,000 each.
Fikpo congratulated the beneficiaries in Enugu and 11 other states where this ceremony had also taken place.
He said in driving this policy, the NDE identified a lot of demand-driven labour intensive skills in technical, vocational, domestic, entrepreneurial and agricultural enterprises to close the skills gap that exists among young unemployed graduates and school leavers searching for employment.
The Directorate had over the years, vigorously pursued its mandate through a series of employment generation initiatives.
“It has remained focused, proactive and poised to continue to sustain the fight against unemployment through the promotion of self-employment initiatives, attitudinal change and counseling to achieve its vision of jobs for all.
“The REP Department, through its strategy of training in modern Agricultural skills and empowerment in agribusiness engagements, is one of the core Programme departments saddled with the responsibility of generating employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for the unemployed youth in Nigeria.
“The programme trains unemployed youth in the agricultural value chain activities in production, storage, processing, preservation, packaging and other innovative and technologically-driven skills in the agricultural sector.
“Today, we are here to flag-off the disbursement of loans to 228 beneficiaries under the 2023 sustainable Agricultural Development and Empowerment Scheme.
“Let me remind the beneficiaries to see this gesture as a rare opportunity which should not be allowed to fail. Remember that with the loan facility, you have been doubly empowered,” he explained.
He explained that the loan empowerment provided them with the required finances for entrepreneurship, urging them to justify these efforts by putting in their best to succeed and repay the loan in due time so that other unemployed youths would also benefit.
Fikpo encouraged all well-meaning Nigerians to partner with the NDE for the benefit of the unemployed in their mist.
Also speaking, the Director, Rural Employment Promotion Department, Mr Duke Eden, said that the department was implementing the 2023 sustainable agricultural development and empowerment scheme (SADES) for the NDE-trained youth.
Eden explained that the programme would create employment and generate wealth that would go a long way in reducing the number of unemployed persons in the country.
He advised the beneficiaries on the effective utilisation of the loans which would be disbursed to them through their banks.
He appreciated the Director-General of the NDE for graciously approving the disbursement of the loan in 12 states of the federation, noting that in May this year, the same exercise took place in 12 other states and the FCT. (NAN)
NEWS
Menstrual Hygiene: Stakeholders Seek Affordable Sanitary Products for Girls
A Non-Governmental Organisation, MAHCare Foundation, has called for increased awareness and support to address period poverty among women and girls in the country.
The President of the foundation, Maryam Musa, made the call during a “Walk for Her Dignity” awareness campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, organised to highlight challenges surrounding menstrual hygiene and access to sanitary products.
Musa said the initiative was to educate the public on the dangers of period poverty and the health risks associated with the use of unhygienic menstrual materials.
She added that “period poverty is not something to be neglected, it is something to be tackled. Sanitary pads are so expensive that many women and girls now use unhygienic products that affect their health, education and daily activities.
”She explained that the awareness campaign would continue beyond the walk, adding that the organisation planned to distribute sanitary products to vulnerable groups and communities.
She noted that the foundation was also promoting the use of reusable sanitary pads to support girls who could not afford disposable products.
“We educate them on how to properly manage reusable pads because not everybody can afford disposable ones. We are also trying to correct misconceptions that sanitary products are against religion or culture”, she said
She added that women and girls should understand that using sanitary pads was important for their health and hygiene.
Sahura Maidoki, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said the campaign was necessary to educate communities on menstrual hygiene and end the stigma surrounding menstruation.
Maidoki stressed the need to involve men in menstrual hygiene education, noting that “some parents failed to educate their daughters on proper menstrual care.
“We also have issues with some men because they do not educate their children on the importance of taking care of themselves during menstruation.”
She explained that sensitisation talks would help people to understand the importance of providing sanitary pads for their daughters and wives and ensure that menstruation was not seen as a barrier for the girl-child.
A Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advocate, Doris Zakama, who spoke at the event said many girls, especially those in rural communities, lacked access to menstrual hygiene products and adequate education on menstrual health.
Zakama urged the government to subsidise menstrual hygiene products, make them affordable for girls and women struggling with rising cost of living.
NEWS
One Year into OPay’s N1.2 billion 10-year Scholarship Initiative, What’s Next?
Getting into a tertiary institution is only half the journey. Staying in school, paying fees on time, and having the right support system can be the bigger challenge. Over the past year,
OPay has stepped into that gap, not just as a fintech company, but as a partner in the ambition and aspirations of thousands of students.
Through its long-term scholarship initiative, OPay has committed N1.
2 billion over 10 years to support outstanding and indigent students across more than 20 partner tertiary institutions nationwide. What began as tuition support has grown into something more profound, a structured investment in young people who have the capacity but need financial backing to stay focused on their studies.In campuses from Ife to Zaria and Calabar, OPay scholarship beneficiaries have shared stories of relief and renewed confidence. For many, the scholarship meant their parents no longer had to borrow money for school fees. For others, it meant more time in the library and less time worrying about part-time work. In a country where education remains one of the strongest ladders to upward mobility, this kind of support goes beyond money; it restores dignity and hope.
But OPay’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) journey is not stopping at the scholarship initiative.
Building on the strong foundation already laid, OPay is launching OPay Scholars, a bold expansion that moves from financial support to full career development. The 2026 edition will introduce OPay Futures and a National Innovation Challenge, where students can propose practical solutions to real-world problems. It will also feature a focused webinar session and a bootcamp led by industry experts, providing scholars with direct access to knowledge in technology, entrepreneurship, and career growth.
Most notably, the 2026 edition will create a structured career development pathway, culminating in a grand finale of OPay’s second annual Empowering Futures Conference.
This platform will not only celebrate academic excellence but also spotlight creativity, leadership, and innovation among Nigerian students.
At a time when many young Nigerians are asking, “What next after school?”, OPay is helping to answer that question. By combining financial aid with mentorship, exposure and opportunities for innovation, the company is positioning education as both a safety net and a springboard.
OPay’s impact over the past year proves one thing clearly: when businesses invest consistently in people, communities grow stronger. And in 2026, OPay Scholars is set to support ambitions and actively shape the future, one student, one idea, and one opportunity at a time.
NEWS
Benue Not Owing Workers’ Salary – Odey
By Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State government has debunked reports in some sections of the media including DAILY ASSET NEWSPAPER over alleged owing of Workers’ Salary.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Odey who refuted the media claims on Sunday in Makurdi said the state government was only carrying out workers verification exercise, which according to him, they will be paid accordingly after the conclusion of the exercise.
Odey, who said the state government remains committed to the welfare of workers, urged media organizations to always verify the sources of their information before going public.


