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Transform Ex-agitators to Entrepreneurs PAP Boss, Dikio Charges Contractors

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The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), retired Col. Milland Dixon Dikio, has urged contractors to the scheme to turn ex-agitators that will be sent to their firms into entrepreneurs.

A statement on Monday by Mr Nneotanase Egbe, Special Adviser on Media to Dikio, said the concept was in line with the novel Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) model.

Dikio said the vendors must ensure that each ex-agitator received enough training that would make him an employer of labour and an owner of a functional enterprise at the end of the programme.

According to the statement, the amnesty boss spoke at a one-day sensitisation workshop organized by PAP in Abuja at the weekend.

The aim of the workshop was to teach contractors the TEM model and warned that vendors must stick to their terms of reference.

He explained that the model was developed as a paradigm shift to change the narrative of past failed training methods.

He said the key objectives were to transform ex-agitators into successful business owners or employable citizens that would contribute to the economy of the Niger Delta.

Dikio said with the wealth in the Niger Delta and opportunities available in maritime, agriculture and oil and gas, the region had no excuses for poverty.

He told the firms that he would like to see beneficiaries, who no longer depended on handouts and monthly stipends at the end of their training.

“There is no excuse for poverty in the Niger Delta; the days of blaming people are over, and it is time to get your hands in the soil.

“One of the essential goals is to turn our ex-agitators from being dependent on stipends and handouts to entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

The goal also aims to ”train them to be equipped to take advantage of all the opportunities that are in the oil and gas sector, maritime and agriculture sector in the Niger Delta.

“Over the years, everybody in the Niger Delta has raved about crude oil, but right under our nose is palm oil, which is more expensive than crude oil. So, the bottom line is that there’s no excuse for poverty in the Niger Delta.

“We must find ways to maximise the opportunities there in,” Dikio said.

Harping on the importance of food security, the amnesty boss said there must be a symbiotic relationship between delegates and farmers.

He said in the spirit of shared prosperity, vendors should establish partnerships to create more impact and benefit from bigger opportunities.

The benefitting contractors are Betrieb Limited,  Oil & Gas Consultancy Limited, Express Concerns Limited, Giolee Global Resources Limited, Sunup Logistics Limited, Teecentinel Nigeria Limited, Vika Farms and Kris-Dera Agro Allied Farms Limited.

They are expected to train over 2,500 delegates on metal works, solar, plumbing and woodwork, psychometric assessment on oil and gas, rice, fish and poultry farming as well as oil spill control and remediation.

Other areas are marine-related skills, cassava processing and starch production and livestock farming. (NAN)

NEWS

Menstrual Hygiene: Stakeholders Seek Affordable Sanitary Products for Girls

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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.

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One Year into OPay’s N1.2 billion 10-year Scholarship Initiative, What’s Next?

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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.

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Benue Not Owing Workers’ Salary – Odey

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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.

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