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FG disburses N1.3 Billion to support nano- businesses in Borno
FG disburses N1.3 Billion to support nano- businesses in Borno
By: Our Reporter
The Federal Government, under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), has disbursed ₦1.322 billion to bolster nano-businesses in Borno State.
NAN report that the initiative was part of interventions following the removal of fuel subsidy, has directly benefitted 26,540 small-scale entrepreneurs across the state’s 27 local government areas.
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, disclosed this on Friday at Federal Government town hall meeting on loan and grant scheme in Maiduguri on Friday.
Zulum represented by Dr. Abubakar Muhammed, Permanent Secretary Establishment and Service Matters, said that the grants, facilitated by the Bank of Industry in collaboration with the Borno State Government.
He said that the scheme aim to empower traders, artisans, ICT operators, food service providers, and transporters with ₦50,000 each to enhance their operations.
He explained that the disbursement in Borno State represents a critical component of the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local economies and vulnerable groups.
“With a total of 810,945 beneficiaries nationwide, the program ensures that Borno’s entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to thrive in challenging economic times.
According to him, the PCGS initiative in Borno is expected to boost small businesses, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the overall economic recovery of the state, which continues to rebuild in the aftermath of insurgency and other challenges.
Mr Muktar Musa, State Manager of the Banki of Industry Maiduguri, said that Federal Government has disbursed over ₦40 billion from the approved ₦50 billion to support nano businesses across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
Musa said that the scheme, introduced as part of interventions following the removal of fuel subsidy, targets one million beneficiaries.
The PCGS, implemented in collaboration with state governments and facilitated by the Bank of Industry, aims to uplift traders, ICT operators, food service providers, transporters, and artisans with ₦50,000 grants per beneficiary.
While highlighting the progress of the scheme, he noted that North West states received the highest disbursement of ₦10 billion, followed by North Central with ₦6.6 billion, and North East with ₦5.9 billion. South East benefitted from ₦4.8 billion, while other zones are awaiting final reports.
He said that a breakdown of the disbursements reveals that 70% of the beneficiaries are women and youth, with a deliberate focus on empowering these demographics.
“Additionally, 10% of the funds have gone to persons with disabilities, 5% to senior citizens (primarily pensioners), and 15% to other demographic groups, ensuring an inclusive approach.
“As of now, 810,945 beneficiaries have been supported across the country, leaving approximately ₦10 billion to be disbursed.
“This intervention, part of a nationwide initiative to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, has benefitted 26,540 small-scale entrepreneurs across the state’s 27 local government areas,”he said.
“It also underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local economies and vulnerable groups in the aftermath of subsidy removal.
“In the South-East region, 96,000 beneficiaries across 95 local governments have received grants, while the South-South recorded over 117,000 beneficiaries in 123 local governments. The South-West saw over 146,000 beneficiaries across 137 local governments.
“In Borno State, the initiative has provided critical support to various sectors, including traders, artisans, ICT operators, food service providers, and transporters.
“Beneficiaries received grants of ₦50,000 each, with the disbursements facilitated by the Bank of Industry in collaboration with state governments,”he said.
He noted that the PCGS was expected to bolster economic activities in targeted sectors, providing a cushion for nano businesses and vulnerable groups in the aftermath of the subsidy removal.
According to him, the beneficiaries were selected based on criteria such as possession of a BVN, NIN, and evidence of business premises.
He praised the seamless execution of the scheme attributed to collaboration with the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders.
FG disburses N1.3 Billion to support nano- businesses in Borno
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade is expected to perform in London, on 15 August 2025.
The show is scheduled for Concord House, 23-27 Kemp Road, Dagenham, United Kingdom.
The praise concert which is organised by Bdot Music Empire and supported by Toxhann Concepts and events is Solagbade’s first outing in the UK.
The popular Sio cronny, is well known mostly among members of the Celestial Church of Christ and other denominations.
Apart from Sio, the legendary Celestial gospel artist has done other songs which include: Jehoval Alagbara, Ibamasepe and
idemija, among others.
Bdot Music Empire boss, Mr. Abidemi Adetunji said though it’s a gospel concert, it is however targeted at second and third generation Nigerians in the UK.
Adetunji said the essence is to ensure they are in touch with home even if they have not been to Nigeria before.
He said praising God in Nigeria tongue is something special in the UK.
This would be Solagbade’s first show in the UK and he is hoping that it would be the beginning of more to come.
He said: “ We would like Nigerians in the United Kingdom to know that Oluseyi Solagbade would be coming to the UK for his first ever UK edition of Oluseyi’s Christ Cafe.
He would be lighting the show alongside some other guests artist like Sammypee, Tiwalola shitu, Israel Ekundayo, Ebenezer Opalemo, Damilola (Dee’Reign), Tunde Stainless, MoShoba, Tosin Adisa and Danny Jazz.”
Adetunji pointed out that the idea behind the music concert is to celebrate the divine gift of music within the Celestial Church of Christ and to bring together believers for an evening of live music, worship, and spiritual reflection.”
Adetunji further said that the concert goes along with the Nigeria first agenda of President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria will be showcased all through.
“It is also part of promoting the culture. Praying and worshiping God in mother tongue,” he added.
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August
Airstrike Hits ISWAP Enclave in Tumbuma Baba, scores Nutrialised
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), conducted a successful Air Interdiction (AI) mission at a terrorists’ hideout in the Southern Tumbuns general area in the Lake Chad of Borno, killing scores of the terrorists.
Intelligent sources told Zagazola Makama that the precision air strike, which took place at about 2100 hours on 5 May 2025, targeted a major terrorists’ concentration camp located in the Tumbuma Baba axis of Lake Chad.
The sources said that the offensive was in continuation of a decisive Operation KALACHEN WUTA II, aimed at denying terrorists the freedom to execute large-scale attacks during the Eid el-Kabir period.
The sources said that Intelligence and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reports confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the strike, and key logistics under heavy foliage were destroyed.
The sources said that the strikes followed credible intelligence on planned coordinated attacks by the insurgents before, during, and after the Eid festivities. The mission was meticulously planned and executed to forestall such threats and sustain pressure on terrorist elements operating in the Lake Chad fringes.
“We observed significant secondary explosions, indicating the presence of arms and fuel storage. Multiple terrorists were seen fleeing the area, while several others were eliminated during the strike,” the source said.
The sources said efforts are ongoing to gather further feedback, as well as to assess the operational impact of the interdiction.
He added that preliminary signs suggest a high level of disarray and panic within the terrorists’ ranks, with reports of attempted regrouping under surveillance.
Airstrike Hits ISWAP Enclave in Tumbuma Baba, scores Nutrialised
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have executed a coordinated strike on a major terrorist enclave located at Maisani in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State, killing several ISWAP terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air interdiction mission conducted on May 4, 2025, at approximately 1800 hours, was informed by credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, targeted terrorists’ structures cleverly concealed and camouflaged under thick shrubs in the area.
The sources said that using advanced platforms, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a focused Air Interdiction (AI) mission, resulting in the destruction of the identified enemy hideouts and the neutralisation of an unconfirmed number of insurgent fighters.
According to the sources, Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) obtained from our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms confirmed that the airstrike achieved its intended objectives, dealing a significant blow to terrorists.
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August
Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger
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