Economy
Bayelsa Government To Launch E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme For MSMEs
Bayelsa Government To Launch E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme For MSMEs
Bayelsa government to launch e-commerce entrepreneurship programme for MSMEs. The Bayelsa State Government has announced the unveiling of a landmark Bayelsa E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Program (BEEP 2025) set to equip 500 business owners with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the e-commerce space.
This flagship initiative under the MPOWER500 Programme is expected to be launched on June 17, 2025, by the state Governor, Douye Diri, at the Government House banquet hall, Yenagoa, the state capital.
Addressing the media at the weekend, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiowou Kolu-Obiyal, said the programme aligns perfectly with the Prosperity Agenda, which prioritizes economic inclusion, youth and women empowerment, and sustainable development.
She said: “This year, the government intends to equip 500 business owners with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the e-commerce space through BEEP.
This programme will not only empower our youths and women but also contribute to the economic development of our state.
“I urge all stakeholders, including our citizens, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, to take advantage of this opportunity. Let us work together to build a prosperous Bayelsa State, where everyone has access to opportunities and resources.”
Giving an overview of the programme, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Mrs. Owanari Henry, said each year, under the MPOWER500 initiative, the Bayelsa State government will empower 500 MSMEs, youth-led startups, women-owned ventures, and grassroots enterprises through expert-led training, strategic mentorship, and direct access to markets, funding, and digital tools.
She said: “The Bayelsa E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme is more than an economic initiative; it is a bridge designed to transition 500 of our most promising micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Bayelsa Government To Launch E-Commerce Entrepreneurship
“Because in the midst of Nigeria’s digital boom, too many of our businesses in Bayelsa State remain excluded from its benefits, held back by limited access to digital tools, technical know-how, and viable markets.
“BEEP is our answer to that gap. It is our strategy to ensure no entrepreneur is left behind.
From e-commerce and logistics to branding, payment systems, and marketplace integration, BEEP 2025 will provide structured support that ensures every beneficiary is prepared to scale and succeed.”
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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