Photo: AGSMEIS: Firms partner to assist 10m youths access loan

The Nigerian Youth Compass on COVID-19 and Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to assist 10 million entrepreneurs access loans under the Agribusiness Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises Intervention Scheme (AGSMEIS), set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Chairman, Nigerian Youth Compass on COVID-19, Gambo Haruna, who addressed newsmen yesterday in Abuja, explained that the partnership became expedient following the growing number of unemployment occasioned by the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Haruna, added that for now the two firms have 2 millions entrepreneurs in the database, but assured that before the end of the year, more youths would be incorporated.

He said: “This partnership is strategic and timely considering the urgency for economic recovery created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed partnership will be complement efforts of the government to safe the economy. It will stimulate MSMEs growth beyond the COVID-19, create millions of jobs and contribute to non-oil revenue in Nigeria.

“Businesses are shutting down and taking with them jobs and the livelihood of young Nigerians at an alarming rate. Millions of Micro and small-scale enterprises have been wiped out by the prevailing lockdown.

“Most of these MSMEs are operated by young people who are legitimately trying to make a living; they operate in the informal sector, making it difficult for them to be captured for any intervention.”

President of Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce, Peter Ayim, noted that the panacea to unemployment is entrepreneurship which state governments must pay more attention to.

“We recognized that in the growing rate of unemployment the only solution is entrepreneurship. Rising from her we will set up a steering committee to engage the governor of CBN and the chairman of NIRSAL micro finance bank, to see how we can make this happen because this is a very serious matter.”

Also, Chairman, Advisory Board, Nigerian Youth Compact on COVID-19, Uzoh Ifeanyi, expressed hope that the partnership will shore up MSMEs growth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Onitsha market moves to avoid shutdown over COVID-19 protocols

President–General Bridgehead Market, Onitsha,  Mr Sunday Obinze, has urged market union leaders to ensure the union executives comply with COVID-19 safety protocols issued by the Nigerian Cenrtre for Disease Control (NCDC) to avoid the shutdown of market.

Mr Obinze  who gave the advice at a meeting with 28 members of union executive of markets held at Bridgehead Market Hall in Onitsha said  trader and customer’ compliance would prevent markets from being closed down like Eke Awka Market by adhering to relevant  protocols. He noted that the state government had written to Onitsha Main Market leaders on likelihood of a shutdown, if they and their customers continue to shun COVID-19 safety protocols.

Mr. Obinze said that he ordered lock -up of one of the shops belonging to wife of an executive committee member for flouting the directive. He emphasised that defaulters’ shops must remain closed until further notice.According to him, wearing face masks, provision  of water for hand washing and use of hand sanitisers at the entrance of every line is mandatory.

Mr Hyacinth Iduu, Patron, Onitsha Building Materials Traders’ Association, said that each union should form its own taskforce to arrest defaulters and hand them over for disciplinary measures.

Also speaking, Mr. Noel Nwosu, Chairman Progressive Science and Allied Products Association, said that the union taskforce were usually lenient on their defaulting, friends and relatives, making enforcement ineffective. Secretary Surgical Union, Mr Alex Osegbo, observed that the traders were not sensitised enough on the coronavirus pandemic.

Bitcoin is giving a lot of people the freedom that they never knew existed’ – Maurice

Chris Maurice is CEO at Yellow Card, a Nigeria-based cryptocurrency company expanding its reach to other African countries as a true crypto pioneer. Today, the company has grown very quickly across the continent with over 40,000 merchants. BusinessDay’s community lead and cryptocurrency analyst Lucky Nwanekwu discusses topical crypto issues with Maurice who shares his experience and insights on the future of the Blockchain industry in Nigeria.

Tell us how you started Yellow Card?

I founded Yellow Card with Justin Poiroux in 2016 with the intent to create a Bitcoin gift card in the U.S. The company was running smoothly, but in 2018 Justin and I met a man at a Wells Fargo who was trying to send $200 to his family in Nigeria. The bank charged the man $90. We found this outrageous. So we approached Munachi Ogueke to learn everything we could about the crypto community in Nigeria and Africa.

Munachi told us if we were serious about working in Africa, we had to come here – so on a few weeks notice, we bought two one-way tickets to Lagos—the first time I had ever left the United States. It was quite the experience.

We decided to dedicate ourselves fully to making Bitcoin more accessible in Africa, and since then we’ve grown very quickly across the continent with over 40,000 merchants signed up in Nigeria and several million dollars in transactions every week. Now we’re adding alternative currencies and expanding rapidly outside of Nigeria.

How much of a game-changer is the Blockchain industry to the world?

What a question! The industry has revolutionized how banks work, created entirely new market spaces, and provided financial freedom to everyone (including the billions of unbanked). It’s made a lot of people rich, and it’s given a lot more people freedoms that they never knew existed!

What is your outlook for this industry over the next 10 years?

I think cryptocurrency is reaching an age of maturity where its use-cases are starting to be thoroughly discovered. A lot of experiments are coming to an end and everyone is figuring out where the space will go next. Within 10 years, it will be mainstream. I’m not saying that Bitcoin will replace fiat currency or anything like that, but banks, governments, and other organizations that aren’t already diving in will be over the next decade.

Will the Blockchain Industry have a huge impact on Africa?

Unquestionably! In fact, I think its biggest effects will be in Africa. You only have to look at unstable fiat currencies and the lack of adequate banking for many people to see a space for cryptocurrency to come in. That’s what we’re here for providing financial freedom and stability for those who have been previously left behind. That’s what Blockchain and Yellow Card were built for.

How will the recent halving of the Bitcoin affect the industry?

Maybe this is a boring answer, but honestly, I think the halving was more of a nerdy event than anything that will impact the average Bitcoin holder or the markets long term. Bitcoin is powerful and trending up for several reasons, and the halving is just one of them.

What concerns about the future of blockchain keeps you up at night?

My biggest concern has always been that I worry people will look past the amazing technology of blockchain and only focus on the get-rich-quick dreams. Getting rich is great. Changing the world is even better.

What is the greatest challenge have you faced running the company?

Meeting demand! We’re constantly expanding and growing. The desire for the cryptocurrency is alive and well in Africa, and we’re here to meet it in every country and corner.

What surprising thing have you learnt so far this year amid the coronavirus pandemic?

People are really concerned about having toilet paper!

Where do you see Yellow Card in ten years?

Yellow Card will be something like the Coinbase of Africa. The African cryptocurrency market and the user base is entering a renaissance, and Yellow Card will be right there with them.

What favourite projects do you hold?

Definitely, our expansion projects to new countries. We love Nigeria, but we’re also very excited as we enter the markets of South Africa and Botswana.

Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham ignores Lizzy Anjorin’s wedding in tit-for-tat

 M

Toyin Abraham, Lizzy Anjorin- the grudge match continues

Africa’s best Actress and movie producer Toyin Abraham is still nursing grudges against newly wedded and fellow actress Lizzy Anjorin.

While other acts have congratulated Lizzy for her wedding on Thursday, Toyin has ignored the event, refusing to send her good wishes.

In contrast Mercy Aigbe posted snapshots of the wedding on Instagram and greeted Alhaja Lizzy: “Big Congratulations Alhaja mi @lizzyanjorin_original May the lord bless the union”.

Lizzy acknowledged the message by replying on Mercy’s 

MerciliciousInstagram page: “ANUOLUWANIMORIGBA”, meaning she received God’s blessings.

John Lewis lived to see his legacy play out: Barack Obama tribute

John Lewis and Barack Obama in 2015

By Barack Obama

America is a constant work in progress. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further — to speak out for what’s right, to challenge an unjust status quo, and to imagine a better world.

John Lewis — one of the original Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Member of Congress representing the people of Georgia for 33 years — not only assumed that responsibility, he made it his life’s work. He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.

Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country, what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility. Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim Crow South, he understood that he was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country, understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws, but to change hearts and minds as well.

In so many ways, John’s life was exceptional. But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do. He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what’s right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect. And it’s because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon in that long journey towards a more perfect union.

I first met John when I was in law school, and I told him then that he was one of my heroes. Years later, when I was elected a U.S. Senator, I told him that I stood on his shoulders. When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made. And through all those years, he never stopped providing wisdom and encouragement to me and Michelle and our family. We will miss him dearly.

It’s fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer’s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Afterwards, I spoke to him privately, and he could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office. I told him that all those young people — of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation — they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn’t know it. They had understood through him what American citizenship requires, even if they had heard of his courage only through history books.

Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.

*Obama published this tribute in Medium on 18 July

Bollywood legend Aishwarya Rai, daughter, hospitalised for COVID-19

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter were hospitalised for COVID-19 treatment, the Times of India reported on Saturday, days after her husband and father-in-law were admitted.

Rai’s father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan, also major Bollywood celebrities, were admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital early this week, becoming the highest-profile patients the pandemic sweeping India.

At the same time, Aishwarya Rai, a former Miss World who regularly appears on “most beautiful” lists, and her eight-year-old daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but they have since been in-home quarantine.

“After Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya have been shifted to Nanavati hospital,” the newspaper said, adding that they were admitted to the top Mumbai private hospital on Friday.

A spokeswoman for Aishwarya Rai did not respond to text messages and calls seeking comment.

Fans across India prayed this week for the celebrity family as the virus continued its rapid spread without any sign of a peak.

Aishwarya Rai, 46, has worked on several Bollywood and Hollywood films. She is a brand ambassador for some multinational companies, including L’Oreal.

India, which has registered over a million coronavirus cases, has the world’s third-highest number of infections, and more than 26,000 people have died of COVID-19. Partial lockdowns have been re-imposed in some densely populated areas to control the spread of the virus.

Reuters

Emirates FA Cup: Ighalo Ready For Chelsea Showdown

Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo is looking forward to Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea, reports Completesports.com.

Ighalo missed the chance to play in the final in 2016 during his time with Watford.

The 31-year-old was part of the Hornets team which narrowly lost out to United’s final opponents, Crystal Palace in the last four.

“Everybody wants to play against teams like Chelsea, big teams, and
play well against them and, most of all, playing at Wembley and, you
know if you win, you’re in the final. So, of course, it’s going to give you
more to want to fight hard and make sure you give everything to win
the game,”Ighalo told the club’s official website.

“To get to the final would be great for me in my life and my career. I
missed out in 2016 and I have the opportunity to now get to the final
with the club I’ve supported all my life. It would make my dreams
perfect. It will be tough but we have what it takes.

“We have beaten them three times this season I think, one in the
Carabao Cup and two in the league, and we’re playing them now in the
semi-final. All those games don’t count though.

“This is a different game which is going to be even tougher without the fans in
stadium. We have to fight from the first minute until the end. It’s
always tough against them but I think, with the quality and
momentum we have now, we are ready to go and to win against any
team.”

It was Ighalo’s opener in the quarter-final clash at Norwich last month
which set United on our way to reaching the last four.

Since then, the Reds have been in free-flowing goalscoring form and Ighalo says he is
both enjoying seeing his fellow forwards in such fine fettle and is
training hard to ensure he is ready whenever he may be needed to
support them in attack.

“They are doing so well,” he said, when asked about the recent goal
exploits of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

“Seeing them playing every week is a joy. Rashford has come back
from his injury and is doing well. Martial is scoring goals, Mason
Greenwood is unbelievable, he is such a good finisher with both feet.

“The team is doing well and the three forwards are scoring goals and
that’s what we need – goals win games. And I don’t forget Bruno
[Fernandes] with the assists and goals too. I think the mentality is
getting stronger every time.

“As a professional, you have to be ready, you have to have that
mental strength to be ready,” he continued. “We train hard to keep fit
and I’m always ready when I’m called upon, and I will give 100 per
cent. You always have to stay focused.”