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Small business owners in Nigeria have a fresh opportunity to access government funding as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) reopens its Conditional Grant Scheme.

The programme provides qualified nano and micro enterprises with a one-off N50,000 grant that beneficiaries are not expected to repay.

The funding is intended to give small businesses additional resources to strengthen their day-to-day operations, invest in growth and increase their workforce.

However, the grant comes with a job creation condition. Businesses that benefit from the scheme are required to employ at least one additional worker.

Why SMEDAN is offering the grant

SMEDAN designed the Conditional Grant Scheme to make financial support more accessible to small businesses, particularly enterprises that may find it difficult to obtain conventional business loans.

Unlike a loan, the N50,000 support does not attract interest or require repayment, provided beneficiaries meet the conditions attached to the programme.

The agency said the initiative is also aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, improving productivity and supporting economic activity at the local level.

The CGS should not be confused with the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme. While the two programmes are separate, both provide N50,000 grants to qualifying nano businesses.

Which businesses does the scheme target?

The funding is primarily aimed at nano and micro enterprises operating within local government areas across Nigeria.

Information applicants need

Business owners seeking the grant will have to provide personal and business details during the application process.

The information requested includes:

Applicant’s full name

Email address

Phone number

Business name

CAC registration number, if applicable

Type of industry or business

Years in business

Applicants should ensure that the details supplied are correct and correspond with their business information.

The grant is intended for legitimate business-related expenses that can help improve the performance of an enterprise.

Depending on their needs, beneficiaries can channel the funds towards:

Equipment purchases

Technology improvements

The support is therefore designed to go beyond immediate cash assistance by helping businesses improve their ability to operate and compete.

Participants in the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) for micro enterprises receive financial assistance tailored to their business needs.

These nano businesses get a sum of ₦50,000 grant on the condition of employing one person in order to encourage job creation.

Business owners interested in the N50,000 Conditional Grant Scheme should use the application portal designated by SMEDAN.

Applicants should carefully complete the registration process, provide accurate information and confirm that their businesses satisfy the conditions for participation before submitting their applications.
(VANGUARD)

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The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment during the lavish wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis, SaharaReporters has learnt.

Military sources revealed on Tuesday evening that the arrests followed intelligence indicating that the soldiers participated in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.

According to a top military source, the soldiers were apprehended on Tuesday morning as investigations commenced into the incident.

The source identified the arrested personnel as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.

“Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.

“Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the source said.

The arrests come after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security around some of the celebrity guests.

One of the videos, which drew significant public attention, allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna while escorting her through the crowded venue.

The footage triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning why military personnel were allegedly deployed to a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.

Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held in Lekki over the weekend, attracted several prominent entertainers, social media influencers and content creators. Videos from the ceremony dominated social media platforms, with large crowds of fans and guests in attendance.

The event became one of the most talked-about celebrity occasions of the weekend, but controversy soon followed after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms managing access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.

The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in illegal deployments without official approval.

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Former Governor of Edo State and National Legal Adviser of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, on Monday led the legal team of the party on a condolence visit to the party’s vice presidential candidate, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The delegation visited Amaechi to sympathise with him and his family following the death of his mother, who recently passed away.

Senator Osunbor conveyed the condolences of the party’s leadership and members, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and for God to grant the bereaved family the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The visit underscored the ADC’s spirit of solidarity and support for one of its foremost leaders during a period of mourning.

Amaechi expressed appreciation to Senator Osunbor and the delegation for taking the time to visit and stand with him and his family in their moment of grief. He thanked them for their prayers and words of encouragement.