profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

We Were Flogged With Cutlasses, Drank Dirty Water, Urine To Survive Kidnap Victim

In this compelling testimony of survival, hope and the harsh realities of insecurity on the country’s highways, Edafe Ofoluwa courageously tells HIRADAT HASSAN his brutal seven-day ordeal marked by killings, torture and starvation in the hands of kidnappers in Kogi State in March On March 5, you booked a bus from Abuja to Asaba after a visit to the FCT. However, the journey was cut short in Kogi after kidnappers attacked your bus. Can you share your experience with us? On March 5, 2025, I was heading back to Asaba, Delta Stare from Abuja with my friend, who is like a brother to me. We boarded the Amore of God Transport Service 18-seater bus alongside other passengers near Gwagwalada. On our way, when we got to Kogi, immediately after Lokoja, just a few minutes away from an army checkpoint, tragedy struck. Our driver was shot in the face, and the bus veered into the bush. Before we could realise what was happening, some Fulani men rushed out from the bush, took us all captive, and tied our hands behind our backs. We were forced to trek for hours, flogged with cutlasses, and subjected to unimaginable cruelty. I was severely beaten for days, forced to drink dirty water, and even had to drink my urine to survive. We trekked day and night for seven days, with the kidnappers threatening to kill anyone who got tired and couldn’t walk. Initially, there were 12 kidnappers, but the number later reduced to seven – four with guns and three with machetes. Two people managed to escape on the first day, and one more escaped on the third day. The brutality and torture were unbearable, and I thought I wouldn’t survive. However, on the third day, the beating stopped after my family called to say they had raised N4m. Despite this, the kidnappers demanded more. After what felt like eternity, seven of us survived and were released after our ransoms were paid. On the day of our release, we emerged from the Dangote company area in Obajana exhausted but grateful to be alive. The ransom was brought all at once, and we were released the same day. Were the abductors wearing masks or barefaced? Only one person wore a material nose mask, while another guy occasionally put on a mask. How long did it take to get to the kidnappers den and how did you survive the walk? I believe they have a specific location where they collect the ransoms. It’s not like we were heading to a particular place; we were just moving towards Abajana, where they had planned to collect the ransom. The distance from where we were abducted to Abajana is quite far. As for our movements, we were just walking inside the bush, climbing hills, and all that, heading to the location where the ransom would be paid. How would you describe the experience in the kidnappers den? I spent seven days and six nights with the kidnappers. I was tortured alongside the other captives. Like I stated earlier, we were subjected to trekking in the bush for these whole seven days. We were beaten with cutlasses, forced to drink dirty water, and I even had to drink my urine at times to survive. Those who got tired and weak were killed. Were you and the others kidnapped given food by your abductors? They gave us tasteless rice about three or four times, and on other days, garri to drink – each person was given three spoons, and that was all. You said some of the abducted travelers died in captivity. How many were killed and how were they killed? We were 18 captives. Two people escaped on the first day, and another one escaped on the second day. Only seven of us made it out alive, which means that eight people were killed along the way. I can remember that one of them was shot and butchered, while the others were hit with a stone and then butchered. After butchering them, we were forced to walk very fast until we were far from the place where the corpses were, and then we resumed walking normally again. How did they bring the ransom to the kidnappers? We were abducted on a Wednesday, and the following Friday, my family called to say they had the money. My sister’s husband had arrived in Abuja and called the kidnappers to ask if he could bring the money to them. The kidnappers told him to hold on and that they would get back to him later. However, they didn’t call him again until Tuesday morning, instructing him to go to Lokoja and wait for further instructions at 4pm. On Monday night, while still in the bush, we reached a cashew plantation, where we stayed for the night. On Tuesday morning, my sister’s husband received the call by 4pm to go to Abajana, and the kidnappers also contacted other families, telling them to go to Abajana. At around that time, three of the kidnappers left us, while four stayed with us. Only two of the kidnappers who left had guns, while the four who stayed with us had two guns and two cutlasses. As we waited, it started getting dark – it was around 7pm, though I’m not quite sure. When the kidnappers called us to start moving, we trekked for about two to three hours. We didn’t know what time it was, so I’m not sure of the exact duration. When we finally got out of the bush to the main road, opposite the Dangote company, and checked the time with my sister’s husband, it was already past 10pm. How did you continue the journey back to Asaba? We lodged in a hotel at Obajana and then went back to Abuja. The next day, we took a flight back to Asaba. What did the doctor’s report say about your condition after the ordeal? I’ll share it with you. The doctor’s report titled ‘OFOLUWA EDAFE/36YEAR/MALE/HOSPITAL NO: 1468/25’, states, ‘The above named presented with complaints of body aches, groin sores, feet injury and bruises all said to have been sustained following beatings with woods, starvation and prolonged trekking which happened while in captivity in the hands of unknown person which kidnapped him and held him for seven (7) days (5/3/25-11/3/25). On examination, he was in some painful distress with significant groin ulcers, injuries in multiple toes on both feet with healing bruises on several parts of his body. He requested to undergo some investigations and has been placed in analgesics, antibiotics, anthelmintic and multi-vitamins. Kindly provide him the necessary assistance.’ How about your friend you travelled with from Abuja? Did he survive too? Yes, he did, we survived together. He helped me survived. In what way did he help you during the abduction? I had already given up due to the many injuries I sustained, but he kept pushing me, reminding me of my unborn baby and asking me to stay alive for my child’s sake. And I had already called her (wife) to tell her to stay strong, as I wasn’t sure if I would make it out alive. My wife later gave birth three weeks after we were released. You mentioned that you called your wife, were you guys allowed to use your phones? They took my iPhone and my Samsung phone, as well as my friend’s iPhone. In fact, they took everyone’s phone, apart from one other guy’s phone, which they used to make calls. The phone they used for making calls, including calls for ransom, belonged to one of us. It was just a simple torchlight phone, and that was what they used for making calls. If you needed to make a call, they would willingly give you the phone because the purpose of the call was to get money. They would give you the phone to make calls for anything that would result in them getting money. First, you would ask the person you were calling to recharge the phone. You would specifically ask them to recharge the Glo number. You would then ask them to recharge the phone with N3,000. After the recharge, you would make the call. After everything was done, that would be it. All the other phones were taken away from us in the bush. None of the phones remained with us, except for that one torchlight phone. Apart from my two phones, they took my Oraimo ear buds, power bank, and the N5,000 that was left in my pocket. Did you reported the case to the police? Yes I reported to the Divisional Police headquarters in Delta, Asaba. The police report shared states, ‘One OFOLUWA EDAFE ‘M’, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, came to the station with a sworn affidavit issued at the High Court Of Justice, Delta State Judiciary and reported that he is the rightful owner of an MTN line. That on the 5th day of march, 2025, while on transit along the Lokoja/Okene Expressway, the vehicle conveying him and other passengers was attacked by some unknown persons. That in the process, every occupant of the vehicle was kidnapped and taken into the bush, where they spent six (6) nights and seven (7) days until his family paid the sum of #4,000,000 (Four Million Naira) as ransom for his release. During his stay in the kidnappers den, their captors used their phones to make several calls to relatives of victims in their custody and other unknown person. He has since retrieved the MTN line number  and has started using it though the kidnappers held back their phones.’ With what happened, how does the thought of travelling long distance in Nigeria make you feel? I will never travel long distances by road again in Nigeria, the more reason I refused to come back to Asaba by road after we were released by the kidnappers. It’s something I won’t try again.

dataDp/1032.jpeg

Worldnews

Russia Probes Ex-ministers Death As Body Found Hours After Sacking

Roman Starovoit was found dead near his car in the Moscow region hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him. Russia’s top criminal investigation agency is probing the death of Roman Starovoit, a former transport minister whose body was found with a gunshot wound near his car, hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his post. Authorities on Monday said the 53-year-old politician’s body was discovered near a Tesla vehicle abandoned near a park in the Moscow region, with a pistol, registered in Starovoit’s name, located nearby. The Investigative Committee has opened a case to determine the full circumstances of his death, suggesting it could be suicide. Russian media, citing law enforcement sources, said the gunshot appeared to be self-inflicted. However, the timing of the death has prompted speculation. Putin issued a decree earlier on Monday, removing Starovoit as transport minister, a role he had held for just more than a year. No explanation was provided. Political commentators quickly linked the decision to a long-running corruption investigation in the Kursk region, where Starovoit previously served as governor. The probe centres on whether 19.4 billion roubles ($246m) allocated in 2022 to bolster border defences in Kursk were embezzled. The funds were meant to reinforce Russia’s frontier with Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border assault into the region three months into Starovoit’s ministerial term – the largest such incursion since World War II. In April, his successor and former deputy in Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, was charged with embezzling defence funds. Several Russian outlets reported on Monday that Smirnov, who denies wrongdoing, had told investigators Starovoit was also involved in the alleged fraud. The incident casts a shadow over Russia’s transport sector, already grappling with wartime pressures. Western sanctions have left the aviation industry struggling for spare parts, while soaring interest rates have pushed Russian Railways – the country’s largest employer – into financial strain. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s drone attacks continue to disrupt domestic air traffic, forcing temporary airport closures and leading to logistical uncertainty. Following Starovoit’s dismissal, the Kremlin announced that Andrei Nikitin, former governor of the Novgorod region, had been appointed as acting transport minister. Photographs released by state media showed him shaking hands with Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin believed Nikitin had the necessary experience to steer the ministry through current challenges. At his meeting with the president, Nikitin pledged to modernise the sector by boosting digital infrastructure to improve cargo flows and cross-border trade. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

dataDp/9958.jpeg

P7as2

James Gunns Superman: Destined For Success Or Failure? Early Reviews Indicate A Positive Sign For The DCU

According to early critic reviews from pre-screenings, James Gunn’s attempt to reignite the love for superheroes just might have worked. Superman just might be the perfect first chapter to the DC Universe. A few years ago, James Gunn and Peter Safran announced their bold vision to do a hard reboot of the DC Universe by creating a bold unification of the different parts of the DC Universe. Under this new DCU, for the first time ever, the movies, TV shows, and video games would finally be united. This not only makes the world of DC more accessible and interconnected for the viewers but also allows creators the creative freedom to build strong individual stories.  Superman is the first of the bold, brave, and fresh efforts that James Gunn is spearheading, and with a fresh new face and a fresh new vision, things are risky. But that’s never stopped James Gunn before, and it sure isn’t stopping him now. And deep down, most fans are  behind him, because they know how much these stories mean to him. With both Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill out of the picture, James Gunn and David Corenswet had big shoes to fill. This was especially true since the first look at their new superhero film left the internet divided. Many people continued to laud Henry Cavill for his portrayal, as well as Zack Snyder for his brooding cinematography. Meanwhile, others decided to join the side of David Corenswet and James Gunn, saying that Superman is supposed to be more fun, relatable, and vulnerable.  Superman debuted with a rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes with 51 reviews, and as of writing this blog, stands at 85% against 154 reviews—which is very impressive.  Given recent trends in movie ratings – if the critics deem a movie as being so good, the audiences usually carry double the excitement. Even some movies that critics give low ratings end up getting a high rating from audiences. But even before these ratings came out, Superman was a pretty big deal. It’s a superhero that the entire world is familiar with, and even if some people weren’t, the over-the-top international marketing has taken care of it. Things definitely look great for Superman, but that doesn’t mean that the audience can’t turn around and have a different opinion.  The uncertainty is further reinforced by the fact that the movie’s going to be witnessed by an extremely diverse set of audiences, with hardcore, casual, and new audiences set to hit theaters—with each of them carrying a preconceived and unique notion about Superman. Whatever the case might be, we’ll find out when the caped superhero arrives in theaters on July 11th.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Solar Solutions Will Empower MSMEs, Drive Economic Growth IBILE MFB CEO

From navigating rising energy costs to pioneering green finance partnerships, MD/CEO of IBILE Microfinance Bank, Adegboyega Kazeem, gives a compelling look at how institutions like IBILE MFB are not only bridging financial gaps, but also powering economic transformation, in this interview with GRACE EDEMA Some years ago, a lot microfinance banks suddenly shut down, what are some of the major challenges of running a microfinance bank in Nigeria? One of the biggest challenge microfinance banks faces is that of perception. That’s really the root of many issues. There’s a certain way the public views microfinance banks. That perception leads to distrust or hesitancy from customers, especially when they hear news about some shutting down. And unfortunately, once that trust is broken, it’s hard to recover. And you know, when those kinds of perceptions exist because we are a bank, it becomes a challenge. This is even though Nigerian microfinance banks are very well capitalised, enjoy deposit insurance from the NDIC, are closely regulated by the CBN, offer cutting-edge digital and other financial services as well as play an essential role in deepening financial inclusion. At IBILE Microfinance Bank, governance is very important to us. By this, I mean ensuring that the business is run efficiently, productively and in compliance with best practices and that these internal efficiencies lead to cost savings which are then passed on to the customer. That’s our philosophy. We have a Board of Directors that meets quarterly, weekly Executive Committee meetings, weekly, monthly & bi-monthly management meetings, as well as core operational strategy meetings every month, at a minimum. We also leverage on technology to ensure we remain efficient. From day one, our core banking system has been cloud-based, no physical servers. That enables real-time visibility into our financial performance. We get daily financial statements and can see what’s happening across the business. If we notice we’re losing customers to competitors, we can act immediately, maybe adjust pricing or improve customer service. The goal is to stay responsive and agile. Internally, we’re extremely prudent with expenses and pay attention to our most important resources, our people. We pay our staff on time, we remit pension and tax obligations without fail, and we also pay bonuses when we do well and provide staff loans when needed. So, while we demand performance, we also prioritise staff welfare and motivation. Despite all the challenges, from tight competition from fellow operators to contending with unregulated money lenders, our focus on good governance and accountability keeps us grounded. These money lenders are often not regulated by the CBN. They get state-issued licenses and then operate with little oversight, sometimes engaging in unethical practices. Meanwhile, we are fully regulated and send monthly reports to the CBN, Lagos State Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the Accountant General. Despite all that oversight, our focus remains: earn customer trust. If you consistently keep your promises and deliver value, your customers will stay with you. I’m proud to say that many customers who started with us as micro businesses have now grown into large enterprises, so large, in fact, that they challenge us to grow alongside them. That’s fulfilling, because that’s what drives national economic development. Empowering MSMEs and guiding them through their growth journey is how economies are transformed. What challenges have you encountered in Ibile Microfinance Bank? Now, to speak briefly on the challenges we face as a business, we are no different from others when it comes to energy costs. Businesses everywhere are grappling with rising power bills. I’ve spoken with CEOs who say they spend N3,000,000 to N5,000,000 monthly just on diesel or grid power for their offices. It’s a major strain, especially when trying to maintain affordability for our customers. But we understand that true sustainability doesn’t come from subsidies. Subsidies, unless they’re targeted and time-bound, don’t solve long-term problems. They might help in the short term, like when you’re supporting vulnerable groups, but in general, blanket subsidies aren’t efficient. The goal should be to create systems that are fair, transparent, and commercially viable, so that even when external support is withdrawn, the infrastructure can sustain itself. That’s how we build lasting and sustainable progress. Like I said earlier, we’ve had to put certain structures in place. For example, in this building, we have inverters on every floor, and we’ve also installed solar panels. If you look outside, you’ll see the solar panels on the roof. Even the ATM machine outside is powered by solar energy. At a certain point in the day, we shut down the generator. If there’s power from the grid, that’s fine. If not, we switch over to the inverter. That’s how we operate. And this is the reality of running a business in Nigeria today, whether you’re a small, medium, or large enterprise, you must pay attention to energy efficiency. We use solar and inverters so that we’re not relying on ACs all the time. It’s a conscious lifestyle choice, both at home and in the office. The key point here is this: if you want to be sustainable in business, you must manage your operating costs. For us, it’s critical. Every bit of cost savings we achieve is passed on to our customers. Take, for example, the low interest offers we’re giving customers now, six or seven years ago when we started, that wouldn’t have been possible. But as we’ve become more efficient, we’ve made deliberate choices to keep our products affordable. Why? First, it’s the right thing to do. And second, because in a competitive market, if you don’t offer better value, someone else will, and they’ll take your customers. So, it’s not optional; it’s a necessity. Do you think Nigeria is moving fast enough with solar and renewable energy adoption? Well, I can confidently say that this current administration recognises the urgency of the power problem. One of its first major achievements was working with the National Assembly to pass legislation that allows for greater state, kevel participation in the electricity sector. So, yes, progress is being made. It may not be as fast as we all would like, but the foundations are being laid and that’s critical for long-term change. That was one of the first things they did, and it shows they understand how critical power is to development. They also recognised that states in Nigeria differ significantly—different revenues, different population sizes, different levels of infrastructure, so it doesn’t make sense to group them all together under one rigid system. If a state has the resources to move at a faster pace, it should be given the freedom to do so. That flexibility can even have a ripple effect, encouraging other states to catch up. When you consider some of the incentives that have been introduced, it’s clear they are trying to stimulate progress. For example, there are now policies encouraging the importation and local setup of solar technologies. And let’s not forget: Nigeria has lithium. Under the Ministry of Solid Minerals, lithium has become a key focus. I know the federal government is currently in discussions with foreign investors to establish lithium mining operations in Nigeria. A lithium processing plant has also been established in Kaduna State. The idea is that once we start mining lithium domestically, the next logical step is to stop exporting the raw material and instead process it locally, by manufacturing or assembling batteries right here in Nigeria. But the reality is that decades of infrastructural deficit, especially in energy transmission and infrastructure, combined with currency devaluation mean this will take time and significant investment. This problem wasn’t created overnight, so it can’t be fixed overnight either. But I do believe the current administration is serious about addressing it. In fact, the president has said he wants to turn Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy, and power is central to that goal. They’re also talking about using domestic labour, which would kill several birds with one stone: reduce import costs, stimulate domestic production, and create jobs across the value chain. Think about what happened with the GSM revolution, how it transformed Nigeria’s economy. From vendors selling recharge cards to phone accessories, it created an entire ecosystem of new jobs and revenue streams. That same kind of transformation can happen with renewable energy, especially because we already have a critical raw material, lithium right here. Once you have that, it becomes easier to attract investment. That’s why we’ve seen the president and key ministers engaging other countries and promoting Nigeria’s economic potential. They’re actively encouraging foreign investors to look at sectors like energy, infrastructure, and tech. Why is the bank stepping in to support or facilitate access to solar energy for Nigerians, especially considering the current energy crisis? Lagos State has always shown a strong commitment to the welfare of its residents, particularly those at the base of the economic pyramid, individuals and the small businesses they run who are often financially excluded and underserved by other operators in the financial industry. These are the people the state is deeply concerned about and when you consider that an estimated 70 to 80 percent of businesses in Nigeria fall under the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) category, it becomes evident that this segment plays a critical role in the economy. Recognising this, the Lagos State Government saw the need to provide targeted financial support to these group of residents. This led to the creation of IBILE Microfinance Bank, an institution with a dual mission. Yes, we aim to generate returns, but purely for the sake of sustainability to ensure that funds remain available to provide customers with access to financial services without requiring future financial support from the government. More importantly, we also pursue a social mission to improve the living conditions of low-income individuals and small businesses, particularly in underserved areas. If you recall, the initial concept of microfinance took root globally with the establishment of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. That same foundational idea inspired Lagos State to set up a bank that guarantees access to finance for all economically active residents. Now, to answer your question about why we decided to introduce a solar energy product, When you look at the THEMES PLUS agenda of the current Lagos State administration, there’s a strong emphasis on health, the environment, and transforming Lagos into a 21st-century economy. Now, building a 21st-century economy aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as eradicating poverty and ensuring access to affordable, reliable energy. Energy is the foundation of all economic and social activities. It’s not just a concern for the poor, it affects everyone, including you and me. However, those at the bottom of the pyramid, the economically active poor, are disproportionately affected by energy costs. While the middle and upper classes may be able to gradually absorb rising energy prices over time, those at the grassroots level struggle. For them, energy is not just about lighting their homes; it’s also about powering the small businesses that sustain their livelihoods. Take, for example, a market woman who depends on her daily sales to feed her family, send her children to school, and support her household. Without reliable and affordable power, her entire economic foundation is at risk. In the current climate, where fuel subsidies have been removed and we’ve shifted to a cost-reflective energy pricing model, it became clear to us that the bank must step in to support its residents. We saw an opportunity to make a real impact. Transforming Lagos into a 21st-century economy is not just about generating more revenue or increasing state wealth. It’s about environmental sustainability, long-term economic stability, and improving the quality of life for all residents. We must also consider the environmental implications of whatever we do, greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and the health of our ecosystem. We shouldn’t only think about ourselves; we must think about future generations. That’s why there is now global momentum around green finance, such as green bonds, and increased attention to environmental responsibility. Lagos, being a coastal city, is especially vulnerable to the effects of global warming, rising sea levels, flooding, and temperature shifts. These are not distant concerns; they are already happening. So, our approach is two-fold: First, we want to contribute to the creation of a sustainable environment for Lagosians and Nigerians in general. Second, we aim to provide an affordable, practical energy solution that meets the day-to-day needs of our people. Our solar product is designed with these goals in mind. It harnesses solar energy, power from the sun to meet basic energy needs. The package includes a solar panel, a fan, an inverter, energy-efficient light bulbs, and extension cables. You can use it to charge essential devices like TVs, phones, small household equipment so even if the national grid fails, your daily activities and your business won’t grind to a halt. We believe this product will have meaningful impact. It’s not just about providing power it’s about empowering people, especially those at the base of the pyramid, and giving them the tools to thrive in today’s economy. That’s the heart of why we’re doing this. I’d like you to talk about this product in detail, how it works and the role of the bank in the process? Essentially, this is a partnership between IBILE Microfinance Bank and Solaris Global Technology, a company that provides solar energy solutions. Ordinarily, without the bank’s intervention, anyone interested in purchasing this product would have to pay the full cost upfront, in cash. The market price of the product is currently around N700,000 to N800,000. So, we approached Solaris Global Technology and said, ‘Let’s partner with you. We want to make this product affordable by offering financing options for our customers, with repayment of up to 12 months.’ We also leveraged the bank’s institutional influence. We told them, ‘Look, if someone walks into your store today, they’d be expected to pay N700,000 to N800,000. But through this partnership, we can drive volumes by attracting more customers. In exchange, we expect a price reduction.’ Based on that discussion, they agreed to bring down the cost to N600,000, a significant discount. Next, we addressed a common problem people, especially those at the base of the pyramid, face when seeking loans. Traditional banks often demand a substantial amount collateral which is not feasible for most people. As a microfinance bank, we are more flexible. While we still require some form of collateral, we accept movable assets registered with the National Collateral Registry. So instead of demanding landed property or shares, we can accept household items like a microwave, fridge, business inventory or even a vehicle. But in this case, we took it a step further the solar product itself serves as the collateral. There’s a small charge for insurance, which protects both the bank and the customer. And, as part of the Service Level Agreement we signed with Solaris Global Technology, they’ve agreed to provide a six-month warranty on the functionality of the product. Another major advantage is the product’s use of lithium-ion batteries, unlike traditional inverter systems that rely on wet or dry cell (tubular) batteries with lifespans of 2 to 4 years. Lithium-ion batteries can last up to eight years, making them a cost-effective solution in the long run. And since batteries are typically the most expensive part of any inverter system, this translates to real savings for users over time. So, given the current challenges in Nigeria,  inflation, high living costs, and limited access to credit, what advice would you give to MSMEs? First, formalise your business. Register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Doing so immediately gives you access to funding options that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Even though we sometimes lend to unregistered businesses, we are far more confident when dealing with registered entities. Having your business registered, paying taxes, and maintaining compliance makes it easier to access financial support, especially when government-backed loans or interventions become available. For instance, from time to time, both federal and state provide intervention funds that are disbursed through microfinance banks — but only to tax-compliant and formally registered businesses. We at IBILE Microfinance Bank are also uniquely positioned to help with this. We’re the only microfinance bank in Lagos State currently authorized to collect taxes on behalf of the Lagos State Government. So, whether you’re paying land use charges or personal income taxes, PAYE for your company staff, you can do so through our branch, agents, or online portals. I know many Nigerians have a strained relationship with the idea of paying taxes. They question what the government is doing with their money. But being tax-compliant not only opens doors to government support and contracts, it also builds credibility. There are also development finance institutions like Bank of Industry and Development Bank of Nigeria, which offer loans at concessionary rates. But again, to qualify, your business must meet basic requirements: BVN, NIN, tax ID, and registration. You must be traceable. If you have no traceable identity, you won’t get access — no serious institution will take that risk. We also host free trainings and workshops to teach our customers about business ethics, financial literacy, and how to organize their books. Because one of the biggest challenges small businesses face is poor record-keeping. When a business approaches a bank without a name, structure, or financial history, how do you assess their creditworthiness? It’s difficult. But when a customer has been operating formally and responsibly, the conversation moves from ‘Can we give you a loan?’ to ‘How much do you qualify for?’ That’s the shift we want our MSMEs to make. Ultimately, the goal is not to remain small. Move from micro to small, then to medium. One day, who knows? You could be the next Dangote or BUA. That’s what we’re working towards, building future giants, one small business at a time.