Business
US Airstrike Kills Bin Laden’s Son
One of Osama bin Laden’s sons was probably killed by a United States missile strike in Pakistan earlier this year, US National Public Radio reported, citing US intelligence sources.
A US counter-intelligence official said it was “80 to 85 percent” certain that Sa’ad bin Laden, who was in his twenties, had been killed.
The official said the son of the al Qaeda leader was not a major figure, and would not have been important enough to target but “was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
It was unknown whether Sa’ad was anywhere near his father when he died, NPR said. A US intelligence official said in January that Sa’ad was freed from custody in Iran and probably went to Pakistan.
The United States believes Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan. While intelligence agencies have had near misses tracking his deputy Ayman al Zawahri in Pakistan, the hunt for bin Laden went cold several years ago.
While al Qaeda often releases audio-taped messages from bin Laden, the last time a video-tape was released was two years ago, and there is constant speculation that he might have died.
The difficulties of confirming the death of al Qaeda and Taliban leaders in the badlands of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was underlined by a surprise telephone call to Reuters from a spokesman for the Taliban in the Swat valley, where the army launched an offensive almost three months ago.
The Pakistani military said earlier this month that an air strike had probably wounded commander Fazlullah, but his spokesman Muslim Khan said his leader was alive and unhurt.
“All of the Taliban leadership is okay,” the spokesman, Muslim Khan said before playing what he said was an audio recording of Fazlullah on Wednesday.
“Pakistani rulers and generals have carried out suppression on Pashtuns and the people of Malakand division (of North West Frontier Province) to please the United States,” Fazlullah said, though it was not possible to verify the authenticity.
Mrs Chinwe Okoye, dealer to Oando Plc, (left) briefing pressmen on the operation of her station, Oando Trans Amadi, during a recent Oando promo in Port Harcourt , while Mr Kamar Bakriw, chief opeating officer, Oando Lagos (right) and Mike Oshai, retail field manager, look on. Photo: Chris Monyanaga.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
-
News8 hours agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Business5 hours agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community
-
Business5 hours agoYenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready December — NCDMB, Other
-
Maritime5 hours agoMWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos
-
News8 hours agoKwankwaso Dumps NNPP, May Join ADC Today
-
Rivers5 hours agoPolice Launch Community-Centred National Day Celebration In Rivers, Today
-
Rivers5 hours agoEducation Commissioner Lauds STAN Executive, Appreciates Support
-
Maritime5 hours agoMaritime Workers Demand Reinstatement Of Tally Clerks, Gangway Security Over Port Revenue Loss