Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos: RetailWings Africa, Corner Block Sign Deal to Boost Working Capital for SMEs
Agreement enables retailers using RetailWings ERP platform to access credit without traditional collateral, targeting sector-wide growth
Agreement enables retailers using RetailWings ERP platform to access credit without traditional collateral, targeting sector-wide growth
RetailWings Africa has entered into a strategic partnership with Corner Block Services Limited to expand access to working capital for small and medium-sized retailers across Nigeria. The agreement was formally signed at the RetailWings Africa head office in Lagos on 15 June 2026 by Managing Partner Akinola Akintilebo and Corner Block’s Head of Sales and Business Development, Matthew Enemona Ameh.
Under the new arrangement, eligible merchants operating on the RetailWings ERP platform can now apply for working capital financing through Corner Block Services Limited. Unlike conventional bank loans that require physical collateral, this initiative will use business performance data from the RetailWings system as a basis for credit assessment.
The companies said that limited access to credit remains a major constraint for many Nigerian retailers, especially small businesses that struggle to meet strict collateral demands from traditional lenders. According to both firms, this lack of financing continues to hinder inventory expansion, operational growth, and long-term sustainability within the retail sector.
“This partnership is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges facing African retailers — access to affordable working capital,” Akintilebo said during the signing ceremony. Ameh added that by leveraging digital business records, more SMEs would be able to scale up operations and improve their resilience in a competitive market.
Industry observers note that technology-driven solutions are increasingly being adopted to bridge financing gaps for local entrepreneurs. With this collaboration, stakeholders expect improved business stability and increased job creation in Nigeria’s retail sector over the coming year.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Cross River Governor Otu Approves 100% Salary Increase for Doctors, Lifts Health Sector Recruitment Ban
Move includes hiring of 2,000 health workers, hospital renovations and expanded funding to revitalise state healthcare
Move includes hiring of 2,000 health workers, hospital renovations and expanded funding to revitalise state healthcare
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved a 100% salary increase for medical doctors working in the state’s public hospitals, alongside the lifting of a longstanding recruitment embargo in the health sector. The announcement was made on Saturday in Calabar by Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, as part of a broad initiative to overhaul healthcare delivery across the South-South state.
According to Dr Ayuk, the new measures will see not only doctors’ salaries doubled but also improved allowances for other categories of health workers. The state government has further authorised the immediate recruitment of 2,000 additional staff into its medical workforce. This is aimed at filling critical gaps in manpower and boosting service delivery in both urban and rural communities.
The commissioner stated that funding for healthcare services in Cross River has more than doubled over the past two years under Governor Otu’s administration. More than 100 primary healthcare centres have reportedly been rehabilitated statewide during this period, while funds have also been released for comprehensive renovation works at key general hospitals.
“Governor Bassey Otu is committed to repositioning the health sector for better outcomes,” Dr Ayuk said during the press briefing. He explained that these reforms are designed to address persistent challenges such as staff shortages, infrastructural decay and poor remuneration that have contributed to brain drain among medical professionals. No official response from organised labour or opposition parties was immediately available as at press time.
The state government indicated that recruitment processes for new health workers would begin in coming weeks, with priority given to critical care areas and underserved LGAs. The expansion of healthcare investment is expected to improve access to quality medical services and reduce outmigration of skilled personnel from Cross River State.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Kwankwaso’s Son Named Running Mate for Kano NDC Governorship Ticket
Selection signals strategic move by NDC ahead of 2027 Kano polls, as party seeks to boost youth support
Selection signals strategic move by NDC ahead of 2027 Kano polls, as party seeks to boost youth support
The New Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State has picked the son of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as its deputy governorship candidate for the upcoming election. The announcement was made on Monday, 15 June, positioning the younger Kwankwaso alongside the party’s flagbearer in a bid to strengthen the party’s ticket ahead of the crucial contest.
Party officials in Kano confirmed that the decision was taken after extensive consultations among stakeholders within the NDC. The move is seen as an effort to attract support from younger voters and leverage the influence of the Kwankwaso political family, which has played a major role in Kano politics over the past decade.
Kano State remains one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states, given its large population and history as a battleground for major parties including APC, PDP, and NNPP. The emergence of Kwankwaso’s son on the NDC ticket is expected to reshape alliances and intensify competition ahead of the governorship poll. Political observers note that such a choice could sway undecided voters and energise grassroots supporters who identify with the Kwankwasiyya movement championed by his father.
The NDC leadership described their running mate pick as a demonstration of their commitment to youth inclusion and fresh ideas. A senior party official stated that “the selection process was transparent and aimed at presenting a credible alternative for Kano people.” There has been no immediate public reaction from rival parties or electoral officials regarding the development.
With campaigns set to begin in earnest, all eyes are now on how this new pairing will perform against established political structures in Kano. Analysts predict that voter turnout and alliances among key blocs may be affected by this latest decision. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release an official timetable for party primaries and electioneering activities.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Federal High Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord Party, Three Others for Poor Poll Performance
Justice Peter Lifu rules affected parties failed constitutional benchmarks; INEC yet to issue official reaction as 2027 polls approach
Justice Peter Lifu rules affected parties failed constitutional benchmarks; INEC yet to issue official reaction as 2027 polls approach
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, over their failure to meet constitutional requirements for electoral performance. The judgement was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Friday, following a suit brought by former lawmakers who argued that underperforming parties should not remain on the political register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The affected parties—Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and ADC—were said to have failed to win any seat in recent elections or secure at least 25 percent of votes in any state during the last presidential poll. Plaintiffs maintained that keeping parties with little or no electoral support only clutters the ballot and undermines Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
According to court documents, the suit sought clarification on whether INEC is constitutionally mandated to deregister political parties that do not satisfy Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The plaintiffs claimed that none of the five parties met minimum criteria during the 2023 general election or subsequent by-elections—criteria which include winning seats in the National Assembly or state legislatures, or achieving significant vote thresholds at federal and local levels.
Justice Lifu, in his ruling, agreed with arguments presented by the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to remove the five parties from its register. He stated that allowing such parties to continue operations contradicts constitutional provisions and could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. “Keeping political parties that do not meet constitutional standards on the ballot paper is a breach of Section 225A,” Justice Lifu held.
INEC has not issued a public statement regarding the court’s decision as at press time. The ruling is expected to have major implications for smaller parties seeking relevance ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections in 2027. Political analysts say this development may prompt other minor parties to intensify grassroots mobilisation or risk deregistration before future polls.
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