The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adamawa

  • Adamawa APC chief dead

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Shedrack Gajere, is dead.

    The politician had been battling stroke for months, it was learnt, and had been bed-ridden in the last few months.

    APC’s Secretary in the local government, Mr. Lawson N. Ignatius, announced Gajere’s demise to reporters.

    The late Gajere, according to Ignatius, was recuperating from a stroke, for which he was hospitalised at the state’s Specialist Hospital in Yola, the state capital.

    Ignatius said: “…Death has finally snatched away our chairman, Mr. Gajere, who …was the chairman of the APC in Lamurde Local Government Area. He was recuperating from a stroke.”

    The APC secretary said the late politician would be buried this weekend.

    He said: “We urge you all to pray for the repose of his soul. His legacy as a steadfast and loyal party man, who laboured to entrench firmly the APC in Adamawa State and Lamurde Local Government Area will continue to endure.”

    The late Gajere is survived by a wife, Blessing, and five children.

     

  • Impacts of FMBN on housing delivery in Adamawa State

    I had the privilege of being the guest speaker during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Bindow Housing Estate, Yola on 19th August, 2015. The ceremony flagged off the programme of His Excellency, Senator Muhammad Bindow Jibrilla, Governor of Adamawa State, for improving housing delivery in the State. I would like to congratulate him and the people of Adamawa State for the good works he has so earnestly begun.

    It is a good time for housing in Nigeria. The Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari has targeted the delivery of one million housing units per annum, as part of his bold measures to close the supply gap for housing in the country. Based on the empirical evidence that the construction of a three-bedroom unit creates up to 17 jobs, the President’s housing initiative will create 17 million jobs.

    Part of the recent major developments in the housing sector was the approval of the National Policy on Housing. The policy makes provision for social housing for low- and no-income earners; emphasizes private sector-led housing delivery; more robust financing; improvement in institutional capacity to deliver housing; and inclusion of local content and adoption of local building materials.

    As the foremost institution facilitating affordable housing in the country, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is proud that the people of Adamawa State have always embraced the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme of FMBN. This ensures that we are ever ready to support housing initiatives in the State. As at April 2015, the State contributed a total of N2.97 billion to the NHF scheme, being 2.5% deductions from workers’ monthly income.

    The FMBN has in turn invested a total of N2.8 billion in supporting the provision of affordable housing in Adamawa State. This was by way of disbursing N1.62 billion under FMBN’s Estate Development Loans (EDLs) to the State-owned Adasolid Properties Ltd, and to two private developers, for the construction of about 500 housing units which have been successfully completed and sold to NHF contributors in the State. Another EDL of over N800 million for additional 240 units is being finalized.

    With the housing units already delivered, we estimate that FMBN has contributed to the creation of no less than 8,500 jobs in Adamawa State.

    Aside from Estate Development Loans, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria has also provided affordable mortgage loans of about N1.18 billion to 833 beneficiaries through Adamawa Savings and Loans Ltd. I wish to assure that FMBN will be providing mortgage loans at an affordable interest rate of 6%, repayable over 30 years, for the off-takers of the Bindow Housing Estate, Yola as part of our contribution to the success of the new housing project.

    In line with addressing the shelter needs of our most unfortunate fellow citizens that were affected by the insurgency and violence in the North East region, I wish to assure that the FMBN will also be actively involved in the implementation of the Federal Government’s resettlement programme for Internally Displaced Person (IDPs), being anchored by the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development. I am reliably informed that as part of its contribution, the Adamawa State Government has expeditiously provided unencumbered land for this worthy intervention.

    In general, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is focused on service improvement and operational efficiency. The National Housing Fund scheme has become the cornerstone of the strategic deployment of our corporate resources. For instance, we deployed the NHF e-Collection Platform for transparency and accountability in the NHF process, while providing the contributors, including those in Adamawa State, access to up-to-date records of contributions online.

    Our products portfolio is being boosted to include services to the non-salaried/informal sector which accounts for about 85% of the national working population. We are also focusing on cooperative societies and trade unions. Our latest products are the Nigeria Diaspora Mortgage Scheme which will provide opportunities for Nigerians living abroad to acquire houses in the country after minimum of two years of contribution to the NHF. We have also innovated by developing the Home Renovation Loan which will enable contributors have access to quick loans to improve their housing conditions, at very affordable rates. These products, which will be launched by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari very shortly, will also make impacts in housing delivery in Adamawa State as with every state of the country; but in particular those states that have signed up to the National Housing Fund.

    I would like to make some recommendations. No nation can develop structurally and economically without housing being on the front burner. As the efforts at eradicating the threats of insurgency and violence have intensified, Governments at both the Federal and State levels must, as a matter of urgency, commence the rebuilding of lives and property.

    In this regard, I would like to commend Governor Bindow Jibrilla, who has shown leadership in addressing this national imperative in earnest. The ground-breaking for the Bindow Housing Estate within his first 100 days is indeed very commendable.

    It will be recalled that after the World War II, the conquering U.S. Government embarked on the European Recovery Programme. This programme, popularly known as the Marshall Plan, helped to rebuild European economies that were battered by the war. While the activities of the insurgents in the North East remain deplorable, we are happy that we continue to see various efforts at rebuilding our towns and villages, and more importantly, lives.

    Construction is one of the most effective ways of rebuilding lives and the economy. It does not only help in effectively reclaiming lost territory and pride; it revitalizes trading activities; boosts social interaction; and restores a sense of normalcy in daily life. However, much more than these, housing construction will provide our teeming youths the much-needed employment from which they will gain a sense of belonging in the society; and, therefore, shun anti-social and criminal tendencies.

    As part of the strategies in providing a suitable environment for housing construction-led boom, I would like to make some assertions. Closer collaboration between the Federal and State Governments is very important in making unencumbered land available for housing development. This will also improve intergovernmental agency partnership in housing delivery. Review of the legal and regulatory framework for housing and mortgage finance, especially the reduction of time and cost of transfer and titling of property, is very germane.

    Increased workers’ enlightenment on the benefits of the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme and interaction with Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is also very important. As mentioned earlier, FMBN is embarking on a Home Renovation Loan Scheme that will be of immense benefit to workers. However, the prospective beneficiaries are contributors to the NHF Scheme.

    Finally, there is need for improvement in stakeholder collaboration in housing delivery. While FMBN will continue to reach out to every potential and existing contributor, it requires the support of state governments and labour groups for us to fulfill our mandate under the Scheme.

    I wish to reiterate the determination of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to sustain its drive for affordable mass housing delivery for low and medium income earners. Although the Bank is facing funding challenges due to reliance on only NHF contributions at present, we will continue to improve our work processes and service delivery to satisfy the yearnings of NHF contributors within the limits of our resources.

    On behalf of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, I would like to congratulate Governor Bindow Jibrilla once again, and assure him and the other state governors of our enduring support in housing delivery as a key strategy of moving the nation forward.

    • Gimba Ya’uKumo, OON, is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria

  • Adamawa votes N200m for prayers against Boko Haram

    The Adamawa State plans to pay prayer warriors and vigilance groups up  to N200million for their services in the fight against the terror sect,Boko Haram.

    The State Chief of Staff,Alhaji Abdurahman Jimeta said yesterday in Yola that divine intervention is desirable toward ending the security challenges facing the state.

    Alhaji  Jimeta who spoke on the Adamawa State Television  said the money was sourced from the state and Local Governments joint account.

    “We have earmarked N200 million for prayers to seek for Allah’s intervention in tackling the Boko Haram menace and other insecurity challenges threatening the stability of the state,”  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted him as saying.

    He said that part of that money  would go into assisting local vigilance teams and security operatives.

    Adamawa,Borno and Yobe states are the hardest hit by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Thousands of lives have been killed by the terrorists and many more displaced.

    Some of those who fled across the border to Cameroon have been sent back home and are now in camps across the three states.

  • Photo: President’s wife distributes milk in Adamawa

    Photo: President’s wife distributes milk in Adamawa

    PIC. 1. FROM LEFT: APC WOMEN LEADER IN ADAMAWA, HAJIYA HAUWA KOMA; PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS, HAJIYA MAISARATU BELLO AND WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR OF ADAMAWA, HAJIYA MARYAM JIBRILLA, AT THE DISTRIBUTION OF FREE MILK SUPPLEMENT DONATED BY THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT, HAJIYA AISHA BUHARI, TO PREGNANT WOMEN IN ADAMAWA ON WEDNESDAY (5/8/15). 5753/5/8/2015/YMU/BJO/CH/NAN
    L-R: APC WOMEN LEADER IN ADAMAWA, HAJIYA HAUWA KOMA; PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS, HAJIYA MAISARATU BELLO AND WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR OF ADAMAWA, HAJIYA MARYAM
    JIBRILLA, AT THE DISTRIBUTION OF FREE MILK SUPPLEMENT DONATED BY THE WIFE OF
    THE PRESIDENT, HAJIYA AISHA BUHARI, TO PREGNANT WOMEN IN ADAMAWA ON WEDNESDAY

  • Boko Haram: Ekweremadu to lead Senators to Adamawa

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, will today lead some Senators to Adamawa State as part of Senate’s move to obtain first hand information on the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

    The visit will also take the lawmakers to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.

    This is sequel to the resolution of the upper chamber on the need to establish a Presidential Intervention Committee for the rehabilitation of the North East.

    The motion was sponsored by Senators George Thompson Sekibo (River East) and 35 others on the urgent need to establish a Presidential Intervention Committee for the rehabilitation of the North East zone being ravaged by the insurgents.

    Apart from Ekweremadu, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki also listed other Senators on the trip to include Senators Ahmed Lawan, (Yobe North) Murtala Nyako, (Adamawa Central) Binta Garba, (Adamawa North), Ahmadu Abubakar, (Adamawa South) George Sekibo, (Rivers East), Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South) and Bashir Marafa (Taraba State).

    Saraki had on Monday led some Senators on the spot assessment of the security situation in Borno State.

    He also visited IDP camps where he made a cash donation of N10million in support of the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

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  • NEMA unites 5,000 families in Adamawa, Borno

    NEMA unites 5,000 families in Adamawa, Borno

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday said it had united 5,000 families in Adamawa and Borno following the liberation of some communities from Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

    Alhaji Sani Sidi, the Director-General, NEMA, disclosed this while presenting relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returnees in Uba, Adamawa..

    Sidi said the integration programme was initiated by the agency to support displaced persons, who returned to their various villages.

    Sidi, represented by Alhaji Sa’ad Bello, NEMA camp coordinator in Adamawa, said the agency would provide necessary assistance to the returnees in parts of the affected states.

    He said some of the displaced persons who fled their villages in Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha Local Government Areas of Adamawa had returned to their respective villages.

    Others who returned, according to him, are from Lassa, Mussa, Dille, Uba,Muthavu and Husare Tampul villages in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

    The Director-General said the agency would continue to render assistance to the returnees with building materials and other facilities to enable then settle down.

    The Secretary, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, Alhaji Sanusi Bello, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and assured that the materials would reach the affected returnees.

    He called on philanthropists and non-governmental organizations to emulate NEMA.

  • Jega, six commissioners bow out next week

    Jega, six commissioners bow out next week

    The tenure of Professor Attahiru Jega as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will end next Tuesday.

    According to INEC Bulletin, Jega will leave office with six other national commissioners who will also have served out their five year term.

    Jega and the commissioners were inaugurated by former President Goodluck E. Jonathan on 30th June 2010.

    The commissioners affected are: Col. M.K. Hammanga (Rtd), Adamawa state, (North East); Dr Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, Rivers state, (South South); Prof. Lai Olurode, Osun state, (South West); Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor, Abia state, (South East); Mrs Thelma Amata Iremiren, Delta state, (South South); and Engr. Dr. Nuru A. Yakubu,  Yobe state, (North East).

    Four other National Commissioners are to leave the Commission in July and August this year.

    They are: Dr. Abdulkadir S. Oniyangi,  Kwara state, (North Central), whose tenure will expire on 21st July 2015; Mrs Amina Bala Zakari, Jigawa state, (North West); whose tenure will also expire on 21st July 2015; Dr Chris O. Iyimoga, Nasarawa state, (North Central); whose tenure will expire on 11th August 2015; and Amb. (Dr.) Mohammed Ahmad Wali, Sokoto state, (North West) whose tenure will also expire on 11th August 2015.

    The bulletin has however said stated that activities at the commission would not in anyway be affected by the  exit of Jega and the other national commissioners.

    It stated:  “But  even  as  the Commission is being depleted, following the progressive expiration of the tenures of National Commissioners, its (INEC’s) work will continue apace and uninterrupted because it can always form a quorum.

    Citing Section 159 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which states that meetings of the commission can be chaired by another person.

    The section states: (1.) The quorum for a meeting of any of the bodies established by section 153 of this Constitution shall be not less than one-third of the total number of members of that body at the date of the meeting.

    (2.) A member of such a body shall be entitled to one vote, and a decision of the meeting may be taken and any act or thing may be done in the name of that body by a majority of the members present at the meeting.

    (3.) Whenever such body is assembled for a meeting, the Chairman or other person presiding shall, in all matters in which a decision is taken by vote (by whatever name such vote may be called) have a casting as well as a deliberative vote.

    (4.) Subject to its rules of procedure, any such body may act or take part in any decision notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership or the absence of any member.”

    In the meantime, the tenures of sixteen Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have expired and they have left the Commission last week. A gala night was held in their honour last week Thursday at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom. They are: Ahmad Makama, Bauchi state; Haliru A. Tambuwal, Sokoto state; Abdullahi Umar Danyaya, Niger state; Abubakar U.G. Wara, Kebbi state; Mr. Mike Igini, Delta state; Prof. Selina Omagha Oko, Ebonyi state; Hussaini Ahmed Mahuta, Katsina state; Dr. A.L. Ogunmola, Oyo state; Alh. Ibrahim Zarewa, Kano state; Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, Adamawa state; Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, Kogi state; Kassim Gana Gaidam, Yobe state; Mr. Timothy Ibitoye, Osun state; Amb. Dr. Rufus Akeju, Lagos state;Prof. C.E. Onukaogu, Abia state; and Ibrahim Bagobiri Marafa, Zamfara state

  • Adamawa Assembly insists on pay cut

    Adamawa State House of Assembly has insisted that lawmakers should reduce their salary by 50 per cent, despite opposition.

    The Majority Leader,

    Musa Mahmud, addressing reporters, said there was no going back on the decision to cut members’ salary by 50 per cent.

    Mahmud, who represents Mayo-Belwa Constituency, said the Assembly had communicated to the government in line with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to reduce the cost of governance.

    He said the House would fight corruption and probe past leaders.

    The lawmaker hailed Speaker Mijinyawa Kabiru for leading by example to encourage members to live above board.

  • Nyako admonishes Adamawa lawmakers

    Nyako admonishes Adamawa lawmakers

    Former adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has urged senators and members of the House of representatives to offer quality representation.

    The former Naval Chief spoke at a community reception in honour of his son, Navy Commander Abdulaziz Nyako, a senator representing Adamawa Central District.

    He charged the elected representatives to organise themselves as a family so that Adamawa will benefit from their services.

    The reception, which was attended by supporters of the former governor, was organized to celebrate the return of Nyako from exile and the the victory of his son.

    The Chairman of the occasion and two-time Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Hassan Turaki, said the reason for organizing the event was to celebrate the return of Nyako, who has immensely contributed to the development of the zone.

    He said the people could not forget the human development strides of Nyako, which he instituted through the creation of various human development programmes, including the Special Assistant (S.A) and the agricultural and skills acquisition programs.

    “We voted your son because of the laudable human development programs you instituted when you govern this state. We shall continue to remember that goodwill forever,” he said.

    During his remark, the Director General of AbdulAziz Campaign and a chieftain of the APC in the zone Alhaji Isa Bagalci said it was always good for a human being to embrace selflessness in all his endeavors noting that the good seed planted by Nyako germinates into the election of his son to represent the senatorial zone.

    Corroborating the position of the two speakers, Adamawa State chairman of APC Alhaji Shuaibu Yamusa recalled that during his days as governor, Nyako has instituted various educational and youth empowerment programs that has touched the lives of many people hence the massive support the APC got in the last election in the state.

    Various groups including Local branch of Tabitaal Pulakuu International, Youth and Women groups presented accolades to the former governor and his son.

     

  • Mijinyawa emerges Adamawa Assembly Speaker

    Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa (APC-Yola South) on Tuesday emerged as the Speaker, 6th House of Assembly, Adamawa state.

    Mijinyawa, nominated by Abdulrahman Abubakar (APC-Mubi South), polled 17 votes, while his opponent, Alhaji Rufai Umar (APC- Gombi), who was nominated by Mallam Hammanjoda Umar (APC-Jada/Mbulo), scored eight votes.

    Mr. Sunday Peter (APC- Guyuk), was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker following non-secondment of Mrs Sodomti Tayedi (APC- Numan), who was nominated to contest the position with him.

    Addressing the House after taking oath of office, Mijinyawa thanked members of the Assembly for electing him as speaker.

    Mijinyawa, therefore, urged members to support him to move the state forward.

    He promised to work with the executive arm of government, adding that the problem of sour relationship between the legislature and executive arm was over.

    In his speech, the State Governor, Mohammed Jibrilla, who witnessed the inauguration, congratulated the lawmakers, assuring that the two arms would work together.

    “As a former lawmaker, I will work for a synergy between the executive and legislature,” Jibrilla said.

    ‎The three man panel of the tribunal, Justice J.G Abundaga, Justice G.C Nnamani and Justice A.H Suleiman unanimously agreed to hear their applications tomorrow.