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Tag: Jos

  • Jos gets livestock lab

    Jos gets livestock lab

    The Federal Government has established a laboratory for diagnosis, control and management of animal diseases in Vom, Plateau State.

    The bio-safety level-3 laboratory is at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The facility, commissioned last week, followed a bilateral collaboration between the government and Canada.

    The event attracted the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. John Calderwood, among others.

    Ogbeh said: “The biosafety level 3 laboratory is a laboratory where animal diseases like avian influence (bird flu) and other animal diseases can be diagnosed and treated. Investigations into outbreak of animal diseases in the country have always been done in Italy as there is no facility in Nigeria and Africa where such specimen can be diagnosed and confirmed. The biosafety level 3 laboratory is the first of its kind in Africa, which means the new lab will not only serve the need of the country but entire Africa.

    He added, “This is one project that the federal government can rely on to turn around the fortune of farmers in this country as the country begins the process of returning the country’s economic base to depend on agricultural sector. This is because, the present administration is more than committed to agriculture because we strongly belief the future of this country lies in agriculture.

    “The population of the country is increasing on annual bases, it has been estimated that by 2050, Nigerian population will hit 450 million. Global records show that Nigeria has the third largest population in the world after China and India, Nigeria has overtaken US in population growth.

    “If we are about 150 million today, for instance, and we cannot feed our population, what is the probability that we can feed our population by the time we become 450 million in the year 2050.

    “The present administration is already thinking and planning ahead to enable the country become food sufficient in the nearest future.

    “The country is currently spending over N20 billion dollars annually in food importation alone and no country worth its name will allow such dangerous trend to continued, that is why the present administration is focusing on agriculture in such a way that Nigerians will produce enough to feed her population and export her surplus.

    “This biosafety level 3 laboratory is a facility that provides space for the safe and secured handling of biological agents that belongs to risk group 3 pathogens which cause serious human disease and economic losses to animals and birds.

    “The need for this laboratory arose from the outbreaks of highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza which occurred in Nigeria in 2006 and resulted to death of hundreds of thousands of birds and the lose of one human life.

    “The initial diagnosis of the 2006 outbreaks was carried out by NVRI while the confirmation of the disease agent and biological characterization of the virus had to be taking to be conducted in Italy.

    “This delay in confirmation of the disease resulted in the spread of the infection from the primary outbreak area of Kaduna state to twenty-one other states of the federation” the minister said.

    Ogbe also said: “In view of the fact that the federal government will not be able to provided all the funds needed for the maintenance of this lab, a section of the lab will be made to produce vaccines in commercial quantity.

    “By so doing, the lab will not be just for research; it will be made to produce animal vaccines and the income can be used to keep the lab working and self sustained, he said.

    Chief Ogbe commended the Canadian Government for partnering with the federal government on the project.

    In his remarks, the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, His Excellency, Perry John Calderwood said, “The involvement of the Canadian Government in the project is part of the long-standing multi-lateral agreement existing between Nigeria and Canada.

    Mr. Calderwood said the laboratory was built to global standards.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu promised to provide the federal government with necessary legislation required to revamp the agric sector.

  • Plateau rebuilds Jos Main Market

    The Plateau State Government has commenced reconstruction of the Jos Main Market burnt down by a mysterious midnight fire in 2002.

    Governor Simon Lalong had earlier promised to reconstruct the market through private-public partnership (PPP). The government had, therefore, thrown the market project to the public to bid.

    Mr Ezekiel Gomos, Chairman of State Project Implementation Unit (IPU), said twelve companies bidded for the project following the government’s advertisement of the project.

    Mr Gomos, who disclosed this in a meeting with representatives of the biding companies in cabinet office yesterday, said: “Government is fully determined to partner with private investors to re-build the market.

    “The essence of the meeting is to assure the private investors who are ready to partner with government in the project of transparency in the selection process after the necessary evaluation of strength and capability of each of the biding companies.

    “The reconstruction of the market is part of the industrialization policy thrust of the Gov Lalong led administration. But government alone cannot fund the multi-billion naira project unless it partners with willing investors.

    “The market project mean a lot to government and this government will waste no time in getting the market back so as restore the lost glory of the state.”

  • Jos North protests appointments

    The Anaguta ethnic group in Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State has warned the Plateau State government against taking actions that will sabotage the prevailing peaceful co-existence in the volatile city of Jos.

    The ethnic group alleged that  Governor Simon Lalong is using political appointment to set residents of the city against one another by suppressing the minority tribe.

    The issue of political appointment has always led to violent conflict in Jos North local government Area as exemplified in the 1994 and 2001 Jos crisis. The conflict of Jos that lasted over a decade was caused by the lopsided distribution of appointments.

    According Mr. Jonathan Nyam who read the text at the press conference, “Governor Lalong has refused to recognise the Anaguta ethnic group as a stakeholder in Jos North local government as the governor refused to give us any political appointment to serve in his government”

    He added: “All past administrations in the state both military and civilian government have always given appointment to Anaguta people in recognition that we are one of the three native tribes of Jos North.

    “But to our greatest surprise, Governor Lalong gave the slot of Commissioner to settlers who have been working hard to take over our land from us.

    The group alleged that the only appointment given to Anaguta people by Governor Lalong is a “paltry” supervisory councilor in Jos North, adding that he gave the slot of commissioner to settlers, who have been competing with them to take over their ancestral land.

    Nyam said: “No doubt that this administration of Governor Lalong did not follow the principle of democracy and social justice as provided in section 14(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) as well as section 14(4) of the said constitution.”

  • Lassa fever claims two in Plateau

    The Plateau state government has recorded two fresh deaths from its battle against Lassa fever.

    This has brought it to three persons killed so far since the outbreak of the disease last week.

    Last week, the outbreak claimed one life in Mangu, Mangu local government of the state, and this week, the disease has claimed two more victims.

    State commissioner for Health, Dr. Kuden Kamshak who confirmed the death of the two victims on Monday said the victims died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where the victims were being treated.

    Dr. Kamshak also said 37 other victims have been quarantined in Mangu where they are being closely monitored by a team of medical experts.

    Earlier last week, Dr. Kamshak confirmed that five local governments in the state are at risk of contracting the disease. They are Jos North, Mangu, Langtang South, Pankshin and Shendam LGA respectively.

    State Commissioner also said, “The state with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working round the clock to contain the spread of the virus”

    According to Dr. Kamshak, “The state government has established Disease Survellance and Notification Officers (DSNO) in each of the 17 local governments in the state to monitor and manage the health challenge”

    The Commissioner however, urged citizens of the state not to panic but remain calm and vigilant, and to report promptly to the nearest health care facility if any more the symptom is noticed.

    He also warned residents to clear their homes and surroundings of rats, maintain good sanitation habits and also keeps cats at home to keep off rats.

    The state government has intensified public awareness through the state media to sensitize citizens on the outbreak, the symptoms and ways to prevent it.

    Dr, Kamshak assured residents that the state is on top of the situation and that there is no cause for alarm.

  • In Jos, IDPs lament

    In Jos, IDPs lament

    Their lamentations were akin to those of the Israelite’s who suffered atrocious ill-treatment in the hands of their Babylonian captors. They were homesick and wondered how they could sing their national song in a strange land. They looked forward to the day they would be taken back to their ancestral homes.

    Victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast who are in a camp as internally-displaced persons in their father land feel the same way the Israelites felt; about going back to their roots. Their lamentations were quite touching.

    Hear them: “Please, for the sake of Almighty God, return us to our homes. How long shall we remain outside our homes? How long shall we continue to live on relief materials? How long shall we live on donated food items? How long shall we live with this trauma? Many unanswered questions. The lamentations were couched in a song sang by the young ones at the camp during an event to mark their one year in the IDPs’ camp in Jos.

    Naturally, the IDPs feel abandoned by the Federal Government after their displacement from their ancestral homes by Boko Haram insurgents. They have spent over one year in the camp with no hope of leaving the camp or returning to their homes. They desired to go back home, but they have none anymore.

    To commemorate one year of establishing the camp, the Stefanos Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), had organised an event at the camp. The IDPs, who have been in the camp for over a year, sang songs to express their pains, feelings; expectations and frustrations.

    They have been crying out and had made several appeals to government to better their lives. They only attention they received from government, according to them, were relief materials. But they said they are tired of living on relief materials; they want government to help them in rebuilding their homes to enable them to return to their ancestral land and start life afresh.

    Leader of the IDPs camp at Zang Commercial College Jos, Zakka Ali who is also the Chairman of Gwoza Christian Community said: “We escaped from death and ran to this camp for refuge one year ago. We spent the Christmas in this camp last year and another Christmas is here.

    “We don’t want to spend this year’s Christmas here. But we have no home where we will spend the Christmas. Our homes were razed down by Boko Haram insurgents and government never cared to help us find alternative shelter.

    “There are no fewer than 276,312 Christians from Gwoza who were displaced as a result of insurgency. All of us are scattered; families disconnected. Some ran to Cameroon, some ran to Jos and other parts of Nigeria.

    “We need government’s intervention to return home as quickly as possible. We know President Muhammadu Buhari is a father of all Nigerians. We are appealing to him to help us get out of the camp; we are tired of staying here.”

    Programme Coordinator of Stefanos Foundation, the NGO who provided the camp,  Mr. Mark Lipdo said: “The NGO opened this camp on November 1, last year, as a temporary shelter for the IDPs. We have kept 479 families in the camp for over a year.

    “However, some of them had returned home; leaving at least 94 families in the camp. This comprises 466 people, including 38 males,  88 females and 340 children. “My NGO only thought of providing them a temporary camp, expecting government to take them over. But one year after, government has not come to their aids in that regard. They now feel abandoned by their own government. The NGO can only provide a little care.

    In a remark, the President, Plateau State Council of Chiefs, the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacop Gyang Buba praised Stefanos Foundation for taking the burden of caring for the IDPs for over a year.

    He said: “The issue of IDPs is one of the greatest challenges posed by the insecurity in the Northeast. It is commendable that the Federal Government has succeeded in rooting Boko Haram from the zone and plans are on by the Federal Government to reconstruct the areas destroyed by Boko Haram. I, therefore, call on the Federal Government not to forget the IDPs in Jos in the overall plan for the Northeast.”

    Guest Speaker on the occasion, Prof. Nnamdi Aduba of the University of Jos said: “Every citizen of Nigeria has the right to adequate standard of living and equal access to essential food, potable water, shelter, appropriate clothing and essential medical services, among other things.”

    Speaking on the topic “Good Governance and Humanitarian Crisis: A Case Study of Northern Nigeria,” he emphasised that the good governance index of Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999, has been very dismal and discouraging.”

  • Fire razes 118 shops in Jos Kabong market

    Fire razes 118 shops in Jos Kabong market

    A raging night inferno razed 118 shops at the Kabong market in Jos North on Thursday morning, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited the market, could not access the burnt section as some shops were still in flames.

    Others also had thick smoke billowing from them, making visibility very difficult.

    The actual cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but Mr Christopher Jama, Chairman, Kabong Market Traders Association, who briefed the governor- when he visited the scene, said the fire started by 4:00am.

    Jama claimed that the fire was caused by an electrical spark when public power supply was restored in the night.

    He told Gov. Simon Lalong that 118 shops were completely burnt, and noted that goods destroyed included bags of maize, beans, rice, and poultry products.

    He appealed to the governor to come to the aid of the affected traders ‘whose means of livelihood had been destroyed’.

    Lalong, who expressed “deep shock” at the development, promised to remodel the market and also address the traders plight.

    “Government was already working towards remodeling before the inferno,” he said.

    He however, expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost.

    The governor directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce to liaise with the market union to get details of the incident.

    NAN reports that the market was still inaccessible as at the time of the governor’s visit as smoke was still billowing from the burnt shops

  • Mbu to DCPs, ACPs: Don’t allow anyone intimidate you

    Mbu to DCPs, ACPs: Don’t allow anyone intimidate you

    The Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, Mr Joseph Mbu, has advised police officers to remain bold and never allow anyone to harass or intimidate them.

    Mbu made this known when he addressed Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of Police, who had completed the Strategic Leadership Command Course 2 in Jos on Friday.

    “You must read your police laws and know your powers; you must ensure that you do not abuse such powers.

    “Once you know those laws, be guided by them and carry out your duties diligently without any fear; never allow anyone, especially politicians, to cajole, harass or intimidate you.’’

    Mbu described the police job as a “very difficult one’’, saying that it should be treated like an egg that would break if held too tightly, but would equally fall, if held too lightly.

    He advised the officers to behave like senior officers, pointing out that they would be treated like junior officers if they behaved like hapless junior men.

    The commandant harped on the need for hard work and integrity, saying that their service would be a “total nullity” if it was done without integrity decency, respect and discipline.

    “There is something you must always keep in your head; you’re kept there to protect the poor and the helpless; you must respect the job and strive to ensure that you do not disgrace the force.’’

    He said the efforts of the policemen were never appreciated, noting that they were usually heavily vilified for any slight mistake, while their accomplishments were never highlighted, much less rewarded.

    “We do so much for the Nigerian society; we hit back at armed robbers and recover stolen bullion vans.

    “We also engage in several battles with criminals and terrorists, but once there is one slight mistake by one officer, all our achievements become useless.

    “The media and public will hammer on only that one mistake.”

    He described the police work as the hardest in the society, and called for more funding of the force for optimal productivity.

    Mbu said that the police job was a very busy one where its personnel even forget their families in the course of their service to the nation.

    “There is always tension. Once it starts from the Inspector General, it gets down to all of us.

    “The IGP is usually faced with so many challenges and will have to do so many things at the same time.

    “But amidst all the challenges, we must trudge on. No police officer should be a coward.

    “We must look at leaders, be them politicians or anybody, and tell them the truth. We must tell the consequences of any evil deed they are mooting.

    “Sometimes, they can tell you that they are the Chief Security Officers, but it is only with that truth that you can earn your respect.’’

    He said that policemen were good people, and called for more confidence from members of the public to help the force to carry out its statutory mandate.

    The police chief lauded the officers for their commitment to the college, especially the projects they executed.

    He was particularly impressed with the three boreholes the course members sank to ease the water shortage in the college.

    “Water is essential to life; you have sewn water and you will reap a hundredfold,’’ he said.

    Earlier, ACP Sunday Odukoya, who spoke on behalf of the participants, said they sunk three boreholes and renovated the common room as parting gift for the college.

    Odukoya said that the team also purchased curtains, a television set as well as a DSTV satellite dish for the common room.

     

  • SAMMIE OKPOSO, EBEN, OTHERS THRILL AT JOS CONCERT

    SAMMIE OKPOSO, EBEN, OTHERS THRILL AT JOS CONCERT

    THE Jos, Plateau State branch of House on the Rock, witnessed some of the best in gospel music last Sunday who performed at ‘The Encounter Concert’.

    Held during the church’s Sunday Celebration Service’, the event, a praise and worship show was led by Sammie Okposo, and supported by Eben, Nwando Okeke, Samsong, Deji Irawo, and kingsley Ike among others.

    After the concert, Okposo was also spotted in Benin City, Edo State, where he had engaged Glo subscribers on some of the services of the telecommunications company for which he is a brand ambassador.

    The gospel singer captured this via an Instagram picture, with the caption: “On ambassadorial duty in Benin city Edo State interacting with Glo subscribers about Free Tomorrow, the biggest thing to hit Nigeria from @globacomlimited.”

  • Relief as Jos gets facelift

    Relief as Jos gets facelift

    Bulldozers have moved in to rehabilitate dilapidated roads in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Residents are thrilled not just for the roads but also because the government is completing the abandoned projects of previous administrations. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    It is easy to see why the residents are happy seeing bulldozers get to work on Jos streets. The city has been in decay for years, robbing it and its residents the charming beauty for which it was known. In various parts of the capital city roads are in such disrepair that driving through them has been quite an uncomfortable task, rather than pleasure. So when the bulldozers moved in, the people expressed relief.

    But there is another reason for their relief. Several projects initiated by previous governments were not finished before the end of their tenures. This almost makes Jos the capital of uncompleted projects. The uncompleted projects cost taxpayers money, so why not celebrate if a new government decides to complete, rather than abandon, them.

    That is why the people are happy with the Simon Lalong administration,which took the  rare decision to complete such abandoned projects.

    Such continuity has been rare in Plateau State where every administration would not want to have anything to do with the project of the previous government.

    This negative development has slowed development and rubbished consistency, among other consequences. That is why  abandoned projects dot the Plateau landscape.

    By May 29 when Governor Lalong took office as the fifth civilian governor of the state, Jos, the  capital city was a ghost of itself. The beauty of a capital city had faded out, its attractions, allure and nature all but gone. The city has not been at its best. The situation of the famous Tin City then was necessitated by what residents described as ‘bad government policies and misplaced priorities’ by the immediate past administration of Jonah Jang.

    The immediate past administration left the city in a very bad shape with a good number of uncompleted projects scattered all over the city. Though the list of uncompleted projects is long, the one that is causing severe pains to residents  is the road projects, particularly the one that started from Secretariat Junction at Yakubu Gowon Way through to Maraba Jamaa Roundabout. This road cuts across the city centre and remains not only the longest and most popular in the city, but perhaps the most useful.

    Given this scenario, the hardship encountered by motorists plying the city of Jos is similar to what those in the rural areas are currently facing.

    Given the numbers of cars that ply the roads in the city, the situation is obviously worse in the state capital. When there is no rain, the roads are full of dust. When it rains, the uncompleted road becomes muddy, the pot holes giving motorists a nightmare.

    While the construction of road began in June last year, motorists endured the traffic gridlock. Everyone was restricted to one lane of the road as the second lane is closed for construction. People endured the hardship and prayed it will end soon, but all of a sudden, the construction company disappeared from site and left road users with a disorganised city road. The roundabouts are worst hit especially those of Old Airport Junction, Secretariat Junction, Miango Junction, Zaramaganda Junction, D B Zang Junction, Zawan Junction as well as Vom Junction.

    But based on the culture of a new government always not giving room for continuity of governance in the state, residents refused to place their hope on the project. This made Governor Lalong to re-assure citizens of the state that he will complete the project.

    People never believed him, It had never happened before in the history of the state. But while the new administration was battling with the huge financial challenges he inherited, Governor Lalong kept appealing to citizens to endure.

    “The governor understands the challenges faced by motorists with the state of major uncompleted roads within Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The governor further assured citizens that the situation would be remedied immediately to ameliorate the difficulties faced. The governor assured that the Transition Committee consultation with contractors would be intensified to ensure that a common understanding is reached with government to facilitate their immediate mobilization to site for the continuation of the road projects which were suspended.

    But even with the assurances by Gov Lalong, citizens doubt if such work will commence soon. Some said that cannot come untill next year. Mr. Joshua Bitrus said, “Yes, the governor has been promising, but these are politicians, you don’t trust their promises, but let’s see how it will go because as citizens we are aware he has no money to work with, that is why we are not expecting the project soon” Indeed, their doubt was based on clear understanding of the economic mess of the state at that point. But sooner than later, Gov Lalong mobilised contractors back to site for the road work to continued.

    The effects of these uncompleted roads is not only for motorists and those who ply the roads, far from that, according to a resident Mr Yohana Lukeman, “a lot of residents are suffering due to the fact that their water source was destroyed in the course of road construction, a lot of residents have been disconnected from electricity because the road project affected their power supply poles. Several other residents are already facing the challenges of flooding due to uncompleted drainages. So, generally speaking, no one is spared of the hardship, it is not only motorists, it affects every residents”

    Governor Lalong followed this appeal to citizens by inspecting the road project in the city after paying official visit to the contracting firm handling the road project Pw Construction Company Nigeria Ltd. According to Gov Lalong, “From the information available to me, the contractor has no reason stopping the construction since he has claimed 60% of the contract sum from the last administration of Jonah Jang.

    He said, “I have therefore directed the contractor to return to site and complete the road to alleviate the hardship our people are facing, you can’t just deface the city roads and abandon it like that for no good reason. I’m sure the contractor knows the implication of ignoring my directive on this particular project, I will not sit down here and allow citizens to continue to face this hardship for no fault of theirs. Something must be done.”

    Interestingly, the construction company knew the implication of flaunting the order of the governor and so, they moved their earth moving equipment and resumed work on the road. Many would not belief it. But the bulldozers are currently working on the main road projects left uncompleted by the immediate past administration. Especially the gingantic flyover bridge at Secretariat Junction in Jos city.

    Lalong did not only continued with the inherited road project, he initiated new ones, some of which are near completion especially that of Rantya-Federal Low-cost roads. The governor also embarked rehabilitation of all the streets within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

    With the high amount of rains in on the Plateau, almost every road in the city has developed into potholes and gullies. The whole of the city center has become a city of potholes, there is virtually no street that vehicle can ply smoothly. Since the month of May when the rains became a daily affairs, motorists have been driving with tears, many motorists can be seen gnashing their tooth while on starring. You have to meander and negotiate through the potholes.

    Apart from flagging off the rehabilitation of existing road network, Lalong has also impressed the people of the state by mobilizing the construction company Pw Company Nigeria Limited to go back and continued the uncompleted road contract awarded by the immediate past government led by Jonah David Jang. The uncompleted road which cut through the heart of the city has been a source of nightmare since last year when Jang began the construction.

    With the rehabilitation of the bad roads and the return of construction on the uncompleted road, residents of Jos are hailing the governor for moving out to alleviate their plight particularly commercial taxi drivers. One of them Ahmodu Bala said, “My relief is because, recently I began to hate my driving profession because of the nature of roads in Jos, the roads are terribly bad, by the time you get home after the days work, you feel so devastated and it makes you get discourage of continuing the work the next day. But I have been a taxi driver all my life and I don’t want go quit. That is why I say this governor is a savior for repairing these roads.”

     

  • NDIC hails faith-based community bank in Jos

    Rural dwellers in Plateau State and such low income earners as petty traders who cannot buy shares in big banks can now do so at a bank they can call their own established by Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN).

    The development has earned the microfinance bank praise from the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

    The microfinance bank set up  in 2012 is growing and so is the profile of its customers in Jos city and the entire state. This much was revealed when the bank held its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which it briefed its clients.

    COCIN is one of the largest indigenous churches in Northern region with its headquarters in Jos. The microfinance bank is wholly owned by the church. Its shareholders are equally the poor segments of the society who attend the church.

    The bank’s objectives include helping the poor to grow, encouraging petty traders to save and offering advice to small-scale traders. The bank also grants credit facilities to its customers who have genuine business plans.

    At the AGM held at Yelwa Club Jos, the bank gave an impressive account of itself. They declared profits to the admiration of shareholders.

    “Light Microfinance Bank Limited has made an unprecedented profit of N336 million as the year 2015 ended, against the N174million when the bank started its operations in 2012,” declared its chief executive Mr. Tat Danjuma.

    “The state licence Microfinance bank run by the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) has a clients capacity of 8,776 pulling as the leading microfinance bank in Plateau State,” said chairman of the board, Mr Bernard Poyi.

    The managing director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tat Danjuma said, “the laudable impact made by the bank in the years under review was not without Challenges” This according to him, “most of their clients are farmers and are been affected with the consistent attacks on villages in the state by unknown gunmen coupled with the activities of Boko Haram within the northern part of the country where their clients transacted businesses within the states.

    He maintained that the bank at the moment has only two branches in the northern zone of the state, and are working on other branches one each in other senatorial zones. “We have already put all modalities in place to open one branch in Kurgwi to cover the southern part of the state, as well one in Gindiri to cater for the abundant clients within the central zone respectively,” he said.

    The maiden AGM has given share holders and other clients a motivational direction and have set a prospect for the future by endorsing the increment of authorized capital from the initial N200million to N500million. While an increased in bank’s paid up capital from N183million to N300million.

    The Zonal Comptroller of National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in charge of Plateau, Gombe, Yobe and  Bauchi state zonal office, Mr Emmanuel Vantau said the bank is moving in the right pace as he monitored their operation within the years under review with a risk of 2.0% compared to other micro-finance industries in the zone.

    Applauding the efforts of the management of the bank, Mr. Vantau said, “The difference between a good bank and a bad one is just a prudent management. This bank has been well managed at this level, and I will urge the management to keep it up for the benefit of the low income earner and petty traders who have no access to the conventional banks in the state”

    Vontau encouraged customers to “buy more shares in the bank, seek relevance financial advice from the bank and allow the bank to help them grow their small businesses as the company is set to be one of the leading national microfinance bank in no distant time in the country”

    One of the bank customer, Mrs Habila Yohanna said, “I’m so happy today because the bank is giving us hope as our bank, most of us have no access to the big banks but we feel at home with this one. The discuss with us and advice us in our small trade”

    A farmer in Bukuru said, “The bank help some of us to procure fertilizer last year, the bank is so supportive, it will remain the bank of poor people like us, I wish them long life and speedy growth for the benefit of the poor.”