In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan

By: Our Reporter

Former Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan has commended the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) North East Zonal Stakeholders Forum held in Gombe state, today.

The former Senate President said it was an honour to stand alongside His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, the coordinating governor for the APC North East zone, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, and His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, of Borno State, chairman of the North East Governors Forum to discuss issues affecting the region.

According to Senator Lawan, the Forum commended Mr. President for giving the required leadership in the country and also taking courageous and bold reform decisions to revamp the economy and stabilize the polity.

“The Forum resolved to continue to support Mr. President in the implementation of his renewed agenda and equally commended the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, for his commitment to his responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President.” Senator Lawan said

He said while the trio (governors) are dynamic leaders passionate about their various states and the North East in general. “The presence of our National Chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, further underscored the importance of this gathering. Alongside him were the National Deputy Chairmen (North and South), and other National Working Committee members, as well as numerous party stakeholders from across the North East, whose passion and contributions are the lifeblood of our political movement.

“We deliberated on critical issues affecting our region and nation and strategized on ways to consolidate our gains and address the needs of our people.” He added

In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan

Homehunt International Berths in Abuja to Improve Real Estate, Solar Power Energy

By: Michael Mike

HomeHunt International has berthed in Abuja to compete in real estate and solar power energy.

The company who had for sometimes established in Lagos decided to open a branch in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory to bring innovation into the real estate business and make available the best solar power hydrogen generator.

Speaking at the launch of the branch office in Abuja, the Executive Officer of HomeHunt International, Mr. Olayinka Aroyenu disclosed that the company is into solar-powered products with lithium-ion batteries.

He explained that lithium-ion batteries are docile, environmentally friendly. It’s not corrosive. It does not have any issues with the environment, and gives a compact product that is devoid of any problem.

He also said that it is more durable compared to any other battery powered generators.

He disclosed that the company has recorded success stories in Lagos, hence the need to expand into Abuja.

Aroyenu said the company is in Abuja to provide comfort and ease, noting that there are a range of products, from the small products that people want to use for their one room to the large products.

He explained that they do not sell products with gel batteries, lead batteries or any other battery type.

While highlighting the dangers of lead batteries, noting that “lead batteries are explosive, insisted that they are not very good for the environment.

He said: “The gel batteries, like the batteries you use in your cars, are very corrosive. And they can cause harm to kids in the house if they by accident touch it or have any effect around it.”

On the affordability of their product, he said/ “We are trying to work with a few financial businesses, banks and financial providers to provide the opportunity for instalments.

“ So that people can pay in instalments. Because you know that the only cost that is heavy when you buy a solar product is the first cost. You don’t buy fuel, you don’t buy oil, you don’t buy anything, we want to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“And we also provide the opportunity where you can actually even pay in instalments.”

He revealed that: “We are in discussion with some financial institutions. But the stumbling block is we want to make sure that those financial institutions are not charging high interest. Very low interest so that Nigerians can afford it and can afford to pay back easily.”

On the real estate business, he said the company has developed a dedicated app for would-be investors or prospective buyers of landed properties.

According to him: “ In our real estate business, we have an app, a dedicated patented app called the Home Hunt app, that provides an online marketplace for people to buy properties and people to sell properties.

“We have a partner bank, Brent Mortgage Bank in Victoria Island, Lagos, that holds the money in trust for the buyer, ensuring that the transaction is fully completed before releasing money to the seller. You all know that when you pay an agent, that’s when stories start to occur.

“The fact that you are paying the money to the bank, and the bank is holding the money in trust for you, and our legal partners, Pave Stone and Ikoi, will then do a full verification of all documents, you are now assured that if anything is wrong with the transaction, you’ll get your money back fully.

“And this is extremely attractive for Nigerians in the diaspora who want to invest in Nigeria. The only issue affecting Nigerian real estate is trust.”

He stressed that the real estate industry is one of the biggest in the world, but the business has been hampered in Nigeria by lack of trust, stressing that is why international investors do not come to Nigeria.

He said: “But if we can eliminate fraud and increase the ability to trust our systems, we will be able to do more transactions.“

Homehunt International Berths in Abuja to Improve Real Estate, Solar Power Energy

ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali
…To Hold Summit on Future of the Community

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday announced plans to organise a summit: “the Future of the Community,” to strategize on life without exited member states- Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.

The exit of the three francophone countries, who have since formed Alliance of Sahel States,

Relations between the three countries and other members of ECOWAS got broken following the rejection of undemocratic change of government in the now AES states.

Already, the Committee on Administration and Finance of the commission has commenced a three day- mid-term evaluation of the sub-region’s implementation of the programmes and activities of the Community’s institutions.

The committee which is sitting in Abuja will also look at the difficult financial situation of the Community and the state of recruitment within the institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 37th ordinary meeting of the CAF, on Sunday, the Vice President of the Commission, Madam Damtien Tchintchibidja, called for speedy reforms needed to adapt to the current reality of the withdrawal.

Tchintchibidja said: “Today’s meeting is part of a twofold dynamics: on the one hand, that of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS and, on the other, that of the official withdrawal of three (3) of our Member States.

“One of the lessons learnt from the commemoration of our fiftieth anniversary and those learnt from the departure of the three (3) Member States is that it is essential and imperative for us to speed up the institutional, organisational, political and security reforms needed in order to adapt to the new realities. I therefore appeal to your sense of responsibility so that together we can undertake the necessary reforms.

“ It is in this spirit that I am pleased to announce the forthcoming organisation, in accordance with the decisions of the Heads of State and Government, of a Summit on the Future of the Community.”

She further said that “prior consultations will be organised, including with young people and women, to take into account all the needs for the future of the Community.”

Speaking on the importance of the CAF meeting, she said: “As you know, our organisation is currently going through an existential crisis and in such circumstances, we must sit down together, pose and examine the problems and challenges facing us without complacency and together redouble our efforts to find appropriate solutions.”

Tchintchibidja noted that ECOWAS is currently “ at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future,” stressing the need for the regional body to recognize the importance of unity.

She added that: “But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity. Indeed, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability, is priceless.”

She also emphasized that “In many ways, this Golden Jubilee has been a time for collective reflection, introspection and assessment of our achievements, strengths and challenges. It has also enabled us to start looking to the future.”

She said: “I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space. It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region, hence the theme of our Golden Jubilee:‘Stronger together for a better future’

On his part, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee on Administration and Finance, Ambassador Olawale Awe called on ECOWAS to fastback the process of filling the gaps left behind by the three departed states.

ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali