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Home Ownership would be Elusive to Majority Without Single Digit Financing, Says REDAN

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Home Ownership would be Elusive to Majority Without Single Digit Financing, Says REDAN

By: Michael Mike

The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has said that home ownership would continue to be elusive to majority of Nigerians without a single digit financing opportunity.

Speaking at the Capacity Development Conference for Developers in Abuja, the President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko said in order to achieve government housing plan for Nigeria, interest on loan for building purpose should be drastically lower to a single digit.

He said: “Finance is one of the essentials of our business, hence our focus on how to get facility to build homes at cost that the average Nigerian will be able to afford. We are keen on how our Members can secure long tenured and single digit debt financing without which home ownership will remain elusive, as it is a fact that real estate development is capital intensive and requires a lot of outlay.

He noted that the conference is aimed at capacity development for our REDAN members and has as theme: “Enhancing Investment and Finance Opportunities for Sustainable Real Estate Projects.”

Wamakko said: “The essence of this auspicious event is to further build the knowledge base of our members to be able to manage the multidimensional and multidisciplinary challenges involved in real estate business. It is also to increase our capacity to reduce waste and ensure timely delivery of projects. The knowledge from this conference will greatly help in reducing the incidence of building collapse as there is a specific session for the subtheme.”

He said: “We are concerned that our members comply with all extant laws and be ambassadors of improving and contributing to the growth of the national economy, hence we have invited relevant regulatory organisations to update members on Real Estate Developers Role in the emerging economy.”

Presenting a paper: “Who We Are! Building Collapse Prevention Guild,” the President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Yusuf Sulaimon, said the action of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development of introducing the Certified Accreditors Programme to increase manpower and increase professionalism in ensuring compliance to building regulations by developers and to help identify buildings that needs to be decommissioned before they end up collapsing, should be copied by other states to end instances of building collapse.

He also advised that REDAN should also create a monitoring team to monitor construction activities and ensure compliance with government regulations, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) needs to be proactive in ensuring that only quality building materials are in the market, each LCDA should have Building Artisans training Centers to equip the Artisans with requisite knowledge required.

Sulaimon also said the Building Code and Regulations should be amended to include civil punishment to those that flout the building code flagrantly, regular review and update of the building code and regulations to ensure that it is up to standard and best practices, corruption in the building plan approval processing should be frown upon such that developers build according to the plans approved by government.

He said the whistle blowers should be protected and ensure their reports are worked upon and rewarded, if possible, proper planning, supervision and monitoring of construction activities should be institutionalized by policy makers to ensure that all buildings are constructed according to design, specifications, and planning regulations, professionals in the building industry should maintain their integrity and professional ethics and work in accordance with standard practice procedures laid down by the standard form of building contracts especially when they play in the hands of ignorant clients.

Sulaimon equally said urban or town development agencies at various levels of government (Commission, Board, Authority) should enforce control of building works in their localities as laid down in urban and regional planning decree 88, of 1992 and as in section 13 of National Building Code 2006, there is need to organize periodic public awareness campaign through electronic and print media to sensitize the public on advantages of using professionals as the way of realizing safe buildings, and that all building professionals play key roles to actualize their respective obligations during building production, using the wrong professionals at any stage of the building process put the building in danger. It is the duty of the architect as the prime consultant to direct the client to use the right professionals. This he achieves by ensuring that the structural and services drawings brought to his office are stamped and signed by professionals registered by their respective professional bodies before proceeding to planning authority for “building permit”.

He added that soil investigation, material tests and environmental impact assessment (E.I.A) should be made compulsories for all institutional, industrial and commercial buildings.

Home Ownership would be Elusive to Majority Without Single Digit Financing, Says REDAN

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NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support

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NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched new WhatsApp and live chat support channels to improve customer service and ease access to National Identification Number (NIN) enquiries for Nigerians and legal residents.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission said the initiative forms part of its ongoing digital transformation and service reform agenda under the leadership of Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

According to NIMC, the newly introduced platforms are designed to provide faster, more convenient and real-time support services to the public, while reducing the need for physical visits to its offices.

The Commission stated that users can now access support through the live chat feature on its official website, NIMC Official Website, as well as through its official WhatsApp support line at +234 701 566 6971.

NIMC noted that the move aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to improve efficiency in public service delivery through technology-driven solutions.

The Commission explained that the platforms would offer prompt responses to enquiries, real-time guidance, and verified information relating to NIN services and identity management matters.

It added that the reforms being championed by Coker-Odusote are aimed at expanding access to identity services, strengthening public confidence, and enhancing operational efficiency across the Commission’s activities.

NIMC also urged Nigerians and legal residents to utilise only its official communication channels and remain vigilant against misinformation and fraudulent activities.

NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support

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Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander

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Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander

By: Zagazola Makama

The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says troops operating within the sector have neutralised more than 250 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters during sustained offensive and defensive operations across Yobe and parts of southern Borno.

Martins disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Damaturu, where he highlighted major operational achievements recorded within the sector’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

He said the achievements were made through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations aimed at degrading the operational capability of terrorists and restoring security across critical locations.

According to him, troops carried out deep penetration and clearance operations into previously inaccessible terrorist enclaves within the Timbuktu Triangle, including Buk, Chileria, Kafa, Abbagajiri and Maisani.

He stated that over 50 terrorists were neutralised during offensive operations conducted within the Timbuktu Triangle, Bulabulin Forest and other identified hideouts.

Martins further disclosed that troops also foiled coordinated attacks on military formations at Kukareta, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir, Gonori, Buni Gari and Katarko, among other locations.

He said the failed attacks resulted in more than 200 terrorist casualties.

“In the course of these operations, troops recovered over 150 assorted weapons and large quantities of ammunition from the terrorists,” he said.

The commander listed some of the recovered items to include AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, hand grenades, mortar bombs, motorcycles, communication gadgets and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials.

He added that troops also discovered and destroyed terrorist life-support structures, detention facilities, IED fabrication sites and Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in Chileria, Buk and other identified locations.

Martins said intelligence-driven operations had equally disrupted terrorist logistics networks, leading to the arrest of more than 30 suspected logistics suppliers, couriers and collaborators.

According to him, troops intercepted drugs, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and medical supplies suspected to be destined for insurgent groups.

The commander attributed the successes to sustained offensive pressure, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between troops and local communities.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Sector 2 troops to sustaining operations aimed at eliminating remaining terrorist threats within the North-East theatre.

Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander

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Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War

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Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War

By: Zagazola Makama

The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says the Nigerian military has significantly enhanced operational mobility and surveillance capacity in the North-East through the repair of battle-damaged equipment and deployment of modern combat enablers.

Martins stated this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Damaturu while outlining operational and non-kinetic achievements recorded by the sector.

He said the sector successfully overhauled and repaired 30 battle-damaged and burnt armoured and tactical vehicles previously considered beyond economic repair.

According to him, the refurbishment programme has improved operational lift capability and increased firepower available to troops operating across the sector.

The commander said the initiative was part of efforts to sustain combat operations without waiting for prolonged procurement processes for new platforms.

He explained that the sector also procured critical operational equipment within available resources to improve troop effectiveness and communication.

The items, he said, included Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), surveillance cameras, tactical drones, Starlink communication systems, radios, repeaters, floodlights and inverters.

Martins noted that the equipment had enhanced surveillance capability, troop coordination and operational response within difficult terrains across the Area of Responsibility.

He added that troops also sustained Counter-IED and shoulder-clearance operations along major highways, particularly the Maiduguri-Damboa and Biu-Damboa routes, to improve troop mobility and reduce ambushes and roadside bomb attacks.

On non-kinetic operations, the commander said the sector intensified stakeholder engagements with community leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups and religious leaders to strengthen civil-military relations and improve intelligence sharing.

He said troops also provided armed escorts for commuters and humanitarian organisations along vulnerable corridors, including the Maiduguri-Damboa, Damaturu-Maiduguri and Biu-Damboa roads.

According to him, Sector 2 conducted regular farm patrols to protect farmers during cultivation activities and supported reconciliation efforts between farmers and herders in flashpoint communities.

Martins said the sector further collaborated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on humanitarian support, sensitisation campaigns and training on international humanitarian law.

He also commended vigilantes and Hybrid Forces for their contributions to intelligence gathering and deep insertion operations within difficult terrains.

The commander assured that troops would continue to sustain offensive operations and strengthen collaboration with communities to consolidate gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.

Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War

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