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

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
News
1,000 Northern Youths to Receive Training in ICT

1,000 Northern Youths to Receive Training in ICT
By: Michael Mike
A thousand youth from across northern states of the country are to be trained on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as part of efforts at empowering youth from the region.
The training is part of efforts of United States (US) based organisation, Zumunta Association USA Inc. which planned to host its 2025 Annual Convention between July 14-25 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The association which was formed in New York, US in 1991 has since its inception given scholarships to over 5,000 science students in Northern Nigeria in the value of above N100 million.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the President of the Association, Mr. Sunday Bitrus, said apart from the ICT Training, a medical outreach would be organised between June 14-23 at the Gudi General Hospital, Akwanga, Nasarawa State to provide top medical care for members of the public.
Bitrus, while disclosing that the association is non-partisan and non-religious organisation dedicated to representing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Nigeria, while also promoting a positive image of the country globally through the impactful actions of its members, said Zumunta Association remains committed to serving the needs of members, partnering with host communities and promoting unbiased, inclusive discourse on national development.
He noted that: “Our flagship Scholarship Programme has transformed the lives of
over 5,000 science students in Northern Nigeria, with over N100 million disbursed since inception. We receive more than
810,000 applications annually, a testament to the scale of need—and a call to action for donors and partners.
“We’ve spearheaded numerous palliative projects through partnerships with over 30 NGOs. Our work includes: School renovations; Health interventions; Community development initiatives across all 19 northern states and the FCT.
“In 2024, we joined hands with the government to enroll vulnerable populations into Essential Health Care Package
programmes, combating illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and reducing under-5 mortality rates.”
He noted that during the Convention apart from the ICT Training and Medical Outreach, other activities lined up include Zumunta Golf Classic Tournament; Tennis Tournament, Business Meeting on Strategic Sectors such as Agriculture, Mining and Minerals, Health, and Housing; Gala, Awards and Fundraiser; Engagement with Traditional Rukers and Stakeholders.
Earlier, the Chairman/CEO, (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the efforts of the organisation towards development of the country.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi said the scholarships to 5,000 students was highly commendable and that NIDCOM would want to collaborate with the association in more areas.
End
News
Gunmen ambush patrol team in Imo, one officer killed, Police ASP missing

Gunmen ambush patrol team in Imo, one officer killed, Police ASP missing
By: Zagazola Makama
A police patrol team was ambushed on Sunday morning by suspected members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN) along the Okigwe–Umuahia Expressway in Imo State, resulting in the death of one officer and the disappearance of another.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred at about 8:20 a.m. near Umuaka in Okigwe while the team was on routine patrol duties.
According to security sources, the patrol team was ambushed by heavily armed assailants who opened fire without provocation.
Police Constable Oluebube Onwubuariri, one of the patrol officers, sustained gunshot wounds to the ribs and was rushed to the General Hospital, Okigwe, where he was confirmed dead.
The team leader, Assistant Superintendent of Police Casmir Eronobi, has been declared missing. He was last seen with his AK-47 rifle bearing breech number 12592 and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
A massive manhunt is underway to locate the missing officer and recover the service weapon.
Security reinforcements comprising tactical teams from Owerri, the military, local vigilantes, and hunters have been deployed to comb the surrounding forests and restore order.
Gunmen ambush patrol team in Imo, one officer killed, Police ASP missing
News
Turji Surrenders Not Out of Repentance, but Survival Instinct — Sources**

Turji Surrenders Not Out of Repentance, but Survival Instinct — Sources**
By: Zagazola Makama
A recently released video showing notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji expressing interest in surrendering and accepting peace has left many Nigerians speculating whether the once-feared warlord has finally developed a conscience.
However, contrary to popular assumptions, Turji’s decision appears less about remorse and more about reality. The video, which went viral over the weekend, is not the result of a moral awakening but rather a product of desperation.
“Turji is not laying down arms because he suddenly loves peace. He is doing so because his operational capabilities have been severely weakened.”
Three days before the video surfaced, Zagazola reported that Turji was actively seeking surrender following the killing of his operational commander, Danbokolo, who was the true engine behind Turji’s terror enterprise.
Danbokolo was reportedly neutralized during a joint operation coordinated by the State Services and the Hybrid Forces, a local security team made up of Civilian JTF.
“Let’s be honest, Turji was more of a spokesman. Danbokolo handled the heavy lifting — the ambushes, raids, and executions,” the source said. “Once Danbokolo was gone, so was Turji’s swagger.”
The once-fire-spitting Turji now finds himself walking a tightrope, stripped of influence and hunted by the very people he once terrorized.
While the circumstances surrounding his potential disarmament are still being delicately managed, insiders confirm that the collapse of his network has been swift and decisive.
It is believed this recent development points to the impact of sustained, intelligence-driven offensives against high-value targets in the region.
Now, the question remains: will the government accept Turji’s amnesty after the atrocities he committed against peaceful communities in the Northwest? That remains uncertain.
Will his surrender end banditry in the Northwest? CERTAINLY NOT.
Turji Surrenders Not Out of Repentance, but Survival Instinct — Sources**
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