News

NSIA Has Developed 500,000 homes For Low-income Earners – Managing Director

Published

8 hours ago

November 20, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, has said that the agency has developed 500,000 affordable homes to low-income families in Nigeria, through the Family Homes Fund.

The NSIA MD who stated this when members of the House Committee on Finance visited the agency on oversight duty on Wednesday, said that the NSIA had in 12 years, created 245,000 direct jobs across the diverse sectors of the economy as part of its contribution to national development.

Umar-Sadiq said about 236,000 farmers spread across the six geo-political zones of the country were supported through the implementation of the agency’s agricultural programmes.

He said, “Through its stake in Family Homes Fund, NSIA has significantly improved the quality of life of Nigerians from low-income families through the development of 500,000 affordable homes to low-income families in Nigeria.

“Additionally, NSIA continues to demonstrate its commitment to positive socio-economic outcomes through key platforms like the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, through which it improves the liquidity of the mortgage market to further promote affordable housing in Nigeria.

“To revalidate its commitment to climate adaptive solutions, NSIA set up an innovative $500m Renewable Investment Platform for Limitless Energy to expand energy access, enhance energy efficiency and ensure energy security in Nigeria.

“RIPLE’s pilot initiative involves setting up a generation and distribution system to meet 70MW of unsuppressed energy demands in an area covering 9,000 connections.

“Through these interventions across key sectors, NSIA’s continues to enhance prevailing socio-economic reality and create value for the current and future generations of Nigerians.”

On Healthcare delivery, the MD stated that the agency had successfully completed three hospital projects with over 282,100 unique patients attended to and 150,000 chemotherapy sessions delivered since its establishment 12 years ago.

“Following the successful operationalisation of its three demonstration projects: NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, NSIA-Umuahia Diagnostic Centre and NSIA–Kano Diagnostic Centre; NSIA has commenced the healthcare expansion programme which aims to establish 23 modern medical diagnostic centers, three additional oncology centres and 7 catheterisation laboratories across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

“The first phase of the programme is currently under way with the construction of 10 centres,” he added.

The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Rep. Saidu Abdullahi, speaking with journalists that the visit was the first to the agency.

He said: “Year in, year out, we have always had huge deficits which made financing major projects in the country difficult. Nigeria has greater potential than what is going on in the country today and I hope we can close the gap. We have what it takes as a country and we cannot continue like this”.

He decried the non-profitability of sugar factories in the country, years after privitization.

He therefore directed the NSIA to increase its share of investment in agriculture, particularly in the sugarcane value chain, which according to him, is currently generating over $40bn annually for Brazil.

News

FG Commends Ghana for Rebuilding Nigerian High Commission Property

Published

8 minutes ago

November 21, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the Republic of Ghana for successfully rebuilding and formally handing over property belonging to the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

The handover ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the two West African nations.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry noted that the gesture reflects “the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that defines the relationship between the Republic of Nigeria and Ghana.”

Naijablitznews.com reports that in 2020, a block of four-bedroom flats, was demolished in a controversial incident that sparked strong condemnation from the Nigerian government.

Following extensive diplomatic engagements, Ghana pledged to reconstruct the building, reaffirming its commitment to the long-standing bilateral ties between the countries.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Accra, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, described the project as a testament to Ghana’s dedication to fostering mutual respect and cooperation with Nigeria.

“We deeply value our relationship with Nigeria, and this effort demonstrates our commitment to resolving disputes amicably and strengthening our ties,” she said.

The keys to the reconstructed building were received on behalf of the Nigerian government by Ambassador Chimezie Ogu, Director of the Foreign Service Academy, Lagos, who represented Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“This occasion is a moment of great significance and demonstrates the power of diplomacy.

“The Nigerian government appreciates the efforts of the Ghanaian authorities in addressing this matter with integrity and ensuring the restoration of this important property. It is a gesture that will not be forgotten,” Ambassador Ogu remarked

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja lauded the Ghanaian government for its efforts, describing the reconstruction and handover as a “commendable development” and a “symbol of Ghana’s commitment to strengthening ties between both nations.”

The demolition of the property in 2020 had initially strained relations between the two countries, with Nigerian authorities expressing outrage over the incident. However, through sustained dialogue and diplomacy, both nations were able to reach a resolution, demonstrating the strength of their historical and strategic partnership.

Observers have hailed the handover as a positive step toward deepening regional collaboration and ensuring peaceful resolution of disputes. Analysts also see the move as a model for other nations in handling similar diplomatic challenges.

The reconstructed building, located in a prime area of Accra, will once again serve as part of the Nigerian High Commission’s facilities, supporting the mission’s operations and housing some of its personnel.

As the ceremony concluded, officials from both nations expressed optimism about future collaborations. “This is a victory for diplomacy and mutual understanding,” Ambassador Ogu stated, adding that the two nations must continue to work together for the prosperity of the region.

The symbolic gesture is expected to strengthen Nigeria-Ghana relations, which have been built on shared cultural, economic, and political values over decades. Both governments reiterated their commitment to fostering peace, security, and development in the West African sub-region.

News

I am done – Chidimma Adetshina quits pageantry

Published

1 hour ago

November 21, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Miss Universe runner-up, Chidimma Adetshina, has announced her decision to quit pageantry.

Speaking during a recent interview with Silverbird TV, Adetshina said pageantry has been a traumatic experience for her.

She said she’s quitting for personal reasons and relocating to Nigeria from her estranged country, South Africa.

“Finishing in the top 2 [at the Miss Universe competition] is still a shocker for me… Honestly, I am done. Pageantry was a real traumatic experience for me,” she said.

“People still don’t understand how I felt. There were times when I almost quit during the Miss Universe contest. I’m really done with pageantry. I want to focus on myself and establish who I am. And forward my education as well.”

After finishing as 1st runner-up at the Miss Universe competition, Adetshina was named Miss Universe Africa and Oceania.

She won Miss Nigeria after withdrawing from the Miss South Africa contest after she attracted scrutiny over her nationality.