Business
NHF Fund Hits N1.6bn Mark – FMBN
The Federal Mortgage
Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), says it has a cumulative contribution of N1.605 billion under the National Housing Fund
(NHF) scheme in Kaduna State.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr Gimba Yau’Kumo, made this known in Kaduna when members of the bank’s board and management paid a visit to Gov.Partrick Yakowa.
He said, “ Under the scheme, FMBN has registered 90,442 contributors in Kaduna State, and realised cumulative contributions of N1.605 billion as at Aug.31.’’
Kumo added that FMBN had been able to refund N54.7 million to contributors, who had qualified on the basis of retirement or inability to continue contributions in line with the NHF Act.
The bank chief also said that the bank had approved three development loans worth N2.18 billion to construct 1,056 housing units in Kaduna metropolis, Barnawa, Zaria and Kafanchan.
Kumo said the NHF was a mandatory scheme in the public and private sector, aimed at enabling workers access mortgage loans at low interest rates to build, buy or renovate their houses. He said the bank focused on integrating the informal sector such as artisans, road side mechanics, beans cake sellers and water hawkers into the NHF scheme using cooperative housing structure to organise them.
According to him, the bank through cooperative societies aims to register disadvantaged Nigerians under the NHF scheme and consequently finance the construction of subsidised houses they can buy through loans repayable from proceeds of their daily livelihood. He appealed to the government on behalf of the NLC to expedite action on the process of land allocation for the construction of affordable mass housing for workers, especially teachers in the state.
Responding, Yakowa assured the bank officials that the state government would partner with it to ensure affordable housing for people in the state.
He said the scheme would provide low income earners with decent and affordable
housing, thereby improving the socio-economic status of the state as well.
The governor, however, appealed to the bank to assist government in the provision of infrastructure such as roads in the state.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.