Business
FMBN Wants Council Staff Back To NHF Scheme
Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), has urged staff and management of Gwagwalada Area Council to return to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme to enable them to become home owners.
Mrs Felicia Aningo, FCT FMBN Coordinator, made the appeal during the bank’s sensitisation programme and interactive session with the council’s staff in Gwagwalada, Thursday.
The Tide source, recalls that the six area councils had pulled out from the scheme in 2000, following agitation by workers during Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure as NLC leader.
Aningo, noted that the scheme had since been reviewed, leading to the return of most states and local governments to the scheme.
She said that, the enlightenment campaign was aimed at addressing issues surrounding the scheme, with a view to resolving them, so that the area councils, including Gwagwalada, could access the Home Renovation Loan (HRL).
It was reported that the HRL is a scheme that affords NHF contributors an opportunity to access mortgage loans of N1 million for the renovation or improvement of their existing homes.
According to the Coordinator, Bwari, Abaji and Abuja Municipal Area Councils had returned, leaving Gwagwalada, kwali and Kuje.
She, however, urged other councils to emulate Bwari Area Council that had benefited from the HRL scheme, which aims at reducing housing difficulties.
She assured the staff of the council that the money they had contributed before exiting the scheme, was still in the bank’s record.
She said that, the bank was willing to repay the money with interest upon the presentation of a proper payment schedule by the council.
She added that, those willing to continue with the scheme, would not be required to pay the arrears owed over the years.
“We have spoken with the union, if you give us a breakdown on how to distribute the money, we are going to pay back with interest, including the deceased as soon as possible.
“For those willing to continue and to enable them get the loan, you are not going to pay the arrears you have not paid over the years. Once you start the contribution, it will enable you to get the HRL.
“We cannot give you any loan without you coming back to the contribution,” Aningo said.
She noted that, the bank had also documented the council’s staff list, adding that, contributions of the deceased would be refunded to their next-of-kin after due process.
The coordinator assured the staff that, the scheme was working and keeping accurate records.
“If you didn’t take a loan and you have retired, it will be refunded to you with interest. NHF refund has always been the first money Nigerian retirees lay their hands on before pension.
Responding, Mr Isuwa Asher, Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in the council, said the union would key into the scheme again and would be glad to access the loan.
Asher, however, added that the union would not hesitate to quit, if the assurances were found to be incorrect.
Meanwhile, Mr Yohana Ishaya, the Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union, expressed concern about the scheme and suggested that the contribution should be optional.
Another staff from the Accounts Department, Mr Habib Gegu, said that the would be glad to enrol again as the scheme would enable him to solve housing problems.
“The scheme enables one to have a home before retirement because you may not have the money in bulk to build or buy,” Gegu said.
In a concerted effort to tackle racketeering and reduce inflated transportation costs in the Nigeria’s seaports, Trucks Transit Parks Ltd. (TTP) has trained Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders on the use of its Ètò electronic call-up system.
The training was held recently at Customs Processing Centre (CPC) Auditorium, Apapa, Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and supported by the leadership of the Joint Association of Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders (JALCAFF), Apapa Command.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu expressed appreciation to TTP for facilitating the training and emphasized the need for customs agents to take personal ownership of the Ètò booking process.
“I want to thank TTP for this impactful training. I encourage all customs agents to begin doing their own bookings directly. By doing so, they can take back power from the unscrupulous elements exploiting their lack of knowledge, selling tickets at highly inflated prices,” Olomu declared.
He noted that empowering agents with hands-on training was key to dismantling racketeering networks that have plagued access to the ports and frustrated efficient logistics processes.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, said the engagement was critical to the ongoing push to reduce cargo transportation costs and ease business operations at the Apapa Port.
According to a freight forwarder, “The training is basically for us to have awareness of the operations of the Ètò call-up system through TTP. We also want to brainstorm on ways to reduce the high cost of cargo transportation in Apapa Port.
“This training opened our eyes to how simple it is to book tickets ourselves. We now know the right steps to follow and how to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.”
Earlier, Head of Operations at TTP, Mr. Irabor Akonoman, talked on common misconceptions about ticket pricing, reaffirming that the cost of Ètò bookings had remained consistent since its inception.
“The official price remains the same since inception. What people are paying higher amounts for is the manipulation by racketeers”.
Towards strengthening small businesses and promoting a more supportive regulatory environment, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it will hold the 2025 edition of its flagship MSMEs Fair on Tuesday (May 6, 2025).
The event, themed, “Galvanising MSMEs for Economic Growth and Stability”, will take place at NECA House in Lagos.
According to NECA’s Director-General, Mr Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, the fair seeks to provide micro, small, and medium enterprises with essential tools, resources, and strategic networks to thrive in Nigeria’s challenging business climate.
He emphasised the vital role MSMEs play in national development, describing them as the “lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy.”
Oyerinde noted that the fair is designed to offer entrepreneurs practical solutions to navigate economic uncertainties, regulatory hurdles, and business scalability issues.
A major attraction of this year’s event is the keynote address by the CEO of FATE Foundation, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, a prominent advocate for MSME development.
She is expected to share transformative insights on innovative strategies for sustaining and growing small businesses in Nigeria.
A unique feature of the fair will be interactive sessions with key regulatory bodies. Entrepreneurs will engage directly with agencies responsible for licensing, compliance, taxation, and business registration.
NECA said these sessions aim to demystify bureaucratic processes and foster a more enabling business environment.
It also said the fair will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and services, connect with potential investors, and explore new markets.
It added that participants would gain critical knowledge on digital transformation, access to finance, and strategies for sustainable business growth.
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· NECA stressed that the fair aligns with its broader mission of promoting enterprise development and economic resilience.
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· “By empowering MSMEs with the right support and information, the organisation aims to stimulate job creation, innovation, and long-term economic stability”, NECA said.
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· The 2025 MSMEs Fair is expected to attract a wide range of stakeholders, including financiers, tech experts, regulators, and industry leaders, all united in advancing the growth of Nigeria’s MSME sector.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, says over two million passengers have been transported on the Blue Line Rail since its launch, while state-run buses move an average of 42,000 commuters daily.
Osiyemi, who disclosed this during the Year 2025 Ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Tuesday, noted that the Lagos State Transport Policy, launched in May 2024, was now in its implementation phase, focusing on inclusivity, safety, affordability, and sustainability.
“On rail development, Phase One of the Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) has served over two million passengers, with Phase Two (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko) in progress.
“Phase One of the Red Line (Agbado to Oyingbo) is now operational with eight stations and additional rolling stocks procured, while Phase two (Oyingbo to link Blue Line at National Theatre) is underway”, he said.
The Commissioner said in the state-owned bus operations, over 60 million commuters have been served since 2019, with daily ridership exceeding 40,000.
He also said plans were on to deploy new buses with Quality Bus Corridors under construction, adding that the Abule=Egba Bus Terminal had also been commissioned.
“For water transport, 15 locally-built Omibus Ferries have been launched and are in operation, with the Ijegun Egba Terminal now open.
“The OMI EKO project, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), will deliver 25 terminals and 78 electric ferries.
“Over 280,000 passengers have used ferry services in the past year, and 12 boats have been upgraded to meet safety standards”, he said.
On road infrastructure and traffic management, the Commissioner said 49 junction improvement projects had been completed, including ongoing ones at Ikorodu, Iju, as well as Allen-Opebi-Toyin axis.
He added that solar-powered Traffic Signal Lights, road markings covering 67.9km, new medians, laybys, and 3,941 parking lots had also been provided.
Additionally, Osiyemi announced that the deployed Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras had detected over 470,000 traffic violations and that the Vehicle Inspection Service issued over one million roadworthiness certificates.
He also said that the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute trained more than 32,000 drivers in the past 13 months.
The event marked the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, showcasing major strides in the transport sector under the THEMES+ agenda.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos