CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, All Progressives Congress, APC, Borno South, has stressed that as Nigerians, we stand to lose many things when we pay attention to those things that divide us rather than concentrate on what will unite us as a country.
Ndume has urged Muslim faithful and other Nigerians, to in the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir, embrace unity, tolerance and peaceful co- existence among one another for the growth and development of Nigeria.
In a Sallah message he issued in Maiduguri and made available to Journalists, Senator Ndume felicitated with Muslims in his Senatorial zone and across the country on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The former Senate Leader admonished the teeming Muslim population and commended them for the roles they have played in sustaining the peace, unity and development of the nation despite the numerous challenges confronting them.
Senator Ndume who also advised Nigerians to shun acts that are capable of heating the polity, noted that the diverse nature of the Nigerian people is the main source of her strength and unity, saying, “We stand to lose a lot if we continue to dwell on what divides us rather than focus on what unites us as people.”
He particularly enjoyed youths who were engaged in recent farming scheme as well as traders among to make difference in their chosen areas.
While urging the good people of his constituency to continue to rededicate themselves to the onerous task of nation building, he explained that the essence of the Eid-el-Kabir festival, which symbolises the voluntary obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) to the commands of Allah and the demonstration of his faith in his maker must be emulated by all.
Ndume who that he is much committed to the well-being and development of his constituent, praised them for their resilience and patient in the face of the insecurity, adding, “I will continue to strive hard to bring government closer to my people and see to their welfare because, we are in this together.”
Author: Ephatha
Family Homes Funds limited through Family Homes Sukuk issuance program Plc on Thursday successfully completed the issuance of N10billion 7year 13% series 1 Ijara Lease Sukuk due 2028 under the N30 billion Sukuk issuance program.
The series 1 Sukuk is the first-ever Stock Exchange Commission (SEC) registered corporate Sukuk to be issued in Nigeria.
It is also the first-ever corporate Sukuk certified by the Financial Regulatory Advisory Council of Experts of the Central bank of Nigeria. The transaction also represents Family Homes debut in the Nigerian debt capital markets.
The bookbuild process for the transaction was launched on Friday, June 25th, 2021, and was completed on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Speaking on the Sukuk Issuance, Chief Executive Officer of Family Homes, Femi Adewole said a total of 40,000 housing units is the target this year by Family Homes but would start with the delivery of 5,000 in the first tranche with the N10 billion bonds issued.
He said, though the company will be going back to the market before the end of the year, it has more capital to deploy for this year’s programme from completed homes and other sources to deliver on the targeted 40,000 housing units for the year.
‘‘We are very proud of this landmark transaction, which is the first-ever certified corporate Sukuk issued in Nigeria.
‘‘The domestic debt capital market has given us the opportunity to further diversify our funding sources and provided the necessary support for our goal of providing affordable homes across Nigeria.
‘‘The strong support for this transaction, given the challenging environment, is a reflection of the depth of the market, and investor confidence in Family Homes Fund’s long-term strategy and management team.
‘‘The transaction was well received and attracted significant demand from a wide range of high-value and quality investors including pension funds. Ethical funds, fund managers, non-finance Islamic Institutions, trustees, corporate and high net worth individuals.
‘‘The total value of orders received during the Book Build was N21.3 billion “representing a 2.1 times oversubscriptions) of the intended n10 billion. The issuance was launched at a rental rate of N13% per annum.
‘‘Notwithstanding current market dynamics and volatility, this debut transaction had tremendous support from the debt capital market. The series 1 Sukuk issuance reinforces the company’s commitment to facilitate the provision of affordable homes and diversifying its funding sources, as well as the resilience of the domestic debt capital market.’’
The ED said Family Homes will deploy the net proceeds to finance and develop affordable homes for low-income earners.
In his remarks, the Chairman, family Homes Funds Board of Directors, Alh. Suleiman Barau said with the issuance of a N30bn Sukuk Bond, the Family Homes Fund’s commitment to financing the development of affordable housing in Nigeria is strengthened and presents a great source of hope for average Nigerians seeking a home of their own.
According to him, Family Homes Funds initiated the issuance as one of the measures towards attaining its strategic objective of bridging the housing gap in Nigeria, providing millions of jobs, and enabling economic growth gap in Nigeria, providing millions of jobs, and enabling economic growth.
With an impressive rate of subscription and participation by a diverse range of investors, Barau said Family Homes is confident of achieving a lot more within a short period.
‘‘The great leap we are taking today is possible because of the kind of support we receive from the federal government which has been a backbone to the Family Homes Funds.
‘‘This is a unique opportunity, not just for Family Homes Funds, but for the entire housing market in Nigeria. We are confident that the success story of Family Homes will spur greater interest and investment in the sector.
‘‘At family Homes Funds, there is a great regard for strong partnerships because solving a critical problem like housing requires a lot of teamwork,’’ he said.
Earlier in his address, the Minister of Finance and Budget, Mrs. Amina Ahmed, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alh. Ahmed Aliyu said the difference this time around is the good governance structure in place by Family Homes, with which it is set to deliver on its mandate of providing affordable housing to millions of low-income Nigerians.
With the structures in place, he assured that the houses would not be cornered to the wrong people. According to him, m most of the beneficiaries are coming through the corporative Societies, which would not allow other people to come and take over the houses.
Family Homes is a housing finance agency owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal ministry o finance and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority established in 2016 and commenced operation in 2017, as part of the FGN’s social intervention programme.
It is s social housing financial fund aimed at addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria and improving the quality of life of low-income Nigerians through housing which is in line with the new urban agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development goal of promoting sustainable cities and communities, reduced poverty, good health and well-being, economic growth, reduced inequalities.
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his administration will do everything possible to fish out those that he said had been troubling the peace of the nation and its citizens.
President Buhari, who made the vow yesterday in Daura, Katsina State, expressed surprise that only 2.5 per cent of arable lands in the country is being cultivated.
The President in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, urged more Nigerians to embrace farming.
Shehu in the statement said that President Buhari told newsmen at his residence, after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers, that the Presidential Economic Advisory Council had notified him that only a small percentage of the land in the country had been used for farming, directing security outfits to work more with communities to create a more friendly environment for farmers.
According to the statement, “The President mandated security outfits to be more relentless in maintaining peace in the country, and ensure a more harmonious relationship with communities so that they can glean intelligence.
“He said the security situation had improved considerably over time in the North East and South-South, and efforts were being made in North Central and North West, assuring that more will be done to fish out those that had been troubling the peace of the nation and citizens.”
Earlier at the prayer ground, the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk, called on citizens to be more supportive of the President so that he can actualize his vision of improving security and boosting the economy.
“Since the President came into power we have seen some positive changes in the country.
“May God continue to strengthen the President with good health and courage to bring peace to the country. God will not allow Nigeria to see shame,’’ he said. “God has been keeping the country and he will keep the country.’’