Opinion
Osidi: Garlands To A Housing Soldier
By Musa Adamu, Esq
According to some data Nigeria housing deficit now stands at 28 million- it could be well more than that depending on one’s source of data, but definitely, not less.
As a government, the Renewed Hope of President Tinubu has through the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mahmuda Mamman, articulated its policy thrust on how it intends to address this challenge in the country.
Speaking at the 12th meeting of the National Council on Housing and Urban Development in Kaduna last year, where he revealed the government plans to assist vulnerable Nigerians to own houses.
To bring this into fruition, the government would look to the direction of the entities such as the FMBN and to ensure that the trust is well placed, the premier housing enabler in the country has to be manned or led by a technocrat with proven hands-on experiences.
To foot this bill, the government knew it needed that guy seasoned enough to navigate the delicate industry with minimal or no supervision at all to deliver on the mandate.
The employee must not be that who should first learn on the job. There won’t be enough time for that.
This explains the euphoria generated by the announcement on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 of the approval of the appointment of Shehu Usman Osidi to the position of the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMBN) by President Bola Tinubu.
THE MAN OSIDI:
Before joining FMBN in 2010 as Assistant General Manager, Osidi had been in the banking industry since 1990 having cut his teeth at the now defunct Lion Bank of Nigeria, PLC (1990- 2005).
He moved to the Diamond Bank Plc (2005 to 2006), Intercontinental Bank Plc (2006 to 2007) and Afribank Nigeria Plc (2007 to 2010).
Osidi voluntarily retired from the services of the FMBN on 4th September, 2023 as a General Manager (GM) to take up a Political Appointment as SA, Housing/Chief of Staff to the Honourable Minister of Housing & Urban Development, only to be plucked back as the head of the Bank to help drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President in the provision of housing to Nigerians.
Born in 1965 in the rural setting of Shafa Abakpa (Sofiyo), Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, Osidi holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Bayero University, Kano in 2002.
He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (ACIPM); a full Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM), an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB); a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA) and a Certified National Accountant (CNA).
Osidi is also an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Boston, USA as well as the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
HIS EXPLOITS/ FEATS WHILE AT FMBN:
As SA to the MD/CEO, Fed Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (2017 to 2022), he spearheaded the development and implementation of a 6-point Agenda for the new Management which assumed duty in April 2017, namely;
Promotion of sound Corporate Governance culture to ensure transparency and accountability;
Implementation of a robust Enterprise-wide Risk Management Framework;
Completion of on-going projects and creation of mortgages on the related housing units;
Aggressive Debt Recovery;
Cost-Containment;
Automation of the Bank’s Business Process.
It is worth mentioning that the implementation of the 6-points Agenda of the then MD/CEO led to the following results:
Preparation and updating of the Bank’s Annual Accounts which were in unacceptable arrears since 2013.
The efforts led to the clearance of the arrears and submission of the Accounts for 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016 and 2017. The Bank’s Accounts are now up to date.
Micro-management and completion of abandoned projects as a result of which 9 out of 26 such projects were redeemed and transferred from “lost” accounts to “active” accounts.
Deployment of a comprehensive Enterprise-wide Risk Management Framework to reduce the incidence of high Non-performing loan portfolio
Creation of additional mortgages of N5,398.
Creation of additional housing stock of 14,339 units.
Issuance of N9.5 billion Bankable Offtakers guarantee.
Reduction of equity contribution from 30% to 10% for loans of between N5m and N15m; and 0% for loans below N5 million, in order to enhance affordability and make homeownership more accessible to Nigerians.
Automation of the Bank’s processes through the deployment of Oracle 12c as well as the Core Banking Application software after approval by the Federal Executive Council.
In the same vein, Osidi as Group Head, Special Products, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (2012 to 2017), spearheaded the following campaigns and made gains:
He led the team which drove the Bank’s desire for financial inclusion.
He developed the Cooperative Housing Development Loan product which was intended to bring the Informal Sector into the housing finance system.
This led to the delivery of 3,540 housing units to Cooperative Societies across the country vide the disbursement of N22.082 billion.
In order to further deepen FMBN’s market reach, he initiated the introduction of new products to address the needs of specific market segments.
Three (3) new products were his brain child in this regard, namely; The FMBN Home Renovation Loan, the Rent-to-Own, and the Nigerians in the Diaspora NHF Mortgage loan products.
While the Home Renovation loan was to facilitate access for Nigerians wishing to renovate their houses or completing same if they have built to some stage, the Rent to Own Scheme was to obviate the need for payment of equity which was a major challenge for Nigerians wishing to access mortgage loans.
The idea was to have them move into the houses as tenants while making payments towards ultimate ownership of the houses.
The Diaspora NHF Scheme on the other hand is to give Nigerians in the Diaspora opportunity to access mortgages and own houses back home while at the same time giving the Bank an opportunity to harvest diaspora remittances (in excess of $20 billion annually) to assist Government efforts towards housing development in Nigeria.
The Home Renovation and Rent to Own loan windows have achieved a total disbursement of N80.1billion to 77,575 beneficiaries and N1.14 billion to 76 beneficiaries respectively.
The Diaspora Housing Loan Scheme is awaiting CBN final approval for implementation.
He chaired the Committee which worked with other stakeholders to also develop a Rent to Own product paper under the Bank’s newly opened non-interest banking window.
This paper has been approved by the Board is now at the stage of implementation.
He initiated the development and implementation of the Housing Development for Nigerian Workers under the National Affordable Housing Development Scheme, which was a collaboration with the Labour Centers, namely; the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC); the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).
This initiative led to the delivery of 1,800 houses across 16 States of the Federation in its first phase of implementation.
The second phase is to cover the remaining States.
In 2018/2019, he led the Bank’s “Think Tank” which was saddled with the responsibility of suggesting amendments to the FMBN and NHF Acts and engaging the National Assembly towards conducting Public Hearing and effecting those amendments.
The feat was successfully achieved under his leadership after constructive engagement with the National Assembly, with the passage of the Bills by the two chambers of the National Assembly which contained robust amendments that will help to revamp the housing sector in Nigeria. Only the Presidential Accent remains to be obtained.
Not a stranger to delivering results when given a job, before his appointment to the present position, as SA to the Honourable Minister of Housing & Urban Development, Osidi had successfully led a Team to develop the Honourable Minister’s blueprint to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Action Plan for housing under the Minister’s strategic actionable themes as follows:
Establishment of a credible, scientific and reliable housing data for planning and policy formulation;
Boosting institutional capacity of Agencies under the Ministry to deliver the Renewed Hope Vision for Housing;
Increasing supply of affordable housing;
Framework for implementing historic Land Reforms;
Establishing the National Social Housing Fund;
Establishing a building materials hub in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country;
HONOURS/ RECOGNITIONS:
While at Afribank Plc, he won award as the Most Outstanding Branch Manager for Abuja Region in 2009.
COURSES/ TRAININGS ATTENDED:
Osidi has so far attended the following courses, both locally and internationally, to wit:
1) Accessing Global & Financial Resources for Mass Housing, (Ashford & Mcguire Consulting) London, UK (2011);
2) Global Best Practices in Public Finance Management (J. K. Consulting Ltd) Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2012);
3) Workshop on Implementation of International Financial and Reporting Standard – IFRS (Fina Quest Training Ltd), London, UK (2013);
4) International Executive Communication/Project Management Workshop (Channelkoos Media Consult Ltd) Las Vegas, USA (2014);
5) Leadership Decision-Making: Optimizing Organizational Performance, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA (2014);
6) Conference on Diaspora Mortgages – Tour to New York and Maryland, USA and Paper presentation to Nigerians in the Diaspora, Office of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Washington DC, USA (2014);
7) International Housing Finance Course, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA (2014);
8) Study Tour on Diaspora Mortgages to Ghana Home Loans, Accra Ghana (2015);
9) Annual General Meeting/Conference of Shelter Afrique, Kigali, Rwanda (2015);
10) African Union for Housing Finance Conference, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire (2018);
11) Annual Investment Summit, Dubai, UAE (2019);
12) Conference on Diaspora Investment Opportunities in Nigeria, London, UK (2019);
13) Annual General Assembly of Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI), Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (2019);
14) Investment Opportunities for Housing Finance in Nigeria, Moscow, Russia (2019);
15) Annual General Meeting, African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF), Cape Town, South Africa (2019).
HOBBIES/ FAMILY:
The new MD/ CEO hobbies include reading, travelling and playing badminton. He is happily married with children.
Adamu wrote in from Keffi- Nasarawa state.
A pro-democracy group, the Progressive Group for Democracy (PGD), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop local government officials in Lagos State from pursuing unconstitutional third terms in upcoming council elections.
The group alleges that officials in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are exploiting legal loopholes to extend their tenures, in violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, PGD National Coordinator Aladesanmi Abiodun Salawu described the move as a “clear violation” of constitutional provisions and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He invoked President Tinubu’s historical opposition to tenure elongation, referencing the president’s fierce resistance to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid in the early 2000s.
“As a pro-democracy group, we are reminded of President Tinubu’s fierce opposition to Obasanjo’s third-term agenda. President Tinubu stood firmly against constitutional manipulation then. Where is the president’s voice now?” Salawu asked.
The PGD alleges that the officials in question assumed office following the deaths of elected chairpersons, took oaths of office, and later won full terms in subsequent elections.
“Their current bids for re-election, the group argues, constitute an unconstitutional third term. Salawu cited the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, which prohibits individuals from seeking a third term after completing a predecessor’s tenure and winning a subsequent election.
“Today, we stand at a very dangerous crossroads. The same anti-democratic forces that our heroes fought against during the June 12 struggle are re-emerging in Lagos State,” Salawu said.
“In Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri LCDAs, we are witnessing a calculated attempt to normalise constitutional violations through the backdoor.”
The group also criticised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, accusing him of complicity due to his silence on the issue. “As the chief security officer of Lagos State, (Sanwo-Olu)has a constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law. His silence is not just concerning; it is complicity,” Salawu said.
The PGD urged President Tinubu to publicly denounce the third-term bids and called on the Attorney General of the Federation to issue an advisory on term limits for local government administrations.
It also demanded that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) disqualify candidates seeking unconstitutional terms.
“These individuals in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri LCDAs must withdraw their candidacy immediately. We are not making a request; we are stating what the constitution already mandates,” Salawu declared.
The group vowed to challenge the alleged violations through legal means, including mobilising civil society, approaching the courts, and organising peaceful protests if necessary.
“The Lagos Society for Good Governance will utilise every legal means available to challenge this dangerous precedent,” Salawu added.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
History was made again today at the National Assembly Service Commission NASC as the newly appointed as Executive Chairman,Dr Saviour Enyiekere and his Commissioners, was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential villa to signify the beginning of another five years journey for the new management of the Commission.
Dr Enyiekere who was appointed along with his 12 commissioners representing the six geopolitical zones on 20th, February, 2025, assumed duty on 5th, May, 2025 few months after their appointment after been taking oath office.
He took the oath of office as the sixth National Assembly Service Commission Chairman since the inception of the Commission over four decades ago .
Until his appointment, Enyiekere, an environmental specialist, was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President and had played a leading and strategic roles in the last 19 months before his elevation.
Soon after he took the oath office along with his commissioners , he assumed duty and was hosted by management and staff of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and by extension, the National Assembly management led by Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, the new Clerk to the National Assembly CNA.
Fresh and determined to make a difference,While acknowledging the audience along with his new commissioners , he described today’s occasion as unique with the date falling to 5/5/2025, stating his determination to work with all stakeholders at the NASC and NASS.
He eulogised the outgone leadership of the commission and also paid a glowing trubutes to the deceased ones , acknowledging their unique performance and contributions to the development of the commission in all areas.
Enyiekere who solicited for the cooperation of the management, staff and staff union , promised to prioritize the welfare and well-being of staff of the commission.
The New Executive Chairman , National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Dr Saviour Enyiekere also promised to work harmoniously with the management of the commission , staff, and members of Parliamentary Staff Association PASAN.
Dr Saviour who attracted a conference hall that was filled to capacity bare his mind of carrying all and sundry along in his new administration .
Assertive, young and brilliant to manage the affairs of the commission, he promised to promote and sustain the legacies of management and previous leadership saying their contributions was indelible on the sands of time.
He used the opportunity to appreciate Nigeria’s President and reiterated his commitment along with his commissioners to promote and protect the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with full support the leadership of the National Assembly under Senator Godswill Akpabio and Rt Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, lauding them for a job well-done and careful selection of the new Chairman and members/commissioners of the commission.
While describing the new responsibility as hectic and challenging, , saying with prayers , God will see us through.
Dr Saviour Enyiekere who promised to keep intact the good records of NASC management and the staff union , so as to ensure harmonious working relationship going forward.
During the handing over ceremony, The Secretary to the Commission, Mr
Lucky U. Ikharo, while presenting the handover documents to the new NASC boss, pledged the total commitment of the NASC Management towards the effective performance of the Commission’s assignment.
Speaking further during the handing and talking over ceremony at the Commission’s Conference Room, the new NASC boss told officials of the National Assembly Service that his leadership would emphasise the welfare of the workers of the Service, harmonious working relationship and productivity.
The new Chairman and his commissioners anxious to make a difference asked all stakeholders to extend their fellowship, admonition and possibly corrections.
Dr Saviour , a grassroot politician , with indepth experience in civil and political exposure, promised to make a difference without further delay .
The entire National Assembly Service Commission NASC bounced back to life after three months since the exit of the former Executive Chairman , National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE.
Highlights of the occasion included group photograph, media interview and interactions with the management and staff of both the National Assembly Service Commission NASC, National Assembly leadership led by Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana along with the new commissioners.
With his assumption of duty and his promises, no doubt a new dawn has encapsulated and heralded the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and his leadership.
In a goodwill message, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, assured the new Commission of the full co-operation of the National Assembly Management towards achieving success. He, however, pleaded with the Commission to carry the National Assembly Management along on key decision-making.
The Honourable Commissioners that reported to duty alongside the Chairman include: Mr. Hanmation Mark Tersoo and Mr. Salisu Umar Agboola-Balogun (North-Central); Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud and Aminu Ibrahim Malle (North-East); Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and Hon Yusuf A. Tabuka (North-West), Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii (South-East), Mary Samuel Ekpenyong and Mr Patrick Giwa (South-South), Mrs Taiwo Olukemi Oluga and Ipesa-Balogun, Afeez (South-West, with
The Honourable Commissioners that reported to duty alongside the Chairman include: Mr. Hanmation Mark Tersoo and Mr. Salisu Umar Agboola-Balogun (North-Central); Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud and Aminu Ibrahim Malle (North-East); Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and Hon Yusuf A. Tabuka (North-West), Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii (South-East), Mary Samuel Ekpenyong and Mr Patrick Giwa (South-South), Mrs Taiwo Olukemi Oluga and Ipesa-Balogun, Afeez (South-West), with Festus Ifesinachi Odii not yet resume from the South-East .
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
By Capt. Caleb Danladi Bako
The global shipping industry is the lifeblood of international trade, with nearly 90% of goods transported by sea. Behind this vast network of commerce are the seafarers professionals whose dedication keeps the world’s economy afloat. Yet, while the focus often falls on operational efficiency, safety, and environmental concerns, an equally critical aspect remains largely in the shadows: the mental health and wellbeing of those who spend months away from home, isolated and often battling invisible struggles.
Having worked both at sea and now within the maritime industry ashore, we have witnessed firsthand the emotional challenges faced by seafarers. Life at sea is often romanticized, but the reality is far more complex. Prolonged isolation, communication barriers, high-pressure environments, and the unpredictability of life at sea contribute to a unique mental health crisis that has, for too long, gone unspoken.
A seafarer’s life revolves around routines, watches, and operations that leave little room for personal downtime. The absence of family support systems limited recreational facilities, and minimal mental health resources onboard amplify feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Recent studies, including those by the Mission to Seafarers and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), reveal alarming rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation among crew members. These findings highlight a pressing need for the industry to prioritize mental health with the same seriousness as physical safety.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed and intensified these struggles. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers were stranded aboard ships, unable to disembark for months beyond their contracts. Crew change crises turned ships into floating prisons, exacerbating feelings of abandonment and mental exhaustion.
Though some shipping companies have since introduced mental health initiatives such as access to tele-counselling and mental wellness apps, these measures are still the exception rather than the norm.
Mental health challenges at sea are not merely personal struggles; they can have direct safety implications. Fatigue, anxiety, and depression diminish focus and decision-making ability, increasing the risk of accidents. Thus, protecting seafarers’ wellbeing is not only a moral obligation but a safety imperative for the entire industry.
As industry experts and former seafarers, we believe urgent cultural change is required. Shipping companies must move beyond token programs to embed mental health care into the fabric of maritime operations.
Practical steps include mandatory mental health training, confidential support systems, improved internet connectivity for family contact, regular shore leave, and destigmatization of seeking help.
It is time to bring the untold struggles of seafarers into the light. By acknowledging their mental health needs and committing resources to support them, we honor not only their critical role in global trade but their fundamental humanity.
Capt. Caleb Danladi Bako
Maritime expert and Academic Researcher
E-mail: Caleb.Danladi@plymouth.ac.uk, dancb2k@yahoo.com
Phone: +2348064218253