News
PSIN To Partner FHA In Housing Delivery
By ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) is to collaborate on housing delivery and development of parcels of land within the institute.
This position was reached March 22nd, 2023 when a delegation led by the Institute’s Administrator and Chief Executive, Dr Abdul – Ganiyu Obatoyinbo paid a visit to the Authority.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr Obatoyinbo appreciated the Managing Director, Senator Gbenga Ashafa for what he called “his tremendous efforts in bringing a new phase to the Authority”, especially in terms of staff empowerment. In his words, “ I want to congratulate on your good job since you came in. As your strategic partners, we know your staff very well and are aware of how things have been in this organisation”.
Speaking further, the PSIN Chief Executive commended management for the career development and opportunities that is been given to the staff.
According to him, “ We read the mind of your staff, carter for their training needs to help them build capacity, monitor their progress to ensure that they are rightly impacted with knowledge. We are not disappointed by the progress seen so far in their performances”.
Dr Obatoyinbo also commended the MD on the recent organizational redesign in the Authority, which the PSIN participated in, and which further opened the career landscape for the staff of FHA.
He said he hopes that it would further motivate staff for better performance.
The PSIN Administrator used the opportunity to call on management to upscale the issue of the recently approved Performance Management System (PMS) in the Federal Civil Service, which replaces the APER system, and would henceforth be used in measuring both the performance of organizations and individual staff.
According to him, the PMS strategy encourages innovation, while digitization and sheer intelligence are key factors that drive it.
Finally, the PSIN CEO requested for a collaboration between the institute and FHA in developing a Staff Housing Village, so that both Civil servants and Public Servants can be part of the overall housing strategy in the country.
According to him, “ We are sitting on 93 hectares of land and some of the land are not yet developed. It would not be a bad idea for FHA to partner us and develop a Staff Housing Village for our people. FHA can come in to work with us. You can send your Technical Team to visit us”.
The Managing Director, Senator Gbenga Ashafa in his response, thanked the delegation for the visit. He also used the opportunity to congratulate the PSIN Management, who the describes as a dynamic team for the good job they are doing in the institute. In his words, “ I want also to congratulate you on the good job you are doing for the Federal Government.” Senator noted that he was part of the team from the 8th Senate that visited the institute on Oversight function, with the desire to equip it to be able to compete with such institutions like the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
Senator Ashafa noted that the issue of staff welfare is one that gives him joy, having being a Civil Servant himself. The FHA Staff he noted are made up with some of the best professionals, whose potentials previous administrations failed to harness very well, a situation his own management decided to change by providing them with needed support and conducive working environment.
On the issue of partnering for housing, the MD described it a welcome development.
He said the Authority would bring in the expertise and also involve the FHA Mortgage Bank Ltd for financing. While he encouraged the PSIN to get ready its own Technical Team, he said FHA would communicate the Institute with the Authority’s Team, and hopes the project would take off immediately.
Joseph Tegbe, director-general (DG) of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), says Nigeria will soon sign a deal on ‘Digital RMB’ with China to enable a direct conversion of naira to Chinese Yuan.
The digital renminbi (RMB) is a central bank digital currency issued by China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China.
Speaking at the digital asset markets strategy masterclass series held recently in Lagos, Tegbe said the agreement is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on the United States dollar.
He described the pact as a major step in Nigeria’s transition from a trade relationship with China to a mutually-beneficial development partnership.
The NCSP DG also said Nigeria has secured over $30 billion in investment commitments and 300 expressions of interest from Chinese companies within the last five months.
Tegbe also noted the importance of leveraging Chinese technology, particularly in the digital asset market and knowledge transfer, adding that the NCSP remains committed to supporting the globalisation of Nigeria’s capital market.
The director-general outlined the objectives of the partnership, which include driving infrastructure development, scaling up Chinese investments, strengthening trade and economic ties, promoting transparency, and advancing cultural exchange between both countries.
Also speaking at the event, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the state is developing a securitisation policy to monetise idle assets and raise green bonds to fund infrastructure needs.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Abayomi Oluyomi, the commissioner for finance, said Lagos will become the first sub-national in the country to implement such a policy.
In his remarks, Nicholas Okoye, convener of the masterclass and a global investment advisor, said the digital transformation ushered in by the fourth industrial revolution has impacted all sectors and will open new frontiers of wealth for investors, institutions, nations, and sub-nationals.
“The most strategic ecosystem of this digital transformation has got to be ‘Digital Asset Markets’, which includes investment in cryptocurrencies as well as the tokenisation (digitisation) of traditional asset classes,” Okoye said.
“The proposed full adoption of ‘Digital Asset Markets’ in Nigeria’s capital markets and subsequently across Africa is going to be a game changer for wealth creation and economic growth sustainability.
“In addition, it will completely redefine the future of African finance, investment and capital market industries.”
Okoye said the digital assets present a unique opportunity for Africans to build wealth regardless of location or profession, providing for the first time, an accurate reflection of Nigeria and Africa’s true wealth position.
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
Making the event that marked the Nigeria Union of Journalists at 70, the Taraba State chapter of the NUJ Honour chief David Sabo Kente as the philanthropist man of the year
The award presentation was held in Jalingo, the state capital, at the grand finale of the NUJ Press Week celebration.
Speaking at the ceremony, the state chairman of NUJ, Mr Eliud Jen, noted that the awards were carefully chosen base on concrete evidence of performance in various categories and meant to spur the awardees to do more.
Chief Kente, who was the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress APC, in 2023, has used his foundation, The DSK foundation, to help thousands of Taraban through scholarship, Small Medium Enterprises and lot more.
While congratulating the union for attaining 70 years, Kente called on government investors and everyone to give the union a support hand to enable its members to continue discharging their duties effectively.
Others who were awarded for outstanding performance are His Excellency Dr, Agbu Kefas the governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Yakubu Jafaru Chiroma, member representing Bali/Gassol Federal constituency, Dr Aisha Adamu, the CMD of Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, Hon. Aminu Hassan, ALGON chairman in the State, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini, former Speaker of Taraba State and Professor Sunday Bako, Vice Chancellor Taraba State University Jalingo, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development Mrs Mary Sinjen, Commandant 6 Brigade Jalingo Gen. Kinsley Uwa and several others were also given recognition as friends of the press.
Kente further appreciated journalists for finding him worthy to be honour, emphasizing that the award will spur him to do more.
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum has strongly denounced the ongoing violence in Nigeria’s Plateau and Benue states, describing the attacks by bandits as an “affront to natural justice” and a violation of human dignity.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the group’s convener, James Paul Adama, the forum called for an immediate end to the “relentless onslaught” against innocent civilians.
“This human carnage must stop,” Adama said, urging the government to take swift action to halt the attacks and support affected communities in their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The group demanded that the perpetrators of these “atrocious acts” be brought to justice, stressing that all Nigerians deserve safety and security.
“The time for action is now,” the statement added.
While commending the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies, the forum called for intensified measures to curb the violence.
“We ask that they redouble their efforts to nip this menace in the bud,” Adama said, acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel.
“Your courage and commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of our citizens are an inspiration to us all.”
The statement also highlighted the constitutional duty of the government and security forces to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians, describing the violence as a threat not only to the affected communities but to the nation’s survival.