Category: General

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Daniel Kashikola, has called upon the community to honour and remember the sacrifices made by heroes and heroines in the struggle for Namibia’s liberation.

Kashikola emphasised the significance of commemorating those who gave their lives for the nation during an event held at the Ontananga Centre in the Olukonda Constituency on Friday.

The deputy minister said the purpose of the Heroes’ Day commemoration at Ontananga was to reflect on the history of the liberation struggle, the hardships endured during the war, and to acknowledge the progress made since Namibia achieved its independence in 1990. He stressed the importance of recognising both the fallen and living heroes who contributed to the freedom, independence, peace, and stability enjoyed by the country over the past 33 years.

“We want to remember those who made it possible for us to enjoy the freedom and independence we have today and for us to enjoy the peace and stability we are hailed for as a country,” Kashikola said.

He urged the community to take stock of the nation’s journey while commemorating heroes and heroines, and to actively collaborate with the government in its efforts to enhance and develop the country.

“As we pay tribute to our heroes, let us prioritise peace and attentively heed our leaders,” Kashikola said.

Addressing the concerns of the region, Phillemon Ndjabula, the Regional Councillor of Olukonda Constituency, highlighted the pressing issue of drought in the area. He said the constituency office has experienced a surge in requests for food assistance due to inadequate rainfall during the year. Ndjabula also noted the widespread unemployment and the challenges faced by many individuals in obtaining national documents.

Joseph Shongolo, a former freedom fighter, shared a brief account of the events of 26 August 1966, and encouraged the youth to embrace and celebrate Heroes’ Day. He emphasised that the youth are the future and should be well-informed about the nation’s history and its heroes and heroines.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Bethanie Village Council Chairperson Diederik Frederick has said the lack of administrators in key positions at the village council hinders the delivery of service to the inhabitants of the village.

In an interview with Nampa here on Wednesday, Frederick said for the past eight months or so, the village council had only one substantive appointee, making it difficult for the village council to function smoothly.

“We have council meetings and take resolutions, but such resolutions cannot be carried out because of the lack of administrators. Right now we only have one substantive appointee, Reginald Kennedy, who is the accountant and acting chief executive officer. He is the human resource manager, technical head and the list goes on, he wears all those hats and it is really difficult for us to carry out resolutions to the benefit of our people,” he stressed.

The village council has not had a CEO for three years since Hendrik Gaobaeb resigned.

According to Frederick interviews were held on three occasions but no candidate was successful.

“In the past we did interview people for some of these positions but candidates fall out at interview level. Even the interest of people applying here is very low, we do not have more than three applicants per position, other people also come and use this place as a stepping stone to higher grounds, that’s why we have no staff because people come, stay for a while and leave,” he said.

He further said council will continue to advertise the vacancies and will bring in the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to help search for candidates to fill the vacant positions.

“We have written a letter to the ||Kharas Regional Council so that we can have people seconded to help us, but we are still waiting for their response. Many people say Bethanie is too far. I think it’s best we get people from here but that becomes difficult as our people do not have the qualifications nor the skills,” Frederick said.

The chairperson also revealed that a finding by the Electricity Control Board in 2021 indicated that the village council is operating at a loss of 67 per cent in electricity due to their outdated and ageing system.

“Our system is very old, the finding said that when the electricity enters our grid, we are losing 67 per cent of the electricity. That affects revenue collection, we are paying NamPower 100 per cent while we are losing 67 per cent of what we receive,” he added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

One of Nigeria’s leading real estate developers, Sterling Homes, has launched the first inclusive housing scheme named ‘Ojo Ola’, designed to make buildable lands accessible to low income earning Nigerians.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sterling Homes, Dr Kunle Adeyemi, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

Adeyemi, also, General Secretary, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), South-West chapter, stated that the Ojo Ola housing scheme, meant a “better tomorrow housing Scheme”.

He said the scheme was designed for customers at the base of the pyramid of the housing need, who could not afford to own a decent home.

The developer listed the categories of people under the group as the petty traders, average salary earners, teachers, artisans and motorists, among others.

The realtor said that the locations of the affordable housing scheme were at Anuoluwapo layout scheme at Igbodu in Epe, Lagos.

He mentioned also Irewolede layout scheme at Kobape in Abeokuta and Orelope layout scheme at Alabata in Ibadan.

“We have other layout schemes underway at Ikorodu, Ifo, Badagry, Atan and Idi-iroko.

“ We also plan to launch an initiative in Asaba, for the South-South region by November and cover other regions of the nation soon.

“The housing pyramid is like a triangle and at the apex of it, are the high income earners, at the middle of the triangle, are the middle income earners.

“ At the base of the triangle, are the low income earners.

“ The base of the pyramid is where we have majority of Nigerians, hence, Ojo Ola initiative was borne out of a compelling need to help these category of people own a home,” he said.

According to him, the layout scheme is custom-made for the set of people, with free architectural design from Sterling and no developmental level or land grabbers issue.

He explained the subscribers were at liberty to build their prefered house design on the land, because it had no developer’s control and must not necessarily pick from the Home’s free architectural design.

“The free architectural design we are providing to our subscribers to select from the pool of available designs, would have cost them whooping N300,000, so they can save that to build their houses,” he said.

Adeyemi stated that statistics had revealed that Nigerians at the base of the pyramid of housing, were well over 75 per cent of the population.

He noted that more than 18 million out of the estimated 20 million housing deficit in Nigeria, were the low income earning Nigerians.

Adeyemi expressed worry that the middle income earners in the country were gradually closing up and as such, the country now had either the rich or poor classes of people.

The realtor noted that there was less attention to low income earners in the arrays of available housing scheme, hence, the future was not guaranteed for them to own a home.

“ Many low income earners are eager to own a home, while they also have the right to, but do not have enough resources to acquire it.

“ Over 60 per cent of Nigerians earn below N100,000 monthly, and except many of them engage in fraudulent activities, they may not be able to afford a home.

“To guide against such fraudulent activities within our system, arising from the desperation to own a home, led to the launch of the Ojo Ola housing scheme,” he said.

According to him, the scheme, in its magnanimity, does not compel the subscribers to build their houses within a specific period of purchasing a land, but at their own pace.

The developer stated that the two major targeted audience for the scheme were the home seekers and the investors.

Adeyemi explained that the home seekers were people who desired to have a shelter as basic need of life and to stop the harassments from landlords.

He said the payment plan for the home seekers was designed to accommodate a lowest entry cost, which could be paid in installments of N7,500 weekly or N30,000 monthly.

The realtor said the journey of the initiative’s home seeker’s plan began from owning a land, to becoming a landlord and after the sale services.

Adeyemi said the initiative’s investor’s plan was designed for those interested in investing in real estate, to sell the land when it appreciated more or to build houses for rent opportunity.

According to him, the lands are located at places with huge potentials because of the ongoing development around the vicinity and as such are accessible to build.

Adeyemi urged Nigerians to embrace the initiative to secure a future, as real estate is the new oil of the nation.

The realtor pledged that Sterling Homes would deliver on its promises to its customers on the initiative.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Serving and erstwhile lawmakers at the Federal and state levels have commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr. Yusuf Yakub as the new Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC).

This is contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Nkem Anyata-Lafia, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

It stated that the lawmakers described the President as a leader who understood talents and knew how to deploy these talents to areas of greatest need.

It said that leading the team of enthusiastic well-wishers for the appointment of the new D-G in Abuja, was the Chairman, House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Hon. Kwamoti Laori.

“Laori, a former Deputy Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and currently represents Demsa/Numan/Lamurde at the Green Chamber in Abuja said the appointment was well deserved.

“Yakub as a seasoned administrator and legislator per excellence, you doubtless possess the requisite experience and knowledge to deliver the needed transformation in DTAC.

“He prayed God to grant Yakub the wisdom to be effective in his new role,” it stated.

It also quoted Aliyu Boya, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Colleges of Education, in a letter of felicitations as expressing optimism that the director-general would continue the good work he was known for and inspire those around him.

“I am not surprised by your appointment to this position, knowing your pedigree, your unwavering commitment to public service, leadership, integrity and vision, which have earned you this appointment.

“I am always impressed by the passion and energy that you bring to your work,” it stated.

According to him, in a similar development, a group led by the former Federal lawmaker who represented Mubi North/Mubi South/ Maiha in the 9th House of Representatives, Hon. Ja’afar Magaji, commended Tinubu for the appointment.

“Magaji lauded the selfless service to humanity of the former Adamawa-born Rep and prayed for his success at the Agency.

“Others were, Hon. Abdullahi Speaker, Hon. Rufa’i Gombi, a former Member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and Comrade Adamu Barama, Senor Special Assistant on Political and Legislative Matters to Magaji,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says postage stamps are essential assets in the components of the economy of every country and a crucial infrastructure for development.

The Postmaster General (PMG) of the Federation/CEO of NIPOST, Dr Sunday Adepoju, stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the unveiling of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) commemorative stamp.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African commemorative postage stamp was launched on Saturday to mark the inauguration of the PAPU tower in Arusha, Tanzania .

The PAPU tower is a new 17-story building for Africa’s continental body. PAPU is responsible for coordinating postal development in Africa.

Represented by Dr Thomas Gaga, NIPOST’s Director of Planning and Business Development, Adepoju said: “Today, we are celebrating the history, cultural heritage and diversity of the African continent.

“NIPOST in conjunction with PAPU member States today released a single postage stamp that is N 250 in value with a surcharge of N5.

“ Being an African Joint Stamp Issue, all member States of the Union are required to incorporate into the design, an iconic emblem or national natural artifact of their choice in their respective countries.”

He added that the Nigerian version of the Stamp depicted the historic Zuma Rock, juxtaposed against the PAPU Tower located in Arusha, Tanzania.

Adepoju said that PAPU chose postage stamps as part of the activities lined up, adding,”because postage stamps are an effective means to supply information about a country’s history, culture and people.

“Postage stamps are often described as miniature encyclopedias and living reminders of events.

“ The aim of the joint stamp issue is to promote African heritage and events.”

Adepoju promised that NIPOST would be consistent in ensuring that major events in Nigerian history were documented for posterity through the issuance of commemorative stamps.

NAN reports that a total of 250, 000, horizontal format stamps were released on September 2, they were designed and printed by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Katsina State Government has disbursed N20 million to support 33 families of local vigilantee members who lost their lives in the line of duty .

Gov. Dikko Radda announced this during the presentation of cash to the victims’ families in Katsina on Saturday.

Radda represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdullahi Faskari, said that some of the beneficiaries would receive N500,000 cash.

The governor added that no fewer than 10 vigilantee members who sustained injuries and a policeman get N250,000 each, while the family of one military officer who also lost his life received N1 million cash.

He added that that some members of the public who sustained injuries during the recent bandit attacks across the affected areas would also be considered in due course.

Radda explained that the gesture was part of his campaign promises towards appreciating those who sacrificed their lives and comfort in securing the state.

He assured the commitment of his administration towards fighting insecurity and other criminal tendencies across the state.

“My office is always open for advice and suggestions that will assist our administration to fulfill and actualise its promises,” he said.

Alhaji Sa’idu Danja, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Support of Victims of Banditry earlier said the government had spent over N11.8 million for the treatment of victims of banditry attacks.

According to him, over 80 victims were treated free of charged at various health facilities, adding about 40 of them had since been discharged.

Also,Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir-Usman, commended the gesture and appealed to the government to expand the scope to accommodate more victims.

The royal farther was represented by the Galadiman Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi, Alhaji Sadiq Abdullahi-Mahuta.

Malam Salisu Rabo-Kurfi, State Commander of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), appreciated the government saying the support was desirous and timely.

Malam Garba Musa who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries described the gesture as miraculous as they never expected it.

He assured that they would make judicious use of the cash donations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria