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CBN Anchor-Borrower is a loan scheme, not a free package – AFAN

Published

6 years ago

June 25, 2019

Agency Report

All Farmers Association (AFAN), Kaduna State has cautioned farmers on the CBN Anchor-Borrower Programe, saying it is a loan scheme meant to empower Nigerian farmers.

Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, the Chairman of AFAN, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

“Something is happening across Nigeria, Kaduna State inclusive, many people are thinking that the CBN Anchor-Borrower loan scheme is a free empowerment package.

“I want to use this medium to call on Nigerian farmers, especially those who benefited from the scheme to understand that the Anchor-Borrower Scheme is not a free package but a loan scheme.

“Therefore, all those who benefited must be ready to pay back the loan because their BVN and phone numbers have been captured and there will be no hiding place for them.

“The bank will definitely trace them and retrieve its money,” he said.

Aminu recalled that the initial plan was to give the benefiting farmers complete loan packages in cash but it was discovered that many would have converted the money to buy motorcycles, cars or marry wives instead of using it for the farming business.

He said that the decision to supply the farming inputs as a package to farmers was meant to encourage active and practical participation to pave way for smooth farming activities across the nation.

“Therefore, I want to appeal to our farmers, especially the youths not to see the Anchor-Borrower as “awoof’’, it is never a free package but they must be ready to payback,” he warned.

Aminu said that defaulting in repaying the loan would deprive others of getting access to the loan scheme, assuring that the sustainability of the program largely depended on the ability of beneficiaries to payback.

On the formation of farmers’ cooperative societies, the chairman appealed to farmers who were yet to join any of such groups to do so to enable them to benefit from different government policies and programs.

According to him, government or corporate organizations will not be comfortable to deal with people individually, rather it is easier for such a body to deal with cooperative groups than individuals.

NAN

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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