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2022 NSF’s Torch Of Unity Put on In Abuja, As FCT Minister Preaches Peace, Oneness

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2022

Joel Ajayi

It was a smooth start on Wednesday for the much-awaited Torch of Unity for the Delta National Sport Festival in Asaba, Delta State as it commence the journey into 36 states before the commencement of the games come 28th of November 2022.

It was a great excitement, joy, and expectations for athletes who gathered at the popular city gate of the FCT where the Director FCT Sports Council Lukas Tsfanus handed over to the torch of unity to the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir.

She wasted no time before she conveyed it to the FCTA Secretariat where she handed it over to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Olusade Adesola who handed it over the Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu amidst drum and dance.

While speaking, the Minister Dr. Aliyu Aliyu, expressed, that the torch of unity kick starts every national sports festival, heralds and transmits the message of peace, friendship, tolerance, hope, oneness and fair play amongst the athletes in particular and the entire nation in general.

According to her, the torch implies a symbol of unity as it brings together seasoned and budding sports men and women from all walks of life and across the 36 states of the federation and FCT, to compete for medals of excellence in sporting activities.

“It showcases the light of spirit, knowledge and life; and by passing it from state to state or from person to person, it expresses the handing down of the fire of unity, sportsmanship, fair play and friendship from one generation to the next.”

She therefore, charged all participants to use the sports festival to promote a message of peace and unity, especially as the nation approaches another general election.

“Let this day, therefore, send forth the same message to all citizens of this great nation that; in all our common endeavors and in all fronts of our national life, peace, friendship, unity, tolerance, equity, accommodation, hope and fair play are all what we require to achieve meaningful progress, cohesion and advancement. We must carry this same message into our electioneering campaigns as well”

Minister, assured that the FCT contingents would return home with laurels, praying that the various athletes would gain global recognition.

Earlier, the representative of the Minister of Sports, and Zonal Coordinator, North Central, Mrs Deborah Pitmang, said the torch represents unity through sports among states.

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Business

FG To Seize Mortgaged Property of Defualting Retiring Public Servants

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board will henceforth seize mortgaged properties of retiring federal public servants who failed to fully repay the housing loans advanced to them by the board.

In a statement issued by the Staff Housing Loans Board Head, Information & PRU Obiechina Ngozi on Wednesday in Abuja reveals that this is in accordance with the Public Service Rules 021002 (p) as issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The OHCSF sent out the memo as a reminder for the federal public servants who are about to retire to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Public Service Rules.

The memo reads; “I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-indebtedness to the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) and any MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society, as issued by the OHCSF, as a prerequisite for retirement.”

“Further to the above, it should be noted that in the event of exiting the service prior to full repayment of the housing loan advanced by the FGSHLB, the Board shall exercise its legal right to seize the mortgaged property.”

Speaking on the above, Salamatu Ladi Ahmed, Executive Secretary, FGSHLB, reiterated that the warning is also for retired officers who defaulted.
She stated that the management of the Board, on its part, is compiling the list of all retired federal public servants who are still owing the housing loans they obtained while in service, to be sent to relevant regulatory agencies to recover the debts from them.

FGSHLB is committed to ensuring that all public servants comply with this rule and obtain the necessary Certificate of Non-indebtedness before retirement, and urge all those affected to take immediate action and settle any outstanding debts or liabilities with the Board.

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