By Tony Obiechina Abuja 

TAJBank, Nigeria’s leading non-interest lender, on Tuesday signed the completion agreement for the N20 billion second tranche of its N100 billion Mudarabah Sukuk bond programme.

The latest investment initiative of the multiple award-winning non-interest lender, which is coming after about two years following the issuance of the first-ever N10 billion Sukuk bond on the Nigerian Exchange in 2023,  presents another opportunity for individuals and corporate investors to stake their funds in an ethical instrument with a competitive 20.

5% per annum return.

Specifically, the new Mudarabah Sukuk bond of TAJBank, which has secured all necessary regulatory approvals, is designed to offer a stable and ethical investment option to investors to participate in the bank’s profit-sharing ventures, and underscores TAJBank’s commitment to expanding access to innovative financial solutions and promoting financial inclusion in the country.

According to the management of the bank, the new Mudarabah Sukuk bond is open to all investors, both individuals and corporates and the goal is to provide a reliable source of extra income, accessible from the comfort of your home.

Briefing journalists on the importance of the agreement signing ceremony, the Chairman of TAJBank, Alhaji Tanko Isiaku Gwamna, said: “The offer of the N20bn Mudarabah Sukuk to the market is to avail members of the public an investment opportunity that aligns with ethical financial principles.

 “As the Board and management of our bank demonstrated in the maiden issuance of the bank’s Sukuk, the offer of the new N20bn Sukuk bond on the NGX will enable a wider range of investors to participate in our growth and benefit from our profit-sharing model”, the Chairman assured.

He further advised interested investors to contact their financial advisors or visit www.tajbank.com for more information on the Sukuk and the listing processes.

Commenting on the historic pact between his company and TAJBank on the Sukuk bond issuance, CEO of the lead issuing house – AVA Capital Ltd, Mr. Kayode Fadahunsi, said: “We are very excited to be part of  TAJBank’s success story in the non-interest banking industry, which is being consolidated upon with the planned issuance of its N20bn Mudarah Sukuk in the NGX as part of its N100 billion programme.

“I want to assure investors that as was the case in the Bank’s maiden Sukuk bond listing on the Exchange, the bank’s management will surpass their expectations in terms of return on their investment and other benefits in this second outing”, Fadahunsi added.

Investment analysts strongly believe that the N20 billion second tranche Mudarabah Sukuk bond issuance with a 20.5% annual return is potentially among the best offer to investors seeking to diversify their investment portfolios and good returns on a sustainable basis.

It would be recalled that TAJBank’s Founder/Managing Director, Mr. Hamid Joda had, during the beating of the Gong on the listing of the Bank’s maiden N10 billion Sukuk bond on the NGX in February 2023, which was over-subscribed by over 115%, assured investors of good returns on their investments and the Board has been fulfilling the promise since then.

Photo Caption 1

L-R: Managing Partner, The Metropolitan Law Firm, Ummahani Ahmad Amin; TAJBank Limited Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda; Board Chairman TAJBank Limited, Alhaji Tanko Gwamna, TAJBank’s Co-Founder/Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Idi; and the bank’s Legal/Company Secretary, Barr. Amina Toli;   during the signing of the TAJBank’s N20Bn Mudarabah Sukuk Bond Issuance Agreement at the bank’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja

Photo Caption 2

L-R: TAJBank Limited Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda; Board Chairman TAJBank Limited, Alhaji Tanko Gwamna, and the bank’s Co-Founder/Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Idi; displaying the TAJBank’s signed agreement for N20Bn Mudarabah Sukuk Bond Issuance at the bank’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja

Photo Caption 3

L-R: Managing Partner, The Metropolitan Law Firm, Ummahani Ahmad Amin; TAJBank Limited Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda; Board Chairman TAJBank Limited, Alhaji Tanko Gwamna, TAJBank’s Co-Founder/Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Idi; and the bank’s Legal/Company Secretary, Barr. Amina Toli;   displaying the signed TAJBank’s N20Bn Mudarabah Sukuk Bond Issuance Agreement at the bank’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja

Photo Caption 4

L-R: TAJBank Limited Director, Alhaji Tata Shekarau; the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda; Board Chairman TAJBank Limited, Alhaji Tanko Gwamna; the bank’s Co-Founder/Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Idi;  Director of the bank, Hajia Mariam Ibrahim; and another Director, Mr Jonathan Kagis; displaying the TAJBank’s signed agreement for N20Bn Mudarabah Sukuk Bond Issuance at the bank’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday reiterated his administration’s determination to renew infrastructural development across the key sectors of Nigeria’s economy.Tinubu stated this at the reopening ceremony of International Conference Center (ICC) in Abuja.

He listed the key sectors as transportation, health care, education, energy and urban development. Tinubu said modern infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving economy in an inclusive and progressive society and ICC is part of the country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnership and many more. He appealed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyeeom Wike to continue with the good work he is doing and to ignore all “Busybodies and distractors”.According to him, “I am greatly honoured and happy to be here to reopen this International Conference Centre as part of our determined efforts to change the way we do things, to reflect us as people of quality, people of character, people of determination, people of great spirit. That is who we are and I am glad that you, Nyesom Wike, are reflecting that.”Don’t pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Whatever they say, continue to do your good work. You are a transformational leader; you have the foresight, the vision and the determination to succeed. Thank you very much”.Tinubu recalled, “When I attended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Parliament here, it was a very dirty, disorganised, uninhabitable environment. Aside from the sidetalk, I had with the Senate President; I turned to Wike and said this conference centre is not reflecting who we are. Have we sunk this low? He said no but bear with us, we will do whatever we can do to transform the place. You won’t come back to find it in a dilapidated state and today I am very happy.”Whatever might be wrong today is a sign of the good thing that we are correcting, we are reflecting, renewing our hope and believing in ourselves in what we can do, what we can be – a great nation on earth.”Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are determined to renew infrastructure across the key sectors of this country – transportation, health care, education, energy and urban development.”Because you understand that modern infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving economy in an inclusive and progressive society. The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnership and many more thoughtful, well outlined goals that reflect our ‘Nigeria First’.”You must obey what the landlord said – you want to use this place, you must pay for it”.The Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his goodwill message lamented the condition the center was in 2024, which he called a ‘monumental embarrassment’.”We came last year to inaugurate the first sitting of the ECOWAS Parliament. Parliamentarians came from all parts of West Africa. It was a monumental embarrassment. We managed to get a small generator working. This place was dark. This place was in a total state of disrepair.The Senate President who commended the FCT Minister for the transformation and said the National Assembly is proud of him.Wike Renames International Conference Centre after TinubuThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre as the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre.The Minister also disclosed that other halls in the facility had been renamed after Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kekere-Ekun.“Today, this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can stand any other International Conference Centre. And in doing that, because the National Assembly has also supported us, I have told you that as we were inspecting the project, at the back, we have two halls. We have to remember those who have also supported the FCT. The National Assembly is one such arm of government.“So we have named one hall Tajudeen Abbas hall, we have named Godswill Akpabio hall, and your Vice President, we have named one of these halls after the Vice President, and then the CJN, we have also named one of the halls after the CJN. And these are the three arms of the government, working together.“So I just said since it is a property under you, and the building is under you, then, it should have small names on those halls, but it should be under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre,” he said.“It is important for the public to understand and to know why today, this is called the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. This Conference Centre was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, nothing has happened to this International Conference Centre.Wike also ascribed the completion of the rehabilitated conference centre to the leadership of President Tinubu, stating, “Within eight months Mr President, this is what we have. And I agree that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible.”The Minister also stated that any ministries or government agencies willing to use the Conference Centre will be made to pay going forward, to ensure the proper maintenance of the ICC.“How do we sustain this? I want to let everybody know, whether you’re a Ministry, whether you’re an agency, you want to use this, you have to pay something. That’s the only way it can be sustained. Nothing like my brother, my sister is going to have a wedding. If you want to use a place like this, such a beautiful place, then you must drop something,” he said.

From Jude Dangwam, Jos and From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Plateau Youth Council (PYC) Riyom local government Branch has called for immediate deployment of more securities personnel to the troubled council areas to end the incessant attacks that claimed 58 lives in one week with over 82 houses and properties worth millions of naira deliberately destroyed.

Chairman of PYC, Kefas Davou during a Press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre yesterday Jos the Plateau State capital disclosed that 31 people were severely injured and are currently battling for their lives, receiving treatment in various hospitals. Davou stressed that many were struggling with inadequate resources for better medical care. The economic and social fabric of our communities have been further torn apart, with over 82 houses and properties worth millions of Naira deliberately burnt and destroyedHe lamented that the pattern of the attacks has recently escalated to an unprecedented level of coordination and sophistication.”What we have witnessed as a people in the past weeks is horrifying evidence of this escalating barbarity. Within this short period, 58 innocent people were brutally murdered in cold blood.”These were fathers, mothers, children, and youths, whose lives were cut short without mercy. As I address you, these marauders are in possession of the cellphones of some of their victims and pick up calls that are placed on their SIMs.”Furthermore, 31 people were severely injured and are currently battling for their lives, receiving treatment in various hospitals where many are struggling with inadequate resources for better medical care. The economic and social fabric of our communities have been further torn apart, with over 82 houses and properties worth millions of Naira deliberately burnt and destroyed.”Beyond the immediate physical destruction, large hectares of our cultivated farmlands, representing the very essence of our people’s sustenance, have been mowed down and decimated. The consequence of this recent surge of violence alone has led to the displacement of more than 15,000 people, who are now living in precarious conditions, without shelter, food, or dignity,” he noted.Davou noted that for over two decades, since the year 2002, the council area has been “Subjected to a relentless and systematic campaign of violence, solely perpetrated and orchestrated by armed Fulani militias. This dreaded campaign has been mostly characterized by unprovoked attacks, resulting in the senseless and brutal murder of thousands of our people in cold blood.”The Chairman called for humanitarian intervention to ameliorate the living conditions of the IDPs. “We appeal to the federal and state governments through their humanitarian intervention frameworks, as well as international donor agencies, and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent relief materials, medical supplies, and psychosocial support to the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims in Riyom Local Government. Without mincing words, their suffering is immense and immediate,” he stated.Herdsmen Kill Four, Injure Many Others in Fresh Benue AttacksSuspected Armed Fulani Herdsmen have again invaded two communities in Agatu and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State, killing four persons and injuring so many others.It was gathered that the attacks took place simultaneously yesterday (Monday) at about 5:30pm, which also left several people displaced.This latest attack is coming barely one week after the armed herders launched coordinated attacks on Tse-Antswam in Naka town, Gwer West and Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa local government area of the state respectively, killing over 58 persons and displaced over 18,000 persons.The fresh attacks also occurred two days after the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN), Benue State chapter, alleged that a total of 1,185 cattle belonging to their members were stolen by rustlers in some communities in Agatu and Guma local government areas of the State.An eyewitness in Agatu LGA who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent on phone, that one Sunday Dutse, a native of Odejo and younger brother to a former chairman of Agatu, was killed along the Odugbeho-Ogbaulu road in the local government.He explained that Dutse was reportedly displaced after armed herders invaded his community and relocated to Ogwule-Kaduna, also in Agatu LGA where he is currently residing before he was killed yesterday.But another source told our correspondent that the killing that took place yesterday in Agatu local government area wasn’t herdsmen attack, rather an internal fight.”The Monday killing was not as a result of herdsmen attack. It was a case of internal wrangling. The young man who was killed yesterday, was inside a vehicle in the midst of other people where they were ambushed. He was specifically dragged down out of the vehicle by some armed persons wearing masks. You know Fulani can’t wear it when they are coming to attack you.”So, amongst the nine of them inside the vehicle, the armed guys only Dutse and left the other people unhurt. So, we are having an internal crisis in Agatu now. No Fulani herdsman can come to Agatu and kill any Agatu person for now. This is what happened in Agatu between Monday and today being Tuesday”, he said.At Apa local government area, the armed herders ambushed and killed three persons.It was gathered that they first killed two youths in Edikwu ’Icho a community and went further to kill one other youth in Ugbokpo.Efforts to speak with both Agatu and Apa local government councils chairmen on Tuesday morning, were unsuccessful as their cell phones were all switched off.Meanwhile, the Benue State command police public relations officer (PPRO) Udeme Edet could not be reached for comment as she could not answer a call put across to cell phone at the time of filing this report.Vigilante Apprehends Police Inspector, Two Others over VandalismVigilante group in the Demekpe area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday, apprehended a police inspector and two other suspects vandalising a transformer and stealing electricity cables belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) PLC Company.A resident in the area told journalists that the incident occurred in the early hours yesterday at about 04:00AM.The resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that a man said to be in his early 50’s identified as Innocent Ishaku was apprehended by vigilante neighbors at the Demekpe community vandalizing electrical cables.He stated that two of vandals initially fled, but were later apprehended and gave their names as Isa and Mohammed well known in the community who are residents in the compound of a popular car dealer Alhaji Dash.In a viral video circulating on Facebook, the said Police officer when interrogated by the vigilante said he has been working in Benue State for the past 10 years having been transferred from Abuja to Makurdi.Ishaku also said he and his accomplices have carried out several cable thefts around Wadata area until nemesis caught up with them.Items recovered from him include, electrical cables and F connectors, a Police identity card with ID number 309976 bearing Innocent Ishaku with his picture attached on it.It has been learnt that they have since been handed over to the D Division Police Station, Makurdi, Benue State.When contacted, the Heads of Corporate Services Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC Makurdi, Dr Adakole Elijah confirmed the incident as true.Meanwhile, all efforts to get the reaction of the Benue State Police Command as of the time of filing this report, failed as the new Public Relations’ Officer, Udeme Edet did not reply to text message or respond to calls out across to her phone.