Business

Langtang North Chairman Launches Major Upgrade of Zamko Market

Published

12 months ago

November 15, 2025

vicky

Zamko Market in Langtang North Local Government Area is undergoing a major facelift following the rollout of key development projects by the Executive Chairman, Hon. Pirfa Jingfa Tyem. The initiative, which targets safer, cleaner and better-organized commercial spaces, begins with the bustling market along the Mban–Zamko road.

The ongoing projects include the construction of a solar-powered borehole, perimeter fencing, and the completion of the market’s administrative block. According to Hon. Tyem, the efforts are designed to boost trading activities, improve security, and strengthen the council’s revenue system.

Solar-Powered Borehole to Boost Hygiene, Livestock Trade

Substantial progress has been made on the solar-powered borehole expected to serve traders, butchers and livestock dealers in Zamko and the adjoining Zongo Cattle Market. With the market handling more than 1,000 cattle weekly, the water project is projected to enhance hygiene, reduce operational costs and make trading easier.

Leaders of the Cattle Association commended the chairman, describing the intervention as timely and long overdue. They said steady access to clean water will improve livestock handling and support the council’s revenue drive.

Perimeter Fencing for Security and Revenue Control

The perimeter fencing, also in progress, aims to secure goods and regulate movement within the market. Market officials say the controlled entry points will support security and revenue teams in checking unauthorized access, preventing theft, and ensuring transparent revenue collection from traders and livestock transporters.

Administrative Block Nears Completion

Hon. Tyem disclosed that the administrative block—now at 35 percent completion—will soon be delivered to serve as the central office for market management and revenue officers. He added that plans are underway to establish a police outpost for round-the-clock security, construct modern toilets to improve sanitation, and properly demarcate the cattle market for more effective livestock control.

“Our focus is to make Zamko Market a model of orderliness, hygiene and transparency — a market where traders can thrive and revenue can be properly accounted for,” the chairman stated.

Boost to Local Economy

The Zamko Market upgrade is part of a broader plan to modernize commercial centres across Langtang North, stimulate local enterprise and create a more conducive environment for traders.

Upon completion, the ongoing projects are expected to ease business operations, attract more livestock traders and significantly improve the council’s internally generated revenue.

— Kum Precious,
Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Langtang North Local Government Council

Related Topics:Langtang North Chairman Zamko Market

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Retirees Earning ₦150,000 or Less to get Free Health Insurance-PenCom

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2026

PlateauReports

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Nigerian retirees aged 60 and above who receive a monthly pension of ₦150,000 or less are to get free health insurance, according to the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

The commission disclosed this in a notice posted on its X account, titled “Something big is coming for Nigeria’s retirees.” The notice says the development “concerns you directly” for pensioners in that category and names November 10, 2026 as the date to mark.

The free healthcare initiative is expected to enhance the well-being of retirees and strengthen their retirement security.

According to PenCom, the initiative is meant to reward retirees for the years they spent in active service.

“You gave Nigeria your best. Now, it’s your turn to be cared for,” the notice says.

The commission also directed retirees and other interested persons to visit its official website, pencom.gov.ng, or the websites of any Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) for more information.

The post Retirees Earning ₦150,000 or Less to get Free Health Insurance-PenCom appeared first on Business Today NG.

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Afrinvest CEO recalls how Elumelu’s $1 million loan helped salvage firm from crisis

Published

10 hours ago

November 6, 2026

PlateauReports

Tony Elumelu played a supreme role in getting investment bank Afrinvest back on track in 2011 after the global financial meltdown pushed the investment bank to the brink, its chief executive recalled in a letter to the tycoon seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

The multisectoral magnate, who is the top shareholder of United Bank for Africa, the Transcorp Group, and Seplat Energy, granted a soft loan of $1 million to Ike Chioke, the CEO of the financial institution, as a mark of urgent support when the firm direly needed the cash to recapitalise, the latter said.

“Fifteen years ago, Afrinvest was navigating one of the most challenging periods in its history, as we struggled to rebuild and recapitalise the business in the aftermath of the global financial crisis,” Mr Chioke said.

“At that critical juncture, when the future was far from certain, you made the remarkable decision to lend me US$1 million of your personal funds. You placed your confidence not simply in the prospects of a business but in me as an individual, my integrity, my determination and my conviction that Afrinvest could emerge stronger from adversity.”

This June, Mr Chioke eventually completed the repayment of the credit, according to the letter, describing the gesture as an extraordinary act of friendship, generosity and trust.

READ ALSO: Afrinvest repays undocumented $1 million from Elumelu with interest

Mr Elumelu, whose economic vision is anchored on what he calls “Africapitalism” – an investment philosophy that prioritises the private sector’s role in democratising the wealth Africa needs to power large-scale growth, has been involved in active philanthropic initiatives on the continent.

In March, his foremost charity project, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, turned sixteen, and he said the initiative had disbursed over $100 million in seed capital to 24,000 entrepreneurs in Africa and created more than 1.5 million jobs over the period.

The foundation expects to fund an additional 3,200 entrepreneurs this year, it said in September.

Mr Chioke applauded the profound impact Mr Elumelu’s financial assistance has had on Afrinvest, notably transforming it into a diversified regional financial services group with an expanding universe of clients and operations in asset management, investment banking, research & consulting, and securities trading.