–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Chinedu OKONKWO, ASABA:
ONE of the leading mortgage financial institutions in Nigeria, the Cooperative Mortgage Bank, in grand style, Wednesday, opened a new contact centre in Asaba, the Delta state capital.
The branch is expected to provide an all-inclusive home ownership services for residents in the state, other than cooperators who are the main beneficiaries.
The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place at the new centre at Plot 147, Okpanam road within Asaba metropolis was graced by dignitaries and members of various cooperative societies.
At the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Kabir Tukur, said the bank has broken the jinx of not having a cooperative bank in the oil rich Delta state, despite that the state has one of the most viable cooperative federation in the country.
He said, “Though our coming into Delta might seem late due to the expectancy, but it’s better late than never because we’re here to provide value in terms of houses for cooperators, ensuring cooperative savings, among others.
‘’As one of the first steps, we are partnership with Family Homes Funds Limited on the 200 units of houses under Locke Homes initiative.
‘’I want to assure you that housing is here, and not with high cost of mortgage but the lowest.
‘’We have been here for over 27 years. We were initially in the Southwest but now moving to South-South and Asaba is the 18th centre we’re opening across the country. Our next centres would be in Minna, Kano and Lokoja”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary at the Delta State Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Pat Isiechi who applauded the approach of CMB at the ceremony, described the feat as ‘a welcome development”, amd maintained that it would help residents of the state in their quest for home ownership.
‘’To be apt, CMB has hit the ground running already. I want to assure the MD that Delta is a state that is proud of investment. We have all the conducive environment for cooperators and whatever is invested in them.
‘’Delta state is in front in sport and others and we appreciate the MD of CMB for finding Delta worthy of this honour. With these good intentions, CMB will thrive here.”
The President of the Delta Cooperative Federation, Mr Larry Onyeche, commended the bank on behalf of other members for adding value to the existing financial institutions in the state, as according to him, the promise of launching a contact centre has become a dream come true.
He assured the Director of Cooperative, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Chuks Onyekpe, his deputy, Mr Frank Aghara, the Director of Commerce, Mr Felix Oseji, the Director of Planning, Reasearch and Statistics, Mr Tabowei Jerry and top management team of CMB in attendance, including, the Deputy Managing Director, Mr Yusuf Abubakar, the Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs Anthonia Nnaebue, the Regional Manager (South), Mrs Amen Osagie, Head of Communications and Public Relations, Mrs Olufunmilayo Afolabi, and Asaba centre Business Development Manager, Mr Feyisayo Adedipe, among others, that the federation will partner with the bank to ensure that adequate number of members benefit from the core mission of the bank.
