President Muhammadu Buhari has fulfilled the promise of allocating houses in preferred state of choice to winners of the 1994 African Cup of Nations.
The promised became a reality at the official commissioning of the Housing Project under the National Housing Programme Phase I on Monday in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
The President said the occasion served the dual purpose of improving the human condition of living through the housing projects, and fulfiling its pledge to the 1994 heroes.
22 members of the Super Eagles
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is a great honour for me to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly. Anyone of them can pick houses from any of the 36 states, I invite you to pick from that which is being commissioned today.
“But there is more to our message of change and improving the human condition in these housing projects. They make possible, that which had seemed impossible. It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our country made a promise of providing housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled before now.
“We had Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde amongst other super stars from Osun State.
And as the saying goes, it is better late than never. Consequently, I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estate located in their state of choice, and their keys with the title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their state while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public.”
Mandate
President Buhari said his administration was committed to improving the conditions of the Nigerian people with her programmes and policies, saying the project is in fulfilment of the mandate promised to Nigerians.
“When our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), sought your mandate in 2015, one of the things we promised was a change for the better in the many areas in which the nation has been held back. This housing estate is an instance of the fulfilment of that promise.
“We are not unaware of the challenge of housing in the country, especially in the urban areas, many of which are overcrowded in unhealthy ways. It is our firm resolve to surmount the challenge in every way possible. This housing estate, as constructed in all the states of the federation, is one of the ways we are addressing the challenge.
“With the support of the State Government of Osun which provided the land, this place which was once an unused piece of land, amounting to no more than idle capital, has come alive and will now provide shelter for Nigerians.”
Developmental Possibilities
President Buhari thanked the then governor, Aregbesola for partnering with the Federal Government on the housing project.
He stressed that the project, which completion was being celebrated remains a good example of the developmental possibilities that Inter-Governmental collaboration could produce, expressing optimising that with provision of more land, the Federal Government would certainly can do more.
Buhari was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola who was also the immediate past governor of Osun State.
In an address, the South West Zonal Director, National Housing Programme, Dr. M.K. Muhammed who said the project was a testament to the popular saying that ‘what goes around, comes around’, noted that the project was built on land donated by the Minister of Interior, Mr Aregbesola when he was governor in the state.
“If you recall, the land for this project was awarded by you when you were governor in this Osun State. Today, you are here commissioning the project on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The National Housing Project is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Hosuing a programme (NHP) has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials,” the zonal coordinator stated.
The project consist of 72 units of Housing comprising 24-units in condominium: four units of 1 bedroom flat, sixteen units of 2 bedroom flat, four units of 3 bedroom flat, 28-units of two bedroom bungalows, and 20 units of 3 Bedroom bungalows.
At the event were the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Honourable Nathaniel Agunbiade who represented the state Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Director of Urban and Regional Development of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Moyoade Olasunkanmi Dumoye who represented the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa1; amongst other dignitaries.
Lateefah Ibrahim
