Dangiwa Advocates Adoption of Green, Sustainable, Climate Smart Housing   …says collaboration with IFC EDGE will unlock green solutions, financing   Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has made a case for the adoption of green, sustainable, and climate smart housing designs and technologies in the country's housing industry, charging professionals in the sector to be innovative and ingenious.   Speaking at the 2024 Archibuilt Exposition organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Tuesday September 10th 2024 at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, the Minister urged the institute and other built professionals to find alternative and sustainable solutions to the housing needs in Nigeria.   "We have seen transformative ideas presented at previous expositions, from using sustainable building materials to energy-efficient designs, water conservation techniques, and zero-emission construction technologies. The ongoing conversations will shape the future of construction in Nigeria and resonate globally. Innovation, built on technology and equitable resource utilisation models, is what we need" he said    The Minister highlighted the critical role of Architects in achieving the SDG -11 which calls for sustainable cities and communities, stating that Architects hold the power to design urban spaces that are inclusive, resilient, and adaptive to the needs of the future.   "  We must ask ourselves: How can we ensure that the cities we build are not only environmentally sustainable but also inclusive and socially equitable? How can we foster urban ecosystems that promote healthy living, economic development, and environmental stewardship but yet groundbreaking enough?" He asked.   He also urged Architects to rise to the occassion on the issues of rapid rural-urban migration and astronomic population growth which will put strain on infrastructure, stating that African States have struggled to respond to the challenges of rapid rural-urban migration and the surging population estimated to hit 2.5 billion by the year 2050, which Nigeria alone was said to account for over 400 million, ranking her the 3rd largest country globally.   "As Architects, how do we respond to this scenario of an ever-increasing strain on our natural resources? ,he asked  Accordingly, the Minister noted that, the answer lies in African states to deploy homegrown solutions with core innovation and begin to interrogate current and future needs.   On the use of local and indigenous materials as a way of preserving cultural identity, he said " optimizing the use of local materials like bamboo, laterite and compressed earth blocks will help to reduce carbon footprints, while maintaining the structural integrity of our buildings… Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable housing, infrastructure, and urban development,"   He also revealed that the 3,112 Karsana Renewed Hope City and all designs for the other six Renewed Hope Cities in each of the six geo-political zones are currently undergoing the process of EDGE Green Certification, assuring that the focus on Green practices across the Renewed Hope Estates being developed nationwide will lead to the creation of the largest green footprint in the history of housing development in the country and perhaps Africa.   The Minister also reiterated efforts by the Ministry to establish six Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs, one in each of the nation's geopolitical zones, adding that the Task Team set up to draw up the modalities for their establishment have recently submitted their report which is being reviewed for implementation.   Other dignitaries at the event include former Vice President and Special Guest of Honour, Arc. Namadi Sambo, who called for the need to reimagine cities not just as a static collective but as a dynamic ecosystem that should change with the times.    "We must invest in cities that promote mobility, reduce congestion, and improve the quality of lives of the people. We must also focus on mixed-used neighborhoods that promote togetherness," he said.   Arc Sambo urged the Architects to set up a think-tank that would periodically update the Minister of Housing on innovations for the sector that are practical and implementable for the growth of the housing sector, especially through the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing.   Earlier, the President of Nigerian Instituteof Architects, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi said that the event will showcase cutting-edge products, ideas, and technologies that will redefine the built environment, noting that the goal is to explore the intersection between architecture, technology, and innovation. ...

Kano Building Collapse; Housing Minister Orders Immediate Investigation  Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has decried the recent building collapse in Noman's Land Quarters in Kano and ordered a full scale investigation into the root cause of the unfortunate incident. Recall that a two-storey building at Noman's Land Quarters in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State was reported to have collapsed and trapped many people inside Dangiwa who directed the relevant officials to quickly investigate the Kano collapse, said government will take decisive action after the finding is submitted  The Minister, who decried the recurrence of building collapse in the country, emphasised the need for an overhaul in the system and full implementation of building codes and regulations in the country. Dangiwa described the Kano collapse incident as another sad development exposing the rot in the building industry over the years which if unchecked will continue to remain catastrophic to the industry and society. A report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that two persons were recovered from the rubles dead, while two others had been taken to the hospital for treatment  Accordingly, Dangiwa called on state governments to rise up to the challenge and the relevant agencies to swing into action to preempt anything capable of causing the building collapse. The Minister recalled the last Jos school building collapse and emphatically stated that the federal government is committed to getting the root of the matter and prosecute every one found culpable.  “I have received the report of the Jos collapse investigation and a checklist of all professionals involved in the construction is being compiled for us to take action" he stated  Arc Dangiwa assured that government will do what is needed to deter others from putting Nigerians at risk with their reckless and unprofessional activities, stating that the ministry is working on a robust regulation mechanism with relevant stakeholders in the industry to enforce building codes across the country in close collaboration with the states. “I implore the State governments who are closer to the people and directly supervising the land to wake up and be more effective in checking the excesses of quacks in the building construction industry" The Minister stated  He explained that, relevant agencies should ensure whether due diligence was observed in the issuance of building permit and find out if all approvals were given for all categories of buildings, adding that if any infraction was found in the process appropriate penalty must be taken The Minister also advised the builders to ensure quality and high standard building materials were used and also adhere to original structural design He expressed condolences to the families of those whose lives were lost by the unfortunate tragedy and prayed for quick recovery for those hospitalized. ...

FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE CULTURE CHANGE SONG AND VIDEO REINTRODUCED The Culture Change Song and Video previously launched in the Federal Civil has been reintroduced to drive the ongoing Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP)-25 reforms in the Nigerian Civil Service.  The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, unveiled the Change Song and Video at a Retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries held in  Suleja, Niger State from Thursday 5th to Saturday, 7th September, 2024,  She said the culture change Song and Video are expected to drive and accelerate the critical reforms in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service and act as a unifying force that will strengthen the culture of an efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-centred (EPIC) Public Service. Mrs Walson-Jack said, “This Song, a source of pride and inspiration, will  also serve as a  “clarion call and rallying point for all Federal Civil Servants, uniting us in our shared mission to drive the reforms, boost productivity, and deliver excellent service to Nigerian citizens.”  She explained further that the change Song and Video will inspire Federal Civil Servants to exhibit professionalism, courtesy, and respect in their work and interactions with colleagues and the public, making them the change Nigerians want to see. The release of the Federal Civil Service Song marks the beginning of a journey in which every Federal Civil Servant will play a crucial role in the culture change and change management,  aimed at promoting values reorientation, transparency, accountability and a culture of integrity.  For further information, please contact: Eno Olotu (Mrs) mnipr Head, Information and Public Relations Phone Number: 09932450295 Email: olotueno2017@gmail.com Please click the link below for the Federal Civil Service Culture Change theme song https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NywkPvyYBxT0HqUAgCKDdEw2JwjzxLST/view?usp=sharing  Please click on the link below for the Federal Civil Service Culture Change video https://youtu.be/siRjPvkX2PQ?si=INyDYrSuJcqq4xv2 ...