Dangiwa Emerges Chair, Caucus of African Housing Ministers The Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has been unanimously elected as the Inaugural Chairperson of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development.  This decision was made by shareholders of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) at the institution’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium which held in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 11-13, 2024. The Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development, an initiative of Arc. Dangiwa during his tenure as the 42nd Chair of the Bank’s AGM Bureau, was officially approved by ShafDB shareholders and launched on Thursday June 13, the closing day of the Bank’s 43rd AGM. It is designed to provide a platform for the ministers to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop policies and financing strategies to enhance their efforts in delivering sustainable and affordable housing solutions in their respective countries. Its aim is to create synergy by leveraging the collective strength of member countries, drawing on their unique experiences and resources to address Africa’s common housing challenges. Specifically, the Caucus will facilitate dialogue and information sharing by promoting best practices in housing policy, regulation, and implementation. It will help identify common challenges and opportunities in the housing sector to develop effective strategies for collective action and explore ways to mobilize resources and expertise from international partners, private sector stakeholders, and development organizations to support housing initiatives. Additionally, the Caucus will serve as a continental advocacy platform to prioritize the housing sector among national governments and bilateral and multilateral institutions. In response to his election, Hon. Dangiwa stated that the establishment of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development presents a unique opportunity to galvanize collective action and accelerate progress towards inclusive and sustainable housing development in Africa.  “I am excited that the shareholders not only considered and approved the establishment of the Caucus, which I proposed, but also went on to appoint me to lead it as the inaugural Chair. I pledge to give it my best. By fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and mobilizing resources, we can transform our continent's housing landscape and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of our citizens. It is important for us to recognize that as Africans, we are one. We have a common continent; we have a common destiny, and our progress or backwardness reflects on us all. We must therefore be deliberate in supporting ourselves to make unified progress across all sectors. As far as housing and urban development is concerned, it is up to us and Ministers of Housing and Urban Development ensure that we move forward together,” he said. As Chairperson, Arc. Dangiwa will lead and coordinate the activities of the Caucus.  “In anticipate significant outcomes from the Caucus. This includes enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange leading to innovative housing policies and strategies, increased investments in affordable housing projects supported by international donors and private sector partnerships, and improved access to decent and affordable housing for low-income populations contributing to poverty reduction and social inclusion. I also believe that it will lead to the strengthening of institutional capacities and regulatory frameworks to address housing challenges sustainably, and a heightened awareness and advocacy for housing issues, positioning them as priorities on regional and international development agendas.” Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) is a pan-African housing finance institution with shareholders from 44 African governments, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the African Re-Insurance Corporation (Africa-Re).   ...

ED-EL-KIBR: GWARZO URGES PILGRIMS TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA, PRESIDENT TINUBU   The Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has called on Nigerians' pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to pray for the Country and success of  President Bola Ahmad Tinubu's led administration.   The Minister made the appeal in his Ed-el-kibr sallah message to Nigerians. He congratulated all Muslim ummah on the occasion of this year's Ed-el-kibr celebration while expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will do his best to deliver the promises made to Nigerians.   Gwarzo explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the right track to take the country out of the current socio-economic hurdles in the country, adding that so many positive policies were initiated to better the lives of the citizens.   He disclosed that the administration has initiated programmes which have direct impact on the society such as Social Housing Fund Scheme, Conditional Cash Transfer, Food Outreach programme of the First Lady and among others all with a view to improving the quality of lives of citizens.   Minister Gwarzo who expressed concern over the state of security challenges facing the nation, assured Nigerians that President Tinubu will continue to do his best to secure the country from all forms of insecurity threats, saying that currently the security situation in the country has greatly improved.   He urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and have confidence in the Tinubu's administration adding that the country needs pervert prayers and sacrifice to overcome the challenges thwarting the progress of the nation.   To this end, the Minister  appealed to the Muslim communities in the country to reflect on the sacrifice they made during this Ed-el-kibr sallah period for the development of our country while prayed Almighty God for safer return of our pilgrims from this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia.   ...

Minister Gwarzo Highlights Achievements   The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo has congratulated the President and Commander - in - Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR on the occasion of commemoration of this year's  Democracy Day.   Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, also congratulated Nigerians as the champions of democracy for commemoration of Nigeria's freest and widely acclaimed election held on June 12, 1993 and having uninterrupted democracy for good 25 years, adding that, it's a great milestone for the development of democratic system.   He explained that the APC-controlled administration under President Tinubu's able leadership has recorded landmark achievements that should be acknowledged and celebrated by all patriotic and progressive-minded Nigerians.   According to him such achievements include the flagging-off of the construction of 3,112 Housing units in Karsana and Abuja,the launching of the  construction of 250 Renewed Hope Estate at Katsina, Yobe, Gombe and Sokoto and 500 Renewed Hope Cities in Kano and allocation of 8,925 houses.   The Minister further stated that the planned construction of 100 housing units in all the 774 LGAs in the country under the National Housing Fund for vulnerable and underprivileged persons, the flagg-off of the construction of the Lagos to Calabar coastal road and the approved design of Sokoto to Badagry highway are another added credits to the President.   Other feats achieved by the administration in the last one year, including  improvement of the security situation in the country and the bold and patriotic steps taken to revamp the nation's economy.   He called on Nigerians to come together and work assiduously  to build a nation which our next generation will be proud of adding that what President Tinubu needs from all Nigerians is unflinching support and cooperation to take the country to greater heights.   ...