FG Redeems 28 Years’ Pledge, Allocates Houses to 1994 Super Eagles …As Commissioning of Homes Completed Under the National Housing Programme Kicks off in Nasarawa State The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the allocation of houses to 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles in their various states, thereby fulfilling a pledge made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal Government. President Buhari stated this in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Monday, March 7, 2022 during the commissioning of the completed homes under the administration’s National Housing Programme initiative.   The commissioning was the first in the series of the formal commissioning lined up to take place in 34 States of the federation where Phase I of the houses has been completed. Represented by the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Muhammed Abdullahi,  President Buhari described the completion of the housing projects as a fulfillment of the promise of change that was made to the people by his administration.  The President also praised the Nasarawa State Government for providing the land for the project, describing it as one of the developmental possibilities that intergovernmental collaboration can produce.  Accordingly, he said that the provision of the housing estates across the country was informed by the government's desire to achieve one of its primary objectives which is to improve the human condition. The President said that the housing projects provided contracts for the Micro, Small and Medium business men and women who provided employment for people through the engagement of skilled and unskilled workers thereby unleashing a value chain of economic activities that have made a positive impact in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.  "These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed," he said.  In his address, the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule who was represented by the State’s Commissioner of Works, Engr. Idris Muhammed Idris, described the construction of the housing estate as a landmark achievement of the Federal Government in its effort to provide affordable and conducive accommodation for Nigerians. The Governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the numerous federal projects undertaken through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.  In a remark, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, represented by the Director of Public Building and Housing, Architect Solomon Labafilo, stated that, as the end of President Buhari's tenure draws near, Nigerians will witness a season of completion when many projects will start to bear fruit.    He explained that 76 housing units under Phase One have been completed in Nasarawa State comprising 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units.  Fashola said, "In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desire." He explained that the survey revealed a preference for bungalows in Northern Nigeria and flats in Southern Nigeria,  adding that the survey also showed the need for space which is why the one bedroom units are 60 - 70 square metres,  two bedroom units 76 - 103 square metres and three bedroom units have 110 - 137 square metres. Fashola who said the housing units are offered to the public through the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that interested buyers are not inhibited by any artificial obstacle and allocations are made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first-come- first-served basis.  Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo represented by the Zonal Director North Central, Engr. Valentine Nwaimo informed the audience that the Ministry is promoting local content in the building construction in line with Executive Order 3 and 5. Engr. Uzo disclosed that at least 1,200 building contractors had been engaged under Phase I, II and III of the housing programme since 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created.  He also said that during this period the Ministry is undertaking the construction of at least 6,000 housing units in 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 States and the FCT.   ...

Inadequate Qualified Artisans Contribute to Building Collapse - Works & Housing Minister Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has emphasized the need for competent artisans in the Real Estate Sector as one of the ways of preventing building collapse in the country. The Minister made this attribution while speaking to members of the Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Project (C- STEMP) led by a former Minister of state for Health, Arc. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku who paid a courtesy visit to his Office, Thursday 17th February, 2022 Sambo said "we all know that one of the reasons for building collapse in this country is attributable to the prevalence of the use of unskilled artisans." He praised the effort of C-STEMP in coming up with an initiative to fill what he described as a huge gap in the built environment and promised to support them." It has been a huge gap in our industry, the construction industry like we all know requires skilled workers. I want to assure the delegation today that they should see us as their partner," he said. On the request by the delegation for the reconstitution of the Board of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Minister promised to discuss with the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, H.E, Babatunde Fashola, SAN and expressed confidence that it would be treated with priority attention. Accordingly, Sambo reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to completing the affordable housing development scheme in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Disclosing that funding would be made accessible to subscribers through the Federal Mortgage of Nigeria. Describing the construction industry as large employer of labour, Sambo said, "millions of Nigerians will be able to put food on their tables if we have a vibrant construction industry." Earlier, the Director General of the Organisation, Anthony A Okwa, FNIOB informed the Honourable Minister that C- STEMP was spurred by the Construction Ideas Fund (CIF) initiated in 2013 by Growth and Empowerment Scheme and the DFID to address the challenge of severe shortage of skilled manpower in the Real Estate sector of the country. He explained that C-STEMP which has the objective of breaking the paradox of high unemployment and poverty in the midst of severe shortage of skilled manpower in the construction industry, is the pioneer Construction Skills Training provider approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Accordingly, Okwa further said that the Organisation had embarked on several training programmes at home and abroad to boost the supply of competent artisans and craftsmen. He revealed that C- STEMP is currently working with The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, (CORBON) and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) National Skills Qualification, NSQ, Framework through the provision of induction, training and assessment of practicing artisans towards attainment of competence certification in line with National Occupational Standards for construction trade. The Director General also extended invitation to the Honourable Minister of State to attend the year 2022 edition of the Construction Artisans Award scheduled to hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja between 28 - 29 of March, 2022. ...

2022 NUGA Games: Fashola Restates FG’s Commitment To Sports Development In Nigeria ...... As Minister receives Torch of Unity for the games from UNILAG’s Local Organizing Committee The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Thursday restated the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to Sports Development in the country saying the administration has innovatively included Sports in the National Economic Development programme. Fashola, who spoke at the Mabushi Headquarters of the Ministry when he hosted the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Local Organizing Committee of Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) who came to present the Unity Torch for this year’s NUGA games, described the game as “one of the many items of National Integration and Development”. Noting that such events as sports festivals, academical games and so many other activities in the nation’s institutions represented efforts to reposition the youths for leadership and other national development roles, the Minister declared, “We must never underestimate the roles that the events played in defining the character of young men and women who are now leaders of today”.  “We cannot have youth unemployment if we do what we should do with sports development”, the Minister said adding that the strategy was that “those that these critical games have produced will, through their camping and travels across the country, help national cohesion, help to break down barriers, help to produce trust”, adding that it would also “help us to see all of ourselves as the same after-all even if we worship differently and speak different languages”. Commending the Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, for securing the approval of the Federal Executive Council to include Sports in the National and Economic Programme, Fashola recalled, “It was a tough game to get Council to agree, but finally it is now part of our National and Economic programme”, adding that Sports is more than just the exercise, but also an economy.  He also commended the University of Lagos for its efforts in taking the Torch of Unity across the country saying the effort would “bring into the consciousness of those who matter that this is something that all of us must support”.  Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the purpose of the visit was to invite the Minister to the NUGA Games 2022 adding that the presentation of the Torch of Unity was to create awareness ahead of the Games. Describing the Minister as a Sports Lover, the UNILAG Vice Chancellor recalled the numerous contributions to Sports and football development in Lagos State when he was Governor of the State adding that about 75 Nigerian universities would participate in this year’s Games while 50 others would come from outside the country as observers. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Torch for 2022 NUGA Games to the Minister by his Sports and Youth Development counterpart and a group photograph with the delegation and other guests.   ...