Dangiwa Holds Strategic Meeting with Kenyan Housing Minister •    Explores Partnership for Affordable Housing Delivery   Nairobi, Kenya, May 7, 2024 – The Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Development of Nigeria, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, yesterday met with his counterpart, Honorable Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing of Kenya, on the sidelines of the first session of the 2024 UN Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya as part of efforts to collaborate towards affordable housing delivery.   Addressing recent challenges faced by Kenya, Arc. Dangiwa conveyed the condolences of the government and people of Nigeria to the government and people of Kenya over the recent flooding experienced in the country. He affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to cooperating with Kenya in addressing environmental and climatic shocks affecting human settlements.   The Minister acknowledged Kenya’s contributions in matters of Human Settlements regarding Africa and commended the country for its continued efforts in championing topics of relevance for Africa. He expressed appreciation for Kenya’s support of Nigeria’s candidacy for the Chairmanship of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to effective, collaborative, and purposeful leadership.   “Madam Cabinet Secretary, Nigeria appreciates Kenya’s continued leadership in matters of Human Settlements on behalf of the continent, not only as host of the UN-Habitat Secretariat but also in championing topics of relevance for the continent. May I also express sincere appreciation for Kenya’s disposition to the Africa Group’s endorsement of Nigeria’s candidacy for the Chairmanship of the UN-Habitat Executive Board,” he said.   Arc. Dangiwa highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Kenya and Nigeria in advancing the objectives of UN-Habitat, particularly in the drafting and negotiating of key resolutions benefiting the continent. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing Africa's housing challenges, citing the significant roles played by both countries in the transformation of Shelter Afrique into the Shelter Afrique Development Bank.   In response, Cabinet Secretary Wahome pledged Kenya’s support for Nigeria’s chairmanship of UN-Habitat and expressed Kenya’s commitment to enhanced collaboration with Nigeria in tackling the continent’s housing challenges. She reiterated Kenya's readiness to work closely with Nigeria to strengthen UN-Habitat and Shelter Afrique Development Bank to maximize their impact.   The meeting concluded with both parties affirming their commitment to working together to ensure the balanced implementation of resolutions, particularly those addressing affordable housing, and to further strengthen the collaboration between Kenya and Nigeria for the benefit of Africa. ...

Gwarzo Inaugurates Implementation Committee For Renewed Hope Housing  Project.   Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo has inaugurated members of the Renewed Hope Housing Project Implementation Committee, comprising representatives of select departments in the Ministry and the Project Development partners.   The minister charged the committee members on the need to show commitment, diligence, compassion and excellence in discharging their duties.   Among the terms of reference for the implementation committee is to monitor the practical progress of the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities Housing project being developed in Karsana, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory    The committee was also charged with the responsibility to formulate comprehensive strategies that will drive forward the housing agenda and in particular the speedy completion of the 3112 Renewed Hope Estates and Cities project.    In his remarks, the Minister, acknowledged the significance of the Committee in addressing the housing needs of the citizens, stating that access to safe and affordable housing is a cornerstone of sustainable development and social cohesion.   He reminded members of the Committee not to forget the transformative power of Housing to provide shelter and security, foster stability, provide sense of belonging and most importantly empower individuals and families to pursue their aspirations, contribute to their communities and build brighter futures.   Similarly, Gwarzo also encouraged the Committee to carry out its responsibilities with optimism, determination and a shared sense of purpose in order to achieve meaningful strides towards ensuring that every individual has access to a safe, affordable and dignified place to call home.   " By working collaboratively and harnessing our collective wisdom, I am confident that we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and create a more equitable and sustainable future for all through the Housing and Urban Development sectors" he stated    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated that the project in Karsana is speedily and commendably progressing. He said the project site is working towards meeting the completion deadline, preparatory for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by December. Ogunbiyi  highlighted some of the Committee's  Terms of Reference which includes: Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Monthly Project Review Meetings, Overseeing the profiling and identification of project off-takers, among others.   Responding on behalf of the Committee members, the Consultant for the consortium and Principal Partner of C23 Consultants Limited, Damola Akindolire assured the Honourable minister of the prompt delivery of the project within the earmarked period    He said the commitment of the ministry shows that through collaboration and partnership, Nigerians can benefit atmost and have access to affordable housing.    "The Renewed Hope is not just a Rhetoric but a commitment by the present administration under the leadership of the Minister to give Nigerians a sign of relief that houses can be available and affordable” he stated    ...

Dangiwa Meets Group of African Members of the UN Habitat Executive Board  ·    Says Nigeria’s Chairmanship will Ensure Strategic Direction for UN Habitat, etc   Nairobi, Kenya - On May 7th, 2024, the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, engaged in a critical meeting with the Africa Group, representing 10 countries, on the sidelines of the first session of the 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.   At the meeting, Arc. Dangiwa outlined the key priorities for Nigeria's leadership of the Executive Board, as identified during the recent Retreat of the Regional Group of African States in Naivasha, Kenya. These priorities include:   1.    Promoting increased strategic direction for UN-Habitat by promoting the balance between the organisation’s Mandate, the available global opportunities as well as within the United Nations Wide System and the quest for increased Resources.   2.    Regular and ongoing caucusing for the benefit of the continent. Under this, he said Nigeria will call for a Ministerial Caucus, and subsidiary technical fora of the Africa Group on Human Settlements in line with the African Union Specialised Technical Committee On Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development And Decentralisation (AU-STC 8).   3.    Enhanced global collaboration and engagement. He noted that Nigeria will also be working towards increased global collaboration through engagement both in consultation with Nairobi based delegations and Capitals. This will include engagements with stakeholders from other regions. Nigeria will also be calling for a platform for Ministerial Collaboration of Members of the Executive Board and would be glad to drive the agenda through the Africa Group.   4.    Strengthened due diligence to maximize benefits and protect the organization's mandate. He noted that Nigeria commits to enhancing due diligence to UN-Habitat activities to ensure that the continent achieves increased benefits for its engagement within UN-Habitat in particular and the UN system in general, as well as to protect the organization from possible erosion of its mandate. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister highlighted additional continental priorities, including the celebration of UN-Habitat's 50th anniversary, the development of a new strategic plan, and the promotion of African-grown initiatives.   Arc. Dangiwa expressed gratitude to Her Excellency Dr. Vivian Nain Kuma of Cameroon, Chair of the Africa Group, for convening the meeting, and expressed appreciation to all attending delegations for their commitment to the cause. He emphasized the importance of sustained and purposeful engagement in matters of human settlements, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Africa Group in advocating for the continent's interests.   Dr. Vivian Nain Kuma, in her response, congratulated Nigeria and the Hon. Minister for assuming the position of Chair of UN-Habitat as Africa’s representative. She pledged, on behalf of members of the Group, that they will work to support his agenda and ensure the success of his tenure as Chair. She encouraged the Hon. Minister to champion strategic collaboration with the Shelter Afrique Development as part of efforts to raise concessional finance to solve the continent’s housing and urban development challenges.   The meeting featured a presentation by the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann, who spoke on the need for strategic collaboration between the institution and UN-Habitat, especially since they share similar objectives and a unique Board leadership under Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa. Such a partnership, he said, will help unlock concessional funding necessary to meet the continent’s housing and urban development needs. ...