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Managing Director and Chief Executive, Federal Housing Authority Hon Oyetunde Ojo visits Benue
…as the state governor, Rev Fr, Dr Hyacinth Alia pledges Land and financial support to FHA.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Federal Housing Authority, Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, Saturday 23rd March, 2024 continued his tour and consultation with State Governors, with a visit to the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.
Hon Ojo addressing the governor, informed him that his apart from coming for a courtesy visit was primarily to relay the message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), on Renewed Hope on Housing which the FHA team has taken to seven state governors.
While thanking Governor Alia for the way reception given to his team, and the obvious visible developmental strides in Benue State, the FHA Chief Executive told the governor that the Authority’s mission is to build houses which comes top in the welfare index, and following the President’s mandate to FHA to help tackle the current housing deficit by not only building houses for Nigerians, but livable and affordable ones, he has come to ask for land.
According to the MD” Mr President had given us the mandate to provide houses to tackle the housing deficit. Therefore, we need land”. Continuing, Hon Ojo told the governor, “you have the red biro. As a brother and friend, I know you will give us waivers like the other governors we have visited”.
Reminiscent of his message to the other governors the MD and his team has visited,, the FHA boss told the governor that as a result of the new policy of FHA management, the Authority does not build houses anymore without consulting the state governments, whose people the houses are built for.
He noted.that the various state governments know the preferences of the people, their culture.
” we don’t want to build houses without carrying you along because you know the people and their culture. We need synergy and collaboration with you to make the houses meet the need of the people” he added.
Hon Ojo also espoused leveraging on the value chain of Housing and construction in boosting the economy and fighting inflation. The FHA CEO noted that.the housing sector has the capacity to engage all manners of direct and indirect jobs.
The MD said that FHA is considerate of Nigerians in the lower rung of the economy.This according to him is why the Authority has adopted house types and models that would address their situation.
In his words, ” we don’t just want to build houses, but affordable ones. That is why we have considered those who are in the lower income bracket like junior staff and the younger ones and come up with one Bedroom apartments , Studios and carcas.”
Hon.Ojo said that the idea.of carcas is t have the same exterior finishing, electricals and plumbing, why the finishing would be according to the size of the pockets. This he said would hugely reduce the price of the houses.
The Managing Director noted that FHA is known to create cities with standard infrastructure and all modern facilities is currently talking with institutions like JAMB, WAEC and the office of the CGS for profiled off- takers, which conveys the sense of ownership in projects.
The MD informed the governor that FHA plans a Diaspora City project for the benefit of our people living abroad. This he said would save them from the hands of fraudsters who short change them without building the kind of houses they remit money to be built for. He noted that with the current digitalisation of the Authority, Diasporians would be able to transact with FHA and monitor their investment with the Authority from any part of the world.
In conclusion, Hon Ojo reiterated the.non.partisan mandate of President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) to FHA to build houses for Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation, leaning or inclination and thanked the governor for the collaboration and synergy with FHA to Kickstart the process of affordable housing in the state.
In his response. Governor Alia thanked the FHA team for considering Benue State for collaboration in Housing. He pointed out that the Authority’s program is in sync with the State Government is currently doing, by engaging in massive construction.
He said the state would give Federal Housing Authority as much land as it wants in the state and is ready to support the project.
According to him:,” for the question of land,.the answer is yes. Just tell us how much land you want. We are also ready to support the project. It could be financial”.
The Governor said that the state is excited at prospect of partnering with FHA for Housing delivery as they need houses.” We are excited as we all need houses. The scheme is going to add colours to the many feathers we.are already wearing”. He stated.
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara speaking when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups in Port Harcourt.
Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that the ongoing political crisis in the state will ultimately strengthen the people rather than weaken them.
Fubara made this statement when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at his private residence in Port Harcourt during an Eid-El-Fitr Sallah visit.
Addressing the delegation, Governor Fubara urged them and his supporters to trust in God’s process, saying: “This season is one of love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a great sacrifice through your prayers. As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us toward a greater purpose.”
He acknowledged that the current political tension might leave many feeling depressed but emphasised that supernatural forces may be at play beyond human understanding.
“No matter what we see, we must remain steadfast. In all things, we give glory to Almighty God. I believe that in the end, we will emerge stronger,” he added.
He reaffirmed his commitment to justice and equality, stressing that his administration envisions a society where no one is oppressed.
“We believe in egalitarianism, and if our beliefs bring us some pain, so be it. The most important thing is that we stand on the side of truth and righteousness,” he stated.
He regretted that he was unable to formally reach out to the Muslim community during their celebrations but promised that the relationship between religious groups and the government would be strengthened once the current uncertainties are resolved.
He also assured the leaders that their pending requests would be addressed after the crisis subsides.
Urging patience and perseverance, Governor Fubara drew an analogy from religious history, saying, “If God could be patient with Noah to allow even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains an essential virtue in our struggle.”
He also cautioned against falling prey to those who want engineer violence by fanning provocative acts, warning his supporters and Rivers people to avoid certain elements who sought to destabilize the state.
“Their goal is to create problems and deny people their means of livelihood. We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constitutional authority to ensure that our state remains a model for others in Nigeria,” he concluded.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Muslim community, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, declared their solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, assuring him of their prayers and support as he navigates the state’s current political challenges.
Alhaji Uhor stated that the majority of Muslims in Rivers State stand with Governor Fubara due to his inclusive approach to governance and his recognition of the Islamic faith.
He noted that unlike the previous administration that declared Rivers a 100% Christian state, Governor Fubara, upon assuming office, acknowledged the state as Christian majority while allowing room for inclusiveness.
Encouraging the governor to remain steadfast, Uhor reminded him of the Islamic belief that Allah rewards patience.
He said the present challenges align with the teachings of Islam, where the Creator tests His people through wealth, power, and authority.
He further called on President Bola Tinubu to review the emergency rule in Rivers State and restore Governor Fubara’s full authority, emphasizing that the governor has been performing effectively despite the crisis.
During the visit, prayers were offered for suspended Governor Fubara, his family, Rivers State, and Nigeria as a whole.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.