
Rose Audu
The Federal government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the allocation of houses to 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles in their various states, fulfilling a promise made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal Government.
In 1994, the Super Eagles made their maiden appearance at the FIFA senior World Cup finals in the United States of America after emerging winners of the Nations cup a few months earlier in Tunisia and the the Sani Abacha led Federal Government promised house rewards for the players and officials of the team including landed properties.
Buhari made the disclosure in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the commissioning of the completed homes under the administration’s National Housing Programme initiative.
The commissioning was the first in the series of formal commissioning lined up to take place in 34 States of the federation where Phase I of the houses has been completed.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Muhammed Abdullahi, 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 are to improve the human condition.
He added that the housing projects provided contracts for the Micro, Small, and Medium businessmen 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 on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
In his address, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner of Works, 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, Babatunde Fashola, represented by the Director of Public Building and Housing, 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.