Housing Ministry Celebrates Dr Olakunde's  Distinguished Service Career    The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has celebrated the distinguished service and remarkable career of Dr. Akinola David Olakunde, the outgoing Director and Head of the Urban and Regional Development Department, who retired from the civil service of the Federal Government of Nigeria after years of exemplary service.   The event, which also marked Dr. Olakunde’s 60th birthday, was held at the Ministry's  Headquarters in Abuja.    Dr. Akinola David Olakunde is an accomplished and seasoned Town Planner and an Associate  Chartered Accountant. In his remarks at the event, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the outstanding professionalism and dedication of Dr Olakunde, describing him as a trailblazer who has left a lasting impact on Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector. “Dr. Olakunde’s contributions to the Ministry’s housing programs and his meticulous attention to detail have significantly shaped our country’s housing landscape. His unwavering commitment to excellence and service is an inspiration to us all,” the Minister said. Citing his engagement with him in one of their meetings in Kenya, Arc  Dangiwa added that through his various leadership roles and initiatives,  Dr Olakunde has been a cornerstone in the ministry having  effectively facilitated collaborations with Shelter Afrique Development Bank. The Minister also commended the role the retiring Director played in mentoring younger professionals, noting that his leadership and guidance have strengthened the capacity of the Ministry.  “His legacy is not only in his professional accomplishments but in the countless individuals he has mentored and inspired,” he added. Speaking on behalf of the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Director of Human Resources, Akinola Adeshina, expressed gratitude to God for granting Dr. Olakunde a fulfilling career and good health upon his retirement. He encouraged staff members to emulate his outstanding attitude towards work by serving with dedication and integrity.   Similarly, colleagues and associates who spoke at the occassion described Olakunde as a visionary leader, a mentor, and an advocate for hard work and dedication to service.   Responding, Dr. Olakunde expressed gratitude to God for His mercies and protection through out his career spanning 34 years, emphasising,     many died along the way.   "It is by His mercy, it is by His grace one is witnessing today." he stated    While applauding the staff of Urban and Regional Development  Department for the support given to him as the head of the department, Dr Olakunde enjoined them to continue with the maximum support to the incoming director.   He also advised the staff to embraced integrity, admonishing that, it is better to make a name before making money.   The ceremony celebrated Dr. Olakunde’s years of service, dedication, and the indelible mark he has left on the Ministry and Nigeria’s built environment.   ...

Housing Ministry to Renovate, Safeguard, Optimize Federal Assets Nationwide    * To Enforce Compliance with Land Administration Laws •⁠  ⁠Holds Stakeholder- Citizens Engagement to facilitate Inproved Land Administration Service  Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government  to renovating, safeguarding and optimizing the value of its assets nationwide while enforcing strict compliance with land administration laws. The Minister made this declaration during a Stakeholder - Citizens Engagement on Land Administration held at Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Friday,  December 13th, 2024. The stakeholder - citizen engagement to facilitate improved  Land Administration Service in Nigeria was the concluding part of his three-day working visit to Lagos. Arc. Dangiwa in his remarks emphasized the resolve of the Ministry under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to restore order in federal land and asset management. "In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Ministry is resolved to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the law regarding the control and administration of its assets to maintain order," he stated  The Minister who, alongside his team, toured various federal government facilities, field offices, and housing projects in Lagos over the course of three days expressed concern over the poor condition of federal assets and uncompleted housing projects, vowing to expedite their renovation, upgrade, and completion. “We have resolved to optimize these facilities and put them to good use so they can provide value to the government and Nigerians. Our aim is to fast-track the completion of housing projects to increase the stock of affordable housing for Nigerians in Lagos,” He noted. The Ministry also announced plans to transform its field offices into modern, functional workspaces to boost staff productivity and enhance operational efficiency in Lagos. Addressing irregular developments along the Lagos shoreline where unauthorized land reclamation and construction have been rampant, Dangiwa reiterated the Federal Government’s authority over shoreline titles and warned developers who fail to comply with legal requirements of appropriate action. "We have observed numerous haphazard developments along the shoreline, where people have reclaimed and built on land without proper clearance or authorization. This is unacceptable," the Minister said. To curb these practices, the Ministry issued a one-month ultimatum for all developers on shorelines to regularize their papers or risk having their properties revoked and demolished. Underscoring the importance of collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Housing and the Lagos State Government in resolving land disputes, both parties agreed to form a joint committee to resolve longstanding land issues and foster a coordinated approach to land administration. “We are one government, and it is vital that we work as partners to ensure effective administration of federal government assets. Proper coordination will prevent exploitation by third parties and ensure compliance with the law,” Dangiwa stated. The Stakeholder Engagement on Land Administration provided an opportunity for developers, residents, and key stakeholders to share insights and contribute to the Federal Government's strategy for sustainable urban development. The Minister also noted that the interactive session was a critical step toward improving land administration in Lagos and delivering on the ministry’s  promise of affordable housing and urban development for all Nigerians. Issues that came up during the stakeholders engagement amongst others were;  payment of double ground rates, issuance of CofOs, canal discharge and flooding in some Federal Government Estates,  land ownership litigation and compensation, and  deplorable road infrastructure in some estates.  " The Ministry is ready to address the myriad of such challenges, hence the stakeholder - citizens engagement for the ministry to understand the needs and concerns of the citizens with the view to identifying areas for improvement" Dangiwa stated.  ...

FG Issues Ultimatum to Developers on Lagos Shoreline to Regularise or Risk Revocation    * Collaborating with the Lagos State Government to stop the abnomalities    *  Haphazard Developments on shoreline not Tolerable - Dangiwa  The Federal Government has given a one month ultimatum to developers on the shoreline in Lagos to come up for regularisation or risk revocation and demolition.   Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa issued the ultimatum and warning today after the Inspection visit to the Lagos Lagoon Estates and shoreline front.   Dangiwa is on official working visit to Lagos State to inspect the Federal government landed properties and assets. He is being accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi and some Directors of the Ministry.   The Minister stated that developments on the Lagos shoreline must be orderly and in line with existing laws and regulations, adding that his meeting with the Lagos State Governor yesterday, arrived at a common agreement that the Federal Government and Lagos State Government will work together to ensure there is disciplined development on the Lagos Shoreline.    " The Federal government is taking stock of its assets and landed properties with the view to having proper documentation of its  assets spread across the country", he said.   Dangiwa who took a boat tour with his team and officials of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority to see things for himself, explained that, what they found on the Lagoon Shoreline in Lagos was alarming. The shoreline is littered with irregular developments where people carved some areas, sand filled it and built without first obtaining Federal Government title and necessary documentations.    "There is no room for Haphazard developments on the Lagos Shoreline. We are working with Lagos State to fix these anomalies", Dangiwa said.   The Federal Government, through Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has the rights to issuance and administration of title on shorelines in  accordance with the Land (Title Vesting) Act 1975; and through Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, grants permit to dredging along the shoreline, while the State Government has the control over physical development on the shoreline.    He emphasised that the federal government will not tolerate such Haphazard development and irregular activities on the shoreline, hence the ultimatum.   Other Federal government's sites visited  by the Honourable Minister in Lagos  today include;  Ogbogbo Housing Project Ikorodu and Ikorodu Low Cost Housing sites.   The Honourable Minister will be rounding off his working visit with a Stakeholder Engagement, Friday, December 13th, 2024.    ...