Housing Perm Sec, Ogunbiyi Receives Pacesetter Award from Alma Mater .....Institutes award for the best graduating student in Agricultural Science ....Award in recognition of contribution to service, trailblazers in own field - HOD Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, PHD, was honoured with the prestigious Pacesetter Award by the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University Technology, Akure, Ondo State.   The award was in recognition of his pacesetting contributions as the first alumnus of the department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering to be appointed as a Federal Permanent Secretary as well as his outstanding contributions to the growth of the Federal Civil Service and humanity at large.   Dr. Ogunbiyi was one of the students in the second set of students admitted in the Federal University of Technology (FUTA) in 1983 and he graduated in 1988 from the university.      Ogunbiyi said in his remarks " Today is great a day in the history of my life because being recognised and honoured by your own people is indeed a great thing to happen to you and I am very appreciative for this."   He noted that the award was a recognition of qualities, attainments, character, adding that it is call for him to manifest more of positive qualities and achievements.      To his co -awardees, he said, " .. I see this recognition as a challenge to us today from all works and more representation from the department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering and most especially more service to our university."   Similarly, Ogunbiyi advised the Students of FUTA to imbibe the culture of hard work and take advantage of the quality education being taught in the university, as well as the good advises given by their dedicated lecturers, saying that those would take them to places and make them attain important status in life.   He urged the students to respect the institution of learning by obeying instructions and also shun cultism.   Earlier in his address, Head of Department, Agricultural and Environmental department, Prof. Ayo Ajayi, explained that the pacesetter award recognizes the alumni that have been trailblazers in their fields, setting new standards of excellence and innovations. He added that the awardees for the prestigious pacesetters have not only excelled in their careers but have also made significant contributions in their societal growth demonstrating the truth leadership at service. While emphasizing on the impact of the advise and education he received from FUTA, he said he would not have expected to pass his examination for permanent secretary as an engineer because he was not armed with information like the officers in administration department who are naturally armed with the knowledge of several reforms needed when writing such examination.   He explained that, with the values of hard work, dedication and commitment to one's vision inculcated in him by the revered, selfless and dedicated lecturers in the department,  he emerged first out of the 24 candidates from his states who sat for the examination.    " If I, Marcus Ogunbiyi can become a Permanent Secretary, all you students sitting here looking at me, if I can make it you are going to make it." he stated.   Giving back to the school that has given him a solid foundation to attain so much in life, Ogunbiyi has announced institution of Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi Award for the Best Graduating Student in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering with a price of five hundred thousand naira every year starting from the next convocation of the university.   The Permanent Secretary who had only visited the university just twice since he graduated 36 years ago while expressing elation at the award and homecoming said, " the reunion was very important. I crave the indulgence of both the alumni association and the department, and indeed the university to please organize such reunion or at least get some programme that will bring us to our alma mater," pledging to mend his way by making sure  he is regularly in touch with the university.   In her remark, the first female Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof Adenike Temitope Oladiji noted that the department of agricultural and environmental engineering has contributed massively to the growth and development of the university as many of the alumni of the departments have held several leadership positions in the university ranging from deputy vice chancellor and Dean of schools.   Oladiji appealed to the alumni of FUTA to consider giving scholarships to all types of students in the university, saying that they could be indigent students, best performing students depending on which category the alumni decide to choose.   She added, "we will also be looking up to you for funding of your universities," noting that most of the student hostels have become dilapidated and would need urgent renovation.   Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of award to15 Awardees in the categories of Pacesetters and remarkable achievement awards.   In attendance at the event were; the Imperial Ruler and Deji of Akure, Oba Dr Adetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi and Professor Emeritus, Ougbenga Ademosun, whom the awardees referred to as their mentors who moulded them for greatness. ...

Builders' Day: Housing Ministry, NIOB Partners to End Building Collapse   The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) have assured that the two parties would work closely to put an end to the menace of building collapse in the country. The Housing Minister,  Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, gave this strong assurance when he received the leadership of the NIOB, led by its National President, Bldr. (Sir) Alderton Ewa Ewa on a visit to his office.  "The Ministry is ready to stop the menace of building collapse across the country. The presence of the Institute is a proof of the importance of collaboration between the government and the builders in the pursuit of a sustainable development for the government," he said. He also stated that the stakeholders engagement is a vital ingredient in the policies that the government needs to drive in the housing and urban development, saying that it is in line with the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Accordingly, the minister took note of all the concerns tabled before him by NIOB and was assured of immediate action that would improve the building sector and enhance the quality of housing, especially in the urban areas. Dangiwa stated, " As the Institute is set to mark the annual Builders Day on the 13th March, the pressing issue is to tackle building collapse in the country. It's an embarrassment to the country where there are professionals such as architects, engineers, planners and surveyors; the building collapse is avoidable." He explained that the solution to challenging the issue of building collapse is to avoid the use of substandard materials, ensure proper supervision, and also certified approvals. Speaking earlier, the President of the NIOB, Bldr, Alderton Ewa Ewa expressed the Institute's unwavering commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in achieving it's vision and collaborate towards achieving shared goals. He highlighted some of the key areas for collective action, like: Successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate, High cost of building materials, Land Availability, Accessible financing and others. The President also told the minister that the Builders' Day 2024 event on the 13th of March is an advocacy against building collapse, creating awareness on the need for stakeholders on building projects to adhere strictly to standards, codes of practice, and building regulations. The high point of the visit was the decoration of the Honourable Minister as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Building  The NIOB, is a professional body for builders and those who are about to be engaged in the building profession. ...

We are Committed to PULAAKU Initiative Implementation - Dangiwa ….. embraces partnership with Refugees Commission Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has stated that the federal government is committed to ensuring successful implementation of the Pulaaku initiative to make substantial difference in the lives of those who are Internally Dispalced as a result of banditry and other forms of violence. The Minister made this known when he received a delegation from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) on a visit to his office  Recall that Dangiwa was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the Pulaaku Initiative, a large-scale resettlement programme aimed at addressing the root causes of farmers-herders conflicts and fostering national unity in seven states of the Country. The Minister stated that the provision of 7,000 housing units across the seven states is an attestation to a collective determination to foster resilience and stability in communities.  “This initiative embodies the spirit of compassion, solidarity, and inclusivity, values that are integral to our vision of a prosperous and harmonious society”, he said. The Minister embraced a partnership with the Refugees Commission,  noting that with it's input, the Pulaaku Initiative would achieve greater success being that the target beneficiaries of the program falls directly within their mandate; “You know where they are, you have all the relevant information about them”, he added. He also expressed optimism that the synergy with the Commission, leveraging respective strengths would ensure that the Pulaaku Initiative achieves its objectives and in turn create a brighter future for all those affected by displacement and violence. On his part, the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Aliyu Tijjani Ahmed, commended the appointment of the Housing Minister as the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the Pulaaku project. While he decried the alarming rate of 6.1 million registered displaced persons currently in the country, he informed the Minister of their efforts so far in providing shelter for the internally displaced persons in some states like Zamfara, Nasarawa, Maidugiri, Kano and Edo State. The Commissioner further appealed for a collaboration with the Honourable Minister in his capacity as the chairman of the steering committee for the Pulaaku initiative to provide a lasting solution that would address the predicament of the IDP’s. ...