Housing Ministry Presents Awards to Sports Club Members for Winning FEPSGA Medals 

* Inaugurates Staff Bus Committee

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has presented awards to the sports staff members of the Ministry who won medals at the Federation Public Service Games (FEPSGA) 2024, which took place at the Sharks stadium, Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore presented  the awards at a specially organised ceremony that took place in his conference room.

The medals won includes four (4) golds, six (6) silver and four (4) bronze medals, from different categories of sport games they participated. 

In his address, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, expressed profound congratulations to the sports club members of the Ministry for their outstanding achievements at the FEPSGA 2024.

While praising the team for their dedication and team work, Belgore revealed his extreme keen interest in sporting activities, mentioning his past active participation in football game as well as his current involvement in squash game.

He declared his love for success in sports, emphasizing on the health, brain and social benefits of sports; “it builds a spirit of competitiveness that you will bring into your endeavors in life. It is very important for humans to play”, he said.

He also expressed pride in the teams performance, and the  representation given to the Ministry not just at the FEPSGA game, but also at the just concluded May 2025 edition of the monthly walking Jogging exercise where the team won two Trophies in the categories of best Kitted Ministry, and the third highest in attendance.

He called on the team to encourage other staff members who were not already involved in the sporting activities to join.

While presenting the medals to the winners, Belgore announced that the gold medal winners will get a hundred thousand naira (₦ 100,000), the silver medal winners, seventy five thousand naira (₦ 75,000), and the bronze winners fifty thousand naira (₦ 50,000).

Accordingly, Belgore promised to provide necessary support, facilities, and allowances for the team, while wishing them continued success and injury-free performances.

Earlier, the Director Human Resource Management (HRM), Adesina Akinola, informed that the medals won by the sports team at the May 2025 edition of the monthly walking Jogging exercise, was the first in the history of the Ministry.

While congratulating the team, he acknowledged their commitment and hard work, further appreciating the support of the Permanent Secretary in providing the resources.

Mr. Adesina also expressed optimism in the future achievements of the sports team.

In his remarks, the Team Manager of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Sports Club, Comrade Salisu Achineje, said that the event was not just collection of individual achievements but a testament to the unwavering dedication, relentless effort, and exceptional teamwork that defines the group of athletes.

He thanked the Permanent Secretary for his support and belief in the sports club, as well as resources, encouragement, and vision provided, which has enabled the team reach great heights.

Mr. Achineje further congratulated his team members and looked forward to building on the successes achieved to make the Ministry more proud in the future.

The high point of the ceremony was the decoration of the Permanent Secretary as the Grand Patron of the sports club, and presentation of a certificate of appreciation to him, as well as to the Director of Human Resource Management, for their support.

In another development, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Belgore inaugurated a ten-member bus committee who would oversee matters concerning the Ministry's staff buses.

The committee has the Director, Human Resource Management as the chairman; other members are; 

i) Ayodele Ademola -D (PA-PS)
ii) Hikmat A. Aderibigbe- D ( ES)
iii) Stephen Jude -DD (SW&T
Iv)) Hajiya Hussaina Sarki AD (SW)
V) Salamatu M. Omar CAO (SW) Desk Officer
Vi) Com. Eno Efughi Chairperson (JUC) 
vii) Com. Davou Ezeikel Chairperson (AUPCTRE) 
Viii). Com. Okeowo Alaba (NUPSRAW) 
ix) Com. Afiniki Yerima (ASCSN

The committee is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring proper accountability, technical oversight, and maintenance of the staff buses.

In his remarks, the  Permanent Secretary assured that the Ministry was already in the process of acquiring some new staff busses.

While thanking the committee for their efforts, he emphasized on the importance of maintaining the buses for staff use.

Belgore strictly warned on the usage of the buses, saying that they are not to be used for personal or external trips such as burials, naming ceremonies, and the likes, in order to ensure their longevity.

He urged the committee to work conscientiously towards maintaining the buses and ensuring they are used only for ministry activities.

Accordingly, The Permanent Secretary informed that the committee is expected to generate revenue by charging token fees for trips, which will be reinvested into maintenance and potentially used to purchase more buses.