INDEPENDENCE DAY: MINISTER GWARZO CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT,  NIGERIANS  Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has congratulated President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR and entire Nigerians on the occasion of the country's 64th independence anniversary. The Minister made the statement in a message to Nigerians marking this year's independence anniversary. He said as the nation completes another glorious year of her independence, Nigerians have every cause to celebrate the remarkable achievements recorded in our journey to nationhood. "Eventhough our journey to the nationhood was tough and thorny, but with the determination of our leaders Nigeria has attained a significant milestone as the biggest economy and largest democracy in African continent", the Minister said.  He added that "independence Day is celebrated with utmost fervour, zest and a spirit of patriotism to mark the innumerable sacrifices of our leaders both past and present as well as honour the fact that we are living in a free Nigeria". The Minister has assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR, is working assiduously to fix the country's problems, saying  that people's oriented programmes were initiated and numerous projects have came on board and are targeted at addressing the multiple challenges facing the nation. Minister Gwarzo, stated that their Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is pursuing the Renewed Hope Estate and Cities programme vigorously with a view to ensuring that every individuals has access to a safe, affordable, and dignified home irrespective of gender or status. The Minister, therefore, praised Nigerians  for their unalloyed loyalty and contribution to the development of our nation's democratic institutions. He declared that the years ahead would be prosperous as Nigerians would count blessings and opportunities under President Bola Ahmad Tinubu's administration. ...

Your Excellency Sir,   Over the last year, you have immersed yourself in the service of our dear nation as the honourable minister of state for housing and urban development, carrying us, your aides along, transversing the length and breadth of the nation's six geopolitical zones, alongside your principal, breaking ground for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates, as well as representing the nation in different global forums, like the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai UAE, the Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and most recently leading the nation's delegation to a bilateral engagement in the United Kingdom on Land Compensation. In all these, you have demonstrated your sheer dedication and commitment to the course of the Nigerian state, which has indeed inspired us to aim for nothing but the best.   On this very special day, as you celebrate your 64th birthday, I feel immensely privileged to take a moment and pay tribute to such an incredible boss like you. Today is not just a celebration of your life but also an opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you do and represent.   Throughout the years, you have been more than just a boss to us – you have been a leader, mentor, and a true inspiration. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence are qualities that we all strive to emulate. From your strong work ethic to your incredible wisdom, you have left an indelible mark on our lives.   Your visionary approach to leadership has not only guided us through success but has also helped shape our individual careers. Your ability to see the bigger picture ensures that all our efforts are aligned, ultimately fostering a positive work environment where creativity and growth thrive.   One of the most remarkable aspects of your leadership style is your patience, tolerance, altruism, unwavering support, and belief in your team. You have always been there to encourage my ideas and help me realize my true potential. Your ability to motivate and inspire has created an atmosphere where one can confidently set and achieve ambitious goals.   Beyond the professional realm, you have also touched my life on a personal level. Your warm and approachable demeanor has made it easy for me to seek guidance and share my concerns. Your genuine interest in my well-being shows that you genuinely care about each and every one of your aides, irrespective of kinship or kithship ties, fostering a sense of family within our workplace.   Sir, I don’t know how long we would continue to be together, due to natural or other human factors, but I would very much like you to know that, over the years we have been together, I have enjoyed every bit of our togetherness, which has redefined the principal-subordinate relationship. I believe this is due to your sheer magnanimity, big-heartedness, and the reciprocatory method upon which our affinity was built.   Today, as the world celebrates you and your impactful 64 years of life, I cannot be more grateful for all that you have done for me. Your leadership has not only propelled me to new heights, but it has also instilled in me core values that extend far beyond my professional life.   So, on this special occasion, I want to wish you a very happy 64th birthday, filled with joy, blessings, and all the love in the world. May this year bring you good health, happiness, and continued success in all your endeavors.   Thank you once again for being the phenomenal boss that you are. With heartfelt regards,   HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY SIR.   ...

Housing Ministry Partners Notable UK Land Valuation Agency on Review of Compensation Rates for Public Land Acquisition   London, 15th September 2024 — The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has began a landmark partnership with the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), a renowned UK-based professional body specializing in agricultural and rural valuation. The collaboration aims to leverage the expertise, knowledge and experience of CAAV towards finalizing the long overdue review and update of methodologies for compensation rates for public land acquisition in Nigeria, with a focus on crops and economic trees.   Speaking at the first day of the Knowledge Exchange Programme in London, the Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo, emphasized the significance of the partnership in the context of Nigeria's ongoing land reforms. He noted that the programme marks a critical step in the country’s efforts to review, update and harmonize land compensation rates and standards in line with global best practices.   “This collaboration is vital to our ongoing reforms, designed to tackle the systemic challenges in land governance and administration. By leveraging the specialist knowledge of institutions like CAAV, we are confident in developing a framework that is both effective and sustainable,” Minister Gwarzo said.   Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry has embarked on comprehensive land reforms aimed at addressing bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the country’s land value chains. One of the core aspects of these reforms is the review of outdated compensation rates that have been in use since 2008.   During his remarks, Minister Gwarzo highlighted the challenges faced in implementing the Land Use Act of 1978, which defines the process of compulsory land acquisition and compensation for affected landowners. These challenges include the outdated compensation rates and the absence of a nationwide, scientifically grounded structure for determining compensation.   To address these issues, the Nigerian government, through its National Technical Development Forum (NTDF) on Land Administration, has been working on developing a revised compensation regime. The partnership with CAAV is expected to provide critical insights and methodologies for ensuring that compensation rates are updated in real time and meet international standards.   “Our engagement with CAAV will enable us to apply critical professional input in the work we have already done to finalize and develop national reference rates for compensating crops and economic trees in public land acquisition. This will help us implement a dynamic, updatable, and scientifically based central repository of rates for use in various projects,” the Minister added.   The meeting featured technical presentations by the Lead Consultant to the Ministry on the draft Compensation Rates Methodology, Professor Olurotimi Kemiki and Secretary and Adviser CAAV, Jeremy Moody.    In his presentation, Jeremy Moody said the association is pleased to work with the Ministry  towards achieving its objectives. The Knowledge Exchange Programme will continue throughout the week, with both parties expected to share valuable insights and experiences. The outcomes from this engagement will contribute to the Ministry’s final report, which is scheduled to be presented in October 2024.   The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development remains committed to ensuring that land acquisition processes in Nigeria are fair, transparent, and in line with global standards.   ...