Dangiwa Advocates for Youth Inclusiveness in Urban Planning and Development The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has underscored the need to incorporate the youth perspective into Urban Planning and Development, in order to effectively address climate change and ensure that cities remain resilient in the face of emerging challenges. Dangiwa made this known while giving his keynote address at the commemoration of the 2024 World Habitat Day/World Cities, in Abuja. The theme for this year’s World Habitat Day is “Engaging youth to create a better urban future” and for the World Cities Day, “Youth leading climate and local action for cities”. The Minister appreciated the promptness of the themes for the event, pointing out that the youth of today are not only the leaders of tomorrow but are already making significant contributions to sustainable urbanization through innovation and advocacy. While acknowledging the power of the unique insights and powerful voices of the young people in shaping the future of communities, the Minister emphasized on the importance of creating spaces where the ideas of the youth are valued and acted upon. According to him, “By supporting their initiatives with the necessary resources, we can enhance their impact on urban development and climate resilience”. The Minister was delighted at the Ministry’s role to lead Nigeria’s participation in the Urban October celebration, adding that the Ministry took pride in joining the international community to tackle the multifaceted challenges of urbanization, with the goal to raise awareness of the issues within Nigeria and promote collaborative action across all levels from local communities to the international stage. Arc. Dangiwa noted some of the steps being taken in the Country under the Housing Ministry to meet the challenges of rapid urbanization to include: the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Program which aims to build 50,000 housing units under phase 1; a 2-Day Workshop on Green Buildings by World Bank, IFC EDGE Programme, for technical staff of the Ministry, which is part of the drive to ensure the incorporation of sustainable and climate smart practices into housing projects. Accordingly, he stated the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable urbanization beyond housing, siting initiatives that support the low income earners such as the ongoing work towards the establishment of the National Social Housing Fund, aimed at helping the lower income Nigerians access affordable housing. While the Minister revealed that the efforts of the Ministry aligned closely with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty, inequality, and climate change, he acknowledged that the challenges required the support of every segment of the society, with youth playing a key role. “By engaging youth in urban planning and decision-making, we can create cities that offer opportunities for all while remaining resilient to the impacts of climate change”, he added. Further charging the young leaders to drive real change with their potentials, Dangiwa assured that they would be provided with the needed resources and opportunities to shape a sustainable and equitable urban future. “We stand with you, ready to amplify your voices and support your efforts in creating cities that reflect our shared values”, he encouraged. Similarly, he expressed optimism that the work being done at the Ministry would impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, making housing more affordable and accessible while fostering inclusive urban growth. Earlier in his message for the day, the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Antonio Guterres, noted that Cities needed the energy and vision of youths to champion the cause for change, being at the forefront of climate crisis with more than half of the world’s population and 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Mr. Gutteres expressed hope that empowering young people can lead to acceleration of climate action and global driven progress for Sustainable Development Goals. “We must amplify their voices, invest in their ideas, and promote their meaningful participation in urban decision-making”, he further said. In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, Honourable Abiante Awaji, represented by the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdulhakeem Ado, said the occasion offered an opportunity for reflection, action and collaboration in the strive to create a sustainable, inclusive resilient Urban space. He stated that the challenges of lack of proper planning, building without consideration of climate change, conversion of residential areas to that of commercial, among others, being faced by Cities can be solved when young people whose energy, creativity and commitment to sustainability are engaged. Hon. Abiante further assured that the house committee would continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian Cities are planned and managed for the benefit of both present and future generations. In his Welcome Address, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated that by the event, the Country was joining the global community in the laudable venture of advancing the interest of National, regional and global stakeholders, on issues of sustainable urbanization. He encouraged all stakeholders to contribute their ideas, share experiences and propose solutions in the their discussions. “Let us work together to build inclusive, safe and resilient cities where all citizens regardless of background or social economic status can thrive”, he said. Dr. Oginbiyi expressed appreciation to the UN- Habitat for their roles in making the event possible.
FG Commissions National Housing Programme in Kwara State. The Federal Government has commissioned Phase One of the National Housing Programme in Asa Dam, Road Ilorin in Kwara state. President Muhammadu Buhari who commissioned the housing programme was represented by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture; Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated that the housing project was one of the projects undertaken by this Administration. President Buhari said that the completion of the project is part of the fulfillment of the promise of change to improve the human condition made by the All Progressive Congress. He disclosed that the micro, small and medium businesses that drive the economy were given the contract to build the houses and through them, the value chain of business activities witnessed a tremendous boost that impacted positively on ordinary Nigerians. The Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq who was represented by the Kwara State Commissioner for Housing, Architect Aliyu Muhammadu expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN CON, for making Kwara State one of the beneficiaries of the Federal Government Housing project. The Governor also acknowledged the positive trickling down effect of the project in terms of job creation and long value chain of building construction and the general economic benefits to the people of the state. The Governor further said, " There is therefore no doubt about the unprecedented investment of the President in critical infrastructure across every part of Nigeria such as roads, bridges, housing, railways, water, education, power, energy and health infrastructure which all progressive minds will ever remain grateful for." The Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Director, Public Building and Housing Development, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Architect Solomon Labafilo informed the people that the Federal Government through his Ministry has delivered housing projects in 35 states of the federation. He added that the completed housing project being commissioned has 76 units of houses comprising 4 units of one bedroom, 48 units of two bedroom, 20 units of three bedroom and 4 units of three-bedroom bungalows. The Minister said the design of the houses was determined by the outcome of a national survey which revealed the prevalent need for bungalows in the North and flats in the South. He assured the people that the houses are offered to members of the general public without discrimination by opening the National Housing Portal, https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng to ensure that interested Nigerian citizens are not inhibited by artificial obstacles and promised that allocations would be made on the basis of those who apply and pay first. The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Bashir Nura Alkali represented by the Ministry’s Director of Survey and Zonal Director Housing North Central, Quantity Surveyor Pemi Temitope revealed that over 1200 building contractors have been engaged under phases 1,2 and 3 of the programme since its inception in 2016 and over 14,500 direct and 50,140 indirect jobs have been created. He added that during this period, the Ministry had undertaken the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 states and the FCT. The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Sulu Gambari represented by Alhaji Kayode Sadiq, the Alaga Owode, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and prayed God to continue to bless, guide and protect him. He also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, CON. The Community Youth Leader of Asa Dam, Mr. Dayo Atolagbe expressed the profound appreciation of the community to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Kwara State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for locating the project in their community. He further appreciated the government for the good roads that were provided to link the housing estate and security maintenance in the area. ...
PMB's Administration's Newly Constructed and Rehabilitated Roads... Boost to Health Care Delivery - Fashola .... Beautiful Ambiance of Environment has enhanced Treatment - CMD. OWO. FMC. H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing has said that the five number internal roads both newly constructed and rehabilitated by the FG within the Federal Medical Center, Owo in Ondo State is part of government's intervention to boost health care delivery in the Health Sector of Nigeria. This, he said will go a long way in saving lives of citizens. The Minister stated this during the official Commissioning and hand over of five numbers (5) internal roads intervention at the Federal Medical Center Owo in Ondo State. The Minister, who was represented by the Ag. Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Engr. Olajide Hussein said that with these newly constructed and rehabilitated five internal road network within FMC, Owo, already from reports and testimonials of patients using the facility has been a great boost to timely treatment of patients, the easy and speedy movement of emergency patients within and in between wards and also different clinical sections has been greatly enhanced. Speaking further, Fashola confirmed that the gap of Nigerian's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction of impactful internal roads within varied institutions and Federal Medical Centers. In his words... ''We have successfully intervened in 64 internal Roads projects in various Federal Tertiary institutions and handed over a total of 46 as at March, 2022 and we are now having another 18 ready to be handed over, while we are currently attending to 19 roads in similar institutions across the Country making a total of 83. The entire FMC, Owo community made up of Doctors, Resident Doctors, Nurses, Trainee Nurses, patients and their relatives who use the facility for medical treatment have all expressed renewed enthusiasm and glaring joy with regards to receiving timely and quality attention and treatment to their wards which has both saved lives and funds since these five roads intervention by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing came into effect. The Minister also affirmed that this intervention is consistent with the progressive ideal of President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration's commitment of improving human condition, and that this process continues here as we hand over these five internal newly constructed and rehabilitated roads within the Federal Medical Center Owo as a critical intervention to support this medical institution. Also, during the construction of these five roads, people were employed in the process, thereby contributing to the job creation initiatives of the government and it is hoped that the Management the Federal Medical Center, Owo will now ensure that this asset is used properly and not abused. Earlier, the Chief Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Liasu Adeagbo who was represented by Dr. Aiyeyemi Adeyinka Joseph - Head Clinical Services and Director Training was full of deep appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON. He said to this five internal road network intervention has brought a lot of joy to them as Medical Doctors and much more to the patients they treat, this has boosted their moral to provide quality health care services to patients, who in turn because of the beautiful ambiance of the environment believe that they will be healed once they enter the Facility. Dr. Joseph however appealed that this Sectoral collaboration is necessary and should continue - Bad roads he said are a great danger to genuine attempt in saving lives especially in the movement of emergency patients within different clinical sections for immediate treatment - this is due to the vast expanse of land which Owo Federal Medical Center occupies. This he also said is a great boost to the Doctors as well who find it now very easy to access wards and patient for treatment and attention. These roads have also made it easier for Trainee Nurses to move around during training sessions. Also in the same vein, the Ag. Head of Nursing Services, Mrs Mabel Atinuke Asegbeloyin said that the road network intervention has enhanced smooth transportation of both workers, patients and trainee nurses around thereby making their work easy- areas across different wards and patient are now easily accessed. Affirming the huge benefits of these roads also was Dr Opeyemi Samuel Salako, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors in the Center, he said this is a very laudable infrastructural intervention which has brought improvement to the accessibility of the knocks and crannies of the facility, especially in the swift movement of patients from emergency points to wards and theatres for immediate treatment. He honestly appreciated the President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, while also hoping that more of such intervention to improve health care service delivery in other Medical Centers around Nigeria should be considered. The entire Owo Medical Center community of both Doctors, Resident Doctors, Nurses, Administrative and Security officials were all glad and full of appreciation for this Federal Government gesture of road network intervention infrastructure. ...
FG Passionate About Training Workers The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali has stated that the Federal Government is passionate about skill acquisition and professionalism among its workers and as such deemed it necessary to equip and train its officers in the areas of Leadership, Professional Ethics, Code of Conduct in Public Service and Career Prospects and Progression for Professionals to achieve positive and maximum work output. Alkali made the remarks at the opening of a Professional Training for Lands and Estate Officers in the Lands and Housing Development Department of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing which held at the conference hall of the Ministry. The Permanent Secretary noted that there has been low productivity, indiscipline and lack of efficiency among officers and to curb these unproductive attitude officers needed to be trained and re-trained to enhance greater understanding of their responsibilities coupled with the knowledge and skill needed to do work to enhance productivity and maximum output which had necessitated this training programme. He stated that he is pleased with the training, giving the present disposition and lack of commitment among members of staff in the Public Service considering the growing awareness and expectation of service delivery from Public Officers in a growing democracy like ours. “The importance of this training at this time cannot be overemphasized with the growing awareness and expectation of service delivery from Public Officers in a growing democracy like ours. It is important that those vested with the management of most valuable assets be made to increase their efficiency and productivity as well as professionalism to grow the economy.” Alkali encouraged officers to be committed and make the programme a great success so as to gain maximum benefits in their career as Lands Officers to improve efficiency and productivity. There were four paper presentations namely: Career Prospects and Progression for Professionals and the Public Service by the Director Performance Management Department, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. B.O Olaniyi, Leadership Training/Professional Ethics for Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Public Service by the Registrar Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), ESV Ifeanyi Uzonwanne, Proposal, Memo and Report Writing in Public Service by the Director/HOD Lands and Housing Department, ESV. Itoyachimin Godwin, and the Role of Estate Officers/Land Officers in the Execution of the Statutory Responsibilities of the Department of Lands and Housing Development by ESV. Felix Appah. ...
HON MINISTER , HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA DECLARING OPEN A TRAINING WORKSHOP ON GREEN BUILDINGS PRACTICES FOR THE STAFF OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS OF THE MINISTRY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2024
Hon Minister , Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa declaring open a Training Workshop on Green Buildings Practices for the Staff of Professional Developments of the Ministry, Wednesday, October 30th, 2024
2024 URBAN OCTOBER: DANGIWA ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH INCLUSIVENESS IN URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa