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President Bola Tinubu’s initiative of empowering at least 1,500 people in all the 8,809 wards across the country will have a positive impact on the poor and vulnerable in the country, the Governor of Kaduna State,Uba Sani, has said. The governor, who described the Ward Development Plan as unprecedented in the history of Nigeria, said that the policy would take the peculiarities of each ward into account. Governor Sani disclosed this at the inauguration of free houses for 100 widows by the Family Homes Funds Limited, under the Social Housing Project at Rigachukun in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna state on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, he disclosed that he would convene a town hall meeting with all the elected officials and relevant stakeholders in Kaduna State, to fashion out the special needs of each community. According to him, the Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project ‘’ aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. ‘’Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit. ‘’We recently distributed houses to families of victims of banditry under the Qatar Sannabil Project, a collaborative initiative between the Kaduna State Government and Qatar Charity. ‘’We have also flagged off the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout and Urban Shelter’s 200 hectares housing project in Millennium City, Kaduna,’’ he added. The Governor also said that the Nigerian Airforce, Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Federal Housing Authority had all embarked on mass housing projects in Kaduna State ‘’ because of the conducive atmosphere we have created, coupled with our attractive incentives.’’ He recalled that ‘’we recently organised a hugely successful International Housing Exhibition which offered a unique platform for stakeholders to discuss and share housing development initiatives, explore emerging technologies, and proffer practical solutions to Northern Nigeria’s housing challenges.’’ In his remarks, the Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, Mr Ademola Adebise, noted that the project ‘’symbolizes renewed hope and restored dignity, particularly for the 100 resilient women empowered through this initiative.’’ According to the Chairman, the Social Housing Project ‘’ also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.’’ ‘’Through this development, FHFL has demonstrated a new model of social housing delivery in Nigeria — one that integrates home ownership with skills training, livelihood support, and climate-smart construction. ‘’ This project reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility. These homes are energy-efficient, incorporating solar energy and sustainable materials. In doing so, we are not only reducing energy costs for these families but also setting a standard for green living. ‘’By deploying Expanded Polystyrene System (EPS) technology, we have achieved faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective housing aligned with Nigeria’s low-carbon and climate-resilient objectives,’’ he added. Adebise disclosed that each of the beneficiaries ‘’ has received extensive livelihood support training, designed to kick-start small businesses and support enduring income generation. ‘’Each of the homes has been provisioned with a cottage yard where agricultural produce can be grown, processed and sold at the sprawling market and communal space situated within the estate,’’ he added. In his speech, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, recalled that the project was inherited from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. ‘’Government is work in progress. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to ensure that anything started by his brother is completed and value is even added to it. According to him, the project is a collaboration amongst the determined women who led the Adashe Cooperative and reached out to the Family Homes Funds, through the Ministry of Women Affairs. ‘’This couldn’t have been possible without the local government. This couldn’t have been possible without the state government. This couldn’t have been possible without the Federal Government and its agencies.” Senator Bagudu said that he and his Finance Ministry counterpart ensured that the project was funded and delivered to the beneficiaries who are widows, free of charge. He said that he was not surprised that the first project took place in Kaduna because ‘’we have a Governor who will knock on every door, who will ensure that nobody sleeps until things are done for the benefit of the people.’’ According to the Minister, Governor Uba Sani demonstrated this love for his people by sacrificing all programmes on his agenda and personally attending the inauguration of the Family Homes Funds.
