Amunike, others receive house key as Buhari commissions NHP projects
Story from Adah ABAH
Uche Okafor, Emmanuel Ammunike, and Alloy Agu of the 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles have received the keys and title deeds to the houses allocated to them by the Federal Government of Nigeria as President Muhammadu Buhari Commissions housing projects in eastern Nigeria under the federal government’s National Housing Programme (NHP).
President Muhammadu Buhari handed over the houses to them during the commissioning ceremony of the completed houses under the first Phase of the National Housing Programme (NHP) at Avu Town in Imo state on Thursday, 31st March,2022.
In his remark, elated President Buhari, according to a statement, said the housing projects across Nigeria have provided government with the opportunity to make the impossible possible by remembering to redeem the promise of providing houses for the nation’s Super Eagles Squad for winning the 1994 African Nation’s Cup.
“The progressive ideals of our government seek to achieve one objective which is to improve human condition but there is more to our message of change and improving human conditions in these housing projects. They make possible that which is impossible,” said President Buhari.
He said, “It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our country made a promise to provide housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled.”
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Honourable Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the President said, “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.”
In addition, “As the saying goes, it is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocations to the 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estates located in their states of choice, and their keys and title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their states while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public,” said the President.
Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was represented by Director, Public Buildings and Housing, Arc. Solomon Labafilo said “ We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on first come, first first served basis.”
“Today in Imo state at Along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, we have completed and are handing over 68- units of housing comprising, 24-units in condominium( 1bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28 units 2 bedroom and 16 units 3 bedroom bungalows,” Fashola revealed.
One of the beneficiaries, Ex Super Eagles Captain and Goal Keeper who was also the Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Alloy Agu, said “It is a day of fulfillment after waiting for 27 years plus and today we are able to receive what we have long waited for. We thank God and we appreciate the Federal Government for redeeming this pledge.”
On issue of the vandalisation of federal government projects going on across Nigeria, Agu responded, “My advice is that we have to take good care of Nigeria. We stand for Nigeria within and outside the shores to make sure that this country is being protected and we can’t be among those that will be destroying what Nigeria has achieved. We have to secure Nigeria and not to destroy it.”
Mrs. Uche Nwanze who stood for the family of the late ex super eagle, Uche Okafor who is also a beneficiary remarked “I thank the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari for remembering the beneficiaries at this time and I also thank Mr Raji Babatunde Raji Fashola.”
While advising the youths she said, “People must not resort to spoiling government properties for any reason, rather they must exert their energies in learning skills and protect government infrastructure.”
Emmanuel Amunike, the third beneficiary who was represented by Balogun Adewale at the event said, “It is unbelievable and it is reality after 27 years that this handing over is taking place today.”
Encouraging the citizens to be united and supportive of government projects, Amunike said, “Ths is our country; we don’t have any other we can go, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa have to come together so that we can make this country great.”
