THE CHALLENGES OF HOME OWNERSHIP IN NIGERIA

 TRANSFORMATION AGENDA OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNEMENT AND THE CHALLENGES OF HOME OWNERSHIP IN NIGERIA: WHICH WAY FORWARD FOR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

One of the most basic needs of people is shelter but in Nigeria and in sub-Sahara African most people still find housing a major challenge as even the smallest units are out their reach. It is interesting to note that all governments since Independence have always highlighted housing as a major priority. Although, the Federal government established the Federal Mortgage Bank to assist Nigerians in this regards, terms and conditions for mortgage loans have continually made it inaccessible to majority of Nigerians. Many housing developers have emerged in recent years in Nigeria, however the cost of owing such houses have almost made impossible to buy from them

The Federal Government under President YarAdua created the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development from the former the erstwhile Ministry of Works and Housing and tasked it with the provision of housing across the country; however a lot need to be done to address the huge gap existing in the housing sector.

MAJOR OBSTACLES TO HOUSING DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

In 1978 the Obasanjo regime passed the Land Use Act which vests the ownership of all Land in the government. Accessing the land for both Agriculture and Housing Development became a major problem. On assumption of office the President YarAdua promised to review the Land Use Act to make land more accessible. This pledge of Mr. President was not fully address before he died in 2010

Another challenge facing the housing delivery is the high cost of building materials in Nigeria. There are some restrictions on the importation of some building materials. Cement factories in Nigeria for instance are not meeting the local demand. Also steel which is needed in the building industry is hardly produced locally and since local currency fluctuate against foreign currencies prices of steel is not always stable. It was in need to address the problem of steel import that lead government to establish steel industries but they have not been in operation fully since establishment. With housing deficit hovering around 16 million units of housing, urgent measure should be put in place to avoid crisis in the future. This number of housing units will cost more than N45trn being speculated the way cost of building materials keep changing. Meanwhile in order to provide decent and affordable mass houses to meet the nation’s housing requirement, the Vision 2020 economic blueprint had recommended the construction of 600,000 housing units by the Federal Ministry of Housing. The State governments are not helping in regards to housing provision even in the state where they hold sway.

The high interest charged by financial institutions like banks have made acquisition of houses inaccessible. The government does not provide its workers necessary support to own houses in Nigeria as it is done in other developed economies.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN NIGERIA IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY

(A) Acts 8: 1 – 8

Paul was in complete agreement with the killing of Stephen. And a great wave of persecution of the believers began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled into Judea and Samara. (But some godly Jews came and with great sorrow buried Stephen).

Paul was like a wild man, going everywhere to devastate the believers, even entering private homes and dragging out men and women alike and jailing them.

But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus! (The Living Bible).

(B) John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(C) John 15:18 – 23

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

(D) Rom 12: 14, 17 – 21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse … Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge: I will repay” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (NIV)

(E) 1Chr 16: 13 – 22

O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And has confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, saying, unto thee I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance when ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

And when they went from nation to nation, from one Kingdom to another people; He suffered no men to do them wrong: yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes. Saying, Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm (KJV).

(F) 1Pet 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and an holy nation, a perculiar people: that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Brethren, these are Words of God for a traumatized church undergoing persecution. It is not easy to comprehend these admonitions when bombs are detonated in places of worship and people die for no other reason than for the fact that they decided to worship God in obedience to His admonition that believers must not forsake the assembly of God’s people.

How can a man explain to a traumatized church who has just lost loved ones to the cold hands of death, who is tending to the injured in the hospital that it is not right to seek revenge. But that is the truth! And that is the expectation of God upon our lives. This is hard teaching, but it is the truth and that is why many left from following Jesus in his days.

The Church in Nigeria had become complacent and lookwarm. A great many of us have become artists and show Business impresario telling the people what they want to hear and warming their way into people's pockets. The allure of filthy lucre has drawn a great many away from preaching righteousness and holy living. The business of prosperity on earth has overtaken the desire to lay our treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust corrupts and where thieves do not break through or steal. Matt 6:19-20.

In most churches, the great commission has been left to a motley group referred to as EVANGELISM TEAM as if other members are not supposed to engage in evangelism.

Christianity has been relegated to an urban phenomenon in Nigeria where men of God built giant overcrowded edifices to the neglect of evangelizing the larger population in the rural areas. Whatever happened to Christ directive for us to go to the” uttermost part of the earth”.

This is the scenario of Spiritual laxity that saw to the resurgence of the enemy of the church to wreck havoc. Let no one think that geographical location is a protection from the wiles of the evil one.

The church must arise as one and claim our heritage in the Lord. We must not use the arm of the flesh for it will fail. We must arise knowing that our weapons of warfare are nor carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of stronghold

(2 Cor. 10:3 – 4) for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.

Brethren this being the case what must our response be?

The Church of God in Nigeria must in response to the present circumstance embark on a series of actions immediately. Let no Christian by reason of geographical location think that he is safe when brethren are attacked for no other reason but for their faith. The church must bind together as one to protect and defend one another as a protection for all in Nigeria.

The following actions are therefore recommended:-

VALEDICTORY SPEECH OF ENGR. SAMSON AMEH OPALUWAH AS OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF ABUJA CHAPTER OF IFMA

IFMA Abuja, was established on 15^th, March, 2006 when the then President of IFMA Nigeria, Mrs. Marrion Johnson and the Secretary Mrs. Iyabode Abaoba visited Abuja on the invitation of practicing facility managers in the Capital City to inaugurate the Abuja Chapter. Prior to this time, members of IFMA Nigeria domiciled in Abuja had to attend monthly meetings in Lagos at extreme cost and inconvenience.  A decision was therefore reached upon request that a chapter be inaugurated in Abuja, the new Federal Capital Territory.  After the inauguration, the chapter continued to meet monthly up till this time.

Intentions of Establishing Abuja Chapter of IFMA 

The establishment of Abuja Chapter of IFMA is part of a sustained effort by professional facility managers to arrest the decline in the management of Nigeria’s facilities and infrastructure. The nascent Federal Capital City of Abuja was clocking thirty years then and the facilities had started showing signs of wear and tear which if not quickly and professionally arrested will lead to a general decay of large portions of the Capital.  The Abuja Chapter of IFMA was thus established to among others:

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ALHAJI MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR RIMI

I received the news of your sudden death with a rude shock.

I had always admired your bubbling and infectious zeal to accomplish whatever task or goal you set for yourself.

Even though, by my Christian faith, I know that death can come knocking at any time hence our resolve to be assured of life in the hereafter which only Jesus Christ can guarantee, I naively did not know that death was so close to you hence my shock.

Your Excellency, you have been so many things in this country, governor, minister, and chairman of board etc. You acquitted yourself well. Many of us who observed you from afar knew that you were a gem and that your shortcomings were too insignificant to douse the shine of the star which you are.

I can vividly recall your acceptance to replace the disqualified governorship candidate of the PRP in Kano State in the year 1979. Your confidence and the zeal with which you prosecuted the campaigns under the leadership of late Mallam Aminu Kano was not only clinically efficient but a classic example of an election that reflected the will of the people.

Alhaji, in Nigeria’s political terrain, shifting alliances is the order of the day. You had your fair share of shifting locations and alliances however it is to your credit that your ideological posture and direction was never in question or doubt due to the way and manner you comported yourself and conducted your affairs.

Wisdom and happenings round the world demands that a move from the far left to the left of centre is more desirable considering our contemporary experiences.

We will miss you!

Adieu! Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Adieu!

You have fought the good fight.

The progressives still standing will not let you down.

May God comfort and console your family.

Engr. Samson Ameh Opaluwah

Associated Estate

Abuja.

To Dress and to Keep!

It is amazing when we are able to comprehend the marvellous and wonderful plans of our Father in heaven concerning us. The I AM that I AM confessed it thus, “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end.” Jer. 29 v 11.

The fall of Adam signified the decline of man from the privileged position of maintaining what has already been put in place and depending on the resources, which he did not provide to one, who eats in sorrow from a cursed ground. What a pity! Man has lost a prime position where he was king and ministered to and has become a peasant labouring to feed from a cursed ground.

It is important to examine the original intention of god for man at creation. A few salient points come to mind:

1. God created man in his own image. Gen 1:27

Image is defined in the Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English as: “in the same form or shape as someone or something else.” It therefore means that man is replica of God by His own voluntary decision. It also follows that having created man thus, He requested a level; of fellowship which is divinely ordained by creating man after the likeness of God.

ii. God gave man dominion. Gen 1:26

God’s intention for man is to be totally in charge. Thus, man was given dominion over all the earth and all that is contained therein. This implies the power or right to rule over them. Man is thus a king of the whole earth and constituents. The king has a right and the power to rule, to decree, to order and it is to be carried out without questioning.

iii. God created man, male and female. Gen 1:27

The difference in sexes was divinely ordained by God and He desired that man should lack nothing to complement his existence in order for him to function in the perfect will of God. The man and the woman are created in the image of God.

Facilities Management in the Nigerian Public Sector

Facility Management embraces the concepts of cost-effectiveness, productivity improvement, efficiency and employee quality of life. Facilities Management (FM) is the integration of multi-disciplinary activities within the built environment and the management of their impact upon people and the workplace. Effective facilities management which is the efficient integration of the available resources with the activities of an organization is vital to its success.

At the corporate level, it contributes to the delivery of strategic and operational objectives. On a day-to-day level, effective facilities management provides a safe and efficient working environment, which is essential to the performance of any business –whatever its size and scope. 

The FM sector is still in its infancy, having been organized in its current format just about three decades ago but it offers great challenges to the Public. The ability of an organization to create, manage and sustain the most appropriate structure that would eventually translate into a value added service is the thrust of this discussion.

A value added approach can be said to involve the organization of an entity or operation through the setting up of cost structures, allocation of resources including its people, equipment, information systems, materials etc. Considerable value can be added through effective organization and management. Nigeria is the country with the largest population of black Africans in the world. With a population of 150 million, one out of every four black persons in the world is a Nigerian.

This country, which is rich in mineral deposits especially crude oil was colonized by the British until 1960 when it obtained independence. Infrastructural and facility development in the colonial era was motivated not by a desire to develop the country but to service industries and other interests in Europe. At independence (1960), Nigerians took over the helms of affairs in governance but the policy thrust of government remained the same. 

This resulted in government embarking on massive developmental projects, which although useful to the society however had no sustainability programs built into them. Thus development projects that were meaningfully conceived and executed failed not long after they are commissioned into operational use. In view of the above situation, it has become imperative that a re-engineering of the procurement process, the management of construction and the facility management of projects in Nigeria be embarked upon as a national priority. It is even more imperative as the main source of income to the country, which is crude oil, may not continue for much longer to be the hot cake in the international market as it is today.