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FG to build 1m shelters for the poor and vulnerable across Nigeria
…each shelter to cost 3m naira – Humanitarian Minister
Federal government says plans are underway to build one million shelters for the poor, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in the country.
According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, each of the shelters will cost three million naira.
Speaking to journalists while inspecting a completed sample of the building in the Idu industrial area in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister said the shelters will be built in areas where there are IDPs and extremely poor people across the country.
The Minister said these shelters will come in one and two bedroom flats and will be built for by the people of the community.
“Government intends to build a million shelter across Nigeria for poor, Internally Displaced Persons and refugees which invariably translate to providing shelter to about 5 million Nigerians.
“Each of these shelter were budgeted at 3 million naira to get them completed and off course this is partly reflected in our budget for 2024, and if you recall the federal government had just approved the humanitarian trust fund which has 30 percent donation from the government and the remaining 70 percent are from the private sector and donor agencies, development partners and philanthropic individuals amongst others”, she said.
Describing the prototype of the building, she said, “We have to immediately carry out sample of what this shelters will look like so we have two of them. One, is one bedroom and the second one is two bedroom flats.
“What also interesting about it is that we want to introduce the solar system so that this shelter for the poor, vulnerable, refugees and Internally Displaced Persons are not dependent on the national grid but can at least use the solar system to take care of the basic electrical needs such as lights, charging of phones and basic ironing.
“So we are here to inspect and officially take over the one bedroom and two bedroom that had been built as samples for the shelter program under the ministry of humanitarian Affairs and poverty Alleviation.
“Remember that we are dealing with multi dimensional poverty, and parts of the dimensions is the fact that the people do not have a proper shelter over their heads.
“We went to Benue and we saw millions of people who had been displaced and are staying in a shelter that is very tight and this is a family of six or five living in that little water proof house. When it rains, it rain on them, when the sun comes down it shun on them and their little children which is totally unacceptable. And that is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that we should help this communities and build dignified homes that are built by themselves, this is not going to be built by a contractor, it’s the community that is going to build by themselves, and by way they’ll be empowered, we are training the young people on building skills to be part of it, we also give them the dignity of building the house they will live in.
“This is what will give the community that ownership of the project, by so doing they’ll not vandalize it or destroy it. At the same time it gives them the economic power. Because as they build they are being paid, like those who brought water, cement, sand from the sea, those who cut the wood from the bush were all paid, so that locality or village gets the support need to build themselves up economically. So it’s both economic empowerment, skills empowerment and most importantly provide shelter for those without shelter”.
She stated that the project which already began in Benue state will be done in Borno, Zamfara, Adamawa, Yobe and other areas where there are IDPs, refugees and poor and vulnerable people.
“They have already done the ground breaking in Benue state, and as we speak, they have completed the clearing of about 10 hectares, giving for the building of the 40 houses.
“The borehole that will supply water to the building is ongoing, thereafter the setting and laying of foundation for the building.
“It is easy to build, this was built basically in 10days . And we want to see how we can put more speed because a lots of IDPs exist in different parts of Nigeria and they need shelter as soon as possible”, she added.
The President of the Nigerian Senate Godswill Obot Akpabio said, he will not be distracted by the baseless allegation and antics of Elisha Abbo who formerly represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the Senate, stating that it was unfortunate that the ex-lawmaker has started another round of malicious campaign against him.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, declaring that Elisha Abbo’s outbursts are those of a failed politician who fraudulently represented Adamawa North Senatorial District before the Court intervention cleared him out of way.
Akpabio through his aide was reacting to Elisha Abbo’s blame on Akpabio, suggesting that he was responsible for his electoral woes in an interview he granted on Arise Television on Wednesday while he featured on politics today.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention.
“He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.”
Akpabio said he was perturbed the more over Elisha’s outburst on him over an issue he has regretted and apologized to him publicly in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was “premature and based on the available information at his disposal.
He noted further that Abbo had once discussed with him last year and acknowledge that “he was not involved in the judicial process that led to his ouster from the Senate.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.
“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.”
Given that Abbo has exonerated him, Akpabio said he found it illogical and irresponsible for him to now turn around and heap blames on him.
“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.”
Akpabio noted that he has no executive fiat to approve finances, except such has been duly vetted and forwarded to him by the appropriate administrative units in line with the public finance guidelines.
If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.
It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.
His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.
Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.
Structured HQ Legal, (SHQ) has issued a public notice warning against any transactions involving the buying, selling, leasing, or letting of the Hampton Harbour landed property.
The landed property measuring at 19.5 hectares is located at Elegushi Royal Family Land, Ikate Ancient City, Eti Osa, Local Government Area, Lagos State with reference number 376/376/2777GC and belongs to the Baggeren International Company.
In an official press statement issued to the news men, the firm disclosed that the property is currently under legal scrutiny, cautioning that any individual or entity engaging in transactions related to Hampton Harbour does so at their own risk. They also emphasized that unauthorized dealings could lead to significant financial loss and expose parties involved to legal consequences.
SHQ further noted that any person(s) who proceeds with any dealings in relation to the Hampton Harbour property risks both financial loss and potential legal actions noting that such transactions may result in criminal and civil liabilities for trespass or fraud.
The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and ensure due diligence before engaging in any transactions concerning Hampton Harbour. Prospective buyers, investors, or stakeholders must seek formal confirmation and approval from Structured HQ Legal or Baggeren International Company Limited to avoid financial and legal risks.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday said, requirements for recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District were lacking in the petition.
In a statement to update circumstances surrounding a purported petition against Natasha, the INEC said, it has rejected the petition.
The Commission said, Natasha is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there are requirements to recall her or any other Senator, but it cannot consider the petitions that lack merits.
Earlier the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, acknowledged receipt of petition against the embattled lawmaker from her constituents after submitting it to the INEC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Contents, but was suspended from the Senate over alleged breach of Senate Standing Rules.
Natasha disclosed that she has approached the Court to quash her suspension which she claimed was illegal.
According to the petitioners, over 250,000 constituents’ signed the petition, out of about 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district.
The petition was titled Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.
In a brief statement on Thursday, the Commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
The female lawmaker also on Tuesday defied ban by Kogi State Government and visited her Senatorial District in what she said, was a Sallah visit to felicitate with those who gave her their mandate.
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