The UN-Habitat Youth Programme-Nigeria has emphasised the need for governments at all levels and stakeholders in housing sector to invest more in housing development in the country.
Country Director of the habitat, Mr Uzoh Ifeanyi, made the call on Monday, October 5, 2020 in Abuja at the UN World Habitat Day 2020 celebration.
This year’s celebration has the theme: “Housing for all: A better urban future”.
He explained that the UN system observes the month of October every year as “Urban October”, adding that every first Monday in October had been designated to commemorate the World Habitat Day.
He added that the day focuses attention on the state of the world’s town and cities with a view to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of the present and future generations.
Ifeanyi said that increased investment in housing development was the faster way of creating more jobs for the teeming youth in the post COVID-19 era and ensure infrastructural development in the country.
He appealed to the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) occupying various schools across the country.
“Most of such IDPs are likely to be displaced once again as schools resume after the Covid-19 lockdown,” he said.
Ms Queen Ehirim, former Regional Representative, West and Central Africa UN-MGCY, said that decent housing plays an important role in removing barriers to opportunity, success and health of families.
On his part, Dr Dickson Akoh, Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), advised government to provide social and sustainable housing in the country.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to leverage more on private developers and provide them with necessary resources to make housing available and accessible in the country.
The Country Director of the habitat youth programme presented an award to Mr Kingsley Azonobi, Chief Executive Officer of Domak Shelter Ltd., for his outstanding contribution to the provision of affordable housing in the country.
A happy Azonobi thanked the habitat youth programme for recognising his efforts in addressing housing deficit in the country.
He donated 20 hectares of land for the construction of the Nigerian youth village in Domak Garden City in Karshi Development Area, Nasarawa State.
He assured the group that Domak Shelter Ltd. would design a secretariat for the NYCN to enable it have a conducive working environment.
By Salisu Sani-Idris
