NEWS
“NOT ABOUT POLITICS, BUT PERFORMANCE” — FHA BOSS, OYETUNDE OJO PRAISES GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI AS GOVERNOR REAFFIRMS PEOPLE-FIRST GOVERNANCE AT UMUAHIA HOUSING FLAG-OFF
The ground-breaking ceremony of the 1,200-unit Renewed Hope Housing Project in Umuahia evolved into a strong moment of alignment between federal vision and state execution, as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, and Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, both emphasized governance driven by results rather than distractions.
Delivering his remarks, Hon. Ojo underscored that the decision to commence the housing project in Umuahia was intentional, rooted in Governor Otti’s demonstrated readiness to partner for development and his people-oriented leadership style.
“Our choice of kickstarting this project in the Eastern part of the country from Umuahia is very deliberate.
“Your Excellency, the hospitality and warm reception you gave to our management on Tuesday, 10th May, 2024, when we were visiting state Governors, soliciting for land for this programme remains indelible in our memory.
“Not only did you (Gov. Otti) readily tell us that your government has mapped out the land for us, you also promised to assist us in getting off – takers, true to your love of housing for your people of Abia state.
“Mr. President’s charge that the programme should be apolitical, irrespective of political affiliation was very clear and unambiguous.
“Your Excellency, we are not only developing an estate in Umuahia, we are going to create an environment that is the trade mark and signature Federal Housing Authority is noted for, which would be the pride of Abians,“ Hon. Ojo stated.
He went further to draw from his long-standing knowledge of the Governor, linking his private sector pedigree to his current performance in office.
“I have known you (Governor) during your days in Diamond Bank. You are an accomplished banker.
“So, what I’m saying is just a continuation in what our President is also doing at the national level.
“Sometimes, it’s not about politics or political party. I always tell people that it’s about who can do the work.
“You don’t talk about religion. You don’t talk about ethnicity. All you talk about is the progress of human being,“ he stated.
Responding through his own address, Governor Otti reinforced the same philosophy, making it clear that the welfare of the people remains the central focus of his administration, above every other consideration.
“I want to underscore the point that while we are working on our own to provide affordable housing for our people, Honorable Ojo reached out to me and said, I want to come to your State. That was two years ago, 2024.
“And I said, please come. I’m always happy to receive my friends and brothers. And he came. And the request was for land. And I said, consider it done. But we didn’t know it would happen so quickly,” Governor Otti said.
The Governor reiterated that governance must remain people-centric, dismissing divisive narratives that often distract from real development.
In his words, “So, that is what we have focused on here. And I like what he (MD/CEO) said. Everything, call it politics, call it ethnicity, call it religion, all those are distractions.
“The important thing to our people is the welfare of our people. And no matter what happens, our attention will continue to remain on the welfare of our people. That’s why we are here,“ Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti also used the opportunity to address the issue of land compensation, noting that the state had taken deliberate steps to ensure fairness and transparency in dealing directly with verified landowners.
“These lands are owned by families and individuals.
“So, we didn’t deal with communities. We dealt with families and individuals, the original owners of the land.
“And the information available to me, at least, I know I signed off, over 900 claimants, those who own the land. At the last count, anybody that has not been paid, it means there is a problem.
“That means it’s either that your account number is wrong or there are more than two or three families and individuals claiming the land.
“Over 800 out of the around 900 claimants have been settled in full.
“So, the remaining less than 100 people, please resolve your problem so that you can take your money. The money is sitting in the bank and is not earning interest for the State,“ he stated.
Together, the remarks from both leaders painted a consistent picture, one where governance is defined not by political affiliations, ethnicity, or rhetoric, but by measurable impact and commitment to improving lives.
As the Renewed Hope Housing Programme continues to expand under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the collaboration between the FHA and Abia State stands out as a model of how synergy across levels of governmen
t can translate vision into tangible development.