Three out of the 1994 Super Eagles squad; Ike Sorounmu, Mutiu Adepoju, Finidi George and the team’s medical doctor; Dr. Akin Amao have become proud landlords of a three bedroom bungalow at the National Housing Project Site, Onidundu, Akinyẹle Local Government of Ibadan Oyo State.
The four beneficiaries from the best super eagles composition of all times received the keys to their various apartments on Tuesday; December 20, 2022. The handing over ceremony was in fulfilment of Gen. Sani Abacha’s promise to the winners of the 1994 AFCON tournament.
Aside the elated beneficiaries Barrister Adewale Adesokan who is the first outright buyer of an apartment from the Federal Government’s pragmatic National Housing Program (NHP) also received the keys to his newly bought apartment.
Present at the event were the beneficiaries all looking hale and hearty despite the advancement in their ages. However, Finidi George was absent, hence his keys were received on his behalf by Ike Sorounmu. Also, Dr. Akin Amao was well represented by his sister; Mrs. Yetunde Adeniyi who received the keys on his behalf.
Also in attendance were the representative of the honourable minister of works and Housing; Babatunde Raji Fashola, the representative of the government of Oyo state; Director, land management Audu Hakeem Ademola, the reprentative of the state commissioner of police as well as the representative of Baale James Arẹmu; the traditional ruler of the community among others.
According to the welcome speech credited to Bashir Nura Alkali; the permanent secretary; Federal Ministry of Works and Housing who was ably represented by Mr. Raymond Ogunlewe, the NHP aims at constructing acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. He also affirmed that the philosophy behind the NHP is the provision of pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the National Housing Policy.
The beneficiaries were full of appreciation to God for sparing their lives to witness this auspicious occasion. They also expressed satisfaction with the federal government for fulfilling the promise made. In the words of Mrs. Yetunde Adeniyi, “..we are very appreciative of the Federal Government who has made this to come to past.”
Mutiu Adepoju ‘headmaster’ has said: “I just have to be thankful to God, I have to be thankful to President Buhari, the federal government, I have to be thankful to the honourable minister of works and housing; Barrister Babatunde Fashola and also the Minister for sports. Twenty eight years is long .. but I’m happy that I would be able to touch and show people this is what I gain for representating Nigeria…”
Ike Sorounmu while responding to questions from journalists affirms that he had never lost any hope in Nigeria even before the redemption of the Federal Government’s promise.
Meanwhile, Fashola called on Nigerians to take up the opportunity of the well thought out welfare program to become house owners as he reiterated some of the advantages of the accommodation which includes well-spaced sizes of apartments and flexible payment options like mortgages and Rent-to-Own.
