Written by Kingsley Adegboye
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, is set to receive the prestigious Urban Planning and Housing Friendly Governor of the Year Award 2024 at the upcoming African Housing Awards.
This recognition highlights the Governor’s innovative approach to addressing Sokoto State’s housing and urban planning challenges and cements his reputation as a driver of sustainable development.
The announcement was made by the Africa Housing Awards Coordinator, Mr. Festus Adebayo, during an interview in Abuja. Adebayo said Governor Sokoto’s administration has shown exceptional commitment to urban renewal and housing development through policies and projects that prioritize improved access to affordable housing, infrastructure development and sustainable urban planning practices.
Some of the administration’s main achievements are the construction of 500 new housing units, which have already been ordered, along with major infrastructure improvements, such as asphalting roads in more than 30 towns. Additionally, 40 more road projects are in advanced stages of completion, further improving connectivity and access to the city.
The province is also acquiring 137 federally constructed houses in the Kwannawa area, and construction of 1,000 houses in Gidan Salunke and Wajake. These efforts reflect the Governor’s determination to address the housing shortage while strengthening urban planning standards.
The Africa Housing Awards 2024 will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Musa Yardua Event Center, Abuja. The event brings together policy makers, stakeholders, professional agency leaders and industry leaders from across Africa to celebrate excellence in the housing and construction sector.
High-ranking officials including Housing and Urban Development Minister Ark are expected to attend. Ahmed Dangiwa. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Honorable Senator Philip Aduda. Member of Parliament; and Engineering. The occasion was chaired by Mr. Emeka Eze, OFR, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Engineers and Chairman, FCT Civil Service Commission. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development and the Minister of Industry will also attend the ceremony.
In addition to honoring the Sokoto governor, the event will recognize other key contributors to housing and urban development, focusing on categories such as innovative housing solutions, rural housing initiatives, public housing developments, and real estate investment trusts. The Affordable Housing Hall of Fame also honors individuals who have left an indelible mark on the field, highlighting their contributions with both posthumous and living honors.
The Africa Housing Awards, organized by Housing TV Africa in collaboration with the Housing Development Advocacy Network, aims to inspire excellence, foster innovation and promote sustainable development in the housing ecosystem. A rigorous selection process ensures that only the most deserving candidates are recognized, reinforcing the credibility and prestige of the award.
Governor Sokoto’s selection as the Urban Planning and Housing Friendly Governor of the Year highlights the transformative impact of his administration’s policies, which serve as a standard for other leaders across Africa to emulate as they address housing and urban development challenges. This award confirms his commitment to driving progress and creating meaningful change in the housing sector.
