President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, has appointed the immediate past Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Olugbenga Baheeru Ashafa, from Lagos Island, as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority, which is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, headed by Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. The Senator who was Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, had served in public service under the administration of Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State governor, as Director of Planning, Governor’s Office; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Land Use & Allocation Committee; and between 2005 and 2010 served under both Tinubu and his successor Fashola, as Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau.

Touted as an astute administrator, Ashafa has received numerous awards and recognition in his capacity as a public servant.

He delivered a press statement this morning, which reads as follows:

“It is with the highest sense of responsibility and consciousness of the task ahead that I accept my appointment by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority of Nigeria.

“My focus as Chief executive will be to ensure a vigorous implementation of the FG’s housing policy which entails the provision of mass affordable housing for millions of Nigerians and the rejuvenation of the economy through the creation of meaningful jobs for millions of Nigerians. Needless to say, this task cannot be achieved without the cooperation of both the Government and the organized private sector. We are, however, fully determined to leverage on this important cooperation in order to create housing opportunities for many Nigerians while creating millions of jobs in order to stimulate the economy.

“Worth acknowledging, also, is the quantum of work already done by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under the able leadership of His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the Federal Housing Authority and other complementary agencies in this regard.

“I hereby look forward to working closely with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the management and staff of the Federal Housing Authority, other relevant agencies and our partners from the private sector.I remain grateful to His Excellency, President Buhari for the enormous confidence he has reposed in us by this appointment, while looking forward to a period of diligent service.

“Thank you and God bless you.”