The Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunde Ojo, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what he described as progress in employment, security and reforms across different sectors.
Ojo made the remarks during an Arise Television programme monitored in Abuja on Monday, highlighting developments he said were linked to the administration’s policies.
According to him, the FHA had gone more than 20 years without recruiting new employees until the Tinubu administration approved fresh recruitment.
He said the authority has now employed 400 workers, while recruitment has also been opened in areas including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), military and forest guard initiatives.
“We have now recruited 400 staff.”
Ojo also defended the proposed establishment of state police, rejecting concerns that state-controlled security forces could be used for political purposes.
He compared the concerns to earlier fears surrounding Amotekun, the South-West security outfit established during the administration of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Ojo questioned whether Amotekun had been used to influence elections, arguing that similar fears should not prevent discussions about state police.
Ojo Highlights Security, Emergency Response
The FHA executive also pointed to what he described as improvements in emergency response, particularly the Nigeria Fire Service.
He claimed that fire service response times had improved to between 10 and 15 minutes, citing an incident at FESTAC as an example where firefighters reportedly arrived before he could make a call.
Ojo further said Tinubu receives regular intelligence briefings on security developments.
Referring to the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, he said he had expressed confidence that the President would prioritise their safe return rather than resort to excessive force.
FHA Boss Backs Tinubu on Subsidy Removal
Ojo also weighed in on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
He argued that Tinubu had already fulfilled campaign promises relating to fuel subsidy removal and state police, challenging opposition politicians to present Nigerians with alternative policies.
“Subsidy is gone and gone for good.”
He urged Atiku and other presidential contenders to assess the current administration’s policies and explain to Nigerians what they would do differently.
Correctional Reforms
Ojo also highlighted what he described as improvements within Nigeria’s correctional system, including education, vocational training, feeding and prison decongestion.
He claimed that about 11,000 inmates had either been released or benefited from various interventions since the Tinubu administration came into office.
He also said the number of inmates who returned to correctional facilities after committing new offences had fallen to about 1,400.
According to Ojo, nearly 30 inmates are currently pursuing master’s degrees, while close to 400 are studying for first degrees and about 1,000 are receiving artisan skills training inside correctional facilities.
He further claimed that inmate feeding had improved by 50 per cent, with prisoners now receiving more nutritious meals.
On healthcare and prison congestion, Ojo said the Federal Government and other agencies had cleared more than N600 million in outstanding debts, which he claimed had contributed to a 30 per cent reduction in prison congestion.
Airport Reforms
Ojo also praised reforms being implemented at Nigerian airports through the Nigeria Immigration Service, particularly at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
He said the changes in the airport and other initiatives under the Ministry of Interior demonstrated what he described as the administration’s efforts to improve public services.
Source: Arise Television.
