Housing Development Advocacy Network, HDAN has announced Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, as the 2022 Housing-friendly Governor of the year.

HDAN, who is also the promoter of housing development programme on AIT and TVC, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to HDAN, the emergence of Buni as the Housing-friendly Governor of the year is connected to his outstanding contribution to housing development in Yobe State, particularly for subsidizing the cost of housing for low-income earners in the State.

Buni has so far subsidized the cost of 2,350 housing units built by his administration through the Family Home Funds by 50 percent.

The Governor, who made the disclosure during the presentation of the 2023 budget, said it was part of his administration’s commitment to providing decent and affordable housing for state residents.

“It is indeed the largest housing intervention in the history of the state which is intended to provide decent accommodation and to address housing deficit in the state.

“The houses have already been allocated to our people on owner-occupier basis. I am glad to state that in line with the policy of our administration to make life meaningful for our people, I wish to inform the honourable House that I hereby approve 50% subsidy of the cost of the houses to each beneficiary”, he said.

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of HDAN, Festus Adebayo, described Buni’s recognition as deserving and commendable.

He said: “The emergence of Governor Buni as the 2022 Housing-friendly Governor of the year is an admission by all the Stakeholders in the housing sector.

“Governor Buni, as a committed advocate of safe and affordable housing has been executing legacy housing projects arising from the deep thoughts and analysis of the needs of the people.

“Housing Stakeholders applaud him and urge him to see the Award as a call to do more in the service of our dear fatherland and humanity.”