Police Housing Scheme: Officers laud IGP Abubakar

Stephen Olaoye, Osogbo

For the Police, the dream to own a house or an apartment has always been there. In most cases, officers and men of Nigeria Police Force died after serving their father’s land meritoriously without fulfilling the dream of owning a good house of their own. Besides, the deplorable state most barracks in every nook and cranny of the country needs urgent attention as most of the barracks which house serving officers and men of Nigeria Police force are a ‘crying shame’.  This has, year in, year out, made life unbearable for police, thus becoming a source of worry to the police management team.  Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police since his assumption in office, took it upon himself to face squarely this menace and in a move that has been widely adjudged as a giant stride, IGP Abubakar CFR, NPM, mni set the ball rolling to ensure that all the serving personnel of Nigeria Police Force who would retire are provided with affordable housing. This led to the floating of Police Mortgage Bank which will become Nigeria Police Savings and Loan Limited otherwise called FOKAS Saving and Loan Limited, (Mortgage Banker). However, in a swift reaction to the unfolding trend, some serving personnel of the Osun State Police Command who have already keyed into the housing package spoke with our c0orrespondent in Osogbo, expressing their unreserved gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, for such a good gesture. Their words…..

Abolaji

“I appreciate the effort of IGP in making life bearable for all officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force most especially in the area of housing. I was not forced to buy the shares I bought in FOKAS, I bought willingly because I discovered that it was a great opportunity for me as a police officer to own a house without any stress. I even saw it as a great privilege and opportunity for all serving members of NPF most especially the inclusion of all ranks and file. I thank the IGP for having us in mind and for deeming it fit to include us in his plane. I want to tell you that this is a good initiative and I want to implore all officers and men most importantly the ranks and file to quickly go and get their own share.  What we have been facing as police in term of housing isn’t encouraging. Most of our barracks are not good, they are not inhabitable. And for the IGP to have lunched such a laudable project, I think he deserves to be praised while such project must be embraced.  I want to pray that good thing will not elude him. I wish to buy more. Force No. 041354, W/PC Adewole Bolaji Osun State Command.

Ojetola Seun

Well, I have been looking for an opportunity to own a house. I have been praying to God almighty to grant me a privilege of owing a house even before I retire as a police officer. And now that the opportunity is being provided by our number one citizen, an officer of great repute, a man of great honor and integrity, a classic officer with records of achievement, IGP of our time, IGP Mohammed Abubakar I have to key in to it. The IGP in his special way of doing things has given us; I mean the ranks and file an opportunity of lifetime, to own a house. It is a known, obvious and good fact that our barracks are not good, they are eye sour, and since the IGP has given a privilege for us as officers to own a house, I wonder why everyone would not embrace it. I’ve bought the FOKAS shares and nobody forced me. I willingly bought it and still wish to buy more. Thank you IGP for such a wonderful opportunity. Now, buying the shares isn’t the matter here, but that afford me the opportunity to own part of the Bank, I am now a proud share owner and the dividends is for me.   Force No. 457969, PC Ojetola Oluwaseun, Osun State Command, 08066356997

Aasa

Early before the introduction, I was aware that I have been contributing to the Federal Housing Scheme, but the question I was asking was what happened to my money and nobody has given me a reasonable answer. But I kept praying that my money will be useful for me one day but I don’t know it will come quickly. When I heard the news that there will be introduction of FOKAS and I was told that I will benefit from the mortgage loan which the bank has been promising, I was prompted to buy the share voluntarily.  I felt so great because of the trend in the police because some of our officers retired without any house of their own. But with this plan, I will be able to have my own house even before I retire as a serving police officer; hence I will not be struggling to have a house even after my retirement.  I really give kudos to the IGP and pray for more grease to his elbow. Such laudable project will be order of the day in the Nigeria Police. I want to seize this medium to advise my colleagues to key into the project because is a welcome idea.  Force No. 389819  Corporal Aasa Kola Osun State Command, 08038327923

Jennifer

Sometime last year we were told about the Mortgage Bank Form and we were told that it was optional. So at a time I told myself once they said the contribution was going to bring about good thing most importantly on the issue of housing. I bought it reluctantly but I have the faith if the vision will be for good and I resigned to my faith. I believe from what I’m hearing this will bring about good. The IGP is such a good leader with good vision, we only pray that God should help him to finish well and the vision of housing facilities for the police is commendable project. I want to implore all other police officers and men who are yet to buy their shares to please hurry and buy.  Force No 038624 W/CPL Omijie Jennifer, Osun State Command. 08034212801

It was around March this year that they brought the public offer to Osun State Command, the FOKAS Savings and Loan Limited share form and we were told to buy the share willingly which I bought willingly and I bought some couple of units. Though it was not easy as a constable to afford the money owing to the financial implications but I took it upon myself to buy it. I want to pray that God should continue to bless the IGP because this is a welcome idea, God should continue to bless our indefatigable boss. I really want to give this candid advice to our colleagues that they should not think that the money will vanish because buying shares is an asset. They shouldn’t think the idea is to embezzle their money. They will be issued the certificate and once you have the certificate you are the proud owner of your own share. You are to enjoy the dividends and all other goodies that come along with it. Force No. 457946, PC Oyewale Sunday, Osun State Command, 08063614920