The Chief Executive Officer of Wardiere Oakmount, Kunle Ilori-Diamond, has thrown his weight behind the proposed low-cost housing scheme for officers of the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as a timely and strategic move capable of improving policing and strengthening national security.
He said this while speaking on the TVC flagship programme, Breakfast show recently.
Ilori-Diamond said his support for the initiative became imperative after he read in national dailies that the Police boss spoke in support of a housing plan for his officers coupled with his observation of the listening attribute of the current government.
According to him, housing projects of this nature are not new to his firm, adding that Wardiere Oakmount has executed similar schemes outside Nigeria with success.
He said, “I’m not really a television person, but when I saw the Inspector General of Police talking about it, coupled with the fact that I have come to realise that the present Federal Government is one that listens, I felt this was the best time to speak.
“This is the kind of project we have done before. And if we could do that for nations where we weren’t born, why won’t we do the same for our own country?”
While acknowledging public complaints and criticisms often directed at the police, the real estate executive urged Nigerians to adopt a more empathetic and solution-driven approach to addressing challenges within the force.
“Yes, many complain about the police and what they are not pleased with. But we must understand that these people are Nigerians too. If something is wrong, we must explore other means of helping them do better, such as creating reliefs for such as housing that we are currently talking about,” he said.
Ilori-Diamond argued that housing insecurity remains a major but often overlooked burden on police officers, especially those approaching retirement without owning a home.
“Imagine a man who knows that he will be retiring in a few years and is yet to own a house. What do you think would overshadow such a person’s reasoning? Believe me, that is what he would consider in all he is doing,” he said.
He maintained that addressing such anxieties through a sustainable housing scheme would not only improve officers’ welfare but also enhance public safety.
The Wardiere Oakmount boss also commended the IGP for championing a low-cost housing model for officers, describing it as a “cogent move” that could positively impact policing outcomes across the country.
Ilori-Diamond stated, “It is better safety for all of us if we achieve this scheme for them. A man who does not have to think about when he will be paying the next rent obviously has a lighter financial burden, and by that, he will work with his sanity intact. I want to appreciate the fact that the Inspector General of Police is talking about a low housing scheme for officers. This will better help our policing and, in turn, strengthen our security architecture.”
However, Ilori-Diamond cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, drawing lessons from previous housing schemes undertaken by government agencies.
He explained, “We have seen housing schemes with other government parastatals, and one thing that often stops them from flying is insisting on the same size and location for everybody.
“Imagine having a housing scheme in Lekki for a constable and the same location for an Assistant Inspector General or a Commissioner. Obviously, there will be trouble getting the junior officer to pay for such property.”
He stressed that for the police housing scheme to succeed, it must be flexible, rank-sensitive and affordable, allowing officers at different levels to participate meaningfully.
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