Christian charity body dedicates 50th house

Fuller centre, a Christian organisation founded by Millard Fuller works toward providing decent and affordable accommodation to the needy.Speaking at the dedication ceremony, the National Director of Millard Fuller Foundation, Nigeria, Mr Sam Odia said though the foundation had built only 50 houses, there was need to celebrate because the bible says “despise not small […]

Fuller centre, a Christian organisation founded by Millard Fuller works toward providing decent and affordable accommodation to the needy.Speaking at the dedication ceremony, the National Director of Millard Fuller Foundation, Nigeria, Mr Sam Odia said though the foundation had built only 50 houses, there was need to celebrate because the bible says “despise not small beginnings.”

He told the story of Fuller who died in February this year at the age of 74.

He said Fuller was a millionaire before he turned 30. Though wealthy, Fuller was not happy because he had trouble with his family for not having enough time for them.

He therefore, redefined his life, opting to serve humanity basically in the area of providing accommodation to the less privileged. He became a missionary, building houses for the poor in Congo.

Fuller centre was established in Nigeria in 2005 and in 2006, it started constructing houses in Luvu-Madaki Masaka for the poor.

As at last Tuesday, 50 houses were completed and handed over the beneficiaries. One-bedroom flat is given for N240,000. It comprises a room, a toilet/bathroom and a kitchen. Two-bedroom unit goes for N480,000.

To be eligible, one must pay a deposit of N6,000 after acquiring and filling necessary forms and attending mandatory counselling classes.

One becomes full owner of the house after completing payment for the property through N6,000 monthly instalment pay over a period of eight years.

According to the National Coordinator of the centre, part of the building costs is shouldered by donors. It takes one to two months to complete one block which comprises fours units.

He announced that the centre is now in partnership with Aso Savings (a local bank) to run a mortgage scheme adding that costs had equally been reviewed upward. A single bedroom unit that used to go for N260,000 now sells for N480,000. The market value of the building is put at N600,000.

Beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to their churches for either providing them with information about the project or giving them financial assistance to meet the conditions for owning the houses.

Maria Eleje who emotionally told her story said she lost her husband and was without roof over head with her children when her church assisted her to get the house.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Augustina Igbokwe said her family was displaced due the demolition along the Airport Road and because of her poor health, many were unwilling to help her until she came across the Fuller Centre.

 High points of the occasion were the dedication of the 50th house to God and presentation of the houses to bona fide occupants.