Among several eye-popping edifices in Abuja, the one which attracts the most attention, questions and indeed comments, is a very popular exotic-looking building on Gana Street, adjacent to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
When Leadership’s Ugboja Felix spoke to a number of Abuja taxi drivers, they confirmed that it is very difficult to drive a passenger past the building without hearing, “wow what sort of mighty house is this?” …“Who owns this expensive building?”…“What is this building meant for?”
A number of people who spoke to Felix aired their different and very interesting opinions about what they think of the building.
“I think it belongs to the Pope,” said Abalaka Julius, with an innocent smile.
“This building? It belongs to Okocha na,” Chima Eze says with every level of confidence he could muster.
“Someone told me that it belongs to IBB, the former president,” said Oyilonla Damola.
“It belongs to AA Oil,” said Ali, a taxi driver.
There was no unanimous opinion among several people spoken to about who and what the building is all about.
Felix’s inquiries took him to Development Control, Abuja to inquire about the building. From there, he was further directed to Maitama District office, where a staff member revealed that the building most likely belongs to a certain Aliyu Abubakar, chairman of AA Oil Limited.
One could tell that the material for erecting such a building was solely imported and its design also inspired by foreign buildings, just as Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar admitted in an online interview sometime ago, retrieved from nairaland.com.
According to the chairman of AA Oil Limited, he said he acquired the plot of land where the structure is erected in 2005 from a native of Zamfara state at a cost of N1 billion.
The interview further revealed that Aliyu, who trained as a building technologist before venturing into the oil business, said that he financed the building from his personal savings, as he did not obtain a mortgage from any bank.
“This building belongs to me. I bought the land occupying this building around 2005 from one man from Zamfara State. I bought it for N1billion because of the location. Thereafter, a thought came to me. By the way, I am a builder. I specialise in building houses of model quality. Any house I build is usually very special.”
“The whole idea about that is just for everyone to know that it is very possible to replicate the type of things we see overseas in Nigeria. So, I resolved that since I had the opportunity of acquiring this land, I would put up a structure that would be equal to none in the entire city and maybe the country.” He said.
If the purchase of land could be worth as much as a billion naira, one could only imagine how much it would cost to put up such a magnificent edifice on it. Certainly billions of Naira.
Hmmmmmm a land.billioN naira and. Wat about da. Building trillions. Abi. And yet I guess. Some of his. Relatives dnT even get 3 square meal. A daY hmmm
I don’t like this house a bit
Mtcwwwwwww
micki bliss u wil die of envy&hereditary poverty
This is the use to which Niger delta oil money is put in Abuja and other places. But in Niger delta, it is pollution, gas flaring, poverty, sorrow, sweat, tears and blood. ONE NIGERIA INDEED!
Is this one a shopping mall or a living house
The building is wonderful and good, looks like an embassy
Big Boys love big bites!
Certainly a beautiful house.
White house in 9ja money talks bull shit works
How has it changed d country na???
@Micki,learn to apreciate good things pls
That building is close to my house. Lovely house, you don’t want to see the inside!
Money makes the world spin
To God be the glory and him the more and also help me to do much more than him
Wow! I love this house very beautiful.
AA oil ur achievement is extremly noted throughout abuja even with your automobile @ bughati we young ones want to live large like you my brother enjoy ride on.I will luv to be like you all my life too much cash……
A.A. Oil, you have tried, I prayed to Almighty God give you long life, good health so that you will enjoy your wealth to the maximum, Amin suma Amin. Congratulations for the effort!
Awesome
Edifice
U ain’t gat yours why been stupid
I thank God for You sir.
Wow!what sort of mighty House is this?? I Salute to Alh. AA, and I wish you a long life and prosperity in other to enjoy your wonderful House.
just like my first buiding
I pray! God!!! Pls build a vry mantion dat is more mighty dan ds for me too oooo!