Iya Awero, a veteran Nollywood actress whose birth name is Lanre Hassan, has received a house gift from the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The development was made public on Wednesday, March 24 by Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Naija News reports.
Gov Sanwo-Olun handed the three-bedroom apartment to Iya Awero while commissioning and renaming the LagosHoms, Igbogbo as Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate, Igbogbo.
According to him, the government and lovers of entertainment must not wait until the actress and actresses died before they are celebrated.
Announcing the governor’s good act towards the old aged actress, Akosile who shared a video of the handing over on his micro-blogging platform account wrote: “Governor @jidesanwoolu today commissioned and delivered and renamed the LagosHoms, Igbogbo as Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate, Igbogbo.”
The governor’s aide noted that Iya Awero’s new apartment is located in the newly commissioned Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate, Igbogbo, Lagos State.
Commending governor Sanwo-Olu and his team for their kind gesture, the actress said, “I don’t know what to say. I am so short of words. I am so happy today. Thank you so much, my governor, may the Almighty Allah continue to bless you. Also, deputy, thank you so much. I am so grateful. If anyone shelters you whenever you wake up, all you do is pray for the person. God will keep blessing, helping and supporting you. This our land will be peaceful, God will fix Nigeria and take the country to greater heights. Once again I thank everyone for this gift.”
Sanwo-Olu after presenting the gift to Iya Awero noted that veteran thespians should be celebrated while they are alive.
He said: “We don’t need to celebrate them when they die, we can celebrate them while they are still alive.
These are our Nollywood stars that have worked for over 30-40 years and they need to be celebrated. Congratulations ma. Thank you,” the governor added.
Watch moment Governor Sanwo-Olu was handing over to Iya Awero her apartment keys below:
Breaking: Governor @jidesanwoolu gives nollywood veteran, Mrs Lanre Hassan (Mama Awero) a three bedroom flat in the newly commissioned Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate, Igbogbo.#ForAGreaterLagos#Nollywood @channelstv @PulseNigeria247 @Gidi_Traffic @lollylarry1 pic.twitter.com/Eyk1suB7Ed
— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) March 24, 2021
Nollywood actor, Mrs Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero) thanks Governor @jidesanwoolu for the kind gesture after receiving the keys to her flat in the Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate, Igbogbo. pic.twitter.com/OkbMG7lO0r
— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) March 24, 2021