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Driver of Late Minister of state for Labour, James Ocholi to be prosecuted for over-speeding

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A few hours after the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) gave its report on last Sun­day’s road accident where the Minister of State for Labour, Chief James Ocholi, his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua died, the Federal Govern­ment says his driver will be prosecut­ed for over-speeding and possession of a fake driver’s licence.

The move to try the driver iden­tified as Mr. James Elegbede was dis­closed by the Secretary to the Gov­ernment of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal.

Lawal, who is the chairman of the Federal Government’s 13-mem­ber burial committee for the deceased minister, disclosed this to newsmen in response to questions on the fate of the driver who had been indicted by the FRSC’s interim report.

He, however, stated that the pros­ecution of the driver would wait un­til FRSC’s full investigation report is made available to determine the lev­el of his culpability.

Lawal said: “Nigeria is not short of laws; the problem is that Nigerians find it very difficult to obey the laws. There is a speed limit in place and so if anybody chooses not to obey the traf­fic laws, of course, it is subject to pros­ecution by the agencies concerned.

“But as to this particular incident, I think we will leave it until the final report of the investigation comes out. But as we say, accident is accident and nobody goes out deliberately to som­ersault and die.”

Assuaging concerns that the in­jured driver and other aides’ still recu­perating in the hospital after the acci­dent and their families may have been neglected, Lawal said that “the gov­ernment decided to give employment to the children of the late minister be­cause he was the breadwinner and the children are now orphans.

“On the other hand, the driver survived and the government is tak­ing care of their medical bills at the National Hospital and they (other aides) are also government workers as some of them are policemen, SSS and others.

“So, they are on salary and are treated free, but – God forbid that had any of them suffered the same fate as those who died, the President would have willingly included them in the list of beneficiaries.”

On reports that a family mem­ber made allegations of foul play in the death of the Ocholis, the SGF said that government was not aware of that but that anyone with useful informa­tion should report to the appropriate agencies.

The FRSC had on Monday told President Muhammadu Buhari that over-speeding and non-use of safety seat belts led to the accident on the Abuja-Kaduna Road.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, who presented the interim accident report on the crash at a valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in honour of Ocholi, said that the driver of the ve­hicle was inexperienced and had no valid driver’s licence captured on the national database.

Oyeyemi said that following the impact of the crash, the late minister and his son were ejected from the ve­hicle while the wife was trapped by the left passenger door before the car slid to a halt.

It added that “the ejection of the minister and his son who occupied the rear seats confirmed the fact that their rear seat belts were not in use and on the contrary, the driver and the orderly survived because the front seat belts were in use.”

Oyeyemi said “information gath­ered revealed that the driver of the crashed vehicle was actually moving in excess of the stipulated speed lim­it when he had a burst tyre.

“The crashed vehicle driver was driving too fast and he slammed on his brake so hard. These two factors materially contributed to the inabil­ity of the driver to maintain control when the left rear tyre burst.

 

“Skid marks and grooves found on the westbound shoulder made by the Lexus LX570 for about 15m and 9.3m respectively before it began som­ersaulting severely and the ejection of the minister and his son, showed clearly that the travelling speed of the Lexus LX570 presented unsafe conse­quences in the event of certain road risk that may have occurred.

“The driver must have entered into a panic situation which resulted to his hard application of brakes and subsequent loss of control that took him into the bush path.

“The DOT number of the tyres were inward which cannot easily be read from outside. This indicates that the orientations of the tyres were not properly fixed which could adverse­ly affect the performance of the tyres.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps Investigation Team (FIT) determines that the probable cause of the March 6, 2016 fatal crash at KM34 Kaduna -Abuja Expressway near Rijana Vil­lage Kaduna State was the driver’s failure to maintain directional con­trol of his vehicle when the rear left tyre burst occurred.

Boboye also revealed that there were potholes within the vicinity of the accident and that road shoulders where the accident happened had started failing.

Also, occupants of the minister’s back-up car behind noticed that the tyre of the minister’s vehicle was not fully inflated and with no communi­cation equipment (walkie-talkie) to inform the driver, a GSM call to the driver did not also go through.

They attempted to overtake the minister’s car in order to warn the driver but could not do so before the sad incident.

He however explained that a driv­er ought not to step on the brake in the event of a tyre burst but to hold firmly to the steering and gradual­ly navigate the car until it comes to a stop.

Meanwhile, Buhari started the FEC valedictory session by requesting for a minute silence for Ocholi and the Army General who died the previous day in another car crash along Mai­duguri-Damaturu Road on Monday.

The president praised Ocholi’s humility and capacity for hard work.

Six ministers were chosen from each of the geopolitical zones to pay tributes and they all spoke glowingly on the kindness, humility and love for family of the late Ocholi.

Lawal announced the burial arrangements for Ocholi thus:

March 16: Service of Songs at International Conference Centre, Abuja

March 17: Corpse leaves for Dekina LGA, Kogi State; March 18 is for internment at noon.

 

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NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

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NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

 

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the regulatory and standardization authority in the sector, has invited professionals in the hospitality, tourism,travel and allied sectors to register as mandated by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Act 2022.

A statement signed by Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, Director-General/CEO
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism reads:

“Enjoy FREE registration from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025! This is your chance to register as a professional or practitioner at no cost.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to solidify your presence in Nigeria’s thriving tourism industry. Visit www.nihotour.gov.ng now!

“Hurry—free registration closes on January 15, 2025. Take the first step toward advancing your career in tourism today!”

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EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

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EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

 

EGC Homes, a notable player in the real estate and property development sector, has made waves in the Nigerian market with its recent announcement of the launch of Goodness and Mercy Estate in Ogun, alongside other strategic initiatives.

The company emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the government to alleviate the housing deficit in Nigeria while prioritizing the well-being of residents.

In an interview with THECONSCIENCE NG, Oladapo Jimoh, the Managing Director of EGC Homes and Properties, expressed the brand’s long-term vision to bridge the housing gap and simplify the journey to homeownership.

He stated, “Current data estimates Nigeria’s housing deficit to be around 28 million units by 2024. This figure is among the largest globally and poses significant challenges, contributing to homelessness and various social issues.”

“National statistics indicate that our country faces a pressing need for approximately 700,000 new homes each year to address this deficit. As urbanization continues, these challenges are particularly evident in major cities, where affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, forcing many into slums and informal settlements.”

The World Bank projects that Nigeria’s urban population could exceed 200 million by 2050, highlighting a potential social crisis as the lack of affordable housing leads to the rise of slums, especially in urban areas.

“As a forward-thinking and solutions-oriented company, we are dedicated to addressing these critical housing issues in partnership with the government.”

Following its successful launch in Lagos, EGC Homes has rapidly expanded its operations, acquiring a significant land bank across the southwestern region of Nigeria and enhancing its marketing strategies to effectively connect with customers.

The firm is committed to providing Nigerians with exceptional value, peace of mind, and simplifying the processes of land acquisition and homeownership.

“Our mission is to make life easier for Nigerians while assisting the government in tackling the housing deficit.”

Recently, the company introduced its premier property, the Goodness and Mercy Estate, located in Arepo and Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State, with more projects on the horizon. Its flexible payment plans and affordable property prices aim to cater to a wide audience.

Additionally, EGC Homes has appointed Titilayo Adebayo-Omotosho as its social media brand ambassador to promote the unique offerings of EGC Homes and Properties Limited to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

In her remarks, she highlighted her commitment to the vision of EGC Homes, stating, “I believe every Nigerian deserves a decent roof over their head. This aligns perfectly with the mission of EGC Homes and Properties, which is why I chose to represent the brand, promoting its exceptional estates and home packages to Nigerians and those aspiring to own homes here.”

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Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

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L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

 

Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading wealth management and retention company, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Loft & Keys LLC, a renowned real estate and investment company with dominant presence in Nigeria and the Middle East.

 

The ceremony which took place over the weekend at Optiva Capital’s Corporate Headquarters, aims to boost investment in Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare sectors on the one hand, as well as provide Nigerian investors with opportunities to invest in real estate in the UAE, particularly in Dubai.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, “With Loft & Keys’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market and established networks in the Middle East, we are poised to bring $500 million in investments into Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare industries. These funds will be strategically spread across Lagos, Abuja (FCT), Delta, and Enugu.”

 

The investment in hospitality will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria. Beyond creating employment opportunities, it will spur infrastructure development, enhance regional tourism appeal, and foster business ecosystems in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu, and Delta. Similarly, the healthcare focus will address critical gaps in medical infrastructure, improve access to quality care, and promote health innovation—key pillars for national development.

 

The partnership According to Dr Kimemia also extends to Nigerian investors seeking opportunities in the UAE. With Loft & Keys’ expertise and extensive networks in Dubai and other Middle Eastern hubs, the collaboration will unlock access to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.
Speaking about the partnership, Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC, said “Optiva Capital Partners stands as Africa’s leading wealth retention company, a position that is firmly established and without question. This partnership with Loft & Keys will further solidify their dominance and create even greater opportunities for growth. As Dr. Jane Kimemia has rightly emphasized, Loft & Keys, with our extensive expertise in the Middle East, is a trusted and experienced partner”. We have a strong presence in the UAE and are actively expanding into Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the near future. Together with Optiva Capital Partners, we are committed to capturing significant market opportunities in these regions. I am confident that this partnership will foster substantial growth that will be mutually rewarding for both parties.

 

Dubai, a city widely known for its opulence and rapid development, is reportedly operating at only 30% of its projected capacity, presenting a significant growth opportunity for investors. According to industry experts, this untapped potential creates a unique window for investors to capitalize on the city’s future expansion and development.
The partnership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 as two formidable brands, Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys are committed to leveraging their collective strengths to drive impactful investments that benefit clients and communities alike.

 

L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos
About Optiva Capital Partners
Optiva Capital Partners is a premier wealth management and retention firm offering bespoke solutions in four areas of specialization – investment immigration, investment advisory, insurance, and international real estate.
About Loft & Keys LLC
Loft & Keys is an internationally recognized real estate and investment company with a robust presence in Nigeria and the UAE. The firm is dedicated to connecting investors with high-value opportunities in dynamic markets.

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