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Ogun govt has stalled our progress, made future bleak –Teachers who await documentation years after paying millions for C of O

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Amosun Berates UK, Western Nations For Encouraging  japa, granting young Nigerians visas

Mr. Rotimi Adeniyi has recently stopped using the mirror because his reflection scares him – hollow eyes, wrinkled face and all the external signs of ageing. The mirror reminds him of how gray he has gone and it worries him.

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In another year, Adeniyi will be 60 years old and also bidding farewell to his life as a civil servant. So what really scares him is not the mirror but the reminder of a dashed hope that has kept him as a tenant. He has spent the better part of his life teaching at public secondary schools in Lagos. A state government policy has ensured that in the last few years, he never spent more than six years in a school.

If Adeniyi was asked about 10 years ago if he was still going to be a tenant at his current age, he would have dismissed the notion outright with a wave of the hand. It would have sounded silly to Adeniyi because he had a plan in place to become a landlord and he was saving to ensure that the dream became a reality.

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But today, he looks back at how his hope of becoming a landlord in his lifetime is being threatened by the Ogun State government.

In the hope of becoming a landlord, Adeniyi had joined a co-operative in the school where he worked at the time – Itire Community Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos.

The co-operative – Itire Community Secondary School Teachers Welfare Fund – had bought land measuring 13.288 hectares at Gaun-un town, close to Magboro, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State for interested members and Adeniyi had quickly subscribed to it.

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For Adeniyi, it felt like everything was falling into place at the right time. He bought two plots from the land, hoping that one of them would become the dream residence for his family and the other his retirement benefit.

“I was so happy that I bought two plots; I wanted to build a school on one of the plots. I thought that the school would be where I would retire to after my years in public service. I was saving N10,000 per month with the scheme and the co-operative bought the land on our behalf.

“The land was approved by officials of the relevant agencies in Ogun State government and we spent so much money to do the survey and allocation to divide the land into plots for all of us. The state government asked us to pay about N23m to get Certificate of Occupancy for the land and we paid all the money, but since 2013, the government has not given us the certificate.

“This has really affected us as it has prevented us from building anything on the land. The issue of ownership and documentation is not clear and nobody wants to invest money in such a place because without the proper documentation, government can choose to demolish any structure there later,” he said.

It was learnt that when the Ogun State government in 2008 announced that all owners of land in the state should ratify the land titles, the co-operative was given approval by the Director of Lands Ratification under the Bureau of Lands and Survey in the state and encouraged to pay the sum of N23, 242, 000 as condition for the granting of a Statutory Right of Occupancy over the land.

A letter dated December 21, 2012 from the bureau stating the breakdown of the amount that was required to be paid to the government purse was given to the co-operative, a copy of which was obtained by Saturday PUNCH.

The letter was said to have been issued in respond to an application made by Itire Community Secondary School Teachers Welfare Fund on December 30, 2008.

The letter, which was signed by Isq’eel Aboaba, the Director of Lands Ratification on behalf of the Special Adviser/Director-General (Lands), said, “I am pleased to inform you that the state governor has graciously granted provisional approval for the ratification of your right of occupancy in the parcel of land/property lying, being and situate at Gaun-un town, measuring 13.288 hectares.

“Consequently, you are hereby granted a Statutory Right of Occupancy over the said land/property subject to the following terms and conditions.”

According to the letter, the conditions include paying a sum of N23.2m to cover for Premium, Annual ground rent, Preparation fee for Certificate of Occupancy, Registration fee for Certificate of Occupancy, Government survey fee, Capital contribution and others.

It was however learnt that in July 2018, some officials of the state government informed some executives of the co-operative that the delay in issuing the C of O was as a result of the discovery that the said land fell within a proposed satellite town in the state to be called Akute City.

“For many years, we were going to Abeokuta (Ogun State capital) to inquire about the status of application for Certificate of Occupancy after paying over N23m and all we were told was to come back the next day or the next week or be patient. But just last month, some government officials told us that the state governor had not approved the Certificate of Occupancy for us because our land fell within Akute City.

“But nobody told us that when they ratified the land title and asked us to pay over N23m to get Statutory Right of Occupancy over the land. We paid the money in 2013 and after five years of wasting our time and government holding on to our money, they are now saying a different thing.

“The situation has caused me so much pain; it is as if my life has been at a standstill. It appears that all my life savings are going down the drain before my eyes and there is nothing I can do about it. I hope Ogun State government will quickly clarify the situation and give the Certificate of Occupancy for the land so that we can start building on it before our time on earth comes to an end,” Adeniyi said.

Similarly, the clock is ticking for Mr. Idowu Ajagbe, who is set to retire from his teaching profession in another two years.

According to him, the situation serves as a warning that his days in retirement might be spent in regret.

“I bought a plot there with the hope that someday, I would leave the life of a tenant and become a landlord. My plan is to build a small house there and have a shop where I can sell goods after my retirement. My retirement is just two years away and that dream is looking more and more impossible to realise.

“For long, many people have said that the reward of teachers is in heaven but some of us thought that we could change our story and have our reward on earth. I believe that the reward of teachers should be on earth and not in heaven as some people say. But now, we don’t know our fate over the land. It brings the feeling that the future is bleak. It is as if there is no hope. Ogun State government has dashed our hopes,” he said.

There are 186 plots on the land with about 100 owners. It was learnt that some interested persons who were not in the teaching profession were also allowed to buy from the land when the co-operative needed to raise the N23m required for the Statutory Right of Occupancy over the land.

One of such persons is Mr.  Wale Ogunfemi, who was a banker at the time; though, he is retired now.

“I heard about the land from my brother who was a teacher at Itire Community Secondary School at the time. So I bought a plot each for my wife and me there, paying N600,000 for them. Since then, we have paid more for other expenses like the Certificate of Occupancy.

“We are afraid to build anything on the land because whatever is put there can be demolished by the government if there is no proper documentation. We have been on the matter for many years now. It was only recently that we heard the state government was claiming that the land fell within a satellite town,” he said.

Ogunfemi had also planned to build a house on his land and resettle his family there but the delay caused a setback for him.

“Some people who bought land in adjoining communities  years after I bought my land are already living in their houses. My plan was to build a residential place to live like a normal Nigerian but with the problem with documentation, nobody will want to take the risk of investing money there,” he added.

A former President of Itire Community Secondary School Teachers Welfare Fund, who has been handling the matter on behalf of the members, Mr. Marcus Bello, told Saturday PUNCH that some of the affected members had been demoralised by the situation.

He said the co-operative wrote a letter to the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, in 2016, pleading with him to look into the matter but that neither was there a reply nor was any action taken to resolve the issue.

A copy of the letter obtained by Saturday PUNCH read: “We hereby write on behalf of the above named association to appeal for the issuance of C of O of the parcel of land at Gaun-un town as shown in the government agency survey attached.

“The approval of the said land was issued on December 21, 2012 and the total amount payable of N23, 242, 000.00 has been fully paid from the society’s contribution since 2013.

“All the teachers had moved to the land to develop their plots only to hear that the state government wanted to re-acquire the estate.

“We hereby appeal to you to use your good offices to ensure that our lifetime efforts will not be in vain.

“The appeal letter was written two years ago but there was no response whatsoever and nothing was done about the problem. We appeal to the state government to look into our plight,” Bello said.

Efforts made to speak with both the Director-General of Ogun Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Biyi Ismail and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, on the issue  proved abortive.

One of our correspondents visited the office of the DG on two occasions. When our correspondent visited the office located within the secretariat at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on Friday August 10, 2018,  he was unavailable and despite a note on the land matter left with his secretary, nothing came out of it.

Our correspondent repeated the visit on Wednesday August 15, 2018, and this time, the DG was in the office.

Our correspondent filled the visitor’s form at the front office which was passed to the DG’s secretary.  After some few minutes,  the female secretary emerged from her office and told our correspondent to go and speak with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

She said,  “You need to go and see the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.”

Our correspondent had earlier called the Commissioner for Information and Strategy on the matter but he declined to make any comment.

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Transcorp Group delivers impressive Q1 2024 performance; sustains revenue growth of 173% and PBT of N45 billion

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Transcorp Group delivers impressive Q1 2024 performance; sustains revenue growth of 173% and PBT of N45 billion

Transcorp Group delivers impressive Q1 2024 performance; sustains revenue growth of 173% and PBT of N45 billion

Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp” or the “Group”), Nigeria’s leading, listed conglomerate with investment in the Power, Hospitality, and Energy sectors, has announced impressive Q1 financial results for the period ended March 31, 2024.

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Transcorp Group delivers impressive Q1 2024 performance; sustains revenue growth of 173% and PBT of N45 billion

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In its Q1 2024 unaudited results, Transcorp reported significant year-on-year growth, with revenue rising to N88.6 billion from N32.4 billion in 2023, representing a 173% increase.

The impressive results are largely driven by a remarkable 209% year-on-year revenue growth within the power business, highlighting significant strategic progress as part of Transcorp Group’s implementation of its integrated power strategy.

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The hospitality business recorded a 68% year-on-year growth in revenue, driven by an increase in occupancy rate from 75% to 82% compared to the previous year.

The results show substantial growth across all financial indicators, reinforcing its market leadership and strategic positioning.

Highlight of Transcorp Group Results:

  • Q1 2024 Revenue was N88.6 billion, a significant increase of 173%, compared to Q1 2023.
  • Operating income increased by 479%, from N8.5 billion in Q1 2023 to N49.1 billion in Q1 2024.
  • Operating expenses saw an increase of 40% year on year to N8.2 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting the impact of inflation and cost of operations.
  • Net finance cost increased by 14% to N3.7 billion in 2024 from N3.2 billion in 2023 due to a slightly higher interest rate review in line with MPR.
  • Profit before tax from ordinary business of the Group  surged by 1110%, amounting to N34.7 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N2.9 billion in Q1 2023 in the same period last year.
  • Profit before tax inclusive of extra ordinary income was N45.7 billion in 2024 compared to N2.9 billion in 2023.
  • The Group recorded extra ordinary income of N11 billion during the period from the realised gain from the sale of shares.
  • Profit after Tax including the extra ordinary income improved 1832% year-on-year to N35.9 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N1.9 billion in Q1 2023 in the same period last year.
  • Earnings per share of the Group was N61.12k in Q1 2024, compared to N2.58k in Q1 2023.
  • On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 8.3%, from N530 billion in December 2023 to N574 billion in Q1 2024 due to the increase in operational activities.
  • Shareholders’ funds increased by 20% from N187billion in December 2023 to N224 billion at the end of Q1 2024 due to profit accreted to retained earnings.

In response to the results, Dr. Owen D. Omogiafo, President/Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp, commented, “Our Q1 2024 results demonstrates Transcorp Group’s resilience and commitment to excellence. Despite the challenges, we achieved growth across all major indices, focusing on operational efficiency at both our power plants, and maximising opportunities within our hospitality business, showing our ability to adapt and succeed in changing markets. We will continue to deliver sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and value for our shareholders.”

This robust achievement is a further demonstration of the Group’s strategic focus and effective executionTranscorp is dedicated to its transformation agenda, emphasising sustained growth and a relentless pursuit of long-term value for shareholders.

 

About Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Plc)

Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) is a leading, listed African conglomerate, with strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors. Driven by its mission to improve lives and transform Africa, Transcorp has built a longstanding reputation for sector transformation, operational excellence, and exceptional financial performance, delivering value to its shareholders.

In the power sector, Transcorp’s businesses – Transcorp Power Plc and Transafam Power – provide over 16% of Nigeria’s installed power capacity. Through its investments in the energy sector including OPL287, Transcorp is developing Nigeria’s domestic energy value chain. The Group’s listed hospitality business, Transcorp Hotels Plc, owns the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria’s flagship hospitality destination, and Aura by Transcorp Hotels, a digital hospitality platform enabling travellers to book accommodation across Africa.

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NANS Cautions Members On Blackmail, Dirty Politics

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SUSPEND, PROSECUTE, AND KICK OUT MINISTERS, AIDES WITH PENDING CORRUPTION CHARGES AND VALIDATED ALLEGATIONS NANS URGES PRESIDENT TINUBU,

NANS Cautions Members On Blackmail, Dirty Politics

– Says Minister Is On Top Of The Situation

 

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has cautioned its members nationwide on the blackmail and calls by some section of the national body on the sack of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

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In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Dist. Senator Ekundina Segun Elvis,
President of the Senate (NANS), also called for the arrest of a self acclaimed NANS Leader, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, whom he described as an impostor.

Ekundina described the statement credited to Akinteye as subtle blackmail and a propaganda to discredit the Minister, who is working assiduously on the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to sanitise, make the power sector more efficient and guarantee regular electricity supply to Nigerians.

He said the calls for the removal of both Adelabu and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, is misguided at this crucial time when both are consistently providing solutions and keeping Nigerians updated about their vision for sustainable growth in both sectors critical to the development of the country.

The NANS Senate President said, “The press release in question targets two crucial aspects of our nation’s development: the hike in petrol price and electricity instability. It is interesting to note that the attack is directed solely at the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) regarding the petrol price hike, while the Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, who oversees both oil and gas, is conspicuously ignored. This biased approach clearly suggests a hidden agenda and raises questions about the true motives behind this press release.

“Turning to the issue of electricity, it is disheartening to see the Honorable Minister of Power being attacked unjustly. Chief Bayo Adelabu has taken the time to address the nation on multiple occasions, explaining in great detail the complexities surrounding the instability of electricity in our country. He has outlined the steps being taken to resolve these issues, including the stages of implementation, debt repayment, and addressing the existing gaps.

“His explanations have been comprehensive, offering hope that the electricity situation will improve in due course.

“It is evident that this press release is sponsored by the opposition and individuals seeking to tarnish the image of Chief Bayo Adelabu. The history of the self-acclaimed NANS leader, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, known for attacking personalities for financial gains, raises serious concerns about the credibility and authenticity of this press release.

“A typical example was his self demeaning and blackmail press he released to attack the DG of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). It is clear that the intention here is not to address the issues at hand but to damage the reputation of the Honorable Minister and his contributions to the development of our nation and the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“We issue a stern warning to the writer of this attacking press release and their co-sponsors. While the self-acclaimed NANS leader’s studentship is subject to investigation, we call upon the public to stand against misinformation and propaganda. We urge the security agencies to be vigilant and prevent any illegal gatherings disguised as protests, as they are undoubtedly sponsored by the opposition to disrupt the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“We also call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to be aware of these miscreants who falsely claim to be student leaders. Their sole objective is to attack and destroy the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration. However, we want to assure the public, the student community, and the youth that we are closely monitoring these developments.

“We firmly believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR will succeed in his endeavors, and no amount of propaganda will derail the progress we are making as a nation.

“This press release is nothing more than a funded propaganda campaign aimed at defaming Chief Bayo Adelabu, the Honorable Minister of Power. We have exposed the hidden motives and called for action against those responsible for disseminating such misleading information. We remain committed to ensuring the truth prevails and that the Nigerian people are not swayed by baseless attacks,” Ekundina stated.

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Folasade Omotoyinbo Marks Birthday In Style, Empowers 200 Youths, Gifts 500 People Food Items In Lagos

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Folasade Omotoyinbo Marks Birthday In Style, Empowers 200 Youths, Gifts 500 People Food Items In Lagos

 

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Folasade Omotoyinbo, the esteemed CEO of Poshglow Skincare and a renowned figure in the beauty industry, marked her birthday in a remarkable and philanthropic manner, demonstrating her commitment to empowering youths and combating hunger in Nigeria.

 

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Folasade Omotoyinbo Marks Birthday In Style, Empowers 200 Youths, Gifts 500 People Food Items In Lagos

As the driving force behind Poshglow Skincare, Folasade Omotoyinbo has established herself as a leading aesthetician and beautician, offering top-notch skincare solutions to clients. Additionally, she is the visionary behind the Folasade Omotoyinbo Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to addressing the issue of hunger in Nigeria.

On her birthday, Folasade Omotoyinbo chose to celebrate by giving back to her community in a meaningful way. She organized a special empowerment program, where over 200 youths were trained in various skills including makeup artistry, photography, event decoration, gele tying, and spa treatment. Through these training sessions, she provided valuable opportunities for young individuals to develop essential skills and pursue career paths in the beauty and wellness industry.

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In addition to empowering youths, Folasade Omotoyinbo demonstrated her commitment to addressing food insecurity by organizing a food bank initiative. Through the Folasade Omotoyinbo Foundation, she distributed food items to over 500 people in various communities, including Shomolu Local Government, Mushin, Oshodi, and Ikeja in Lagos State. This initiative provided much-needed relief to vulnerable individuals and families facing food scarcity, especially in the midst of challenging economic circumstances.

Photos of Folasade Omotoyinbo’s birthday celebrations and philanthropic endeavors were shared on her social media platforms, garnering an outpouring of prayers, congratulatory messages, and admiration from followers and well-wishers. Her selfless acts of kindness and dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others have earned her widespread praise and admiration.

As Folasade Omotoyinbo reflects on another year of life, she continues to embody the values of compassion, generosity, and empowerment. Her birthday celebration serves as an evidence to her unwavering commitment to uplifting her community and creating a brighter future for all. Through her leadership and philanthropy, she inspires others to join in the fight against hunger and to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

As she embarks on the next chapter of her journey, Folasade Omotoyinbo remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that even in the midst of celebration, there is always an opportunity to give back and make a meaningful impact in the world.

 

Folasade Omotoyinbo Marks Birthday In Style, Empowers 200 Youths, Gifts 500 People Food Items In Lagos

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