Connect with us

society

Revealed: Ikoyi collapsed building moneybags

Published

on

Revealed: Ikoyi collapsed building moneybags

 

 

For months, they remained unknown, unseen and unheard of. When many were mourning the loss of lives and asking questions, they remained quiet. Now the veil has been lifted off the owners of the collapsed Ikoyi building, which killed scores of workers and others, including the owner of Fourscore Heights Limited, the company that initiated the project, Mr Femi Odubona.

 

 

 

Revealed: Ikoyi collapsed building moneybags              For months, they remained unknown, unseen and unheard of. When many were mourning the loss of lives and asking questions, they remained quiet. Now the veil has been lifted off the owners of the collapsed Ikoyi building, which killed scores of workers and others, including the owner of Fourscore Heights Limited, the company that initiated the project, Mr Femi Odubona.       The property on 44B, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, went down on November 1,2021. Subscribers reportedly paid millions of dollars for a piece of what promised to be a beautiful edifice with a commanding height on the skyline of Ikoyi – home of the rich and powerful.       Now, the mystery of the owners of the doomed property has been resolved. Some individuals have gone to court in a desperate bid to stop the Lagos State Government from demolishing the other buildings on the site after experts have certified them unfit to stand.       Among the unlucky investors are mainly big businessmen and women: A senior lawyer, Mr Oluwemimo Adepoju Ogunde SAN, a pastor, Mr Adetola Odutola, Mr Bola Odutola, Mrs Bunmi Odutola, Mr Ghandi Olaoye,Ms Zahra Temitope Motomori, Mr Adewale Folowosele, Mr Moses Anibaba, Mrs Margret Anibaba, Dr Oladipo Oluyomi, Mrs Adepeju Oluyomi and Mr Tayo Oladapo.      There are, also, two companies Kwara Business School Limitedand Saikoyi Property Limited. The owners are not specified.   Where have they been all this while? Why did they not approach the panel of inquiry set up by the government to say all they knew about the property? Are they more interested in their money than the lives lost in this misadventure? These are some of the questions people are asking.      A government source said the state was studying the memorandum of claim served on the company handling the demolition of the two buildings that were left standing after the incident. “However, it is not right for them to say that the government can’t take over the property. The law states explicitly that when a property collapses, the government automatically takes over the property.”        The source added: “It’s all in the public interest and the government said so. Where were they when the Panel of Inquiry sat and took far-reaching decisions on the matter. The Government has even issued a White Paper. Were they ashamed of claiming their right? Don’t you wonder the kind of investors we are talking about? They couldn’t even ask for insurance before shelling out the huge cash they claimed to have paid the late owner of the property.”        Some of the investors said they paid the late Odubona various sums of money in dollars -$120,000, $111, 111. 11, $20,000, $315,586.78 and $7,708.         They said it was the alleged negligence of government agencies that led to the collapse of the building, but a source who testified at the sitting of the Panel of Inquiry said that there was evidence that the site was sealed off by the Ministry of Physical Planning. “Its officials were attacked at the site. In fact, the promoter of the project was arrested. The site was reopened and the promoter was yet to show proof of all he was asked to do before the building collapsed.” He said, adding: “Now, they want to put the blame on the government; that is being clever by half.”       A source who pleaded for anonymity said: “Now that the owners or potential owners of the doomed property have shown their face, those who lost their loved ones can go after them for compensation.”       The Lagos State Government is yet to react to the call for a meeting by the subscribers.

 

The property on 44B, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, went down on November 1,2021. Subscribers reportedly paid millions of dollars for a piece of what promised to be a beautiful edifice with a commanding height on the skyline of Ikoyi – home of the rich and powerful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, the mystery of the owners of the doomed property has been resolved. Some individuals have gone to court in a desperate bid to stop the Lagos State Government from demolishing the other buildings on the site after experts have certified them unfit to stand.

 

 

 

 

Among the unlucky investors are mainly big businessmen and women: A senior lawyer, Mr Oluwemimo Adepoju Ogunde SAN, a pastor, Mr Adetola Odutola, Mr Bola Odutola, Mrs Bunmi Odutola, Mr Ghandi Olaoye,Ms Zahra Temitope Motomori, Mr Adewale Folowosele, Mr Moses Anibaba, Mrs Margret Anibaba, Dr Oladipo Oluyomi, Mrs Adepeju Oluyomi and Mr Tayo Oladapo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are, also, two companies Kwara Business School Limitedand Saikoyi Property Limited. The owners are not specified.

 

 

 

 

 

Where have they been all this while? Why did they not approach the panel of inquiry set up by the government to say all they knew about the property? Are they more interested in their money than the lives lost in this misadventure? These are some of the questions people are asking.

 

 

 

 

A government source said the state was studying the memorandum of claim served on the company handling the demolition of the two buildings that were left standing after the incident. “However, it is not right for them to say that the government can’t take over the property. The law states explicitly that when a property collapses, the government automatically takes over the property.”
 

 

 

 

The source added: “It’s all in the public interest and the government said so. Where were they when the Panel of Inquiry sat and took far-reaching decisions on the matter. The Government has even issued a White Paper. Were they ashamed of claiming their right? Don’t you wonder the kind of investors we are talking about? They couldn’t even ask for insurance before shelling out the huge cash they claimed to have paid the late owner of the property.”
 

 

Some of the investors said they paid the late Odubona various sums of money in dollars -$120,000, $111, 111. 11, $20,000, $315,586.78 and $7,708.
 

 

 

They said it was the alleged negligence of government agencies that led to the collapse of the building, but a source who testified at the sitting of the Panel of Inquiry said that there was evidence that the site was sealed off by the Ministry of Physical Planning. “Its officials were attacked at the site. In fact, the promoter of the project was arrested. The site was reopened and the promoter was yet to show proof of all he was asked to do before the building collapsed.” He said, adding: “Now, they want to put the blame on the government; that is being clever by half.”
 

 

 

 

A source who pleaded for anonymity said: “Now that the owners or potential owners of the doomed property have shown their face, those who lost their loved ones can go after them for compensation.”
The Lagos State Government is yet to react to the call for a meeting by the subscribers.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Business

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Published

on

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON), has flagged off the construction of a N280 million Abdul Samad Rabiu Integrated Publishing House for Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. This project will enhance the capacity of the University from basic press status to a modern, integrated publishing house to encompass publishing, print production, and other related diversified services. The one-storey building facility will serve as a laboratory and studio for training students of communications, media studies, and allied disciplines as well as other disciplines.

 

 

 

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

At the groundbreaking event, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ademola S. Tayo, expressed satisfaction at the nomination by ASR Africa, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme. He added that the choice of the project was a response to the vision to take the Mass Communications Department of the University to a whole new level. According to him, the university’s vision is to produce young men and women capable of critical thinking, and problem-solvers capable of proffering innovative solutions to problems of everyday life, be it social, political, and cultural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his response, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, expressed his delight at the University’s choice of establishing an Integrated Publishing House. He added that when information is appropriately applied, human society is empowered to liberate itself from limitations and attain its full potential. Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and urged the institution to focus on the sustainability of this noble project. He also reiterated the importance of cooperation and collaboration between the university and the contractor for the timely delivery of the publishing house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About ASR Africa

ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

 

Continue Reading

society

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

Published

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST! by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

 

It’s no longer story that the preparation for the EndSars carnage went on for a while before its actual implementation.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!
by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

But lack of proactive approach on the part of some people in the government of the day became a recipe for the actualisation of the dastardly act. History is about to be repeated, but I do not expect this to happen under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.

I do not say that people should not be allowed to protest if they have any reason to do so. But given the fact that the country does not have the capacity to separate genuine protesters from hoodlums, unnecessary protest should be curtailed.

Some people may be surprised that I call it unnecessary protest.

Yes, it’s unnecessary because this government has never displayed any act of rigidity since it took the mantle of leadership. It responds even to mere comments on social media expressly within. It is clear to every discerning and positive citizen that this government has become one of the most engaging one since 1999.

It has engaged with the organised labour on the minimum wage and it’s being passed to law. It has won autonomy for local government councils. It is on course for disbursements of students’ loans. It has given tax waiver for certain commodities and goods. You only protest against a government that is either passive, incorrigible or rigid. How can a government that is barely a year in office be protested against even when it has surpassed many of the past ones within one year? That cannot be called a protest but a mischief.

President Bola Tinubu should not be deceived by those who harp on funny fundamental human rights to cause mayhem. America is the country they use as a reference point. But American government does not take untoward attitude from anyone. If you want some you will be given some. There is no way for avoidable discomfort.

Kenyans are licking their wounds at the moment. We must not allow our own case to get to that point. I believe that many of those who are planning for the protest are children who do not know the implications of such a protest. Those who are old among them are those who would gladly set their universities’ libraries on fire in the name of students’ demonstration just because water tap didn’t run at the expected time.

Please, begin to show us that we have someone in charge of our affairs. Be more presidential Your Excellency. We know that it’s those who lost elections in 2023 and those they have recruited among those who think you have not compensated them among your conditional supporters that are behind the protest.

Please, refuse to be blackmailed. No matter what you do, there is but one mind in those people and it is turned against you. Please do everything humanly possible for PH REFINERY to work. Support Dangote Refinery to get crude oil locally.

We must not be importing fuel forever. Therefore, you should beware of the sinister motive of the August 1 planned protest, Your Excellency. May you continue to succeed and may all patriotic Nigerians continue to progress in all spheres of life in the mighty name of God.

Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi is an entrepreneur, opinion leader and a security analyst.

Continue Reading

society

Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training

Published

on

Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

 

 

The Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) begins her Annual Mandatory Training Exercise for the year 2024 for Law Officers across the state.

The exercise, which will run for a duration of six weeks brings together officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( Lastma ), the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps ( Kai ), the Vehicle Inspection Service ( Vis ), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps ( Lnsc ) and the Central Business District ( Cbd ) law Officers.

In her opening remarks, the CEO / Head of Leti Mrs Abiola Adeyinka emphasised on the importance of continual training for Law Officers to ” be at their best” and to ” embrace the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.” she stressed the need for professionalism, integrity, and respect for the Rule of Law in the discharge of their duties as respectable officers of the state of excellence. The training program will cover a wide range of topics to include:
* Traffic management and Enforcement.
* Public safety and security.
* Human right and law enforcement.
* Conflict resolution etc.
* Interpersonal relations to mention but few.

Mrs Adeyinka reteirated the State government commitment to ensuring that Leti delivers on its mandate of providing high quality training to Law enforcement Officers in the state.

According to the Ceo, “The Governor of Lagos State has pledged the full support of his administration to Leti in its efforts to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of Law enforcement in Lagos State. The annual mandatory training exercise is a testament to the Lagos State government commitment to ensuring a safe, secure and well- managed environment for all residents.

Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending