Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday rejected social media reports conferring on him ownership of the 21-storey building that collapsed at Ikoyi,Lagos on Monday.
He denounced the reports as vicious,wicked and heartless.
As the rescue operation at the site entered the fourth day yesterday, the Lagos State government said dead bodies from the rubbles are now ready for identification by the bereaved families.
It put the death toll at 38 while 32 others were registered as missing.
Osinbajo in a statement through his spokesman Laolu Akande, described the building collapse as a horrible tragedy.
He expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and the injured.
He dismissed as obviously sponsored falsehood a social media report that he owned the ill-fated structure.
Akande said:”Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed. He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.
“Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:
* The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.
* That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and
* That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.
“Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.
“Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.
“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.
“Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.
“The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.”
Eminent businessman, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo,who was named in the social media report as having sold the land on which the collapsed structure was built, had earlier on Thursday also denied ever owning the land or selling it to Osinbajo.
He said: “It has come to my attention that a publication by the online news website, Sahara Reporters is in circulation, claiming that I owned the land on which the high-rise building in Ikoyi that collapsed earlier this week was built.
“The story titled ‘Photo Proof: Osinbajo bought the Ikoyi collapsed building’ published on November 4, 2021, also claimed that I sold the land to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo shortly after he became vice president.
“Both claims are outright falsehoods. I hereby state that I do not own and never held title to the said property.
“In addition, I did not sell any property to the vice president at any time whatsoever.
“To be clear, I own a property next to the said building, which I have not sold and do not intend to sell to anyone.”
LASG:Bodies retrieved from site ready for identification
In an update on the incident yesterday,the Lagos State government said dead bodies recovered from rubbles of the building are now ready for identification, and asked families of the deceased to go to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Yaba for that purpose.
It confirmed that 38 bodies had been recovered as rescue operation entered the fourth day yesterday , while family members had submitted 32 names of those still missing.
Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso said the bodies would be ready for identification from 4pm yesterday at the IDH, Yaba.
Omotoso with whom were Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations Commissioner Tayo Bamgbose-Martins and Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner Idris Salako, said an autopsy would be carried out on the corpses before releasing them to their families.
He said work was still ongoing and would continue until the government could account for everybody inside the building at time of collapse and certify that nobody is left behind in the collapsed building.
He said: “So far now, we have recorded 38 dead bodies. And as you know, we have nine survivors. Some bodies are ready for identification. So, people can go to IDH, Yaba as from 4pm to identify the bodies of their loved ones.
“For bodies that may be very difficult to identify, we are going to be conducting DNA tests for such bodies to be identified. There are rules for giving bodies to people.
“There are some of the bodies that are in a state that it would be unprofessional for the hospitals to allow people to look at them in that present state and for them to be released the way they are. That is why we have the little delay that we are having. But if you go to IDH, Yaba from 4pm, you should be able to see some of the bodies and be able to identify who you want to identify.
“Yesterday, Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said one of the patients at the General Hospital was taken to LASUTH for a test and all that. The patient has been brought back to the hospital and he is said to be doing well. And all the patients who were there are doing well.”
The multi-sectoral search and rescue operation is being led by teams of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), with the support of construction giants, Julius Berger, Craneburg, HiTech and China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).
SON advocates sanctions for standards infractions
The Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, yesterday called for strong sanctions for all standards infractions following the collapse of the 21-storey building at, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Salim, in a condolence message to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the agency had visited the site to commence investigation by taking samples of iron rods, concrete mix and other materials for laboratory tests and analysis.
He stressed the importance of promoting voluntary compliance in Nigeria as in other parts of the world, and described the incident as avoidable and one collapse too many.
Section 5 (1) b of the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 charges the organisation to undertake investigation as necessary into the quality of facilities, systems, services, materials and products, whether imported or manufactured in Nigeria.
The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) and Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) are of the view that the building collapse was avoidable .
Registrar of COMEG, Prof. Zacheus Opafunso and NMGS President Alabo Charles, said in a joint statement in Abuja said the success of any construction project depends on the underlying foundation soil.
“Soils have myriad of dynamics which can be at play and affect substructures even when foundation type might be right such as seismicity, liquefaction and these dynamics are best studied and investigated by geoscientists.
“In the advent of disasters such as these, study of the subsurface in relations to the phenomenon is of importance and these fall strictly in the purview of geologists.
“We hereby use this medium to appeal and call the attention of all concerned to the relevance of professionals under the NMGS and the regulatory powers of the COMEG in civil constructions.
“It is hoped that the findings and lessons learnt from this exercise will assist the government to formulate a better response to building development and ensure that civil projects serve their full design life in continuous safety.”
NMA to set up emergency helpdesk at site
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it will set up an emergency helpdesk to provide support to survivors and relatives of the building collapse.
Dr Adetunji Adenekan, NMA Lagos Chairman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that responding to disaster of such magnitude would need more medical personnel to provide emergency care and mental health support to the survivors, their relatives and rescuers.
He said that the catastrophe had placed a strain on the state’s health system, noting that drastic efforts should be made to salvage the situation.
Adenekan said that members of the association’s Emergency Response and Mental Health Committee had visited the survivors at the hospital and the scene of the building collapse to assess the situation.
“For us as NMA, our duty is to ensure that our colleagues offer them adequate trauma support, and we are also providing mental health support to relatives of the victims of the collapsed building.
“The support will help families and other loved ones confront and overcome overwhelming feelings of grief, fear and anger.”
Civil engineers seek prominent role in probe
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) wants its members to play frontline roles in the panel to investigate the cause of the building collapse.
Chairman of the institution, Dr Jang Tanko, said the technical knowledge possessed by civil and structural engineers is required to ensure thorough and fruitful inquiry.
He said that some investigations in the past failed to yield the required results because experts in the areas were not given lead roles.
Tanko said that if given the opportunity, the institution would liaise with other professional bodies in the building sector to ensure thorough investigation.
He urged the agencies currently on rescue mission at the site to do their best in order to save more lives.
Group warns against politicising tragedy
Reacting to the situation, a group -Advocate for Good Governance- deplored attempts in some quarters to politicize the tragedy through ‘unverifiable fables.”
Spokesperson for Advocate for Good Governance,Biyi Adebiyi,said: “It is mischievous, if not evil, for anyone to distract the public and begin to manufacture unverifiable fables not supported by reason or facts.
“ Just confabulations tainted with politics with no other intentions but to tarnish the image and reputation of people who have dedicated their lives to the service of their people and the nation.
“We will enjoin the governor of Lagos state and his hard working officials not to be deterred but rather to continue doing the good works this government has become known and severally commended for.”
Fear stricken residents of Anambra State locked themselves up at home for much of yesterday as the clock ticked toward the 8am take-off of the governorship election in the state today.
The situation left the streets deserted,the markets empty and the banks shut.
Some residents even chose to travel out of the state,unsure of what might happen during the election.
And that was despite the assurances from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that it had withdrawn the one week sit-at-home order it handed down to coincide with the election.
The Police,buoyed by the deployment of 34000 security personnel for the polls,told voters yesterday that they had nothing to worry about as they troop to the polling stations today, even as fresh controversy erupted over the unexpected re-deployment of a Deputy Inspector General of Police, and an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) , sent purposely to supervise security for the election by the police hierarchy.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo also yesterday made a last minute appeal to voters in the state to come out and exercise their right today.
The self-imposed sit-at-home by residents appeared to have been partly fuelled by the two days of work free declared by the state government for the people to prepare for the election.
Many of the residents had spent the last few days to shore up their food reserves at home.
Some residents said they found the large presence of security personnel and deployment of arms and ammunition in the state ahead of the election intimidating.
Some were seen at motor parks boarding vehicles to Enugu, Delta, Edo and Abia, among other States
One of such residents who gave her name as Chidera told The Nation that she was on her way to nearby Asaba, Delta State until after the election
Another resident, Maurice, left for Enugu on Thursday saying he was not comfortable staying in Awka during the period of the election.
A resident who chose not to be named said: “ nobody wants to lose his or her life. The fear IPOB has created in Igbo land will take some time to be forgotten
“Again, it might be a ploy to lure the people out to slaughter them. Personally, I don’t trust them and the way they operate. The security people who are telling people to come out, can they be trusted?
“We are in a critical condition not only in Anambra, but in the entire Igbo land. Me and my household, we will not go anywhere ”
But Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner C Don Adinuba said it was not true that residents were fleeing the state.
He said those seen traveling were people from far places like Ayamelum in the state who wanted to go home to cast their votes where they registered.
Adinuba said;”you know the governor declared a two day work free day in the State which are Thursday and Friday. The workers who live in urban centres use the opportunity to travel on time and again, you know it’s still raining
“No one is leaving Anambra State because of insecurity, those you saw are people from far areas in the State like Ayamelum, who want to go and vote.
“If you say they are relocating, what State in Nigeria is safer than Anambra State? People should grow beyond such propaganda.”
Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Zaki Ahmed, told The Nation that heavy deployment of security agencies was not to scare residents
Rather, he said they were here to secure life and property. He said the police men would work with other sister agencies, in making sure that the governorship election was free and fair.
Police give fresh assurance on security of life,property
The police command in the state said yesterday that security agents were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful process of election today.
Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng, in an update told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that he was impressed with the level of security across the state ahead of the poll.
His words:“ yesterday, we commenced aerial surveillance of the entire state and we are covering the entire state.
“The aerial surveillance is to feed those on ground with information to enable them tackle any security concern anywhere across the state.”
Echeng acknowledged complaints by the residents about the heavy presence of security men across the state but said they should “feel free at the sight of security men in their areas, because they are there to provide security and not to intimidate any lawful person.”
He added:“We have equally told our personnel to be civil to the people, but for anyone coming out to make trouble, let them deal decisively with such trouble makers.”
Controversy trails redeployment of DIG, AIG
Deputy Inspector General of Police Joseph Egbunike and an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) earlier sent to the state for the election were unexpectedly redeployed yesterday sparking speculations that they may have resigned.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer Nkeiruka Nwode dismissed the speculations as unfounded.
She said only DIG Egbunike was redeployed for another equally important assignment.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room on the governorship election expressed concern over incessant deployment of Police commissioner in the state.
The group was reacting to yesterday’s unannounced removal of Deputy Inspector General, Joseph Egbunike as head of the special police team providing security to the state.
Addressing reporters in Awka, Convener, Ene Obi said the state has had six Commissioners of Police in six months for no just reason.
•Ongoing distribution of sensitive materials for the governorship election in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State
“This state has been a bit notorious in terms of Police deployment. I remember we were on ground a month ago when we had a meeting with the security agencies,” she said. We just finished speaking with the CP who had been around for less than two months and around 8.30pm, he was removed before the close of meeting. There have been six CPs in Anambra state in six months. What is going on,it is only the AIG and IGP that can tell us why they’re deploying and redeploying in this last minute.
“This same DIG that addressed us yesterday is ironically from this state, we don’t really know what is going on.”
Ohanaeze to electorate: Please come out and vote
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor yesterday pleaded with residents of Anambra State to come out and exercise their franchise in today’s election.
Obiozor in a statement also urged the residents not to be intimidated by the presence of the security operatives sent to the state, saying that their presence was to assist them have a hitch-free election.
“The presence of security operatives in thousands should not be a source of fear and trepidation rather a confidence building dynamic by the federal government to guarantee adequate security of lives and property in the State,” he said.
But he asked the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police and all the Service Chiefs whose men are involved in the Anambra election to ensure that the security operatives observe strictly the best global standard of rules of engagement with the good people of Anambra State.
He said:”The federal security operatives should synergize with the traditional rulers, town union presidents and local community vigilante for effective coordination of the voting process”.
Obiozor hailed IPOB for backing down on its one week sit-at-home order and prayed that the best candidate should win the election.
Parties woo voters with gifts in last minute rush for support
Some of the political parties were locked in a last minute battle yesterday to woo voters to their side with various gifts.
Reports from across the state said items shared to prospective voters included rice, tomatoes, wrappers, T-shirts, fridges, television sets and generating sets
One of the leading parties, The Nation learnt yesterday, gave out half bag of rice to each voter after presenting their voters cards
Another party handed out N1,000 cash and a bottle of malt while a top female politician in the distributed wrappers, T -shirts and other gifts .
TMG calls for credible election in Anambra
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), wants the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exhibit neutrality in the election.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of the group, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, asked voters in the state to turn out en masse to exercise their constitutional responsibility by voting for candidates of their choice.
Rafsanjani also said it was the duty of the political parties, the electorate and civil society groups to ensure a hitch-free and credible election in the state, saying: “as stakeholders, we should live up to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and statesmanship during the election.
“The security agencies, INEC, civil societies, traditional rulers and electorate are all urged to support a peaceful process. The TMG will closely monitor the electoral process and report any suspected case of violence to relevant stakeholders.”
In rescinding its one week sit-at-home order,IPOB said it was on the strength of the intervention of Igbo leaders.
Spokesman of the group Emma Powerful said: “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional institutions /rulers and religious leaders, and after due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the leadership of IPOB ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.
“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.
“IPOB leadership is only interested in our referendum and peaceful agitation for self- determination, and cannot by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.
“The people of Anambra State should go out en masse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 2021 and accordingly, choose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.”
Anambra govt alleges rigging in 10 LGs ahead of polls
The Anambra State government last night alleged that intelligence at its disposal showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had “ written results of 10 Local Government Areas,” even before the first ballot was cast.
It named the affected lgs as Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Aguata, Orumba South, Orumba North, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ogbaru, Anambra East and Anambra West all of which have high numbers of registered voters. Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner C.Don Adinuba who signed the statement said: “a former Senate President from the Southeast, a former State Deputy Governor the Southwest and a sitting State Governor from the Southeast are deeply involved in the fraud to toy.”
“The barefaced brigandage just cannot stand,” he vowed.
But in a swift reaction, the Director, media and Publicity of Senator Andy Uba campaign organization, Hon Victor Ogene, said the allegation from APGA had exposed their its (APGA’s) plan in the election
He said because APGA members were afraid of their shadows, they had resorted to raising false alarm to deceive the public, adding that the prayer of APC had started manifesting
“They know they have failed and disappointed Ndi Anambra and they have equally seen the handwriting on the wall. They should come out openly and apologize to the people for their failure in 16 years in Anambra, ” the APC said.
The collapse of the 21-storey First Score Homes towers in Ikoyi Lagos, on Monday, November 1, 2021, has turned out to be a massive human tragedy affecting the young, not so young and scores of families strewn across the country.
Emotions were rife as parents and relations of victims who thronged the site of the incident wept uncontrollably. Sympathisers were also crestfallen at the magnitude of the human and economic losses. Exclamations of all manners rent the air as rescue operators brought out remains of the victims. Many wished they could be told that what they were seeing wasn’t true. The feeling was the same on different social media platforms. It was emotions, raw emotions everywhere.
As at Friday, the death toll had reached 39. After five days of rescue operations by the Lagos State government, a total of six people have been rescued. There are fears that many are still trapped in the rubble. But the Fourscore Towers collapse wasn’t just about sudden death, it’s a story of continuing suspense and hope as work continues on rescuing those who may still be alive. It’s also a story of miraculous escapes – like those of a couple of survivors who missed death by whiskers.
Among those confirmed dead was the owner of the building and Managing Director of Four Score Homes, Femi Osibona, a native of Ikenne, Ogun State.
Evacuation of his remains from the rubble Thursday evening put an end to controversies about his fate after the incident. His death brought to an abrupt end a flourishing career in property development that had seen him build luxury homes in Europe, America, South Africa and Nigeria.
In a television interview he granted before the incident, Femi said he was anti- Nigeria and never had the country in mind when he was decided to settle in Africa. He eventually changed his mind following what he called divine call to return home. Coming back home, he said his mission was to come and do what had not been done by anyone. Unfortunately, he was crushed by the project with which he set out to make a statement to the world about what a black man could do. “In 2018, I came back to Nigeria and made up my mind to do something that has not been done before. You know now I was at rest, I was ready, I understand the system, I understand the terrain. I am in charge. I left Nigeria in 1986 and came back in 2008. I did Mosley in 2009. Look at me, I have not really been in Nigeria so I am not a Nija person. I said let me come back and do something. That is what prompted what you are seeing here (referring to his building). I need to let people know that some can be done by a black man. if i can be doing property in London and can be doing it successfully, if I can do it in Atlanta successfully, if I can do it in South Africa and do it successfully, why wouldn’t I be able to do it in my country. You know, we Nigerians, we have this belief that if a white man is not there that things cannot be done.”
Speaking on why he came to Nigeria, he said: “I have to be honest with you and if I tell you, you would be shocked. Why I decided to come back to Africa is because Africa is where you enjoy your money. In London, no matter how rich you are, you can’t have two drivers, you can’t have two cooks and you can’t have a gardener the way you have it in Nigeria. I just realised that I want to enjoy my money and I was looking for an African country to go to.
“I have to tell you, I was anti-Nigeria. Nigeria was never in my mind. Then I went to South Africa for holiday. By the time I got to Africa, I went with my family and fell in love with the country. My plan then when I went to South Africa was that I was going to be living in South Africa but will be making money in London.”
The decision to return home according to him started in 2008. “I was in London and God spoke to me that the time for Nigeria has come. That was 2008 and I want to believe it was sometime in January. God spoke to me and said my son, Nigeria. “Remember I was I South Africa. I heard it clearly, I saw Nigeria. I started planning and arrived Nigeria around May/June 2008. When I got to Nigeria I have to do something. Then I decided to buy land. My first land was 2-4 Mosley Road Ikoyi. That was my first development and it was quite interesting. Then I went back to investing abroad. I started investing in America, in Atlanta to be precise.”
Then came a human voice asking him to return to home to bring his wealth of experience in property development to bear in the country. “I remember the late Senator Osinowo saw me in Atlanta and said ‘come, this thing you are doing in Atlanta, come and do it in Nigeria. We need you in Nigeria. You should come and do things like these in Nigeria. You did seven-storey building in Nigeria, why are you running away from Nija?
His philanthropy
Sources close to the late businessman disclosed that while he was living in South Africa, despite being a staunch member of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) he built and donated one of the biggest parishes of the Winners Chapel in the country. According to the sources, the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, was shocked that he was a member of a white garment church.
“His sense of philanthropy was borderless. At the time he built the church for Winners Chapel, he was worshipping at a parish of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC). Even members of Winners Chapel and Bishop David Oyedepo were shocked that he was a member of a white garment church.
“Besides, Femi did not hide his love for Oyedepo and he always praised and referenced the man of God as his mentor; same with Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo of the KICC.
Love for high rise buildings
It was also said that the real estate mogul had several high rise buildings in different parts of Lagos State including Ikosi and others close to the scene of the crash in Ikoyi.
A close associate of Osibona, who spoke in confidence said: ”I know Femi (Osibona) and I have been part of some of his projects in recent times. He loves building high rise buildings in choice areas in several countries. He has other buildings in Magodo and Ikosi area of Lagos. In 2009, he built two multi-storey properties, a stone throw to the scene of the collapsed building.
A close source also gave a hint on the possible reason the initial 15 storeys approved for the building consisting of luxury apartments was jettisoned by Four Score Hones for 21 floors, hinging it on oversubscription by buyers. According to him, ” each of the luxury apartments costs hundreds of millions of naira and it was over-subscribed to the extent that people including Femi’s associates felt sidelined in the sale. At least, as at the time the building crashed, it has been sold out by 80 per cent. The pressure from teeming buyers to my understanding pushed the project from the 15 floors approved for it to 21 floors after his close associates expressed their dissatisfaction when they learnt that the initial 15 floors were already paid for by buyers, hence, the elevation to 21 floors to meet demands.”
The source added: “Some of the buyers include a first-class Yoruba monarch, two media personalities, a top Yoruba musician and politicians. I am also one of the people who bought apartments there. There was a day he invited me to come to see the place but I have a phobia of height and this made me rush out of the building when we got to the 17th floor when I could no longer cope with the ascension to the remaining floors. At that point, he made a joke of me referring to me in Yoruba as ojo (coward).”
Quiet lifestyle, fashion taste, love for posh cars
•Kolawole Stephen, an engineer
He was said to be a very private person who never openly displayed nor showed affection in public for his children and wife based in the United Kingdom (UK).
“When it comes to his family, Femi never openly displayed his family based in the United Kingdom (UK), including one of his children called Ibukun who is like the apple of his eyes.”
He was also described as a lover of white outfits and this accounts for his appearance in only white dresses, while it was also said that he disliked aso ebi.
One of his friends in the UK said: “Despite being a billionaire, you will always see in him in a white dress; just check out most of his photographs to confirm what I am revealing to you about his fashion taste and you will know that he loved wearing a white dress more than other colours.
“Also, he disliked aso ebi and turned down ankara or any uniformed dress for a party even when he was given such for free. He was also a very blunt person; he wouldn’t hide his feelings if you wronged him or he doesn’t want to work with you; he will tell you straight to your face.”
The Nation learnt that apart from a Phantom Rolls Royce he acquired in South Africa, he recently took delivery of the latest edition of two posh automobiles- Rolls Royce and a Bentley 2021 he rode into the Seekers Service on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at the Celestial Church of Christ, Ketu International Headquarters shepherded by one of the sons of the late founder of the church, Olatosho Oschoffa. Delivering his sermon at the service, Osibona said: “Most times we love praying against witches and wizards not knowing that they don’t have power. If witches and wizards have any power they would have killed me; any witches or wizards that attack me will not only run mad but shall be destroyed together with their entire families. They have tried to catch me on several occasions but they can’t catch me and they will not ‘catch’ you too in Jesus name,” he told the audience.
His love for evangelism
Described as a lover of word of God and evangelism, the late property mogul according to associates openly shared word of God at informal gatherings and was said to have recently opened an interdenominational seminary around the Ikotun area of Alimosho, a Lagos suburb.
“Femi loved to preach with relevant scriptures from the Bible, even at parties and social functions, he would engage people on the word of God amid revelling. He recently established a seminary for the training of church workers, priests from different Christian denominations and others interested in theology,” one of his associates told The Nation.
How his death was predicted
It was said that a white garment prophet close to the late Osibona simply identified as Peter had recently warned the businessman to pray against untimely death. Osibona, was however said to have told the prophet that there was no cause for alarm.
“Femi waved aside the revelation by the prophet, saying “Don’t worry Prophet Peter, with God nothing will happen to me” and he left the man’s church in Lagos Mainland after he gave him some money,” the source said.
BOB OSENI
One of the victims whose story was melted people’s heart was US-based Nigerian businessman, Wale Bob-Oseni. He was said to be on his way to the US when he got a call from the owner of Fourscore Homes, Femi Osibona, to check out the ongoing development at Ikoyi.
Without any premonition of what was ahead, he gladly heeded his friend and business ally’s call hoping to drive straightaway to the airport after the visit. But that never happened as he died in the building collapse.
His corpse was recovered alongside that of the owner of the structure, Femi Osibona, Thursday evening.
Journalist and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu, who described both estate moguls as his ‘aburos’, lamented, “Wale was on his way to the US. This is tragic.”
Bob-Oseni’s nephew, Bakare Farati, who was at the site until Thursday, reportedly criticised government officials at the site for their lack of urgency and precaution..
“It’s a retrieval operation, not a rescue operation… One of the bodies they pulled out this morning was dismembered by the excavator.”
Farati also condemned the long recess being taken by the workers. “The authorities stopped working for seven hours on the first day. They don’t have the urgency you’d think they should have in this type of situation. Bob-Oseni was said to be in his late 40s. He was until his death the Executive Director,Africa Bureau for Legislative Empowerment,USA INC. He bagged Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Howard University and graduated in 2005.
The story of the building collapse will not be complete without the sorry sight of his driver screaming, “Please help my boss is in there. He just went in to see the owner of the building. He was heading to America. I want to go and drop him at the airport.”
ONYINYE ENEKWE
•Onyinye Enekwe
Onyinye Enekwe is another victim that her untimely death would not be forgotten in a hurry. She was excitedly looking forward to her wedding slated for December before the unfortunate incident occurred. The 26 years old graduate of the Nnamdi Azikwe University was the late Osibona’s second personal assistant.
She only worked few days for the company before her death.
Prior to the time her remains were evacuated from the rubble, family members had expressed hope that she would be rescued alive. Family members had expressed hope that she would be rescued alive.
“Guys! This is immediate elder sister. She recently got this job. Y’all should please pray for her. Pray for her to keep fighting. She will survive. She is not dead yet,” KingDAVE a social media user who claimed to be her brother posted.
Another relation, Chinedu Enekwe, said:
“She left her elder sister’s house around 6am for work on that day.”
Chinedu added that Onyinye had taken a picture of herself at the site, which she sent to her elder sister just as she arrived at work on Monday morning.
He said the family has received “no information” from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) or other rescue workers concerning her whereabouts.
Chinedu, however, said the family members are praying for her safe return.
“We’re hopeful. We believe she will be found. We are in prayers for her to be found.”
The relations’ hopes were eventually dashed as she was found dead ending all the marital plans she had put in place.
Zainab Oyindamola, a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving with Four Score Homes had her hopes of completing her service year and going ahead to get a good job dashed as she also died in the incident.
The 25-year old victim’s mother reportedly said she was told by food vendors that her daughter entered the building after buying lunch, minutes before the incident happened.
•Zainab Oyindamola
“My daughter — Zainab — was in the building that collapsed in Ikoyi yesterday (referring to Monday) noon,” she told Channels Television.
“Till now, they haven’t removed her. The workers removing them have stopped work and my daughter is still there.
“Lagos state governor should help me. They should bring my daughter out for me.
She looked for to seeing Zainab alive but it was her lifeless body that was brought out from the rubble.
PASTOR OLA OGUNFUWA
A pastor in charge of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Water Parish in Ibafo, Ogun State, Ola Ogunfuwa, who worked as a contractor on the collapsed building also died in the incident.
Before his death was confirmed, his church members engaged in marathon prayers to seek divine intervention in his case.
A newspaper reported that a friend of Ogunfuwa and an RCCG pastor, Omotosho Shola Emmanuel, said the deceased went with 22 other artisans, comprising bricklayers and welders, from Ibafo to work in the building.
His words: “I am here this morning because one of my pastor friends is working here, he is an engineer. He came with about 22 people all the way from Ibafo (Ogun State) to work here; labourers, bricklayers, welders, about 22 different guys that came together with him to work on the project. “Till now, out of those that have been rescued, we’ve not seen any of those 22 and he himself is still there because we learnt that yesterday (Monday), at break time, he came out to eat but as he was about washing his hands to eat, he was summoned by one of his bosses and he went back inside but about five to 10 minutes later, the building collapsed and he was trapped.
“He is still there now and we pray that God will have his way upon those still there.
“As a church, we prayed all through yesterday night and we’re still believing that there is nothing God cannot do because we know that people are still many there, they said they are over 50.
MY BROTHER IS IN THERE, I JUST WANT CLOSURE – ABUJA-BASED OGOCHUKWU
A middle-age man spotting a white top and white nose-mask, Jude Ogochukwu, was also sighted at the scene of the collapse.
Ogochukwu was overheard lamenting: “My brother is in there, he just started working there about a month ago.
“All I need is closure, I learnt the deputy governor was here yesterday and he addressed us directing us to go to Marina Genera Hospital and other places to check if our relatives are among the rescued ones.
“I came all the way from Abuja. He is 28 years old, I got information at 10am yesterday and I rushed here but could not locate my brother. I have been to Marina but they didn’t allow me to check if my son’s corpse was there or not.
“I have been to the hospital but he is not among those rescued. Please, I just want closure.”
My three children are there -Unidentified woman
A middle-age woman, who refused to give her name, was also seen crying and lamenting probable loss of her three children, as sympathisers struggled to calm her.
How will I start all over? My three children are there. I just want to see them, whether dead or alive.”
She was taken away by officials of the Lagos State government.
HE CALLED ME BEFORE THE BUILDING COLLAPSED, SAYS VICTIM’S BROTHER
One of the victims’ relative, who simply identified himself as John, yesterday said he heard last from his cousin, David Iorhen at about 1:12pm on the day the building collapsed.
John, who came to the scene yesterday with David’s mother, Dorcas Iorhen, told reporters that he had earlier called John around 1:09pm.
John said: “He told me he’s working at that very building; we have been communicating and chatting for some time. I called him and we talked. That day, I called him at exactly 1:09pm but he didn’t pick my call. I later saw his missed call at about 1:12pm. The following day, Tuesday, I heard that a building collapsed, I rushed there but they didn’t allow me to go close to the building
“I went to where the ambulance was parked; the officials told me they’ve taken some bodies to the General Hospital at CMS. When I got there, they gave me the list of people undergoing treatment but my brother’s name was missing. There’s a particular guy I called who gave me information about those people because he works with my brother in Abuja as well. Their company was engaged for aluminium work. When I asked of his whereabouts, he told me that my cousin was also inside the collapsed building and that they have taken him to the hospital. I asked him how he got his phone, he said he took his phone in order to call the family to tell that this is what happened. He was taken out of the building but we have not been able to confirm if he’s dead or alive. I am still in shock; even my aunty who is his mother, she came from Benue when she heard. Her coming here is that she will take the corpse of her son back to Benue.”
•Missing David and his uncle, Fidelis Komgbenda
He appealed to the state government to help locate the whereabouts of his cousin, saying that he had been to several hospitals’ morgues but couldn’t find him.
David’s uncle, Fidelis Komgbenda, said he took him from the village in Benue and engaged him in aluminium work in Abuja.
According to Komgbenda, David’s boss brought him to Lagos here to work on the site.
“David came with a company named Skylum Aluminium Company. We were told that his body has been recovered and they sent his bag and phone to me on Wednesday. I am seriously worried as I am talking to you, that is why I am bothering them to let me see his corpse,” he said.
MORTUARY ATTENDANTS, HOSPITALS PREVENTED ME FROM SEEING MY SON, SAYS DAD
A father of a victim, Abel Godwin, has narrated how he was frustrated by mortuary attendants and hospital workers from seeing his son.
Godwin said he came from Abuja when he heard of the building collapse, stating that all efforts to locate his son had been futile.
Addressing the Lagos State delegation after Information and Strategy Commissioner gave an update on the rescue effort, Godwin said: “I am just confused and I will like you to answer this question if you can. I actually want to know how many hospitals that the rescued people have been taken to apart from the morgue because I’ve been to the morgue. They refused to allow me to identify the corpses that were there because the state government haS not given them permission to. I have visited about eight hospitals this morning and most hospitals, when you go in there, they’ll deny having any knowledge about anything of such but the victims are there. So if you can, kindly tell me names of places, hospitals that the rescued victims have been taken to, I’ll be happy.”
•Rescuers evacuate a casualty
Omotoso, who sympathised with him, responded: “I know what you’re going through. For us, it’s a very emotional matter and a very sober time for us. So if you go to the General Hospital on Lagos Island, that’s where the survivors are. I followed Mr. Governor and Mr. Deputy Governor to see the survivors myself and as I have said here this afternoon, if you go to IDH, Yaba as from 4pm, you’ll be able to see some bodies for identification. The thing is that there are rules of giving bodies to people and it will be unprofessional for the hospital to allow people to be looking at them like that or for them to be released the way they are. That is why we have this little delay that we’re having but if you go there (IDH Yaba) from 4pm, you should be able to see some of the bodies and be able to identify who you want to identify. Once again, we sympathise with you.”
Not satisfied with the answer, Godwin said he was at a hospital yesterday, but his son was not there.
Omotoso told him that none of the victims was taken to Falomo.
“We didn’t take anybody to Falomo hospital. Maybe he went there on his own. But we’ll check that out, don’t worry we’ll check it out but try to print out his picture and give it to them at the Missing Person Desk and I believe they’ll be able to look at it and match it with the guys we have at the General Hospital on Lagos Island. We’re in this together, we’ll help you look for your son,” he said. SESAN PLEASE DON’T GO – DISTRAUGHT MOTHER CRIED
Another pathetic sight was that of a woman screaming, “Sesan, malo o (Sesan, please don’t go.) Have mercy on your father. Have mercy on us. I never knew this was how bad the situation is. I am finished. This will be the second child in just two months.”
The woman, who did not respond to journalists enquiries of her identity or surname, remained inconsolable, even as sympathisers struggled to pacify her.
EVERY MINUTE COUNTS – DESPERATE RELATIVE
A woman in white was seen complaining loudly to the rescue team over the time being wasted while lives may be ebbing away from those under the rubble.
“Every minute counts, you cannot be resting or taking time off, while people are under that rubble. Even if they were not dead, the time being wasted could prove very costly .”
However, addressing the woman’s anxiety, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye said, ‘We don’t just start digging any spot; we use infrared to determine if there is a body within 25meter radius, and then we go to work.”
IT’S NOT HUNGER THAT BROUGHT MY SON TO LAGOS- VICTIM’S FATHER
•Victim’s father, Abel Godwin
Late Thursday, Abuja-based Abel Godwin, father of Emmanuel Abel, the 17-year-old, who was suspected to be under the rubble was finally granted permission by the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to look through the corpses to see if his son was among the confirmed dead or if he is still under the rubble and possibly hanging onto life.
For a couple of days, Godwin had caught a pitiable sight, desperately seeking answers to the condition of his son, who had come all the way from Abuja to work at the construction site.
“I’m here to see if my son is alive or dead. That is what I need now. I’m not fighting (for) any justice. But I want to see if my son is alive or dead. His name is Emmanuel Abel, he came from Abuja. I’ve been to the General Hospital to check those injured, but he is not there. I am devastated. I pleaded with the state governor yesterday when he came to address us, that he should allow me to check those dead that he has recovered. He promised to do something.”
Apparently in response to the obvious question of why he should allow such a young boy to come and work so far away from home, Godwin said, “It’s not hunger that brought my son to Lagos, it’s because I wanted the best for him. I wanted him to get something doing, because I’d not been living with him continuously. Even when he finishes school and admission or work does not come, I wanted a situation where he could have something doing.”
The governor granted Godwin’s request, even while noting that it was unprofessional and that he was making an exception for him because he came all the way from Abuja and had been coming to the site since Tuesday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also said the state governor may pick up his bills for the duration of time he was staying in Lagos.
INNOCENT XYLVESTRE
•Innocent Xylvester Denavide shared this on his Facebook wall, thanking God for coming out alive
A survivor, Innocent Xylvestre, on his Facebook page was full of praises as he relived his narrow escape from the incident. “Thrice I had gone on my knees before the incident on Monday. First was when I woke up at 4:20. Second was at 4:50, before leaving the room I slept in. I went out of the room without praying but rushed back to it for a moment of prayer. The third time was when I arrived the site at around 6:25am in the room. This room is on the 3rd floor of the building. I remember praying to God to order my steps. I remember mentioning this every single day of the week. He is so faithful. He answers prayers. Was I saved because I prayed? No, I am saved because of His abundant Grace and mercy over my life.”
Another survivor, Ade John told BBC Igbo that he was on the ground floor when the building started caving in.
“There were 40 bricklayers who came to work, including some engineers on the first floor,” he said, fearing that they had not escaped,” he said.
Where’s Nifemi?
NIFEMI, a personal assistant to Osibona was rumoured to have died in the incident.
Her pictures were seen on various social media platforms with RiP inscriptions. But The Nation can authoritatively report that she is alive.
The Nation saw Nifemi near the site on Tuesday, a day after the building collapsed. She wore a white shirt and a black pair of trousers.
Though she appeared traumatised, she was a bit calm. She was being consoled by some women, who seem to have a close relationship with either her or the late boss.
Nifemi occasionally peeped at the emergency responders working to evacuate victims from the collapsed building. She displayed nervousness each time a victim was removed from the rubble.
Approached by The Nation, she declined an interview.
She stayed till around 9pm before leaving with the women.
On Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday, she was nowhere near the site.
Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps have arrested 18 suspected bandits from Katsina State.
The suspected bandits were travelling in three hummer buses but men of the Amotekun Corps, in a joint operation with the police, were able to apprehend one of the buses while two others escaped.
It was learnt that intelligence about the movement of the suspected bandits leaked at a restaurant where they stopped briefly to eat.
Sources said it was talks among the suspected bandits that made information leaked to Amotekun operatives and roadblocks were mounted with a view to nabbing them before entering Ondo State.
Commander of the Ondo Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said the driver of the buses overran three barricades before one of the buses was intercepted near Ondo town.
Chief Adeleye said guns and ammunition concealed inside sacked filled with tiger nuts were recovered while over 500 daggers, cutlasses, swords and other dangerous weapons were found hidden under the seats of the bus.
Conductor of the bus who did not give his name said the bus was loaded in Katsina State and they were asked to take the passengers comprising one young male to Ondo State.
He claimed he was not aware of what was loaded inside the bus.
Chief Adeleye said there was no link between the withdrawal of soldiers from checkpoints in the State to the arrest of the suspects.
Adeleye stated that the suspects during interrogation said they were asked to proceed to Akure and that further directives would be given to them.
According to him: “We got information that a group of young men were coming to invade the state. We set out to stop them from entering the state.
“At different places we mounted roadblocks they overran the barricades until we intercepted them near Ondo town.
“Two of the fully-loaded buses escaped but we intercepted one and arrested its occupants. We opened the bags of tiger nuts and found guns and ammunition while other weapons like daggers, cutlasses, Jack knives were found concealed under the seats.
“We will prosecute them after investigations have been concluded.”
Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Ondo State, Alhaji Bello Garuba, said the suspects should be prosecuted he placed curses on them for attempting to torment trouble in the State.
Leader of Hausa Fulani in Ondo State, Bala Umaru, said the arrest was worrisome especially for those doing genuine businesses in the State.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has dissociated himself from the 21- storey building, which collapsed in Lagos on Monday.
In a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo, who expressed sympathies with the families of the victims of the building collapse, also denied making any move to influence the Lagos State housing regulatory authorities to favour foul play.
The Vice President, who alleged attempts by political actors to use the situation to malign his image, also accused online news outlet, Sahara Reporters, of being sponsored to engage in a smear campaign against his person.
The recovery yesterday of the body of Mr. Femi Osibona, the investor in the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos has laid to rest questions over his whereabouts.
There has been controversy over whether he was trapped in the rubble. The building under contsruction collapsed on Monday.
The recovery of Osibona’s body brings to 33 the death toll. Osibona, a businessman and Chief Executive of Fourscore Heights Limited, was 55.
Families have documented 19 names on the register of missing persons open at the site of the crisis by the Lagos State Government.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a three-day mourning period beginning from today for the victims.
Flags at both public and private buildings are to fly at half mast.
Also yesterday, the governor inaugurated the panel of independent experts that will probe the incident.
During his visit to the site yesterday, the governor put the figure of bodies recovered as 32.
Osibona’s body was recovered after the governor spoke.
The body was last night identified by officials of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Families of trapped artisans were still on site yesterday, keeping the hope of seeing their loved ones alive.
So far, it has been established that more than 61 persons might have been trapped in the collapsed building.
There were also reports that some people escaped at the nick of time when the building was coming down.
Sanwo-Olu said structural integrity tests will begin on the two other structures from today.
There were three structures under construction.
Sanwo-Olu reiterated the need for rescue workers to be safe on site, saying the structural integrity of the other buildings must be ascertained.
The governor said he visited the six survivors on admission at the Lagos Island General Hospital. He said one of them was transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching (LASUTH) in Ikeja, for further treatment, “while the remaining five are in good spirits”.
Sanwo-Olu added: “I have been to the Island General Hospital to encourage the living. I listened to their experiences on how God saved their lives. Life is something we all need to cherish because we can lose it at the shortest possible time.
“Six of them, but one was moved this morning to LASUTH for additional investigative treatment because of the specialist healthcare we have there.
“Yesterday, we opened the register for missing persons so that people who have missing loved ones whom they believe or imagine must have been in this location on Monday, and for whatever reason they haven’t contacted them, can provide their details. As I speak now, only 19 names have been provided, some with pictures and some without.
“This will help us to begin to design the possibilities of a manifest coming out from the responses we have so far.”
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued the four lecturers and their family members abducted by gunmen on Tuesday morning from their University of Abuja staff quarters residence.
It also arrested their suspected abductors.
The Command’s Public Relations officer, DSP Josephine Adeh confirmed to The Nation.
She said: “The Fct Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that all abducted victims of the university of Abuja were rescued and reunited with their families through a joint operation with other security agencies”.
Relatives of victims of the collapsed 21-storey building at Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday demanded to see their loved ones dead or alive, three days after the disaster.
The high-rise structure, which was under construction, was believed to have over 50 people inside, including artisans, guests and workers of the real estate firm. Several people are still feared trapped in the debris, including a pastor and one of the contractors at the site with over 20 of his workers.
I want to know if my son is alive or dead, says father
One of the victims’ family members, Abel Godwin, who came to Lagos from Abuja looking for his teenage son, Emmanuel, said all he wanted was to see his son dead or alive. He has been returning to the site since Tuesday.
He told Governor Sanwo-Olu: “I’ve been to the general hospital to check those that are injured and my son was not found. You promised that I would be able to see my son today (yesterday). I came from Abuja and waited till today.
“Can you please sir grant me access to see bodies that have been recovered? What I actually need now is to know if my son is living or dead so I can return to Abuja and wait for the government to do the needful. I am sincerely begging you sir.”
Another relative, Florence, said her younger brother was also working on the site.
“My younger brother was here. He left the house in the first week of October. I spoke with him last on Sunday. I received a call that something happened. I came yesterday and when I got here, one of his colleagues said he was among the people rescued and rushed to the hospital. It’s the hospital that I don’t know.
“I’ve gone to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Yaba, but I wasn’t allowed in. Yesterday (Wednesday), I went to the General Hospital and the person that I showed pictures confirmed seeing my brother, but that he was unconscious. But I didn’t see him. I want to see him,” she said.
Sanwo-Olu grants special access to father
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, granted special access to Godwin to check for his son among the bodies so far recovered from the debris. He also assured Florence that names of those in the hospital and those already discharged would be shared with her once she has provided her information at the stand.
According to the governor, it would be unprofessional to allow anyone inspect the bodies now, but said he would “give an exception to the distraught man who came from Abuja after learning of what had happened”.
He added: “I truly cannot express fully how difficult it would be for you. I remember that I saw you yesterday (Wednesday) and mentioned that probably by today (yesterday) you might be able to see your son. So, two things will happen: we can first pick up your cost of staying here in Lagos till you are able to see your son.
“The second thing is we will do an exception, which is one of the things that we do not want to do. We have pictures of the bodies and so you could sit with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in a separate location and you can view the pictures.
“Like I said, it is because we want to do things properly, and properly means let’s do it officially with the pathologist in the event that we need to present this as a criminal case.”
Developer’s assistants identified
Two of developer Femi Osibona’s personal assistants identified as Nifemi and Onyinye Enekwe, 26, were among those trapped when the building collapsed.
Rescuers on Tuesday night confirmed the recovery of a woman’s body believed to be an assistant to the developer, a development that saw friends and acquaintances of both women mourning them.
Enekwe, it was gathered, started working with the company on Friday, three days before the disaster. She was said to be preparing for her marriage next month.
A native of Ajali, Anambra State, Enekwe had her secondary education at Baptist Science Grammar School, Jos, Plateau State.
Unconfirmed report indicated that her new job, which came with a salary of N150,000 per month, also provided her accommodation on the island to reduce transportation cost.
From statistics released by emergency workers, only one female was among the nine victims rescued alive.
Although none of their names were among the survivors listed by Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, Enekwe’s younger brother, Dave, yesterday evening dismissed social media reports that she was dead.
According to him, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, graduate was not dead yet, urging people to pray for her.
He wrote: “Guys this is my immediate elder sister. She recently just got this job. You all should please pray for her. Pray for her to keep fighting. She will survive…she’s not dead yet.”
Similarly, her cousin, Chinedu Enekwe, who also confirmed Onyinye worked with the company, said: “Monday was the last time anyone in my family saw my cousin Onyinye before she headed off to work at the now collapsed Fourscores building in Ikoyi. No one should have to go through this; no family should be kept in the dark.”
On her Facebook page, her friends prayed that reports about her death were false, just as torrents of tributes poured on her Instagram page.
Building collapse will enhance speedy passage of code, says NIOB
Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB), Cross River chapter, Mr., Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, yesterday said the Ikoyi building collapse should enhance the speedy passage of a building code for the nation.
Ekpenyong, who was reacting to the collapse of the 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
The chairman said the speedy hearing and passage of the building code would ensure that professional builders are brought on board in building sites, adding that no professional would want to lose his certification.
He maintained that different professionals have different responsibilities, but in Nigeria, an architect for example, wants to do the job of an engineer and a builder put together with one or two quacks he calls foremen.
COMEG, NMGS demand inclusion in panel
The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) and Nigerian Mining and Geosciences society (NMGS) yesterday asked to be included in the panel set up to investigate the collapsed building.
The two professional bodies said the geotechnical properties of soils ultimately determine the type of foundation and structures that can be safely placed on any soil.
They said their inclusion in the panel would enable them study the subsurface of the soil the building was constructed on in relation to the phenomenon, which falls strictly in the purview of geologists.
A statement by COMEG Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Prof. Zacheus Opafunso and NMGS President Alabo Charles, said while they appreciate the prompt setup of the independent panel by the Lagos State government, they would advise that COMEG and NMGS professionals should be included on the panel in view of the following and other reasons: “The success of any construction project is dependent on the underlying foundation soil. Soils have a myriad of dynamics which could be at play and affect substructures even when foundation type might be right such as seismicity, liquefaction etc. and these dynamics are best studied/investigated by geologists.
“In the advent of disasters such as these, studies of the subsurface in relation to the phenomenon are of importance and these falls strictly in the purview of geologists.
“We hereby use this medium to appeal and call the attention of all concerned to the regulation of the COMEG and relevance of NMGS to civil constructions.
“It is hoped that the findings and lessons learnt from this exercise would assist government to formulate a better response to building development and ensure that civil projects serve their full design life in continuous safety.”
Ortom sympathises with Lagos, victims’ families
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has sent his heartfelt sympathy to Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of Lagos State as well as families of victims of the disaster.
Ortom described the incident, which left more than 33 persons dead and many others injured as sad, unfortunate and shocking, especially at a time like this.
In a statement by his media aide, Nath Ikyur, Ortom urged that proper investigations be carried out by relevant agencies to ascertain the cause of the collapse and make efforts to bring the violators of the building codes to book to serve as a deterrent.
He also commiserated with families, who lost their loved ones in the disaster and prayed that God comforts them for the irreparable loss.
For some time now, the Niger Delta region has become synonymous with strife; a situation that has made peace, unity and development to elude the area. YEKEEN AKINWALE writes that worried by the unpleasant development, and determined to bring about sustainable peace in the Niger Delta, critical stakeholders organised a one-day talk in Warri, Delta State, under the auspices of Warri Multi-stakeholders’ Platform (MSP) Leadership Summit, with support from the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND).
Daily dressed Ijaw men known for their panache and active social lifestyle were a marvel to behold at the spacious Wellington Hotel Hall, Effurun Warri Delta State on September 23, 2021.
How to bring about sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region preoccupied their minds in that somewhat balmy afternoon. It was a gathering of who is who in Ijaw land.
The event was the Ijaw-Itsekiri Leaders’ Summit under the auspices of the Warri Multi-stakeholders’ Platform (MSP) Leadership Summit, supported by the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND).
The theme of the event was “Role of Leaders in Fostering Peace, Co-existence, Security and Development.”
Critical stakeholders and organisations that support the cause of peace initiatives in the area were conspicuously present and were ready to proffer solutions to the critical issue of peace in the region that largely feeds the country. On their minds were peace, unity and security in the Niger Delta region.
Again, their minds were focused on what to be done for Warri to regain its glory. How can it return to the part of development that has eluded it, somewhat? And how can the ethnic groups bring back peace and harmony?
At the summit were leaders from Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups, members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), government functionaries, political, community, and opinion leaders within Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West local government areas.
Some of the issues they deliberated upon were peace initiatives and peacebuilding, peaceful co-existence, conflicts resolution, violence, poverty eradication and restoration of development in the once-flourishing Warri city.
Speaker after speaker pointed to the need to re-establish sustainable peace and development in Warri, even as they pressed for alternative methods for dispute resolution and non-violence approaches to their rights demands.
At the one-day summit, Delta State’s Commissioner for Technical Education, Princess Shola Ogbemi-Daibo said: “We are gathered here today for peace.
“The summit is long overdue considering diverse challenges and aspirations of the Niger Delta. One incontestable fact is that peace is the vehicle and precursor of sustainable development the world over.
“…So many resources have gone into peace-building measures to guarantee the enabling environment needed for investment and sustainable development.”
To achieve these, Princess Ogbemi-Daibo said, certain structures must be put in place.
“One of such structures,” the Commissioner said, “is the Peace Committee established by the state government to, among other things, engage in activities that will promote and strengthen harmonious relations among communities in the state.
“I would like the MSP to work collaboratively with the Peace Committee. The commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to peace is to guarantee an enabling environment for local and external investors to feel safe to operate in our state, more so as our people are also fundamentally peaceful and hospitable.
“Investors already in the area should make it a point of duty to add value to their host communities as that also increases their chances of sustaining their Social Licence to Operate,” she added.
A common consensus reached by the stakeholders at the summit was the desire to put aside the experience of the past that denied the city of Warri its glamour and investment and chart a new course.
For instance, the Deputy Governor of Delta State Kingsley Burutu Otuaro said: “It is time to unite and conquer in order to leave the next generation with cities and communities to be proud of, rather than conflict-torn communities and towns. Let the factories re-open.
“Let the steam engines start to work again. Let the ships start anchoring at the Warri Port again. Let’s use all our political and intellectual and media platforms to promote peace and unity. Let’s prioritise progress over ethnicity.
“The investors will smell our nectar again and the jobs will return. The glorious night of Warri will resurface and consequently across the Delta, and certainly, the greatness of Delta will be realised.”
Otuaro lamented that conflicts in Warri forced investors and multinationals such as Halliburton, McDermott, Schlumberger and Julius Berger, and several other corporations, including multinational oil companies, to leave for a safer haven.
“Factories and major warehouses closed down. The United African Company (UAC), Michelin, Gold Spot, Toyota, and African Timber and Co. (AT and C–Sapele) closed their doors. The engines stopped grinding,” he lamented.
He noted that Warri’s loss was the gain of Lagos and Ogun states.
“The Lagos Port was enlarged and Warri Port lost it all and Ogun State became the next industrial hub as companies sought refuge to set up factories and industrial estates where they could carefully exploit the massive Nigerian consumption market,” Otuaro said.
The Co-Chairman of Warri Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Dr Jeffrey Wilkie said the summit came at the most appropriate time.
“There is no better time than now to hold such a significant summit; as it will go a long way in building on the existing peace among the Ijaw and Itsekiri.
“This summit is held in the week of World Peace Day, which is a day of tolerance. This is equally significant as the world is now looking the way of co-operation in the stead of conflict.”
He emphasised that the Niger Delta region needs enduring and sustainable peace.
“We need enduring and sustainable peace. Peace among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and, by extension, the whole world. Peace is sacrosanct because it is peace for the Niger Delta, peace for Nigeria and peace to the world,” he said.
Continuing, Wilkie said: “What armed struggle cannot achieve, round-table discussion can do. What guns and grenades could not achieve in decades, dialogue can achieve in minutes or hours.”
On alternative dispute resolution, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Boladei Igali called on leaders in Ijaw and Itsekiri communities to embrace this ideal way of entrenching peace.
“The world over, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become the vehicle for resolving conflicts when they arise,” Igali said, stressing also that “there must be a framework of early warning systems to identify upcoming threats in order to nip them in the bud before they escalate to assume conflict dimension.
“Our leaders, religious, traditional and political, should be able to put in place such an approach to solving problems as they begin to take form,” he added.
He expressed optimism that peace will pervade Warri city henceforth, even as he stressed the need for greater socialisation and domestic mentoring of the youth, which he said will help to develop the spirit of civility and respect for the identities and peculiarities of others.
“I am optimistic that peace pervades the city of Warri and indeed the entire Niger Delta region, as a panacea for the sustainable development that we all envisage. Now is the time to see that happen,” Igali said.
Corroborating Igali’s position on the importance of alternative conflict resolution methods, the Commissioner for Technical Education, Princess Ogbemi-Daibo noted that “traditional and community leaders, politicians, women and youths should eschew violence and things which divide us and embrace peace, tolerance and good neighbourliness on which our development is premised.
“Drawing from the lessons of the Tower of Babel, unity is all we need to bring our cherished dreams to fruition.
“According to Christopher Robin, ‘together we are stronger, together we are unbroken, together we can do anything,’ God helping us,” she said.
The Peace-building Manager at the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) Dr David Udofia identified peaceful co-existence as the pivot for security and economic transformation of the Warri Kingdom.
He alluded to the theme of the summit as being in consonant with PIND’s framework of nurturing leadership in peace and economic development for the advancement of the region.
Warri MSP Facilitator, Lawal Africas said the summit was organised in order to galvanise thoughts from all the stakeholders on how to achieve a paradigm shift in peace-building and conflict resolution among Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups in Delta State.
Africas said such a platform as Warri MSP must be sustained and capacity of members built to strengthen the partnership of critical stakeholders at the three tiers of government and also in their dealings with the multi-nationals operating in the Niger Delta region.
