Category: South West

A lawyer, Aderinsola Fagbure, has urged the government to address the duplication of roles by regulatory agencies in the property sector.

According to her, multiple agencies are performing similar roles in most sectors, which she believes should be harmonised for efficiency.

Fagbure, who is the Principal Partner of The InBlackAndWhite Legal Practitioners, spoke on the sidelines of the Blueprint Conference 2022, organised by a property firm, Relive Housing, in Lagos.

She praised the Lagos State government for simplifying most of its land administration processes.

Convener of the conference and Chief Operating Officer of Relive Housing, Mojisola Afolayan, also spoke of the need to simplify regulatory processes.

“We need support in terms of getting approvals and titles quickly. Many regulatory bodies that you pay tariffs to contribute to making housing expensive.

“If we can get rebates, tax reductions, and duty reduction for material importation, that will be nice,” she said.

On the conference, she said: “The focus is on harnessing opportunities, learning and networking.”

She added: “Most real estate conferences do not target first time home buyers or starters. We want to attend to those who have been failed by the existing real estate market.

“It’s all about encouraging people to climb the property ladder. That’s why Relive Housing is launching a corporative society to help people save consistently and intentionally. We’re passionate about unlocking wealth through property investment.

“One of the options is to co-own a property through the Relive Pool, where you can own one per cent of a project. We have the Relive Pillow, where you own as much as 20 per cent of which five people can own an apartment.

“Our mission is to do one million housing units across Africa and our five-year target is to help 10,000 people own homes. Our projects are 20 per cent less current market prices.

“The Relive Housing project is not-for-profit. Coming through us means you will get discounted prices.”

Afolayan blamed building collapses on lack of adherence to ethics and code of conduct.

“For us, we’re paying attention to quality and who we’re doing business with and having professional guidance. Taking the shortcut means losing more in the long run,” she said.

The conference, held at Four Points by Sheraton in Victoria Island, had the theme: Unlocking wealth: tapping into real estate in Africa (forecast and opportunities).

The keynote speaker, Gbenga Olaniyan of Estate Links Limited, urged participants at the conference to carry out due diligence before buying any property.

He recalled how he lost huge sums of money while investing in a property abroad.

“You should not let your guard down. If you do your due diligence, you will lose less than the next person,” he said.

He said some of the factors that will affect property investment in Africa include housing deficit, rural-urban migration, high birth rate, a growing middle class and greater returns on investment.

Olaniyan noted funding issues create opportunities, adding that real estate value always adjusts to the naira movement.

“You need to continue researching. Even in a recession, there are many opportunities,” he told the participants.

IATA Regional Director, Advocacy and Strategic Relations, Africa, Funke Adeyemi, said owning land or property is one of the best security anyone can have.

She also emphasised the need for due diligence, saying: “Don’t take the word of the landowner. Check it out so that you don’t buy land that is subject of litigation or marked for demolition by the government.

“You’ve got to be intentional about investing in real estate. Co-ownership is an option. You need courage in the face of challenges. Believe that you can,” she said.

Relive Housing’s mission is to provide decent, good, quality, affordable homes and communities to people who have been inadequately served by the market.

The company added: “Our core aim is to create and sustain successful neighbourhoods by providing housing that’s accessible to people who cannot afford open market prices.

“We develop and maintain homes that people love, neighbourhoods that are safe and secure, communities where people can blossom, flourish and grow.

“We want to help the millions of young, middle earning city workers, who work and live in Lagos, who significantly contribute to the city in so many ways, to buy their first home.

“We see their desire, commitment and struggle in getting onto the property ladder and we are here to create the ‘relief’ that they have desired for so long.

“The Relive Housing project is a social housing project championed by Developments Limited who operates as Real Estate Builders and Developers.

“The company owns and develops single and affordable homes, as well as provides financial advisory, skill development, training, and employment services.

“Relive Housing is here to build and serve communities within the African continent.”

The conference featured other speakers and panel sessions.

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has visited the palace of Alapomu of Apomu.

He and his entourage were received by Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi.

Addressing the monarch and the people at the palace, the governor said he had received nomination form purchased for him by his political associates to seek re-election, hence his statewide consultations to prepare the minds of loyalists ahead of February 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.

He said: “I am happy to be here today. As you know, our four years is coming to an end. We deem it necessary to come for your blessings. As we are rounding off the first four years, we are ready to contest for another term.”

Oyetola said he came to formally inform them about his intention to run for a second term.

He said the visit was also to prepare the minds of the leaders and members of the party towards the coming primaries.

The governor listed his achievements in the state in general and Irewole Ayedaade, Isokan local governments in particular, in health, education, security and agriculture.

Oba Afolabi praised the governor for his interest and commitment to the development and growth of the state.

He hailed Oyetola for the developmental strides in Apomu.

“We believe you can still do more for us. The road leading to Apomu is a major challenge and I am sure it will be fixed as promised by commissioner for Works,” the monarch said.

He wished the governor well in his quest for a second term.

Among those in Oyetola’s entourage were his wife, Kafayat, Deputy Governor Gboyega Alabi, his wife, Oyefunke, Majority Leader Marouf Olanrewaju, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, APC state Chairman, former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore, Commissioner for Finance Bola Oyebamiji, Information Commissioner Funke Egbemode and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Yemi Lawal.

The family of Kushemi-Moses through its chairman, Leke Moses, has warned those parading themselves as oba-elect in Ikeja Kingdom to desist from such act, insisting there is no oba-elect yet in the kingdom.

It said failure to desist would be jeopardising the peace and unity currently being enjoyed by the indigenous families in the kingdom.

The family also warned the ‘royal families’ who purportedly elected an illegal person as Oba in Ikeja to desist from such activities, stressing that Obaship stool is a traditional position and should therefore not be partisan.

A statement by the family made available to The Nation, said their “attention had been drawn to the trending videos and news on social media, and in some national dailies on the installment (sic) of Oba in Ikeja by some people who want to cause breakdown of law and order in the town.

“The purported installation of this peasant according to them was done by three selected royal families of Ikeja. We ask how can you install a first class Oba in Lagos State without the involvement of all the royal families, the kingmakers, the chiefs, the Local Government  Chairman and of course the Governor of Lagos State whose seat of  office is located in the town of Ikeja?”

The statement further said that “those who founded Ikeja town were Oshoja, Amori the late Olu of Ikeja known as Amore, Iyade-ilo, Kushemi Moses and Balogun who still have their footprints on ground through their descendants.”

It said “Amori and Amore families have had their turn, so this is the turn of Kushemi-Moses family.”

The family progenitor, Kushemi-Moses is reputed to have brought Christianity to the kingdom, with the First Baptist Church, Ikeja as testimony.

They called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene fast to avert communal clash and bloodshed in the kingdom.

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has urged Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello to replicate the initiative of the Southwest Security Network, codenamed Operation Amotekun in the state, saying the initiative will help in reducing the spate of insecurity in the state.

Aare Adams made the charge at the weekend in Kabba, Kogi state, at the 8th edition of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) Conference tagged Kabba 2022.

The Yorubaland Generalissimo who is the global convener of the diaspora group noted further that though the state is peaceful, there is need to beef up the security across the state.

He said “I urge our amiable governor to replicate the idea of Amotekun in Kogi state. The governor can give the state security outfit any name that suits its purpose.This will help in complementing the efforts of the federal government in securing the state.”

He, however, applauded the efforts of the governor in driving the economic fortunes of the state, adding that the OPU congress in Kabba had really helped Nigerians in diaspora to know more about the state.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade, who represented the Kogi state governor at the event expressed appreciation to Iba Gani Adams for using the OPU platform to create a new bond between Kogi state and the people of the diaspora.

The guest lecturer, Dr.Oluwayomi Atte, in his lecture, titled”: A strategic Approach to Fulfilling the destiny of Yoruba race: The Way Forward”, said the Yoruba people are people of integrity, very accommodating and worthy of emulation.

A civil society organization, Centre for Democracy and Socio-Economic Rights has commended the good people of Ekiti for the peaceful manner with which they conducted themselves during the just concluded governorship primaries in the state.

In a statement issued by the group’s President, Comrade Michael Popoola Ajayi said the field reports gathered during primary elections in the state indicated the people are well prepared for the sustenance of democratic governance through their enthusiasm and conducts during the PDP and APC primaries.

The group specifically lauded the APC faithful who turned out in large numbers across the state  to participate in the process of electing their flag bearer for the June governorship election and urged other states especially Osun who is next to emulate Ekiti people to also conduct a violence  free and fair primary elections.

The group also advised the victorious candidates to quickly reach out to their colleagues and fellow contestants to forge a common front preparatory to the coming election.

The group stated further that to justify the overwhelming support given to them by their party members , the winners should  come up with issue based campaigns that will address  security of lives and properties, improvement of the living condition of the people, expansion of  the state’s economic base to create more opportunities for the teeming youthful population to participate in the process of  sustenance and escalation of the current developmental agenda.

Wife of Ex-Governor of Oyo State, Dr Florence Ajimobi has charged people across the sector not to underestimate the capacity and capabilities of women in nation building

She reiterated the importance of supporting women and deploying the capabilities in supporting efforts that can help grow the nation.

Describing women as pillars of the society, Ajimobi noted that the strategic and indispensable role of women, especially youths in nation building cannot be over-emphasised.

She spoke at the launching and inaugural meeting of the All Progressives Youth Women Forum, Oyo State Chapter on Tuesday.

The event with the theme “Capacity Building, Advocacy, Networking and Mentorship”, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. It was attended by young women from all the 33 local government areas of the state.

Speaking, Mrs Ajimobi who is also the President, Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF) recounted the various efforts she engaged in to support and impact on the people during the eight years administration of her late husband, adding that the APC Young Women Forum was established to inspire, develop and strengthen the capacity of young women in politics towards attaining the position of leadership and authority.

She said “The strategic and indispensable role of women especially the young women in nation building cannot be over emphasized, because women are the pillars of the society. They shape the society and in spite of their busy socio-political schedules, they still hold firmly to the home front.

“The Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF), established in memory of my darling husband is in the vanguard of such advocacy and programmes and has partnered with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), University of Ibadan, not only to advance the course of good governance and democracy that my husband stood for, but to further mentor our young women and prepare them for more active roles in position of leadership.

The remains of a student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Timothy Adegoke, who died at the Hilton Honors Hotels, Ile-Ife, Osun State have been buried in his home town, Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Sympathisers from all walks of life trooped into Eruwa, an agrarian town to pay their last respects to the 37-year-old Master of Business Administration student.

The corpse was brought to Eruwa Town Hall in a white casket. The late Timothy was buried beside the house he built for his parents.

The burial service was conducted by Revd. Michael Hungbenu, the founder of Celestial Deliverance Church of Christ.

The grieving widow of the deceased, Bolatito, wept uncontrollably and refused to leave the graveside despite pleas that she should step aside.

She shouted the name of her late husband and reminded the dead of the sweet times they had together while she hurled curses on the killers of her husband.

She said the killers did not allow her husband to bury his parents and became inaudible at a time after she had screamed for long.

Service of tributes was first held at the Eruwa Town Hall where hundreds of youths, members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and OAU students, among others had gathered.

Speaker after speaker paid glowing tributes to the deceased while his kinsmen recalled his good deeds in a tearful atmosphere.

His brother, Gbade urged those present to support them to ensure that justice is served in the case which is already in court.

Raging fires have engulfed the depot of International Breweries, Ilesha, Osun State.

The Nation learnt that the fire started at a portion of the depot which is opposite the main factory at Omi Asoro, Ilesha around 5:55 PM on Friday and burn till Saturday afternoon.

A resident of the community named Jumoke told our correspondent, “I have never seen such a fire in my life. The fire gutted the store where the company is keeping cartons, crates, bottles and other things.

“The fire service arrived at the scene around 6 PM. Both the federal and state fire stations battled with the incident and later were calling for reinforcement as the raging fire was spreading to the power station.

“As I am speaking with you, the fire is still burning. The fire servicemen are on the ground.” The Spokesman for Osun State Fire Service, Ibrahim Adekunle confirmed the incident, stating that they are yet to know the worth of properties destroyed.

He said, “We have curtailed the fire but it is still burning. Our men are still on the ground to quench the fire, although fire is still burning it is under control.

“We are suspecting that cigarette fire dropped around the area caused the fire. There is no record of casualty. We were alerted around 6 PM, both the state and federal fire service are on the ground to put out the fire.”

The former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines , Dr. Yemi Farounbi has said that the proposed first Ibadan based  Broadcasting Training School needed about N100million to reach the desired standard for training of professional broadcasters  in over 500 television stations in the country.

Dr Farounbi ,an ace broadcaster along with Chief Adebisi Adesola , a seasoned broadcaster , and former Secretary to Oyo state Government as well as other professionals came together to establish the School which is expected to take off this year,  with the aim of raising ethical standards in broadcasting and journalism in the country.

Speaking at a press conference  organised by the management of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo state ( BCOS) to herald the commencement of 40 year anniversary of the television station held in Ibadan yesterday , Dr. Farounbi , a pioneer Chairman of the BCOS , while extolling late Chief Bola Ige for establishing the television station 40 years ago, declared the need for training and re-training of broadcasters for efficient delivery.

He said the major reason for the establishment of the Training School for Broadcasters is to uphold the highest standard expected from a country that started television station  or indeed radio in the whole of Africa .

“ We need buildings. We are going to train people in editing, and all of that . Then, we need editing suits, we are going to train them in presentation and so on. We reckon that we needed like N100million to reach the standard we want, “ he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation (BCOS), Prince Dotun Oyelade eulogized the competence, professionalism of the pioneer heads of the station, especially Dr.Yemi Farounbi, Chief Adebisi Adesola and Engr. Lateef Busari for their immense contributions to the growth of television station.

According to Prince Oyelade, BCOS TV has witnessed a chequered history in the past 40 years and it is gratifying to note that the current administration has taken it upon itself not only to improve on what was on ground ,but to lift the station from near collapse to enviable position it currently occupied.

A 20-year old school leaver identified as Osatuyi Ebuoluwa has been axed to death by suspected hoodlums.

The hoodlums were said to have broken into the apartment at Bamidele Otiko area Okuta Elerinla, Akure and were ransacking the place when the teenager walked in.

It was mother of the deceased, Mrs Bosede Osatuyi, that raised the alarm when they returned home to find the lifeless body of their daughter on the floor.

The hoodlums were said to have used a pestle and an axe to kill the girl who returned from a coaching centre in preparation for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Sources said the hoodlums gained access to the house through the window and ransacked all the rooms.

According to the source, “The victim’s mother returned from work around 5.15pm and met the lifeless body of her daughter in a pool of blood with an axe and pestle beside her. She immediately called the attention of the neighbours.

“There was a deep wound on her head which showed that she was hit on the her head which eventually led to her death.”

The deceased mother said her daughter entered through the gate as usual and met the evil doers in the sitting room before she was eventually killed.

According to her,”My husband and I entered the sitting room and found our daughter with her two hands tied with rope on the floor. She was bleeding profusely and we also found the axe and a pestle with bloodstain on the chair including a rope hung on the fan.

“We rushed her to the hospital immediately where she was confirmed dead before we went to the police station to report.”

She said her innocent daughter must not be allowed to die like a fowl.

Also, gunmen suspected to be cultists have shot one Amos Akingbesote dead at Aiyeyemi  area in Ondo West local government area.

Two other persons also survived injuries at Sabo area of the town when suspected cultists invaded the area.

The injured victims were rushed to Trauma Centre for treatment while the corpse of Akingbesote was deposited at a morgue of the General Hospital in Ondo.

Police sources at Okuta Elerinla Police Station said the corpse of the murdered teenager has been deposited at the UNIMED Teaching Hospital mortuary in Akure.

Ondo Police Spokesman, DSP Fumilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incidents, said investigation has commenced.