The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Elegushi

  • Bricklayer remanded for defiling 13-year-old girl

    A block moulder and bricklayer, Daniel Ezekiel, who allegedly had forcible sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old food vendor, was on Monday remanded in prison custody by an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Ezekiel, 23, who resides at Elegushi area of Lagos, was arraigned by the Igando Police Station on a one-count charge of defilement before Mrs K. O. Doja-Ojo.

    Prosecuting Inspector Peace Chukwudi alleged that the defendant committed the offence at about 3pm on January 30, at Ikate Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos.

    She said the defendant had unlawful, forcible carnal knowledge with the girl.

    The court heard that the girl went to the defendant to collect money for a plate of food she sold to him earlier, when Ezekiel, instead of paying, grabbed and sexually violated her

    Chukwudi said the offence contravenee Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The plea of the defendant was not taken, because the court had no jurisdiction to try the alleged offence.

    Instead, the prosecutor made an application praying the court to remand Ezekiel pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution  (DPP).

    Upholding the application, Magistrate Doja-Ojo, remanded Ezekiel in prison custody and adjourned till February 27 for the DPP’s legal advice on the matter.

  • NOC honours Tinubu, Elegushi, Gbong Gwom Jos, others

    The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has concluded arrangements to honour nine prominent Nigerians as patrons for their immense contributions to the Olympic movement in the country.

    They include His Royal Majesty, Oba S. A. Elegushi, Sir Mark Wabara, Mrs (Dr) Zainab Bagudu and Major-General Adamu Dyeri(rtd). Others are Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency M. A. Abubakar, Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Alhaji Bashari Mohammed Gumel.

    According to a release signed by the spokesman of the NOC, Tony Ubani, there will be separate investiture ceremonies for those in the northern part of the country and another for Patrons in the South.

    The formal investiture ceremony for Patrons in the south is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 23rd October, at Oba S.A. Elegushi’s Palace, Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos, while the investiture ceremony of those in the north will take place on Wednesday, 31st October and will be hosted by the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Mrs. (Dr) Zainab Bagudu.

    Being a Patron of the Olympic Movement, honourees will become iconic international sports personalities, carrying the emblem of Nigeria globally. It is, therefore, our honour to invest the honourees as Patrons of the Olympic Movement which is in recognition of their meritorious contributions to humanity, sport and societal development.

  • Oba Elegushi acquires new ‘toy’

    Oba Elegushi acquires new ‘toy’

    As more and more people are crashing out of the millionaires’ club, the truly rich are looking for new ways to set themselves apart from the rest. Enter the craze for the Rolls Royce. The classy brand of car, particularly the Rolls Royce Phantom series, has become the new marker for the really big boys.

    One of the royal fathers who has embraced the new trend is Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom. The dashing young monarch has a custom-made Rolls Royce Gushi, which was custom built to fit his taste and style. The snow white wonder on wheels is bulletproof and has customised number plates which make its ownership clear to anyone with a clear sight. It is a unique contraption that marks the youngest monarch in Lagos State out from other monarchs.

    Believed to cost in excess of $500,000, the car is only taken out for a spin on special occasions to complement the exuberant monarch’s royal regalia complete with designer accessories.

  • Elegushi, British envoy endorse Imperial Business City

    Elegushi, British envoy endorse Imperial Business City

    The infrastructural investment of the Lagos state government along the Lekki/ Ajah corridor has been applauded by the Elegushi of Ikate Land and Environ, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Kunsenla III.

    The Monarch, who spoke while receiving the Director, Department of International Trade, British High Commission in Nigeria, Ahmed Bashir in his palace last Monday, said government’s investments along the axis are justifiable, given that a World Bank report rated the corridor as the fastest developing corridor in West Africa, saying the corridor that used to be a rural area  has now grown to become an urban mega city.

    The Oba said the Elegushi Royal Family has thrown its weight behind the development of the Imperial International Business City (IIBC) project, assuring that the project is expected to give birth to the development of a brand new city on 200 hectares of land to be attained by dredging of  the Lagos Lagoon, which will in effect expand the ancient Ikate city and also extend Lekki phase 1. The dredging will be between two and 2.5 metres above sea level to avoid flooding, which is a common feature on the Lekki axis.

    The IIBC being built on the Lagos lagoon, will run from the end of Freedom Road to the end of NICON town; streching, from freedom road to Kunsenla Road, to Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Road, through Lekki Phase 1 ( Lekki Third Roundabout). Its access routes will be through fourth Roundabout of Lekki-Epe high way, by Spa Supermarket before Jakande bus stop.

    “We always go with the trend and the best. We talk about change in Nigeria and I think its high time the change gets started. This IIBC project is all about leaving a legacy and by doing this in this corridor, we would have shown that Nigerians can achieve same feat , as is achieved in other developed climes,” Oba Elegushi said.

    Also, Bashir said the  Commission can collaborate with the developers of IIBC in areas of Infrastructural development on the project such as energy, efficient transport and ICT.

    At the meeting Bashir assured Oba Elegushi that the UK Department of International Trade will lend a helping hand and allow the developers to leverage on its experience and contact in making the IIBC dream a reality.

    The Department, he also revealed, will introduce the project developers to willing investors from the UK. He said that Lagos state is a fast developing economic nerve centre of Africa; hence, such laudable projects should be encouraged if the state is to meet the housing needs of its growing population and its demands for wold class infrastructural developments. This he stressed also fits perfectly with the plan of the UK government in helping emerging economies grow faster and also fully develops its potentials.

    The Royal Father assured that the IIBC upon completion, will not pose any infrastructural challenge to the Masterplan of the axis, but rather complement it, adding  that already, there are two extra roads that are about to be constructed by government- a coastal road and an inland road. This is aside the proposed fourth mainland bridge to be built which will also serve the corridor.

    The Managing Director of ChannelDrill Resources, Femi Akioye, said since IIBC is a new city being built from the scratch, the firm has decided to make it a fully planned city with distinct zones and building regulations. Each zone, he said, will have low, medium and high density areas with water view.

    “The Lekki-Epe corridor is reputed as the fastest growing city, not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of West Africa, with the biggest seaport, airport, refineries and other infrastructure coming up.

    “The people who will work there must live somewhere, and this is a motivation for developers. The future demand of the Lekki Free Trade Zone will only increase demand for comfortable homes within the metropolis,” Akioye said.

    Expressing optimism on the prospects of the IIBC, the ChannelDrill boss, said the new city will correct some of the mistakes recorded in the development of Lekki Phase 1. The project, he further explained, gives the developers the opportunity to build smart and go-green for the future.

    Akioye assured that the city will be well planned and will be Africa’s first eco-friendly city. This will be achieved with the creation of lakes and waterways within the city, as well as underground drains, the first smart shopping mall in the country and the first six-star hotel in Africa to be built.

    Other infrastructure to be put in place by ChannelDrill includes a 250-metre entrance road. The road network will include walkway and bicycle way; waterway and lakes; underground drainage, sewage treatment, potable water and water treatment plant, independent gas fired electricity and cooking gas piped to every house, including fibre optics cable. Others are cloud enabled communication network and smart city/house infrastructure for willing subscribers; mini-marina and water park, Mini Gulf course;  Shopping Mall; among others.

  • ‘We will sell some plots of land for N1,000’

    ‘We will sell some plots of land for N1,000’

    You have been the Elegushi for some years now, how have you been able to fit into your role as royal and father to the people of Ikate Kingdom.

    Royal duties have always been a part of my life, don’t forget that the immediate past Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom was my father. We were all groomed consciously and unconsciously on roles and responsibilities of the monarchy. When I say unconsciously, I refer to being in the palace and around the late Kabiyesi, you are bound to pick up something either from observation or participation. Also working closely with two former Governors of Lagos State has contributed to my understanding, managing and handling of issues and challenges, especially with diverse stakeholder groups. But no matter how prepared you think you are, the most important aspect of this role is to constantly ask the Almighty to grant you the required wisdom, grace, knowledge and understanding to be a just and fair leader with integrity of heart.

    Nigeria is witnessing a new era where young, smart  and intelligent people are becoming kings, how will this new dispensation help develop the many kingdoms in Nigeria especially Yoruba land.

    Before I answer your question, I would like to commend the older Kings for their contributions, upholding our traditional values and remaining true to our cultural standards thus far. It is indeed a herculean task in this modern age to stay steadfast in ensuring that the values that matter are not thrown in the wind. If you take a look at what is happening today, you will agree that there is a lot of moral decadence across all facets and this is not peculiar to Nigeria. The emergence of ‘this new wave of young, smart and intelligent Oba’s’, using your words, is an opportunity for new role models to be able to impact positive and real values,  through a fusion of the old and new. Yes education is very important to help growth and development but we should also not forget our roots. You need to know where you are coming from to understand where you are going and why you are going there. The Government and religious leaders are doing a lot but we all need to do our bit. As Kings the onus is on us to build strong Kingdoms founded on truth, values and integrity. It is easier for us because we are closer to the people, we see them every day.

    What will you say has been your distinctive style of rulership

    I can’t say if anything I am doing is peculiar to me, I can only tell you what I know about my kingdom. I keep an open door policy so my people have access to me. I am abreast of what is happening through my interactions with the people and my Baales are very competent within their domains. I am very passionate about the wellbeing of my people and I strive to ensure that I do the right thing by them. I feel a deep sense of responsibility towards them and this is why the Almighty precedes all that I do. Being an Oba is a call to serve, not a call to be served or a call to lord over the people.

    Ikate Kingdom is being enlarged, what informed this decision.

    Oba ElegushiIf you compare population figures from 10 years ago to date, you will observe that there is a huge increase in the numbers. Migration is growing at an alarming rate and as such we need to be able to provide the required infrastructure and services that would match the growth figures.  We are also at the very center of all major industrial developments in Lagos state and therefore cannot ignore the need to expand.

    This is one of the reasons that informed my vision to develop a smart business eco-friendly city, where people can live, work and play.  A tourism booster where tourists have the opportunity to experience the rich hospitality of our lands and have access to the best medical facility in Africa.  This city also fits into the larger plan of Lagos state on infrastructural development. As I said earlier on we cannot leave everything to the Government, the Private sector can and should play a major role to support building a Lagos of the future.

    200 hectares to be dredged off the Lagos Lagoon is a massive, considering worldwide campaign on climate change, what processes have you put in place mitigate flooding and ocean erosion .

    A lot of research and thought was put into development of the project. We committed from the onset that this City would be benchmarked against global standards. The inspiration for Imperial City came from many cities that I came across around the world – USA to Asia and the Middle-East.   Nigeria has the potential to be on the infrastructure world map and that is what we intend to do with this project in Ikate Kingdom.  Imperial city is going to be an eco-friendly City that would pay attention to ensuring that we preserve the environment. In staying true to this, we have selected the best team across the globe to work together on the project. Our contractors and consultants are companies of repute with impeccable track records and this is evident in the projects they have executed.

    We are dredging 1.5m above high tides, Royal haskoningDHV will be designing the shoreline protection while BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH will be constructing.  I would also like to mention that this project is within the Lagoon side of Ikate Elegushi not the ocean side of the kingdom which I believe addresses one of your environmental concerns.

    The new Imperial City sounds like a project for the super-rich, how affordable is the IIBC going to be.

    It won’t be cheap to build if that is what you mean but a city does not comprise of only rich people. Presently we are conducting off-plan sales, so that people can invest either for development or for profit. However, I believe in giving people opportunities regardless of your socio-economic status, be you rich or poor, old or young, educated or illiterate, artisans, drivers, male or female. I am currently working with the project team to look at how we can give back to some members of society who ordinarily cannot afford to be a part of this project. We are considering a plan where we can give out some plots of land within the residential zone for N1, 000. We are yet to conclude on the number of plots to be given away, but we are definitely giving some plots away for N1, 000.

    [news_list display=”tag” tag=”land grabbers” count=”1″ show_more=”on”]

    There are a number of such developments in Lagos like the Eko Atlantic city which is near completion, what will set the IIBC apart from others.

    First and foremost I would like to state the Eko Atlantic project is an incredible project that has changed the modus-operandi of development projects in the country, in terms of quality and concept. Coincidentally, some of the consultants/contractors who worked on the projects are working on IIBC project, but we took ours a notch higher. IIBC is the first Smart eco-friendly International Business City in Africa. That is what sets us apart and I will be happy if someone comes up with a better project than ours in the future.  We need an infrastructural development revolution in Nigeria and I assure you Lagos will be setting the pace for the rest of the pack.

    Who are the partners on the IIBC?

    We have quite a number of likeminded partners. They include

    Dredging Company- Dredging International- Belgium

    Marine engineer & reclamation consultants- Royal HaskoningDHV– Netherlands

    Infrastructure engineering consultants – Mott Macdonald- United Kingdom

    Master & town Planner- Gensler associates – United Kingdom

    Project Manager- Deloitte Capital Projects Dubai – UAE

    Shoreline protection- BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH – Germany

    Cordros Capital

    Kedari Capital

    Aelex legal practitioners.

     

    What are the plans for the poor residents of Ikate kingdom, there is a fear among the populace that the project will encroach on their land and they will be relocated. What assurances are you giving them?

    No one can encroach on anybody’s land, certainly not on my watch and the present administration of Governor Ambode has put some laws and regulations in place to make sure that the issues of land grabbing or encroachment in Lagos will soon become a thing of the past. Back to the project, we are reclaiming the city from the Lagoon and our EIA Environmental Impact Assessment has been approved, so we will not be encroaching on the fish ecosystem in the Lagoon.

  • Elegushi kingdom proposes $300m imperial city

    Elegushi kingdom proposes $300m imperial city

    The Elegushi Royal Family has revealed its plan for the establishment of a $300 million new Imperial International Business City (IIBC). The new 200 hectare city will be built on reclaimed Lagoon extension of the kingdom and will also be the first eco-friendly smart business city in Africa.
    The Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi laid out his vision about the city in his palace while receiving some American investors interested in the project. He said the idea of a smart business city will address the perennial housing deficit in Lagos state and also change the landscape of real estate in Africa.
    The project which is a Joint-Venture between the Royal Family and Channeldrill Resources Limited will commence in April 2016 with land reclamation. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Channeldrill, Mr. Femi Akioye, the project will be executed by some of the best drilling and architectural companies in the world.
    “The Elegushi Royal Family has received approval for the expansion of the Ikate Kingdom by 200 hectares. It is the vision of the royal father, Oba Saheed Elegushi to create an international business city which will incorporate the work, live and play theme. The IIBC will expand the Ikate kingdom and also extend Lekki Phase 1. We are making use of the best dredging and architectural companies in the world to accomplish this feat,” Akioye said.
    He said the Town and Regional Planning are being executed by Gensler Architectural Company, an American firm with global presence and United Kingdom based Grimshaw Associates. The dredging has also been contracted to two of the biggest dredging companies in the world, Jan De Nul –which is currently building Dangote Refinery- and Dredging International Limited, both Belgian companies.
    According to Akioye, the imperial city when completed will boost of world class infrastructures and novel innovations. It will also consist of Residential Area (30 %), Commercial, Residential Area (10%), Business District ( 30%), Leisure & Entertainment (10%), Infrastructure ,road, recreation & green park (20%) and fibre optics telecommunications, sewage and fire service station.
    Akioye: “Investors are already buying the off-plan allocation released by the Joint Venture and we are already at advance stage of the project. Our infrastructural plan will include, Lakes and water ways which will be used for internal water transportation within the city, it is also required for the city’s drainage system to prevent flooding. There will be office park which will include a shopping Mall with farmers’ fish & meat market, cinema and entertainment complex.
    Two Hospital Buildings and a school other commercial areas will be sold to private investors. The office park will also have a Sports Complex. All these buildings we have a vegetated green roof to mitigate the urban heat island effect and all land owners will be encourage to use the same technology; there will also be a mini marina which can take at least 40 yachts.”

  • Elegushi to Lagosians: Ambode on right track

    Elegushi to Lagosians: Ambode on right track

    The Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, has assured Lagosians that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is on the right track to providing the much desired infrastructural, economic and social development.

    A statement by his Executive Secretary, Mr. Bamidele Ijagbemi, noted that: “this assurance becomes necessary for Lagosians to understand that the state has just entered another era of superlative performance in infrastructural development and social welfare.

    “As the traditional ruler of Ikate Elegushi Land, the welfare of the people and development of Lagos State is most paramount to me. My role as a ruler is to influence, initiate and drive development, and I am happy to find Governor Akinwunmi a willing partner. The governor is a change agent whose tenure will increase the pace of development in Lagos State.”

    Oba Elegushi described the governor as a man that can be trusted and relied upon. “For people who might not know, the governor has a track record of performance and history of accomplishments. He had served in different capacities in the administration of the state prior to his election as Governor. I can assure everyone that his extensive knowledge and experience positions him to effectively steer Lagos State to greater heights”.

    The monarch also noted that since the country returned to democracy in 1999, Lagos State has benefitted from quality leadership as evident in the quantum of progress recorded by the state over that period, adding that “from the days of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who had the herculean task of cleansing the state of the debris of military dictatorship and creating a master plan, to Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola who brought to life the beauty of the master plan, Lagos had demonstrated that foresight and purposeful governance was critical to growth and development, and this tradition will continue with Governor Ambode to make Lagos greater.”dpo

  • Remembering old Lagos at Elegba Festival

    Remembering old Lagos at Elegba Festival

    It was an opportunity for guests and others present to take a walk back in time and witness how the people of Lagos celebrated their fore-bearers in times past. As the people of Ikate, a community in Lagos Central celebrated the elegy festival last weekend, culture, tradition and ancient knowledge were on parade for all to see.

    Ikate, a community situated on the Lekki-Ajah axis of the state in general, and the reigning Elegushi royal family, in particular, holds the Elegba Festival in high esteem. Expectedly, the community spares nothing to make the annual event a memorable one.

    The week-long festival is often marked by the sons and daughters of the community from far and near. It is dedicated to Elegba or Esu Elegba which is regarded among the Yoruba as the deity that makes things happen, whether good or bad.

    The festival train kicked off at the Elegba shrine, a mini-stadium called Agbo Elegba where elaborate sacrifices were performed to appease the deities. Painted in glittering white colour, residents say the Agbo Elegba has been with the people of Ikate from time immemorial.

    The long train of guests, priests and other participants which left the Elegushi Royal Palace for the Agbo Elegba to officially declare open this year’s festival was led by the Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi.

    While Oba Elegushi and the Odofin of Ikateland, Chief Kehinde Hassan Elegushi, who is the coordinator of the festival, wore the ceremonial white clothes as required by tradition, all other sons and daughters of the community present at the event left the upper parts of their bodies bare during the festival. The men came out with loin clothes around their waists, while the women tied theirs up to the chest.

    The oba was accompanied by visiting traditional rulers from far and near as well as many white cap chiefs from within and outside Ikate on the trek from his palace to the Agbo Elegba.

    Hardly had the oba and his guests being seated when the traditional breaking of kolanuts started. According to Ikate chiefs who spoke to The Nation, Ikunlepabi, as the rites were referred to, are very crucial aspects of the ceremony. The people believe the outcome of the breaking of kolanuts determines whether the deities are pleased with the people or not.

    Chief among the items offered to the deities was kolanut. Lobes of kolanuts were broken and presented to the deities in sacrifice before being brought to the king by a group of young men carrying a huge and flat calabash dish. These young men acted as intermediates between a diviner, performed all the rites in the inner chambers of the shrine, and the king and his people who sat outside waiting patiently to hear from the deities.

    Before the close of proceedings, the young men made about a dozen shuttle between the oba seated at the open arena and the diviner concealed in his chamber. Soon, the big gong was beaten to declare the rites completed and successful. At the sound of the ancient gong, the oba and his people burst into songs as they danced in jubilation.

    The rites over, the elated king and his council rose and retired to another inner chamber on the premises to wait for the masquerades that came much later to celebrate with the people.

    Speaking to The Nation afterwards, the Elegushi appealed to the state government to help the community in promoting the festival. According to him, selling the festival globally should be part of the government’s contribution to publicise the rich culture of the state.

    He explained further that Elegba festival is a revered festival in the old days. He added that its essence is to offer prayers for the area, the state and the nation.

    The Chairman of the Eti Osa Local Government Area, Chief Olanrewaju Elegushi, who doubles as the Aro of Ikateland, said the significance of the festival which brought all the descendants of Olofin together, is to show love and unity for the progress of the community.

    He added that aside Olofin descendants, other people also joined in the celebration, warning that politics should be separated from tradition so as not to discourage people from promoting their culture and tradition.

    “Many people don’t want to come out to embrace their culture. There is a big difference between tradition and religion. I am a Muslim, but when it comes to tradition, I display my culture. They are really different things entirely,” he said.

    Explaining the place of Elegba festival in the life of indigenous Lagos communities, Odofin Hassan said all the major traditional communities in Lagos and environs celebrate with each other all year round. “The Elegba festival is celebrated to usher in a new year and to ensure peace in the community,” he added.

  • Royal blessing for Elegushi National Open Tug of War Championship

    Royal blessing for Elegushi National Open Tug of War Championship

    The Elegushi of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi has given his royal blessing for the 2nd edition of the Oba Elegushi National Open Tug of War Championship Finals, holding on the Elegushi Beach Resort, Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos tomorrow.

    Oba Ademola expressed delight and prayed that the event be a befitting showcase in memory of his father, who was a traditional ruler that empowered youths and encouraged sports performance, not only within his domain, but throughout the entire Lagos State and Nigeria.

    Teams expected at the finals of the event include the Police Lagos teams, the Nigerian Navy, Para-Military, and states such as the defending champions Edo, female defending champions Lagos, Plateau, and Rivers.

    Information from the Lagos Police camp indicates that all hands are on deck to ensure that they pull home the Royal Power and Brawn Crown from the Edo side. In the same vein, women teams converging on the beach today say they are ready to do more than mere rolling up their sleeves when they square up against the Lagos State defending champions.

    Most teams, according to the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Tug of War Federation, Abdulkareem Macaulay, are not handling the event with kid gloves. “No team seems in a child’s mood, and the Federation on our part, is handling the Royal Brawl, skill and strength with every seriousness as the international body to which Nigeria is an affiliate, is aware of the championship and is watching closely, with a view to internationalising it,” he said.

    Conscious of this, Macaulay disclosed: “We are organising the Elegushi Beach Tug of War according to the global rules and regulations of the world body.”

    Three categories of Pullers are expected to be on the bill this afternoon; they are: the women 560 kg, men 580 kg and mixed 600 kg. This is to add more colour to the beach tug of war package in memory of a departed royal father, who was the immediate past Oba of Ikate Land and its environs.

    Victors at the Championship are to go home with both cash prizes and trophies for their efforts.