The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Estate

  • Unsung heroes of the fourth estate

    Sir: The fourth estate of the realm in Nigeria sings of other heroes but has left several heroes of her own unsung. Many of them had gone to meet their creator, and others are alive.

    Those that readily come to mind are Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who was the editor and later managing director of Nigerian Tribune for many years. He later won an election to become the governor of Lagos State. Apart from the building of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has never instituted any annual programme in his honour. Alhaji Babatunde Jose was another icon that should not be forgotten so soon by NUJ. He was regarded as the doyen of journalism in Nigeria. He introduced the employment of graduates into newspapers houses in Nigeria.

    Sam Amuka-Pemu (Sad Sam) but now very, very happy Sam. Is it when he exits the stage that NUJ would think of honouring him? Honour him and let him see the future now. Chief Segun Osoba is another icon, who rose from the rain in journalism.

    If we turn to broadcasting, Nigeria has a crop of good newscasters. In the early 1950’s Abba Zuru and Christopher Edden, a Cameroonian, held sway at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

    The Enahoro brothers; Anthony, Peter and Mike should not be forgotten in a hurry by journalists in Nigeria. Chief Anthony Enahoro played an unforgettable role in the history of Nigeria. He was the one who raised the motion for the independence of Nigeria. He was even jailed in 1954.

    An interesting incident happened in Radio Nigeria: Mike Enahoro, it was, that told the world that his brother Anthony had been sent to prison. Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan) held sway in the Daily Times of those days. Like the Ransome Kuti family, Enahoro family should have an important institution named after the family.

    When it came to running football commentaries, Isola Folorunso and Ernest Okonkwo led the pack. Julie Coker was the darling on television.

    Chief Bisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was another big-wig in Nigerian journalism. Thank God, Ogun State government had named a university after him.

    Social media has taken the wind out of the sail of journalism in Nigeria. The profession has been thrown to the dogs. Evil bloggers without ethics are having a field day. Definitely Nigeria needs a law to control these evil bloggers.

     

    • Dr. Sunday O. Ajai , Lagos.
  • Buhari to inaugurate sugar cane estate

    Buhari to inaugurate sugar cane estate

    President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to inaugurate the N50 billion Sunti Golden Sugar Estate in Niger State on Thursday.

    Located on the banks of River Niger in Mokwa, the estate is owned by Sunti Golden Sugar Estates (SGSE) Limited, a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc.

    A statement  from the company said the sugar estate features 17,000 hectares of irrigable farmland and a sugar mill which processes 4,500 metric tonnes of sugarcane daily.

    At full capacity, the estate is expected to produce one million tonnes of sugarcane, which roughly translates to 100,000 metric tonnes of sugar yearly.

    Enclosed within a 35-kilometre dyke, the production facility area is 15,100 hectares, with a sugar cane area that features a maximum output of 10,000 hectares.

    The dyke provides flood protection from the River Niger. Over N1 billion was invested in the irrigation system to ensure efficient cultivation of sugarcane, with facilities such as drain pumps, pump stations and a power grid.

    The estate is a representation of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) with an ambitious backward integration programme to set Nigeria on the path of self-sufficiency in sugar production. The farm at peak production will provide direct employment for about 10,000 yearly, and will impact up to 50,000 indirectly, including 3,000 small-scale out-growers who cultivate sugarcane to feed the mill.

    According to the statement, the estate has brought infrastructure to surrounding communities, with 28 taking advantage of the new 30-kilometre road that provide a variety of access routes to indigenes. Drains, culverts and flood-protection walls have also been constructed.

    The project, the statement noted, illustrates the desire to reduce sugar importation, save billions in foreign exchange, boost local capacity and reduce unemployment by putting thousands of Nigerians to work.

    The Flour Mills Group’s mantra: “Feeding the Nation, Everyday”, is at the heart of its strategic decisions on what it produces, how and where factories are set up, the level of care that is put into products and how it interacts with host communities and the larger environment.

  • Dangote Cooperative to diversify into real estate, banking, others

    As part of efforts to raise its revenue profile the management and board of the Dangote Group Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited (DANCOOPS) has set machinery in motion to diversify into real estate, micro credit and loans, among other business ventures.

    Making this disclosure at the weekend was the President of the Society, Comrade Afolabi Kamoru. He spoke in Lagos at the Society’s 10th Annual General Meeting.

    Kamoru, while giving account of his stewardship in the last two years, said his executive team has been able to change the fortunes of its members thus far from a humble beginning.

    Specifically, he said: “As big as the Society is, we just secured, renovated and furnished an office space and within a short period we have been able to perfect a few things for the Society. Aside from that, we have a landed property in Mowe, with construction about to start.”

    At the end of the financial year, ended December 31st, 2016, the DANCOOPS boss said, “The Society closed its books with surplus figure of N122, 369, 545, 43, which represents an increase of 46.38% over the last year’s profit.’’

    Expatiating, he said: ‘’There was reduction in the interest rates to cushion the effects of the economic hardship on members, payment of unclaimed dividends as well as savings increased by N390m with both dividends and net surpluses increased by over 48%.’’

    He also hinted of plans by the Society to acquire properties in strategic areas for business purposes, adding: “Already we have sent business proposals are being discussed and finalised with the SBU’s to establish Sales points of all brands of Dangote products for members. The Society is also planning to delve into finance scheme in the next two years.

    “What we are looking forward now is from now to the next two years, we want to woo all Dangote staff to be members of the Cooperative. For a Society which started in 2004 with just 400 members and now 10, 000, our target is to grow it to about 15,000-20,000 members in the coming years,” he stressed.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Comrade Odetunde Oluwole, two time president of the Society, said plans are in top gear to commence construction at Obajana in Benue state, Move in Ogun, Lokoja in Kogi state respectively.

    “In Lagos state, we are planning to construct a housing estate, which we are about to commence. We already have Certificate of Occupancy, layout and approval. It’s just to move to site,” he said.

    DANCOOPS, according to Oluwole which is made up of the following federating units namely: Dangote Industries Limited (Holding company), Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Dangote Four Mills, Dangote Oil Refinery Company Limited, Dangote Fertilizer Company of Nigeria Plc, National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc (NASCON), Dangote Cement Plc, Dangote Agro Sacks Limited, Dansa Foods Limited, A.G Dangote, Dangote Sino Truk West Africa Ltd, is also determined to branched into microfinance banking and other businesses as part of efforts to invest in lucrative ventures for the benefit of its members.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the election of new executives to lead the affairs of the Society. Among those elected include, Afolabi Kamoru, who was re-elected as president, Olabode M Ojo, as Vice President, Lukmon O Yusuf, Treasurer, Bature Farman, as General Secretary, Chibueze Nwaeze, Assistant General Secretary.

    Others include: Blamoh Adewale, as Assistant Financial Secretary with Ex-Officio as follows: Alh Isa S Musa, Oladipupo O Funsho, Ashonibare Ade.

  • Buildcon begins estate development

    Basking in the euphoria of the success of its earlier project, Buildcon Global Services Limited, a real estate firm, has begun work on its new project, the Pracht Court located in Ajah, Lagos. Pracht Court is in a serene environment, and will offer top-notch luxury, comfort, and maximum security.

    The estate, upon completion, will consist   of four-bedroom terrace houses, which incorporate advanced automation systems to provide residents with sophisticated monitoring and control over the building’s functions. It is being constructed by highly-skilled architects and engineers with vast knowledge in critical innovations required in a dream home.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Buildcon Global Services Limited, Mrs. Bukunola Gadzama explained that the success recorded at the company’s Pracht Gardens Estate, located in Ikota, Lagos, motivated the company to embark on Pracht Court.

    She assured that the estate will boast of such features as home automation system, central water system and treatment plant, 24 hours world-class security, a swimming pool, a club house, a table tennis court, beautiful landscape and underground electricity.

    Gadzama revealed that as part of the exclusive benefits, subscribers to the estate will be allowed to determine the internal finishing of their homes. They are also entitled to six months liability period with the developer responsible for all repairs.

    The company is also giving opportunities to subscribers to own landed property in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), the fast-growing business hub of Lagos State.

  • Indimi Foundation builds N600m housing estate for IDPs

    Relief is on the horizon for internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Borno State as the Muhammadu Indimi Foundation, a humanitarian organisation founded by the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, is to build a N600 million solar-powered village of 100 units of 3-room houses for those displaced by Boko Haram in the state.

    The project is located in Bama, one of the worst-hit communities in Maiduguri.

    Other features include five blocks of classrooms, a fully-equipped health centre, an open-shed market,  to revive trading among the inhabitants, sport facilities for children and an incinerator.

    At the flag-off of construction works, Idimi said: “Following the trauma the people have been through, we will spare no resource to restore hope, healing, and lay a lasting foundation for growth. It is a well-known fact that our greatest strength as a country lies in our people and our resilience in the face of numerous day-to-day challenges. Through our modest activities and initiatives, we hope to contribute to the alleviation of poverty in our communities and unlock Northern Nigeria’s potential. The Muhammadu Indimi Village Bama is one of the many steps we have taken in contributing to building better lives for our people.”

    He also revealed that the foundation planned to replicate the 100-unit “Idimi Village” in Ngala Local Government Area, another community where thousands of families fled their homes and lost their means of livelihood.

    He thanked Governor Kashim Shettima for his support for the project, especially for donating the land in Bama and Ngala.

    Shettima praised the donor for his gesture, describing him as “an inspiring model of impeccable business integrity and unbounded humanitarian activities, who has continued to identify with our values, challenges and predicament.

    “We want to thank Alhaji  Indimi for his generosity of spirit and for fiercely identifying with his people. I wish to unequivocally commend this magnanimous undertaking and commitment of the Muhammadu Indimi Foundation. We deeply appreciate the humanitarian gesture of the chairman, in the resettlement of IDPs in Borno State. Alhaji  Indimi is a renowned and worthy son of Borno, indeed one of the greatest,” the governor said.

    The Muhammadu Indimi Village is due for completion in December. The focus of the Foundation is purposeful and proactive investments in education, food, shelter, crisis relief, rehabilitation and empowerment. Since inception, thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and families have benefitted from these initiatives.

  • Estate agent arraigned for ‘N5.3m fraud’

    An estate agent, Lekan Olamide, was at the weekend arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding 31 accommodation seekers of N5.3 million.

    Olamide, 35, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a 31-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

    The prosecutor, Friday Mameh, told the court that the accused committed the offences between January and July at 7, Mogbotoluwa Street, Egbeda, a Lagos suburb.

    He said the accused obtained N5.3 million from the accommodation seekers “on the pretext that you have an apartment to rent, a fact you knew to be false.”

    Mameh said the accused and others at large obtained amounts ranging from N45,000 to N700, 000.

    He said the offences contravened sections 312 (a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mr. B. A. Sonuga, granted Olamide bail at N2million with two sureties in like sum.

    He said the sureties must be managers of banks on Lagos Island and must show letters of appointment and confirmation.

    The magistrate said the sureties must submit their passports, show evidence of tax payments to the government and have their addresses verified.

    Sonuga adjourned the case till September 12 for mention.

     

  • Estate administration tears family apart in Rivers

    Mr Emmanuel Jaja, the head of  the Jaja extended family in Opobo,  has told a Rivers High Court sitting in Port Harcourt   that a child born out of wedlock cannot claim the father’s property.

    Jaja, a chartered accountant,  said this on Wednesday  while being  cross examined  by Mr Ishmael Blue-Jaja,  the counsel to Charles Jaja, the claimant.

    The case was instituted by Charles who is seeking the leave of the court to include him in the administration of  the estate of  his late father,  Dr  Joseph Jaja.

    The head of the family, a witness in the case, alleged that  Charles’s mother was not legally married to the late Dr Joseph Jaja who was his brother.

    He, however, said his late brother had introduced Charles to him as his son in London when he visited.

    “ Where a man is not legally married to a woman, her child has no claim to the father’s estate.

    “This is the Opobo custom and tradition.

    “The child is only his mother’s property,” he said.

    Mrs Barbel Jaja, the wife of the late Jaja,  claimed that her husband only told her that Charles was his son after she gave birth to Daniel Jaja in London.

    She insisted that the claimant was born out of wedlock and did not attend his father’s burial ceremony in Germany and Opobo.

    Daniel had obtained a letter of Sole Administrator of the estate.

    The claimant , however, said he was sick during his father’s burial ceremonies in Germany and  Opobo.

    The presiding judge, Justice Silverline Oragunima,  adjourned the matter to Nov. 18 and  Nov. 22 for continuation of hearing.

  • Queens’ Garden Estate to deliver 248 units in 10 months

    As part of its contribution to reducing the housing stock in the country, a firm of estate developers, Landmark Corporate Reality Limited, has held a ground-breaking of its Queens Garden Estate in Isheri North 3 in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ogun State.

    The ceremony signals the commencement of construction in the estate situated close to Berger Bridge on the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The new scheme, its promoters claim, is to be developed using the newest technology. Landmark promises to deliver 120 units of five-bedroom fully detached duplex; 128 units of four-bedrooms semi-detached spread houses across 10 hectares of lush and very green landscape, in 10 months.

    Landmark Corporate Realty Limited Chairman, Dr. Oluwatayo Fashogbon, explained that his firm had come up to help the government and individuals to realise their dreams by making housing available for them. Such assistance with housing units to Nigerians, Fashogbon said, began  seven years ago with the Queens Park Estates in Mowe, Ofada, Shimawa and in Abuja.

    “We strongly believe this will help them and help the government to reduce housing deficit in the country. Isheri North is very strategic because it is on the mainland and there are lot of Lagos and Ogun states housing developers participating in affordable housing delivery. Queens Garden Estate is surrounded by estates like Lonex Garden and LSDPC and it is one of Lagos mainland’s fast developing residential area,” he explained.

    Fashogbon added that the estate set a high-level benchmark in service delivery, infrastructure, eco-friendliness, functionality and loftiness. Besides, he revealed that it would accommodate various housing typologies of contemporary architecture, Victorian aesthetics, modern and a peep into the post-modern concepts. The varying concepts and facades included, he further explained, will eliminate the barrack-like look usually associated with some housing estates, giving a sort of mosaic bespoke architecture.

    “The uniqueness of this estate dwell largely on its ability to reinvent the concept of old Government Reservation Areas, with cutting edge architecture, while delivering high-class living standards at affordable prices,” he said.

    Similarly, Landmark Corporate Realty Managing Director, Dr. Harrison Agboifoh, said Queens Garden is not just another estate but one with an epitome of beauty and style.

    He said the estate offers an idyllic environment for good residential living upon the completion of all neighbourhood infrastructure.

    The estate, as part of its uniqueness, has quick access and connecting road network to every part of Lagos and Ogun metropolis.

    “It has paved roads , electricity, drainage system,CCTV security, network, treated water supply, perimeter fencing, street light, illumination among others,” Agboifoh explained.

    The Queens Estate is divided into two schemes: the Elizabeth Court and Diana Court. The former is the five-bedroom fully-detached house. Each unit sells for N49 million for outright payment, and N53.3 million by instalments of up to 18 months.

    Diana Court is a four-bedroom semi-detached house selling at N46 million for payment and N50 million for instalmentals of 18 months.

  • Firm unveils Lekki estate

    Another estate has joined the growing property business in Lekki, Lagos.

    Known as Royal Residence, it is the brainchild of Obika Realtors Limited.

    It is on a 10-acre land at Eluju Town in Ibeju-Lekki  Local Government Area of the state.

    The  estate with about 54 serviced plots, is zoned into five areas-detached  semi-detached terraced  recreational and commercial to ensure uniformity and aesthetics.

    Its Managing Director, Mrs. Ekamma Ufot, said the estate has basic infrastructure and services, such as roads, drainages, electricity, water, security, and effective facility management.

    She explained that the estate has 54 plots, 20 of which would be allocated under the first phase. A subscriber cannot buy more than four plots which must be developed within five years.

    At the allocation,  Ufot explained that a Deed of Assignment would be given to beneficiaries upon completion of payment. The title  would be transferred to owners and the property excised.

    She said her firm’s business philosophy  is hinged on meeting and surpassing the needs of its  clients by  achieving world class services in the most cost effective and professional manner.

    “We are providing this at a very affordable cost all in a bid to transform the dreams of prospective allottees   to reality. We are already getting testimonies from our stakeholders due to our commitment to deliver as promised within the stipulated time frame,” Ufot explained.

    A subscriber, Mr. John Ikomi, lauded the infrastructure, saying the firm was committed to ensuring that stakeholders’ dreams were actualised.

    Managing Director of Cordros Capital Wale Agbeyangi hailed the scheme, expressing satisfaction with its infrastructure and layout.

  • Pracht Gardens Estate excites subscribers

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Buildcon Global Services Limited Mrs. Bukunola Gadzama, has said the Pracht Gardens Estate  would be ready for allocation next April. It is located in Ikota area, before Victoria Garden City in the Lekki area of Lagos State. Gadzama assurances came while conducting subscribers to the scheme round the estate.

    He noted that the estate, which  is built and fitted with up to date facilities, measured up in standard with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

    The Pracht Gardens Estate consists of 40 units of four and five bedrooms fully detached duplexes, as well as four bedrooms terraces. It sits on 21,000 metres square parcel of land. According to Gadzama, the estate is structured to meet the basic requirements of subscribers who have taste for luxury; hence the designing and construction was handled by highly skilled architects and engineers, including vastly experienced interior decorators.

    Other features in the estate includes a water treatment plant; fully paved road; shopping centre; 24 hours security; electrical power transformer; closed-circuit television (CCTV) security technology; ample parking space; power supply and distribution; street lights; recreational centre for children;  crèche;  as well as electrical fence wire.

    “It is designed with affordability in mind and zero compromise on quality and finesse to meet the needs of subscribers,” she said.

    Meanwhile, subscribers to the estate have expressed delight over the architectural skills displayed by Buildcon Global Services Limited in the construction of the estate. One of them, Mr. John Kayode, expressed delight at the professionalism brought into the construction.

    “I was quite fascinated with the structural design of the estate and the layout shows a touch of class with all that is required to make life comfortable. What interests me most is that l have the opportunity to come up with any additional plan of mine, to complement what is already being provided,’ Kayode stated.

    Another subscriber, a chartered accountant based in Lagos, Mrs. Jane Ogunwale, said she is happy that her dream of living in a very modern apartment has come true. For her, Pracht Gardens Estate is a place that has all it takes to keep a family, as there are facilities that addresses the needs of children, like the recreation park, adequate security and school that eases the burden of moving out of the environment.