The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oworonshoki

  • Another 100 Oworonshoki residents receive compensation

    Another 100 Oworonshoki residents receive compensation

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and the welfare of residents affected by the ongoing demolition of environmentally unsafe buildings across the state.

    He assured that all displaced persons would be resettled and adequately compensated.

    The assurance was delivered on behalf of the governor by the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Oladimeji Animashaun.

    It was during the second phase of compensation to affected residents of the Oworonshoki community.

    According to Animashaun, the government remains committed to its promise of ensuring that no resident is denied the right to own property in Lagos, even as it continues removing structures that pose environmental threats.

    “The very first time we compensated people, 79 affected persons collected their cheques.

    Read Also: LASG begins second round enumeration for Oworonshoki regeneration

    “Today (yesterday), another 100 people are receiving theirs.

    “Governor Sanwo-Olu promised that those affected would be compensated. That is a promise made, promise fulfilled,” he said.

    Animashaun said many more would be compensated over several batches.

    Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the state government.

    The beneficiaries received compensation ranging from N1million to N5million depending on the nature and value of their demolished properties.

    One of the beneficiaries , Nwaoha Rosemary, who received N1 million, described the support as a welcome relief.

    Another beneficiary, Patrick Arinze, who got N3 million, said: “They have done the right thing at the right time.

    “People complained, but what the government has done supersedes our concerns.

    “If we had not received anything, what would we have done?”

  • Lagos begins compensation for Oworonshoki demolition

    Lagos begins compensation for Oworonshoki demolition

    The Lagos State Government has commenced the payment of compensation to affected residents of Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government Area, whose houses were demolished in the ongoing urban renewal and regeneration programme in the area.

    The exercise, which began on Thursday was described as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to humane and inclusive urban development. 

    A total of 79 beneficiaries were verified for compensation, to be paid in two batches with the first group receiving their cheques on Thursday, while the second batch were attended to on Friday at the same venue.

    Speaking during the ceremony at the palace of the traditional ruler of Oworonshoki, the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Olajide Animashaun, said the payment followed a series of verification, engagement, and enumeration exercises carried out in collaboration with community stakeholders.

    Animashaun said the regeneration initiative became necessary due to the proliferation of illegal and dilapidated structures within Oworonshoki, many of which were built on drainage channels and waterways, posing serious environmental and safety risks.

     “Oworonshoki is one of the communities earmarked under the state’s comprehensive urban renewal and regeneration plan. Many of the affected structures were unsafe for habitation and constituted environmental hazards. However, in line with the inclusive governance policy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the state made a commitment to compensate verified affected residents  and today, that promise is being fulfilled,” Animashaun said.

    He commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Lagosians, noting that the compensation reflected the government’s sincerity and accountability in implementing its urban renewal policies.

    Read Also: EU’s €100bn research initiative opens to Nigerian researchers, says ambassador

    Animashaun also commended the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, for their dedication and tireless efforts toward the realization of the initiative.

    The event was attended by representatives of the Oworonshoki traditional council, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Council (CDC) members, civil society organizations, security agencies, and the media.

    The Lagos State Government had, in recent months, cleared several illegal and substandard structures across Oworonshoki as part of efforts to reclaim right-of-way for drainage systems, improve environmental conditions, and enhance public safety.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ajimoh Oyenuga, said: “The government gave us this money as compensation for the houses demolished on Precious Street, Oworonshoki. We are grateful because it shows that the government cares about our wellbeing.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Olaide Fatima, added: “My house was close to the water, and it wasn’t safe. The government promised to compensate us, and today they have done it. I really appreciate this gesture  promise made, promise kept.”

  • Oworonshoki demolition: Residents ignored all warnings – Lagos Govt

    Oworonshoki demolition: Residents ignored all warnings – Lagos Govt

    The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)  says its removal of shanties and other unapproved buildings at Oworonshoki followed due process as the residents ignored all warnings.

    Mr Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State,  told newsmen during an interaction in Lagos on Thursday evening that the affected structures had been served demolition notices.

    He said that the residents were given enough time to obtain planning permits during the state government’s amnesty programme for unapproved buildings.

    According to him, the amnesty began with a 90-day window from May 2024 to July 2024, and  was extended to October 2024 and finally to December 2024.

    Oki said: “Only two or three persons in that community took advantage of the amnesty, and those buildings were not demolished. Others ignored all warnings.”

    He added that LASBCA officials, together with community leaders and traditional leaders, engaged the residents through meetings and sensitisation before the demolition.

    Oki said that most of the demolished buildings were distressed, blocking drainage channels and posing security threats.

    He added that some tilted backwards and had visible cracks or were only patched with paint to look safe.

    “The government cannot allow people to live in houses that are not fit for habitation.

    “We are now insisting that every property in Lagos must have a certificate of fitness for habitation,” he said.

    According to the permanent secretary, obtaining a planning permit now  takes  10 days to 15 days once the necessary documents are submitted.

    He noted that the office issuing the permit had been decentralised to all local government areas.

    Read Also: Lagos Govt begins 2026 budget consultations, seeks citizens’ input

    The official  said that the demolitions were not carried out in secret.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a three-minute video showing marked buildings and community meetings at Oworonshoki was presented during the interaction.

    Oki said that the demolition was necessary to safeguard lives, improve drainage and enhance security in the area.

    NAN recalls that the Lagos State Government granted a three-phase amnesty between May 2024 and December 2024 for owners of unapproved buildings to regularise their documents.

    During the period, 18,489 applications were submitted and 8,856 planning permits were issued.

    (NAN)

  • Residents count losses in Oworo cult clash

    •Govt urged to tighten security •Victims seek financial help

    Some residents of Oworonshoki on Lagos Mainland are still counting their losses in Sunday’s cult clash in which 50 vehicles and several shops were vandalised.

    They have appealed to the government to tighten security in their area to ensure safety of life and property.

    The residents told The Nation yesterday that it was not the first time hoodlums were attacking them.

    “We are afraid of a recurrence. People can no longer stay in their homes comfortably. Some residents have even fled to safer places because of fear. Our wives can no longer go to the market; our children are not attending schools either. Muslims can’t go to the mosque for early morning prayer due to insecurity in the community. We implore the government to assist us,” they said.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said over 100 vehicles were vandalised.

    He said churches were not spared, adding that three persons were stabbed by the suspected cultists.

    A spray painter said: “Right now, I am devastated. I have incurred great losses. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I discovered that my customers’ cars had been vandalised. I am innocent, I’ve not offended anybody to warrant this treatment. I have incurred debts. My customers are on my neck. I need over N100,000 to offset the debts I have incurred following the vandalism of my customers’ cars. I don’t know how to get the money. I am begging the government and people to help me.”

    Read also: Suspected cultists kill eight in Edo

    A resident told The Nation that he witnessed how his vehicle was vandalised by the hoodlums, but he could not come out because he was afraid.

    He said: “It all started around 2am. The hooligans came to terrorise us in our community, I was in my room upstairs where I peeped through the window. I saw the way my car was vandalised. The glasses were broken, but the fear of death did not allow me to challenge the hoodlums, as they were armed.”

    He appealed to the government to tighten security at Oworonshoki and assist the victims financially.

  • Lagos community enjoys yuletide charity

    As a symbol of love, a Non-Governmental Organisation, “The Clothe Me Project” has extended hands of support to the less-privileged by giving surprise Christmas packages to residents of Oke-Eri, Oworonsoki, Lagos.

    The event which was tagged “Christmas Charity Outreach” hosted men, women and children from the community and no fewer than 500 persons were given Clothes, shoes, bags, toys, Spaghetti packs, Soap and toothpaste.

    Founder of the NGO, Joy Abara, in a statement, said the project was put together to create fun memories for kids and adults during the festive period.

    She said “ The whole idea behind our charity programmes has been to reach people living in underserved communities.

    “Having realised the amount of injustice and neglect that goes on in these less privileged areas, we thought it needful to organise our programs there. The Christmas charity outreach happens to be one of such. We all know the frenzy and excitement that comes with getting a Christmas gift, especially with children.

    “We wanted to do something special for Christmas with the people. We were looking to create fun memories for their kids and adults as well, hence the reason we had our Christmas outreach in the slum.”

    According to her, the community was selected after an assessment of environments.

    “We chose Oke-Eri after one of our team members visited the place. He did a report on the condition of living in the area and sent us pictures as evidence.

    Read Also: NGO provides academic materials for Igando pupils

    “Based on what we saw, it seemed like the perfect fit for our Christmas outreach.

    “They had lots of beautiful children and families who clearly needed some form of support. We connected with a local church in the area, that’s how we were able to work together to make it happen.”

    Abara noted that the “Christmas charity outreach was the last for the year adding that the project had earlier organised two other outreaches in the year 2018.

    “We were able to successfully organise three outreaches. The first one was the Children’s day outreach we had in partnership with Jakin NGO. The second was our Back to School Charity Drive and this Christmas Charity Outreach is the last for the year.” She said.

    Describing the event as a success and an impactful one, she said “It was a successful event. The fact that we were able to give people Christmas presents when they weren’t expecting, is amazing.

    “It turned out impactful, the smile we saw on the kids’ faces was priceless. We met and catered for people who ordinarily wouldn’t go to church. They couldn’t miss out of the fun, they had to join in.”

  • Rotary lifts Oworonshoki schools

    Rotary Club of Gbagada South, in conjunction with Rotary International (RI), Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Gilroy and RI District 5170, United States, has donated a set of 16 toilets, a water treatment plant and a generator worth over $66,000 to the Oworonshoki Schools Complex.

    Speaking at the unveiling, the group’s President Ademola Olutusin said the club embarked on building the toilets when it discovered that the complex with over six schools and 3,000 pupils had no good toilets. The outgoing president said the club had also equipped the schools’ computer centre and provided an arts and craft unit, adding that the set of toilets was the association’s 30th project in his tenure.

    ”This is the biggest not only in the club, but also in the district,” he added.

    RI District 9110 Governor Dr Wale Ogunbadejo expressed joy over the execution of the project done because Rotary was disturbed by the poor state of toilets in the premises. He said the new toilets would give the pupils a sense of belonging. He urged the head teachers to maintain them.

    “It is now your project. Maintain them. We will not abandon the schools. We will still come back,” he assured.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Oluranti  Adebule, represented by the Ministry of Education District II Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary,  ‘Yomi Olusanya praised Rotary for the gesture, enjoining non-governmental organisations (NGO) to emulate RI. Noting the importance of the ministry’s partners, she called for more partnership in education, saying that this would continue to improve education quality as the government could not shoulder the responsibility of education alone.

    School-based Management Committee Chairman Dare Kehinde also thanked Rotary for bringing the projects to the schools, adding that rotarys’ love for the schools was unquantifiable.

  • Oworonshoki clash: Police arrest monarch

    Oworonshoki clash: Police arrest monarch

    Police operatives in Lagos have arrested the Oworonshoki monarch, Oba Bashiru Salihu and a man identified as Alhaji Ajisegiri for allegedly instigating the clash that broke out in the area.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni who confirmed their arrests during a press conference at the command headquarters in Ikeja, said that the duo may be charged to court.

    He explained that they were arrested following the murder of a young man during a fight by hoodlums loyal to the suspects.

    According to him, the thugs, suspected to be cultists were allegedly acting on the orders of both men, insisting that the police will prosecute them if there was any evidence linking them to the crime.

    He further explained that four suspects have been arrested in connection to the fight, two of whom have confessed to have been directly involved in the murder.

    However, the first son of the embattled monarch, Aremo Nurudeen Salihu denied that his father was arrested.

    He said his father was only invited to write a statement at the police headquarters in Ikeja and was not detained.

    He said:”It is not true that my father (Oba Salihu) was arrested; on the contrary, he went to the state police command in Ikeja to write a statement concerning the mayhem caused by over 200 thugs who destroyed his palace, family house and his dredging company.”

    While giving an update on the performance of the command since January 27, Owoseni said 47 robbery suspects were arrested, noting that most of them were traffic robbers.

    He decried the spate of gangsterism despite efforts by the police to stamp out the vice.

    Owoseni also appealed to residents to furnish the police with information that will aid crime prevention.

    “We have launched police application on smart phones. We have hot lines which are in public domain and we have telephones at every police station where the public can reach us at any time of the day or night.

    “When they hoard information we could have used that time to deal with the situation promptly. So we beg the public to help us in order for us to help them. It is their taxes that are used to pay our salaries; so we are always there for the public.

    “Sometimes we get these distress calls and once we get to the street, the gate is locked and the gateman manning the gate will be nowhere to be found. This aid criminals get away with crime easily.

    “At least, when they hear the sound of siren, the gatemen should open the gate. The Lagos State government has even said some of these structures should be removed. We should learn to obey the law,” he said.

    Owoseni used the opportunity to warn commercial bus drivers to obey traffic rules and be disciplined.

    CP Owoseni also said 25 suspects including six aliens from the Niger Republic for various offences allegedly committed since January 27.

    They are Mustapha Musa, Abdulahi Ali, Isah Musa, Seidu Isah, Aliyu Azuma and Yakubu Adamu.

    Their gang also had a Nigerian identified as Isiaka Yakubu.

    Owoseni said the suspects were nabbed on January 27, at about 2:30am in a Nissan Sunny vehicle marked AKD163DW, while going for an operation in Ebute Metta.

    He stated that six cutlasses, an iron cutter and two torches were recovered from them.