Category: News

As rescue operations continue at the location of yesterday’s collapsed building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, the Lagos State Government has restated its determination to ensure that as many people as possible are rescued alive from the rubble.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, disclosed this today while speaking with journalists and relatives of the victims during the monitoring of the ongoing search and rescue operations by agencies of government.

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied to the site by top government officials, said the focus of government, for now, is to ensure that the ongoing rescue operations yield positive results such that those still trapped in the rubble are brought out alive.

Dr. Hamzat revealed that “Nine people have been rescued alive and taken to the hospital while 10 dead bodies have been recovered. Out of the nine survivors, three have been discharged from the hospital while six are in stable condition and are doing well. The focus of the operation right now is to rescue those that are trapped”.

He also stated that it will be difficult to ascertain the number of the trapped victims, noting that the building is still under construction and not yet occupied.

Stating that the project site was sealed up for four months by the relevant agency because of some anomalies in the construction process, the Deputy Governor gave further assurance that other adjourning buildings in the axis will be subjected to the Structural Integrity Test for appropriate action.

He emphasised that the State government would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that buildings under construction in Lagos are subjected to structural integrity tests to prevent issues of building collapse.

The Deputy Governor, who also led other top government officials to the Lagos General Hospital, Marina, where the survivors are being treated, promised that the State Government will take full responsibility for the treatment and medical bills of rescued victims of the Ikoyi building collapse.

Authorities of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State, on Monday, demanded a probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of a female student, simply identified as Omowumi.

It was gathered that Omowumi, an ND 1 student of Mass Communications department died on Saturday after she took ill in her boyfriend’s house in the Igaa area of Iree town.

The boyfriend was alleged to be an internet fraudster (Yahoo boy).

The deceased suddenly developed complications while still with his boyfriend and was rushed to a private hospital in Iree, but was rejected. She later died while being taken to another hospital.

A female student in her department, who spoke with Punch on condition of anonymity, said the boyfriend had been arrested in connection with the incident.

She said, “Wumi went to her boyfriend’s house in the Igaa area, Iree. She suddenly started foaming in the mouth. She was rushed to a hospital here in Iree, but she was rejected and while being taken to another hospital, she died.

“Her friends reported the matter to the police and some operatives were deployed. They took her body to a morgue in Ikirun. The boyfriend is a student too. He was arrested and taken away by the police.”

The spokesperson for the polytechnic, Tope Abiola, confirmed the incident.

He, however, said the arrested suspect was not a student of the polytechnic.

Abiola said, “It is true that an ND 1 student in the Department of Mass Communication died.

“We don’t know the cause of the death. We have not been briefed about the cause of the death. The police are still investigating. The school sympathises with the parents of the lady. It is pathetic that such a young girl would die like that.”

The umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, made this known in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Maxwell Adeleye, attaching images from the scene of the attack.

The organisation noted that the incident happened on Saturday in the Professor’s absence.

It also noted that the police had been notified.

A bullet from the scene of the accident (Photo: Ilana Oodua)
Part of the statement read, “The leadership of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), is displeased to inform the general public that the Ado-Ekiti country home of its leader, Professor Banji Akintoye, was attacked on Saturday, 30th October, 2021.

“Gunshots were fired into the house by assailants who apparently climbed a chair outside the gate to shoot in.

“Luckily, Professor Banji Akintoye was not around at the time, and nobody was hurt.
“Bullets suspected to be from AK 47 rifles were recovered after they dropped from the ceiling onto the floor.
“The matter has since been reported to the Ekiti State Police Command for investigation.”

Akintoye, a renowned Historian, hails from Ado-Ekiti.

He represented the Old Ondo State in the Senate from 1979 to 1983.

He is currently leading the agitation for an Independent Yoruba Nation from Nigeria.

This is coming a few months after unknown armed men invaded the house of the Scion of the Akintoye dynasty, Ademola, an Engineer, in Agbor, Delta state, exterminating the building, including his rich fish pond.

“The Police did not arrest anyone up till this moment,” the group lamented.

“We the Yoruba people within, and beyond the horizon of Nigeria will hold the Nigerian Government responsible if any evil happens to our leader or any of his relations.”

The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, has allayed fears of fuel scarcity, saying there are 1.7 billion litres of fuel stored and 2.3bn litres coming soon.

Kyari’s statement followed recent media reports of a resurgence of queues at petrol stations in some parts of the country after the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) raised the alarm that private depot owners had increased the price of petrol by N9/litre.

The GMD, who spoke virtually from Glasgow on Tuesday at a conference organised by the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), also explained why the federal government was demanding energy justice at the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

“As we speak now, there is speculation of fuel scarcity within the media but we have over 1.7bn litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country.

“We have another 2.3bn litres coming in, so there is no shortage in supply as is being speculated.

“Of course, there are issues about pricing at some depots but the government has no plan to revise the pricing structure,” he said.

Our reporters observed that while there are no queues at the major filling stations in Abuja, some others like Shema and Conoil have already shut down operations as they have run out of stock.

Meanwhile, for those operating, they have raised the pump price from between N162 and N163 as of Monday to N165 on Tuesday. The situation was similar in Lagos with no pronounced queue and fuel stations selling between N163 and N165, within the government approved price band.

However, NNPC in a statement, urged the public to shun panic buying of petroleum products, saying there is enough stock that will last the festive period and beyond.

Garba Deen Muhammad, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the corporation was also engaging all stakeholders to ensure smooth supply and distribution of products to every part of the country.

The Lagos State Government is setting up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi. Members of the panel will be drawn from the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other professional bodies.

It will independently investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence. The investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted. The Governor, as a first step, has directed that the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately. The suspension is indefinite.

More equipment and personnel have been deployed in the site to save more lives.

Nine persons – all men – have been pulled out of the rubble alive. They have been taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, 14 others were brought out dead – as at 2pm.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu thanks all first responders and those who have joined the rescue efforts, including construction giants Julius Berger, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

A help desk is to be set up at the site for people seeking information about their relations who may have been involved in the incident. The media are hereby notified that the government will be releasing information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, was today at the site to encourage rescuers and comfort relations of those trapped in the rubble. Dr. Hamzat left the site for the Lagos Island General Hospital to see the survivors.

The government will embark on further foundation and borehole acidic level tests to ascertain the impact on the collapsed building. These tests, particularly the borehole acidic level, is important for the entire Gerrard Road and adjoining areas.

We wish to state that there will be no cover-up in the search for the truth in this incident. If anybody is found to have been indicted, he or she will face the law.

It is important to restate that all developers and property owners are required to adhere strictly to all Building Codes and Planning Regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property. Those who ignore such regulations, breaking seals and defying enforcement, will surely be prosecuted.

Okunrin Jeje Abiodun Oni has on behalf of the Chairperson Olorunsogo local government, Hon.(Mrs) Julianah Oluwakemi Akanni-Ika and Alhaji Saminu Oladele, the Assistance Secretary Oyo North PDP, congratulated HE.(Amb.) Taofeek Arapaja on his emergence as the new National Deputy Chairman(South) of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

This was contained in a statement signed and sent to Oduduwa News today by the Personal Aide of the Commisioner of Environment, Hon. Abiodun Oni.

While rejoicing with Arapaja, He commended HE. (Engr) Seyi Makinde’s organizing ability and dynamic leadership both national and regional levels and also appreciated the strategic support of the Advisory Chairman, Sen. Hosea Ayoola (Alleluyah), and all the PDP delegates from Oyo State, saying Arapaja victory at the convention cannot be far- fetched from the magnanimity of HE (Engr) Seyi Makinde.

He therefore charged the newly elected executive members to be magnanimous in victory and use their offices as instrument of cohesion while embracing peace and tranquility towards the progress of the party.

He however prayed that the Almighty God continue to direct the steps of the Deputy Chairman and the other elected officials in their avowed determination to rescue Nigeria and reposition the party towards achieving the desired overwhelming victory in the 2023 general election.

Oduduwa News gathered that yesterday, suspected hoodlums laid siege to the Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square claiming that one of their members was shot by prison warders from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

They demobilised two Black Maria vehicles that had brought inmates from the Ikoyi Correctional Centre to court for their cases.

Their actions caused panic and made all the sitting judges end their proceedings abruptly. Registrars and litigants also took to their heels.

According to an eyewitness, the victim was shot while trying to interact with some of the inmates in the Black Maria.

Another eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said that after the victim was shot on the leg, information got to the suspected hoodlums, who swiftly mobilized and came to barricade the entrance of the court after which they deflated the tyres of the Black Maria.

Meanwhile, a press release from the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) says that a security breach was averted at the Lagos State High Court TBS by the personal of the Nigerian Correctional Service Armed squad.

A statement by the PRO of the command, CSC Rotimi Oladokun says that “Persons suspected to be associates of an inmate taken to the Lagos High Court for hearing, staged an attack on the escort personnel with an attempt to forcefully release the inmate while at the premises of the Court. However, the quick response and vigilance of the NCoS court escorts thwarted their effort.

“A security reinforcement was immediately deployed to the court premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order. And All inmates have been successfully returned into secure custody of the Correctional Service.

“During the ensuing melee, one of the attackers’ was shot while trying to dispossess an armed personnel of his rifle,” it added.

It was learnt that policemen from the nearby Kamsalem area were later drafted to the court to keep the peace.

Prominent developer, Femi Osibona is the brain behind the collapsed 21-storey building which collapsed on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Monday.

The building under construction collapsed on Monday afternoon with many trapped and some dead.

Osibona is the developer of the massive project dubbed: 360 Degrees Towers on 44 BCD Gerrard Road, Ikoyi. The project represents three fine pieces of high-rise and real estate, being built in the area.

Two of the projects are still standing tall while the third one collapsed on Monday.

Osibona is the Managing Director of Fourscore Homes. He told Thisday in an interview in 2019 that Fourscore Homes is a member of the NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council) in South Africa and Zurich Building Guarantee in Europe, as part of the company’s presence overseas.

His company specialises in the building of choice properties in different parts of the world.

Osibona said. “We have exhibited our expertise in property development in the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States of America and Nigeria. Fourscore Homes possesses uncommon capabilities in redefining property development in any market we choose to play in.”

On the first floor of the building is a suspended platform that serves as a recreational area where residents can unwind and hold a small party, if they wish. Also, there is a five-star lobby where residents can host friends and family members, without compromising their privacy.

The towers have various house types: Maisonettes of about 420sqms each on three floors; penthouses on two floors; and 4-bedroom flats on one floor, with each flat as large as 400sqms – almost twice the size of most flats in other developments in Ikoyi. The penthouses are about 600sqms to 800sqms.

Osibona’s company began its foray into real estate in the United Kingdom before branching out to South Africa and later Nigeria. In 2009, when Brig-General Buba Marwa (rtd) was the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa, Fourscore Homes built six luxury units called Fourscore Mansions in Waterkloof, a very expensive neighbourhood in Pretoria.

Osibona was also the first African developer to develop a seven-storey building in the United Kingdom. The property called Fourscore Mansion is located at 113, Albion Drive London Fields, E8, 4LZ, East London. Not only that, he was the first black developer of African origin to build other projects in the UK. The company’s real estate business started in Hackney, London in 1997.

Officers of the 12 Field Engineering Regiment of Nigerian Army, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Friday, 29 October 2021 handed over 20 suspected internet fraudsters to the Ibadan Zonal Copmmand of the EFCC.

The suspects were arrested during a raid conducted by the Nigerian Army at Ijagun, Odogbolu area of Ogun state.

The suspects are Azeez Hameed Busayo, Olubor Chuks Winner, Amusa Abdulhakeem, Osoko Adesola David, Diyaolu Daniel Damilola, Olunlade Quadri Olamilekan, Amaje Kelly Armstrong, Akorede Olaleye Tope, Owonifari Niyi Sanwiyu. Others are Ganiyu Olamide Sodiq, Onasanya Taiwo Adeniyi, Ajayi Muhaymin Adesola, Asenuga Ridwan Ayotomiwa, Bamgboye Tobiloba Quadri, Ayede Opeyemi Oluwaseun,Oseni Abolore Ismail, Olaniyan Mayowa Emmanuel, Akanni Qudus Olaleye and Onasile Abiodun Sunday.

Details later.