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.
This afternoon, IPYF National Coordinator, Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo represented Ibadan Prime Youth Forum Ibadan Prime Youth Forum at the opening ceremony of National Youth Conference organized by the Office of the Minister for Youth and Sports, under the leadership of Mr Sunday Dare.
The Vice President; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo represented the President, and declared the 3 days programme opened.
The Theme of the Conference is Youth Inclusiveness-Governance, Security, Employment, Dr. Tunmise while granting Interview, highlighted the challenges facing Nigerian Youths, he proffered solutions and commended the Federal Ministry for putting this type of programme together at this moment, to discuss the challenges and proffer practical way forward.
The National Coordinator further said, that the Youth of the Nigeria should not lose hope yet, that the future, which start from now is still bright, while he also admonished the youth to get involved, in his words “Politics precede Governance” as the only way to effect meaningful change through governance is to be part of the political process.
He advised the Federal Government to put more youth-friendly programmes together with the aim of engaging the youth, while he also calls for more job creation and youth empowerment beyond bicycle and maruwa distribution.
The owner of a 16 floors building and about 20 artisans were reported to have been trapped under the rubbles after the structure under construction around Ikoyi axis of Lagos State collapsed.
As gathered, the property owner was at the site inspecting the structure along Gerald road at Musiliu junction, when the building caved in at about 2:30 pm, with many trapped under the structure.
Sources Claimed that before the structure caved in on Monday, the property owner had been preventing officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other building regulatory agencies from gaining access into the structure
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that he has activated the agency’s emergency response plan to the above incident.
According to him, all first responders are enroute to secure the scene while the heavy duty equipment and life detection equipment have been dispatched.
Property Owner, 20 Others Trap Under Collapse 16 Floors Building In Lagos
The owner of a 16 floors building and about 20 artisans were reported to have been trapped under the rubbles after the structure under construction around Ikoyi axis of Lagos State collapsed.
As gathered, the property owner was at the site inspecting the structure along Gerald road at Musiliu junction, when the building caved in at about 2:30 pm, with many trapped under the structure.
Sources Claimed that before the structure caved in on Monday, the property owner had been preventing officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other building regulatory agencies from gaining access into the structure
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that he has activated the agency’s emergency response plan to the above incident.
According to him, all first responders are enroute to secure the scene while the heavy duty equipment and life detection equipment have been dispatched.
The Ibadan Prime Youth Forum (IPYF) on Monday congratulates the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan as he resumes Office, describes him as a round peg in a round hole.
In a statement by the National Coordinator, Dr Oluwatunmise Adeagbo said “On behalf of all the youths of Ibadanland under the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes with the name IPYF, we congratulate Professor Adebowale on this mile stone achievement. We knew when the agitation for having an Ibadan-born as the VC started, and we are happy that it’s happening while we are alive. It is not that the University has never produced any competent Indigene who are qualified for the position, but the problem has always been politics, we are glad that this time around, a competent son of the soil has been given the mantle of leadership, given his wealth of experience in academics and administration, we believe that he will make a difference”
Prof. Adebowale was born on 11 January, 1962 in Ibadan, Oyo state. He completed his B.Sc in Chemistry in 1984; M.Sc in Industrial Chemistry in 1986 and Ph.D in 1991.
The new Vice Chancellor began his academic career at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in October, 1991, as a Lecturer Grade II. He returned to UI in 1999 as a Senior Lecturer and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in October 2006. He had post-doctoral experience in Germany and Italy. His cognate administrative experience includes: Dean, Faculty of Science, 2009-2011; Director Special Duties Office of the Vice-Chancellor, 2015-2017 and two-term Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), 2018 till he was appointed.
He is a Fellow of the following learned societies: Science Association of Nigeria; Chemical Society of Nigeria; Polymer Institute of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Science.
Outside the shores of the country, Professor Adebowale is a Fellow Royal Society of Chemistry (UK); African Academy of Science (Kenya), and Alexander von Humboldt (Germany). He is happily married with three children.
The National Coordinator of the Forum Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo also admonishes the the new VC to use his experiences to sustain and improve the standard of the University achievement both in academics and other areas.
“Let me also add that University of Ibadan is known for greatness, the University has won many medals in Science, Arts and other areas, we want the new VC to sustain this and improve on them, we have no doubt in his ability to succeed and we pray that the Lord be with him”
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the widow of the late spokesperson of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, was delivered of bouncing twins – a boy and a girl – at a United States of America hospital on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
This is according to a release posted on her Facebook account on Sunday.
According to the release, the mother and the babies are in excellent health condition.
It reads: “The “miracle” birth fulfilled the wishes of the late Odumakin towards the end of his sojourn on earth to have another baby to be named after him.
“The couple got married in 1997, had their first baby girl in 2000 and the second, a boy, in 2003. While the girl was named after Joe, the boy was named Abraham after the late Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya.
“The twins are coming 18 years after the last childbirth.
“After he survived a three-day coma in 2020 and a few months before he succumbed to the illness that eventually but unexpectedly claimed his life, YO, as he is fondly called, developed a strong desire for him and his wife to have another baby.
“Thank God Joe did not dither or procrastinate as she took in just about the time YO took ill and never recovered.
“It was good news that Joe conceived but YO never got to hear the news of his wishes coming to pass as he did not make it out of the ventilator.
“He had, however, prophetically left words concerning what the baby or babies should be called if his wishes materialised.
“YO was so accurate in his predictions that they could be twins (and their sex) that he gave the names of the babies and told his wife how he would raise them.
“While many may interpret this to mean that YO had premonition about his death, it was only a strong desire expressed by him to have babies that he would dot over and who would possibly step into his “aluta” shoes.
The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has decried the abandonment of roads in the ancient city by the Federal and state governments, making transportation of persons and goods a herculean exercise within the Ile-Ife metropolis.
Ooni Ogunwusi made this known on Sunday during the commissioning of a 700 metres road at the popular Odo-Ogbe market (Oja Tuntun), Ile-Ife, facilitated by the Ife-born Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative matters, (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.
“I really do not know our offence in Ife to deserve the poor road network that surround us. It is not enough to call Ife the source, this city deserves to be treated as the true source of humanity that it is.
“It is so bad that the same government that has refused to fix our roads is the one denying us access to do what we can do ourselves. All we hear is that” it is a government road” so we have to keep waiting.
“We are aware that the government cannot do it alone, so, we want them to put up a scheme, like a form of concession on all major roads in Ife. We would look for able personalities within the community, they will fix the roads and they will give them task credit. It is the same.
“Let government give us that opportunity and see whether we will perform or not, we can now replicate it in other communities across the state and country. We are willing and able to do that on all major roads in Ile-Ife, all we need is a form of concessioning in that regard.
On the Odo-Ogbe market road facilitated by the President’s aide, Ooni Ogunwusi described the politician a committed Ife son, urging his political contemporaries to emulate the good traits and shun unhealthy rivalry.
“I am proud of you and I am sure that Ife sons and daughters especially those in politics have seen lessons to learn from his (Omoworare)’s conducts especially when it comes to developmental politics.
“I call on all politicians across Ifeland to join hands to develop our heritage regardless of political differences. Ife is bigger than us all, so we must place it above personal interests.” The Ooni added.
Earlier in his address, Senator Omoworare reassured the Ooni and everyone present of the government’s support towards the development of the ancient city.
The former lawmaker said, “I wish to authoritatively confirm to you that in the newly presented Budget by President Muhammadu Buhari, major projects especially road works will be done in Ife. I know of the Mayfair, Lagere, Iremo and Moore roads among others.
“Also, the proposed mini stadium in Erefe, Ile-Ife would be completed within the next six months while the much talked-about Naval Communication School would be completed soon in Ife. These and more are our lofty plans for Ife, all we need is prayers and support from all.”
Osun State Governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola was represented at the event by the State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Tajudeen Eniafe Lawal, at the event that was heavily attended by prominent Ife indigene and members of the Ife Development Board(IDB) led by its President Comrade L.O. Awowoyin.
Eventually, the much-touted PDP convention has come and gone. The convention; amidst court case instituted by the erstwhile national chairman of the party, Prince Secondus, began on October 30th and ended on 31st of same month.
The convention was at the instance of the election and ratification of National Executive Council officials. The National Executive Committee is the body saddled with the responsibility of running the affairs of the party. The body is crucial to the presidential primary of the party.
The issue of who controls the party machinery is not a child’s play. The fierceness that is associated with the exercise is understandable because the convention is a battle ground to test wits, popularity and relevance. Thus, the unending maneuvering and nocturnal meetings.
There are power blocs in every party. Meanwhile, the most vocal bloc is the governors’ forum. Senators’ forum and others are not as powerful as the committee of state governors.
Political parties get funds from elected officers in form of levies, donations from wealthy political bigwigs and gratifications from manufacturing cum construction companies. The list is endless. However, the bulk of the fund comes from the governors. Thus, their over-bearing influence. As long as the governors remain the major financiers of a political party, the control of the structure would reside in them. He who pays the Piper, dictates the tune.
The victories of both Dr. Ayu as national chairman and Taofeek Arapaja as Deputy Chairman South are products of secret cult – like relationship amongst the governors. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu is a known figure in the party. He was once a senate president in Nigeria. Ayu was the candidate of his state governor, Ortom while Taofeek Arapaja, who himself was once a deputy governor to Alao Akala of Oyo state was the annointed candidate of governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
It was reported that two hours before voting, Atiku, Saraki and Lamido shrugged off their big men status as they made their way to state pavilions housing delegates to lure delegates in support for Oyinlola. The deft move was meant to neutralize the influence of the governors. However, the move turned out an exercise in futility as Arapaja polled a whooping total of 2,004 votes to beat Oyinlola’s meagre votes of 705 .
The defeat of former governor of osun state, Oyinlola by Taofeek Arapaja was as a result of his closeness to Obasanjo. The governors of the party are obviously not pleased with any retired general dictating the pace in the party again. Whatever respect they hitherto had for them; especially OBJ, may have vanished due to the manner with which the former president disgraced the party when he tore his membership ID card in the full glare of the world. The action of Obasanjo was a misnormer. It was least expected of a personality like him. Obasanjo should not have torn the identity card in the public. One expected somebody like him to be able to control his adrenaline. Adrenal gland controls anger. Anger lacks timidity.
The action of Obasanjo was in the governors’ blast radius. It drew the ire of the governors and that was why his influence was laid to waste. Oyinlola was also a former governor but his intimacy with Obasanjo was his albatross. That he once ditched the party for APC was another stroke in the camel’s back.
One noticeable development within the party is the uncommon love now existing within the rank and file of PDP governors. For the first time in the history of the party, the governors now speak with one voice. The unanimity in the decisions taken so far; from the ouster of Uche Seconds to the convention is a testament to the mutual trust. Party positions were shared amongst the governors and were followed to the letter without much ado, legal tussle to stop the convention were unanimously confronted, the spirit of comraderie is waxing and regular communication within the party governors’ forum has improved. With this new-foumd love, it may be difficult for an “alien” to emerge as the party’s presidential election in 2023. The situation this time would be different from what transpired in the last convention where Alhaji Atiku stole the show despite the gang-up from some Rivers State governor, Wike. Governor Wike had threw his weight behind Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto with a reported caveat and a treaty that he would be picked as running mate.
Meanwhile, politics is not religion. Political trust is not wholesome. In politics, one needs to have a shock absorber. According to Asiwaju Tinubu; ” I have always prepared for disappointment”. This is wisdom. The interpretation of which is the non-existence of permanent friend or foe in politics. Former Oyo state governor, Senator Ladoja once gave an admonition that anything is possible in politics. No matter the vituperation and public criticism, politicians are always friends. Alhaji Atiku stood in as the groom’s father when Buhari’s son was wedding. The president was physically present. This is the politics of my dream. A political co-habitation where politicians could dine and wine together without suspicion. A situation where campaign would be issue-based. A situation where the atmosphere would be free from campaign of calumny and where political supporters would not fan embers of discord. Permit me to salute the courage of former governor Fayose on this aspect. It was only Fayose, outside APC, that went to visit Tinubu after his return from London medical treatment.
The administrative acumen of the convention planning committee chairman and Secretary are commendable. The duo of Governors Fintiri of Adamawa and Engineer Seyi Makinde of Oyo state did a yeoman’s job. They deserve a credit.
Now that the convention is over, two crucial issues await PDP. The threat by Secondus to approach supreme Court and the battle to pick 2023 presidential aspirants from the likes of the perennial presidential hopeful Atiku, Tambuwal and Saraki. Coincidentally, the trio were at the forefront in the last presidential primary convention.
All the same, the earlier the party mends fences, the more potent their opposition to APC come 2023.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News.
A group of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has called for a new date for the party’s state congress.
The group made the call in Ibadan at a news conference on their positions regarding Saturday’s congress of the party.
The leader of the group, Senator Ayo Adeseun said the delegates’ list for the planned congress has been totally manipulated.
He explained that for the congress to hold, the national body of the party must produce the authentic delegates’ list for the exercise.
Senator Adeseun claimed a sitting senator and former Governor of Oyo State were behind the doctored list claiming the national leadership of the APC must ensure that the consensus list which is still in possession of the current leadership of APC in the state is considered for the election.
The party chieftains at the news conference include Minister for Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, Governorship candidate of the party in 2019, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Professor Adeolu Akande and Barrister Sarafadeen Aĺi.
Others are Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Hon. Tolu Sadipe and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle.
PDP Elects New Members Of National Working Committee At The National Convention. See Full List.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has just elected a new set of members into its National Working Committee (NWC) to take over the leadership of the party.
Twenty-one people were elected at the party national convention which began on Saturday October 30 and lasted till Sunday October 31 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
See the full list of the newly-elected national officials:
National Chairman – Iyorchia Ayu
Deputy National Chairman (North) – Umar Damagum (Contested)
Deputy National Chairman (South) – Taofeek Arapaja (Contested)
National Secretary – Samuel Anyanwu (Unopposed)
National Treasurer – Ahmed Mohammed (Unopposed)
National Organising Secretary – Umar Bature (Unopposed)
National Financial Secretary – Daniel Woyegikuro (Unopposed)
National Women’s Leader – Professor Stella Effah-Attoe (Unopposed)
National Youth Leader – Muhammed Suleiman (Contested)
National Legal Adviser – Kamaldeen Ajibade (Unopposed)
National Publicity Secretary – Debo Ologunagba (Unopposed)
National Auditor – Okechuckwu Daniel (Unopposed)
Deputy National Secretary – Setoji Kosheodo (Unopposed)
Deputy National Treasurer – Ndubisi David (Unopposed)
Deputy National Publicity Secretary – Ibrahim Abdullahi (Unopposed)
Deputy National Organising Secretary – Ighoyota Amori (Unopposed)
Deputy National Financial Secretary – Adamu Kamale (Unopposed)
Deputy National Women’s Leader – Hajara Wanka (Unopposed)
Deputy National Youth Leader – Timothy Osadolor (Unopposed)
Deputy National Legal Adviser – Okechukwu Osuoha (Unopposed)
Deputy National Auditor – Abdulrahman Mohammed (Unopposed)
