News
Lagos seals eight-storey Ikoyi building under construction, threatens demolition
The Lagos State Government has sealed an eight-floor property belonging to Mikano Company after the firm ignored the stop work order earlier served on it.
The government threatened that demolition would follow if the needful was not done.
A statement on Monday indicated that the development was in continuation of the state government’s efforts aimed at restoring sanity to the built sector, especially along the waterfront corridor.
The property located on Queens’ Drive in Ikoyi, which is undergoing construction, was sealed during a joint inspection by the Commissioners for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, and Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Olayinka.
The commissioners expressed their displeasure at the disregard for the directive earlier issued on the firm to stop construction until it comes up with its documents, adding that the notion that the government is ignoring such infractions because of those involved is not true.
Alebiosu said, “The government cannot ignore and still ask us to go do what we are doing. It is a process. We have received several petitions and complaints, and that is why I am here with HC Physical Planning, to test the veracity of those claims.
“Although serious enforcement will start soon, we issued these people a stop work order two weeks ago, but they disobeyed. We are here today, and we saw them still working, so we had to stop them again, and you can see that they have obeyed that order. We are expecting them to give us their documentation.
“These people also need to go to the Ministry of Environment for their drainage application. They need their EIA, TIA from Transport, their surveys and some other things to get approvals. They cannot just jump on site and start construction. These are some of the infractions our ministry and physical planning have discovered from those applying for approvals.”
On his part, Olayinka said his office would come heavily on defaulters, adding that quit notices would be served and demolition would follow.
He said, “As you can see, we’ve gone around today. The laws of Lagos Physical Planning state that all developments need to be approved before you commence construction; and not only that, you need our control in terms of certifying stages.
“Most of the structures you see along the waterway do not have approval; that is why we are marking them. Those of them that we have identified to have extended beyond the approval given, we shall compel them to comply.
“However, there’s going to be a joint exercise among the relevant ministries, physical planning and waterfront, especially. We’re going to come out very heavily on this corridor and I mean it, very heavily. We’re going to compel them to abide by the law.
“So, I’m using this opportunity to warn those in this habit to stop. They should just go and do the right thing. Again, we’re going to come out very heavily. Quit notices will be served and demolition will follow.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to his Lagos residence for a private meeting on Monday.
Accompanying the governor was his elder brother and renowned businessman, Chief Adedeji Adeleke, along with his son, internationally acclaimed Afrobeats artiste David Adeleke, widely known by his stage name, Davido.
The visit was announced in a post by President Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared details on X on Tuesday.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives in audience H.E. Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, along with Chief Adedeji Adeleke and his son, Afrobeats icon Davido, at his Lagos residence,” Olusegun wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, the reason for the courtesy call had not been made public, and no official statement has been issued either by the Presidency or the Adeleke family.
Images from the visit have surfaced on social media, capturing moments from the closed-door meeting between the President and the Adeleke family members.
News
Nigeria should fence its borders for security, says defence chief
Nigeria shares borders with four countries: Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad. All of these neighbouring countries are currently dealing with different levels of insecurity and conflict.
Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, has called for the country to build fences along its borders to improve national security.
Speaking at a security conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Musa stressed the need for better control of Nigeria’s borders.
He pointed out that other countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have had to fence their borders with Afghanistan and Iraq because of security problems.
Musa said Nigeria needs to fully secure and control its borders, explaining that the country’s wealth and natural resources are attracting insurgents and criminals.
“It is Nigeria that everybody is interested in. That is why we need to secure fully and take control of our borders. It is critical for our survival and sovereignty.”
Nigeria shares borders with four countries: Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad. All of these neighbouring countries are currently dealing with different levels of insecurity and conflict.
• BusinessDay
News
President Tinubu confers CFR national honour on Bill Gates
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest honours, reserved for individuals who have significantly impacted national development or advanced the country’s standing globally.
From left: Bill Gates and President Tinubu / State House photo.
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on American philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
This was in recognition of his contributions to health, education, and poverty alleviation, particularly in Nigeria and across Africa.
The honour was presented during Gates’ visit to Nigeria, which included meetings with President Tinubu and other officials to discuss reforms in the country’s primary healthcare system.
His itinerary also includes participation in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event and engagements with scientists and stakeholders working to expand AI-driven health solutions
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest honours, reserved for individuals who have significantly impacted national development or advanced the country’s standing globally.
Gates, who is 69, said his ongoing engagement with Africa is both a “moral responsibility and a strategic investment.”
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Tinubu hosts Gov Adeleke, Davido at Lagos residence (Photos)
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