TheNewsGuru

Tag: ikoyi

  • Ikoyi collapsed building: Femi Osibona’s family speaks on alleged feud with his wife

    Ikoyi collapsed building: Femi Osibona’s family speaks on alleged feud with his wife

     

    The family of the Managing Director of Fourscore Homes, Femi Osibona, has refuted reports in the media of a feud between the wife of the deceased and his siblings.

    It spoke in a statement titled: “Putting the records straight about the libellous vituperations on Femi Osibona’s family.”

    The statement by a lawyer, Olufemi Adeniyi, on Monday read: “Just few hours after the official announcement of the passing of Mr Femi Osibona (Fourscore), the owner of the ill fated multi storey Ikoyi building, I was alarmed and literally emetic, to put it mildly, to read the heartless publication: ‘wife, brothers of late owner of collapsed Ikoyi building, Osibona fight over bank details, exotic cars, other assets, engaged lawyers’.

    “What a wicked imagination from the heart of man, whom the erring news medium called, Source!

    “This ignominious report came, as I said, at a time family, friends, classmates, church members, well wishers and thousands of acquaintances of the deceased, some Ikenne indigenes, three Ex-Mays, staff of the deceased and others who lost their lives were thrown into a bereavement. The online media house that carried the news at first, to everyone’s knowledge, is known for it’s biased conducts in reportages – which I wouldn’t take my precious time to talk about.

    “Its viral contents, thereafter, got to the laps of idle persons, (equipped with a phone and data without professional wherewithal), who transmit unconfirmed news items from their homes, and off it goes. Posted, shared, liked, circulated. Lies becomes truth. The reports mentioned wife, brothers, family, etc. I have often wondered if the ‘source’ of such a news outlet with a household name doesn’t supply the names of the characters involved, I feel sorry for what journalism has turned into. It is true that in a time of universal deceit, truth is a revolutionary act.

    “Now, here is the truth of the matter.

    “The ‘brothers’ that the sadistic media houses referred to were actually Ebun, who is female and Lanre, both of whom have no time to ambush anyone on any matter whatsoever. They are the best anyone would love to dwell. While the wife in reference is a peace-loving soulful woman, Doyin, all of whom as a united family are still, more than anyone, grieving over the loss of their departed loved one. Doyin had just returned home from UK with her second daughter Pelumi who is studying medicine abroad, in order to meet the family and plan a befitting burial for her husband. It was all tears, hugs, condolences, sympathy, comfort, solace, prayers, and fellow feeling that followed, having not seen one another in weeks. Photos don’t lie. Just this past Saturday, 6th day of November, 2021, the grieving family were together consoling one another, as evidenced in this shot I stumbled upon, picturing Femi Osibona’s wife, one of the assumed ‘brothers’ in the carefree report, who actually is the deceased sister Ebun and Sola Olabiran the deceased big brother/confidant.

    “I plead with the public to allow this family mourn peacefully, and cease from speculating unsubstantiated suppositions. Unfortunately, the assumption of fights and discord in the family which I just put on straight record and rest is only one of the numerous false allegations that is being peddled about the late Femi Osibona and the collapsed building on Gerrard Street.”

     

     

  • Osinbajo speaks on ownership of collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi

    Osinbajo speaks on ownership of collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has refuted claims that he owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

    Osinbajo, who condoled with the families and relatives of all those who have died and those who were injured or affected in the collapsed building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, described the incident as a horrible tragedy.

    Reacting to allegations that the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and reports that he some time ago intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property, Osinbajo maintained that he has never been involved in the development of any land since he became Vice President.

    A statement issued by Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity said, ”At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.

    ”All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

    ”Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.”

    Osinbajo further explained that he has no interest and has never had any interest, in the land, the building or development.

    ”The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.” the statement reads in part.’

    The Vice President added that he has referred the ‘disgraceful’ publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

  • Ikoyi Building Collapse: Sanwo-Olu declares 3-day mourning

    Ikoyi Building Collapse: Sanwo-Olu declares 3-day mourning

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared three days of mourning over the collapsed Ikoyi building, which occurred on Monday.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said no fewer than 32 persons were believed to have died in the incident as at 2.00p.m. of Thursday.

    He said that all flags were to be flown at half-mast in public and private buildings and official engagements cancelled during the mourning period.

    The governor said that the mourning would begin on Friday and end on Sunday.

    ”The Lagos State Government, once again, commiserates with all those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu had visited the site thrice to encourage the rescuers and console relations of those believed to have been trapped under debris of the 21-storey building.

    He was also at the hospital on Thursday to cheer up those injured, before swearing in a six-member panel of inquiry to find out why the building went down and recommend measures to prevent such incidents.

  • NEMA gives update on collapsed Lagos high-rise building

    NEMA gives update on collapsed Lagos high-rise building

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says it has so far recovered 32 dead bodies from the collapsed building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    NEMA Acting Coordinator, Lagos State Territorial District, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed this on Thursday.

    He added that nine injured persons had also been pulled out from the rubble as rescue operation entered its fourth day.

    Farinloye said the survivors included a female and eight males.

    He said the operation would continue to ground zero as the agency had a mandate to rescue and recover trapped victims whether dead or alive.

    The 21-storey building under construction collapsed at about 3 p.m. on Monday, trapping in many workers.

    The incident has brought all commercial activities, including vehicular movement around the area, to a halt.

    The Police Area “A” Commander, ACP Bode Ojajuni, as well as other security agencies including the Army, NSCDC, Defence, LASTMA, Road Safety, among others, have been on ground to ensure smooth rescue operation since the incident occurred.

    The scene has turned to a tourist attraction of sort, forcing a hike in public transportation, particularly by commercial motorcyclists.

  • Ikoyi building collapse: Sanwo-Olu reveals identities of survivors

    Ikoyi building collapse: Sanwo-Olu reveals identities of survivors

    The Lagos State Government has announced the name of survivors that are presently undergoing treatment at the Lagos Marina Hospital.

    The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, read out the names while addressing the press, during his second visit to the site on Wednesday.

    Sanwo-Olu stated the names and ages of the survivors that were found under the rubble of the 21-storey building that collapsed on Monday on Gerrard Road, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

    According to the Governor, six of the nine survivors are currently undergoing treatment while three have been discharged.

    Below are the names of the survivors, as announced by the Governor.

    1 Odutan Timileyin, 26-year-old man.

    2 Ahmed Kenleku, 19- year-old man from Cotonou.

    3 Sunday Monday, a 21-year-old man who suffered a leg fracture.

    4 Adeniran Mayowa, a 37-year-old man who suffered a hip injury.

    5. Shola Bade Nurudeen, 33-years old man, who has a pelvic injury.

    6. Waliu Lateef, 32-year-old.

    Sanwo-Olu stated that three have been discharged, but did not specify their gender or give any detail about them.

  • Lessons from Ikoyi building collapse – By Akinyele Oladeji

    Lessons from Ikoyi building collapse – By Akinyele Oladeji

    By Akinyele Oladeji

    I wasn’t going to offer any opinion on the matter of the Ikoyi collapsed tower for several reasons but I see a lot of misconceptions being peddled here.

    When accidents happen, everyone suddenly has an opinion as to the reason why the accident occurred. Hmmm, no wonder the Yoruba adage says ‘eniti cocoa e ba ye, lo mo lo’ … it is the farmer whose cocoa tree survives that knows how to plant. However, accident always happens because something has gone wrong not necessarily due to negligence or incompetence.

    Sadly oftentimes our lynch mentality obscures our capacity to investigate the root cause of what went wrong so as to take preventive measures. Someone must always be blameworthy!

    As close as June 2021, a tower collapsed in Miami…. was it the developer that was culpable in Almighty USA with all the regulations? Also, In the highbrow Kensington area of London, a 24 storey building caught fire claiming 72 lives in 2017… was it the owner that was culpable?

    Accidents happen and there are cogent lessons for everyone. In this particular instance of the Ikoyi collapse, there are too many lessons and too many questions for all stakeholders… developers, consultants, regulators, financial services as well as off-takers. Confidence in the industry will wane and the far reaching implications are too gruesome for contemplation. What has collapsed is far more than a building! The secondary property market is the source of prosperity of great nations and that is what has gone down with that structure. Most people will not touch high rise ever again with a ten foot pole. Again how will prospective developers access funds going forward? Regulators will have knee jack reactions with a lot of obnoxious regulations… they are already mulling a law in Lagos that anything above 4 floors must be built by the likes of Julius Berger, el allan, cappa etc what does that portend for indigenous contractors? Off-taker fund will be paid into government escrow account and will be accessible with bank guarantee or insurance bonds. Without off-takers funds , developers will have to borrow from commercial banks at close 30%! Everyone will be looking for money to buy land and develop on their own, that means certain areas will be off limits to most people . With N200m you can own a comfortable apartment in Ikoyi from developers whereas you will need like a billion naira to own land before talking about construction! Imagine if everyone has to buy their own land in London to own asset?

    Yesterday was really a sad day for Nigeria! All the gains of the past 3 decades in real estate may have gone down with the Ikoyi property!

    I take exception to the blame game going on here and make bold to say that with this kind of ‘pull him down attitude’ we may be too blindsided to really investigate the root cause of the collapse. What manner of collapse was that? Looked like controlled demolition to me, not touching any of the close buildings!

    I knew the late developer, Femi Osibona. He was a very personable, passionate man with a heart of lion. Like most entrepreneurs, he may be a little impectuos but was certainly not a criminal, neither was he suicidal. He was planning to live in one of the penthouses. I was there with him to pray severally. He developed in London, built in South Africa and did a 40 apartment estate on Mosley road Ikoyi. Dele Momodu lives in one of the penthouses there. I will share real pictures of the development that came down and you will certainly not see any sign of stress. Engineers, public servants, builders , professionals bought into the project and paid millions of dollars. Were they all stupid? I saw the c of o and even have a copy, Lagos State has come out to say 21 storey was approved. The structurer engineer that released a funny letter of withdrawal of service acted in bad faith. Was there an acknowledgment on the original letter he shared? Did he copy the authorities? How convenient to leak the letter after the disaster? Trevi foundation did the foundation of my friend’s house in Gbagada/maryland arowojobe area and the building sank ! That area has ended the career of many brilliant consultants because of the shifting soil texture? Another friend’s house is sinking at Osborne foreshore not because of defective foundation but settling sand. Nowadays Can we even guarantee the integrity of all materials? A lot could have gone wrong…. Let’s wait for the report of the experts before we cast our stones.

    An accident has happened, lives were lost , people’s husbands, fathers, sons, daughters … these are people amongst us … it could have been one of the days I was there! The least we can do is show empathy and let the authorities do their work . I am sad and bereaved of a passionate entrepreneur and Christian brother. May his soul Rest In Peace.

     

     

    ~ Akinyele Oladeji, a public affairs analyst writes from Lagos

  • Ikoyi building collapse: Victims under rubble call family members for rescue

    Ikoyi building collapse: Victims under rubble call family members for rescue

    Victims under the rubbles of the collapsed 21-storey building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State are calling family members for rescue, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) has learnt.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the calls by the victims under the rubble have generated agitations and protests from relatives and friends who gathered at the entrance of the gate requesting to be allowed to join in the operation.

    It was gathered that a youth corps member, named Oridamola Zainab, is one of the victims trapped inside the rubbles calling her family members for rescue.

    The Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, who was pacifying the agitators, pleaded with them to calm down, assuring that the rescue team would surely get to the ground zero, “but it will take time’’.

    After a long protest, 10 young men who claimed to be relations of the victims were later selected to join the rescue team.

    Meanwhile, Farinloye had said said no fewer than 15 dead bodies and nine injured persons have been recovered from the rubbles of the collapsed 21-storey building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

    TNG reports Farinloye confirmed this at the scene of the incident on Tuesday. The building under construction crumbled at about 3 p.m. on Monday, with about 50 workers feared trapped.

    “So far, 15 dead bodies and nine injured persons have been dug out of the rubbles. When the Deputy Governor of Lagos State was here, we had about 10 dead bodies recovered and five more had been discovered as the operation continued,’’ he said.

    The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu told NAN that emergency responders worked all night long with flood-light in the rescue operation.

    Oke-Osanyintolu said that about eight cranes were being used for rescue operations.

    Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, who visited the scene sympathised with the victims’ families, describing the incident as unfortunate.

    Baba said there was a need to strengthen the regulatory agencies in charge of such high-rise buildings.

    He stressed that strict supervision by such agencies would avoid such incidents in future.

    “Those in charge of the construction that compromised the standard of work should be prosecuted,’’ the IG-P said.

    Our focus is to rescue as many people – Lagos State Government

    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.

    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.

  • How collapsed building owner got approval for 15 floors, constructed 21 with ‘terrible, inferior materials’ – Lagos building agency

    How collapsed building owner got approval for 15 floors, constructed 21 with ‘terrible, inferior materials’ – Lagos building agency

    The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, says the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building, under construction in Ikoyi, was given approval to construct only 15 floors.

    Mr Oki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the telephone that the owner of the property has been arrested and would face the law because people have died in the disaster.

    “He got an approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit. I am on ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.

    “The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.

    “I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.

    The GM said four people were rescued and three people died, adding that rescue efforts were still ongoing.

    “We are still here and have four machines working as at this moment,” he told NAN.

    At least 50 people are reportedly trapped under the rubble after a 21-storey building collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the building, located at 20, Gerrard Road, collapsed at about 3 p.m. on Monday.

  • BREAKING: 21-storey building under construction in Lagos collapses, casualties unknown

    BREAKING: 21-storey building under construction in Lagos collapses, casualties unknown

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG has it that a 21-storey building under construction in Gerrard Road, Ikoyi area of Lagos State just collapsed.

    According to reports, some workers were trapped in the rubles.

    The details of the casualties is still sketchy but a video from the scene suggests that the owner of the structure is trapped in there.

    Emergency workers, it was learnt, were yet to get to the scene at the time of this report.

    More details soon…

     

  • Lagos police open up on viral news of kidnapping on Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge

    Lagos police open up on viral news of kidnapping on Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge

    The Lagos State Police Command has allayed the fears of the general public, particularly residents of Lekki-Ikoyi axis on the viral news that Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge has become a kidnappers’ den and security threat to people who live in the area as well as those plying the route.

    A statement signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi (Mnipr), Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, noted that the Command was taken aback with the viral news on social media platforms that the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge is dangerous and should be avoided because many innocent citizens have been kidnapped and ransom paid.

    CSP Adejobi stated categorically that nothing is further from the truth, stressing that there was never any kidnapping or information relating to such incident in the area according to the records of the Command, either on the 12th March, 2021, as being speculated, or before the date. He said the rumours are being peddled by mischief makers for reasons best known to them.

    The Public Affairs Officer asserted that the link bridge is being safeguarded by the Rapid Response Squad’s team and Police operatives attached to Ikoyi Division on 24-hour basis, in addition to having a makeshift structure as an operational room at a strategic location along the bridge, as well as the deployment of one serviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to complement the security arrangement in the area.

    Adejobi said, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has appealed to the general public to disregard the news and move freely on all roads and in all areas of Lagos State as no road or area has been declared a ‘No Go Area’ in the State”.