Young Shall Grow boss drags Lagos council to court over parcel of land

Lagos-based businessman, Chief Vincent Obianodo (The Young Shall Grow) has taken the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Valentine Buraimoh, to court for the illegal and forceful seizure of a parcel of land belonging to his company, ‘Vinee Oil Nigeria Limited.’

He complained that the local government authorities illegally trespassed on the land at Second Avenue, Opposite Old NEPA Office, a stone throw from 22 Road junction, FESTAC Town.

In the suit the 73 year-old transporter is praying the Lagos State High Court, Lagos Division, for an interlocutory injunction retraining further action on the land by the council, pending the determination of the case. He is also seeking N100 million damages for the alleged trespass.

Crisis had broken out between the prominent businessman and the council, following the illegal seizure of the land near Agboju Market, and its conversion into the proposed ‘Ope-Oluwa Market’ by the council.

Businessman issues creditor N5m dud cheque Obianodo, who is still recuperating from the gun shots he received from suspected kidnappers in Lagos, urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the House of Assembly to prevail on the council chairman to stop the illegal acquisition of his land.

His counsel, Kennedy Okwara, said the council trespassed on the land in violation of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law (2016), which forbids forceful takeover of another person’s property.

He recalled that, following the acquisition of the expansive FESTAC/Amuwo Odofin land from Oluwa, Alado, Alamuwo and Onitire families in 1976, the land was vested in the Federal Housing Authority, which allocated it to Chief Obianodo in 1992.

Okwara stressed: “As a registered petroleum, oil and associated products’ dealership company, upon application, our client was formally allotted the parcel in 1992 by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and following its acceptance of the offer of allocation and compliance with all stipulated conditions, it was let into exclusive and undisturbed possession thereof.”

The lawyer said the allotted parcel, which was overgrown by wild bushes, marshy, water lodges and unattractive asset, was sand filled at the cost of N10 million between 1995 and 1996.

Okwara lamented that around May 25, the council chairman, accompanied by his agents, security men, contractor, together with bulldozers, pay loaders, graders and other heavy equipment, supervised the destruction of the concrete structures on the land and the dispersal of indigent petty traders on the land.

Decrying what he described as an “indiscriminate, reckless, irresponsible, mindless, criminal, trespassorial and illegal destruction,” he said the chairman resisted efforts to reach him and ignored the “stop work orders” and written cautions served on him by the FHA, which is the allocating and supervising federal agency in charge of Festac Town.

Okwara urged Sanwo-Olu to prevail on the council chairman to desist from the “sustained provocative and illegal activities of the chairman,” thereby preventing the temptation to resort to self-help.

He added: “We hereby implore you, as governor and chief security officer of Lagos State, to step in, not only to call the chairman of Amuwo Odofin Council to order, but also direct him to vacate our client’s parcel.”

Also urging the House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to wade into the crisis, Okwara said: “The council chairman has violated the Lagos State Properties Protection Law 2016, which was conceived and midwifed into operations by the House under your leadership. We urge you to urgently intervene in this matter, investigate it and of found liable, the culprit should be subjected to punishment or penalty.”

Kogi Guber: Yahaya Bello dumps Deputy Governor, picks Edward Onoja as running mate

Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has picked his Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja, as his running mate for the November 16 governorship election.

This comes months after he had a public fallout with his Deputy, Simon Achuba.

Bello submitted Onoja’s name to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during his trip to Abuja last week.

One of his aides confirmed this development in a brief exchange of messages.

When asked if the Governor had picked Onoja, he simply replied: “Yes”, before providing a link one of the social media pages of the Chief of Staff.

Bello emerged as the APC’s flagbearer almost two weeks ago.

He won the primary conducted in Lokoja, the state capital on Thursday by 3,127 votes.

A total of 3,596 delegates were accredited.

Obasanjo, Jonathan, others meet in Benin

Two former Presidents of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan were among the dignitaries who attended the 85th birthday thanksgiving service of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, on Sunday in Benin, Edo.

NAN reports that the event, which took place at the Saint Gabriel, the ArchAngel Catholic Church, was also attended by traditional rulers, politicians, clergies, parishioners, friends and well-wishers of the patriarch.

Delivering the homily, entitled: “Gratitude and Thanksgiving: A fulfillment of God’s will”, Rev. Father Alfred Agbonlahor, charged the congregation to take thanksgiving, a moral obligation of Christians, seriously in order to attract God’s blessings.

The priest cited relevant sections of the Bible on gratitude, including, Luke Chapter 17: verses 11-19, when Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, encountered ten lepers, healed them, but only one returned to thank Jesus afterward.

He described the celebrant as “a man after God’s heart and a distinguished entrepreneur who has contributed immensely to human capital development in Edo in particular and Nigeria at large.

*He is a dogged man who does not give up in the face of daunting challenges in life.

“If there is no investment, there is no future.

You have diversified your investment; even before we were born, you raised many people through your act of generosity”.

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare, II was represented at the event by the Obasogie of Benin, Chief Eduwu Ekhator and the Aiwerioghene of Benin Chief H. Bazuaye while the The Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe was also present.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III graced the occasion while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi sent goodwill messages.

A former Senate Deputy president, Ibrahim Mantu, former Senate Whip, Sen. Rowland Owie, former ministers of Industry, Mrs Nike Akande, and Science and Technology, Prof. Emmanuel Emovon were also in attendance.

Others were Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, representing Edo South senatorial district, Prince Sunny Omatseye and retired Deputy Inspector-General of police, Mr Parry Osayande.

One dead as APC primary turns bloody

One person died on Sunday when suspected hoodlums attacked an electoral officer for announcing Mr Abdullahi Suleiman Chukuba as the winner of chairmanship primary for Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Chukuba participated on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alhaji Adamu Usman, Commissioner of Police, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

He said that five other persons also sustained injury during the attack.

He said that the Divisional Police Officer and other security agencies had taken the returning officer from the collation centre to Minna.

He explained that after announcing the results, some people loyal to the defeated aspirant, Alhaji Akilu Isiyaku, attacked the returning officer and damaged his vehicle.

“One Isa Saidu lost his life and five others injured during the incident”, he said.

The commissioner said that the command would do everything humanly possible to arrest those responsible and bring them to book.

”Thuggery, intimidation and demonstration of violent conduct will not be tolerated before, during and after the local government elections.

”We will not tolerate any act capable of bringing confusion to the state before, during and after the elections,” he said.

The police chief warned that any person or group

MADAV HOSTS CONTESTANTS, VOLUNTEERS IN LAGOS

The management of Podium Radio and Television will today hist Winners and all contestants of the previous Face of Podium competition and volunteers of MADAV ( Movement Against Drug Abuse and Violence ) at a get together in Lagos, Nigeria.

The management who had earlier promised a dinner with the Winners has extended the opportunity to all contestants and volunteers of MADAV.

The Prime sponsor, Titi Aboyade Cole (TAC) popularly known as The Coach, who had earlier did data subscription to all participants, would be joining the get together in Lagos Nigeria, all the way from London, United Kingdom.

The get together will be hosting pioneer Nollywood stars, stand up comedians and upcoming Music Artistes.

It was also gathered that other sponsors had redeemed their pledges to the winners.

The management hopes to get a strategic way forward as regards MADAV at the end of the show today.

What Dapo Abiodun’s committee recommended for upgrade of MAPOLY

The review committee set up by Gov Dapo Abiodun to look into the controversies surrounding the upgrade of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) to Moshood Abiola University of Technology (MAUSTECH), Abeokuta and the creation of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia said it recommended public-private partnership for the take-off of the university.

The committee also said it observed that the Ogun State Polytechnic that was earlier established in Ipokia was no more viable after the restoration of MAPOLY back to Abeokuta; adding that the facilities and structures in Ipokia were just lying waste.

However, the committee did not disclose whether the much controversial MAUSTECH would remain in Abeokuta or be moved to Ipokia.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, the Chairman of the committee, Prof. Segun Awonusi, intimated that members took the views of all stakeholders, including students, lecturers and traditional rulers into consideration before taking its final decision.

Awonusi said the committee, noting that the law that established MAUSTECH had not been repealed, saw the need for the involvement of the private sector in running the university.

“We saw the situation on ground. We saw that the law that established MAUSTECH has not been repelled. So we saw the need for government and private sector partnership and we put that recommendation forward to the government.” he explained.

On Ogun Poly, Awonusi refused to disclose what the committee’s recommendation was when he said:

“We also saw the law that established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia; but we observed that (Ogun Poly) Ipokia is no longer viable, because according to Former Gov Ibikunle Amosun, MAPOLY was simply moved to Ipokia so that they too can have a higher institution of learning in that area.

“If MAPOLY has been returned to Abeokuta and it is doing well now, then Ipokia and all the structures there, are just lying waste and may be prone to vandalisation. Again, we make appropriate recommendation to government as to what they can do.

“But what we recommended about the site in Ipokia is with the government. You know it is not our duty to make the recommendation public for now. Government sent us to do this work and courtesy demands we give our recommendations to government.

Asked if it was recommended that MAUSTECH should remain in Abeokuta, Prof. Awonusi retorted, “Like I said before, it is government that can disclose what we recommended. It is not the duty of the committee. But I can assure you that we did our best, we all agreed on our decisions and we look at the views of all stakeholders before making our recommendations”

Saga Gist reports that Governor Abiodun, on Thursday, said his administration would be cautious with its decisions on MAUSTECH.

Abiodun said this while receiving the report of the Review Committee on MAUSTECH/MAPOLY/OGUNPOLY crisis in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor expressed displeasure that the MAUSTECH, Abeokuta, could not take off two years after it was established.

LAUTECH: You are responsible for university’s backwardness, not me – Oyetola fires back at Makinde

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has on Friday implored his Oyo state counterpart, Mr. Seyi Makinde not to incite workers of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and the people of Oyo state against the government and people of Osun state.

Oyetola gave this warning while reacting to a statement credited to Makinde where he (Makinde) said that Osun state government is the one still behind in fulfilling its obligations in the institution jointly owned by the two states.

It was gathered that Makinde, had while speaking on his 100 days in office on Thursday, accused Osun State government of not paying the salaries of workers of the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. Makinde said that he will not mind if the school is divided to allow each of the owner-states to go in its own.

He said, “If we have to split up, then so be it, I won’t shy away from this divorce. LAUTECH is very important to Ogbomoso.”

But, Oyetola while reacting, declared that Osun State government has been living up to its expectations and performing its responsibility as equal partner in the LAUTECH ownership.

Oyetola in a statement signed by Supervisor, Ministry of Information and Strategy on Friday evening said that the outburst by Makinde shown that the Oyo state Governor needs proper briefing and extensive readings on LAUTECH.

The statement reads, “The attention of the State Government of Osun has been drawn to a statement credited to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on his official twitter handle where he frivolously accused the state government of not paying the salary of workers of the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

“We will like to state that for 29 years of existence, Osun Government has been living up to its expectations and performing his responsibility as equal partner in the LAUTECH ownership, notwithstanding the obvious cheating from the Oyo government.

“Governor Seyi Makinde needs proper briefing and extensive readings on LAUTECH before he could make factual and objective remarks. Presently, he obviously does not have sufficient facts, or maybe playing greed man script. And as a matter of fact, we are aware that the governor had during his campaign promised to acquire LAUTECH and makes it the property of Oyo government alone. We are not surprised that he started on a wrong note of blackmail on the university matter.

“However, Governor Seyi Makinde needs to be properly informed that Osun government does not owe LAUTECH workers’ salary, since it took over the payment in July this year. What is outstanding is the August subvention which is being arranged alongside other statutory expenses of Osun government. It is unpleasant that Governor Makinde took to his twitter handle in an attempt to make a cheap political point on Osun. That is unbecoming of a governor.

“May we remind the governor that in 2017, the Osun government committed a sum of N1, 250, 000, 000, and in 2018, Osun government paid N500, 000, 000. Between July 2010 and July 2016, Osun paid a total sum of N8, 692, 488, 234.04. Osun has offset the LAUTECH workers July salary with N300, 000, 000 this year. We challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to tell the public what Oyo has contributed to LAUTECH between 2010 and 2019. The governor should be mindful of what he will say on LAUTECH.

“When owner states were asked to pay N500m each for take-off after the visitation panel, Osun duly paid its own, but we are yet to have evidence of payment by our boasting counterpart. Governor Seyi Makinde should be worried on why LAUTECH has not been self-sufficient in terms of funding and academic advancement since its creation, while Osun State University which was created a few years ago is making ways financially and academically.

“We expect Governor Makinde to rise above the petty game of blackmail and attempt to incite the LAUTECH Workers and the Oyo people at large against the government of Osun and the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola who is very responsive and committed to workers plight.

“It is a known fact that Oyo had always wanted to own LAUTECH alone but it is our common patrimony and nobody can appropriate it through blackmail or whatever. Osun is not in any way forcing itself on the joint ownership of LAUTECH. The supposed ‘plan to split’ signed by former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former governor Alao Akala was a ruse. There is a legal and sincere process to be followed if Oyo state is indeed interested in taking over LAUTECH. Osun government will be happy if Governor Makinde initiates that process.

“Osun has always been cheated on LAUTECH: only one (1) out of the eight (8) academic faculties is in Osun, Oyo has about twice of the staff strength of the University. Osun single-handedly funded the infrastructure development in the LAUTECH campus in Osun; also 85 per cent of the total institution’s infrastructure is in Oyo, whereas funding is equally carried out. Despite this, we are fully committed to joint ownership of our joint heritage.

“Governor Oyetola who is passionate about functional education, a team player and a goal-getter will not cease in funding LAUTECH.

The amiable Governor Seyi Makinde is urged to take a deeper and more rational outlook at the matters of existence and operation of LAUTECH, otherwise, he will get lost in the shenanigans of LAUTECH OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL. Oyo has been a great cheat on Osun in this matter and only a dispassionate and discerning mind can deductively make good sense out of the situation. GSM is thus advised to take rational path before making statements on LAUTECH matter.”