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Bodex Media Celebrates Mike Adenuga at 73, Salutes Business Mogul’s Legacy of Enterprise, Nation-Building

Bodex Media has paid glowing tribute to billionaire businessman and Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, celebrating his remarkable legacy in business, nation-building, culture and philanthropy.

In an elaborate tribute titled Celebrating an Icon — Dr. Mike Adenuga at 73, the media organisation described Adenuga as more than one of Africa’s greatest businessmen, portraying him as a symbol of audacity, enterprise, patriotism and quiet impact.

According to Bodex Media, Adenuga’s life represents the extraordinary possibilities that can emerge when conviction is matched with vision, noting that his journey has come to embody what belief in Nigeria can achieve.

The tribute described the telecoms magnate, who is widely known as The Bull, as a man whose strength, endurance and influence have left a profound mark on Nigeria.

It linked the moniker partly to his Taurus birth sign, often associated with power and resilience, while also saying the name reflects the force and certainty with which he has moved through business and national development.

“Like the bull, when he moves, the ground shifts. And in many ways, when Mike Adenuga moved, Nigeria moved with him,” the tribute stated.

Bodex Media recalled that long before entrepreneurship became fashionable, Adenuga was building businesses in sectors critical to Nigeria’s future.

It noted that through Conoil, he established a formidable presence in oil and gas, while his interests in banking, payments and financial services contributed to widening access and strengthening institutions.

His investments in infrastructure and real estate, according to the tribute, also reflected a broader commitment to the architecture of national growth.

“This was never business for business’ sake. It was nation-building,” Bodex Media declared.

A major focus of the tribute was the revolutionary impact of Globacom.

The organisation noted that when Glo launched in 2003 with per-second billing, it did far more than disrupt the telecommunications industry.

According to the tribute, the move democratised access to communication, challenged monopoly structures and transformed how millions of Nigerians connected.

But beyond telecoms, Bodex Media said the company’s impact was cultural.

It recalled how Adenuga, at a time when foreign faces dominated aspirational branding, deliberately placed the spotlight on Nigerian talent and excellence.

Through strategic investments in music, sports and film, the tribute said Adenuga helped create stars, empowered the creative economy and gave an entire generation confidence that local talent could command global relevance.

“Long before ‘buy Nigerian’ became a slogan, Mike Adenuga was living it,” the organisation said.

Bodex Media added that for many young businesses, professionals and creatives, Adenuga’s example became permission to dream boldly, to build fearlessly and to believe Nigeria was enough.

The tribute also highlighted Adenuga’s philanthropy, saying unlike some wealthy individuals who shield their fortunes, he has often used his resources to build bridges.

Through the Mike Adenuga Foundation, it said scholarships, youth interventions, infrastructure support and other acts of giving have transformed lives across borders.

It noted that many beneficiaries may never meet the billionaire personally, yet continue to walk through doors opened by his support.

“And perhaps that is the essence of legacy — impact felt even where presence is unseen,” the tribute stated.

Bodex Media further praised Adenuga’s style of philanthropy as quiet, deliberate and deeply rooted in responsibility.

It described his giving as largely away from cameras and public applause, saying it reflects an older ethic of doing good because it is right, not because it is visible.

“In an age of loud philanthropy, his has often been silent, deliberate and enduring,” it added.

Reflecting on his legacy at 73, the organisation said Adenuga’s story has moved beyond corporate success to become a story of conviction.

It identified three defining convictions that have shaped his life’s work — belief that Nigeria was worth investing in, belief that African talent deserved support, and belief that private wealth should serve public purpose.

Bodex Media argued that few individuals have shaped business, culture and aspiration in Nigeria the way Adenuga has, and even fewer have done so with what it described as “mystery, discipline and quiet force.”

The tribute said his birthday should be seen as more than a personal milestone, but as a moment to salute a builder, a patriot and an icon.

It also expressed hope that the seeds Adenuga has planted through enterprise and philanthropy would continue to bear fruit, while urging young Nigerians inspired by his vision to carry it forward.

“And may history continue to record that there was a man called Mike Adenuga who believed in Nigeria — and helped Nigeria believe in itself,” the tribute said.

Bodex Media concluded by celebrating Adenuga as The Bull and Spirit of Africa, wishing him a happy 73rd birthday while reaffirming his place as one of the defining figures of modern Nigeria.

Airtime Lifeline Cut Off: Poor Nigerians Cry Out as FCCPC Cracks Down

Anger and anxiety are sweeping across Nigeria’s low-income communities after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) moved to clamp down on airtime borrowing services — a digital lifeline many say they depend on to survive day-to-day.

For millions of Nigerians living hand-to-mouth, the ability to “borrow” airtime from mobile networks has long been more than a convenience — it’s been a quiet safety net. Whether to make urgent calls, send job inquiries, or stay connected during emergencies, the service has bridged the gap between empty pockets and essential communication.

Now, with the FCCPC’s intervention effectively restricting or suspending these services, that fragile lifeline is fraying.

“This is how I call customers for my small business when I don’t have cash,” said one Lagos street vendor, visibly frustrated. “If they remove it, how do we cope?”

Across social media and radio call-in shows, similar stories are pouring in. Students, traders, ride-hailing drivers, and informal workers say the move disproportionately affects those already struggling under rising inflation, fuel costs, and a weakening naira.

Critics argue the policy, though likely aimed at addressing consumer protection concerns such as hidden charges and mounting micro-debts, fails to consider the harsh economic realities faced by everyday Nigerians.

“Regulation is important, but timing is everything,” said an economic analyst in Abuja. “You don’t pull away a coping mechanism in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis without offering alternatives.”

Supporters of the FCCPC’s stance, however, insist that airtime borrowing schemes often trap users in cycles of debt, with high service fees quietly eating into already thin resources. They say tighter oversight could force telecom providers to adopt fairer, more transparent practices.

But for many on the ground, the debate feels far removed from their daily struggle.

“It may look small, but that borrowed airtime helps me find work,” said a job seeker in Kano. “Without it, I’m cut off.”

As pressure mounts, calls are growing for the FCCPC to reconsider or at least phase in the policy with safeguards for vulnerable users. For now, the silence on the other end of the line is getting louder and for Nigeria’s poorest, the cost of staying connected just got even higher.

Zenith Bank’s 2024 Results: Zero Social Impact, Plenty Profit

While Nigerians struggle with soaring inflation, failing businesses, and a battered economy, Zenith Bank is swimming in profits, completely unfazed by the crisis affecting millions. The bank’s 2024 financial results show huge earnings, but critics are asking: How is Zenith thriving while so many suffer? With customers facing high fees, strict lending policies, and questionable banking practices, some argue the bank’s success comes at the expense of the people. Is this a win for smart business, or a sign of corporate greed running wild?
Zenith Bank’s trillion-naira profit is impressive, but the company has made zero social impact. In fact, some believe the bank may even be helping to push Nigeria backwards, almost like the APC. This isn’t a political statement; it’s based on facts, and here’s why.

Zenith Bank reported over N100 billion in losses to fraud and forgeries
In 2024, Zenith Bank reported a staggering N1.03 trillion profit after tax, yet its charitable gifts and donations amounted to a measly N4.75 billion—just 0.46% of that haul. This, at a time when most Nigerians are grappling with crisis and hardship: 40.2% live below the poverty line (World Bank, 2023), and inflation soared past 30% in 2024. For Nigeria’s largest bank by profit, 0.46% is a paltry gesture—barely a nod to the millions struggling to eat, let alone dream of opportunity.

This performance paints Jim Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, as a modern-day Scrooge McDuck. Ovia built his fortune in a banking sector where a respectable chunk of deposits—let’s not kid ourselves—are siphoned funds and laundered cash from corrupt politicians and businessmen. Free money, essentially, courtesy of Nigeria’s elite. The Panama Papers and FinCEN leaks have long flagged Nigerian banks as pipelines for illicit flows, and while Zenith isn’t named outright, it’s hard to believe it’s an island of purity in this swamp. Yet, despite this windfall, Ovia’s bank seems to hold little fondness for the people of this land. N4.75 billion in charity from a trillion-naira profit isn’t generosity—it’s a rounding error.

Worse still, Zenith Bank, under the able leadership of Mr. Ovia and Group Managing Director Mrs. Adaora Umeoji, lost more to fraud and forgeries in 2024 than it gave to charity. The numbers are damning: N7.7 billion in local currency and $62 million in hard currency (roughly N93 billion at N1,500/$), totaling N100.7 billion lost to fraud. That’s 21 times what they donated. What’s a Nigerian institution without a snake to swallow the slush funds, right? Compare that to American big banks, which allocate 1% to 2% of net income to charity and CSR—Bank of America gave 1.06% ($280 million of $26.5 billion) and Wells Fargo 2.62% ($500 million of $19.1 billion) in 2023. Zenith’s 0.46% isn’t just stingy—it’s an insult.

Take Jim Ovia’s appointment by President Tinubu as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Zenith gave N250 million—or 0.024% of its profit—to educational causes in 2024. That’s enough for a N250,000 scholarship to 1,000 students. Yay! But it’s a far cry from meeting the needs of a customer base desperate for education—20 million kids are out of school (UNICEF, 2023), and NELFUND’s supposed to change that. N250 million from a trillion-naira profit feels like a PR stunt, not a commitment. In the U.S., banks disclose political contributions—here, we’re in the dark. Had Nigeria required it, Zenith’s financials might explain why Tinubu tapped Ovia. A cozy N250 million donation doesn’t scream retail appeal—it whispers elite backscratching.

Speaking of retail, Zenith’s customers have every right to be furious. The bank’s 2024 financials reveal N15.42 billion in fines from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a laundry list of failures: late resolution of complaints (N2 billion), money laundering lapses (N103.25 million), forex infractions (N12.7 billion), and more. The kicker? A N322 million penalty for not checking customer onboarding documents—convenient if you’re helping siphon billions, if not trillions, of naira. Add N61 million for anti-money laundering findings, N20 million for flouting CBN directives, N14 million for mishandling customer charges, and N4 million each for risk assessment and cybersecurity breaches. This isn’t a bank—it’s a sieve for elite cash, bleeding more to fines and fraud than it gives back.

News reports underscore the rot: Zenith’s N15.42 billion in penalties reflects systemic sloppiness—or worse, complicity. Fraud losses of N100.7 billion dwarf the N4.75 billion in charity, and fines signal a bank more focused on greasing wheels than policing itself. It’s no surprise retail customers get short shrift—Zenith’s too busy coddling major shareholders and Nigeria’s political elite to care about other stakeholders, including the communities it profits from.

Come 2025 FYE, it’d be a delight to see a resolve in corporate governance and a reverse in this trend. Imagine Zenith aiming for 1% of profits—N10.3 billion—for charity and CSR, slashing fraud and CBN fines to a fraction of today’s figures. Until then, Zenith Bank under Jim Ovia looks like a machine built for the few, not the many—dragging Nigeria backward, APC-style, while swimming in its trillion-naira profit pool.


https://nigeriaceo..com/2025/04/zenith-banks-2024-fye-plenty-profit.html

GTBank CEO, Segun Agbaje's Silence Fuels GTBank Customers' Frustration Amid Digital Dilemma Sparks Outrage

For a couple of days now, customers of Guaranty Trust Bank(GTB) have been making spirited efforts to conduct banking transactions, access their funds, and make transfer but alas, these efforts have been fruitless due to the network disruptions that accompanied the core banking applications.

It was gathered that many transactions were botched as individuals and investment firms have witnessed their operations stalled.

Recall that at the beginning of this frustrating phase, GTB had notified its customers of an impending migration of its core banking application system to a new one, which would cause a temporary disruption in banking services.

According to the bank, the transition to a new and robust suite of Finacle Core Banking Application Systems commenced from Friday, October 11, 2024, and completed on Monday, October 14, 2024.

A notice issued by the bank stated that, all GTBank branches nationwide will close early to customers at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11th, and will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14th.

Furthermore, there will be temporary disruptions in the bank’s digital banking services for 11 hours, beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13th, and ending at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14th.

Customers of the GTBank have continued to bemoan poor services weeks after the bank claimed it had completed its migration to new core banking platforms.

The customers angered by an avalanche of reasons ranging from a deluge of failed transactions to disappearing account balances. Their anger seems to come to no end as it keeps increasing by the day as customers struggle to carry out transactions on their accounts.

This is contrary to claims by the bank that the migration has been concluded and normal services have since been restored.

This development is causing anxiety and palpable apprehension among GTB customers.

Many customers have voiced their displeasure with GTB over their unwholesome experience caused by the bank’s core banking switch.

Some of them took to social media to voice their frustrations according to posts seen by NATIONAL WAVES.

For instance, Bayo Adeoye Olunla wrote on his Facebook page, “GTBANK still dey fumble o! My 40k don hang since morning o!”

Responding to Bayo Adeoye Olunla’s post, Muyiwa Dare replied “I no kuku bother myself again. Na olden days method of banking I dey do now. Na inside my dross I dey keep my money now. I dey use rope tie am to my blokkos. I can’t allow GTB to send me back to Oyan when I never retire”

Mike Osagie Cerruti also replied to Bayo Adeoye Olunla’s post. He wrote,
“Once a pretty brand…now a flying elephant Pathetic”

Damilola Teniola, another GTB’s customer lamented. He wrote “Mine is going to be 3 weeks next week”

Tayo Olatoye, a frustrated customer wrote “I have my money with them since last week”

Another GTBank customer, Oluyomi Tolulope, was demanding a refund of her money days after a failed transaction on the bank’s platform. She wrote, “I made a transfer of N300,000 from my GTBank account since on the 15th of October, 2024 but the beneficiary was not credited and I have since been debited. I have been to the bank but nothing is yet to be done about it. Please refund,” she stated in a post addressed to the Bank on X.

KingKay who was visibly livid and frustrated stated: “What @gtbank is doing can lead to loss of lives… People’s livelihoods are being withheld for weeks because they bank with GTB… Hospital bills, salaries, money for feeding… all these are being withheld for weeks because of one very stupid upgrade!!! @cenbank.”







Screenshots of customers lamenting their ordeals over GTB’s poor service on social media




Okoh Paul Okoh expressed frustration at GTB’s poor services, he wrote, “For your peace of mind and safety! Do boycott @gtbank and @cenbank keep ignoring walai you all will never end well! Now they have changed the name narrative.”

Another user, Mukhtharr, tweeted: “Something is wrong with GTBank. So I made a transfer to one Emmanuel, it failed but I was debited, I request a reversal and for 11 days no response. Yesterday, I got a reversal in the form of a transfer from a personal account. What’s happening? @gtbank_help.”

Joseph Akinsanya also voiced his concerns: “@gtbank @cenbank I sent 10,000 on two occasions on Saturday, 19th of this month. The transaction was not successful, yet you debited me 20,000. Kindly help me out with this, I have DM’d you already”

Another @lohiii_ wrote: it’s been FIVE entire days & GTBank still hasn’t addressed/resolved this issue or even bothered to communicate with their customers. This level of negligence is beyond frustrating & completely unacceptable.

Ezra Olubi: “funny how gtbank’s online victory laps about the “successful” core banking update is very much divorced from the reality of its customers.”

Although GTBank notified its customers of the possible disruptions in services ahead of the October 11 transition to the new core banking system, its last communication on the matter was on October 16 in which it declared that all its services were fully restored.


https://catachnewsng.com/2024/10/25/gtbank-ceo-segun-agbajes-silence-fuels-gtbank-customers-frustration-amid-digital-dilemma-sparks-outrage/

President Tinubu’s Appointed NELFUND Chairman, Jim Ovia Built Multi-million dollars James Hope University In Lagos

Jim Ovia, the philanthropic founder of Zenith Bank, has launched James Hope University in Lekki, Lagos. This multi-million-dollar institution is set to join the ranks of esteemed educational establishments, following in the footsteps of late Herbert Wigwe, founder of Access Bank, who was also committed to philanthropic initiatives in education through Wigwe University.

Recent reports surfaced after Nigerian social media user Alex Onyia posted a video showcasing the sprawling campus of James Hope University, emphasizing Ovia’s foray into the realm of academic mentorship. “Jim Ovia now owns a university. James Hope University. It’s situated in Lekki, Lagos,” Onyia stated in his post. This announcement has stirred excitement among those who recognize the importance of such initiatives for the country’s educational infrastructure.

James Hope University is set to officially commence its academic activities in January 2024. The university has received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer various postgraduate degrees, focusing primarily on business courses. This reflects Ovia’s vision to equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s dynamic world.

The university’s mission resonates with Ovia's overall philanthropic ethos: “to educate and inspire men and women to excel in every aspect of life, and to exert lasting positive impacts on the world.” This commitment not only aims to enhance the academic landscape of Nigeria but also seeks to nurture future leaders capable of making a significant difference in society.

Jim Ovia’s initiative as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) mirrors the educational endeavors of other banking elites, boosting the conversation around the role of private institutions in Nigeria’s educational future. Herbert Wigwe's legacy lives on through his commitment to providing accessible quality education, a principle that Ovia seems to embody as he expands his philanthropic reach through the establishment of James Hope University.

As the educational sector continues to evolve, the arrival of James Hope University signals a promising shift towards a more robust higher education framework, addressing the pressing need for institutions that cater to the diverse academic aspirations of Nigerian youth.

The unveiling of James Hope University marks a notable contribution to Nigeria’s educational landscape, reinforcing the idea that leading figures in finance can significantly impact societal advancement through strategic philanthropic initiatives. As academic activities are set to begin in January 2024, anticipation grows for what this new institution will offer and how it will foster the development of future innovators and leaders.

With Jim Ovia at the helm as the founder and chancellor, James Hope University is positioned not just as a place of learning, but as a launchpad for aspirations and a catalyst for change in Nigeria's higher education system.

Zenith Bank Chairman, Jim Ovia admits fraudulent transactions begs billionaire oil tycoon, Femi Otedola out of court

The chairman of FBN Holdings and majority shareholder of Geregu Plc, Femi Otedola, and some of his companies have opted for an out-of-court settlement with Zenith Bank Plc, PREMIUM TIMES reports.
Otedola was involved in a legal dispute with the bank over alleged “fraudulent transactions” on his company’s accounts.
According to PREMIUM TIMES’ report, Court papers showed the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division, where Mr Otedola and his companies filed the suit against the lender on 12 March, dismissed the case on Thursday, 13 June, on receiving a notice of discontinuance from the plaintiffs.
Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited, Seaforce Shipping Co. Limited, Luzon Oil & Gas Limited, Garment Care and Mr Otedola were the plaintiffs, while Zenith Bank, Quantum Zenith Securities & Investment Limited, Veritas Registrars Limited and Central Securities Clearing System Plc were the defendants.
According to a court document, Justice A.O. Faji discontinued the lawsuit after the counsel for the first to third defendants and the counsel for the plaintiffs asked for the matter to be dismissed, with the “counsel for the fourth defendant not objecting.”
Mr Otedola and his companies initiated legal action against Zenith Bank and the other defendants in March, claiming that the lender disposed of his shares in the bank without authorisation, manipulated the companies’ bank accounts and fabricated some documents to conceal the alleged crimes.
He accused the lender of wrongfully calculating his debts before selling them to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which the bank set up to buy the non-performing loans in the books of banks to recover them thereafter.
Zenon had claimed that the letters of credit that led to the bad loans AMCON acquired were opened before the corporation took over the debt in December 2011. The company stopped operating the account after AMCON’s intervention.
PREMIUM TIMES added that according to a document, the overdue on Zenon’s account at the point AMCON took over the liabilities was N39 billion. Zenon said Zenith Bank offered the debt to the corporation at N49 billion. AMCON ended up paying the bank N44.1 billion for the debt.
Sources with knowledge of the matter told PREMIUM TIMES in May that Mr Otedola chose to take legal action against the bank after several failed reconciliation attempts. During the month, both parties held three meetings, none yielding the desired results.
“It is clear that Zenith Bank Plc is not sincere in resolving this issue out of court and as such a time-wasting exercise,” one of the sources said.
“At this juncture, we have resolved to pursue our claims via the judiciary, law enforcement, the CBN and the court of public opinion as we know that our claims are very genuine.”

According to a document detailing the deliberations of both parties at a meeting held on 20 May, Zenith Bank agreed to refund the N205 million it wrongfully debited to Zenon’s account with compounded accrued interest using a bankdraft.
Seaforce Shipping Company Limited, owned by the billionaire tycoon, said Zenith Bank presented some statements of account claiming that it owed the bank N5.9 billion as of February 2024. It added that Zenith Bank abandoned the claim after the company showed proof that Seaforce’s account was in credit as of 2018.
The online platform reports a source saying that Zenith Bank sold the 415 million shares that Zenon held in Zenith Bank for N4.9 billion in December 2010, noting that the shares were repurchased in the following month for N5.4 billion, triggering a net loss of N142.9 million.
He further disclosed that related transactions were carried out on Mr Otedola’s account, causing a net loss of N61.5 million and a combined loss of N205.4 million in both cases.
Isyaku Mohammed, the commissioner of police in charge of administration at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, summoned the managing director of Zenith Bank on 16 May over what he described as an alleged unauthorised debit to Zenon’s account.

Renowned financial expert, Femi Akingbe’s Fenchurch Group’s Directors Face Perjury Charges as Judge's Absence Stalls Arraignment

Fenchurch Group, a company chaired by renowned businessman and financial expert, Femi Akingbe has filed perjury charges against two directors by the inspector general of police.

This development has raised eyebrows in the business and financial sector, as the accused individuals are key figures within the company, known for their influential roles in shaping Fenchurch Group's operations.

The Inspector General of Police filed a two-count charge of conspiracy and perjury against Fenchurch Energy Nigeria Limited and its directors, Babafunsho Adeyemi (Group Chief Operating Officer) and Olufemi Bakare (Group Chief Executive Officer). The charges were filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, alleging that the defendants conspired to commit perjury in February 2023.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly made false statements in an affidavit to mislead the court, stating that the shareholding of the 1st Plaintiff/Applicant and Bastanchury Limited in the 1st Defendant had not been registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, when in fact they knew this to be false.

The arraignment of Babafunsho Adeyemi and Olufemi Bakare, directors of Fenchurch Energy Nigeria Limited, was recently stalled due to the absence of Justice Daniel Osiagor, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos. The Inspector General of Police had filed a two-count charge of conspiracy and perjury against the directors and the company.

The charges allege that the defendants conspired to commit perjury in February 2023 by making false statements in an affidavit to mislead the court. Specifically, they claimed that the shareholding of the 1st Plaintiff/Applicant and Bastanchury Limited in the 1st Defendant had not been registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, when in fact they knew this to be false.

Fenchurch Group, led by Chief Femi Akingbe, has been a prominent player in the energy sector, with interests in oil and gas exploration, production, and marketing. Chief Akingbe, a seasoned businessman and financial expert, serves as the Chairman of Agusto & Co, the foremost pan-African credit rating agency, and holds various directorships in other companies, including Emerald Energy Resources Limited, Helios Tower Nigeria, and Academy Press Business Forms Limited.

His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving the growth of Fenchurch Group, with a focus on strict compliance with best practices and standards of good governance. However, the current allegations against the directors of Fenchurch Energy Nigeria Limited have raised concerns about the group's integrity and reputation.

[url] https://www.airwavesreport.com/news/renowned-financial-expert-femi-akingbe-s-fenchurch-group-s-directors-face-perjury-charges-as-judge-s-absence-stalls-arraignment[/url]

The case has been adjourned until May 20, 2024, pending the availability of Justice Daniel Osiagor. The defendants' legal team is expected to enter a plea and begin their defense against the charges.

The outcome of this case will have significant implications for Fenchurch Group and its leadership, as well as the wider business community in Nigeria. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how this matter is resolved.

https://www.airwavesreport.com/news/renowned-financial-expert-femi-akingbe-s-fenchurch-group-s-directors-face-perjury-charges-as-judge-s-absence-stalls-arraignment

Maplewood Estate Residents Demand Solution to Three-Month Entrance Closure
...Frustration Mounts as Abandoned Project Leaves Main Entrance Shut, Residents Call for Urgent Action

For three months, residents and motorists in Maplewood Estate have been facing undue hardship due to the closure of the main entrance, resulting from an abandoned project, our reporter report.

The situation has sparked widespread frustration and concern, prompting the Residents Association Maplewood Estate (TRAME) to urge the estate's management executive, led by Barrister Oseni Kehinde Akerele, to take immediate action.

The closure has forced residents to use an alternative route, which is not only inconvenient but also poses safety risks for pedestrians and motorists. The lack of access to the estate has caused significant unease among residents, who are worried about their safety and the impact on their daily lives.

TRAME members are demanding a swift resolution to the issue, emphasizing the need for the management to prioritize the concerns of the community.

"We understand that projects can face delays, but leaving the main entrance closed for three months is unacceptable," said a TRAME member. "We urge the management to take immediate action to reopen the entrance and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents."

The situation has caused significant distress and inconvenience to residents and motorists alike, and the community is hopeful that the management will prioritize their concerns and work towards a speedy resolution.

As one resident noted, "We just want to be able to enter and exit our estate safely and conveniently. We hope the management will listen to our concerns and take prompt action."

A motorist resident of the estate said

"I'm fed up with the constant repairs to my car's tyre due to the deplorable state of the alternative route. Twice in a short span, I've had to fix my tyre because of the potholes and rough road conditions. It's not only inconvenient but also a financial burden. I urge the management to reopen the main entrance and fix the roads to avoid further damage to our vehicles."

Another resident added that

"The closure of the main entrance has made my morning commute to work a nightmare. The alternative route is not only longer but also in a terrible state. I'm exhausted from navigating through the potholes and uneven roads every day. I hope the management takes our concerns seriously and reopens the main entrance soon."

While a School Student said

"since March, we've been using this alternative route, and it's been a real struggle. The roads are bad, and it's hard to get to school on time. We're tired of dealing with the inconvenience and hope that the management will fix the main entrance soon. We just want a safe and easy way to get to school and back home."

"The closure of the main gate has been a disaster for my business. I sell goods right here, close to the gate, and since it closed, my patronage has dropped significantly. Fewer people are passing through. This used to be the busiest part of the estate, with people stopping by my shop on their way in and out. Now, it's like a ghost town. I've had to reduce my stock, but I hope the management reopens the gate soon so I can get back to business as usual." - A Mallam shop owner.

The management executive has yet to comment on the situation, but residents remain hopeful that a solution will be found soon. In the meantime, TRAME continues to advocate for the rights of residents, pushing for a swift resolution to the issue and a safer, more convenient living environment for all.