₦airaland Forum

@GAR3TH What is the project status as at today ?, Lagosians needs to know

The question is how do you know you have a fake or orginial tinted permit, it is not like one have seen the IG's signature before

ladoma:
sultan,i can understand your annoyance.but that is a matter to be discussed another day.one of this days i hope someone will be brave enough to tell the truth about what an average policeman is going through every day of his life while you sit in the comfort of your home, enjoying.well, as for the permit. IT - IS  -FREE. the problem is that we like to cut corners.two of my friend has gotten this permits.they applied and i forwarded it to the appropriate quarters on their behalf.they were issued,within two months. The IGP has gone beyond the level of collecting 25000 to sign permit.
one,the IGP is the sole authority to issue this permit,he is a busy man .
two, security checks will also have to be conducted to ensure that the applicant is not a rogue.
you see.but nigerians want it fast and end up paying to people who end up giving them forged permit.you can hear someone say he got it in one week.if something happens and that person tender his permit,he will be shocked to find out that the permit is not carrying the authentic seal of the IGP.
SO you can see the problem in nigeria .we don't like following due process,hence when you offer an impoverish man 25000 to make it express and he knows he cannot,then he gives you forged one as he needs the money badly.
who is fooling who?
NB; The akure permit will not work of course.i told you in a paragraph above that the only issuing authority is the IGP
PLS STOP CUTTING CORNERS.

and what stories do I tell your colleagues while waiting 2 whole months for the IG to do the "security checks", it is obvious that this whole tinted thing is a closed loop ploy to extort money. You get the permit you are damned, you dont you are damned. God will deliver us in this country.

http://enikuomehin.com/speeches/LANDACQUISITION.htm



LAND ACQUISITION IN LAGOS STATE:

FACTORS TO CONSIDER:









BEING TEXT OF PUBLIC LECTURE PRESENTED BY BENSON ENIKUOMEHIN & CO AT IKORODU ULTRA MODERN TOWN HALL, ITA-ELEWA, IKORODU, LAGOS STATE ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 2, 2005



LAND ACQUISITION IN LAGOS STATE

- FACTORS TO CONSIDER



Land is, undoubtedly a fundamental necessity of life. It remains the foundation/framework within which the social, political and economic activities of a society must function. No society can exist without land. The role land plays in the evolution of the human race is better adumbrated by the events well captured for adherents of the Christian religion in Genesis 1:9-10 on the creation of land by the Almighty God on the third day of creation.



The production and utilization of social and economic wealth can never be attempted without land. It remains therefore the most invaluable asset of an individual nay the state. The acquisition of same by the individual for various purposes and the state obviously raise serious socio legal considerations.



While the purport of this paper shall be the factors which should weigh in the minds of individuals and corporate bodies in the acquisition of interests in land, a complete picture cannot be obtained without a discussion of acquisition of interests in land by the state which is often times made compulsorily and the payment of compensation to individuals whose interests have been adversely affected. This is generally done under the Public Lands Acquisition Law. Under section 3 of the Law, the acquisition involves, in the absence of a voluntary agreement, invocation of the compulsive and expropriating power of government to wrest title from an owner of land in accordance with the law which guarantees payment of adequate compensation to the owner and right of access of such an owner to a court of law to assert his right to the property and claim adequate compensation.



In Nigeria, one’s right to one’s property was an entrenched constitutional right under the 1963 and 1979 constitutions as indeed it is under the 1999 constitution. The right is inviolate. Indeed, in the imprisium verba of the constitution itself, such a property or any right attendant thereto can only be taken possession of or compulsorily acquired by or under the provisions of a law. Furthermore, such a law must provide for the payment of adequate compensation. It follows therefore that any purported acquisition which is not according to a law containing the above provisions or conditions is no acquisition at all in the eyes of the constitution/law.



COMMUNITY/FAMILY LAND

The family can be described as the smallest social unit in the body polity. As a general rule, the management of family property is put in charge of the family head. It is the family head who makes allocation of portions to members of the family for their use. The family head has indeed been popularly described as a trustee of the family property in a special sense. His trusteeship signifies that he is to exercise his powers not for his own private advantage but for the benefit of the family. The family head does not enjoy absolute power in the management of family property per se. He is required to consult the other members of the family and in the case of important decisions such as sale of family land; he must obtain the consent of principal members of the family. A. valid allocation of family land requires the grant or transfer to be made by the head of the family with the principal members concurring therein. Where however the transfer is made by the head of the family acting for and on behalf of the family without carrying a long the principal members of the family, such transfer is only prima face voidable and not void and the family may set aside such a disposition of their land only if the non consenting members act timeously. A transfer of family land other than by the head thereof or the head and principal members of the family is absolutely void ab initio. So too, as the head of a family cannot transfer family land as his own exclusive personal property, any transfer of the family property by him without carrying along the principal members is void ab initio. Furthermore an ordinary member has no voice in the management of family property but can only be heard through the head of his own branch of the family.



The Family Head

Generally, the family head is the eldest surviving male member of the family. However, in the modern day, the claim of women to the headship of the family is being gradually recognized. Furthermore, the members of the family may sometimes have cause to appoint one of their members as family head in preference to the eldest member if they are dissatisfied with the person who is the biological head. This method of election is invariably the case in Lagos State in respect of Chieftaincy families. Except in the case of these chieftaincy families, the appointment and deposition of the family head remain the internal affairs of the family. There are no formal requirements and regulations to be followed in such appointments and publicity is not always necessary although it may be prudent to sometimes do so.



It is important in transactions relating to disposition of interests in land to distinguish between stool land and family land. Stool land is land appertaining to a chieftaincy and is vested absolutely in the current/present occupier of the chieftaincy stool. The chief has the absolute and unqualified use of the stool land as he pleases. Family land on the other hand belongs to the family and is vested in the family head only as a sort of trustee



Functions of the Family Head

It is the duty of the family head to manage the family property and allocate same to members of the family for their use and occupation. The head of the family manages the funds of the family for the good of the family. Where the family property is to be conveyed to a third party, such conveyance must be signed by the family head.





MEMBERS’ RIGHTS IN FAMILY LAND

A member of the family only has the right to use the portion of land allotted to him and not to alienate same since the land does not belong to him absolutely. The legal position has been succinctly stated thus:

“The Individual right of user is ………purely and simply a life interest. On the death of the individual, that interest reverts to the family though by reason of the occupational rights enjoyed by the deceased individual during his lifetime, the family will generally permit his children to have among them the same user as their parent”

This restriction however remains only until partition.



PARTITION OF FAMILY LAND

By partitioning of the family land among the several members of the family, the family land is split/divided into several individual lands, such portions vesting absolutely in the member to whom it has been apportioned. It is important that partition be distinguished from mere allotment for occupational use by the family head.



Partition must be consciously done implying that the division of the land must be clearly and properly understood as a partition by the family. In view of modern developments and disputations which usually follow this exercise, it is important and desirable, in order to avoid future rancour for the partition to be properly documented.



However, recent developments have made it important for written evidence that the family property was being partitioned and that member of the family agreed that the family property was being partitioned as distinct from mere allotment that does not confer ownership on any member of the family. The extent of the area of the land that is being partitioned should be clear to every member of the family.



LAND ACQUISITION THROUGH SUCCESSSION

An individual may acquire interest in land by way of succession either testate or intestate.



WILLS

An owner of land or a holder of any interest in land has always had the freedom, subject to certain qualifications to dispose his property by will. Two of these qualifications may be briefly mentioned here:-



i. A testator cannot by will confer any interest in family land on his beneficiary. This is because the interest in the family land does not belong to the testator



ii. A land that is encumbered i.e. by way of a mortgage can only devolve on a beneficiary subject to the encumbrance.



Written Wills

By the Wills Law, a will must be in writing. While no special words are required, it must be signed by the testator or by some other person in his presence and at his discretion and must be attested by two disinterested persons as witnesses.



THE LAND USE ACT 1978 AND LAND OWNERSHIP

The Land Use Act 1978, it must be said, has not destroyed or fundamentally altered the concept of land ownership in Nigeria that was in existence before its promulgation in 1978. Even though in theory by section 1 of the Act, the land that is comprised in the territory of each state is vested in the governor of the state, the concept of communal, family and individual ownership of land has not been destroyed and the governor cannot take the land of any individual unless the land is required for public purpose. If the acquisition is not for public purpose, it would be declared invalid.



The Land Use Act, is a nebulous legislation in the sense that in theory the radical title to the land is in the governor but in practice, the radical title in the community, family and individual has been maintained and preserved only with the requirement that alienation of these interests must be with the consent of the Governor



LAND ACQUISITION BY THE GOVERNMENT

By virtue of the Public Lands Acquisition Law, the state government may acquire land compulsorily for public purpose from individual land owners subject to the payment of compensation to such landowners.



The notice of acquisition by the government must be served on the land owner as the courts have consistently held that non service of the Notice of Acquisition would render the acquisition invalid.



It must be noted that the acquisition of private individuals’ interest in land can only be done by the government for public purpose as any acquisition not done for public purpose will be declared invalid by the courts on being challenged.

The courts have in the past declared as invalid.

1. The acquisition of some plots of land later leased by the government to a private company for the development of a hotel.



2. The acquisition of some plots of land by the government for the further development of a church. In Belo vs. Diocesan Synod of Lagos (1973) 3SC 103 a notice of acquisition was declared null and void because the land was acquired by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation for the development and expansion of a church.



Furthermore, as the Notice of Acquisition represents a constructive notice to the whole world, there is need for members of the public desirous of purchasing land to confirm through a solicitor, whether the land/property they are purchasing is under government acquisition.



While it is true that government may decide to excise some area from the already acquired land area, prospective land purchasers must ensure that such excision and the precise areas properly gazetted.



REGISTRATION OF TITLE DOCUMENT

It is important that the document being presented by the seller to the prospective buyer must have been registered at the Lands Registry. This is because any document that creates or purports to create any interest in land must be registered at the Lands Registry. The registration makes it a public document under the Evidence Act and if the original copy is lost or destroyed, the certified true copy can be used in appropriate cases.



When a document is registered, the registration constitutes a notice to the whole world of the interest in the land to which the land/document relates. However, if there is any defect in the title of the person in whose name the document has been registered, the defect in the title cannot be cured by the registration.



Where it comes to the issue of priority, determination would depend on the time of registration. If A and B had purchased the same parcel of land from C and A registers his own document before B, the document of A shall have priority over that of B unless B can establish that he purchased the land from C before A and had entered into possession of the land immediately after the purchase of the land from C and A has knowledge of his interest, he may lose the land to A who has registered his own interest.



PROOF OF TITLE TO LAND

To establish his title to a prospective buyer of land in Lagos State, a seller may present before the buyer any of the following piece of evidence;



1. That he is the traditional owner of the land by way of customary inheritance i.e. on partition of family property or that his ancestor and predecessor-in-title owned the land from time immemorial and had been in uninterrupted possession before the Land Use Act and that he is therefore the person entitled to the right of occupancy in respect of the land. He is, in the eyes of the law, a deemed holder of the right of occupancy.



2. That he has been in occupation and possession of the land prior to the Land Use Act by virtue of a Deed of Conveyance which must have been duly registered at the Lands Registry.



3. That he is the beneficiary under a Will or Letters of Administration covering the land or property in which case he is the person entitled to the grant of the statutory right of occupancy. It must however, be observed that due care must be exercised by the prospective purchaser and his solicitor in confirming whether the Will has been genuinely admitted to Probate or whether the Letters of Administration was properly issued by the appropriate Probate Registry and there is no objection to the appointment of the Administrator is defective or invalidated as a result of objections being raised in respect thereto, the purchaser would have bought nothing as the sale would be void ab initio.



4. That he has applied to the Governor of the state and been validly granted a Certificate of Occupancy. Undoubtedly, this represents the most popular and preferred mode of proving title to a piece of land in Lagos State. Although the Certificate of Occupancy is, in itself, not entirely unimpeachable, it still represents the most reliable method of establishing ownership.



5. That he possesses a Deed of Assignment in respect of the land granted to him by an Assignor who was the holder of a Certificate of Occupancy. The Deed of Assignment must have been duly stamped at the Stamp Duties Office and registered at the Lands Registry after the consent of the State Governor must have been obtained. Failure to obtain Governor’s consent to the Deed of Assignment renders the Deed void.



PURCHASE OF A PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A MORTGAGE

In Lagos State virtually on a daily basis, advertisements appear in the press by mortgagees usually banks in respect of properties mortgaged to them by their customers (mortgagors) in respect of credit facilities extended to them by the banks.



A mortgagee can sell the mortgaged property if the mortgagor defaults in the payment of the outstanding balance in his account with the mortgagee bank. The mortgagee must serve on the mortgagor a letter of demand for the payment of the amount of money that is due from the mortgagor to the mortgagee and the mortgagor must be given specific time within which to liquidate the debit balance in the account. If the mortgagor does not liquidate the outstanding balance in his account within the stipulated period, the mortgagee can foreclose the mortgage and dispose off the mortgaged property.



Where the mortgagee has employed an auctioneer to sell the property of the mortgagor by public auction and there is a clause in the auction notice that the sale is subject to the approval of the mortgagee, at his or its absolute discretion, title in the property will not pass to the buyer/purchaser until the approval of the mortgagee is received and the buyer cannot sue the mortgagee for the specific performance of the contract notwithstanding the fact that he had paid money to the auctioneer for the purchase of the property. The principle that the contract is concluded on the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer does not apply where there is a clause in the auction notice that the contract is subject to the approval of the mortgagee at the absolute discretion of the mortgagee.



SALE OF LANDED PROPERTY BY THE MORTGAGOR

The legal estate in a mortgaged property is vested in the mortgagee and until the property is redeemed by the mortgagor, the mortgagor cannot transfer a valid title in a mortgaged property to a third party.



Under the Land instrument Registration Law of Lagos State, a legal mortgage is a registratrable instrument and being a public document, it’s registration represents a notice to the whole world and members of the public on the interest of the mortgagee in the mortgaged property. Members of the public, including a prospective purchaser of the property, are therefore fixed with constructive notice of the existence of the Deed of Legal Mortgage and the interest of the mortgagee in the mortgaged property Section 22 of the Land Use Act requires the mortgagor to obtain the consent of the governor before there can be a valid transfer of his interest to the mortgagee.



The provision however does not apply to the deed of legal mortgage where a prior equitable mortgage on which the subsequent legal mortgage is based has been created with the consent of the governor. It does not also apply to a deed of release by which the mortgagee is conveying the property back to the mortgagor on the liquidation of the debt secured by the Deed of legal mortgagee.

Although consent of the governor must be obtained to the deed of legal mortgage/transaction, the parties are not forbidden from entering into the agreement, but the agreement is not binding until the consent of the governor has been obtained to the transaction.



From the judicial decisions so far it can safely be asserted that if the mortgagee has advanced money to the mortgagor and the deed of legal mortgage is executed and registered without the consent of the governor, the mortgagor can only defeat the right of the mortgagee to sell the property only on the legal mortgage.



Any member of the public who buys a mortgaged property from the mortgagor when the deed of legal mortgage is still subsisting buys the property subject to the right of the mortgage. He may only be able to retain the property if he is prepared to settle the debt that the mortgagor is owing the mortgagee, otherwise the sale to him by the mortgagor is null and void and can be set aside by the court.



DEFECT IN THE MORTGAGOR’S TITLE – WHAT EFFECT?

It is imperative for the mortgagee to conduct a search at the Lands Registry on the mortgagors title. This is because if the title of the mortgagor is defective, any deed of legal mortgage that is based on the defective title may be declared null and void at the suit of the person that has title to the land. If the property of the mortgage is subject to any encumbrance, the mortgagee shall take subject to the encumbrance.



MORTGAGE TRANSACTION AND GOVERNOR’S CONSENT

The Land Use Act has brought a great deal of revolution to mortgage transaction by the requirement that consent of the governor must be obtained to the mortgage transaction before the mortgagor can transfer his interest to the mortgagee



THE ROLE OF SOLICITORS IN LAND ACQUISITION

A prospective buyer desirous of acquiring any interests in land and doing so without the professional assistance of a Solicitor can be likened to a farmer proceeding to his farm without his hoe and cutlasses.

The Solicitor’s role begin from investigation of the seller’s title and extends to the documentation and perfection of the buyer’s title.

i. Investigation covers

a. Physical investigation of title and

b. Documentary investigation of title to confirm proper and due

execution which must be in accordance with the relevant laws and registration at the Lands Registry.

ii. Documentation and Perfection

On the conclusion of investigation of title, the Solicitor proceeds to the preparation of the transfer document and the perfection of same.



The transfer document could be either a Deed of Assignment, in the case of an absolute transfer or a Deed of Legal Mortgage.



PRESENTATION FOR GOVERNOR’S CONSENT

Any discussion of acquisition of interests in landed property in Nigeria today would be incomplete without an examination of the consent provisions of the Land Use Act. By the provisions of the Act, no transfer of interest in land is valid without the consent of the Governor not having been obtained. It must however be observed that it is a misconception of the law to contend that consent of the Governor must be obtained before consummation of the sale transaction by the parties. It is however worrisome that bureaucratic bottleneck which has been created in the process of obtaining Governor’s consent has created serious problems for members of the public desirous of obtaining the consent of the Governor. The present efforts of the Lagos State Government geared towards simplifying the process must however be commended.



CONCLUSION

Notwithstanding the various programmes of the present government geared at combating corruption, the continuous rise in the activities of land speculators and refusal of most dealers in land transaction not to exhibit utmost good faith in their dealings, the need for members of the public to be extra vigilant in the acquisition of interests in land would continue to generate serious interest for a long time to come.

This is what our local governments do for which the political appointees earn a whoping N592B annually. This does not include the salaries of the civil servants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Government_Areas_of_Nigeria

Nigeria has 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Each local government area is administered by a Local Government Council consisting of a chairman who is the Chief Executive of the LGA, and other elected members who are referred to as Councillors.

The functions of Local Governments are detailed in the Nigerian Constitution and include:

*Economic recommendations to the State;
*Collection of taxes and fees;
*Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute or infirm;
*Licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel barrows and carts;
*Establishment, maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences;
*Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, drains and other public highways, parks, and open spaces;
*Naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses;
*Provision and maintenance of public transportation and refuse disposal;
*Registration of births, deaths and marriages;
*Assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a Stale; and,
*Control and regulation of out-door advertising, movement and keeping of pets of ail descriptions, shops and kiosks, restaurants and other places for sale of food to the public, and laundries.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2009021223593528

Political office holders, including President Umaru Yar’Adua and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, earn a whopping N1.13tn annually as salaries and allowances.

The figure, contained in a document by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, is only 39 per cent lower than the N2.9tn budget for 2009 sent to the National Assembly by Yar’Adua for approval.

The copies of the document titled “Affordability and Cost Implications of the Reviewed Renumeration Package” were attached to the letter that the commission got from Yar’Adua on the proposed pay cut.

The copies of the document were distributed to the RMAFC commsissioners who on Thursday began deliberations on the President’s proposed reduction in salaries and allowances of political office holders.

The President had on Tuesday said he would write the commission to slash the salaries and allowances of all political office holders in view of the nation’s declining revenue caused by global financial meltdown.

The emoluments scale-down affects public officers and political appointees in the Federal, State and Local Government levels; and it involves a huge N1.126trn, paid out annually, according to the document.

The RMAFC document had justified the existing N1.126trn emoluments and its affordability, when it was prepared in 2008.

Details of what each of the three tiers of government collects is as follows: “N173bn(federal), N360bn(states) and N592bn (Local Government respectively).”

The salaries and allowances, which were approved in April 2008, provoked a national debate on the rationale amid increasing mass poverty.

But the RMAFC had argued that the increase was based on the depreciation in value of the salaries of the affected officers and what it considered as “progress registered in the economy in recent years,” which had seen real Gross Domestic Product accelerate.

Before the hike, public office holders’ emoluments had grossed about N751bn per annum, including the N9.9bn used in settling emoluments of Federal judicial officers and N288bn for Local Government legislatures.

For Federal, State and Local Government, pre-April 2008 packages for public officers stood at N115bn, 240bn and 395bn respectively.

The RMAFC emergency meeting took place at the commission’s headquarters with most of its 27 Commissioners in attendance.

Yar’Adua, in his letter read by the Commission’s Chairman in charge of Business Session, Gen. Obala, stated that, “Our country has become a victim, like all other countries, of the current global financial meltdown.

“This can only be mitigated through a responsive review of recurrent costs to maintain the momentum of our development.”

The President noted that decline in oil sales and shrinking foreign inflow of investments were serious concerns, which needed redemptive measures.

The Chairman of the RMAFC , Alhaji Mamman Tukur, who described the task before his commission as“very complex”, declined comments on the time- frame for the completion of the assignment.

He said, “We are looking at market conditions, Gross Domestic Product and inflation. The President is in charge of everybody. He has seen that the economy cannot take it (current pay size).

“The effect of this letter (Yar’Adua’s) has a very wide implication.”

He added that the commission’s proposals were recommendations that the Federal Government would forward to lawmakers in the federal, state and local government level for approval.

By the statutory nature of RMAFC’s assignment, Turkur said that their recommendations would not be jettisoned by any legislature, stressing that lawmakers were constitutionally barred from fixing their salaries and allowances.

“They can only reduce but not add,” he explained.

The 1999 Constitution in its Third Schedule 32 (d) empowers only RMAFC to, “determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders including the President, Vice-President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices in Section 84 and 124.”

As at April last year, the country had 17,474 political and public office holders, of which 8,692 represented lawmakers in Local Government Legislature. The Executives in the councils were 3,096.

Others include state Judiciary 792, state Legislature 1,152, Federal Judiciary 142, Federal Legislature 464 and Federal Executive 472.

It could not be ascertained as at 9pm on Thursday if the figure had increased.

Meanwhile, the salary cut being proposed by Yar’Adua is unlikely to receive the endorsement of the members of the National Assembly.

Our correspondents gathered in Abuja on Thursday that Senators had since the President’s announcement of the plan adopted an attitude of “let’s wait and see.”

There is no indication yet that the Senate leadership is contemplating emulating the example of the President.

Although opinions, for now, appear divided over the issue, the implication of the proposal has generated considerable interest among legislators.

But the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Ayogu Eze, however dismissed such insinuations. He said “I am not aware of any such thing.”

What a lame excuse for annuling the freest and fairest election. He must think Nigerians are fools. IBB's real motive was to remain in power perpetually, but when the heat was turned on  him by Sanni Abacha, he could not stand it. he bowed out shamefully by installing an illegal interim government. It was a cheap way of paving the way for Abacha. He had a succession agreement with abacha which was going to backfire if he had allowed the election to scale through. We all must resist him from contesting come 2011.

Hear the evil genius:

For the first time since the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late business mogul, Bashorun MKO Abiola, former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has given a reason for the annulment. He said he was compelled to nullify the election because of security threats to the enthronement of a democratic government at the time.

Babangida made this disclosure yesterday on a TV programme, Moments with Mo, anchored by Mo Abudu and broadcast on MNet channel of DSTV.
Babangida, who described the annulment as “unfortunate” and revealed that he would launch a book on the saga next year, said having been on the steering wheel of government at the time, he and the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) knew that the new democratic government to be installed would sooner than later be toppled through another military coup deta’t, which he said his government wanted to avoid.

According to him, his regime had decided that it would be the last administration that would ascend the seat of power through coup, adding that it would make no sense to install a democratic government that would be truncated within another six months.

He, however, admitted that the June 12 presidential election was free and fair and also the best of all elections ever conducted in Nigeria’s history.
“June 12 was accepted by Nigerians as the best of elections in Nigeria. It was free and fair. But unfortunately, we cancelled that election. I used the word unfortunately, for the first time. We were in government at the time and we knew the possible consequences of handing over to a democratic government. We did well that we wanted ours to be the last military coup deta’t. To be honest with you, the situation was not ripe to hand over at the time.

“Forget about the wrong things that happened in politics. The issue of security of the nation was a threat and we would have considered ourselves to have failed, if six months after handover, there was another coup. I went through coup deta’t and I survived it. We knew that there would be another coup deta’t. But not many people believed what we said. They could have allowed me to go away and then they (coup plotters) would regroup and stage another coup. This is how coups are staged - one man will always come to complain. And he will try to convince you about his complaints,” Babangida said.
He said security threats to the advent of democracy at the time culminated in fresh plans to conduct another election within another six months after June 12 annulment, with better strategy, but which he said he could not achieve as a result of the hostility which accompanied the cancellation. According to him, another election was conceived to come up in November 1993.

He revealed further that he was determined to conduct another election which culminated in the constitution of an Interim National Government (ING), which he noted was eventually toppled by a military coup staged by General Sani Abacha.

Babangida implied that what happened to the ING was eventually the fate that would have befallen the civil rule which his regime would have handed over to.

The former military president said the whole concept of his regime’s plan to hand over to a civil government was aimed at effecting a lasting change which could put paid to rigging. This notion, he said resulted in the decision to register only two political parties, the Social Demoratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC). “When there are two things, you have an option – this or that or nothing. We tried to regulate the number of political parties. We knew what to do,” he said.

Babangida, who expressed fears that his revelation might put him in trouble, was not categorical about his presidential ambition come 2011. Instead, he played around it, saying he was not getting younger, adding that he would rather make himself available to make certain corrections whenever he deems fit.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=134857

On Sunday 18th January, 2009, Shefiu Salawudeen, A Nigerian was stabbed to death in the neck in a yet to be established motive in Lviv, Ukraine around 8pm while waiting at the busstop to board a bus. Calling on all Nigerians home and abroad to protest the killing of this young man who arrived in Ukraine 2001, married an Ukrainian and resided lawfully in Ukraine. He is survived by parents, sibblings, wife, one child and friends.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2499253&id=546255780&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=45122124532

Nigerians are tired of being treated inhumanely. Enough of these beastly treatments and unwarranted brutalities! Nigerians reject being treated like dogs all over the world Nigerians from now onwards, must make non-Nigerians do one of two things, respect us or fear the consequences of a lack.
24hours after the incident, the representatives of Nigeria in Kiev, Ukraine, are still contemplating on what to do and ignoring calls from Nigerian citizens here. As they are constrained by bureaucracy protocol. But, again, thankfully, the rest of us, do not have those constraints and we are speaking out and we want the world to know that a Nigerian's life was illegally and violently ended in Ukraine.
By law we can not engage the system here and the police are requesting the presence of our embassy.
Protection and preservation of Nigerian citizens is the primary duty of the government of Nigeria, and therefore, Nigerian diplomats worldwide. This duty is sacrosanct.

All Nigerians, diplomats, entire hierarchy and levels of government in Nigeria must ensure, that the killers of any Nigerian do not go unpunished. Nigerians and Nigeria must draw a line in the sand regarding the sanctity of the lives of Nigerian citizens.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2009012923362178


Proceedings at a Senior Magistrate‘s Court in Ikeja were on Thursday disrupted when two owls flew into the courtroom causing a mild panic.

Lawyers, court officials and litigants scampered in various directions on sighting the owls, which gained access into the courtroom through the open louvre windows.

The incident resulted in the subsequent adjournment of the criminal matter preferred against one Peter Olufemi [21], standing trial for the theft of personal valuables and jewellery worth about N1m.

At the resumed hearing of the matter before the trial senior magistrate, Mr. Tesleem Elias, a Police Inspector, Mr. Bartholomew Nwaokoye, appeared for the prosecution while Mr. Esse Imonighara, was the defence counsel.

The court was considering the application for the substitution of the charge brought against Olufemi when the two owls suddenly flew into the courtroom.

When the birds were sighted, some litigants raised the alarm, and this attracted the attention of the court officials and the magistrate.

Instantly, several persons rushed out of the courtroom while a few others were confused on what to do.

The elderly litigants within the courtroom believed that they were ‘mystery’ birds that must be caught and killed.

The traditionalists among them quickly rendered certain incantations and pursued the owls until one of them was caught while the second one escaped.

They killed the bird and immediately set its body ablaze behind the courtroom and watched it burnt into ashes.

However, before the owl was killed, the court had adjourned the proceedings till February 4.

Olufemi was alleged to have on October 9, 2008 at No 4, Grace Oroloye Crescent, Awuse estate, Opebi, Ikeja entered into a dwelling house and stole a gold wrist watch, a gold necklace, an envelope containing cash, all valued at about N1m, belonging to one Mrs. S.O Ajomo.

It is a brilliant idea, and it will definitely work. You can consider building the houses with wood instead of metal containers. Most residentials in US and OK are built of wood. You can consider siting it as hostels in any academic environment.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20090124161715

Naval ratings beat up female Punch employee
By James Azania
Published: Saturday, 24 Jan 2009
Six ratings of the Nigerian Navy, operating within the premises of Apapa Ports, on Friday, assaulted a female member of staff of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs Bola Adeyemi, who was on official assignment.

In an incident reminiscent of last year’s manhandling of 26-year-old Miss Uzoma Okere by naval ratings attached to Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, the officers assaulted Adeyemi, in an attempt to seize her mobile phone. She had used it to take pictures of their vehicle, while they were extorting truckers. The woman’s offence was that she took picture of the white-coloured pick-up van, with registration number FG 209A19, which the naval ratings operated in as they made to leave after receiving N10,000 as bribes from a driver engaged by her.

According to the woman, trouble began when a company, Mediterranean Shipping Company, was off-loading empty containers, at the same time that a truck hired by her on behalf of PUNCH Nigeria Limited was doing same, leading to space constraint.

She narrated that it was at this point that the uniformed men impounded her vehicle, threatening to take both its driver and the truck down to Maza-Maza Police station.

She continued, “But, along the line, an agreement was reached between the truck driver and the ratings, who accepted N10,000 from him.” She said she succeeded in getting the picture of the ratings’ vehicle with her mobile handset, as they made to leave. Apparently, one of them saw her and signalled to the others to disembark from their vehicle.

She continued, “Upon disembarking, they descended on me, first by ransacking the pockets of my skirt in an attempt to get hold of the phone with which I took the shot. While this went on, one of them rained some slaps on my face but the phone was in my clothes and they were unable to access it, while I held on to another.”

She said the assault attracted a crowd and, “at this point, one of them said this was becoming dangerous and they fled from the scene. But I held on to the one that slapped me and would not let go. They held my hands separately but I did not release any of my phones, while at the same time I tried to dictate my office phone numbers to one of the onlookers to assist me in getting across to the office. At this point, the commotion became so much, and the ratings decided to make a run for it, forcing their way through.”

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Naval Information, Commodore David Nabaida, he promised to investigate the matter. He later called back to direct our correspondent to forward the matter to the Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft, Capt. Israel, whom he said was in charge of affairs in that area.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/27049/42/

It was a shocking sight yesterday as men of the Kwara State Police Command paraded a goat as an armed robbery suspect.

The goat "robbery suspect"The goat "suspect" is being detained over an alleged attempt to snatch a Mazda car. The mysterious goat, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tunde Mohammed, while briefing bewildered journalists at the Force headquarters, is an armed robber who attempted to snatch the said car, Wednesday night, and later transformed into the goat in a bid to escape arrest.

He explained that men of a vigilance group in Anifowose Ipata/Oloje areas of the state capital had chased two armed robbery suspects who wanted to demobilise the Mazda car with the intention of stealing it, and

"while one of them escaped, the other was about to be apprehended by the team when he turned his back on the wall and turned to this goat. They quickly grabbed the goat and here it is.’’ Mohammed said.

The police spokesman said the goat "armed robbery suspect" will not be left off the hook until investigations into the case are concluded.

He also said that no fewer than five stolen vehicles have been recovered by the state Police Command while some suspects were also arrested. Among those arrested, he said was one Idowu Oni of Araromi area of Akure who escaped from Akure Prison.

He added that the escaped convict was arrested in Ilorin after stealing a Mazda 323 car belonging to Mrs. Henrietta Ayijesu.

He also said another armed robbery and rape suspect was in their custody, assuring that the suspects will soon appear in court.

Do you think the chief Justice's flub of the oath taking is deliberate and part of a bigger plot to discredit Obama's legitimacy as president. air your view



WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama retook his oath of office Wednesday after Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed while delivering it at Tuesday's inauguration.


President Barack Obama takes the oath of office -- his second in two days -- in the White House on Wednesday.

1 of 2  The second oath -- also administered by Roberts -- took place at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday in the White House's Map Room. Roberts asked Obama whether he was ready.

"I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

The do-over was aimed at dispelling any confusion that might arise from Tuesday's take -- in which "faithfully" was said out of sequence -- and erase any question that Obama is legally the president.

However, per the Constitution, Obama became president at noon Tuesday without taking the oath.

"We believe that the oath of office was administered effectively and that the president was sworn in appropriately yesterday," White House counsel Greg Craig said Wednesday in a written statement.

"But the oath appears in the Constitution itself. And out of an abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath a second time," the statement read.  Watch Tuesday's oath »

On Tuesday, Roberts, apparently working without a copy of the oath handy on the Capitol steps, started out by reciting a six-word phrase, but Obama broke in halfway through and repeated the first three
That seemed to throw the chief justice off stride, and he proceeded to mix up the order of the words in the next phrase.

The Constitution sets out the language that should be used in the oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Roberts moved the word "faithfully" back nine spots, and used "to" instead of "of." That threw the president off base, and he smiled and paused to collect his thoughts, then decided to follow Roberts' lead.

But the chief justice at the same time attempted to correct himself.

Here's how Tuesday's oath went:

Roberts: ,  that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully ,

Obama: ,  that I will execute ,

Roberts: ,  the off -- faithfully the pres -- the office of president of the United States ,

Obama (at the same time): ,  the office of president of the United States faithfully ,

The two got the rest correct, including the nonobligatory "So help you God?" "So help me God."

Reporters, bloggers and others weighed in on the flub. The New York Post offered this headline: "Roberts is the Oaf of Office."

A Washington Post reader complained in a letter to the editor: "What could have been a moment for the ages was marred by Mr. Roberts' thoughtlessness. News outlets will report that the first words of our new president were "confused." Whether through design or an amazing lack of preparation, Justice Roberts's behavior was a disgrace."

And Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said: "We're wondering here whether or not Barack Obama in fact is the president of the United States. They had a kind of garbled oath. It's just conceivable that this will end up going to the courts."

In a congressional luncheon after Tuesday's swear-in, Roberts and Obama exchanged words, and the chief justice appeared to tell the president, "It was my fault."

Before Wednesday's do-over at the White House, Obama, waiting on a couch, joked that "we decided it was so much fun ,  "

Though a Bible was used in Tuesday's oath, one was not used for Wednesday's.

After a flawless recitation, Roberts smiled and said, "Congratulations again."

I got an advice (receipt) this morning from Itire/Ikate LCDA asking me to pay N55,000 tenement rate. Is it the duty of the local governemt to request for payment of tenemet rate after the Lagos state government have abolished it. Can someone please clarify this issue. I thought we were only to pay under the Land Use Act now.

http://www.nyp.org/news/hospital/pgd-for-sickle-cell.html

First Successful Embryo Biopsy for Sickle Cell Anemia

New York Weill Cornell Researchers Report Birth of Healthy Twins
NEW YORK (May 12, 1999)

Scientists have successfully used a new technique to identify the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell anemia. For the first time, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has resulted in the birth of healthy twin girls to a couple where both partners were carriers for the sickle cell trait. The results of this study by researchers from The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CRMI) at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the New York Presbyterian Hospital (New York Weill Cornell Center), in conjunction with researchers at the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (CMMG) at Wayne State University, appear in the May 12th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Embryo biopsy by PGD is a diagnostic technique that is used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to determine the genetic status of preimplantation embryos. PGD requires the expertise of highly skilled medical and genetic teams and is only available at specialized centers like New York Weill Cornell.

"This technique allows parents to know, with reasonable certainty, that their child will be normal before the mother is carrying the child. With this new capability, we can help couples who carry the genetic trait that causes sickle cell anemia, and we can virtually eliminate the risk of passing on that trait to their children," said Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, Principal Investigator of the study and Director of CRMI at New York Weill Cornell Center.

Sickle cell anemia affects nearly one in 625 births in African-Americans, although nearly 10% of patients with various sickling disorders are identified as non-African-American. Sickle cell disease is a condition which alters the shape of the red blood cells from round to "sickle" shape, causing them to block small blood vessels and interfere with normal blood flow. Children affected with sickle cell disease experience chronic episodes of pain and an increased susceptibility to potentially life-threatening conditions, including bacterial infections and organ failure. At the present time, there are no satisfactory treatments for this sickling condition.

Dr. Zev Rosenwaks and Dr. Kangpu Xu led the team of researchers at New York Weill Cornell Center in collaboration with Dr. Mark Hughes at CMMG. According to the report published in JAMA, the couple was treated in 1997 with standard IVF, a technique commonly used to treat infertility in which sperm and eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the laboratory. PGD was performed on the seven IVF-generated embryos and DNA analysis of single cells biopsied from these embryos determined the genetic status of each embryo. Three apparently normal, unaffected embryos were transferred back to the mother's uterus and a twin pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound at seven weeks. Amniocentesis performed four months into the pregnancy confirmed that the twins were not affected with the sickle cell mutation. These healthy baby girls were delivered at the New York Weill Cornell Center on May 5, 1998.

"Our results confirm that PGD is a safe and viable option for couples who are carriers of sickle cell disease who wish to prevent a genetically defective child—it may provide them with a realistic alternative to prenatal testing," according to Dr. Xu, lead author of the study.

"PGD has already been used successfully to identify several other inherited traits including cystic fibrosis and sex-linked diseases such as hemophilia. This success is another indication that PGD has enormous benefits for couples who want to minimize the risk that they will pass on certain diseases or conditions to their children," Dr. Rosenwaks said. Previously, sickle cell anemia could only be diagnosed through amniocentesis, a procedure performed during pregnancy.

Currently at New York Weill Cornell Center, preimplantation genetic testing is offered to select couples who suffer from genetic disorders and chromosomal aberrations, including Tay Sach's disease, Down's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, and Fanconi's anemia among others. Drs. Rosenwaks, Xu and their colleagues are actively conducting research into the application of PGD for other chromosomal disorders such as Fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease.

Nigerians can no longer be fooled by the likes of Festus Keyamo. His antecedents speak volume about his values and orientation. He is deceitful, unprincipled and manipulative and that makes him pathetic. No wonder he is always in the news for the most unfathomable reasons that are expected of a public crusader. Nigerians are not fools.

Now he runs down the likes of Ribadu and Sowore, the same people who were a thorn in the flesh of the corrupt Nigerians. If he says Ribadu achieved nothing, where was Keyamo when Ribadu recovered $3.5 Billion Dollars that Waziri declared as being one of EFCC’s achievements. The same Ribadu changed the perception of the world about Nigeria when the corruption index dropped significantly. Festus is quick to mention a few names that Ribabu had not apprehended and brushed off all his outstanding achievements. Every corrupt politician is now wise enough to keep their dirty tracks away from the view of Sahara reporters, a credit to Sowore.

Right under Keyamo’s nose as EFCC lawyer, Igbinedion was set free on a bail of N3.5m after stealing several billions of public funds, the case files of corrupt governors suddenly got missing. Why has Waziri not started trying the people mentioned by Keyamo ? Does Mr. Keyamo want to pretend not to know that the AIG and Waiziri are stooges of the same corrupt past Governors and politicians who have held Nigeria bound in mediocrity. What does Mr. Keyamo, our supposed public fighter have to say about all this ?

Nigerian History has reserved a special place for the likes of Gani Faweyimi, Femi Falana, Beko Ransom Kuti, Wole Soyinka et al, because they unambiguously fought corruption and oppression of the masses. In the hall of fame of Public fighters these gentlemen stands out. What public battle has Keyamo fought except any that will land him cheap popularity? No wonder his battles never get anywhere. I am not too surprised when he began to measure his successes on the number of houses he has acquired, his choice cars and the numbers of lawyers who now works under him, that was what he was out for in the first place. Let him be reminded that this achievements cannot stand the test of time, if they did such names as Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Beko, Tafawa Balewa will no longer be remembered today.

The cameras are solar powered i guess

Fashola is a trailblazer anyday. Warning for lagosians, watch your behind when next you do any shit stuff in public, your ass might be beamed live on TV

Arugbo ojo 2ce
iwo laseda laweda lameda o
Arugbo Ojo
Iwo loni ogo, loni eye loni ola
Arugbo Ojo

Mba Moriki re, mba korin lai dake
Mba fijo si bi okoto Jesu Arugbo ojo

Iwo loni iyin kaabo maa rora
Iwo loni iyi kaa bo maa rora
Arugbo Ojo

(Composed by Professor kehinde OAU, Ife)

Emi naa re oluwa
Emi naa re oluwa
Mo wa dupe ore atodun modun
Mowa dupe ore atosu mosu
Mowa dupe ore igba gbogbo
emi naa re Oluwa

The film is above average going by nollywood standard. The message was very well delivered.

On several occasions International documentaries have depicted the pictures of Oshodi as the symbol of the backwardness of not only lagosians but the black race. The population of the illegal traders at Oshodi cant be any more than 500, yet we want to justify their economic stay over that of several millions of Nigerian who should be using the route for their own economic stay, but who are made to suffer untold hardship and suffer in the hand of criminals. Fashola has done the right thing and he should be applauded for his boldness and foresight. Poverty and corruption thrives in a disorganised environment.

@Canyon is definitely right, if u have all the qualities, wheter you are a man or a woman, ur choice list will be endless. Who no like better thing. Also, there is a saying that you cannot attract what you dont respect. Good people attract good people, bad people attract bad people.

i am offering 2.8m for this car

Parts of our power shortage problems can be solved if our government takes immediate simple steps to address issues of power wastages. From the domestic point of view, a lack of power results in poor sleep, worsened by the noise of generators thats run through the night. Lack of sleep and Malaria alone grossly affects the productivity and sanity of most nigerians. If you drive regularly on nigerian roads, u will come to terms with the prevalence of anger and frustrations due to lack of adequate sleep. If we free up more power for homes, we will have less of malaria to deal with, and happier and more refreshed nigerians.

One common cause of power wastages includes our use of the traditional Light Bulbs TLB i.e incandescent lights. Approximately 90% of the power consumed by an incandescent light bulb is emitted as heat, rather than as visible light. The average Nigerian home uses the TLB instead of the Energy Bulbs. The reasons are not far fetched. It is far cheaper that the energy saving light bulbs. While a good Energy saving bulb could cost N200, the TLB is sold for N50. Lets do a little calculation, Let us assume there are 1,000,000 homes in Nigeria, a conservative estimate for a 140m population. An average home will have 4 of this TLBs. each TLB with an average power rating of 50w. In all, the TLBs will require 200,000,000w=200Mw to power them from a pool of 3000MW generated by NEPA during peak periods. The Energy saving bulbs of same Lumens (the measurement of light capacity) rating will have a power rating in the range of 8watts. That will reslut in 32,000,000wats=32MW. a 625% saving on cost and energy. The freed up power can go into more homes to power fans which only takes between 10 -15watts, and have more impact on our health. Another benefit of Energy bulb is that they generate much less heat and also have a longer life span

The New minister of the power ministry, Mr olanrewaju Babalola needs to immediately ban the importation and use of the traditional light bulbs. Brazil and Venezuela started to phase them out in 2005. We dont need rocket science to solve our myraids of problems, just a little modifications of our old ways could help.

Left-handers are definitely special people.60% of US presidents in the last 30 years are left-handed am left handed too, and I was the best graduating student at my secondary school. Left handers also have very good handwritings. One theory divides left- and right-handed thinkers into two camps: visual simultaneous vs. linear sequential. According to this theory, right-handed people are thought to process information using a "linear sequential" method in which one thread must complete its processing before the next thread can be started.Left-handed persons are thought to process information using a "visual simultaneous" method in which several threads can be processed simultaneously You can learn a lot more about us here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-handed

what a shame 10 against 11 and we still lost  

Recently I needed and office to work while on travel and it was really difficult. The idea of setting up a fully equipped rental office then occured to me. what do you think of this. Do you think it will be lucrative in Nigeria

We all want a better Nigeria that we can be proud of, we cant sit on the fence and watch things go for the worst.
One way of correcting the ills is by exposing them. Write about crimes scenes, destructions, corrupt practises, terrorist acts, rapes, arsons
which you have witnessed. Expose criminals. You can make it more reavealing by adding pictures or sounds. Who knows some one important
might be reading them and act on them. No balckmails please.

The cost of building a house varies from area to area within Lagos. The texture of the soil structure is a major factor. A poor soil structure could require a pile or raft foundation. Raft foundation is however more common for residential buildings. The costs of the foundation determines to a large extent how much the building will cost in the long run. Areas such as Okota, Lekki, Ajah, Amuwo Odofin requires raft foundation depths which could range between 0.6metres and 1.2metres or more depending on the storeys of the structure. From my experince, a raft foundation of about 1.2metres will cost between N1m and N1.5m with owner's supervision. Others areas (such as ikorodu, Iyana paja etc) may not require as much expenditure on the foundation because the soil structure is more compact.

For a building consisting of 4 units of 3 bedroom flats, it will cost you between N10m and N15m depending on the quality of the materials you used for your finishings The skeleton (raft, german floor, block works, concrete slabs) of the building will gulp between 60%-70% of the total cost The finishing takes the rest i.e plastering, aluminium roofing, aluminium windows, doors, electrical fittings, burglary, flooring, tiling, plumbing, painting etc.

One thing to guide against is the exargerartion by some dishonest Nigerian Architects and builders, they tend to blow the bill of quantity out of proportion with the intent to defraud the owner. For example, they may give you a costing for 1.2m raft foundation and put in place 0.8m for you, they pocket the difference because they know you cannot verify their claim if you are not technical. Watch out also for the granite sellers, they sell you 20tonnes of granite at the cost of 30tonnes.

We don't have Trauma centres, but we have plenty Trauma mortuaries.  ,