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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is currently in a state of impending crisis as the integrity of its electoral committee has been questioned, following the disqualification of one of the aspirants in the coming elections.

According to reports, one of the nominated Presidential hopefuls, Mr. Afam Osigwe was disqualified from contesting by the electoral committee on grounds that there was no evidence before it to show that he paid his Annual Dues to his (Nnewi) Branch as and when due for at least 3 years immediately preceding this year’s election. Secondly, that Mr. Osigwe did not provide satisfactory proof of his relocation to the Nnewi Branch.

The NBA election is set for a few weeks from now, and this disqualification has raised serious concerns within and outside the NBA with different voices calling to question the integrity of the electoral committee and the impunity that may be going on within the association.

It is believed within some circles that the disqualification was a ruse to cover the real issue, which is that the 46 years Old Afam Osigwe is considered by some powerful older folks as unfit for the Presidential position because he is too young to run. It has also been contended that Mr. Afam Osigwe is not good enough to lead the Bar because he is not a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The disqualification has been described as puerile and laughable; and Mr. Osigwe has since responded to the Electoral Committee, stating that he could not have paid Branch Dues as a member of Nnewi Branch in 2016 and 2017, since he paid branch dues as a member of NBA Abuja branch in 2016 and 2017 and only joined Nnewi branch in 2018. He further argued that even though the NBA Constitution does not require him to ‘provide satisfactory proof of relocation to Nnewi Branch”, he informed the Committee of his residential and office address in Nnewi, and he was given a letter of Good Standing as a member of the branch.

At 46, Afam is the youngest of the four persons seeking to succeed the incumbent; and has been described as a preferred candidate by young lawyers within the association. Many who now contest his disqualification hope that the Electoral Committee can retrace its steps and put things in the right order.

Mazi Afam Osigwe is a charismatic and experienced lawyer who has been privileged to sit and take decisions with the creme-de-la-crème of the legal profession on the Body of Benchers, Council of Legal Education, General Council of the Bar, NBA-NEC Advisory Committee of the NBA Abuja and has, in times past, held offices as Chairman of the Abuja branch, General Secretary of the NBA, to mention but a few.

As the election draws near, Nigerians continue to watch as this unfolds.

Debo Adejana Real Estate Seminar will be holding this November.

It’s time to help members of the public and Real Estate Business enthusiasts out there realize the gainful potentials that abound in Real Estate in the current economy.

Are you about to give up on business? Thinking of leaving Real Estate to seek greener pastures elsewhere? Thinking of another business you can do to survive in this economy? This seminar is FOR YOU!

Join Debo Adejana – MD/CEO of Realty Point Limited – this November for another exciting and carefully packaged seminar tagged ‘REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS YOU CAN MAKE IN THIS ECONOMY’

The special guest for this edition is Real Estate Guru, Mr. Tope Adegbonmire.


​
Date: Saturday, November 12, 2016
Time: 10 a.m
Venue: Realty Place – 3, Olaide Benson Street, (beside Primary Health Centre), Onigbongbo – Maryland, Lagos.


REGISTRATION FEE is N2,500 on or before November 9. Fee becomes N4000 from November 10.

Register early to enjoy this discount. Begin registration here >> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaz8-QXeByJWIQHohSvuSRzHBWGxUmNKg4GZoO3h7QafzABA/viewform

Please pay registration fee to 0007754736 (Realty Point Limited) – GTB and text payment details to 08093930651 to get your name registered for the event and a seat reserved for you. You can also send payment details to nigeriarealestatehub@gmail.com.

Please note that every attendee gets a free book from Debo Adejana, a CD of the Seminar, and gets a chance to register for the Debo Adejana Mentoring Forum.

For more inquiries, please call 08093930651.

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There have been several cases of fraudulent practices in the real estate sector, especially in the aspect that involves securing accommodation or finding a place to rent. This has focused the searchlight on real estate agents. In fact the honest ones or professionals amongst them are not taken seriously by some members of the public who have experienced their fair share of deceit and swindling by men who are paid to offer useful assistance to them while hunting for a place to call home.

Unscrupulous estate agents collect huge sums of money from unsuspecting Nigerians with a promise to secure them accommodation. The worst case scenario comes to play when a supposed agent collects huge amount of money from different people for the same accommodation.

That almost happened to me during my early days as a bachelor in a densely populated part of Lagos called Alapere, Ketu, when a middle aged man and his supposed spouse in the company of an agent were going to offer me a mini flat at the rate of 300,000 naira per annum
The deal was almost done until I met an old friend of mine on my way to the bank. He was shocked to see me in his area and asked what brought me to his domain. I explained to him that I was house hunting and I was almost done with securing an accommodation for myself around his place but for the payment which will be made before the end of the day.

He told me to be careful, that there were many fake agents around there. He even asked me to take him to the place which I did. If for nothing. I wanted at least some else who would rate the apartment , then proceed to telling me that I made the right choice.

Alas! Immediately he saw the building and the apartment I wanted to rent, I knew there was something wrong just looking at the smirk on his face.

“Ben, don’t fall for this! These people are fraudsters, the apartment you are about paying for was paid for yesterday.” An agent that has been helping me get a 3 bedroom flat brought me here yesterday, and in my presence someone paid for the same flat you want to pay for.

From that moment, I needed no soothsayer to tell me to walk away from not just that transaction but any other that in that area.

Now, some people have not been so lucky. Often times the deal would have been sealed before you suspect foul play and by that time there would be no going back. It is therefore expedient that we do our due diligence before we secure accommodation especially in a place like Lagos, where we have all manner of people and an alarming population.

There have also been more disturbing cases of dubious estate agents collecting money from prospective tenants and not remitting money to the real owners of the houses. The crimes perpetrated by these fraudsters that call themselves estate agents have gotten so bad to the extent that Nigerians seeking for accommodation have lost faith in the practice of this noble profession.

That notwithstanding, suffice it to say that there are very good and honest estate agents who practice according to the dictates of their profession. Hence, there is an urgent need for the government to sanitize this sector of human avocation.

They say a rotten apple spoils the barrel. It is indeed painful when some bad persons tarnish the image of the good ones who are willing to offer their services with an integrity that is unquestionable.

In this vein, LASRETRAD was established by the administration of former Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2012, to regulate and monitor the activities of estate agents in the state.

Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department is the main regulatory authority in Lagos State on Real Estate Transactions. And one of the major reasons for establishing the department is to restore confidence in the activities and practice of estate agents in the state.
Before LASRETRAD came into existence, Lagosians had lost faith in the government to provide them adequate protection in their transactions with real estate agents.

It is therefore assumed that with the establishment of LASRETRAD, there ordinarily should be an entrenchment of the principle of fair play, orderly conduct and accountability. This should bring a stop to the fraudulent activities of scam artists who parade themselves as estate agents.
Summarily, the purpose of LASRETRAD can be narrowed down to five (5) specifics. These are; maintaining market confidence, ensuring the protection and enhancement of the stability of Lagos State Real Estate Market, securing certain level of protection for property seekers, to make property transaction process extremely transparent and total eradication of quackery in Real Estate industry of the state with an attempt to eliminate any type of property frauds.

If LASRETRAD works effectively according to its ideals in conjunction with other regulatory bodies, then the hopes of Lagosians to gain accessiblity to affordable housing will no longer be a mirage.

However, the question now is; has the establishment of LASRETRAD by the Lagos state government brought any sanity to this sector of our lives? Do Lagosians now deal with estate agents with a free mind and that confidence that they will not be short-changed?

What are your views?

Credit: http://nigeriarealestatehub.com/tackling-quackery-real-estate-lagos.html/
Nigeria Real Estate Hub | Home for everything real estate

A Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Wednesday remanded in custody a 42-year-old man, Lateef Abu, accused of attempting to dupe a former minister of a property in the FCT.
Mr. Abu, a staff of the Abuja Geographical Information System, is standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and forgery.
The Magistrate, Anka Mustapha, refused the accused bail and ordered that he should be remanded at the Kuje prison while adjourning the case till November 24.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Emmanuel Adoku, told the court that one Kudirat Abubakar, also of AGIS, reported the matter at the FCT Police Command on Aug. 15.
According to the prosecutor, the accused forged a Certificate of Occupancy of a plot of land belonging to a former Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Abba Gana.

He said that the accused subsequently attempted to sell the land.
The prosecutor, however, added that the scam was uncovered during a legal search by the prospective buyer.
He said that the accused had obtained the original document from the former minister on the pretext that there was a prospective buyer interested in the property.
Mr. Adoku said that the accused, who could not give reasons for his action, pleaded for forgiveness and attributed his action to the economic hardship in the country.
The prosecutor said that the offences committed contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
When the charge was read to the accused in court, he pleaded guilty.


More real estate news at nigeriarealestatehub.com

EPISODE 2

Martins glanced at his wristwatch.
8:45 a.m.!
He was late!
Alarm raced through him as he half-ran half-walked into the building that housed his new office. The thought brought a smile to his face. He now had an office he could resume to, not the menial jobs he had done for years now. As an HND holder, getting a job in the saturated labor market was next to impossible especially with so many B.Sc graduates but by some stroke of favor, he had been picked for this job. He couldn’t remember doing or saying anything exceptional. After going for numerous interviews and writing various tests, you get to the point where you just go through the motions, where you do it because you don’t want to be accused of inaction, where you do it because you don’t want to feel like a failure incapable of making your dreams a reality but all of that had changed the moment he got the call to resume. There was a new spring to his legs and he felt a light-headedness he had not felt in a long time. He wouldn’t call himself a religious man who believed in prophecies but he knew his life had changed forever. Although the pay wasn’t breathtaking, it would solve some of his problems and if he planned his life well, he might find himself living the way he had always dreamed.
But before then, there was work to be done. He adjusted his tie, took a deep breath and opened the door to Realty Point Limited. He stopped short when he saw the reception empty. Today was not the day for the receptionist to be absent. He needed somebody to usher him to his department so he could settle in fast. He was late enough already and further delays wouldn’t help his case. He couldn’t afford to lose this job because of his tardiness. Of course, it wasn’t his fault considering his housing situation and the gigantic traffic he encountered on his way there but employers didn’t care about that. They were not interested in your personal problems, just your ability to deliver on the job assigned to you.
He stood, debating whether to go in or wait for someone to come out when a smartly dressed lady with a lovely smile delivered him out of his dilemma. “Good morning. How may I help you?”
“Errr…. Good morning. My name is Martins. I’m the new…”
“Business and Marketing Executive,” she finished with a smile. “Ada already asked of you this morning. Second door to your left.”
“Thank you,” Martins murmured as he moved, heaving a deep sigh. He didn’t know who Ada was but hoped she would be as friendly as the lady he just finished talking to.
She wasn’t! The moment he walked in and introduced himself, she attacked him.
“Why are you late?” she queried, unsmiling
“There… there was traffic,” he stammered, intimidated by her stare.
“There’s traffic everywhere, that’s why you leave home early.”
Martins stared at her, incapable of giving a proper and adequate response. He had a feeling it would be pointless to explain he had been up as early as 5:30 a.m. and had done everything within his power to get there before 8:00 a.m. Her attitude gave credence to what he already knew: employers didn’t care about your problems, just get your job done.
“I’m sorry,” he found himself saying. Of course he didn’t mean it but instinct told him it was better to show remorse to the small, slim looking woman with the oval face, big round eyes and full curvy lips than to justify his actions. And he trusted his instincts when it came to women. He had his own share of women, and with five sisters, he could safely trust his instinct.
“Don’t be sorry, don’t come late again.”
“Yes ma”
“You are expected to be here before eight. By eight o’clock we do our morning confession and it’s compulsory”
“Yes ma” he replied, wondering what ‘confession’ meant.
“And don’t call me ma, my name is Ada,” she stated as she picked some papers from her table and stood up from her seat. ”We are all on first name basis.”
“Including the MD?”
For the life of him, he didn’t know why he had asked that. It seemed the question had just popped out of his mouth and the look she gave him told him he shouldn’t have asked. He was surprised when she replied.
“No! To all of us, he is Mr Debo. We have a departmental meeting now.”
Martins nodded as he watched her walk out of her office to the outer area where the other executives sat. The woman was a classic! His first day at work and she had succeeded in making him feel stupid. He wondered what the remaining days of the month would look like. He sure hoped it would be better.
He settled for a nearby seat as he drew a huge breath of relief. The air-conditioned office gave him a soothing welcome to a new life – one which he hopes will be better than the hell he faces in his house with co-tenants.
As the daydream continued to flow in his head, Martins began to tilt his head slightly towards his shoulder, eyes closing slowly till he fell asleep.

Read more of this series at www.nigeriarealestatehub.com

In 2001, the Lagos State Government promulgated the Land Use Charge law in response to the increasing demand for provision of urban and rural infrastructures occasioned by dwindling federal revenue allocations. 14 years later the land use charge law is still not widely accepted. Majority of Lagosians don’t even see the justification or the rationale for its promulgation, a lot more also feel its only another avenue to milk the masses dry.

Also, it was perceived in some quarters that the amount of charge payable which is considered to be inappropriate would be a major setback to the fulfillment of the law. There have even been arguments that the high charge and the penalties involved would discourage investment in new housing and maintenance of existing stock. Recently Abuja followed suit and before you batt an eyelid it could take full swing in the entire polity. Reason why it becomes paramount that the issue of the full implementation of property tax in the country needs a surgical procedure

What is Property Tax

Property tax is generally a tax imposed by municipalities upon owners of real property within their jurisdiction based on the value of such property. This form of tax is reported to be one of the most stable sources of revenue to governments however most state and local governments in Nigeria are yet to tap revenue from this form of tax. In developed countries, revenue generated from this tax is used to provide basic amenities to the people.

Throughout the world property taxes are commonly employed as the main source of locally generated revenue for the good reason that there is no other major source of taxation revenue that is exactly geographically defined. It is possible to use local income taxes and/or local sales taxes for generating local government revenue but both have difficult administrative problems. Local revenue may be generated from other sources, particularly rents from local government owned properties. In some cases, local income taxes are an important source of revenue. In many cases, however, property tax is the main source of revenue (and even when local income taxes exist, it may be easier for a local government to modify the property tax rate than to adjust the income tax rate).

Challenges in Property Taxation

No perfect policy exists due to challenges in human endeavours not even in a country where ‘stealing is not corruption’ in the words of the immediate past President of Nigeria. Thus, the following problems should be avoided and if possible eradicated to ensure a good tax system that ensures the attainment of public goods

Assessment and valuation inconsistencies: Determining the appropriate rate of tax most times requires expert opinion and usually this is not available. Very skilled personnel are needed to carry out this activity. This greatly affects the accuracy of collected data. Lack of skilled manpower leads to under-valuation thus reducing government’s revenue, while over-assessment results into disputes which may delay payment of property taxes.

Illiteracy and ignorance: This has over time been seen as a major hindrance to the collection of property taxes. To a great extent, affected individuals either do not see a need/importance of it or they do not know anything about it. More so, a lot of Nigerians have lost faith in our government. They see it as another avenue created by the government to take the masses on a reckless ride to poverty Inn

Legal documents: The statutory nature of property taxation makes it necessary to be provided with appropriate legal documents or aiding laws to back up its activities. Most times these documents either are not in existence in the region or they fall short of some provisions. To ensure successful property taxation in the country, tax laws need to be either created or modified to fit present day activities.

Attitude of the tax payer and taxing authority: No one wants to pay tax to the government on the protest that they do not know what the tax is used for. However they still need public facilities

Prospects of Property Taxation

The choice for a good tax for local governments is limited compared to both the choices of federal and even state governments in Nigeria. This is because the higher levels of government are larger, cover jurisdictions having larger populations and have a greater capacity for tax administration if effectively managed. A number of conditions should be met for a tax to be a good tax that meets the challenges of the 21st century
The revenue of a good tax at all levels should increase over time in order to match the natural growth in costs and to fulfil the growing needs of public services.
Taxes should not be too sensitive to cyclical fluctuations.
A good local/state tax should be distributed relatively equally among local governments. Equalisation of the revenue between local governments may be required to enhance differences in access to tax base.
There should be a close relationship between the citizens who pay and the citizens who benefit.
The tax administration should be inexpensive to administer, i.e. the tax yield should be much higher than the administrative costs. A realistic target is that the cost of administering a property tax should be significantly less than five percent of the revenue generated.
The administrative cost is arguably the biggest constraint to the growth of the property tax. It is just too expensive, and too hard to properly levy and enforce. So, countries are turning increasingly to “shortcuts” to address this problem. The introduction of the notional valuation based on location and area, self-assessment, indexing between valuation periods, and the exemption of the hard to tax properties are all examples of such shortcuts.
If the government of any state in the federation is hell-bent on implementing property tax in their localities, then the right steps must be taken for its acceptability. If the citizens cannot see the genuineness in the government’s approach towards the implementation of property tax then it will be a lost cause. The following must be put on the front burner for the implementation of a property tax regime.
A comprehensive study should be made, by the government of states that are yet to instigate a property tax regime and its relevant authorities, in the states reported to having administered one form of property tax or another to see how these taxes were brought into law, how they are administered, the revenue/ benefits derived and what challenges are faced.
More professional staff both estate surveyors and valuers, and tax administrators should be employed by the government in both the Ministry of Lands and Housing and States Board of Internal Revenue as this will bring in people with professional knowledge and expertise with regards to this tax, who will bring about the realisation of these taxes in the states of the federation.
Detailed and up-to-date records should be kept of properties in the various states as this will enable the government in assessing taxable properties when finally the collection of such taxes is fully enforced. This is necessary if a successful property tax administration is to be achieved.

The success of determining property tax largely depends on proper land registration and adequate documentation. These are however the major low-points hindering effective land management in Nigeria.

What’s your thought on the possibility of a full implementation of property tax in the entire country?


You can read more on Property Tax and other articles like this at nigeriarealestatehub.com (nigeria's number one real estate information portal)

Taking the NIESV Professional Exam is a good way to belong to a professional body if you are interested in pursuing a career in Estate Surveying and Valuation in Nigeria.

NIESV is one of the leading professional bodies in the Nigerian real estate industry. Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers(NIESV) – a non-profit, voluntary, professional body established by a couple of surveyors who had their professional training in the UK and obtained the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors certification has published entry guidelines for the NIESV Exams slated for November.

The examination, which is held twice within the year, with the first in May at Abuja and the second in November at three locations i.e. Enugu, Kaduna and Lagos locations, has different points of entry based on the candidate’s educational qualifications.

The basic requirement for candidates seeking entry into ‘The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV)’ Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE) is a Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education (SSCE), or its equivalent with credit passes in at least five subjects which must include Mathematics, English Language, Economics, one basic science from (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural Science) and any one from Geography, Government, Commerce, Business Studies, Technical Drawing, Fine Arts, Accounting, Building Construction, Wood Work and Metal Work at not more than two sittings.

The examinations into the professional body for Estate surveyors and Valuers are in four stages. These include; Foundation in Estate Management (FEM), Professional Qualifying Examination 1 (PQE 1), Professional Qualifying Examination 2(PQE 2), Professional Qualifying Examination 3A (PQE 3A), Professional Qualifying Examination 3B (PQE 3B) and Professional Practice Examination (PPE).

1. Foundation in Estate Management (FEM): This is the first stage of qualification into the professional body. Prospective candidates are required to possess a minimum of a Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education to qualify for this exam.

2. Professional Qualifying Examination 1 (PQE 1): A pass in Foundation , National Diploma in Estate Management from unaccredited Institutions, Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science or Art Degrees from any institution are the requirements for the second stage of exams into NIESV. Also candidates that bagged a B.Sc/HND in Engineering Management, Mathematics, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics etc, are exempted from writing PQE1 Maths and Statistics.

PQE1 Economics and Accounting PQE 104 and 105 are also waived for B.Sc. /HND in Economics, Actuarial Science, Insurance, Business, Administration/Management, Banking and Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Agricultural Economics, Commerce, Cooperative and Rural Development .

In addition, B.Sc/ B.Tech/ HND in Urban and Regional planning, (Waive: Planning in PQE 1 and PQE2), HND/B.Sc/B.Tech in Architecture, Quantity Surveying, and Building (Waive: Building construction in PQE1 and PQE2). B.Sc Geography, Geology, Archaeology and Surveying (Waive: Surveying).

B.Sc/B.Tech in project Management(Waive: project Management PQE3) and LLB is exempted from Legal Studies in PQE1,PQE2 and PQE3).
3. Professional Qualifying Examination 2 (PQE 2): A pass in PQE1, Ordinary National Diploma in Estate Management from accredited Institution and HND in Estate Management from unaccredited Institutions is enough to qualify you for this exam. Post graduate Diploma (PGD) in Estate Management from NIESV accredited and recognized universities or Polytechnics also qualifies you for placement.

4. Professional Qualifying Examination 3A (PQE 3A): The qualification for this stage includes; HND Estate Management from accredited institution and B.Sc Estate Management from unrecognized Universities. Prospective candidates that hope to sit for this exam are expected to write only PQE301, PQE302, PQE303 AND PQE304 in PQE3 Examination and Professional Practice Examination (PPE). However, candidates from recognized foreign universities are to write PQE3 Legal Studies.

5. Professional Qualifying Examination 3B (PQE 3B): A pass in PQE1, ND in Estate Management from accredited Institution and HND in Estate Management from unaccredited institutions are the qualifications accepted here. Candidates are required to write all papers in (PQE3) and Professional Practice Examination (PPE). However candidates from recognized foreign universities are not exempted from PQE3 Legal Studies.

6. Professional Qualifying Examination (PPE): B.Sc, PGD in Estate Management, and a pass in PQE3 from accredited institutions and recognized foreign institutions will earn you a spot in this stage.

NIESV was created in 1969, with a charge to furnish the needs of people in landed profession in Nigeria and six years later, it received government recognition through the endorsement of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration, etc)” Decree No. 24 of 1975.


The Institution’s Secretariat is located at Plot 759, Independence Avenue (Bassan Plaza), Central Business District, Abuja while the Lagos and Enugu Liaison Offices are located at Plot A, Block 12, Elephant Cement Way,(Opposite Lagos State Secretariat Mosque) CBD, Alausa, Ikeja and Block A, Akalaka House, 127/129, Chime Avenue, New Heaven, Enugu respectively.

To read more about NIESV examinations, check us at nigeriarealestatehub.com

The BROUHAHA of Oga Martins

A real estate based fiction series, created to promote awareness for real life issues faced in our everyday lives. Ranging from Landlord vs Tenant, Tenant vs Tenant, land buyer vs land seller, Omo-onile issues, land tussle and the likes. All these issues will be told through the life of Oga Martins, who is a real estate agent devoted to helping people achieve their housing goals, but still having his own personal issues to deal with. This is a creative work you will enjoy reading, as it will make you appreciate the great job real estate practitioners are doing just to contribute their quota into helping tenants become landlords. It will also reveal a lot of tips and tricks that go on within the sector, just so you are up-to-date. Please be kind enough to leave your comments in order to encourage the writer. This is powered by Realty Point Limited - A real estate development company passionate about helping you 'Sack Your Landlord'

You can also read the full version of this story anytime when you log on to nigeriarealestatehub.com

Let's get on with the BROUHAHA of Oga Martins

Grgggh! Grrggggh! Grgggh!

The alarm shrilled and Martins woke up with a start, his hand quickly going to the source of the noise. He turned it off, wondering why cheap phones had loud alarms while his eyes focused on the time: 5:30 am! As usual, there was no light but he put on the torch light of his phone, grateful for its multi-functionality as he flew off the bed in a hurry. If he didn’t want to be late for his first day at work, he had to get into the bathroom now or risk not having his bath. ‘He didn’t like the thought of that. Grabbing the pail, which sat under the wooden table and knocking the chair sideways in the process, he dragged his towel from off the door, flung it over his shoulder and ran out of the room.

Martins lived in a compound where there was only one bathroom available for the ten rooms that faced each other in a row of fives and ideally should contain one person each. But, with a seventeen million housing deficit, there were squatters and squatters’ squatters. The rooms were overcrowded and the landlord didn’t care as long as his rent was paid and a certain level of decorum and responsibility was maintained. The fact that a tenant could contact a toilet disease since there were thirty-five users rather than ten was none of his business. He had complained several times for the need to have another bathroom to avoid the queue that usually occurred every morning but nothing had been done about it.

Deji, his roommate had often told him to move out if he didn’t like it but they both knew he couldn’t afford the kind of place he wanted to live in. He however believed things would change soon. Getting a job in a company that specialized in real estate was a plus for him and would open him up to various possibilities. He believed this job could change things for him and make his life better unlike Deji who lived off his girlfriend and often crashed over at her place. He shook his head in wonder as he did every time he thought about his friend. He didn’t know how a man could just be happy doing nothing and just living off others.

The thought of Deji and his weird ways however evaporated as he arrived at the bathroom and saw Iya Nkiru and Temisan already there. He didn’t know when he gave a loud hiss. Temisan cast him a glance, her expression, a mixture of annoyance, concern and curiosity
“Wetin happen?” she asked.

“Nothing! Mama Nkiru, na only you wan baff abi you wan baff your children as well?”

“I go baff my children now. They no go go school?” Mama Nkiru replied as she removed the chewing stick in her mouth and spat out phlegm.

Martins shook his head and turned his face away while Temisan looked at her in disgust. It had been discussed several times not to litter the compound in any way and a section had been designated for brushing of teeth to allow proper flow of water due to the poor drainage system but reiterating that to Mama Nkiru was a waste of time.

She was just one of those women who liked trouble and as a wise man, he knew better than to look for trouble.

“Mama Nkiru you go wash that place?”

“Say wetin?”

“You for go brush for corner now!”

“Abeg Temisan mind your business this morning o! Wetin happen?!”

“This man never come out?!” Rotimi stated rather than asked as he swiped his toothbrush in the air to drain the water, interrupting the conversation between Temisan and Mama Nkiru.

His voice and the sound of water splashing within the closed bathroom door turned Martins thoughts back to the matter at hand. “Who dey inside?”

“Na Chris o!” Rotimi replied

“Hey God! Chris wey go dey baff like woman, spend thirty minutes for inside.”

“Make e sha finish, make I enter!”

Martins looked at Rotimi, a hint of alarm in his voice as he asked, “Na you dey enter?”

“Na me o!”

“Abeg who else dey this queue?”

“Baba Rafia,” Temisan responded

Martins heaved a heavy sigh, shaking his head. He couldn’t continue living like this.

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