₦airaland Forum

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Thursday, disclosed that he is not in a supremacy battle with any monarch either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe.

He made this disclosure in a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

PUNCH Online reports that the fresh battle between the Alaafin, Oba Owoade and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, started last Monday after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on a businessman, Dotun Sanusi, during the unveiling of an indigenous social media network- 2geda, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, at the weekend.

The statement explained that Alaafin is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects at all times. It added that the monarch relied heavily on the will and wishes of his subjects.

Durojaiye said he (Alaafin) would never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge.

He said the monarch operates a government that is judged by its result, as prosperity, security and well-being of the people dictated his popularity both in the palace and in the empire at large.

The statement reads in part, “Why Alaafin does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe? These immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell – The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.


“It is the man who carefully advances step by step, with his mind becoming wider and wider, and progressively be able to grasp any theme or situation -persevering in what he knows to be practical, and concentrating his thought upon it, who is bound to succeed in the greatest degree” – sum up the life voyage of Owoade, an indomitable monarch with an unequalled passion for the great good of all.


“He (Alaafin) is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge. The history has been so kind and friendly to Alaafin Owoade publicity since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as he does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe.

“Alaafin combines humility with royalty to meet the modern-day demands. Kabiyesi (the king who no one questions). Iku Baba Yeye (The one who commands death/he who is parent to death). Alashe (He who wields authority). Ekeji Orisha (Second-in-command to the gods). The Alaafin was inducted into the mysteries of various gods like Ifa, Sango etc to be the direct representative of these deities on earth.”

The statement added, “At the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine, as Owoade made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors that he would defend, protect and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition. Oduduwa’s Principal minister and grandson, Oranmiyan (Because Oduduwa begot Okanbi, (an only child and Okanbi begot Oranmiyan, among others, namely Ila-Orangun, Oni-Sabe, Olu-Popo, Ala-Ketu, Oba-Benin) founded the city of Oyo when prolonged drought struck Ile-Ife as a result of people’s emigration.

“Oyo simply rose to prominence through wealth gained from trade and its military skills. It was the largest West African empire, the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities. More so, the British, as it was in their tradition, recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.

“In politics also, he is concerned about the sanctity of his position, and whatever happens on the welfare of his people. Customs and all traditional practices of today in government, religion and economic life have had distance, and possibly age-long origins which were based on valid and accepted tenets that emerged from the synthesis and aggregated experience of a particular society.

“One of such societies is the ancient city of Oyo, reputed for cultural resources that are of rich non-material and material attributes and transmitted through generations. Moreover, the precepts and concepts of Alaafin’s administration have continued to support and nurture the people’s ancient culture and sophisticated civilisation from time immemorial.


“The basic concept of government was monarchy with a rigid adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and of the paternal line.”

casualobserver:
At the time He bought the house in Ikeja with Anambra state funds and hid it under his brother and his company next the property was worth bought for just under $2m.

You are not dealing with your typical audience. I was properly educated by the best. When we talk we talk with facts.

Property cost N280m in 2011, exchange rate was 150:$1. I hope you still have enough grey cells to do the math otherwise please borrow a calculator.

RarelY will you be able to prove me wrong on anything I say on Nairaland. Because I only post on what I am sure of and if I am not sure I fact-check before I post. You will also find I am one of the very few people hat will acknowledge when I am wrong rather than continue a line that is clearly false.

When something is opinion, I say it is opinion, when it is fact I say it is fact.

casualobserver:
Same way someone used $2m to buy a house in Ikeja while government workers were unpaid, and people were hungry in Anambra.

…Says, it’s tit for tat

…’Outcome of Saturday’s bye-elections unfortunate’


By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Ahead of the scheduled exit of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu by December, youths of the opposition African Democratic Congress ADC have cautioned President Bola Tinubu against any attempt to manipulate the processes of naming a replacement, vowing to defeat him in 2027 even if he appointed his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga as head of the commission.

The youths spoke on Tuesday in Abuja under the aegis of African Democratic Youth Congress ADYC.

Declaring that they were tired of being spectators in the affairs of the nation, the youths said they would match whatever measures or style adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to subvert the people’s will.

Some of those who spoke included the National Coordinator of the group, Mrs Ruqayya Lamido Dodo; its Director General, Murtala Haliru Dantoro, Joshua Nweke Anioma and others.

“Politics is about numbers. They can bring as much money they have but we are going to beat them silly in 2027.

“We saw Onanuga asking how market. The waters have been tested. We have other elections coming up and that is when they will know how market is because it is going to be fire for fire.

“On INEC, if Tinubu so wishes, he can make Bayo Onanuga the chairman but we in ADC, come 2027, we will make INEC do the needful. We have had enough. We are going to defend our votes from the polling units to the final collation centre. They can bring trillions of Naira. We are going to collect the money but we will vote ADC.

“If the president is going to chose the next INEC chairman, he should put Nigeria first. Someone who has integrity and who has the interest of Nigeria first and not given to primordial or partisan interests”, they declared.

Speaking on whether the outcome of last Saturday’s bye-elections was a true reflection of the strength of the ADC, Director General of the ADYC, Murtala Haliru Dantoro said the elections were nothing but a a show of shame.

He said; “It is important that people know that vote buying is criminal. What happened in my state, Niger, was heartbreaking. To be in a country whereby we cannot make decisions. Our decisions are baseless. We will love to see leaders who will allow our people decide freely during elections. There is no greatness in forcing yourself on the people.

“In Niger, they were paying people for as low as N2,000. I don’t know who said they should do that or who asked them to do that but we want the president to take note. It is unfortunate what happened but we pray Nigeria gets better.

“Our message is simple: We refuse to inherit a broken system. We are here to fix it with the strength of unity. We are not just a youth wing; we are the driving force of the ideologies of the Coalition party, African Democratic Congress ADC, and the future of this nation.

“Despite the difficulties we are facing, we have to rise and be part of our country’s electoral system. Let us join the Coalition party ADC, let’s vote right. We must understand that vote buying is not merely a transaction; it is a betrayal of our collective future”.

On her part, Mrs Dodo said the current generation is tired of being spectators in a country that belongs to them.

“For decades, we have heard the same tired promises. We have been called the ‘leaders of tomorrow’, a phrase that has become little more than a polite way to sideline us from today’s critical decisions. Our generation is tired of being spectators in a nation that belongs to us. We are tired of seeing our potentials wasted, our voices ignored, and our future held hostage by a political system that has failed us repeatedly.

“Today, we are here to declare that the African Democratic Youth Congress, the ADYC, is changing that narrative. We are not just a youth wing; we are the vanguard of a new movement. We are not waiting for tomorrow; we are building our nation today. We are the architects of a new Nigeria.

“The ADYC is the engine room of the African Democratic Congress ADC. Our mandate is simple but profound: to re-engineer Nigeria’s political landscape by championing the core values of transparency, accountability, and radical inclusion”, she said.

The ADC youths said their mission is to build a nationwide movement—one that is felt in every state, local government, and community.

“We are not interested in a top-down approach. Our strategy is to mobilize from the grassroots up, which we have done and are still doing, empowering young people in their communities to become agents of change.

“We are setting up local chapters and organizing community development projects that tackle real-world problems. We are using both traditional outreach and modern digital tools to ensure that our message of hope and action reaches every young.

Former Governor of Delta, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said President Bola Tinubu is bringing stability and hope back to Nigeria.

Okowa stated this on Monday in Abuja, at a national summit organised by the Integrity Group of Nigeria, with the theme “Renew Hope Agenda through Continuity.’’

Okowa, represented by his former Special Adviser on National Assembly and Inter-Governmental Relationships, Pascal Adigwe, stressed the need for Tinubu to continue in office for the people to benefit from his policies.

He described Tinubu as an ”action president” who has accepted responsibility, unlike some past leaders.

”Tinubu’s decisions might be tough or rough, but they are yielding positive results.

“Tinubu is bringing stability. He’s bringing back hope. He’s taking the bull by the horn. He’s not referring to issues in the past or how the past was governed.

“He promised Nigeria that he will come to the saddle and take responsibility. That is what he has done,” Okowa said.


The former governor expressed his total support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, stating that the President has demonstrated a commitment to taking responsibility for the country.

“We have come, not with liability but assets to make what you have built better.

“We are coming with our experience, with our knowledge of the terrain. We are coming with love. We are coming with resources to better the lot,” he said.

Okowa urged support groups to begin the groundwork for Tinubu’s re-election, adding that he deserves it.


Earlier, the IGN Convener and National Chairman, Dr Oke Idawene, said Tinubu came to power prepared and was working for the prosperity of the country.

“The message of this afternoon is no other than to say never again shall we allow those who are stealing Nigeria’s prosperity to lead us again,” he said.

Idawene added that students now had access to loans, and security was improving.


He said that the progressive governors were already preparing the ground for Tinubu’s victory in 2027 based on his great performance.

Also speaking, Sen. Binta Garba said that when Tinubu came on board, things were not moving well for the country, but he was able to turn things around.

Garba also expressed hope that in 2027, the renewed hope initiative would continue, saying “continuity will make Nigeria a better country.”

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, also called on Nigerians to pray for and give Tinubu the necessary support to make the country better.

Tallen said that the signs were good already, citing the All Progressives Congress victories in the recent by-elections and Nigerian girls winning laurels in sports.

The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Nora Daduut, commended the group for the national summit.

Daduut, who was the mother of the day, tasked the group members, especially women, to keep the renewed hope initiative message alive.

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a constable attached to the Taraba command for stealing a goat.

According to an official signal from the Commissioner of Police, DFA Jalingo, addressed to the Divisional Police Officer in Mutum Biyu, the officer, identified as PC Usman Mohammed, was attached to the Mutum Biyu Division.

The statement said the dismissal followed due disciplinary procedures and was approved in accordance with the Police Act and Regulation 370, Cap 389 of the 2010 Laws of the Federation, as amended.

The offence, categorised under paragraph ‘E’ of the First Schedule of the Police Act, led to the immediate termination of Mohammed’s appointment.

Police authorities have directed that all official items issued to the dismissed officer, including his police identification card, be retrieved, and his salary stopped.

His records will also be updated to reflect the dismissal.

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has revealed that the team is yet to receive the promised $100,000 reward, along with other commitments made by the Federal Government, following their victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Ajibade expressed disappointment over the delay in payment.

Chude asked, “Have they delivered the $100,000”?

“We have not received our money, but hopefully, it would be paid. They have not paid, all the promises, we have not received anything,” she said.

Ajibade led the Super Falcons to victory in Morocco, clinching their record-extending WAFCON title.

Following the triumph, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) on the team and their technical crew.

The President also rewarded each players with $100k and a three-bedroom flat.

Receiving them at the Presidential Villa on Monday, Tinubu praised the players for their “indomitable spirit of resilience, determination and courage”, describing their win as a historic achievement for Nigeria.

Don’t Beat Frustrated Nigerians With ‘Koboko,’ Show Empathy, Give Them Hope, Sultan Of Sokoto Tells Tinubu, Governors

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged President Bola Tinubu, the 36 state governors, and other political leaders to listen attentively to the concerns of Nigerians rather than responding with harshness or repression.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the launch of NASFAT’s history book to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, the Sultan cautioned against what he described as “beating Nigerians with koboko (horsewhip)” whenever they voice their frustrations over the state of the nation.

Instead, he said, leaders should show empathy and reassure citizens that better days lie ahead.

He urged Nigerian leaders to look at the people with the sympathy of a father for his child, stressing that justice must take precedence over injustice in governance.

The Sultan also expressed worry over the decline in quality education among Nigerian youths and called for renewed investment in human capital development.

He urged citizens to pray for their leaders rather than curse them, adding that constructive engagement is key to national progress.

He said that whatever problems they are facing or cries they are hearing, they should not carry a ‘koboko’ and whip people. Instead, they should extend a gentle hand, touch someone, and say, “Look, things will be okay.”

He also stressed that Nigeria cannot endure injustice if it is to survive, and that leaders at all levels must prioritise justice and fairness in all their dealings, while urging Nigerians to turn to God.

According to Sultan, “Justice is the foundation of any society”.

He said, “As Sheikh Abdulrauf said, a nation can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice. So let’s face justice in whatever we do.

“Our leaders, our followers, all need to be just in whatever we do. And I believe, conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it. Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it.

“Let’s tell ourselves the whole truth in whatever we do, how we do things. And let’s believe in almighty Allah as the owner of heaven and earth, as owner of everything and all of us, who brought us into this world to worship him.

“So, keep on doing the good work, and leave the rest to almighty Allah to bless all of us, as Muslims, as non-Muslims in this great country. Let’s pray for our leaders every time.

“From Mr. President, to all the governors, to all the local men chairman, to all our leaders at all levels. We need to pray for our leaders to do right, to do just. If you pray for your leader, he does good things, you enjoy.

“If you are lying to his whims and caprices, he does bad things, you will suffer. So let’s all just pray for our leaders. I want to say this, every time I have an opportunity like this, I want to say please pray for our leaders, for good health, for direction, and for that steadfastness of knowing that you as a leader, you will account for whatever you have done on earth to the almighty Allah.

“People say yes, times are tough, yes. But when times are tough, tough people overcome such tough times. Let’s believe whatever almighty Allah bless on us is his own will, his own wish, and we will overcome this.”

“And I believe 100% almighty Allah will bring ease to all of us in this great country and beyond. Let’s go back to him and him alone. Only him can give. Only him takes," Sultan added.

A Port Harcourt based company, Hyper City Retail Limited is building a shopping mall on an Abuja plot of land meant for a memorial in honour of construction workers and hawkers killed in a 2008 building collapse on the site, Daily Trust investigations have revealed.

The land, located in Utako District of Abuja, the Federal Capital City, had its original allocation title revoked by then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Aliyu Modibbo Umar to serve as a deterrent to property developers for violating building regulations.

Situated on the road leading to Jabi Motor Part on P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, the plot is numbered 230, Cadastral Zone B05, Utako District.

It is now a beehive of activities as the construction of a sprawling shopping mall has reached an advanced stage.

Investigations revealed that construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is handling the project on behalf of Hyper City Retails Limited, which has a chain of supermarkets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A visit to the company’s website showed that Hyper City Retails has four branches in the Rivers State capital.

They are located on Tombia Road, Opposite Polo Club, New GRA; Eastern Bypass Roundabout, Ogbunabali; Ikoku Junction, Olu-Obasanjo Road, Adjacent Ikwerre Road and Slaughter Roundabout, Trans-Amadi Road, Ogingba.

Findings revealed that the company was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on May 18, 2022, with registration number 1931320 as a private company limited by shares.

Its known address is Igwuruta Road, Igwuruta, Ikwerre, Rivers State, while its Principal Business Activities include retail trading in general consumer goods, estate management agency and importer of general goods.

The Directors of the company, as indicated in the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) updated status, include Chinda Chika Nwenenda of Old Refinery Road, Elelenwo Port-Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Rivers State; and a Lebanese, Roukoz Sarkis Rachid of Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Rivers State. The Secretary of the company is Ekpunobi Samuel Chibuzo of Okota Road, Lagos State.

The company’s status listed the shareholders to include Aleed Construction Limited [307460] and has its address as Igwuruta road, Igwuruta, Ikwerre, Rivers state; and Tech Farms and Estates Limited [1826771] of Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Rivers State.

Not much is known about the directors of the company as of the time of writing this report apart from what is listed in the status from CAC, but the company was established during the tenure of Governor Nyesom Wike, who is now the minister of the FCT.

Residents of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital linked Hyper City to a powerful politician from the state but could not provide any evidence.

“The first shopping mall was erected in a space that was housing some shops soon after the owners were relocated,” one of our sources said, and declined further comment.

Another source said within a span of three years, the other three branches were erected.

“Hyper City is one of the popular stores in Port Harcourt and receives visitors all the time. They sell all sort of things that you can find in exotic shops,” he said.

Back in Abuja, some sources said that going by the recent development, the land where the shopping mall is being constructed must have been reallocated to Hyper City after series of revocations over the years.

The Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) is responsible for issuing new certificates for lands allocated in the FCT, and it is said to be under the purview of the lands department.

However, for over one month, efforts to reach the FCT Director of Land Administration, Chijoke Nwankwoeze, to explain how Hyper City got the land yielded no results as he was said to be in the field most of the times.

During one of the visits on Wednesday and Thursday, last week, he was said to be away for official assignment.

A WhatsApp message sent to him asking for details of the plot of land in contention was not responded to at the time of filing the report.

Also, Lere Olayinka, who is the spokesman of the Minister of the FCT, Wike, did not respond to several messages sent to him on the development.

He was said to be attending to official matter when Daily Trust visited his office on Thursday, in addition to several visits before. However, a senior staff of the department of land of the FCT told our reporter that the land was recently reallocated for commercial purpose.

The staff, who craved anonymity, said he could not independently identify the private company that acquired the land.

“What I can tell you is that it has been reallocated for commercial purpose and not for residential. It is now a private property,” the official said, without giving further details.

The building collapse

It would be recalled that on July 29, 2008, a four-storey building under construction on Plot 230 and an adjoining plot collapsed and killed at least six people while dozens of others sustained injuries.

Following the public outcry that trailed the collapse of the building, a development many attributed to poor enforcement of regulatory measures, the then minister of the FCT, Modibbo, ordered an investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the incident.

However, 17 years after the decision to build a memorial in honour of the victims, it was learnt that the plot has been reallocated for a different purpose.

When Daily Trust visited the site yesterday, construction work was ongoing as heavy duty equipment like cranes and mixers were seen. Dozens of masons, bricklayers, labourers, building engineers and supervisors were also seen.

Two construction workers who spoke to Daily Trust stated that the ongoing building was for commercial purposes.

“I am not allowed to talk to journalists but all I know is that this is a shopping mall with maybe a few office spaces. I understand that it is a storey building with many facilities,” one of them said, on condition of anonymity.

Another worker said even though they do not know who owns the building, they always see officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) visiting the site for supervision.

“I don’t think any of us can tell you who owns this place because as you can see, there is no signboard to that effect,” the worker said.

Another person seen at the construction site, who claimed to be an engineer, said most of the senior personnel handling the civil, mechanical, electrical and other assignments are being routinely changed.

“It is therefore very difficult for someone to tell you who owns what here…But then, as you can see, it is a serious multi-billion naira project. We may likely know who owns it when it is completed and the business starts,” the engineer said.

Asked whether it is a normal practice to see such a massive project without the relevant signposts to show the details, the engineer said: “We have a lot of such buildings in Abuja that are wrapped in secrecy, especially those belonging to private entities.”

When contacted to know the level of their involvement in the project, including who awarded the contract to the company and at what cost, one of those who speak on behalf of Julius Berger said they got the contract from Hyper City Retail Limited and declined further comment.

Asked if we could get information on the cost of the project, the official said “no comment on that.”

Victims of tragedy deserve empathy – TPL Shuaibu

In an interview with the Daily Trust, TPL Umar Shuaibu, who had served as the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said he was surprised when he discovered that the building plan of Plot 230 had been changed.

He said: “To my knowledge, there was a building collapse on that piece of land in Utako, in 2008, in which six people lost their lives. At that time, I think a committee was set up.

“Some staff members of the authority (FCT) were suspended, and investigation was carried out, and a report was submitted. The outcome of that report was that first of all, it (the plot) should be revoked from the owner”, he said.

TPL Shuaibu, who started his civil service career as a Town Planning Officer II in the FCDA in 1990, rose to the rank of Assistant Chief Town Planning Officer (ACTPO), before his retirement in 2004.

He confirmed to the Daily Trust that the plot under contention was revoked by the then FCT Minister, Modibbo.

According to him: “It was decided that the plot should be dedicated for a memorial park in honour of those that lost their lives, this is what I know about that issue.

“And subsequently, when I became the coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Council, there was a proposal, I think, by a beverage company which I cannot remember now….But I know that the concept at the time that I left office was that the place should be dedicated for a memorial park in honour of those people that lost their lives.

“And from 2008 to 2024, no government took any action to violate that proposal, but subsequently, I saw that place being developed. I don’t know what it is being developed for. But, certainly, what I see there now is not in line with the proposal to dedicate it for a memorial park. That’s what I can say for now,” he said.

On whether in his estimation families of those that died would have no issue with the conversion of the place to a shopping mall instead of a memorial park, TPL Shuaibu said, “You see, life is life. No matter the social standing of the person that lost his life, that life must be respected.

“The identity of the family of those that died there is not something we can say for now, because this thing took place in 2008, which is about 17 years. So, at that time, I was searching whether the committee (set up to investigate the incident) dug and identified the families. I don’t know.

“But I know that the concept was to have a memorial park there. And I know the way people work in Abuja, those that are labourers, mostly are those that become victims whenever there is building collapse like this. So, usually, identifying the family is difficult,” he said.

Asked whether there is the likelihood that the current Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike is not in the picture of the real status of the plot, hence its conversion to a shopping mall, he said, “There is no way…There are so many ministers that came and left before him.

“I know that the collapse happened during the time of Aliyu Modibbo. After he left, I think we had Adamu Aliero and then Bala Mohammed. We also had Mohammed Musa Bello. All these ministers, when they came, they respected that nobody violated that proposal. So, for a plot in that prime location not to be developed, there must be a reason.

“So, somebody doesn’t need to be told that there is a reason why this place is like this. In any case, if that proposal is violated, it’s wrong,” he said.

The collapse

Our reporters recalled that about 17 years ago, the Daily Trust took several days reporting what transpired at the site of the collapsed building and the actions taken by relevant authorities.

For instance, on July 30, 2008, this newspaper reported how some of the construction workers and hawkers were buried under the rubble.

It also reported the visit to the site by the then FCT minister, Modibbo and the then Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro who facilitated rescue operation.

The then Corps Marshal/CEO of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, equally visited the scene together with the then FCT Sector Commander, Nseobong Charles Akpabio.

On July 31, 2008, the Daily Trust reported that the Director (Building Permit) Mrs. Amina Egella and the department’s District Officer (Utako), Mr. Umoru Halilu had been suspended to pave the way for unfettered investigation into the incident.

A statement at the time by the FCTA’s Assistant Director for Communications, Diran Onifade, said Modibbo also constituted a high powered committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the building collapse.

Onifade also said preliminary investigations into the matter showed that the building, belonging to Exposee Nigeria Limited, was being constructed on two plots: 230 and 1161 at P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, Utako.

The statement said: “The Company Directors are Jimmy Davies of plot 1154, Sirass Crescent, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II Abuja; and Casafina Trading Company.

“Plot 230 was originally allocated to Exposee under the Accelerated Development Programme of the FCTA on the 5th of December, 2005”, it said.

The statement added that “Exposee got building approval only in respect of Plot 230. However, the company went ahead to illegally extend the building to adjoining Plot 1161, which is for residential purposes in violation of the terms of the approval.”

It said a stop work notice was immediately issued when it was found that the two plots were merged, and that a series of notices of “stop work” were issued to the developer on August 13th, followed by a “Quit Notice” on September 20th and finally a “Demolition Notice” was given on August 14th, 2007, respectively.

However, the company allegedly defied all those notices and continued with the construction work until the structure collapsed.

The then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, who was at the scene, had called for urgent investigation into the incident, Daily Trust reported at the time.

The Speaker, who was accompanied by his deputy, Usman Bayero Nafada, called on all relevant agencies of government to take decisive action against violators of building code. He said it was necessary for government to take drastic action to serve as deterrent to those that have continued to violate the building code, thereby putting innocent lives in danger.

Daily Trust gathered that upon completion of its investigation, the probe panel recommended that the title of the land should be revoked from Exposee, and instead, a memorial should be erected at the place in honour of the deceased.

It was also learnt that a beverage company indicated interest in building the memorial park but along the line, there was no explicit clearance for the project to go ahead.

Since then, the place was left unattended to as only mechanics and other artisans were carrying out their trades until recently when it was allocated for the ongoing construction of a shopping mall.

Further checks by Daily Trust revealed that before the plot was allocated to Exposee, it was allocated to Island Services and Supplies Limited (ISSL), with Certificate of Occupancy number Misc 8998. It was subsequently assigned to a certain businessman from Yobe State, who registered its Power of Attorney and obtained building plans but the place was listed for revocation.

What victims said on the day of the tragedy

On August 3, 2008, Daily Trust equally reported different interviews with some of the victims, including Hamisu Abdullahi and Kabiru Habibu who sustained injuries.

Others who spoke to this newspaper included Emeka Offor who was a mason at the construction site, and a young groundnut seller (not named) who escaped unhurt. They all recounted their harrowing experiences.

Though none of the direct victims of the 17-year incident could be traced at this moment, a trader who sells kolanuts at the popular Jabi Garage, Aliyu Mohammed, who spoke to Daily Trust in Hausa language, said he was sad over the alleged change in the purpose for the plot.

He said: “I came to Abuja from Jigawa shortly after the building collapsed and I was told that some people lost their lives. Most of people who witnessed the incident have left Abuja during the demolition inside the Jabi Garage two years ago.

“However, what I heard from them when I came is that after the building collapse, the government through the then FCT minister said the place will be turned into a memorial to honour those who lost their lives in the incident.

“But, to my greatest shock, only last year, I saw that they have started building there and I saw Julius Berger carrying out the serious construction. When I asked around the place, some labourers told me that they are building a supermarket and other commercial shops there.

“I was disappointed because I believe that the families of those who lost their lives would be disappointed that the government instead of honouring the dead as promised, is now turning the place to a supermarket. I think it is not fair to those who lost their lives,” he said.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has said the incident involving Comfort Emmanson, the passenger who allegedly assaulted Ibom Air crew members, is different from the case of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1.

NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, stated this during an X Space session on Monday.

He explained that the regulatory body did not direct the airline to prosecute or ban Emmanson, noting that Ibom Air acted independently based on available evidence.

He said, “In this case, the airline exercised its rights to do what they needed to do, right? And AON, based on some of the evidences already available, because while the investigations are ongoing, you can still be working with what is available to you.

“Now, for you who say you are in the industry, when you see a passenger hitting a cabin crew member in the way the lady was doing, and the fight she had with the people who came to restrain her, you may have to agree that the airlines had every right to announce a ban.

“Yeah, of course, one would expect that at the end of all of these things, maybe the ban could be shortened or even removed altogether.

“But as of the moment, if they feel that that’s the right thing, because again, don’t forget, airline staff are also human beings, and they’re also fellow Nigerians.


“Some of them are your brothers and your sisters, too. And they deserve the same courtesy that passengers also deserve. Now, nobody deserves to be beaten up or hit in the manner that occurred in this flight.”

Achimugu said the Airline Operators of Nigeria acted within its rights, citing other past incidents where lack of evidence hindered regulatory action.

“Remember, there was an airport incident where three drunk people had mid-air between London and Nigeria, caused a situation that could have crashed that flight.

“To date, Air Peace feels aggrieved that nobody issued an advisory for those passengers to be blacklisted. But you see, evidence of what happened on board was not made available to the NCAA. So it became a case of he said, she said.

“I just want to put it out there very clearly that the NCAA did not issue an advisory to AON, and AON is within its right to ban any passenger, to blacklist a passenger. Just to make this clear,” he said.

He added that while Ibom Air swiftly charged Emmanson to court, ValueJet did not press charges in KWAM 1’s case, prompting NCAA to petition the authorities.

Achimugu stated that the airline has the right to pursue prosecution, adding that the matter could still be resolved amicably.

“Cabin crew are in charge of, apart from your comfort, safety and security and everything on the aircraft. We have the authority there. Blocking the path of somebody who has assaulted you is also a form of restraint.

“She wanted to restrain the passenger without laying hands on her, she’s within her rights to do so. I don’t know if it’s standard practice. I will have to check with director Afsek at the NCAA to check the documents and see. But look, there are different ways to restrain an unruly passenger. Standard practices can always evolve and change,” he concluded.

Revenue generated from Value Added Tax, VAT, rose by 84.6 per cent year-on-year, YoY, to N6.72 trillion in 2024 from N3.64 trillion in 2023.

A Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) details of data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, VAT report for the review period showed that VAT revenue grew by 9.09 percent to N1.56 trillion in Q2’24 from N1.43 trillion in Q1’24.

The upward trend continued in Q3’24 in which revenue rose by 14 percent to N1.78 trillion and up by 9.5 percent to N1.95 trillion in Q4’24.

In its VAT report for Q4’24, released yesterday, NBS said: “On aggregate, VAT for Q4’24 was reported at N1.95 trillion, showing a growth rate of 9.5 percent on a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis from N1.78 trillion in Q3’24.

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“Domestic payments were N917.40 billion, Non-import foreign VAT Payments were N554.68 billion, while import VAT contributed N474.75 billion in Q4’24.

“On a QoQ basis, activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies recorded the highest growth rate with 180.05 percent, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing with 70.83 percent, and human health and social work activities with 46.13 percent.

“On the other hand, activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use contracted by 28.97 percent, followed by information and communication with 23 percent.”