Reprieve has come for property owners in Oyo State as government has commenced a 60-day Online Building Permit Amnesty (OYBPA) programme, to enable them regularize buildings that were constructed without proper government approval.
OYOBPA programme kick started officially on Monday and ends on the 27th October.
The programme will also allow those in violation of building regulations in the state to regularize and process new approvals within this 60-days window.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this on Monday, in Ibadan.
Mr. Akin-Funmilayo pointed out that the scheme is in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s transformation and sustainable development agenda, designed to enable the government to improve urban planning and enhance the security and safety of lives and properties within our dear state.
He added that the government has also approved that property owners can now get or regularize their building permits within the sixty (60) days amnesty period at a 20 percent discounted rate.
“This is to allow the good people of Oyo State to get their building permits faster, easier, and cheaper as the government will embark on massive enforcement of building permits after the amnesty period.
“This amnesty period lasts for 60 days, and it is advised that all property owners, residential, commercial, industrial, educational, health facilities, etc. within the state, who have no building permit and have engaged in unauthorized development or are currently planning to commence development should harness this opportunity.”
In a statement, the state commissioner for information, Fotun Oyelade, explained that the OYBPA, which is majorly an online process, will enable property owners to process their permits without falling victims to touts and middlemen.
He gave the guarantee of property owners getting an authentic permit, which will prevent any further interference by the authority as regards their development as long as they adhere to the provisions of the approval.
Application process for the amnesty period has started online across the 33 local governments.
“At the end of these exercise, an amnesty certificate will be issued to all who took advantage of this opportunity.
“In the same vein, we therefore plead with member of the public and our directors of zonal planning authorities to strictly adhere to the principle of granting building permit in the State.”
There However an exception to the amnesty as properties illegally occupying state government acquisition zone; properties within the circular road or circular road set back; properties directly under the power line zone; properties within the disallowable proximity to dam, stream will not be granted amnesty.
Also those built on the road; within pipeline setback; and properties under Court / financial crimes matters will not be granted amnesty.
He said this scheme, like every other Seyi Makinde initiative, promises to be great, seamless, and a worthwhile investment for the good people of Oyo State.
He said, “Let’s support the government to make Oyo State better, safer, and more viable.”
A political pressure group, Nigeria’s First Project, has called on the National Assembly to introduce and pass a bill to give constitutional roles to President, Governors and Local Governments’ Chairmen wives.
The group noted that there must be defined Constitutional roles for the office of the First Lady of Nigeria and First Ladies of the 36 States and 774 Local Government Councils.
Justifying the call, National coordinator of the group, Jonah Bonet, told journalists at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, that by doing so, the First Ladies would be better positioned to fulfill their primary roles, which should focus on the wellbeing and advancement of women, children, and the overall development of their respective communities.
Bonet insisted that the office of the First Ladies should not be limited to only pet projects, which are mostly seasonal, but should be empowered to carry out crucial roles especially where it will have direct impact on women across the nation.
“The impact on women in shaping the future of our children should be seen as a long-term Nigerian project.
“We are therefore calling on the National Assembly to see this as a very important national project by initiating a concrete bill that will empower our First Ladies to function as they should.
“We strongly believe that the recognition of these offices is essential for the progress and prosperity of our nation.
“Their primary roles should focus on: Advocacy on good parenting and inculcation of good social values, Humanitarian services, charitable works and social welfare enlightenment campaign against the use of hard drugs and other substances by our children and Orientation on nationalism and patriotism.
“The recent efforts of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme, have been truly commendable. Her relentless efforts have resulted in the unveiling of a N1.85bn recapitalization grant for 37,000 beneficiaries nationwide.
“It is imperative that these efforts receive constitutional backing and recognition, as they are truly making a positive impact on the lives of thousands of women in Nigeria.
“The First Lady’s leadership and commitment towards uplifting the lives of women deserve our utmost support and constitutional recognition.
“With what the First Lady has done so far, we have decided as a group to pass a vote of confidence on her and her office.
“Worthy of mention here also is the First Lady of Kaduna State, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani, who has been very supportive of women and children across the state and has equally been catering for cancer patients in the state. She is a true mother and this group also wishes to pass a vote of confidence on her and her office.”
The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar, has commended the bravery, commitment and dedication to duty displayed by the Operatives attached to the Malunfashi Local Council’s formation of the Service.
His commendation comes on the heels of the foiling of two attacks by banditry elements and subsequent rescue of five kidnap victims in the Malumfashi Local Government of the State.
Two members of the abduction syndicate were neutralized by the Police in the two separate bandit- attacks and kidnap attempts, according to a statement on Monday, August 26, 2024 by the Command’s Spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq ASP.
Suspected bandits were said to have cashed in on the heavy down pour on Sunday to attack Marabar Kankara village in the Malumfashi Council of the State .
“On Sunday, August, 25, 2024 , a distress call was received at the Malumfashi Divisional police headquarters from Lay in Minister Village that bandits attacked and kidnapped five people .
Upon receipt of the report ,operatives were quickly dispatched to the scene. On noticing the presence of the Police Operatives, the hoodlums opened fire and the team responded gallantly.
All the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, as the assailants succumbed to the superior firepower of the operatives and fled the scene with varying degrees of bullet wounds.
On the same day ,another distress call was received at the same headquarters that some suspected armed bandits riding on twelve(12) motorcycles and wielding dangerous weapons were shooting sporadically.
“On receipt of the information, the DPO Malumfashi, swiftly mobilised operatives to the scene and gallantly engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel and successfully foiled the attack.
In the course of scanning the scene, the bodies of two neutralized suspected armed bandits were recovered,” the Police stated .
The Command, while reassuring residents of the protection of their lives and properties, also, promised that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing bandits.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has embarked on a nationwide seven-day warning strike.
The strike which began today, Monday, August 26, 2024, is in response to the abduction of Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
Announcing the commencement of the Warning Strike after an emergency meeting at the National Executive Council, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, President of NARD said: “The strike is total, and there will be no concessions or emergency care during this period,” he said.
It would be recalled that NARD members had protested against Dr. Popoola’s abduction last Thursday, August 15, in Lagos.
The demonstration was organized by Resident Doctors at Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta.
Popoola was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. Although her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity after eight months.
Weeks after it announced that candidates below the age of 18 years will not be given admission into Tertiary Education, the Federal Government has now declared that underaged candidates will no longer be permitted to sit for secondary school leaving examinations administered by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, and the National Examinations Council, NECO.
Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education made the disclosure on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme on Sunday night.
He stressed that both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) must now enforce an 18-year age limit for candidates taking the WASSCE and SSCE exams, respectively.
The Minister, also, clarified that this is not a new policy but a reinforcement of existing regulations.
His words: “It is 18 (years). What we did at the meeting that we had with JAMB (in July) was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that this year, JAMB will admit students who are below that age but from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to University in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.
“Even basically if you compute the number of years pupils, and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half – from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission.
“So, we are not coming up with new policy contrary to what some people are saying; we are just simply reminding people of what is existing. In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations. In other words, if somebody has not spent the requisite number of years in that particular level of study, WAEC and NECO will not allow them to write the examination.”
Almost two years after its hurried commissioning by former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti state government has taken another step to ensure the take off of the Agro-Allied international airport.
Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Airport in Ado-Ekiti, was among uncompleted projects commissioned by Fayemi at the end of his second term in 2022
The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to deploy some key professionals to the airport preparatory to its take off.
The MOU, which was signed at the NAMA headquarters annex, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, attracted top officials of Ekiti state government as well as NAMA top officials.
In his welcome remarks at the event, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Farouk Umar noted that the signing of the MOU or Service Level Agreement represented a mutual commitment to excellence and “a shared dedication to delivering an exceptional result.”
According to him, the MOU outlined a joint responsibility, expectation and standard for air traffic control services, adding that the epoch making event served as a foundation for a partnership between NAMA and the Ekiti State Government.
This, he explained, would ensure that both parties work together seamlessly and efficiently for the effective takeoff and operation of the airport.
Farouk, who was represented by the NAMA Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs Isemiuhonmon Egbadon maintained that the MOU was more than a contract; “it is a symbol of action, cooperation and shared vision.”
He described the signing of the document as “a pledge to uphold the highest standards of quality and performance by both parties, to foster open communication and transparency, to embrace credibility and adaptability in an ever-changing environment, given that aviation is a catalyst for the development of any economy.”
“If we are able to uphold the tenets of this agreement, we would be able to reap the fruits of our labour. We shall prioritize customer satisfaction and success of this project.
“We are not just signing a contract. We are making a promise to each other and to our customers. Let us work together to achieve greatness and make this partnership a shining example of collaboration and excellence.”
Also in her remarks, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, who represented the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, noted that the event marked a crucial moment as the state advanced towards enhancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of airspace and air traffic management, particularly as the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado-Ekiti was at the verge of full operation.
She expressed optimism that the establishment of the airport would boost tourism, facilitate smoother and safer air travel and subsequently contribute to economic growth, job creation, and improved connectivity for Ekiti State citizens.
She described the partnership with NAMA as a testament to the shared commitment of both parties to advancing the development of aviation infrastructure and services in Nigeria.
“The primary objective of this MoU is to foster a collaborative partnership that will lead to effective air traffic management systems and ensure the highest standards of safety for all airspace users. We aim to leverage NAMA’s expertise and resources to achieve these goals.”
While assuring the agency of the commitment of the state government to ensuring the successful implementation of the MoU, Dr Adubiaro reiterated that collaboration with NAMA would be guided by mutual respect and transparency.
The office of Deji of Akure has announced that there will be closure of markets and shops in Akure, Ondo state capital, on Tuesday.
A statement on Monday by Adeyeye Michael, Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, said markets and shops will not open in the ancient city because of the celebration of Aheregbe festival.
Adeyeye said: “The Palace of the Deji & Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom wishes to notify the residents of Akure and its environs that all Markets and Shops in Akure will be shut on Tuesday 27th August, 2024.
“The closure is an integral part of the requirement in observing the age-long tradition of the annual Aheregbe Festival.
“Sequel to this, there shall be no opening of markets, trading or opening of shops under any guise during the festival.
“Residents, market women and shop owners are kindly enjoined to comply with this directive.
“However, in view of the importance attached to the health sector, only pharmacy shops are exempted from closure during the festival
“Notwithstanding, the festival will not in any way restrict both human and vehicular movement.”
During the celebration, the Akure monarch will be in seclusion during which he will not receive visitors.
There have been public outcry against the annual closure of markets in Akure with people maintaining that Akure, with the status of a state capital should be free from any form of restriction which may prevent residents from carrying out their daily commercial activities.
In previous years, the celebration of the festival had led to violent clashes following attempts by palace guards to extend the market closure to suburb communities such as Isinkan, Isolo with Akure.
Exactly a month after giving birth to a baby, Nollywood Actress and Producer, Sharon Okpamen, passed.
The 35-year old Okpamen was fond of showcasing her baby bump on all her Social Media handles. The baby she had a month ago was her second.
She announced the birth of her second baby on July 31, and named the baby Osarhuese on her Facebook page.
She wrote: “To God be the glory. Osarhuese is here.”
The circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown, but unconfirmed sources insist it had something to do with complications as a result childbirth.
Sharon hailed from Edo State and was a filmmaker, actress, entrepreneur and humanitarian. She was born on February 16, 1989, in Abudu, Edo State.
The late actress attended Mary Milek Nursery and Primary School and University Preparatory Secondary School (UPSS) in Benin. She later studied English at the National Open University (NOUN).
The deceased began her acting career in 2010 with the film, ‘Touch Not My Crown’, a role given to her by the Late John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu.
Over the years, Sharon appeared in over 100 films and made a name for herself in Nollywood.
In addition to acting, she produced her own film, Night Hustlers.
“APC bigwigs from Oparanadim should, as a matter of urgency, visit Governor Uzodimma and tell him about Oparanadim gully erosion, tell him that that the Community is going. It shouldn’t be left and be tagged “gone”.
42 years after the historic visit of Chief Sam Mbakwe, a former Governor of Imo State (popular as Dee Sam) to Oparanadim gully erosion, no Government – Local, State or Federal – has done any thing to intervene in the sad and almost tragic situation.
Oparanadim gully erosion
Many people knew and referred to Mbakwe ,first executive governor of Imo State as the “weeping Governor. But what many don’t know is that, that sobriquet was given to him first in Oparanadim soil before the one he cried at Ndiegoro which was later captured on NTA & FRCN news then. Before Ndiegoro, there was Oparanadim.
Unfortunately, not many knew because the Governor’s visit to Oparanadim was not covered by FRCN/NTA Aba which were the only news outlets in operation then.
And that was probably because Oparanadim was a remote area then ,and because of that, the famed glory of where the Governor first earned the nickname “the weeping governor” was transferred to Ndiegoro when he visited the Ndiegoro flood /erosion disaster in Aba,which was then part of Imo State.
Aba was, still is, a big metropolis where both national and international journalists saw the governor weeping for the first time in public. But Sam Mbakwe cried first on Oparanadim soil, precisely at Oparanadim gully erosion site otherwise known as ‘Ala ka Mmadu’.
Nevermind
Sometime in 1981 ,Dee Sam Mbakwe as the Executive Governor visited Oparanadim gully erosion site – ‘Ala ka Mmadu’ for on the spot assessment .
On getting to Ala ka Mmadu, the governor who was led by our first Traditional Ruler of the modern era ,His Royal Highness,Eze J.U. Anyanwu, Dim 1 of Oparanadim (late). The visiting Governor was devastated to see how the gully erosion destroyed and separated two Oparanadim communities from each other. When I say separate, it was total separation that no car, motor cycle or bicycle can cross from one side to the other.
The names of the separated communities are Ihitte Ubi in the North and Isi Ala ( in the South). The distance from these two communities is not more than four or five kilometers. Now see the magnitude of the havoc. Because of this deep gully erosion which is the same size with Ndiegoro gully erosion in Aba, Abia State, my people from Umumbiri, Eziama and Umuopara/Ihenkwu/Umungasi can not enter Ihitte Ubi with car, motorcycle or bicycle. We can only visit our relatives or attend events in Ihite Ubi with our cars through Owerri and vice versa.
From Owerri, we go through Amaimo before arriving Oparanadim, same with our brothers from Ihite coming to the other side of Oparanadim, yet we have had successive Governments since Mbakwe Government. Till today Oparanadim people from Ihite Ubi do not interact, socialize or speak the Mbaise dialect like us. They speak like Senator Samuel Anyanwu (SamDaddy), and my friend Tevez from Amaimo . At 40 years plus, I know only two people from Ihite Ubi and have just visited there once when my late father, Ezeji Michael Akubueze Snr. (Nwege) drove us with his Land Rover to Iyi Duru Owerri. My father parked the car on our own side of iyi, then we – my father Ikenna my brother, and I entered Ihite Ubi on foot.
His Excellency Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe came on the visit with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Works. He started crying when he was explaining to the Site Inspector from Ministry of Works why the Federal Government should act fast and support his Government to check and fix the erosion site.
Unfortunately, till today, that erosion site remain unattended to, and has consumed human beings and cars that tried to pass through it . I lost a school mate while schooling at Oparanadim Comprehensive College. My father had to transfer me to Umuokirika Secondary Technical College because of this gully erosion and many other parents did the same.
I have personally written to Hon Emeka Chinedu who is representing Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, and he told me, via SMS, that he has included the erosion site in the Ecological Fund or whatever ( this was since 2021/22). He even sent me a documents to prove it.
Oparanadim gully erosion
Hon. Emeka Chinedu, our people said I should ask you how far? Hon Emeka Chinedu, it will be a great disservice to you if you complete your eight years without attracting either the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Federal Ministry of Works, or Ecological whatever, to control this site and I will personally mobilize Oparanadim youth to chase you away if you dare come to Oparanadim to campaign in 2027. This is not about you Sir, but also applicable to (1) Member Representing Ahiazu State Assembly Hon. Sam Otuibe, (though he is no longer politically active) (2) Ahiazu Local Government Chairman.
(3) Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi
I will not blame His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, on this because probably he is not aware of the tragic situation. The Politicians from the area and his Commissioner for Works should draw his attention to it.
Like I said earlier, I had discussed this with Hon. Emeka Chinedu. Now ,I wish to formally bring to the attention of His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Onyewuchi, and the Minister for Works, Engineer Dave Umahi, to please come to our rescue and control Oparanadim gully erosion.
However if the present set of elected leaders whose tenures will expire in 2027 fail to check and tackle the erosion, then let it be known to all 2027 aspirants, especially Governorship, House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate that any of them that fails to include in their respective manifestos tye control of the gully erosion site, as well as the construction of a major road from Nkwoala- Umungwa- Ekeziama-Isiala-Duruowerri- Ihite Ubi-Amaimo -Inyishi-Owerri Road will lose 99.9% of Oparanadim votes no matter how popular they might be . I will personally sabotage their votes all over Oparanadim using our embittered and abondoned youths who are only useful to them as party agents during election. This is social justice
Just a reminder: Oparanadim ward has the second largest voters in Ahiazu.
Prince Akubueze, Executive Director, Justice & Equity, wrote from Eziama Oparanadim
Bread makers under the aegis of the Premium Bread makers Association of Nigeria, PBAN has denied compromising the standard of bread consumed by Nigerians.
In spite of the fact that the price of bread has been hiked by over 100 percent in the last few months it still remains one of the staples of many Nigerians, according to analysts who insist that some bread producers have been compromising quality due to high cost of ingredients used in making bread.
The President of PBAN, Emmanuel Onuorah, told the Vanguard that his members are people of integrity who cannot endanger the lives of Nigerians by cutting corners when it comes to the quality of bread.
The denial comes on the heels of an allegation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, which claimed last week that bread makers have reduced the quality of the commodity due to the high cost of ingredients.
Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC Southwest Coordinator, said during a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital that the bread makers were endangering the health of consumers by compromising quality.
Ajayi said, “Recently, we observed that bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar.
“They are introducing ingredients that are not good for the health of the consumers.”
Reacting to the allegation, Onuorah said his members “do not use unwholesome materials to produce” bread for consumers.
According to him, bread makers would rather increase the price of the commodity than compromise quality.
Nigerians have been complaining of the hike in the price of bread in the last few months, a situation bread makers blamed on the cost of ingredients.
Responding, Onuorah said, “PBAN members do not use unwholesome materials to produce our bread, we are very mindful of the quality of bread we produce for consumers knowing the negative health implications of the use of unwholesome baking materials to bake bread.
“We would rather adjust the price of our bread to maintain quality, rather than use unwholesome material to produce bread that will cause health problems to Nigerians.
“In PBAN, we have our Compliance Unit that monitors the materials that our members use to produce. Our constitution empowers the Exco to report any of our members found using unwholesome materials to bake bread to our regulator, NAFDAC.”
