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80% Of Lekki Buildings Have No Government Approval — Physical Planning Commissioner, Oluyinka Olumide

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Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos State’s commissioner for physical planning and urban development, says 80 percent of buildings in the Ibeju Lekki-Epe corridor have no government approval.

The Lagos government has been facing backlash for the demolition of buildings and shanties across the state.

Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment in Lagos, has repeatedly said the demolished structures were erected in contravention of the city’s masterplan, were never approved by the relevant agencies, and occluded drainage channels.

Olumide, in an interview with journalists, said despite the rigorous procedures involved in getting government’s approval, property developers and owners are still circumventing due process.

“Just last Thursday and Friday, my team and I were in the Ibeju Lekki and Epe axis and you would agree that anybody passing through that corridor would see a lot of estates marked,” he said.

“We went there, and I can tell you that from what we saw, over 80 percent of them do not have approval.

“The procedure to get approval is first to get the planning information, as to what those areas have been zoned for. In this case, what we have is agricultural land, and people now go to their families to buy agricultural land.

“Of course, those lands would be sold because those families do not know the use such land would be put to.

“The next thing to do is the fence permit. If you missed the earlier information on not knowing the area zoning, at the point of getting the fence permit, you would be able to detect what the area is zoned for. After that, the layout permits a large expanse of land.

“So, you can see all these layers. But people still go ahead to start advertising. Some have even gone to the extent of displaying the sizes they want to sell. Imagine someone in the diaspora who wants to send money without any knowledge.

“Then, no approval is eventually gotten. Even if they pass the assignment and the survey to them, we would not grant the individual permit, because that area is not zoned for that purpose.”

Recall that Wahab, on Sunday, said owners of recently demolished property in Maryland had been served notices since 2021.

“We are not just doing demolitions. The law allows us to remove encumbrances on the right of way of the drainage channels,” Wahab said on Channels Television.

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Olota Of Otta Advocates Cultural Preservation During European Tour, Visits Nigerian Embassy In Rome, Italy [PHOTOS]

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In continuation of the ongoing Europe Tour, His Majesty, Olota of the Paramount and Ancient Ottaland, Awori Kingdom, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege Ph.D, MCIPR, MPRII, FHEA (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) was warmly received at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by a dedicated team led by Her Excellency, Amb. Gwendy OMIJEH, the Charge d’Affairs, along with key officials including M.M. LAWAL, H. KWACHE-ADAMS, G. W. GABKWET, A.O. AHANONU, M.N. TONY-BISONG, and N.J. RIBI.

Welcoming His Majesty, Mrs Gwendy OMIJEH commended Kabiyesi Olota for the diplomatic visit, and for the efforts in promoting culture and traditions. She described the tour “thoughtful”, as it will further integrate subjects living in Rome with their homeland.

During the diplomatic visit to Rome, Italy, His Majesty highlighted the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Awori people. Kabiyesi emphasized the significance of remembering one’s roots and encouraged his subjects to maintain strong ties with their homeland. He urged them to embrace their cultural identity, visit their ancestral land frequently, and actively promote and preserve the rich Awori Cultural Heritage.

Kabiyesi’s message resonates deeply in an era marked by rapid globalization and cultural homogenization. As traditional values and customs face the pressures of modernization, the Olota’s call for cultural preservation serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of heritage and identity.

As the Olota’s message reverberates beyond the confines of the embassy walls, it serves as a beacon of cultural resilience and a call to action for all to cherish, celebrate, and preserve the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches our world.

In his Majesty’s delegation; Alayeluwa Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala (Onibudo of Ayetoro Itele Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Olusegun Johnson (Otunba of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Okikiolu Fadayiro (Baamolu of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Prince Adewale Adeyanju (Culture and Tourism Consultant to His Majesty), Prince Adeyemi Sulaimon Olusesi (Principal Secretary to His Majesty & Omotobase of Otta, Awori Kingdom), and many others.

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Sanwo-Olu To Be Decorated As Omo Eko Pataki

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Lagos Sate Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will on Thursday, July 18, 2024 be decorated as Omo Eko Pataki, being the high point of the maiden edition of Eko Mi Award 2024. The hardworking and forward-thinking governor will be decorated by some of the revered custodians of the heritage and culture of Lagos at the Sheraton Hotel and Tower, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the organizers of the awards, Eko Mi Awards is going to be an annual event where individuals, groups, organizations and government agencies/parastatals that have contributed to the economic, social and culturally development of the state will be recognized and awarded and the most prestigious category of the award, annually is going to be the decoration of one outstanding individual as the Omo Eko Pataki. The decoration, which will be done by adorning the individual an Aga, the traditional Eyo cap will be performed by the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

The organizers further stated that the choice of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the Omo Eko Pataki award at the maiden edition of Eko Mi Awards is informed by the outstanding performance of the governor since his assumption of office in 2019. The footprint of Governor Sanwo-Olu can be felt across the state, especially through the THEMES agenda of his administration that has seen the state seen continued developments in the areas of education, health, housing, education, infrastructure and the environment.

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JUST IN: Six Teenage Students Drown In Kaduna River After Writing Junior WAEC

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Six teenagers drowned in the Mbang river on Tuesday in Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, while returning from a Junior WAEC exam at about 5:30 p.m.

The victims were identified as Manasseh Monday (16 years old), Musa John (16 years old), Pius David (15 years old), Monday Ayuba (16 years old), David Danlami (19 years old), and Yahuza Audu (16 years old).

According to The Punch, the National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, Pastor Simon Ishaku, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, disclosed that three dead bodies have already been recovered and buried amidst tears.

He explained that, as of now, there are still three missing as locals have not been able to recover them out of the river.

“The school children left their homes full of hope and excitement while their parents went to the farm with the hope of reuniting with them after writing their papers of the day, only to meet their untimely death.

“The Mbang river has been a death trap for our people over the years, noting before the community can access any school or any hospital facility they’ve to travel for about 8 kilometres.

“We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung and our House of Representative members as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road and bridge in order to bring succour to our community,” Simon appealed.

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