Are Lekki Landlords scaring investors out of Lagos?!

The desire for Nigeria to catch-up with the developed world is high among well meaning Nigerians and lovers of the African continent who point at the leading role expected of the country as the main reason for their craving. Notable areas that Nigeria has a long way to go in catching-up with the world include infrastructure and urban development. These two elements are very important in attracting businesses and investors.

Urban development in Nigeria took the front burner under the civil administration of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whose patriotic zeal fired up one his chief helmsmen, Nair El-Rufai, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to take on violators of the capital territory’s master plan in combatant fashion. This was a brave decision as many beautiful houses were pulled down and many toes stepped on in the bid to get housing and other urban development to conform to the original master-plan of the Abuja FCT. Interestingly radical El-Rufai demonstrated enough courage in attempting to stick to development plans laid out long before the administration that appointed him came to power. This saw many mansions as well as shanties, erected in violation of the FCT’s master-plan pulled down. Even very senior serving government officials were not spared the bulldozers under El-Rufai’s command. Nigerians loved this action Minister for enthroning the laws over men, no matter how highly placed. It remains one of the low points of the Jonathan administration that the reform El-Rufai started in the FCT has not been sustained. It has to be said that while the El-Rufai reign lasted, the pain was severe but well meaning Nigerians commend the strength of character and vision shown by the radical Minister is taking sides with common good and constitutionality as against personal interests and self seeking individuals. Little wonder the man’s popularity soared in the process. Sadly, less than a decade after the exit of Chief Obasanjo and his super ministers, the FCT is gradually becoming defaced with no Minister showing strong enough resolve to abide by the master-plan. Environmentalists are now taking solace in the drive by the Gov Babatunde Raji Fashola administration to position Lagos as a megacity. This drive is commendable because it has seen the visionary governor set up professional agencies like the Lagos State New Towns Development Agency to ensure the vision is achieved. El-Rufai and Fashola share the common character of championing the supremacy of the law over men, irrespective of social, religious, political or economic status. This has seen Lagos State become a reference point on discipline and rule of law in Nigeria’s democracy. The strong leadership disposition of Gov Fashola has seen opinion leaders from other states call on their governments to take a cue from him leadership. This good reputation has come under several tests that Gov Fashola had passed. There is another test, though with news filtering out that few residents of Lekki Phase 1 estate have beaten their chests that the master-plan of the estate will not stand. Nigerians are wondering, who’s responsibility it is to plan estates as I understand that few powerful individuals have taken it upon themselves to confront and fight businesses that want to follow the master-plan of the estate in opening branches there to a standstill. This action points towards impunity, impudence and decadence, banes that Nigerians must fight and get rid of or face retrogression.

The late Moshood Abiola with all he represented and represents in Nigeria did not champion any class system that killed businesses or confined other citizens behind the walls or to a safe distance from his residence. He lived in a people’s area of Ikeja and all manners of businesses, so long as they were legal, existed close to his residence. His cherished and well respected family still lives there with common people and businesses as neighbours! There is inherent danger in having a state government under Gov Fashola order the stoppage of certain commercial developments at Lekki Phase 1 estate upon the complaint of people who can boast of having the ears of those that matter! This could lead to impudence and decadence. Laws are made for men and when men feel they are above the law, it spells anarchy, mostly if they carry on as such. The drift of society towards anarchy is often gradual and Lagosians must watch out for those minded towards possessing the State under any guise as this might derail the ship of state. If claims that some powerful individuals are using every means possible to stop businesses from going on with developments provided for in the master-plan of elite estates like the Lekki Phase 1 are true, it leads to a certain kind of fear that must be guarded against if the opinion of common people like my humble self is to be addressed to avoid setting an avoidable dangerous precedence. Should this handful of people succeed in altering the master-plan laid out by the LSNDA, it makes a statement that whoever does not like the master-plan of the estate of his/her residence can follow the footsteps of these fellows and alter it to suit personal motives. This is clearly avoidable. The issue that comes to mind on this is: ‘Should the government bow to this pressure, stop the commercial developments at the Lekki Phase 1 estate, understood to include a filling station designed to international standards altering the master-plan in the process; would that not amount to changing the rules in the midst of the game?’ My simple mind tells me that the government should count on the impartiality and professionalism of its officers and reach proactive decisions should the need arise. Where one or two persons feel comfortable to coerce government into cancelling developmental projects that could benefit the masses in today’s Nigeria, it questions the integrity of leaders, professionalism of government officials and defines our quest for democracy! I am not of the opinion that government agencies are infallible, what I stand by is that master-plans are strategic and corrections to strategic plans must be done cautiously not at the behest of persons who can be adjudged to be pursuing myopic or personal interests, rightly or wrongly. Government must at all times be seen as unbiased and protect rather than expose the weaker segments of the society. Today when governments and well meaning individuals are striving to attract investment and businesses to the country, does it not amount to some form of foolhardiness to see some people chase businesses away from Lagos with her reputation as the economic capital of Nigeria? These issues are begging for answers and the business communities, not just Lagosians are watching to see the way the pendulum will swing. The master-plan of any estate is set out blindly, that is without any knowledge of who the owners or occupants would be and if it comes to a point of altering such a plan because certain people have bought into it or now live there, it spells doom. The ball is now in the courts of decision makers to send the right signals to all stakeholders by reaching a pro people and pro business decision on this.
By Sopuru Uwadiegwu

2015 elections in prospect- PDP Congratulates APC's Oyegun, Lai Mohammed, Others!

The leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr John Oyegun, National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lai Mohammed and other newly elected officers for their emergence at their party’s National Convention.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Saturday also told the new leadership to “ensure an issue based opposition that will purposefully and constructively engage and challenge the PDP with decency and maturity as prescribed by democratic tenets and principles”.

He further stated that Nigerians deserved a vibrant and patriotic opposition driven only by the national interest.

The PDP also urged the new APC leadership to “put the unity and welfare of Nigerians ahead of other considerations and jettison all divisive tendencies including unguarded statements that overheat the polity and pitch Nigerians against one another.

The ruling party, however, asserted its pre-eminent position and widest acceptance among Nigerians across board, insisting that “the new leadership of the APC posed no threat at all.

The ruling party said it remained the only party that had continued to be committed to the national interest, as well as providing level playing ground for all Nigerians to achieve their aspirations irrespective of religious, ethnic and gender considerations.

source: Channels news

Nigerian gospel singer Kefee is dead!

Nigerian Gospel Singer Kefee Don Momoh,  who went into coma after she reportedly collapsed on-board a U.S bound flight is dead.



It was gathered that Kefee had collapsed and slipped into coma after a 14-hour flight to Chicago for an event that forced the plane to land in Los Angeles so that she could be urgently attended to. News of her coma filtered into the country a couple of days ago and fans, family and friends prayed earnestly for the recovery of the singer who was in the trimester of her pregnancy; sadly, she could not be revived.

Cause of her death was attributed to lung failure.

Born to Deacon and Mrs. Andrew Obareki in Sapele, Delta State, southern Nigeria, she started singing at the age of 8 in the children choir, and later moved on to the adult choir when she was 15. And at age 18 she was made the choir director.

Kefee, the Branama Queen, studied Public Administration at the University of Benin, Edo State.

In 2000, she composed and released an album titled “TRIP” with a friend and in December 2003 she signed on with Alec Music and released her first solo album as a female artiste.

Kefee’s Branama sold nine thousand audio cassettes in just three weeks after the album was released and over two million copies of CDs/VCDs in a month.

She became the hottest Nigerian female artiste and won a number of awards.

As Kefee’s fan base increased all over Africa and also on the international scene, she was invited to perform in London and other parts of Europe and America.

Kefee’s first album was a huge success which had her fans eagerly anticipating her second album entitled Branama 2.

Her sophomore album was just as terrific as her first and also got her the respect of other well known Nigerian artistes who worked with her on the album.

She was the founder and CEO of BRANAMA AFRIQUE, an entertainment outfit known for excellent production.

In 2012, after a turbulent relationship with Alec Godwin, Kefee remarried her boyfriend, Teddy, and by 2013 they both temporarily relocated to the US.

While in the US, Kefee and Teddy attended Chicago Access Network TV where they recently graduated after they both studied video production and directing.

She was a prolific song writer, a skilled dancer and a passionate singer.

According to family source, her remain is expected to be flown back to Nigeria next week,

Adieu   Kefee

Kanye West returns to Bonnaroo, with Kim in tow!

With new wife Kim Kardashian looking on along with 80,000 fans, Kanye West showed up pretty much on time at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.

According to news info, West seemed to be in a good mood Friday night at the annual festival just three weeks after his marriage to Kardashian in Florence, Italy. The 37-year-old rapper made no mention of his new wife, but Kardashian was on hand for the show. She watched from the soundboard, about 50 yards from her husband on the main stage, in stylish - but muddy Bonnaroo-unfriendly - high heels and white pants. She sang along and occasionally waved her hands in the air with the crowd.

It was gathered that at one point, West stopped his set and repeatedly shouted: "Where the press at? Where the press at?"

There were many reporters on hand to catch the performance, marking what time he'd show up. West appeared 10 minutes after his listed start time and played a mix of hits and cuts from his 2013 album "Yeezus," which offered the most visually arresting moments of the night. He wrapped his set with the powerful "Blood on the Leaves" after about 90 minutes, 20 minutes before his scheduled finish.

West performed mostly in silhouette, relying on the big screen to relay his distorted image to much of the crowd. Though most sang along with West, many fans could not see the artist perform.

Many of the elements in the show will be familiar to fans who've seen him recently. He gave a pep talk at one point, encouraging creative people to pursue their dreams. And he compared himself to John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison, calling himself the biggest rock star in the world.

He returned to a favorite speech about how he no longer needs hit songs or radio airplay because he's not competing with other living artists. He's looking to install himself as a timeless cultural icon.

"I ain't going after nobody on the radio," West said. "I'm going after Shakespeare. I'm going after Walt Disney. I'm going after Howard Hughes. I'm going after Genghis Khan. I'm going after Henry Ford ..."

Source: AP news

Royal Family Celebrate Queen's 88th Birthday at Trooping the Colour Parade!

The England royals, celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's 88th birthday in London on Saturday, June 14.

Pictures:

House Condemns Military’s Clampdown On Media!

The Lagos State House of Assembly has slammed the Nigerian government and its military over the latter’s current clampdown on media and vendors across the country, arguing that the harassment is a bring back of the dark days of the military.

Members of the House reminded those intimidating the press that even the late Sani Abacha, an acclaimed powerful dictator, could not win the fight against the press.

Reacting to a motion moved on the floor of the House by Moshood Oshun, a member representing Lagos Mainland Constituency 2, the House argued that President Goodluck Jonathan being the Commander-In-Chief of the nation cannot exonerate himself  from the military’s action against the press.

Oshun, who moved the motion as a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, told his colleagues that as reported, agents of the Federal Government had constantly seized copies of newspapers meant for distribution to several parts of the country over alleged trivial matters.

He said there have been reports that distributors and vendors were beaten up and detained and argued that the seizure of the newspapers were meant to kill the press.

“If the Federal Government feels bad about any report, it should go to a court rather than harass, beat and detain newspaper vendors, who don’t even know how the reports in the newspapers were written.

“It is wrong for the government to seize newspaper copies at this material time in the country,” he said.

Reacting, Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji said that it was not possible to kill the press and not even the military could do so.

“If they don’t allow the press to publish openly, the press would go underground and still publish. There is no way the Federal Government can kill the press. They should bring back our girls and fight Boko Haram instead of fighting the press,” he said.

Another lawmaker, Rotimi Olowo, expressed surprise at the action of the military and described it as an abuse of office under a democratic government.

 He also called on the House to make the Federal Government realise that the nation is no longer under a military system of government.

Also contributing, Segun Olulade from Epe Constituency 2, warned the Federal Government to be careful with its actions.

He added that terrorising the media is as bad as the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect that has caused much violence in the country.

Olulade stated that the seizure of newspapers copies and intimidation of the pressmen is unwarranted and condemnable, and that the National Assembly should rise and speak up against it.

For Mudashiru Obasa, “the military men that ought to fight the Boko Haram insurgents are fighting the press. President Goodluck Jonathan wants to use this method to kill the press. If you kill the press, anything could happen; we should be vigilant against this administration.”

PM news

Abuja #BringBackOurGirls protesters drop N200 million charge against CP Mbu!

News revealed that the #BringBackOurGirls protesters on Thursday dropped one of the demands in a suit filed against the Abuja Police Commissioner, Joseph Mbu.

The N200 million damages was one of four reliefs sought by the group before an Abuja High Court.

The protesters had filed the suit against Mr. Mbu following his announcement of a ban on their protests in the Nigerian capital.

The Police hierarchy has since reversed the ban.

The protesters have been holding daily sit-ins to demand that government does more to free the over 250 girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.