News
No Plans to Demolish Any Building in Festac Town as Stakeholders Deliberate on Return of Original Master Plan
Following mixed reactions that has trailed earlier report on the outcome of the Quarterly Stakeholders meeting by the Festival Town Residents Association, it has become imperative to clear the air that there is no plan to demolish any building in Festac Town.
This is to allay the fears of residents and other stakeholders on earlier report that says that at least 10,000 buildings will be demolished to return Festac Town to its original masterplan.
The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo however said that at least 10,000 buildings will have to give way if they decide to return Festac Town to its original masterplan.
He also blamed the total collapse of infrastructure in Festac on the failure of those in charge in the past to carry out their constitutional duties as well as Amuwo Odofin Local Government and residents.
Hon Oyetunde Ojo who gave this indication during the quarterly general meeting of the Festival Town Residents Association held on 512 Road declared that they are ready to restore the past glory of Festac Town.
Represented by the Executive Director in the FHA, Architect Ezekiel Ini Etok, Ojo charged the Amuwo Ofofinn Local Government to accord utmost priority to infrastructural development in the area.
He also said that the residents and business owners must be ready to collaborate with the Federal Housing Authority in addressing the challenges to improve on their living condition.
The FHA boss explained that he was prepared to serve from day one in line with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
He cautioned residents against building without proper approval adding weeks of grace would be given to those who are yet to regularise their papers to do so.
On his part, the South West Zonal Chairman of the FHA, Akin Olagbemiro who showcase the Agreement signed on 21st of April, 1988 between the FHA and the council authorities said that the Local Government as the collector of Tenament Rate shall maintain the road, drainages, street light, open spaces within the area.
He also said that all Avenues in Festac shall be designated as state Roads while all Roads and Closes designated as under the purview of the Local Government.
Mr Olagbemiro however noted that in 2021 some parts of Festac that were not motorable were fixed at the time.
President of the Festival Residents Association, Barr Adeshina Adegbenro said the entire Festac is facing enormous challenges including bad roads, irregular power supply and environmental degradation.
He said every community in the area is faced with perculiar problems which necessitated the need for the quarterly meeting.
According to him, the residents expect to see a positive development before the end of the year through the intervention of the FHA.
In his speech, Alhaji Olaseeni Ogunjobi, the chairman community 2 demanded for the assistance of the Federal Housing Authority in restoring Festac Town to its enviable glory.
He lamented that all the existing facilities including Walk Ways have been overtaken by vendors of all sort, shops illegally erected while vandalism is on the high alert within the Estate.
The Chairman also noted that the menace of the cart refuse collector and their indiscriminate dumping of refuse on any available space is worrisome.
He appealed to the FHA Managing Director to help protect the Victory Park from the land grabbers adding the community has 25, 000 residents and the largest of the FTRA communities.
Other stakeholders at the meeting jointly agreed to work with the leadership of the FHA and desist from their lawless acts responsible for the environmental degradation of Festac Town.
News
Court Remands P-Square’s Brother, Ex-Manager Jude Okoye IOver Alleged N1.3B, $1M, £34,000 Fraud
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, to court over alleged money laundering involving ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
Jude Okoye, along with his company Northside Music Ltd, was arraigned before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, facing a seven-count charge related to financial crimes.
One of the charges states: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd, sometime in 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful acts, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge alleges that Jude Okoye and his company used a Bureau de Change operator to convert $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two dollars, eighty-seven cents) domiciled in Access Bank Plc into naira and remitted the funds into various accounts with the intent to conceal the source of the money, in violation of the Money Laundering Act.
Jude Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Larry Peters Aso applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, defence counsel Inibehe Effiong informed the court of a pending bail application and urged the court to keep Okoye in EFCC custody until the application is heard.
The prosecution opposed the request, citing congestion in EFCC facilities and urging the court to remand him to a correctional centre instead.
Justice Owoeye subsequently adjourned the case to February 28 for a bail hearing and fixed April 14 for trial commencement.
The judge also ordered that Jude Okoye be remanded at the Ikoyi correctional facility pending the determination of his bail application.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Prince Funso Ayeni, an Ikole born philanthropist and politician has donated the sum of N1,000,000 for the support of one Esther Fisayo Aluko Medical needs.
Fisayo Aluko, an Indigene of Ikole LGA part of Ekiti State is currently in need of fund running to millions of Naira to carry out a kidney transplant.
Prince Funso Ayeni made his support known via a Whatsapp platform created for the Indigenes of the LG.
“Good afternoon great citizens,
I am Prince Funso Ayeni (PhD)
I am deeply touched by the condition of Esther Fisayo Aluko, a young lady from Ikole Ekiti, battling kidney issue.
On behalf of myself, my family, and the entire Funso Ayeni Foundation (FAF), I have donated ₦1,000,000 (one million naira) towards her medical treatment ( receipt attached).
“I also appeal to our brothers and sisters from Ikole Local Government, both in and out of government, to rally their contacts and resources to support this urgent cause.
“Together, we can give Esther a chance to live a healthy life again.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The naira is exchanging for ₦1,498 to 1 US Dollar at the parallel market (black market) in Nigeria.
This means that for every one dollar, you can get the equivalent in naira of ₦1,498 on February 26, 2025.
The black market rate signifies the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for naira outside the official or regulated exchange channels.
Note that the Black Market Exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because it is not regulated by the government
Today’s February 26 exchange shows that the naira has improved against the dollar, as it strengthened compared to what it traded on Tuesday, February 25, when the naira exchanged ₦1,499.
The value of any nation’s currency is determined by aggregate supply and demand.
The forces of supply and demand are themselves influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates, inflation, capital flow, and money supply.
The most common method to value currency is through exchange rates. The two main exchange rate systems are fixed rate and floating rate systems.
Investors and participants closely monitor these parallel market rates for a more immediate reflection of currency dynamics
Court Remands P-Square’s Brother, Ex-Manager Jude Okoye IOver Alleged N1.3B, $1M, £34,000 Fraud
Funso Ayeni donates N1m, appeals to citizens to support Fisayo Aluko medical needs
Naira again falls against Dollar – February 26
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