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  • Landlur targets Africans in diaspora to mitigate housing deficit in Nigeria 

    Landlur targets Africans in diaspora to mitigate housing deficit in Nigeria 

    Pan African housing development agency, Landlur, is targeting Africans in the Diaspora to enhance the real estate market across the continent, with Nigeria being the primary focus for now. 

    Speaking to newsmen at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, where he shared insights on innovative solutions for addressing Africa’s housing deficit, the CEO & Founder of Landlur, Mr. Dipo Adesina, said over 170 million people of African descent that live all over the world present a formidable resource pool for the continent’s infrastructure development, including housing.

    Mr Adesina said that the idea of Landlur was birthed from seeing Africans in the diaspora wanting to invest back home but not having a trusted source to work with especially since many have relied on family members and have been disappointed on many occasions.

    “Landlur’s goal is to bridge the gap between those in Diaspora and the opportunities back home, and real estate is one of the avenues to do that.

    “Landlur is Africa’s 1st real estate platform that is focused on connecting Africans in the diaspora with profitable real estate opportunities in Africa as a means to boost the housing deficit of Africa while building wealth at the same time.

    African diaspora populations are growing, as are their savings and the scale of resources available to reinvest in their countries of origin.

    “The World Bank estimates Africans in the diaspora save about $53 billion per year and, in 2021, recorded remittances reached over $95.6 billion sent to and within Africa,” he said.

    Top 10 highest recipients of remittance inflows in Africa in 2021 include Nigeria ($19.2 billion), Ghana ($4.5 billion), Kenya ($3.7 billion), Senegal ($2.7 billion), Zimbabwe ($2.0 billion), Democratic Republic of Congo ($1.3 billion), Uganda ($1.1 billion), Mali ($1.1 billion), South Africa ($900 million), and Togo ($700 million).

    Africa’s top remittance recipients as a proportion of their economies are South Sudan, Lesotho, and Gambia with 35%, 21% and 15% of GDP respectively coming from remittances, according to World Bank statistics.

    “Part of our long-term strategy is to tap into the diaspora to enhance housing delivery across the country, while our short-term plan is to help our clients secure lands in strategic locations that can be used as a form of investment. Many of the Africans in the diaspora have dreams of doing something back at home and our goal is to help them make their dreams a reality,” Mr Adesina noted.

    Africa is considered the continent with one of the most rapidly growing urban populations, with over 60% of the urban population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) estimated to live in areas categorised as slums and informal settlements.

    According to the UN, it is projected that the number of Africa’s urban residents will increase to 1.5 billion by 2050, and that Africa will pass the tipping point of 50% urban population around 2035.

    Currently, Africa has a housing deficit which accounts for at least 56 million units.

    “This housing deficit is a significant indicator of Africa’s growing infrastructure gap, which can be attributed to lack of sufficient capital to finance the delivery of affordable housing projects, lack of bankable projects, and inefficient risk allocation mechanisms. This is why it’s important to incorporate the diaspora into the affordable housing financing mix.

    “The African Development Bank estimates that Africa’s infrastructure needs amount to $130-170 billion a year, with a financing gap in the range of $68-$108 billion. 

    “To date, less than half of this amount is being mobilised, leaving a financing gap in the range $68-$108 billion,” Mr. Adesina said.

    He explained that all Landlur’s estates are going to be strategically located in areas where schools, hospitals, airports, etc. are within reach.

    “Our lands are thoroughly vetted to ensure that they are free from any government acquisition.”

    “For more information, you can visit our website on www.Landlur.com,” he said.

  • India-bound ‘couple’ excretes 184 wraps of cocaine – NDLEA

    India-bound ‘couple’ excretes 184 wraps of cocaine – NDLEA

    India-bound 'couple' excretes 184 wraps of cocaine – NDLEA
    The fake couple, Kingsley and Roseline Ilonzeh ingested 184 wraps of cocaine.

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) have arrested a fake couple, Kingsley and Roseline Ilonzeh for ingesting 184 wraps of cocaine.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said that the suspected drug traffickers were purportedly going for medical treatment in India.

    Babafemi said that the drugs weighed 3.322Kg, while another 100 grammes of the drug was concealed in the woman’s private part.

    He said that the two suspects were intercepted at Screening Point 1, Terminal 1 of the international wing of the Lagos airport on Aug. 1, while attempting to board an Ethiopian airline flight to India.

    Babafemi further said that though their travel documents showed consistency in their names and depicted them as a couple, an NDLEA officer however, decided to subject them to a body scan.

    He said that the scan confirmed the couple ingested drugs as a result of which they were later placed on excretion observation at the agency’s facility.

    ”Their travel documents identify the man as Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi and the lady to be Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum,

    “Preliminary investigation reveals that the intending passengers are not a couple but obtained the travel documents in the same surname to beat security checks at the airport.

    “The lady later gave her real name as Ngogbike Nkechi. During interview, she confessed that she was recruited in her Church in Aba, Abia where she lives.

    “The suspect, Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum (aka Ngogbike Nkechi) states further that she is a divorcee and that Kingsley, with whom she is travelling is not her husband but connected only for the purpose of the illicit drug business trip.

    “She said that Kingsley, her arranged husband brought the pellets of cocaine to ingest her in the hotel where they both lodged in separate rooms on July, 31, ” he said.

    The NDLEA spokesperson said that after their arrest, a thorough search conducted on her led to the discovery of a big size wrap of cocaine that weighed 100 grammes which she inserted into her private part.

    He said that the suspected drug trafficker confessed that she was promised $5,000 upon successful delivery of the drug in India.

    Babafemi said that in his own statement, Kingsley, who was into clothing business in Onitsha, Anambra claimed he was promised $2,000 after a successful delivery of the drug in India.

    “A further search of the agency’s crime data base reveals that Kingsley also obtained his travel documents with fake identity for the trip.

    “Indeed, it has been established that he was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on March 19, 2022, for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243kgs upon his arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on board an Ethiopian airline flight.

    “His travel documents then contained his real name: Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian,” he said.

    He noted that after his arrest at the Abuja airport on March 19, 2022, with another suspect, Iro Elvis Uche, who also ingested 65 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.376kgs, Uwaezuoke was subsequently arraigned.

    Babafemi said that he was arraigned before Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court Abuja with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022.

    He said that the suspect was eventually granted bail by the court, pending the conclusion of his trial.

    ”He is still on court bail when he was arrested at the Lagos airport for a similar offence on August 1.

    “Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi (aka Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian) excreted a total of 82 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.822kgs in five excretions.

    “Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum (aka Ngogbike Nkechi) ingested 101 wraps in four excretions with a big size wrap of the substance recovered from her private part, all weighing 1.50kgs,” he said.

  • Police arrest 5 suspects for various crimes in Bauchi 

    Police arrest 5 suspects for various crimes in Bauchi 

    The Police Command in Bauchi State has arrested five suspects of various crimes ranging from armed robbery, burglary to phone snatching in the state 

    The Spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Wakil, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Bauchi.

    He said the five suspects were arrested for committing different offenses in different parts of the state.

    “Our operatives arrested 24 years old Umar Abubakar AKA (Barbertov) with a dangerous weapon, who trespassed into the victim’s house situated at Kandahar Area of Bauchi and attempted to steal the victim’s Jincheng motorcycle AX 100 model.

    “The police also arrested two suspects, all armed with Dane-gun and cutlass, who had stormed their victim’s residence on July 31 at about 2300 hrs and demanded money.

    “The command also arrested two suspects, Usman Musa, 18, aka Kan Daki of Gwallameji, and Usama Sulaiman, 18, aka Keya of Birshi Gandu for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, causing grievous hurt and receiving stolen property,” Wakil said.

    He said the command recovered exhibits that included Jincheng motorcycle AX 100 model, machetes, Dane guns, axe, knives, cutlasses, stick laptops, and different models of phones, among others.

    The Spokesperson said the investigation revealed that the suspects belonged to a notorious group that specialized in terrorising innocent citizens’ houses within Bauchi metropolis and robbing them of valuables.

    Wakil said the suspects, during the investigation, confessed to their crimes, adding that they were currently cooperating with the detectives in mentioning some of their accomplices.

    He said the suspects would be profiled and charged in court without delay.

    Wakil said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Auwal Muhammad, lauded the efforts of the operatives for their unrelenting commitment and professionalism in discharging their statutory duties to curb all forms of criminality in the state.

  • FCTA, concessionaires sign ‘Park and Pay’ deal in Abuja

    FCTA, concessionaires sign ‘Park and Pay’ deal in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory administration (FCTA) and a group of concessionaires of on-street parking, have signed an agreement to restore the “park and pay” scheme in Abuja.

    The Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, who signed on behalf of the FCTA, said that the move was to promote a culture of orderliness and organisation in vehicle parking.

    According to him, the initiative will decongest the city and make motoring a more pleasant experience.

    Adesola explained that the scheme was suspended in 2014 by an Abuja High Court, on grounds that it was not backed by a law.

    He also said that the earlier implementation was without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    He, however, said that the FCTA has put a regulation in place and secured FEC’s approval, to ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme, considering its benefits.

    The permanent secretary explained that under the scheme, parking lots would be provided for vehicle owners for a fee, while motorists that indulge in wrong packing would be fined.

    He added that the reintroduction of the scheme was with the active support of the six Area Councils.

    Adesola explained that the FCTA and the councils have agreed that all wrong and rights charges would be consolidated and shared between the Administration and the six area councils.

    He emphasised that implementation would not commence immediately until residents were fully sensitised and enlightened about the scheme.

    “So, while the agreement is being signed today, the commencement of the park and pay is not starting today.

    “The communication that should precede the implementation of the project is that the citizens need to know that we are signing on-street parking.

    “A lot of activities will follow. There will be robust stakeholders’ engagement; the operators will visit key institutions and will engage residents through electronic and print media.

    “This is to ensure that people are sensitised and above all, to be aware that there will be a period of free parking, just for people to know how to use the facility,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Wadata, Bodinga, Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA noted that the increasing population growth in the FCT was accompanied by congestion and traffic challenges.

    Bodinga said that development has led to haphazard parking, increased parking competition and traffic congestion.

    This, according to him, exposes the motoring public and the pedestrian to security and road hazards, adding that reintroduction of the initiative would mitigate the challenges.

    He said that the scheme would impact positively on economic activities of FCT residents, through improving customer experience and promoting efficient parking management systems.

    According to him, the scheme will enable customers to find easy parking spaces, thereby saving time and fuel, especially with removal of fuel subsidy.

    “The FCTA gazetted Federal Capital Territory Parking Scheme, 2019, with the accompanying guidelines, provides legal basis for the implementation of the on-street parking scheme.

    “This will increase the safety and security of vehicles and pedestrians, reduce traffic and pollution, and improve the aesthetic of the urban city and workplace for the motoring public.

    “It will also be cost effective because people can access parking spaces very easily when coming into the city and reach their destination within work hours.

    “It will equally improve traffic management, cleaner and safer environment with positive effect on health,” he said.

  • NDLEA busts 57,450 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol, others in Abuja

    NDLEA busts 57,450 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol, others in Abuja

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 57,450 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol, and Exol-5 along the Abaji-Abuja highway from a suspect, Mr Joseph Usman.

    A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja, said that 4,082 bottles of codeine-based syrup were also recovered from the suspect, Joseph Usman.

    Babafemi said the suspect was arrested in a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Abuja on Friday.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted various quantities of Dextromethorphan.

    Babafemi said that the drugs were mixed with heroin, Methamphetamine, Dimethyl Sulfone, and Cannabis and concealed in different objects bound for Europe.

    He said that 272 grams of dextromethorphan, mixed with heroin going to Greece were recovered from white neck beads, adding that 665 grams of cannabis being shipped to Hong Kong were hidden in bars of Dudu Osun black bathing soap.

    He added that 261 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone bound for New Zealand hidden in reels of weaving threads and 1.5kgs of Methamphetamine also heading to New Zealand were intercepted.

    “The drugs were neatly packed in an MP3 player after all the parts were removed and the substance stuffed as a replacement,” he said.

    Also, in Kano state, a woman and four men – Ladi Peter,47; Umar Salisu, 38; Ahmed Naheeb, 36; Ibrahim Umar, 42, and Musa Suleman, 43, have been arrested for drug related issues.

    Babafemi said that the suspects were intercepted in connection with the seizure of 977.7 kilograms of cannabis sativa recovered from them by NDLEA operatives.

    He added that they were arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora on Friday and July 31.

    In the same vein, 2,445 kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered from the warehouse of a fleeing suspect, Usman Nar at the Madinatu area of Jere LGA, Borno state on Saturday, August 5. 

  • I’m sad GSK is leaving Nigeria after 51 years- Peter Obi

    I’m sad GSK is leaving Nigeria after 51 years- Peter Obi

    The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, has decried the exit of Pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), from Nigeria after 51 years of operations.

    Obi, who is also aformer Governor of Anambra State, made this known in his official tweets handle on Saturday morning in Lagos.

    On Thursday, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, said in the coming months, it plans to exit Nigeria after 51 years of operations.

    Its Spokesperson, Omongiade Ehighebolo, said in a statement that the challenge in accessing currency was affecting its ability to maintain a consistent supply of medicines and vaccines in the market.

    GSK has a manufacturing facility in Agbara, on over 25 hectares of land.

    The company had directly employed no fewer than 400 highly technical workers including pharmacists, microbiologists, biochemists, chemists, dentists, and doctors just to mention, and also employed over 1000 other staff.

    Obi said the company that indirectly provided jobs and business opportunities for thousands of Nigerians across the nation, regretted that it was now leaving all these behind, and pushing more people back into unemployment.

    The LP standard bearer said that their reason for leaving portends a gloomy future for the country’s investment climate.

    He said: “Today, I was saddened to hear that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is exiting Nigeria after 51 years of operations.

    “Their reason for leaving Nigeria is even more disheartening, that they are no longer perceiving any future growth of the country, which will be anchored on productivity.”

    He said it was painful that the country was at the point in the nation’s journey where multinationals were leaving the country and the local ones were closing down.

    Obi added that this was the consequence of poor management of the economy, hence, millions were losing their jobs and the poverty index was worsening.

    He said these multinationals leaving the country, not only create jobs but create immeasurable training that contributed immensely to human capital development.

    The LP standard bearer recalled his consistent position that “in turning the nation around, it must move the economy from consumption to production.

    According to him, part of this includes encouraging and supporting local and foreign investments, like GSK, in the country.

    Obi finally stressed the importance of creating an environment that creates and sustains multinationals to invest in the country was key to the dream of greatness.

    He said in the new Nigeria that they seek to create, the emphasis on production would encourage investors to stay and expand on its shores.

  • YABATECH is Nigeria’s Best Polytechnic for record 6th time

    YABATECH is Nigeria’s Best Polytechnic for record 6th time

    Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has retained the first position for the sixth time in the biannual Webometrics ranking among Polytechnics in the country released in July 2023.

    This is contained in a statement on Saturday, signed by YABATECH Deputy Registrar, Mr Joe Ejiofor, Lagos.

    Ejiofor said the College also moved up by two steps, displaced other universities, widened the gap between the College and the first runner-up polytechnic by 17 steps, and improved upon its January 2023 position.

    According to Ejiofor, Webometric is a ranking of higher institutions of learning; it uses both Webometric and Bibliometric (research) indicators.

    Webometrics ranking is based on web content impact, top-cited researchers, and papers published on research and publication platforms online.

    The primary objective is to promote open access to the knowledge generated by institutions.

    “This milestone success is attributed to the support the Management has consistently given to relevant research units in the college.

    “In particular by providing the tools needed by the Centre for Information and Technology Management (CITM) to work professionally on the website tailored toward the sensitisation of the academic community.

    “This idea was to create an enabling environment so that they can publish their journals in relevant high-impact platforms,” he said.

    Ejiofor noted that the school had implemented strategies to improve its ranking through the increase in the quantity and quality of its web content.

    Earlier, the statement said that Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector, YABATECH, on assuming office on May 22, 2023, and in line with his erect agenda, promised to lift the college to the topmost height of academic excellence.

    This, according to the statement, was brought to bear by putting in place the necessary structure that would enable the College to grow, and take her stand among her global counterparts.  

  • COAS reaffirms military’s commitment to Nigeria’s democracy

    COAS reaffirms military’s commitment to Nigeria’s democracy

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to supporting and protecting democracy in Nigeria.

    Lagbaja said this at the Passing Out Parade and Commissioning/Oath Taking Ceremony for Executive Commission Course 1/2023, on Saturday in Jaji, Kaduna State.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to Lagbaja, the only thing better than democracy for Nigeria in this modern era is more democracy.

    He said that subordination of the military to constituted authority remains the most fashionable means of promoting military professionalism.

    The COAS said that the desire of every Nigerian was to have a flourishing and uninterrupted constitutional democratic governance that promotes national values and the interest of every well-meaning Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.

    “I therefore charge all Nigerian army personnel to be proud champions of our flourishing democracy and remain apolitical in discharging their constitutional duties.

    “The Nigerian army remains committed to ensuring the security of lives and property across the country.

    “We are working assiduously to protect the territorial integrity of the nation and support relevant security agencies in ensuring the security of lives and property within the country,” he said.

    The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, who superintended the training of the cadets, said that the commissioned officers had been imbued with the requisite skills to function as officers.

    Olatoye said that the newly commissioned officers had been trained to be loyal, courageous and dedicated in their service to the nation.

    According to the statement, Nwachukwu said the COAS, afterwards, conferred Presidential Commission on the Passing out Cadets, to the rank of Lieutenant, after which the Oath of Allegiance was administered to them.

    He said the 239 passing out cadets comprising 12 females and 228 males were already in service as soldiers drawn from various corps who were selected for Executive Commissioning, after three months of intensive military training.

    According to him, three cadets emerged in flying colours amongst their contemporaries.

    Cadet A Saminu came first in order of merit, while Cadet SC Nwokanta came second and Cadet OY Yahaya bagged the third position.

    “Highpoint of the event was the presentation of Parchment of Commission to the newly commissioned Officers.

    “After the Commissioning ceremony, the COAS paid an empathy visit to officers and soldiers who were wounded in action during operational engagements at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.” 

  • Niger Coup: Tinubu didn’t ask Senate for permission to go to war- Akpabio

    Niger Coup: Tinubu didn’t ask Senate for permission to go to war- Akpabio

    *Urges Tinubu, ECOWAS to exhaust all diplomatic options

    Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has said that President Bola Tinubu did not approach the Senate for permission to go to war in Niger over the recent coup d’etat as is been peddled in some quarters, but rather, on how best to resolve the current political impasse.

    Akpabio, who announced the resolutions on Saturday after a closed-door meeting which lasted for about two hours with the President Tinubu, urged him, as Chairman of ECOWAS, to encourage other ECOWAS leaders to further explore political and diplomatic options and other means towards resolving the political impasse in Niger Republic.

    The upper chamber also called on the ECOWAS Parliament to rise to the occasion by equally condemning the coup and also proffer solutions to resolve the impasse quickly.

    Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was on July 26, overthrown by his presidential guards.

    Akpabio said: “We discussed with President Bola Tinubu, who also doubles as the Chairman of ECOWAS and requested for support in the implementation of the resolutions of ECOWAS on the political situation in Nigeria and resolve as follows:

    “The leadership of the Senate is mandated to further engage with the President and Commander-in-Chief on behalf of the Senate and National Assembly on how best to resolve the issues.

    “This is in view of the hitherto existing cordial relationship between Nigeriens and Nigerians.

    “The Senate commends President Bola Tinubu and other Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS for their prompt response and the positions taken on the unfortunate development in Niger Republic.

    “The Senate recognises the fact that President Tinubu, by virtue of his correspondence had not asked for the approval of the parliament or approval of this Senate to go to war as is been erroneously suggested in some quarters.

    “Rather, Mr President and Commander-in-Chief had expressed and I quote: “I wish to respectfully solicit the support of the National Assembly in the successful implementation of the ECOWAS resolutions as outlined in the said communications.”

    The Senate President also said that the Senate condemned in totality the military coup that took place recently in Niger.

    Tinubu had in a letter to the Senate on Friday, conveyed the decisions of the ECOWAS on recent military intervention in Niger.

    The ECOWAS decision is contained in a letter addressed to the President of Senate and read at plenary on Friday.

    ”I do have the honour to inform you, that following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of the administration of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum on 26 July 2023.

    “The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), under my leadership condemns the coup in its entirety and resolved alongside other members of the international community to seek the return of a democratically elected government in Niger,” the letter stated.