News

Flooding: Lagos Insists On Demolishing Buildings On Drainage Right-Of-Way

Published

1 year ago

September 5, 2024

Editor

In a bid to tackle the persistent flooding in the state, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the restoration of right-of-way of all drainage channels in the state.

Mr Tokunbo Wahab, The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, stated this when he undertook an on-the-spot assessment of some drainage channels in the state on Wednesday.

Wahab said the government was determined to restore the environment from all sorts of infractions that had altered the landscape.

He noted that the government had awarded contract on restoration project in the axis in order to accomplish the task of making Lagos flood-free.

“The governor has awarded contract for the restoration of some critical projects on this axis around Ishashi, Oke-Odan, where we have witnessed people purposely building on the channel.

“They have been served notices; so we have to start enforcement along with the contractor who is ready to move to site,” Wahab said.

He said that all concerned had been served contravention notices which had elapsed and as such, enforcement would commence on Thursday, September 5.

He said the law would take its full course as it was observed that some people along the System 40 drainage channel in Ojo Local government Area have built on the canal path and narrowed the primary channel.

He said the development had led to incidents of flooding in the axis.

He stressed that the government would not back down on the enforcement, adding that it would ensure that seven metres drainage setback on all drainage channels were restored.

The commissioner said that 15 metres drainage setback is the standard right-of-way to be restored at Alaba International Market outfall.

He, however, said that the House of Assembly member representing the area, Mr Olusegun Ege, who was also present on the tour, advocated for less than 10 metres to be observed.

“This is just to let people know we are not dropping the ball and the weather has been very favourable so we have no excuse than to just move to the site.

“We will clean up the drains and restore the right-of-way and then take ownership of the public infrastructure.

“The development of any city is a deliberate plan; it is not magical, things will not happen unless the plan is enforced,” Wahab said.

He noted that the ministry had engaged in a series of sensitisation and advocacy, adding that it would not stop enforcement processes where necessary.

According to him, where there is a law in place, there is always provision for enforcement.

Wahab advised developers and homeowners in other parts of Lagos to ensure they did not encroach on public infrastructure such as drainage collectors or channels, be it primary or secondary.

He added that the government would come someday for its infrastructure.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the unwholesome practices of some developers and business owners were regrettable.

Rotimi-Akodu said that their habit of converting the right-of-way into land and fully building on it has exposed other property owners to the dangers of loss of property.

He charged all residents to support the government’s efforts in making Lagos a safe, clean, flood-free and sustainable one.

In his remarks, the President-General, Alaba International Market, Chief Nnamdi Amajioyi, said the market executives have shown state officials the challenged areas, adding that they would cooperate to find a lasting solution.

“We have challenges whenever it rains. I believe that if we go by what the ministry said, the problem of flood will be a thing of the past,” Amajioyi said.

The commissioner was accompanied by the the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Mahamood Adegbite, as well as heads of agencies and some directors, during the inspection tour.

The places visited included Isheri/Aiyetoro/Ologe Primary Channel at Anuoluwapo /Oke-Odan Street Ishashi, Ojo Town and Alaba Rago Primary Channel (System 40B).

Others included the Alaba International Market Primary channel (System 40) and the Ojo Local Government Area.

News

Customs Launches One-stop-shop To Cut Cargo Clearance To 48 Hours

Published

6 minutes ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has officially introduced its ‘One-Stop-Shop (OSS)’ initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Maiwada said the initiative was unveiled recently during a meeting between NCS management and Customs Area Controllers, chaired by the Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.

He said the meeting deliberated on the service’s modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.

Maiwada quoted the C-G as describing the OSS as a “transformative shift” which aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

Adeniyi said the reform was designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts and ensure predictability in customs procedures.

“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency and make our operations more business-friendly,” Adeniyi said.

The C-G acknowledged the role of technology in customs operations but also emphasised the importance of physical engagement with officers.

“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence, coming together under one roof, adds weight and value to our deliberations,” he said.

The NCS boss said the reform would be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne Ports before being rolled out nationwide.

He added that the initiative was constitutionally supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent and trader-friendly Customs Service,” he said.

The spokesperson said that under the OSS framework, all customs units would work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays.

According to him, consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception, thereby reducing costs and enhancing trade facilitation.

He said the meeting also provided a platform to review the NCS accountability framework, including a new central dashboard that tracks clearance times, interventions and stakeholder satisfaction.

News

SEC Warns Nigerians Over AI-generated Investment Scams

Published

48 minutes ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned Nigerians to be cautious of a rising wave of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven scams that are targeting unsuspecting investors with promises of guaranteed profits and fake celebrity endorsements.

The Commission, in a statement, recalled that platforms such as CBEX, Silverkuun, and TOFRO were operating illegally by advertising AI-powered trading systems that promised unrealistic returns.

“These platforms are not registered or regulated by the SEC, yet they continue to mislead the public with false claims of AI-driven investments. They pose serious risks to investors; hence, the Commission issued a series of disclaimers against their activities,” the Commission stated.

The SEC explained that fraudsters are increasingly turning to deepfake videos and AI-generated content to lure victims, noting that manipulated videos featuring politicians, celebrities, and television hosts are being shared through Facebook adverts, Instagram reels, and Telegram groups to give fraudulent platforms an air of credibility.

According to the Commission, “Scammers are exploiting AI to fabricate endorsements and testimonials that appear genuine. This has made traditional fraud detection methods less effective, hence the need for tech-enabled regulation and greater public awareness.”

To counter the growing threat, the SEC explained that it is adopting advanced surveillance systems capable of detecting fraudulent activity in real time, adding that partnerships with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) are being strengthened to enable data sharing and joint enforcement actions.

“We are moving from reactive to predictive oversight. This is essential in combating fraud and systemic risks in our market,” the Commission emphasised.

The regulator said it has also engaged social media companies to clamp down on misleading adverts and cautioned influencers against promoting unlicensed investment schemes.

“Any influencer or blogger found to be complicit in promoting illegal platforms will face regulatory sanctions or even prosecution,” the SEC warned.

The Commission urged Nigerians to take extra precautions before investing, stressing that any scheme promising daily profits, zero risk, or celebrity-backed endorsements should be treated with suspicion.

It stated: “Any investment that guarantees unrealistic returns or uses manipulated videos of public figures should immediately raise a red flag.”

The Commission further encouraged Nigerians to verify the registration status of any investment platform on its website, where a list of licensed Capital Market Operators is available.

It added that investors should confirm that registration numbers displayed on company websites match the details on the SEC portal and avoid platforms that only operate through Telegram or WhatsApp without a verifiable office address.

News

Olubadan Unveils Economic Plan For Ibadanland

Published

1 hour ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The newly crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja,
The newly crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has assured both local and foreign investors of an enabling business environment as he reeled out his socio-economic plan.

Ladoja, who made his first appearance at a Thanksgiving service in his honour at the Ascension of Christ Catholic Church, Bodija, Ibadan, stressed the need for the resuscitation of moribund businesses as well as the employment of the teeming youths in Ibadanland.

He said this had become imperative in order to grow the economy of not only Ibadan but Oyo State as a whole.

He stated that the throne of Olubadan was not about status or bead-wearing but about facilitating the socio-economic growth of Ibadanland.

The monarch added that this could only be achieved with the support of all stakeholders.

According to him, “The major assignment before me as Olubadan of Ibadanland is the growth of Ibadanland.

“The status of Olubadan is not about the wearing of status but ensuring the all-round growth of the town.

“To achieve this feat, I will collaborate with the government at all levels to ensure that Ibadan and Oyo State at large maintain their pace-setter status.

“We are all governing Ibadan. I am just the coordinator. You people are the small Olubadans; I am the big Olubadan.

“Ibadan will be greater by God’s grace and with your support. I am now the king of all religious groups in Ibadan.

“We have never had a record of religious crisis in Ibadan because members of the various religious groups are represented in each family in Ibadanland.

“Ibadan is a fertile land for investment and economic growth. It shall continue to be well with Ibadan.”

In his congratulatory message, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most Rev Dr Gabriel Abegunrin, described Ladoja’s installation as the new Olubadan as the unfailing providence of God, who had preserved the life of the monarch with strength and wisdom.

According to him, Ladoja’s longevity is a crown of grace, and his enthronement is a divine mandate which entrusted him with peace, unity and the progress of the Ibadan people.

The cleric hailed Ladoja for commencing his reign with an act of thanksgiving in the house of God, saying the gesture of the new monarch reflected not only his humility before God but also his deep recognition of the sacred duty of fostering harmony among all faiths.

“Oba Ladoja has set forth a shining example of interfaith goodwill and mutual respect which will long endure as a legacy of his reign.”

Abegunrin said the church and Christian community in Ibadanland commended Ladoja as a father, leader and custodian of Ibadan heritage, pledging the church’s continued prayers and support as it looked forward to collaborating with the monarch in promoting justice, peace and the common good for all residents of Ibadan.

He, however, prayed that God would bless Oba Ladoja with continued good health, wisdom from above and divine guidance to rule with justice, compassion and courage.

The event was attended by the Olubadan-in-Council, the family of the monarch, Iyalodes and well-wishers.
(TRIBUNE)