A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, says the new Tenancy Bill of the House aims to protect tenants against exploitation by estate agents.

Ogundipe, Chairman, House Committee on Information, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the House had on Wednesday organised a public hearing on the bill.

Ogundipe said the bill contains provisions designed to reduce financial burden on accommodation seekers in the state.

He added that the bill was a direct response to public complaints regarding high fees charged by agents.
According to him, a salient provision of the bill is the reduction of agency fees on annual rents from 10 per cent to five per cent.

READ ALSO:Lagos Blue Line Raises Daily Trips

Ogundipe expressed optimism that the bill would foster harmony in landlord-tenant relations and stimulate real estate investment in the state.

According to him, the bill will not only restore the confidence of real estate investors but also open opportunities for new financiers to enter the market.

“The new bill currently under consideration by the House is designed to protect the rights of both tenants and landlords.

“It will also reduce disputes and remove barriers to large-scale housing development by private investors.

READ ALSO:Lagos Orders Mandatory Inspection Of All E-hailing Vehicles

“If the bill is passed into law, it will put an end to many of the recurring controversies between landlords and tenants.

“This bill will promote mutual understanding, clearly define rights and obligations, and ensure peaceful co-existence,” he said.

Ogundipe appreciated all stakeholders for their participation in the public hearing, highlighting that their contributions would help in shaping a progressive and balanced law.

He also emphasised the need to review the existing legal requirements for landlords to insure their premises against loss or damage.

READ ALSO:Residents Count Losses As Floodwaters Take Over Lagos Communities

The lawmaker also said the proposed law gives landlords the right to inspect and maintain their property upon giving prior notice to tenants.

NAN reports that Wednesday’s hearing was attended by the Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Mr Olusegun Ege; House Majority Leader, Mr Noheem Adams and Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai.

Also in attendance were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Housing, Mr Ayodeji Amodu and representatives from key real estate bodies, including the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

Others included representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Association of Realtors, and the Real Estate Agents Association of Nigeria, among others.

NAN

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success, has offered a paid job and an all-expenses paid trip to Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently released from Kirikiri prison.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Ossai announced that a monthly salary of N500,000 had been secured for Emmanson in Delta State.

The package also includes flight tickets, accommodation in a five-star hotel, a guided tour, and a ticket to the Delta Social Media Summit scheduled for August 28 in Asaba.

READ ALSO:Ibom Air Passenger Emmason: Why Kwam1 Was Not Charged In Court — NCAA

“I’m offering Comfort Emmanson a complimentary trip to Delta State, known as the Big Heart and Home of Global Tourism Hub.

“Additionally, a job opportunity with a monthly salary of N500,000 has been secured for her in Delta State.

“All expenses, including flight tickets, accommodation in a five star hotel, and tour costs, will be fully covered,” he wrote.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Ibom Air Passenger Charged To Court Over ‘Unruly’ Act, Remanded In Prison

Ossai added that the trip was to help her relax after her release, saying, “I’d like to extend an invitation for her to visit Delta State and unwind after her release from Kirikiri prison.

“She won’t be disappointed as I will be giving her a good time.”

The governor’s aide urged anyone in contact with Emmanson to ask her to reach out to him directly on Instagram.

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of nine new private universities across the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the approval on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

He said the newly approved institutions are Tazkiyah University, Kaduna State; Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara State; Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo State; Greenland University, Jigawa State; JEFAP University, Niger State; Azione Verde University, Imo State; Unique Open University, Lagos State; and American Open University, Ogun State.

Alausa disclosed that the Tinubu administration inherited 551 pending requests for the establishment of tertiary institutions, which were subjected to stricter approval guidelines.

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: Nigeria’s Varsities That Accept 140, 150, 160 JAMB Scores

This, he said, reduced the list to 79 active applications, out of which nine were cleared on Wednesday.

He explained that many of the approved universities had been awaiting accreditation for over six years, with their promoters having already built campuses and invested billions of naira.

“Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have since introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are a result of clearing this backlog,” Alausa said.

The minister added that the Federal Government had placed a moratorium on new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, except those meeting the new operational standards.