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Promise Fulfilled: Nigeria’s Government Builds Haiti Collapsed School

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In furtherance of efforts at consolidating the subsisting bilateral relations between Nigeria and Haiti, the Federal Government of Nigeria has completed the construction of Benoit Batraville High School located in Saut-D’eau, Haiti.

The project, initiated as Nigeria’s response to the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, was supported by well- meaning Nigerians and the Red Cross Society.

It would be recalled that the project was suspended in 2015 due to unforeseen circumstances but rejuvenated by the Nigerian Government through its High Commission in Jamaica that is concurrently accredited to Haiti in 2022

The mission after satisfying due process requirements, awarded the contract to a Jamaican based Benson Construction Company. Despite all odds including security challenges in Haiti, the project commenced in February 2023 and was completed in record time by 23rd of August, 2023.

The building was handed over to the Haitian Authorities on 29th August 2023, while the handover was ongoing speeches and goodwill messages were delivered via zoom by top Government Functionaries of both countries.

In attendance was Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica with concurrent accreditation to Haiti, Dominican Republic and Belize; H.E Amb. Maureen Tamuno,

Minister of Education Haiti; Mr Nesmy Manigat, 

Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Haiti, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs Haiti;Mr Azad Belfort, and senior government officials from Haiti 

In her remarks, H.E Maureen Tamuno applauded the bilateral relations between both countries, and expressed delight at the delivery of the project. She expressed her thanks to God for seeing her team through and seized the opportunity to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his renewed hope agenda and commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, She also thanked the Minister of foreign affairs H. E Yusuf Tuggar and his Haitian counterpart H.E Monsieur Jean Victor GENEUS. Nesmy Manigat, Minister of Education, Haiti, and the Municipal Council of Saut-D’eau for their support and cooperation to the Project. She also enjoined the students and teachers to make good use of the excellent edifice delivered and expressed her willingness to re-visit Haiti soon.

The Nigerian top diplomat used the opportunity to advocate and urge stakeholders, most especially the United Nations, to assist with returning normalcy to Haiti.

The Haiti officials thanked the Nigerian government for this landmark project, they emphasised that without the government of Nigeria it would have been impossible.

  The Minister for foreign affairs Haiti represented by the Director of Foreign Affairs, Mr Azad Belfort expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Government for their benevolence and to Amb Maureen Tamuno, for working tirelessly for the actualization of this Landmark project. He emphasised the close ties Nigeria and Haiti share through descendants of the Igbo community from Nigeria. He stated in his remarks that the establishment of the school will strengthen the diplomatic ties between both countries. 

The Minister of Education, Haiti, Mr Nesmy Manigat expressed so much gratitude to Amb. Maureen Tamuno Ph.D and the Nigeria Government for fulfilling their promise. In his words “I was there in 2015 as Minister of Education, Haiti, a lot has happened. We have come a long way , despite the educational and security challenges in my country Haiti including problems of infrastructure despite all today , under Her Excellency Maureen Tamuno, Nigeria has Delivered. We are indeed very thankful for the school project”. He stated that this will go a long way to further strengthen the bonds of co-operation and bilateral relations. He reiterated that it was very important and timely for a small community like Saut -d’eau to have a public building of that level which in his words is the envy of others.

DETAILS OF AREA

The School’s property is 12,500 square meters 

(134, 548.9 SQUARE FEET).

BUILDING 

The size of the building is IS 9,411 square meters (32,000 square feet) BY 4.5 Meters (15 Feet) High.

FENCE 

The Perimeter fence is 1,250 square meters.

The Building consists of the following:

The Administration block (The principal/Vice, Secretary area, Stationary/Printing room and a Restroom

16 nos standard size classrooms.

The Staff Room/Restroom

The Canteen

The Computer Lab.

The Storage room for the school

The Auxiliary workers restroom

The building operations control room (For the Electricals and Plumbing operations)

3# Double Entrance Doors and 2#Double Exits Doors

The school consists of two playground areas:

The standard football field at the back of the building and the area allotted for auxiliary sports like basketball, volleyball, etc

THE AUDITORIUM:

New Four classrooms/Auditorium (These four classrooms are built to accommodate both classrooms and auditorium with mechanically collapsible wooden walls), flooring, walls and roof slabs, and drainages.

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Obanikoro Accuses Access Bank of Using His Property as Collateral for N1bn Loan without His Consent

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New facts have emerged on how Access Bank clandestinely granted N1 billion loan to a going concern, DDSS International Company limited, using a property belonging to another company, MOB Integrated Services, run by Gbolahan Obanikoro, as collateral without the owner’s consent or knowledge.

Details of the loan provided by insiders, revealed that the property, owned by MOB Integrated Services, was first used to guarantee a loan of N193,139,200 to Balmoral International Limited on May 21, 2013, from the now acquired Diamond Bank.

The credit facilities, referenced AOB/BB/VO/AD/031/05/2013, also included N120 million term loan and N20 million import duty facility.

The term of the loan was 180 days from the date of disbursement at 20 per cent per annum, while a third-party legal mortgage on the property located at 40B Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was used as security.

However, long after Balmoral had repaid and serviced the loan, the bank, without recourse to the property owner, used the same collateral for another loan, completely unknown to the property owner.

The loan of N1 billion was granted to DDSS International Company Limited via an offer letter of May 16, 2019, using the same property as security.

The letter was signed by Bukola Shoyombo, a Relationship Officer in Access Bank Business Banking Division, and Oreoluwa Roy-Egbokhan, a Relationship Manager.

The purpose was to enable DDSS International finance the purchase of different brands of cars and luxury vehicles for sale to individuals and corporate organisations.

The tenor of the loan was for 60 months at 15 per cent interest per annum, subject to review based on prevailing market conditions.

The bank claimed that the collateral was a “comprehensive third-party legal mortgage on property located at 40B Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi. The property is currently with the bank and perfection has been concluded,” the bank claimed in the offer letter.

The implication, the insider, explained, was that the bank granted DDSS International the loan without collateral, because the property was not theirs and the owner had no relationship whatsoever with the company.

A complaint of stealing was later filed against the bank and others, following which the Lagos State Government filed charges against the Managing Director, Bolaji Agbede, and three others.

In the four-count charge pending before Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Tafa Balewa Square, the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Mrs A. O. Oluwafemi, accused the bank and others of conspiracy, stealing, and attempted theft.

The defendants were the Managing Director of Balmoral International Limited, Adejare Adegbenro; Balmoral International Limited, Access Bank, Bolaji Agbede and DDSS International Company Limited.

The charge read: “Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit a felony to wit: stealing contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law, Ch. C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

“Particulars of Offence: Adejare Adgbenro (m), Balmoral International Limited, Access Bank and Bolaji Agbede (m) on or about the 24th Day of September 2013 at Plot 1261, Adeota Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State in the Lagos Judicial Division, conspired to commit a felony to wit: Stealing.”

The charge stated that they conspired and “stole the property of MOB Integrated Services at Plot 40b, Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by using it as a security for a loan without his consent and subsequently entering into a consent judgment.”

The defendants were also charged with attempted stealing, contrary to Section 21 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The prosecution said the defendants, on or about May 26, 2019, at Plot 1262, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, in the Lagos Judicial Division, “attempted to steal the property of MOB Integrated Services at Plot 40B, Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos by offering and granting DDSS International Company Limited a credit facility of N1billion only.”

However, following the defendants’ failure to appear for their arraignment, Justice Harrison ordered their arrest.

The judge issued the arrest warrant after prosecution counsel, Uthman Rilwan, informed the court that despite being served with a notice, the defendants failed to appear.

After issuing the warrant, the judge directed that it be executed against the principal officers of the defendant companies.

She adjourned until February 24, 2025, for arraignment.

-Culled from Thisday.


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As  late Ifeanyi Ubah goes Home in a blaze of glory!

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Late  Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah would be compared with  a shooting star across the midnight sky that left unannounced when many were still savouring and   amazed by its beauty.

Until his death the senator that represented Anambra South Senatorial District touched many lives, he gave laughter to many homes, he fed many hungry mouths, he gave succour to many hearts and gave hope to many hopeless.

Though his style and approach to some to issues may be distasteful to many,  He held his passion with absolute conviction, fighting many battles that would easily cowered the faint hearts, he dared the mighty, ventured into the unknown, took the trophies everywhere he went.

He was simply fearless!

Since his death was announced that red letter day last July tributes have been showering for the man whose milk of kindness was described as second- to- none.

The man who was also the  Chairman, Capital Oil, is generous to a fault.   This top player in the nation’s oil and gas sector also was born with  a large heart. Besides, he was  unapologetically committed to the uplift of his community, while also helping the course of humanity.

It was  gathered the many remarkable tributes during his lying state about the countless lives he touched and the enduring legacy he left behind.

He was also described as a tenacious businessman, philanthropist and public servant. Through his lifetime, he dedicated himself to the service of the people of his state and constituency.

As the titan went home  yesterday, Saturday 23 November, 2024, in a blaze of glory when he  committed to mother earth the nation as  a whole  would surely miss a shrewd businessman,  distinguished  politician and man born to serve humanity.

It is definitely incontrovertible that while alive, late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, was someone many wished to be as blessed as he was.

But unknown to those who covet his successes, he faced many challenges that would ordinarily consume a lily-livered.

Interestingly however, Ubah had always proved to his detractors that he is indeed a cat with nine lives.

In other words, the more they tried to bury him, the more he sprouted like a seed in a well-fertiled land. Though he was a lone fighter, he proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was indeed a warrior, as he always emerged victorious in all his legal battles.

All his life, he walked tortuous and undulating paths to achieve success.

The billionaire businessman was a courageous, even fearless, confident and self-made man. His life, in a way, taught many that one could be whatever one wanted to be if one prepares well and stays focused.

 However, last July, the man who survived and escaped many battles, including an attempt on his life, finally succumbed when he died in London.

Many would remember September, 2022, the businessman , who was also the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, was going about his normal activities that fateful Sunday , travelling to his hometown, Nnewi with his aides when some dare-devil gunmen rained bullets on him alongside his convoy.

Many scampered for safety. And it was, indeed, a sad day as some of his trusted aides were fell by the bullets.

It was learnt that if not for his bullet- proof car and the grace of God, the Anambra State-born Senator would have kicked the bucket at the time.

 It was such a dreadful and unpalatable scene to watch.

The sad event of that day no doubt haunted the senator till he breathed his last.

Until the tragic event of his death , if you had asked the late politician his most cherished ambition, he would probably have told you, it is to become the governor of the state.

This, he had worked tirelessly to achieve in the next governorship election of the state.

Indeed, the highly flamboyant politician had launched powerful consultations in the state for his ambition before death plucked life out of him. He has spent money traveling round the world consulting and seeking the blessings of many that matter to his ambition.

Sadly, this beautiful dream died with him.

 


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Behold The Next Owa Obokun Of Ijesa Land, Dr. Oriyomi Adewunmi Akerele…. A Pedigree Of Excellence And Omoluabi Prince Of The Source

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A successful healthcare administrator based in the United States, proud Ijesha prince, historian per excellence, Dr. Oriyomi Adewunmi Akerele was born on August 10th 1974, to a the BILARO ruling house of Ijesaland.
He attended University of Ilorin where he bagged a B.A degree in history and eventually proceeded to the prestigious University of Arlington Texas where he obtained both is Masters and PhD in History. He also holds an MBA healthcare management from Dallas Baptist University.
A successful Prince of the soil, Dr. Akerele presently runs a top healthcare company in the US with a portfolio of over 7 billion USD, and still counting.
According to him, he is ready to take the position of the leadership of his home town where he has a lot of passion and drive to take to the next level considering his exposure in the international environment.
“I am passionate about the development of Ijesaland, I want to take our historical town and its people to a higher level of development through purposeful leadership through cooperation of all Ijesa sons and daughters both at home and abroad.
Adding that his intentions are pure and for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the ijesha land. “I intend to focus on the areas where the Ijesa’s have the comparative cost advantage over other towns in Yorubaland.
He has so far got the backings of the ijesa indigenes in diaspora to give him all the support in whatever way he might be needing them;
“ I have the support and assurance of Ijesa sons and daughters in the diaspora and they are ready to lend their hands and resources for the development of our ancestral land”
“I am ready to leave my comfort zone and answer the call of leadership to the throne of my forefathers, I have the pedigree, exposure, love and compassion to lead Ijeshaland and rewrite the history, culturally, economically and socially” he concluded.
It will be recalled that Ijeshas are a sub-ethnicity of the Yorubas of West Africa. Ilesha is the largest town and historic cultural capital of the Ijesha people, and is home to a kingdom of the same name, ruled by an Oba locally styled as the Owa Obokun Adimula. The last reigning Owa Obokun was Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, who joined his ancestors around September, 2023.
According to prince Oriyomi, “As Ijeshas, we need to connect our roots and stems to our present.
We (Ijeshas) are battle strong; we are smart business people; pace setters in everything we do. Our excellence should be studied.
What we need is a synergy of our strengths and a strong purpose of our collectivity’
He stressed further that if opportune to ascend the throne of his  ancestors, he will work with everyone to make Ijeshaland a prosperous land that would beam with pride, success while creating a generation of immaculate community.
”From our major towns of Iperindo, Ijebu-Ijesha, Osu, Esa Oke, Ikeji Arakeji, Owena, Imesi Ile, Ifewara and other several villages, we will have a land that we would bemoans opportunities and bliss” He added.
Dr. Oriyomi is married to princess Oluwaseun Akerele nee Bakre of the Gbagura clan of Egbaland.

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