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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) on Tuesday expressed sadness that in spite of its efforts, Nigeria recorded collapse of 62 buildings in 2022, with Lagos State leading with 20.

At the guilds combined virtual and physical Annual General Meeting (AGM), it consequently called for urgent measures to address the issue.

Mr Eddy Atumonyogo, who led the guild until election of his successor at the AGM, said that the guild made efforts, including introduction of whistle blowing mechanism, to curb the trend.

Atumonyogo was represented by his deputy, Mr Sulaimon Yusuf.

He said that the guild would need to do more toward arresting the situation.

Atumonyogo listed challenges of the guild to include funding constraints and COVID-19 pandemic which slowed down its activities.

He said that the guild, however, did its best to tackle the challenges.

Atumonyogo said that the guild partnered with governments of Lagos, Ogun and some other states toward effective regulation, monitoring, capacity building and improvements for best practices in construction activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that statistics provided by Atumonyogo showed that Kano had seven incidents of building collapse in 2022 while Anambra followed closely with five, and Delta and Jigawa recorded four each.

The guild still has a lot of work to do in persuading the various governments to collaborate with it in monitoring construction activities to ensure best practices as well as enlighten the investing public on the need to engage competent hands.

Despite all the efforts in year 2022, there were still a total of 62 collapse of buildings, either partially or fully.

Twenty-three states had incidents of partial or full collapse of buildings, with Lagos State topping the chart with 20 incidents, he said.

Atumonyogo thanked members of the guild for their sacrifices, and urged the new president and executive council to put in their best.

The guest speaker, Prof. Mike Adebamowo, called for deployment of technology for monitoring of construction sites to tame quackery and other root causes of building collapse.

The guest speaker, who is an architect, said that most buildings that collapsed in recent years, including the 21-storey building that collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Nov. 2021, did not have experts on site.

The guest speaker, who is the Executive Director of University of Lagos Business School, spoke on the theme: Investigating the Political, Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Building Collapse in Nigeria: The Sustainable Pathways for Eradication.

He called for restoration of traditional role of architects as the prime consultants, who should work in synergy with the other built environment experts for quality assurance.

According to him, if anything is wrong at the design stage of any project, everything built will be on a faulty foundation and can collapse.

He said that tackling collapse of buildings would require commitment from building experts, governments, communities and individuals.

If we dont go back to basics, we will not be able to address the root cause of the problem, he said.

He expressed dissatisfaction that made-made factors were responsible for nearly all the collapse of buildings that occurred in Nigeria.

He said that greed and corruption among property owners, building professionals, artisans and governments must be dealt with in Nigeria for sanity to be sustained in the construction industry.

Punishment that should serve as deterrent should be meted out to any professionals or property owners who contravene building control regulations or engage in unethical practices that can lead to building collapse, he said.

He listed heavy fines, forfeiture of professional licence, forfeiture of property and jail terms among the punishments.

He urged governments to adequately fund its regulatory agencies and build its staffs capacities.

He urged the regulators to enforce building codes and implement strategies for stemming collapse of buildings.

He also urged relevant agencies to continuously audit buildings and bridges to detect distress early and avert collapse.

The newly-elected President of the guild, Mr Sulaiman Yusuf, praised his predecessor for foresight and good leadership.

Yusuf, a town planner, promised that his administration would uphold professionalism and quality assurance.

During our time (2023 2024), we will focus more on the prevention of building and infrastructure collapse rather than pursuing collapsed buildings in our society, he said.

Yusuf said that his administration would do much to boost quality infrastructure delivery across the nation.

He thanked the guilds affiliates for their support.

Mr Mubarak Gbajabiamila, the General Secretary of the outgoing administration in the Lagos Chapter of BCPG, gave a report of activities of the administration.

NAN reports that BCPG is made up of the seven built environment professionals which are estate surveyors and valuers, architects, town planners, builders, quantity surveyors, engineers and surveyors. (NAN)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Dogo

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dedicated its Consumer Toll-Free Number 622, to serve as 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline.

The Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Danbatta said that this was to enable voters and members of the public to report issues that may affect them or others, during the elections scheduled for Feb. 25.

This step is to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its patriotic commitment towards the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria.

The Toll-Free Number 622 is the second-level complaints centre through which consumers of telecommunications services are allowed to make calls directly to the Commission.

To resolve issues concerning their telecommunications services which the service providers are unable to do, Danbatta said.

He said this was in consideration of the critical nature of the election and to alleviate emergent issues that may arise at the voting centres, or any parts of Nigeria.

Danbatta said: This is with a view to resolving such issues by contacting and conveying such to relevant agencies, authorities, or organisations for timely resolution.

The 622 Election Incident Monitoring Centre will be manned by top management officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission. The hotline will be open to the public from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The EVC called on members of the public to take advantage of the Election Incident Monitoring Centre Hotline, 622.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

DD/Website

Hajiya Ireti Kingibe

By Ruth Oketunde
The Labour Party senatorial candidate in the Federal Capital Territory, Hajiya Ireti Kingibe, has promised to deliver credible representation and provide infrastructural development to residents of the FCT once elected into office.

She said this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Kingibe, who is the only female candidate contesting for the position in the nations capital, said she was ready to give the FCT a new direction.

I am running because I have seen great lapses and lacuna in the representation of the FCT.

I have lived in the FCT since 1988 and I have watched the FCT grow from a place where people only lived in the life camps to one when it was developed to the number one place and now it has been regressed to irrelevance and poverty.

The senatorial seat is the highest elective position in the FCT and the senator works closely with the FCT minister to represent the people and to also take care of FCT infrastructure which is under the ministers purview.

But the senator is there to keep an eye on the needs of the people because he is representing them.

But now, if you remove Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Wuse 2, CBD and the Airport road, there is nothing in other places, development is zero.

You cant go to Nyanya for instance and see good roads, no place has water or lights, in 2023 and the FCT has two budgets; truly we should be able to do more than that.

What I am bringing is credible representation, I am not trying to put anything in my pocket, she said.

Kingibe said she was contesting because she was determined to give back to society and improve the well-being of Nigerians.

She said that she would focus on bringing development and empowerment to the people at the grassroots because that is the ideology of the Labour Party.

According to her, she will be working closely with her colleagues in the Senate to make laws that will be favourable to the people of the FCT.

What I am bringing to the FCT is goodwill, determination to work, integrity and sincerity.

I am going to make a difference in the lives of the people and residents of the FCT and that is what I am bringing to the table once elected, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

Journalists at work

By Franca Ofili

A legal practitioner, Mr Daniel Agada, on Wednesday in Abuja called for adequate protection for journalists covering the 2023 general election,

Agada made the call in Abuja on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Journalists put their lives in danger to report the news as it is for the public good only to be made to face harassment, intimidation, and sometimes physical attack.

Their impartial account and accurate reportage serve a fundamental public good which can have decisive impact on the development of the nation.

In view of the fact that they their roles cannot be overemphasised, theres the need to ensure that they protected while performing their duties.

This need is further heightened by the insecurity challenges in some parts of the country.

The government needs to put measures in place to ensure that journalists are adequately protected while performing their duties including the coverage of elections, he said.

Agada also said that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution As Amended, provides for the rights to freedom of expression of the press.

Section 22 , the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people, he said.

The lawyer called on employers of journalists to play a pivotal role in ensuring that journalists are adequately protected while performing their duties.

The employers of these journalists benefit greatly from the work journalists do, he said.

Agada also advised the journalists to be vigilant and in case of any violence, they should protect themselves. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Seyi Tinubu

By Rukayat Moisemhe

A serial Entrepreneur, Seyi Tinubu, has reiterated his commitments to driving entrepreneurship and human capital development across the country.

Tinubu, also a son of Sen. Bola Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the assertions at a popular reality TV show tagged: #TryMyJob with Olah on Tuesday in Lagos.

Tinubu said that his passion for entrepreneurship, human capital development and skills acquisition was his driving force to youths empowerment and employment generation.

He said that the show created by Olawunmi Akalusi had featured several celebrities, pointing out that by his appearance he has learnt the rudiments of tailoring and fashion business from Miss Chinedu Ahanonu.

Tinubu, also the Chief Executive Officer, LOATSAD Promomedia, said that entrepreneurship was key to growing the nations economy.

He urged Nigerian youths to appreciate the diversity of crafts, which according to him, contributes to solving the unemployment challenges in the country.

I commend my teacher today, Miss Chinedu Ahanonu, who left her day job, to train other women in the tailoring business.

Chinedu has trained over 500 women in the trade and her tenacity, patience and positive impact of her craft to the society deserves recommendation.

Apart from my passion for entrepreneurship, human capital development and skill acquisitions, I also enjoy my journey as a philanthropist.

Some of my projects and that of my organisation include the renovation of the seafood market in Victoria Island, Lagos, Noella Foundation project, which caters for the underprivileged in the society.

It has provided various forms of supports for them over the years, impacting the lives of thousands of people across Nigeria.

All these, by and large, impact the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) space, encourage entrepreneurship and improve the standard of living, Tinubu said.

On Try My Job reality TV show, Akalusi said that the show aims to solve social justice issues, especially in the areas of unemployment in Nigeria and Africa through entertainment.

She added that the show provided entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their products and services.

Influential people are made to swap jobs with blue-collar workers for a day and given the opportunity to share their experiences and give back to the society.

The show was launched in 2012 and has since featured famous people across all works of life and currently airs on OlahTv on YouTube, she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

Pa Ayo Adebanjo in a meeting with leaders of Atunluse Initiatives in Lagos

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, Yoruba socio-cultural group, has appealed to Nigerians to vote for the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, in Saturdays presidential election.

Adebanjo made the appeal when he hosted the leadership of the Atunluse Initiatives, a socio-cultural and political group, on Tuesday in Lagos

The Afenifere leader said the country is at a difficult period needed someone like Obi to rescue the current situation.

He said it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to fight for its freedom.

We dont have money to fight them, but we must do everything legitimately to free ourselves.

Because we agreed that we will be sharing the elective position between the North and the South, South-West had their share under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, it went back to the North under Umaru YarAdua.

Goodluck Jonathan also did his own from South South and it went back to North, now coming back to South, it should be given to the South-East in the name of equity, justice and fairness, he said.

According to him, it is the turn of the South-East to produce the next president of the country.

Also speaking, Mr Akinsola Akinbobola, Chairman of the Atunluse Initiatives, thanked the nonagenarian for his efforts at uniting Nigeria.

Akinbobola and few leaders of Atunluse later had a closed door meeting with Pa Adebanjo and other Afenifere leaders.

The Coordinator of the Atunluse Initiatives, Mr Olaseni Shalom, said the organisation would make their choice of presidential candidate known after its meeting with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) delegation on Wednesday in Akure.

Olaseni reiterated that Atunluse would remain resolute with the masses and for the advancement of good governance and better life for Nigerians.

We can only support a political party that shared same ideology with our organisation for the advancement of good governance and better life with majority of the citizens living in comfort, he said.

Samson Adesina, Spokesperson of the organisation, said Atunluse would make pronouncement to Nigerians which presidential candidate they would vote for when they conclude consultation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

INEC box

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bauchi State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with transport unions to facilitate smooth movement of personnel and materials in the upcoming general election.

The parties to the agreement are: Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Mohammmed Nura said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said the agreement was initially sealed at the national level and replicated at state and local government levels.

The commission, he said, was in partnership with the unions to ensure timely and effective transportation of personnel and election materials to polling units across the 20 LGAs of the state.

He said the commission had so far distributed non-sensitive materials to the local government areas while distribution of sensitive election materials will begin on Thursday.

The REC said the commission had trained 622 Collation/Returning Officers and thousands of other electoral officers to facilitate smooth conduct of the elections in the state.

He listed the trained election officers to include Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs), Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), Technical Personnel (RaTech), among others.

Nura said the commission was engaging relevant stakeholders, especially the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), to ensure safe delivery of election material and peaceful conduct of the elections.

While reitrating commitment to free, fair and credible elections, Nura urged voters to conduct themselves peacefully during the election exercise.

We are ready to go and appealed to the people of the state to conduct themselves orderly and peacefully during the elections.

People should turn out en masse to excercise their franchise in a peaceful atmosphere, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Source: NAN News

Dr. Tony Bello, Chairman and Co-Founder of Shine Bridge Global.

Source: NAN News

Joseph Ari

By Blessing Odega

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr Joseph Ari, says the fund has disbursed more than N24 billion as students and supervisors training allowances from 2016 to date.

Ari said this on Monday in Jos when the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau council, gave him an award of excellence in leadership and human capital development.

He said that given the funds integral role in the training of students of Engineering, Technology and other allied disciplines in tertiary institutions, the ITF had accorded priority attention to the management of the scheme.

Ari assured the public of the funds commitment to the prompt payment of students and supervisors allowances, as soon as money is received from the Federal Government.

He further said that the ITF had automated its business processes in a bid to facilitate business processes within the ITF and with its stakeholders.

He commended the chapel for finding him worthy of the award and dedicated the award to the entire workforce of the ITF for their dedication and resilience.

Earlier, the Correspondents Chapel chairman, Mr Gyang Bere, who presented the award to Ari, said that the award was in recognition of the ITF training of thousands of youths with requisite skills for employability and in turn to reduce unemployment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News