SANWO-OLU ORDERS PROBE INTO ALLEGED LAND SCAM BY REVOLUTION PLUS PROPERTY COMPANY

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority-LASRERA to commence an investigation into a viral video clip made by one Mr Kayode Oladipo about 20 plots of lands he supposedly bought in 2017 from a Property Company, RevolutionPlus without any physical allocation of the said plots.

Following the Governor’s directive, the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barr.Barakat Odunuga-Bakare and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola, on Friday, invited the Management of RevolutionPlus Limited who was led the company’s Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Dr.Bamidele Onalaja, for fact-finding.

The information gathering process by the top government officials, according to the Commissioner for Housing will help find lasting solutions to frequent reports of fraudulent practices in the State’s real Sector and thus protect the interest of investors and investees in the Real Estate business transactions in Lagos State. 

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barr.Barakat Odunuga-Bakare recalled that before the viral video made by Mr Kayode Oladipo, there had been some concerns raised by members of the public about the conduct of RevolutionPlus Property Limited to some of its subscribers.

The members of the investigation team reiterated the resolve of the State government to investigate the allegation against RevolutionPlus Limited in line with LASRERA Law 2022.

According to them, LASRERA Law 2022 empowers the agency to investigate petitions and complaints from members of the public to protect and promote sanity as well as boost further investors' confidence both at home and foreign investments for the sector in Lagos State. 

The CEO/MD of the real estate company, Dr.Bamidele Onalaja, affirmed that Mr. Kayode Oladipo (complainant) subscribed for 20 (Twenty) plots of land from RevolutionPlus Property Limited at Dallas Court, Lekki and Royalty Gardens, Ajah, in Lagos State. 

Dr. Onalaja explained that 2 (two) out of the original 20 plots were fully paid for by the client, while the necessary documentation has been completed and handed over to him.

He added that the remaining 18 (eighteen) plots of those land have not been fully paid by Mr. Kayode Oladipo as he flouted the payment agreement on the contract.

He said that property NOT fully paid for with its associated costs will not be processed based on contract conditions because, in case of non-compliance, the company policy requires the relocation of such subscriber to another site upon completion of payment or refund of the deposited sum less 40%( forty percent).

He noted that having defaulted in his payment pattern, RevolutionPlus Property Limited relocated him to another land site at Amazon Estate, Epe, which he declined while the option of refunding the sum advanced was also rejected by Mr Kayode Oladipo, the complainant.

Onalaja said that the company has finalized the allocation of 5 (five) plots to Mr. Kayode Oladipo at Amazon Estate based on the payment made with necessary documents forwarded to him. 

The CEO of RevolutionPlus Property Limited also added that Mr Kayode Oladipo did not make a payment of N40,000,000.00 (Forty Million to the company as claimed in the viral video, urging members of the public to disregard his claims as untrue and misleading.

However, in the course of the committee’s investigation, Mr Kayode Oladipo who was contacted on the phone, maintained that he paid the deposit sum of N18,606,000.00 (Eighteen Million, Six Hundred and Six Thousand Naira to RevolutionPlus Property Limited in 2017. 

He said that along the line, he lost his job and couldn't continue with the payment as he initially agreed.

He confirmed that he declined the option of relocation to Amazon Estate, Epe in Lagos State, and wants the State Government to compel RevolutionPlus Property Limited to allocate his subscribed plots of land to him.

The Investigation Committee explained to Mr. Kayode Oladipo that having defaulted in his payment arrangement, the real estate company has the right to offer the option of relocation to another site equivalent to money paid or the option of refund of the amount paid less 40% as stipulated in the agreed contract of sales by both parties. 

It should be noted that after the deliberations by the investigation team, Mr Kayode Oladipo (Complainant) has agreed to accept the allocation of (5) plots of land at Amazon Estate, Epe of Lagos State which is equivalent to the present value of his payment.

Adeoti Sobowale 

Deputy Director, Public Affairs 

LASRERA 

21st January, 2024.

Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority - Lasrera 

#lagos

LASG Reiterates Commitment To Food Security In Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment  to fully implement the five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap to achieve food security in the state.

(M) Ms Abisola Olusanya, Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, R: HoS, Hon. Agoro, (2nd L) House Committee on Agriculture, Mr. Olotu

The five-year Agricultural Food Systems Roadmap was launched in 2021 by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure Lagosians are secured when it comes to food security.

Speaking at the event, Lagos Food Systems Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting held yesterday at Protea Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, stated that the state government would provide funds for agric service providers, improved rice paddy production and land bank collaboration with sister states.

“We will go live on eight projects which include, Central Logistics Hub, Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE), capacity building for horticulture stakeholders, full operations and capacity building for stakeholders in the Lagos Food Production Centres.

“Others are execution of state-wide intervention and Green Wall Initiative,” she said.

Ms. Abisola listed others as the establishment of Agricultural Value Chains Entreprise Activation Programme, Agri-thon, Lagos Cares, Lagos Entrepreneurship Programme and the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme.

“The state government will also create the Lagos Agrinnovation Clusters, the Food Value Chains’ Destination, the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub and the Middle Level Agro Product Hub.”

Olusanya said part of the roadmap was to increase production of rice paddy in order to meet with the growing rice consumption of the state.

The commissioner said the state government would increase the production of rice paddy by partnering with other sister states such as Niger and Kebbi states on land bank collaboration.

Olusanya listed the projects to be undertaken by the state government to include Lagos Rice Mill, the Central Logistics Hub, – the Red Meat Initiative, Lagos Feedlot System and Butchers’ Academy among others.

The commissioner said the ministry would set up the Lagos feedlot system, establishment of Butchers’ Academy, creation of Last mile meat Shop.

Olusanya said the purpose of the meeting was to intimate the stakeholders on the ministry’s activities for the year 2024 and also get their contributions.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, said the state government would require N50 billion to produce 100,000 tonnes of rice paddy in 2024.

Fashola said the Imota Rice Mill was able to produce 15,000 tonnes of rice paddy in 2023.

“We started off with about 5,000 tonnes of paddy and with the genuity of the team we were able to partner with the Commodity and Exchange Board that brought another close to 10,000 paddy for us to end the year.

“We were able to do roughly about 15,000 tonnes of paddy which is over 120,000 bags of rice in 2023, but this year we are hoping to do 100,000 tonnes of paddy.

“Believe me, that is not cheap because last year we started about N200,000 per ton but today as I speak, the cost of paddy is about N510,000 per ton.

“In other words, if we are going to do 100,000 tonnes per paddy we will need N50 billion,” he said.

Fashola said the state government was currently in talks with Niger and Kebbi states to give them farmers on a large scale that it could buy paddy from at reasonable costs.

Earlier, The state’s Head of Civil Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, said the state government was bringing back operation feed the nation by allowing the civil servants to participate in the agricultural sector.

Agoro said his mother, a retired civil servant, was also into agriculture produce, urging the civil servants in the state to engage in the agriculture.

In a separate remarks, Mr. Mosopefolu George, the State Commissioner for Economy, Planning and Budget, said the state government has already increased its budget on agriculture.

George attributed the increase to the importance of food chain and agriculture system to the state.

He noted that the ministry had been doing well in the area of rice mills, food and logistics hub just to mention a few.

Chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Olotu, urged stakeholders in the agricultural space to improve ministry's production in 2024.

Olotu commended the Ministry of Agriculture for its contributions in heading the programme to allow them to collectively share the goal and projects for the year 2024.

He said: “Our share goal should be the development of resilient and efficient that can benefit our farmers and customers, and improve on the agricultural plan agenda.

“Lagos State through the Ministry of Agriculture is to create agro stakeholders in order to leverage on the developmental agenda of the state.”

Olotu said as agro stakeholders their role was pivotal by maximising the ground work led by the ministry.

He urged stakeholders to collectively shape the food system by offering a full support to unlock the full potential of food system and contribute to the development of agriculture in state.

Zenith Bank Dismisses Report on GMD's Arrest, Says Onyeagwu on Duty

AgegePulse Magazine 

Zenith Bank Dismisses Report on GMD's Arrest, Says Onyeagwu on Duty

Zenith Bank PLC, one of Nigeria's leading financial institutions, has dismissed as entirely untrue reports on the purported arrest of its Group Managing Director, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, in a section of the media.

The reports had claimed Dr 

Onyeagwu was arrested by the EFCC in connection with alleged fraud at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. 

The foremost lender however clarified that the GMD was neither arrested nor detained by the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency, adding that he is currently fulfilling his duties and responsibilities as the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

This was contained in a statement issued by the bank in Lagos on Wednesday and signed by Rich El O. Otu, its Company Secretary/General Counsel.

The statement added that the bank will continue to maintain the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency and remains committed to providing exceptional banking and financial services to customers. 

"We have become aware of inaccurate reports circulating on social media and certain news outlets alleging that Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, was arrested and held by the EFCC on January 9, 2024, in connection with an alleged fraud at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

"We wish to clarify that these reports are entirely false. The Group Managing Director was not arrested or detained by the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency and is currently fulfilling his duties at the bank.

"We are issuing this public statement to dispel the misinformation and ensure that the public and our stakeholdârs are accurately informed.

"Zenith Bank remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of banking and financial services," the statement read.

EFCC Solicits For Zenith, Providus and Jaiz Banks Help in the Probe of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

 

EFCC Solicits For Zenith, Providus and Jaiz Banks Help in the Probe of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

EFCC Solicits For Zenith, Providus and Jaiz Banks Help in the Probe of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

The Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of Zenith, Providus and Jaiz banks, on Tuesday, honoured the invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to hand over documents relating to accounts operated by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the anti-graft agency.

A source from the Agency confirmed that the bank Czars, departed the Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency after the documents were handed over.

Multiple sources close to the banks, EFCC and the Presidency, clarified that the banks documents were requested by the anti-graft agency, to help in its ongoing investigation, into alleged financial impropriety in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and directed investigation into her Ministry.

Edu, who was grilled on Tuesday, by the EFCC, had allegedly directed the disbursement of N585,198,500.00 grant meant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States, into a private account.

Grassroots Football: How Kukushaw FC won Bet9ja Elephant Cup five-a-side grassroots soccer

Grassroots Football: How Kukushaw FC wins Bet9ja Elephant Cup five-a-side grassroots soccer

AgegePulse Magazine 

Kukushaw Football Club of Lagos State has won the 2023/24 Bet9ja Elephant Cup, a five-a-side grassroots soccer tournament.

The team defeated Omo Beta FC 4-0 in the final of the tournament held at the Ashade Ogba Palace Playing Ground, Agege community on Friday.

Kukushaw FC was rewarded with a cash prize of N500, 000 for winning the tourney while Omo Baba FC got N300,000 for coming second.

Twelve teams participated in the competition.

Speaking after the match, the Chairman Bet9ja Elephant Football Committee, Felix Ajanaku, thanked God for the success of the league.

Mr Ajanaku said that the competition had run for 26 years at the same venue and improved greatly since the first edition.

“I appreciate and thank all the teams that participated in the league from the beginning, for their sportsmanship and fair play attitude during the matches. The game went well and the players showed some level of maturity during the tournament. We also thank the supporters and the spectators for their peaceful conduct during and after the matches,” he said.

A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Yinka Ogundimu, in his remarks said that the tournament has impacted the youth and Agege community.

According to him, many talented players have been picked from the grassroots football competition to play in higher leagues and in national teams.

A former International, Sylvester Igboun, was once a grassroots player at this playing ground in Ashade Palace, Agege. We implore the youth to take advantage of this opportunity and focus on their God-given skills and talents for a better future.

A veteran actress, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, said that more youths would benefit from the yearly tournament if organisations and well-meaning individuals support the initiative.

Ms Ajayi-Lycett also urged the media to give more coverage to grassroots sporting activities to showcase and discover many hidden talents across different communities.

Speaking, Oladele Alabi, who emerged Best Goalkeeper of the tournament thanked God for the success of his team, Kukushaw FC.

“Though it is not easy, God saw us through. We thank our sponsors, supporters and organisers of the game for giving us the opportunity to showcase our talents,” Mr Alabi said.