The Lagos State Government last week, gave reasons for the delay in the take-off of its home ownership mortgage scheme, HOMS. The Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje explained that the government wants to build enough houses for the people before flagging off the full implementation of the scheme.
Jeje spoke at the commissioning of Ikeja Millennium Housing Estate located at GRA, Ikeja which was renamed Emeka Anyaoku Housing Estate.
The Commissioner said the government is currently working on the modalities for the mortgage scheme which will be officially inaugurated in no distant time. He however noted that there is a mortgage arrangement for the purchase of houses in all the 23 government -owned housing estates so far completed by his ministry.
Explaining that regular structural integrity test is carried out in the existing government estates across the state to determine their fitness for habitation, Jeje however pointed out that structures discovered to be defective will be pulled down.
The Commissioner who said the completion of Emeka Anyaoku Estate is another milestone in the state’s avowed commitment to the provision of decent accommodation for the people of Lagos State, added that the estate comprises 76 units of four-bedroom Maisonettes. A further breakdown shows that the estate has 10 blocks, nine of which have eight units of Maisonettes each, while the 10th block comprises seven units.
To make estate functional and self sustaining, he said that complementary infrastructure such as well paved network of roads, car parks, mini water works, electricity and properly landscaped environment have been provided. Jeje explained that for security of lives and safety of properties of residents and visitors, the estate is protected by a perimeter fence and manned gate houses.
He listed the challenges encountered during the construction of the Emeka Anyaoku estate to include the excavation of the top soil and sand filling of the land to replace the top soil. The Commissioner said this was as a result of the fact that, the parcel of land had for a long time served as a refuse dump which made the top soil to loose with high concentration of degradable materials upon which no enduring structure can be built.
“Therefore, several soil tests were conducted as layers of soil were removed to ascertain the suitability of the land for the housing project before it commenced. Today, I make bold to say the structures you have before you will pass any integrity test and stand the test of time”, Jeje stated.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
National Chairman of All progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, faction, Maxi Okwu, has said the party’s leadership under him remained the authentic until the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, or competent court of law said otherwise.
Okwu, who spoke at the town hall meeting with APGA members in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, weekend, said Chief Victor Umeh was gone, adding that what he was carrying around was just a court order.
Okwu, who also paid a visit to the Eze Igbo 1, Abuja, Dr. Nwosu Ibe as part of an advocacy campaign to take the new APGA leadership to the people, noted, however, that he was not nursing any fear that INEC might nullify the party convention held in Awka where he emerged.
He said: “ “I am not afraid the INEC will annul the national convention of the party held in Awka, where I emerged victorious as the national chairman.
”No I am not afraid but I am merely stating the obvious. Only a court of law or INEC can change the situation. But as I speak with you, INEC is with us. INEC was with us in Awka to observe the convention.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
PEOPLES’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has alleged that some powerful people, within and outside the state, are mounting pressure on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama and officers involved in the investigation of the murder of Ayodele Jeje at Erinjiyan-Ekiti, to cover up the case.
However, the State Police Command dismissed the fear being raised by PDP and assured that the police were not under any pressure from any quarter over the Erinjiyan case.
The party, in a statement by its state chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, said: “This call became imperative following the pressure being mounted on Wakama and police officers in Ekiti State Command to bury the matter.
“We have reports that some people are mounting pressure on the CP, police top shots and those involved in the investigation of the murder of Ayodele Jeje that some vital evidence be destroyed, tampered with or even ignored so that those who killed Jeje would go free or there would not be enough evidence to nail them.”
However, in his reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Victor Babayemi Olu, said they were doing a professional job on the case. He said: “We are investigating the matter and we are doing that professionally, conscientiously and with the fear of God.
“Nobody is mounting pressure on us to do anything that is untoward. We are assuring Nigerians that anybody that runs foul of the law will be taken care of in accordance with the laws of the land.
“I can say, without mincing words, that we are up to the task and when investigation is concluded, the appropriate steps will be taken.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Federal Government has given Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, a target of N1.4 trillion revenue collection for the years 2013.
Government was said to have given NSC N800 billion last year, but it imposed N1.2 trillion 2012 target on itself.
The premier command, Apapa Area 1, in the breakdown of revenue distributed to the various Area Commands, has the highest target of N470 billion, going by its monthly target of N39 billion.
The Tin-Can Island Port Command is expected to generate a monthly target of N28 billion, adding up to N339 billion this year.
Lagos Industrial and Lilypond commands are expected to generate a monthly target of N1 billion each.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The body of the Ikoyi Golf Club manager who drove the ill-fated Hilux van which plunged into Majidun river in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, weekend, has been recovered.
The recovery was made around 7a.m yesterday, through the effort of some local divers and Nigerian Navy who commenced the exercise since the news of the incident broke.
Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, who confirmed the development, said the body had been deposited in a morgue.
Speaking through its General Manager, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA said the number of the victims could not be ascertained as only one body was recovered though eye witnesses said there were four people in the vehicle.
“Recovery operation continued today and the body of the supposed lone occupant of the vehicle has been recovered, the other three colleagues of the deceased alighted at Palmgrove bus-stop before the car was involved in the accident,” he said.
An eye witness account had earlier said the driver of the Hilux van gave a ride to three others who drowned along with him when the vehicle plunged into the river.
The deceased, Kolawole Ahmed, was said to have left the club house in company of three people after an all night event.
NEMA commiserate with victim’s family
In a statement, NEMA, commiserated with the victim’s family.
According to its South-West Information Officer, Ibrahim Farinloye, “the identified body of Mr. Kolawole Ahmed, who drove the ill-fated Toyota Hilux Van was recovered at 8:23 a.m today. The possibility of further recovery is highly remote as the eyewitnesses who gave the account of four people in the vehicle, though, still maintained their views but accounts of the Ikoyi Golf Club contradicts the witnesses but the emergency agencies are still working towards further searches.
“The staff said Ahmed was heading to his house under construction which was his daily routine after close of work before going to where he resides at Ikeja. He might have picked some people on his way after dropping his colleagues.
“The body had been deposited at the General Hospital, Ikorodu in company of his relations and staff for documentation, immediate collection and burial as the victim was a Muslim.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
At least 20 people were injured and two were killed in a pair of explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line Monday, the Boston Police Department has tweeted. NBC News quotes race organizers as saying the blasts were caused by "two bombs." AP reports that two additional explosive devices were found at the site and were being dismantled. About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the spot.
Another explosion was heard soon after. Bloody spectators were carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. "There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was also wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stormed Benin City on Thursday, April 4, 2013, to celebrate the 60th birthday of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. No fewer than 16 state governors, led by the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, graced the ceremony.
Sunday Vanguard learnt that Oshiomhole never planned for an elaborate birthday ceremony, but his friends insisted that they were going to organize at least a lecture on the day. As a result, invitation was sent to guests only 48 hours to the ceremony.
The guests, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, stormed Benin despite the late invitation. Senator Ben Obi, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, represented his principal at the occasion.
Also in attendance were Govs Godswill Akwabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdulazeez Abubakar (Zamfara), Ami nu Dankwabo (Gombe), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), and Kasseem Shetima (Borno).
Others were Govs Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Issa Yuguda (Bauchi), Abiola Ajimobi(Oyo), Rauf Arigbesola(Osun) and ex governors of Ekiti, Anambra, Ogun , Edo states: Niyi Adebayo, Chris Ngige Segun Osoba and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun respectively. The National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande, Aliko Dangote, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Alhaji Aliko Muhammed , Chief Tom Ikimi, Isa Aremu and Alhaji Kaseem Iman, member PDP Board of Trustees were also there.
The lecture entitled, “Deepening Democracy and Enhancing Welfare of the people”, elicited reactions from the speakers and the audience. It was chaired by Aliko Muhammed, a business mogul. Tambuwal, who was on first to speak at the occasion, said any government that does not care about the security of lives and welfare of its people is not a government, just as he described the celebrant as a good example of a democrat.
According to him, “talking about deepening democracy in Nigeria, we must talk about the political parties that sponsor candidates for election. There is always a need a political party to be built around not only ideology but also positive objectives, not personal objectives of individuals that are aimed at promoting democracy itself and enhancing the welfare and well being of the citizens”.
He spoke about checks and balances among the three arms of government to engender dividends for the people.
On his part, Governor Babangida of Niger State, who hailed the presence of Amaechi at the occasion, reminded that the Rivers governor is the “substantive Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum” and commended his exemplary leadership, apparently referring to the plot by the leadership of the PDP to weaken the Forum through the formation of the PDP Governors Forum. He said democracy must start from our homes and stressed the need for government at all levels to be sincere to the people.
He condemned the earlier resolve by the Federal Government not to grant amnesty to Boko Haram members. Tinubu, the national leader of the ANC, also hammered on the earlier refusal to grant amnesty to Boko Haram. “No religion should be pre-eminent over the other. Let’s stop the lamentation.
Let’s put the fault where it is. Some of these governors have clamoured for state police. If we have state police, people will know where the criminals or the militants or saboteurs are. I disagree with the question of a ghost. In history, from creation, ghosts never throw bombs, they remain quiet in the cemetery. You cannot arrest a ghost, those people in detention, we need solution. And for Nigerians we have lamented for too long.
Muslims, Christians should be united to build this nation so that our tomorrow will not be destroyed.”
But the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. (Dr) Mathew Kukah, reasoned that the nation was not practising democracy. Kukah said: “This is not the democracy we all fought for. Since Tafawa Balawe till now, none of our presidents planned for leadership.
The insurgency in the North is a critical issue in our country. I am talking about amnesty as a Christian not as politicians sees it. As a Christian, I know that Jesus Christ never foreclosed the doctrine of confession and forgiveness. It is not by offering amnesty but who are you offering amnesty to? Amnesty is a very serious thing. If our politicians are Christians, they should imbibe the principles of Christianity in leadership.
As a Christian, you don’t let the members foreclose the door of reconciliation of the prodigal son. So I want to say that this country is ours and we must all find a way to save the situation”. On her part, former Minister for Education, Oby Ezekwesili (Madam Due Process), argued that government is about result.
“If governance cannot lead to result it is not worth being called governance. Democracy is in recession to the extent that the electorate treats democracy with cynism because they are disconnected from participating in the process.
Nigeria’s democracy exists for those in government and the business class excluding the vast majority of Nigerians who see themselves in pernicious inter-generation poverty. Because Nigerians have been pauperized and devalued by the political class and system, they cannot therefore be agents to deepen democracy”, she said.
A joyous Oshiomhole, who expressed his appreciation to all guests, including his deputy, whom he described as the “most loyal deputy governor in the country”, said he remained committed to the unity of the nation, adding that whatever problems we are encountering today, we will overcome. “ No matter what anybody wants to say about Nigeria, I am convinced that Nigeria is more than the sub-total of all of such problems that we talk about. Nigeria is like a sleeping elephant, it may be difficult to get up, but, when it does, you will know something positive has happened”.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Scientists have discovered that apart from pollinating crops, producing honey, beeswax , propolis, pollen and royal jelly, bees could also be the solution to the deadly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and cancer.
Recently, a team of scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine, USA, used nanoparticles carrying a toxin found in bee venom to destroy HIV without harming nearby cells.
The report was contained in the current issue of Antiviral Therapy.
Explaining the modus operandi, Dr. Samuel A. Wickline, one of the researchers said; “Bee venom contains a potent toxin called melittin that can poke holes in the protective envelope that surrounds HIV and other viruses. It has even shown melittin-loaded nanoparticles to be effective in killing tumor cells.”
In an interview with Vanguard in Ibadan recently, Mr. Ayodele Salako, an apiculturist (beekeeper), corroborated the assertion of the researchers. “The bee sting is very medicinal. A bee keeper who is stung by a bee every now and then, will not complain of any ailment because the bees have taken those things away from you by enhancing your immunity. That is one of the best works of bee venom.”
He demonstrated this by administering bee venom therapy on some people with pains in various parts of the body like the waist, hands and knees. All recipients said the pains stopped after a few minutes.
Comparing the bee venom and other anti-HIV drugs, Joshua L. Hood, another researcher said “most anti-HIV drugs inhibit the virus’s ability to replicate. But this anti-replication strategy does nothing to stop initial infection, and some strains of the virus have found ways around these drugs and reproduce anyway. The bee venom toxin is different because it attacks an essential part of the virus’ structure. The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus.
“We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV,” said Hood, “and there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that covers it,” so if the covering is destroyed, the virus is destroyed.
“Because the bee venom toxin has been engineered not to attack healthy cells, a vaginal gel loaded with bee venom particles, could be ideal for couples where one partner has HIV and they want to have a baby,” the report said, adding; “It’s also theoretically possible that intravenous injections of the nanoparticles would be able to clear HIV from the blood stream, a virtual miracle for those who have tested positive.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja office, has launched a full scale investigation into an alleged sleaze in the ongoing construction of new state secretariat project in Enugu State, at the cost of N13.6 billion.
The EFCC zonal office in Enugu had in November last year, carried out preliminary investigation into the secretariat project, based on a petition filed by the Coordinator of Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in Enugu State, Mr. Osita Okechukwu.
Enugu State Executive Council had approved the sum of N13.6 billion for the new secretariat project, while the contract was awarded to Arab Contractors Limited.
During the preliminary investigation, which took place while Governor Sullivan Chime was away on his prolonged vacation, the then Accountant General, Eunice Ugwu, reportedly told EFCC investigators that the project would cost N8 billion and not N13.6 billion as claimed by the petitioner.
She was also said to have told EFCC that government only released money for the feasibility studies and demolition of old state secretariat, which were provided for in the 2012 budget.
But shortly after Governor Chime returned to the country in February this year, Ugwu was relieved of her appointment as Accountant General and re-appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service Commission.
Based on findings made from the preliminary investigations, the Abuja office of the EFCC took over the case file and launched a full scale investigation.
Sources said the Commission had already sent an invitation letter, extended to Okechukwu through his lawyers, T.M. Eke and Associates of Magnolia Chambers Enugu, to appear at the Commission’s Abuja office by 10.a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2013.
The petitioner, who was the governorship candidate of CPC in 2011 election in Enugu State, had while testifying at the EFCC zonal office in Enugu on November 16, alleged that the construction of the new secretariat amounted to financial recklessness, misapplication of funds and a baggage of corruption.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
No fewer than four people were, weekend, feared dead, while three others were injured when a dilapidated building collapsed at Moboreje area of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State.
According to sources, the collapsed building located close to a private secondary school and mosque was said to be in a bad condition until it eventually collapsed.
The sources added that the residents were relaxing in front of the building in the evening when the house suddenly collapsed.
It was further gathered that only the occupants who had gone to the mosque for the evening prayers escaped the unfortunate incident.
Efforts by residents of the area to rescue the victims did not yield any positive result.
The victims were later rushed to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Osogbo where four of them were confirmed dead.
It was gathered that three other victims were severely injured and were still receiving treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo at press time.
The injured victims were, however, were said to be responding to treatments while their relatives are making efforts to raise funds to settle the medical bills.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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