Featured

A Dream at 35, 000 Feet

Published

1 week ago

July 7, 2026

Eric

By ‘dayo Adedayo

Some dreams are born in the silence of the night. Mine was born somewhere above the clouds.

At exactly 11:03 a.m. on 19 June 2003, aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to London, an idea suddenly came to me. As a Virgin Atlantic Gold Card holder, I had been given one of their black notebooks.

Throughout my travels, I filled it with thoughts, sketches and ideas that I hoped one day would become reality.

That morning, one page changed everything.

The idea was remarkably simple.

I wanted to build a place where every state in Nigeria would have its own room, telling its own story through photographs, objects and experiences. At the heart of it all would be one grand gallery dedicated to Nigeria itself, a celebration of the very best our nation has to offer.

It was only a thought.

A thought written in black ink.

A thought patiently waiting for its appointed time.

The years rolled by, but the dream refused to fade. Instead, it grew stronger.

I travelled relentlessly across Nigeria, documenting our people, cultures, festivals, landscapes, architecture, wildlife and traditions. Every journey added another piece to the puzzle. Every photograph strengthened my conviction that Nigeria deserved to be seen through a different lens.

Then, about eight years ago, I decided it was finally time to give the dream a physical address.

And then came another unforgettable day.

At exactly 11:20 a.m. on 15 October 2022, the first shovel pierced the earth and construction of the DAP Experience Centre, Lagos officially began.

Nineteen years had passed since that life-changing moment aboard the Virgin Atlantic flight.

As the first scoop of earth was lifted, it felt as though every kilometre travelled across Nigeria, every photograph ever taken, every museum visited around the world, every obstacle encountered and every prayer whispered had led to that very moment.

The foundation being dug that morning was more than the beginning of a building.

It was the foundation of a dream that had patiently waited almost two decades for its appointed time.

Through a friend, I approached one of Nigeria’s finest architectural firms, Adeniyi Coker Consultants Limited (ACCL).

I had only one instruction.

The building had to be intentional.

It had to be contemporary.

It had to be timeless.

It had to be impossible to tell where the front ended and the back began because the site sits between the Lekki–Epe Expressway and T. F. Kuboye Road in Oniru, Lekki.

The lead architect, Mr. Yinka Ogundairo, supported by Mr. Tunde Adegbenro and Mr. Olabode Fakorede, produced a design that completely blew my mind.

Before putting pencil to paper, they researched some of the finest museums and galleries across Europe and America. Every lesson learnt from those iconic institutions found its way into the drawings placed before me.

That was when I knew I had to experience them for myself.

My research took me through 46 cities across the world, visiting museums, galleries, visitor attractions and cultural centres to understand what makes people curious enough to walk through a door and inspired enough to leave wanting to return.

I remain deeply grateful to the French Embassy for granting me a multi-year visa after reading the passionate letter I wrote explaining the research journey I intended to undertake. Their belief in my vision became part of this remarkable story.

What stands today as the DAP Experience Centre, Lagos, is therefore not an accident.

It is the product of twenty-three years of dreaming, researching, travelling, documenting and refusing to give up.

The journey, however, was anything but easy.

Obtaining planning approval took almost two years. During construction, advances in digital technology compelled us to redesign sections of the building, sacrificing two planned floors so the Centre could embrace the future rather than become outdated before opening.

By the end of the project, my face had become considerably darker than the rest of my body.

Construction under the Lagos sun has a way of changing one’s complexion! 😂😂😂

Together with UF-A Consultants as Structural Engineers, MFA as Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, and Ladchrislord as Civil Engineers, an extraordinary team transformed an idea into reality.

Yet the building itself tells a story long before anyone steps inside.

It proudly stands on three giant visible pillars, symbolising the three great regions upon which Nigeria stood at Independence in 1960.

The building has six principal sides and a smaller seventh, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

Scattered across the structure are 154 windows of varying sizes.

Each window represents one of the 154 destinations every Nigerian should experience before returning to their Maker.

At the entrance, visitors will find the complete list, allowing them to tick off where they have been and discover where they should go next.

The building also contains 98 steps, representing 98 fascinating places to visit within Lagos State. These, too, will be listed so visitors can continue exploring Lagos long after leaving the Centre.

Perhaps the most unusual feature is what you will not find.

Very few perfectly straight walls.

Very few perfectly straight windows.

That is deliberate.

Life itself is rarely straight.

Each generation simply contributes its own little part before leaving the rest for those who follow.

Our ambition stretches far beyond bricks and concrete.

We are bringing a touch of Times Square in New York to Nigeria by wrapping sections of the complex, including the security building, energy room, water treatment plant and parts of the ground-floor façade, with giant LED displays celebrating the very best of Nigeria.

The experience begins immediately you walk through our doors.

The ground floor welcomes visitors with a café, to be operated by Cafe One, alongside a merchandise store offering more than 500 carefully curated Nigerian souvenirs.

On the first floor lies our digital experience.

Visitors will experience Nigeria through an immersive 5D theatre unlike anything currently available in Africa.

Then comes one of our signature attractions, the Boat Room.

Without leaving the building, visitors will journey by boat from Marina in Lagos into the Atlantic Ocean, through the creeks of the Niger Delta, onward to Onitsha, up to the majestic Confluence at Lokoja, before returning once again to Lagos.

The same floor also houses a Documentary Theatre and a Photography Library for students, researchers and photography enthusiasts.

The next level celebrates analogue photography.

Here, visitors will trace the evolution of photography from the humble pinhole camera to today’s mobile phone.

Original equipment, historic exhibitions and a fully operational traditional darkroom will allow younger generations to witness how photographs were created before the digital age.

Returning to the ground floor, visitors can transform their own photographs into treasured keepsakes, from framed prints and throw pillows to key holders, rings, fridge magnets and many other personalised souvenirs celebrating Nigeria.

The DAP Experience Centre is for everyone.

For children discovering their country for the first time.

For families seeking unforgettable experiences.

For schools extending learning beyond the classroom.

For tourists searching for authentic Nigeria.

For researchers, historians, photographers and lovers of culture.

And for every Nigerian who has ever wondered just how beautiful this nation truly is.

Within these walls, you will travel across Nigeria without leaving the comfort of one building.

You will meet our people.

Discover our history.

Celebrate our diversity.

Experience our culture.

And, perhaps for the very first time, see Nigeria not through headlines, but through her beauty.

That little idea written into a black notebook at 35,000 feet has finally found its home on the ground.

Welcome to the DAP Experience Centre, Lagos.

Welcome to Nigeria.

Featured

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Assets Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

Published

2 days ago

July 15, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties worth N212 billion linked to the former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.

Judge Joyce Abdulmalik granted the final forfeiture application filed by the EFCC and dismissed several objections filed by Mr Malami, his family members, and some companies claiming ownership of the properties, saying they all lacked merit.

She held that the issue before the court was not “who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties.”

The properties to be forfeited span Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states and include luxury hotels, duplexes, plazas, warehouses, shopping units and residential estates acquired over several years.

Below is the full list of the 57 properties, including hotels and luxury homes initially seized by the EFCC through an interim forfeiture order. 48 of them will be handed over to the federal government following today’s court ruling.

1. Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 Within Cadastral Zone, A06 Maitama; File No: AN enhancement 11352, which was purchased in December 2022 at N500, 000, 000.00 (value after enhancement at N5,950,000,000).

2. Two Winged Large Storey Building Situate at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11,Garki, Cadastral Zone, A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, which was purchased Dec. 2018 at N7,000,000,000.

3. Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Comprising of a five storey Building (Now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi with 53 rooms/suites), which was purchased in Sept. 2020 at carcass level at N850,000,000 with additional N300,000,000 to take possession (value after completion N8,400,000,000).

4. Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, Comprising Terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000.

5. Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama With 15 ROOMS), which was purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation is N12,950,000,000).

6. Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent) AsokoroDistrict, which was purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000.

7. Shop No. C82 Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Plot 739 Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse Il, FCT, Abuja, which was purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000.

8. No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, which was purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000.

9. Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa, GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019 with no specific amount stated.

10. A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundering, Warehouse Tanks Adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market at N100 million.

11. 100 Hectares of l;and Along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road, which was purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000.

12. Four Bedroom Bungalow Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, which was purchased in 2023 at N101,000, 000.

13. Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja, which was purchased in July 2023 at N158,000,000.

14. No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 at N136,000,000.

15. No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, purchased in January 2016 at N120,000,000.

16. Four Bedroom/ 2 Rooms Boys Quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 at N40, 000, 000.00.

17. Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 at N85,000,000.

18. A Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse Il, Abuja, purchased in Oct. 2018 at N150,000,000.

19. Two Warehouse Shops B40 And B46, Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 at N50,000,000.

20. Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, was purchased between February and May 2017 at N250,000,000.

Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage namely.

21, 22, and 23. Nine units of three bedroom, bungalow, three units of two bedroom bungalow, and 5.4 hectares of land, which were purchased between February 2023 and September 2023 at N187,000,000, among other assets listed in the schedule.

RAYHAAN UNIVERSITY, KEBBI STATE

24. Rayhaan University Permanent Site -N56,000,000,000.00

25. Rayhaan University Temporary Site -N37,800,000,000.00

26. Rayhaan University Third Site – N2,450,000,000.00

27. Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor – N490,000,000.0

RAYHAAN AGRO ALLIED FACTORY IN KEBBI STATE

28. Factory Buildings -N4,200,000,000.00

29. Factory Machines and Plants Units -N10,500,000,000.00

30. Factory Mosque – N2,450,000,000.00

31. Rayhaan Mill Staff Quarters – N1,487,500,000.00

32. Rayhaan Bustan Building – N3,150,000,000.00

AZBIR ARENA KEBBI STATE

33. Azbir Hotel – N10,325,000,000.00

34. Printing Press – N1,050,000,000.00

35. Gallery – N581,000,000.00

36. Gardens – N392,000,000.00

37. Mosque – N252,000,000.00

38. Azbir Clothing – N350,000,000.00

39. Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket – N175,000,000.00

OTHER PROPERTIES HELD IN KEBBI STATE

40. Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre, along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin-Kebbi – N2,450,000,000.00

41. Rayhaan Model Academy -N11,200,000,000.0

42. Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School – N8,750,000,000.00

43. Rayhaan Security House, off Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi – 245,700,000.00

44. Rayhaan Radio along Sani Abacha, Bypass Road, Birnin, Kebbi – N78,750,000.00

45. Uncompleted 2 Storey Complex Plaza located opposite Central Motor Park, (Eastern Park) Birnin Kebbi – N665,000,000.00

46. Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd filling station Structure along Sani Abacha Bypass, Road, Birnin Kebbi near Jambali Automobile Workshop, Birnin Kebbi – 1,050, 000,000.00

47. Malami Support Organization Building – 210,000,000.00

48. ADC Kadi Malami Foundation Building – N56,000,000.00

49. Abubakar Malami SAN’s House GRA – N350,000,000.00

50. Abubakar Malami SAN’s House Behind Mobil – N490,000,000.00

51. Abdulaziz Malami (First Son’s House) at Gesse Phase II in Birnin Kebbi – N1,659,000,000.00

52. Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami (Second Son’s House) at Gesse Phase II in Birnin-Kebbi – N2,989,000,000.00

PROPERTIES IN KANO

53. Assets of Zeennoor Hotel at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano with 131 rooms – N11,200,000,000.00

54. Zeennoor Mosque at Kabuga, Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano – N84,000,000.00

55. Zeennor Old Hotel Building -N280,000,000.00

56. Rayhaan Hotel, Kano Located at Plot 27/28 Opp-Aminu kano Teaching Hospital, Southern Kano (Land And Luxurious Building of more than 50 rooms, with appurtenances- N2,240,000,000.00

57. Rayhaan Gym, Kano House Comprising of a Storey Building Opposite Rayhaan Hotel – N1,225,000,000.00

Featured

Gunmen Attack Kogi School, Abduct Principal, NECO Staff, Students Writing Exams

Published

2 days ago

July 15, 2026

Eric

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Tuesday reportedly invaded a school in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, kidnapping the school principal, four students, and an ad hoc National Examinations Council (NECO) staff member.

The development was disclosed recently by a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama.

According to him, the incident occurred at a school identified as Government Secondary School (GSS) while students were sitting the ongoing NECO examination.

The armed assailants allegedly stormed the school premises at around 5.25 pm while candidates were in the examination hall.

Makama said: “They abducted four students alongside the principal of the school and an ad hoc NECO official before fleeing to an unknown destination.”

He went on to report that a combined security team immediately launched bush-combing operations, intelligence gathering, and surveillance across the area to locate the kidnappers’ hideout and rescue those still in captivity.

Makama further noted that security sources had confirmed one of the abducted students had been rescued, while efforts had been intensified to secure the release of the remaining victims.

He concluded that investigations into the incident were ongoing as security agencies tried to restore normality to the area.

Featured

NDC Backs Makinde Amid Call for UN Probe into Oyo School Abduction

Published

2 days ago

July 15, 2026

Eric

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has thrown its weight behind Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent United Nations (UN) investigation into the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The party said an impartial and transparent international investigation would help establish the facts surrounding the incident and boost public confidence in the ongoing efforts to unravel the circumstances of the abduction.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party believed a UN-backed inquiry would uncover the truth, ensure accountability and deliver justice to the victims and their families.

According to the party, Governor Makinde’s request for a UN investigation was driven by the need for transparency rather than politics, stressing that all questions surrounding the incident should be addressed through a credible and independent process that Nigerians can trust.

The NDC also urged the Federal Government to support every lawful initiative aimed at uncovering the truth, strengthening public confidence in the country’s security institutions and preventing similar incidents in the future.

It maintained that the safety and security of Nigerian children should never become a subject of political disagreement or speculation, insisting that the lives of students deserve the highest level of accountability.

The party added that an independent investigation would not only clarify the circumstances surrounding the abduction but also reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s security and justice systems.

Governor Makinde had earlier called for a UN-led investigation into the school abduction, saying an independent inquiry would lend credibility to the findings and address public concerns over the incident.

The kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures in schools and better protection for pupils, students and educational personnel.