Boss Picks
UI Honours HEN Foundation Founder, Jamil Eniola, with Alumnus of the Year Award
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria-born, England-based technocrat and entrepreneur, who doubles as the President, Hen Foundation UK and President, University of Ibadan Alumni Global Network, Mr Jamil Eniola, has been bestowed with the prestigious award as the 2019 Alumnus of the Year of the Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan.
Eniola, a unique motivational speaker, bagged the award during a week-long event organised by the Faculty of Science Association, University of Ibadan, with the theme Euphoria and featuring gyration night, personality lecture, movies, cultural display and dinner among other classic shows. The season of extraordinary displays ended with a grandiose dinner at the Saint Paul Catholic Church of the institution where Eniola was presented with his award.
Presenting the award in the presence of the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Ayodele Falase and President, Faculty of Science Students Association, Mr. Ojo Joseph, among many others, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State, Hon Victor Olojede, described Eniola as an an asset the faculty in particular, and the foremost university in general.
In his remarks, the elated Eniola, who flew from his comfort zone in the United Kingdom to honour the university with his presence, said he was overwhelmed to have been considered for the award and thanked the university authorities and the entire management, staff and students of the Faculty of Science.
Earlier, during the occasion, the HEN Foundation CEO had delivered a wholesome lecture as the special guest speaker titled THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH, DISCOVERIES AND DEVELOPMENT: A ‘WAKE-UP’ CALL FOR STUDENTS, GOVERNMENT & SOCIETAL EMBRACE in which he offers illumination to the gap between the rich and poor, saying that science and technology is a veritable bridge the address the differences.
“I need to illuminate that the gap between rich and poor countries can largely be attributed to the differences in Technology and the difficulty in their Application. I recommend that policy options for reaping benefits from science and technology in Nigeria which include among others, that the educational system shall emphasize science at all levels and re-orient the entire society towards scientific thinking in order to develop new technologies and adapt existing ones to improve the societal well-being. Finally, considering the roles of science and technology in national development, it is imperative to stimulate demand for technology from both private and public sectors,” he said.
He acknowledged the Faculty, which is his primary constituency, as one of the foundation stones of UI at inception in 1948 therefore, the first science faculty in Nigeria. He also noted that the faculty can boast of the highest number of professors, whose influence speaks volumes across global academic endeavours.
Other speakers at the meet included Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Youth and Sports, Mr Kazeem Bolarinwa; Special Assistants to Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs, Mr Victor Olojede and Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations, Mr Oluwafemi Josiah.
Below are excerpts of Mr Eniola’s lecture:
Technology simply put is a means of harnessing and exploiting our understanding of nature for our own benefit. It is an application of knowledge for practical purpose…
The components of technology that must be present for meaningful benefits according to Obibuku (in 1983) include knowledge (that is, science, education, skills and know- how), organization (that is, institutional, aspects of methods of production, co- ordination, relationship to the environment) and techniques (which is simply ways of doing things, production process, the combination of human and material resources).
Technology therefore can be broadly classified into two major categories namely:
(a) Material Technology- this is where knowledge is embedded into technological products such as tools, equipment, agro-chemicals, improved plant varieties or hybrids, improved breeds of animals and vaccines.
(b) Knowledge-Based Technology- such as technical knowledge, management skills and other processes which are needed to successfully produce products or grow crops. A technology may be appropriate or inappropriate depending on the nature and capable of use of such technology. An appropriate technology is a form of technology which makes use of available resources in a given economic environment. It concentrates on tools and techniques which are carefully tailored to their needs. It is a technology that is accessible, manageable, transferable and within the reach of the people (Obibuaku, 1983). According to Canadian Hunger foundation in Obibuaku (1983),… for a technology to be appropriate, it must show the following features:
(i) Simple and easy to understand
(ii) Manageable
(iii) Inexpensive
(iiii) Flexible
(v) Adaptable to changing needs
(vi) Technically feasible
(vii) Locally serviceable
(viii) Employment generation potential
(ix) Infrastructural compatible and compatible with the people’s cultural practices.
Therefore, a technology well suited to one environment may not transfer well to another very different environment.
Technology and Science
Science is a branch of knowledge that is concerned with the observation and classification of facts and formulation of general truth. Science suggests ideas and technology operationalizes them. Science clarifies and justifies how an objective may be achieved. The “how” is translated into practical realization and from here, technology takes over and complements science (Williams, 1998). This therefore shows that there is a symbolic relationship between science and technology. Science which is a systematic search for truth provides the basis for technology. Without technology, science becomes impotent, and without science, technology does not exist. However, it is the technology, the application of techniques and not science that leads to increase in production. In the past, science and technology constituted distinct traditions, maintaining separate identity paths of process and activities. But around the 19th century, there was a development of closer relationship between the two. The narrowing of that gap of separate identities culminated in the birth of the concept of science and technology.
The Key Role of Science and Technology in Societal Development
Science and technology hold the key to the present and future development of Nigeria or any other country for that matter. Technology plays a fundamental role in wealth creation, improvement of the quality of life and real economic growth and transformation in any society. Egbogah (2012) maintained that the sooner Nigeria realizes that her escape from poverty is predicated on her investment in science and technology education, the better for her. Animalu (2001) in Egbogah (2012) explained that there is a technological power vacuum in Nigeria waiting to be filled by which ever geo-political zone that cares to mobilize its people through dedicated and selfless services. Essentially, technology is the primary engine of economic growth. It is the key and fundamental requirement for value addition to raw materials and people. It provides the key to unlocking any country’s potential in terms of decreasing over-head costs associated with out sourcing and creating employment opportunities. Science and technology education will not only prepare the Youths of Nigeria and indeed any other nation, for fulfilling career prospects, but also train their minds to address social problems with scientific mind. Youths equipped with science and technology education are also endowed with high employment opportunities. Many developed and advanced countries did progress much because of their heavy investments on science and technology. Examples: The United Kingdom and France benefited immensely from the industrial revolution in the 19th century. Similarly, the United States emerged from an agrarian economy in the 19th century into an industrial superpower in the 20th century. More recently, Taiwan and Korea have exploited advances in silicon microelectronics from the early 1960s. China and India have emerged as industrial leaders in manufacturing and information technology respectively… Similarly, new and existing industries do stimulate economic growth at the intermediate level, while the overall volume of activity at the tertiary level is amplified by increased use of science and technology associated with information technology and improved distribution/marketing networks. Therefore, the need for countries with the intention to grow, to invest significantly in science and technology cannot be overemphasized. This is achieved by developing the talent, the human capacity required to compete in a globally competitive world of today.
Role/Importance of Science and Technology in National Development
Science and technology have been central in the progress and development of virtually all the nations of the world. It has contributed immensely in all sector of the economy. Science and technology are intimately connected with development because; they have historical record of bringing advances that have led to healthier, longer, wealthier and more productive lives and they are key ingredients to solutions to the most serious poverty alleviation and economic development challenges that we currently face and are likely to face in the future. The many ways in which science and technology impact poverty alleviation across various sectors and economic growth merit attention.
Role of Science and Technology in Poverty Alleviation
Science and technology have been central in the progress made to date in the fight against poverty and in stimulating economic growth. Advances in science and technology are, in many ways, the ultimate Global Public Good: once discovered, their benefits can be extended to additional users at little or no marginal costs. In most basic and critical areas of human need, science and technology have made possible significant progress to date, and they hold the best prospects for continued progress, particularly with respect to agriculture, health, energy, water, and environmental concerns.
Role of Science and Technology in Health
Advances in scientific knowledge and its application have helped slow the trend of high fertility, high mortality and led to increasingly better health for many people world over. Nonetheless, vector and water borne diseases, Aids, inadequate pre-natal and maternal/child create a tremendous burden in the developing countries. Nigeria and indeed countries will be unable to correctly identify public health needs and choose cost-effective package of health service if they lack science and technology capacity. Ill-health is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. Over the past century, science and technology provided the basis for the largest ever aggregate improvements in human health. Certain scourge diseases have been eliminated, (e.g., smallpox) whiles the morbidity and mortality associated with everyday health-related events like childbirth and routine infectious disease have declines sharply. Indoor air pollution, dysentery, water-borne disease (e.g. cholera), vector-borne disease (e.g., malaria, dengue, etc.) and AIDS account for millions of deaths annually and are hitting hardest the countries that are least prepared and can least afford to deal with them. Some of these issues can be addressed using current knowledge, (e.g., dysentery) while still others require scientific breakthroughs in science and technology (e.g., AIDS, malaria even Ebola and hopefully the Corona Virus).
Role of Science and Technology in Agriculture
Advance in science and technology have facilitated higher yields, greater efficiency and greater nutritional content in the worlds food supply. Food production, however, must double in the coming decades to meet rising demand and meet the challenges entailed in inter alia improving resistance to drought, pests, salinity and temperature extremes, raising the nutritional content and reducing post-harvest loss all in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. At the same time, the regulatory challenges of assuring safety in food production and consumption will increase exponentially. Although, the necessary technology for increasing the agricultural output is available in many developing countries including Nigeria but certain requisites must be met. According to Williams (in 1998), they include:
(i) The will (zeal) to advance economically.
(ii) Opportunity and organization (platform) to use the technology.
(iii) Elimination of political, social and economic obstacles to development as was inherited from early colonial history.
(iiii) Ability first, to incorporate the technology into overall development, and then to continue using it.
In the domain of food security, advances in science and technology provided the foundation for Green Revolution, and have allowed food prices to remain at historical lows for the past decades. Improved knowledge of plant biology and breeding techniques led to better seeds and cultivation practices that drastically increased yields. Rapid advances in the understanding of plant biology and related areas (especially via genomics) hold hope for solutions to problems as varied as increased productivity, nutritional content of food, food as a carrier of vaccines, soil/land degradation, post-harvest loss, and drought and pest resistance.
Role of Science and Technology in Affordable Energy
Access to affordable energy is essential for people currently living without electricity and is a pre-requisite for economic growth. Further advancement and application of research is needed to find new environmentally and socially sustainable technology that can meet the energy needs of developing countries (Watson et al., 2003). Other problem, such as the needs of people who live without access to adequate fresh water, or whose health and livelihood are endangered by environmental degradation call for development of new technologies (along with appropriate policy frame works) to mitigate these problems and their effects on poor people. Timely local adoption often requires significant indigenous technological capacity. Modern clean, renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar, wind, modern biomass) need to be developed further and there needs to be an increase in the efficiency and sustainability of energy use in transportation, industry, and housing.
Role of Science and Technology in Water Supply
Water is another vital but scarce resources for which, in the absence of technological innovation, current and projected use patterns can only lead to severe crises. Today, about, 1.3 billion people lack access to an adequate supply of safe- water, two billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation, and water pollution causes millions of preventable deaths each year, especially among children. Water pollution is expected to continue to degrade freshwater and marine ecosystems, with a significant loss of biodiversity. The challenge is to leverage new technologies to provide an adequate supply of “safe” water in urban and rural areas to all users in a growing-wealthier population: households, agriculture and industrial sectors (e.g., inexpensive desalination).
Proudly exhibiting his prize
Role of Science and Technology in Environmental Management
Environmental degradation at the local, regional and global scale adversely affects the livelihoods, health and vulnerability of poor people. Local issues include indoor and outdoor air pollution and water pollution, regional issues include acid deposition, and global issues include climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and loss of biological diversity, land degradation and desertification. These changes in the environment can adversely affect the incomes of poor people who depend on natural resources for their livelihood. These changes may also adversely affect human health through air and water pollution, an increase in the exposure to vector-borne disease such as malaria and dengue, and an increase the vulnerability of poor people to extreme weather phenomena (e.g., floods and droughts) and sea level rise due to climate changes. Hence, environment degradation threatens poverty alleviation and long-term sustainable development. The key challenge is to recognize that local, regional global environmental issues are inextricable linked and affect sustainable development. Therefore, there are synergetic opportunities to develop more effective response options to these environmental issues that enhance benefits, reduce cost and more sustainably meet human needs. The capacity of countries to adapt and mitigate can be enhanced when environmental policies are integrated with national development policies.
Role of Science and Technology in Economic Growth and Rural Development
Science and technology are tragically important to economic opportunity and growth. For many years, policymakers have suspected a close link between economic growth and productive investment in science and technology and now mounting evidence supports this, in three principle ways (Watson et al., 2003). First, since the industrial revolution, rich (developed) countries have had the most science and technology capacity and have grown fastest. From 1870 to the present, scientifically and technologically-advanced countries have become increasing wealthy and their rates of growth have not diminished as this occurred. Second, returns to rural and development have been shown to be consistently positive and high in countries where science and technology are properly established. In such case, there is always a correlation between innovation and growth.
Role of Science and Technology in Education
No economy has ever becomes developed with this skew in their system of education and training for national manpower supply and/or human capital development. The utter disregard for science and technology education as an instrument of development has caused incalculable damage to our corporate existence. The problems of mismanaged economy, mass unemployment, collapse of health and educational services, insecurity, inflation, collapsed infrastructure, e.t.c can all be traced to the inadequate attention paid to science and technology in Nigeria. It is the lack of science and technology initiative by Nigerians that has led people to turn their energy to the lust for power, greed and self-destruction. Sadly, enough, every Nigerian finds every other person guilty as charged, except himself or herself. Government’s policy on education has among other issues emphasized but not driven the following objectives:
(i) The training of the mind and the acquisition of appropriate skills, abilities and competencies-both mental and physical as equipment for the individual to live and contribute to the development of the society.
(ii) Ensuring that all schools are properly equipped to promote sound and effective teaching, and in particular, that suitable textbooks and libraries are provided for school. Secondary education should be six-year duration and be given in two stages, a junior secondary school stage and a senior secondary school stage. The junior secondary school (3-year duration) will be both prevocational and academic. It would be free. The senior secondary school would be for those able and willing to have a complete six-year secondary education.
(iii) A greater proportion of education expenditure would be devoted to science and technology and a greater attention paid to the development of scientific orientation. However, it is common knowledge that three decades after these objectives were set out to improve the standard of education in the country, not only have none of the objectives been realized, but also the standard of education has fallen far below what it was before (Egbogah, 2012).
By Eric Elezuo
Mrs. Olufunlola Aderinokun, widow of late former Chief Executive Officer, Guaranty Trust Bank, Tayo Aderinokun, has raised alarm over illegal, dangerous construction and encroachment into her property, Rehoboth Place, situated along Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by the Shell Staff Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited, alerting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu through an S.O.S letter to intervene, call the offenders to order, and save her building, its occupants and the general public from more present and unforeseen harm.
Speaking exclusively to The Boss, Mrs. Aderinokun lamented the recalcitrant stance of the Shell Staff Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited, whose building shares a common perimeter fence with Rehoboth Place, and how they have continued their illegal construction, which has consistently defaced Rehoboth Place, in spite of cautions and deterring efforts employed by the government and the residents of Rehoboth Place.
“You need to visit the site to see how these people have defaced an already sitting building, causing structural damages as well as keeping residents of Rehoboth Place on their toes for fear of more structure collapse and/or imminent danger to lives,” she said.
Recalling that Rehoboth Place was built since 2016 according to all laid down construction rules and specifications, she further stated that on many occasions, the scaffolds and other heavy duty equipment including spanners and huge iron bars, used by the Shell Staff Coop builders, have collapsed and dropped into Rehoboth Place building, causing untold structural defacing and fear of possible fatal bodily harm to the residents. This, according to her, is because the Shell Staff Coop building is less than two metres away from the common fence, while the recommended spacing is from six meters.
Recounting to The Boss the genesis of her ordeal with the building developers and the Lagos State government with the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whom she believes is showing unbelievable favour to Shell Staff Coop at the expense of injuries to lives and properties at Rehoboth Place, Mrs Aderinokun, a 67 years old retired widow, who claims that she can neither sleep well in her own bedroom nor park her car in her own compound because of the noise, danger, debris and mutilation from the Shell Staff Coop construction, narrated that the whole illegality, as she termed it, is dated back to 2020, when the Shell Staff Coop building construction started the piling work.
“As at then, I was not in the country, and because of the COVID-19 issue, many things were played down. However, when I returned to the country in August 2021, after one and half years away from Nigeria, I discovered that they had damaged my property, Rehoboth Place, extensively. My own letting agent didn’t tell me, but was rather negotiating with the offenders on how to repair the damages. Naturally, I was furious and demanded both a halt on the project and thorough compensation for the extensive damage. Note that by then, at Rehoboth Place, a bungalow, the bore hole, the perimeter fence, and other structures were already completely compromised beyond repair.
“However, in 2023, I mobilised structural engineers and the company that built Rehoboth Place originally, Cappa and D’Alberto Ltd, to begin repairs of all the damages that Shell Staff Coop caused. The Engineers wrote off the compromised bungalow and common fence, and insisted that they must be brought down completely before repairs could commence.
“However, while they were carrying out repair and reconstruction works, materials from the Shell Staff Coop construction continued to drop inside the compound from very high levels, making it impossible for safe and healthy work to continue at Rehoboth Place. Debris of cement, water, polystyrene particles and bars, tools and other dangerous materials were constantly dropping into Rehoboth Place from high levels, and so the workmen had to abandon the job, and ran for dear life. It wasn’t safe. It was not healthy. Cappa & D’Alberto Ltd wrote to demobilise from the site of Rehoboth Place in July 2023, and cannot return to the site till date because of the danger from Shell Staff Coop construction, while Lagos State looks away!
“As at today, I can’t park my car in my own compound. The huge terrace at Rehoboth Place, next to the building of Shell Staff Coop and the swimming pool at Rehoboth Place, have not been usable since May 2023, till date. While I was getting ready to sue Shell Staff Coop for the damages caused to the building, the scaffolding of Shell Staff Coop fell on the 5th floor of Rehoboth Place on 19th July 2023. This could amount to a criminal offence under the laws of Lagos State as it constitutes danger to human life and public safety,” she said.
Mrs Aderinokun’s complaints to the Lagos State Building Control Agency, under Mr Gbolahan Oki, led to an inspection and subsequent sealing of the site to stop further construction in July 2023.
“Mr Oki stated to me over the phone on 1st November 2023 that the Shell Staff Coop will pay for the damages, and that, ‘even if it’s the governor that is the one building there, they (Lagos State) will do the right thing’. I’m surprised that Mr. Oki is the one who’s no longer responding to the matter today. And on January 15, 2024, the Lagos State government allowed Shell Staff Coop to return to site, and resume construction, alarmingly without addressing any of the reasons for sealing up the Shell Staff Coop building for almost 6 months! The knocks from the close construction of Shell Staff Coop woke me up from my bed on 15th January 2024 and have continued until now, 7 days a week,” she noted.
As a follow up, Aderinokun recalled that on January 20, 2024, writing in her capacity as the Director of her company, Quadro Investment Limited, owner of the property, Rehoboth Place, she again appealed to the Lagos State Building Control Agency via the General Manager, and re-detailed the hazards that the construction of the Shell Staff Coop portend, and continues to unleash, and appealed that the government should put a stop to the building or at most curtail the dangers inherent. She wondered why the construction was allowed to resume six months after sealing up, with nothing to show that due diligence has been done.
The letter, which was titled “Re: Construction of Multiple Storey Building Against Building Regulations Along Banana Island Road, Etisalat LGA, Ikoyi, Lagos, Which Shares a Common Perimeter Fence with Our Property, Rehoboth Place”, reminded the Agency that the ongoing construction of the Shell Staff Coop, was sealed up by Lagos State officials on July 25 2023, when they visited and they discovered certain unpalatable infractions including absence of airspace and protection against damage to the adjoining premises of Rehoboth Place and others, among many other inanities.
In their capacity as a regulatory agency, the LSBCA had, in July 2023, assessed the scene and discovered as follows:
1. That the safety nets were not properly installed,
2. Blockade of public drainage facilities as a result of the construction work,
3. Damage of adjoining property due to effects of construction,
4. Inadequate airspace of right side of the structure.
Therefore, the Agency came up with certain recommendations, which were pasted on the fence of the construction site of Shell Building Cooperative. The recommendation was a point-blank order to stop the construction of the building as a result of the following reasons: 1. The development was unauthorized 2. The development did not conform to the planning permit issued by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority. 3. There’s no authorization to commence construction by LSBCA as required by law, and 4. The structure erected is contrary to Building Control Standards.
The Agency concluded its recommendation with sealing up authorization that the building should stop henceforth with the service of the Order.
“That was on 25 July 2023, but the construction resumed on 15 January 2024 with no evidence of the noted hazards controlled, and events at the site have continued to put Rehoboth Place and its occupants in harm’s way, The 10 inches spanner fell onto the ground floor of Rehoboth Place on 29th January 2024, from a height of about 7 or more floors of the building of the Shell Staff Coop! If the spanner had fallen on the head of anyone at Rehoboth Place, the fatality that could have happened can only be imagined” Aderinokun lamented.
The letter is presented in details below:
22 January 2024.
The General Manager,
Lagos State Building Control Agency,
Muiz Banire Street,
Off Oba Akinjobi Way,
GRA, Ikeja.
Dear Sir,
RE: CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIPLE STOREY BUILDING AGAINST BUILDING REGULATIONS ALONG BANANA ISLAND ROAD, ETI-OSA L.G.A. IKOYI, LAGOS; WHICH SHARES A COMMON PERIMETER FENCE WITH OUR PROPERTY REHOBOTH PLACE.
The above-described development, which is an ongoing construction and adjacent to our property, Rehoboth Place (at Plots 16-17, along Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos) was sealed up by your agency on 25th July 2023 for a number of infractions, amongst which were the absence of protection and airspace against damage to the adjoining premises of Rehoboth Place and others. Please find attached here, copies of the contravention notice and stop work order pasted by your Agency on the construction site.
On 16th January 2024, work recommenced at the construction and it appears that the property has been unsealed. This is despite the continued absence of protection on the construction works and airspace to Rehoboth Place. As a result, both our property (Rehoboth Place) and its occupants have been placed back at risk of suffering substantial damage, serious injury and/or death due to debris and other things falling into Rehoboth Place from the construction site. Please find attached here, photos of some of the items that have fallen into Rehoboth Place from the adjoining construction site before the sealing up of the site by your Agency.
Further, the building remains less than the stipulated distance from its boundary with Rehoboth Place, which is a clear, and continuing breach of building regulations.
In the circumstances, we are left to speculate as to the reasons why the construction site has been permitted to continue, even as the specific contraventions, for which it was ordered to stop work, continue un-remediated, almost 6 months later. It would appear that the attitude that has resulted in a number of building tragedies in Lagos State continues to prevail within your Agency.
We hereby notify you that we will not fold our arms and do nothing, while our property is exposed to further trespass and the possibility of serious injury and/or loss of life to its occupants. Should any injury and/or death be suffered by anyone at all, please be in no doubt that a report will be made to law enforcement agencies and the contents of this letter and those of our other appeals to Lagos State on this matter, will be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
In the circumstances, we are constrained to issue this notice demanding that you enforce the building regulations on the above-stated construction works, failing which we shall have no option, other than to institute legal proceedings to compel you to fulfil your statutory obligations.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Olufunlola K. Aderinokun.
Director.
With no commensurate response from the LSBCA, and the sensing the criminal intent, Aderinokun petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Fayoade, and copied the AIG zone 2, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the Commissioner for Environment, to use his good office to stop the construction before injuries or even death are recorded.
The letter is produced below:
20 February 2024.
The Commissioner of Police,
Lagos State Police Headquarters,
Muiz Banire Street,
GRA, Ikeja,
Lagos State.
Dear Sir,
RE: PETITION ON THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION THAT IS AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY, CONTRARY TO SECTION 123 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW OF LAGOS STATE, 2015, CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE AT THE PROPERTY THAT ADJOINS REHOBOTH PLACE (A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT) SITUATE ALONG BANANA ISLAND ROAD, IKOYL, LAGOS.
We are the owner of Rehoboth Place, situate at Plots 16-17, Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The construction works adjoining Rehoboth Place belongs to, The Shell Staff Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited, whose office address is at Freeman House, 21/22 Marina, Lagos State.
Please refer to the above subject matter and the self-explanatory letter, which is attached here, dated 22 January 2024, written by us to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA).
In addition to the contents and attachments to our said letter written to the LSBCA, please find attached here, photos of 3 (three) more injurious items, which fell into Rehoboth Place from the adjoining compound at various times.
The big blue piece of iron (contained in the attachment to the letter to the LSBCA), which weighs about 8 kilograms, fell from the adjoining compound into Rehoboth Place, sometime in July 2023, while the 10 inches spanner, fell from the adjoining compound into Rehoboth Place at about 10.45am on 29th January 2024. The iron rod that is about 60 inches long, weighs two & a half kilograms.
All the items fell onto the ground floor of Rehoboth Place from heights of 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the adjoining construction works, which are obviously being constructed, too close to Rehoboth Place and other neighbouring properties, in contravention of the building laws, regulations and permits of Lagos State.
We hereby, humbly appeal to your office, to take all necessary action to investigate the ongoing danger to human life and public safety, that is being posed by the owners and occupiers of the property adjoining Rehoboth Place.
Furthermore, we appeal to you, to use your good offices to ensure that the said dangerous construction works, which are being carried out in the adjoining compound to Rehoboth Place are stopped immediately before any further crime in committed, particularly before the occurrence of any loss of life or serious injury to anyone,
We trust in your kind and urgent attention to this matter.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
DIRECTOR.
Cc:
1. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,
Lagos State Ministry of Justice,
The secretariat, Block 2,
Alausa, Ikeja.
2 The Assistant Inspector-General of Police,
The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2,
Command Headquarters,
King George V Road, Onikan,
Lagos State.
3. The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources,
Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,
The Lagos State secretariat,
Alausa, Ikeja.
With no response from the General Manager, Mr Gbolahan Oki, the Rehoboth Place owner, having established a criminal intent with the Police, resorted to writing the governor one more time, whom she had been privileged to discuss the matter with via phone and in person on several occasions. It is on record that Aderinokun had earlier on August 8, 2023 and November 28, 2023 written to the governor on the same issue. But like the manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, neither the governor nor his office responded.
“They practically called my bluff, without a care of what their silence and inaction on these matters is causing to me personally, to other members of the public and/or may cause in the future,” Aderinokun said.
Below is the full letter addressed to the governor:
29th February 2023.
Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu,
Executive Governor,
Lagos State of Nigeria,
Governor’s Office,
Alausa,
Lagos State.
Dear Mr. Governor,
PLEASE, SAVE OUR SOULS.
RE: IN RESPECT OF THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIPLE STOREY BUILDING AGAINST BUILDING REGULATIONS ALONG BANANA ISLAND ROAD, ETI-OSA L.G.A. IKOYI, LAGOS; POSING A DANGER TO THE ADJOINING PROPERTY-REHOBOTH PLACE AND HAS CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGES & COLLAPSE OF STRUCTURES AT REHOBOTH PLACE.
I am the managing director of Quadro Investment Limited, the registered owner of Rehoboth Place, which is situated at Plots 16-17, along Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, built and completed in the year 2016.
The owner of the ongoing construction which shares a common fence with Rehoboth Place, is Shell Staff Co-operative Investment & Thrift Society Limited (hereinafter called, “Shell Staff Cooperative”) with office address at Freeman House, 21/22 Marina, Lagos.
I am hereby writing an S.O.S., Save Our Souls to Mr. Governor for the reasons set out below.
1. People are continuously exposed to danger of serious injury and/or death at Rehoboth Place because the Lagos State authorities have allowed the construction work by Shell Staff Cooperative to continue, despite the danger it poses to the neighbourhood, its continuous pollution to the environment and the fact that it does not meet the building laws and regulations of Lagos State.
2. In respect of this subject matter, Quadro Investment Limited has written to:
2.1 you, Mr. Governor, by its letters dated 08 August 2023 and 28th November 2023;
2.2 the Lagos State Building Control Agency by its letter dated 22 January 2024;
2.3 the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, by its letter dated 20 February 2024. This letter was copied to, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State.
Copies of the letters stated in 2.2 and 2.3 above are attached here.
3. In addition to the above, I have made several personal appeals to you, imploring you to grant me an audience to meet with you, to explain the situation to you after my letters and for you to look into this matter and direct Lagos State authorities to ensure that its own Building Regulations and Laws are adhered to in the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative. Unfortunately, all my efforts appear to have been ignored.
4. The on-going construction by Shell Staff Cooperative, which is on its 9th floor and still going up, stands less than 2 meters to its common fence with Rehoboth Place and has caused extensive damage, including collapse of structures at Rehoboth Place. It is posing a danger to life and health in the neighbourhood and at Rehoboth Place. While Lagos State has allowed the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative to continue, the owners of Rehoboth Place cannot use their own property, for fear of danger to life!!
5. Injurious and life-threatening items like big iron bars, weighing 8kg, other iron rods weighing 3kg and 1kg, a 10 inches long spanner, huge polypyrene bars have fallen from heights of 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the ongoing construction by Shell Staff Cooperative into the ground floor of Rehoboth Place at various times in 2023, and on 29th January 2024. Also, rains of construction water, cement, dust and particles of polypyrene and nylon continuously shower and fly into the airspace, terraces, swimming pool, onto motor vehicles, other valuable properties and indoor living areas at Rehoboth Place. Please find attached hereto, photos to back this up.
6. The scaffolding being used for the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative fell onto the 5th floor of Rehoboth Place on 19th July 2023, which led to a Contravention Notice and a Stop Work Order being pasted on the construction site of Shell Staff Cooperative on 25 July 2023. Please find photos attached here. From then on, the site remained closed for work, for about 6 months, until 15th January 2024, when work suddenly resumed at the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative, without addressing a single one of the reasons for the sealing up of the premises as stated in the Contravention Notice, including the non-application of safety net on the construction site. Please find attached here, shown in the videos recorded in the flash drive and photos of the dangling scaffolding on Rehoboth Place.
7. Since 15th January 2024, construction by Shell Staff Cooperative have continued, 7 days a week, including outside regulated working hours in a residential area, during night time hours, without any regard for neighbours. They start as early as 7am, waking me up from my sleep with consistent provocative sounds of hammer/iron knocking on iron, 7 days a week, week after week, without any break. Also, on 26th of January 2024, I was woken up from my sleep at 12.00 midnight because of the noise of the truck, working past midnight at the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative. Please find the proof of this shown in the videos recorded in the flash drive attached here.
8. The non-stop early morning knocking noise (7 days a week) from construction by Shell Staff Cooperative have had untold impact on my brain, psychology and well-being. Part of the reasons that certain distances are prescribed and legislated between buildings, is to avoid noise from one building into another. Since 15th January 2024 to date, it has been like living on a construction site at Rehoboth Place, every day, non-stop, and not a single day of break. Sir, please permit me to add here, that by God’s grace, I am a 67 (sixty-seven) years old widow, resident and indigene of Lagos State.
9. I cannot walk around my compound, I cannot park my car in my own home at Rehoboth Place and we are not able to use our terraces, because of the showers of cement, dirt, dust and polystyrene particles raining from the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative, onto our cars, other valuables and terraces at Rehoboth Place. Also, we have not been able to use the swimming pool at Rehoboth Place since April 2023 up to the date of this appeal. Please find attached here, the photo of the unhealthy materials from the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative inside the pool and on our terraces at Rehoboth Place, even inside our flower pots on the 5th floor!!!
10. Yet, Lagos State is looking away from this blatant disregard of its building regulations and laws, pollution of the environment, to favour the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative at the expense of the users of Rehoboth Place.
11. Meanwhile, Lagos State recently banned the use of styrofoams and single use plastics in the State. Sir, it is my humble opinion that Lagos State needs to go further and ban the use of polystyrene in construction sites. The construction workers of Shell Staff Cooperative have been seen cutting into smaller bars, at high levels of 6th, 7th, 8th floors, huge polystyrene bars, without any protection, thereby spraying unhealthy particles of polystyrene, with high health hazards to the neighbourhood and onto Rehoboth Place.
12. Also shown in the videos recorded in the flash drive attached to this letter, is the video of Mr. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency when he visited Rehoboth Place on 2nd November 2023. Unfortunately, Mr. Oki has not matched his words with actions and instead, has allowed the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative to continue, despite the potential of the occurrence of a catastrophe.
13. Sir, my life and the lives of others are being put to danger by the construction of Shell Staff Cooperative, particularly because of its closeness to Rehoboth Place.
14. Sir, I’m not willing to wait until people are seriously injured and/or someone dies, before I cry out to the public. There is a potential of criminal offence being committed by the closeness of the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative to Rehoboth Place. The photos and videos that I have attached here and the sealing up of the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative for about 6 months by Lagos State, speak volumes and I am sincerely not exaggerating.
15. Again, I hereby personally implore Mr. Governor, to use your good office to ensure that another unfortunate catastrophe related to building collapse, serious human injury and/or death does not happen in Lagos State, in this matter.
Sir, I am trusting in your speedy good judgement in this matter. Thank you, Sir.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Olufunlola K. Aderinokun (née Agusto).
It will be noted that building collapse has remained a recurring decimal in Lagos State. One can recall that a massive Ikoyi building, located not too far from Rehoboth Place, collapsed in 2022, and claimed lives of prominent Nigerians with many other budding professionals.
“All we are doing is to prevent a disaster lurking in the corner, and for me to have a safe and peaceful possession of my property,” Aderinokun concluded.
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