Coastal highway: Minister present as demolition of Landmark Beach begins

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on Saturday in Lagos, flagged off the demolition of a section of the Landmark Beach, the Mami Chula Beach Lifestyle, to give way to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi began the demolition after he inspected kilometre 13, 16 and 20 to ensure the most economical and viable way to access the coastal roads without much damage.

He noted that the demolition was necessary since the landmark centre was located on Federal Government’s Right-of-way.

He stressed that a number of structures would be affected by the demolition, adding that compensation would be provided.

Umahi said, “So with the utmost fear of God, gratitude to God Almighty and the commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in our infrastructural development agenda in particular, I wish to flag off this demolition.

”It’s in a right-of-way within the coastal corridor which is legitimate right of way of the Federal Government.

“Before the flag off of the demolition of landmark, I graciously increased the grace period by another seven days and yet another four days and here we are because the project stopped because of lack of demolition.

“And I want to commend the likes of Bolaji, incidentally from kilometre zero to four from what I’m seeing, he is the only one that is majorly affected. That’s the only infrastructure I can see that is affected.”

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The Minister, who acknowledged that some people were opposed to the project, insisted that it was necessary for economic development.

He assured those affected by the demolition that they would be adequately compensated, adding that documentation would start between May 2 and May 3.

Umahi also assured that he would be available throughout the week to address any confirmation or payment issues related to the demolition.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer, Mami Chula Beach, Mr Bolaji Ariyo, acknowledged the project’s necessity for development, even when it causes inconvenience for a small number of people.

He said, “We all hope this is the renewed hope that we all clamoured for, during the campaign, we all prayed for development in Nigeria.

“And some of us have so much belief in Mr President that he will do it well, and this is an opportunity.

“For example, I’m a Lagosian and this is also a development that has been set down for a very long time. It is good that Mr President is doing that right now.

“It is unfortunate. We all prayed for development, and in every development, some people pay the price and sacrifice for the development.

“You might be wondering why I’m talking like this, maybe because I was also on the other side before, so, I understand what governance means.

“I understand when a government is promising to make life easy for the entire Nigerians.

”Some of us are affected, no doubt about it, but those of us affected are not up to 0.1% of the millions of people that will enjoy the coastal roads.

“That’s why people like me, have taken it to heart to also support Mr President and the honourable minister to ensure that this road comes to life.”

Coastal highway: Minister present as demolition of Landmark Beach begins

5 Benin chiefs suspended for visiting Ooni of Ife

Five Benin traditional functionaries in Edo State have been suspended from their roles for allegedly engaging in sacrilegious conduct against Benin custom.

The Benin Traditional Council announced their suspension in a statement signed by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe on Saturday.

The statement said the affected functionaries visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where they falsely claimed to be emissaries of the Oba of Benin and rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Benin Traditional Council has been drawn to video clips circulating on social media in which a group of self-serving traditional functionaries from Benin engaged themselves in a sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin Custom.

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“In the said clip, the individuals who have been identified as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo were in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, falsely claiming to be emissaries of the Omo N’ObaN’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin.

“These individuals not only declared themselves subjects of the Ooni but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed accounts of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

“While the BTC does not wish to be drawn to restating the well-known connection between the two thrones of the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife, the general public is urged to disregard the inaccurate accounts rendered by the ill-bred individuals named above.”

The Council further described the conduct of these functionaries as “inappropriate, sacrilegious, and calculated to ridicule traditional history and to bring disrepute to Benin custom.”

It added, “Consequently, on the authority of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin the Prescribed Authority over Benin Custom, the BTC hereby announces the suspension of the individuals mentioned above from their role as Benin traditional functionaries.

“The general public is advised to refrain from having anything to do with them as traditional functionaries in Benin kingdom throughout their suspension.”

5 Benin chiefs suspended for visiting Ooni of Ife

How I fought Boko Haram, IPOB without a scar — Retiring CP Adeoye

THE retired Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye has recounted how he fought the dreaded Niger Delta militants, the Book Haram terrorists in the North East and the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, insurgents in the South East and survived all of them without a scar.