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‘Be like Jakande’; Nigerians Slam Sanwo-Olu Over Costly Lagos Estates

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Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been advised to leave a legacy of affordable houses like the legendary Lateef Jakande.

The late journalist, an Obafemi Awolowo disciple, governed the state from 1979 to 1983 and served as Works Minister under the Sani Abacha regime.

Fondly called LKJ or Baba Kekere, he implemented free education; increased the number of primary schools from 605 to 812; secondary schools from 105 to 223; constructed Gbagada, Ikorodu General Hospitals and 20 Health Centres.

Jakande further wrote his name in gold with the construction of more than 30,000 units in 16 Low-Cost Estates in different parts of Lagos.

DAILY POST findings show the locations are in Abesan, Abule Nla, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Dolphin, Ejigbo, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Iponri, Ipaja, Ikorodu, Isolo, Oke-Afa and Surulere.

After Jakande’s passing in February, Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader declared that nobody could match his record.

Thousands of citizens benefitted from Jakande’s housing infrastructure which till date provides income for the owners and shelter for accommodation seekers.

But the Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC) continues to shun the maintenance of the estates which provided succor to middle and low-income earners.

Instead, successive administrations build fancy estates sold/selling for tens of millions of Naira, rates way out of reach of struggling Nigerians.

It is no longer news that the houses are mostly purchased by government officials or their fronts, businessmen/women and firms who resell or lease for a period of time.

At the commissioning of 100 units at Ikate Elegushi on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said the project was part of measures to “increase access to the stock of available houses”.

The Bayview Estate, a joint venture between Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Misa Limited, is situated behind Enyo Filling Station and beside Stillwaters Garden.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that it consists 68 terraces of 4 bedrooms and 32 flats of 3 bedrooms on a total land area of 23,000sqm.

“We made a promise to partner with the private sector to deliver good houses to Lagos. Bayview Estate is a further demonstration of our consistency in keeping to our promises”, he said.

Reacting to the governor’s Facebook post, citizens accused the Lagos authorities of building houses only wealthy people can afford.

Adewale Omotosho: “(The government) collect tax from the poor and build for the rich. Well done all of una!”

“God bless you sir for this affordable housing. N50m/flat. It is not too bad especially now that things have gone up”, Engr UC wrote sarcastically.

Obuh Nelson: “The elites will buy some of these structures and resell to commoners who even make an attempt to buy. When you wish to do the next one Mr Governor, let it be affordable to minimum wage earners. Then we will know you have delivered dividends of democracy like Alhaji Jakande did.”

Richard Alaribe: “Houses within and around that area is not affordable and it’s not for the masses. How could you build such houses and say you are providing affordable houses to the masses?”

Jide Mackson: “You remind us of Jakande’s sterling qualities. But, these houses are for the elites and those political class. The middle class does not have access to them.”

Adesuwa Favour: “Is it affordable to low income earners? It’s well.”

Ikay Fezzas: “The amount involved has made the houses impossible to be affordable by the low-income earners. Which promise has been fulfilled, when the middle class cannot afford it? Was the promise made to the electorates or the elites? Needless of making the commissioning public when the elites will still have it, while the electorates remain in their impoverished condition.”

Kazeem Ijaola: “Only for the rich because a civil servant earning minimum wage will never be able to afford this.”

Temitayo Badmus: “Houses you’re talking about are too high for civil servants or small shop businesses in Lagos. You’re yet to build houses for the low-income like 70,000 per month. Think about those people and stop thinking about contractors.”

Sunday Benedict: “Only for the rich people. Especially politician. When we say that we want to make things affordable, it should be in such a way that low income earners can partake.”

Seyi Ogunronbi: “They are renting the 4-bedroom in this Estate (for) N5m. How does that make it affordable housing? The people that subscribe to it are not common people.”

Ono Eme: “Can you make it affordable for a civil servant to purchase it as mortgage, not commissioning it for the rich men.”

Nwudu Austin: “Houses that government officials will buy up by themselves and be selling to the public in exorbitant prices. Same happened at Fashola estate, Igando.”

Babalola Imoleaye: “Someone said in the comment that each apartment goes for 50 million Naira. People living at Ajegunle, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu, Epe and Ilaje, who are bricklayers, electricians, welders, carpenters and teachers can now afford these affordables. When we’re through deceiving ourselves in this country, we will sit and have a rethink.”

Imoleaye advised politicians to “remember that no matter how long it takes, we will each stand before GOD to give account of how we lived on earth!”

Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, among other dignitaries attended the Bayview Estate opening.

In May 2020, Sanwo-Olu commissioned Courtland Luxury Villas, another pricey estate also in Elegushi.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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