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Speak Up Over Ownership Of Ikoyi Collapsed Building-Timi Frank To Osinbajo

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A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Friday, called on the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to tell Nigerians if he is the owner of the 21-storey building that collapsed at Ikoyi, Lagos State or not.

One of the three high rise buildings under construction at Ikoyi, had caved in on Monday killing the developer and Chief Executive of Fourscore Heights Limited, Femi Osibona and 32 others.

Many workers were left with varied degrees of injuries while some are said to be missing.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, in a statement in Abuja, commiserated with the families that lost loved ones and sympathised with those who were injured as a result of the building collapse.

He said his call on Osinbajo to tell Nigerians the truth about his ownership of the building has become necessary to lay to rest speculations allegedly linking him to the buildings.

He said: “Yesterday I read a statement signed by one Richard Akinnola “for and on behalf of friends and associates of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo” which sought to dispel rumours about the Vice President’s interests in the buildings and I began to wonder why this should come from friends, when Osinbajo is not known to to lack the courage and eloquence to make his points.”

According to Akinnola, “The social media has suddenly become awash with information trying to link the VP directly or indirectly to the collapsed structure,” adding that “some mischief makers are trying to score cheap political goals and use this very sad situation to tarnish the name and image of our hardworking and humble Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.”

Frank said: “We believe that the VP is not encumbered in any manner to issue a rebuttal or deny the viral allegations, if necessary, to warrant ‘friends’ to come to his rescue.

“We believe Osinbajo has a capable media aide who has been speaking on his behalf on several issues.

“Is Akinnola and his ‘league of friends’ meddlesome interlopers in this matter or is there any thing that the VP is hiding by refusing to speak directly to allegations that he is the owner of the structure?

“Nigerians need to know the truth and this truth can only come from the VP and not third parties whose locus standi in this matter is questionable at best.

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“We don’t believe the VP has any connection with the building but Nigerians who may have been misled by the rumour mill need to hear from the VP to correct the seeming misinformation.

“Until that is done, several questions already being asked by Nigerians will escalate. For instance, Nigerians are asking: Is the VP actually the owner of the collapsed Ikoyi building? If he is the owner does his fees, salaries and emoluments in and out of office enough to raise such structures? If he is not the owner as being speculated, why is he (VP) not speaking up?

“Is it a coincidence that both Osinbajo and Osibona are from Ikenne in Ogun State? Is it also coincidence that Osibona’s brother worked with the VP from 2015 to 2019? Was Osibona a front for Osinbajo or the real owner of the land and buildings? If the building is not for him, who is the top government official that allegedly owns the land and structures?”

He called on the Lagos State Government to tell Nigerians how a 15-storey structure duly approved by it got to 21 floors.

He called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the chief custodian of the Lagos State Land Registry, to tell Nigerians the real owner of the land and buildings and those ‘powers from above’ that prevented the statutory government agencies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) from calling the developer to order when he exceeded the approved limit for the structure.

He also called on Sanwo-Olu to not to sweep the report of the panel of inquiry already set up to unravel the horrendous incident like was done in similar circumstances in the past.

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East

 

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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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