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Building Collapse: Stakeholders Tackle Lagos Govt, Demand Prosecution
Stakeholders in the built environment have argued that the non-enforcement of sustainable construction principles was responsible for the majority of the building collapses in the country.
A professor of construction management at the University of Cape Town, Abimbola Windapo, said if the government fails to take proactive measures to ensure and enforce compliance with sustainable construction principles, the country will continue to witness increased building collapses.
Windapo said this at a virtual meeting organised by the Eko EnvirotalkTV themed “Contemporary Issues in Building Collapse and its Implications for Sustainable Development in Lagos, Nigeria” recently.
She said, “In the future, it is likely that the construction industry stakeholders will be reluctant to do away with unsustainable practices because they are already part of them.
“Therefore, more cases of building collapse will be witnessed, if the government does not take proactive action by ensuring and enforcing compliance with sustainable construction principles.
“Building collapse has serious implications for the socioeconomic development of Lagos State and Nigeria. And it must be tackled decisively in order to secure a more sustainable future. Prevention is often said to be better than cure.”
She noted that environmental, human, and technical factors were responsible for building collapse and further urged the government and other built environment stakeholders to tackle the root causes.
The professor urged professionals to practice within the limits of their training and stop hijacking other experts’ roles.
Windapo also urged the government to introduce a reward system.
Meanwhile, she called for proactive measures, including a reward system by the government for people who adhere to construction principles.
She said,” The government should be giving people awards. We only hear about the negative side. What about the people doing the right things? What has been done to encourage them? What about those developers and the clients who are doing the right thing, building the right structures?
“In addition to awards, clients, and developers who complied with building laws should be given tax reliefs and other incentives to nip build collapse in the bud.”
Similarly, an estate surveyor, Olorunyomi Alatise, in an exclusive interview with The Punch, said construction principles border around environmental protection, safety, speed, economy, and aesthetics.
He noted, “When undertaking a construction project, it is essential to prioritise environmental protection and avoid any form of pollution. This means implementing practices that are environmentally friendly and ensuring that the construction process does not have a negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem. “Additionally, safety should be a top consideration during and after construction, ensuring that the end users are safe and secure.”
He asserted that the construction process should be undertaken with safety in mind to prevent accidents or injuries to workers, and the resulting structure should be safe for use by the public.
“To ensure that the construction project is completed within the projected timeline, speed is also an essential factor to consider. Delays in construction can lead to increased costs and other potential challenges, and it is crucial to complete the project within the agreed timeframe.
“However, while prioritising speed, it is essential to ensure that the cost of construction remains reasonable without compromising quality.”
According to him, aesthetics also play a crucial role in any construction project.
“The design of the structure should be visually appealing and of high quality, making it a valuable addition to the surrounding environment.Overall, adherence to these factors is crucial in ensuring that construction projects are successful and do not result in unexpected collapses or failures,” Alatise maintained.
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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
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.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
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
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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