Expresses optimism about quick passage of National Building Code Enforcement Law By: Femi Esan The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Bldr Prof. Yohana Izam has emphasized the institute’s interest in ensuring that all real estate constructions in the country are done in compliance with integrity-driven processes which is hinged on effective planning and design. He made this known during a press briefing at its Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter secretariat, one of the activities to commemorate the institute’s 3 rd Builders’ Day celebration.   According to Izam, innovative building and construction control must go beyond cosmetic enforcement of codes and regulations while leveraging on distinguished roles of professional actors in building project delivery.   He attributed the cause of building collapse in the country to what he described as invasion of the national building industry space by the activitie...

By: Femi Esan As part of efforts to curb incessant building collapse and unethical practices in the built industry, the Nigerian Institute of Building has re-emphasized the need for stakeholders in the industry to sustain the development of frameworks and regulations for building process control and urban development practices. Speaking at the third anniversary commemoration of Builders’ Day themed: “Building with Integrity”, the President of the Institute, Bldr Prof. Yohana Izam said the theme is deliberately orchestrated to initiate a paradigm shift from “Collapse” to “Integrity”. He frowned at the recurring incidents of building collapse in the country, adding that the risk of collapsed building has gradually become synonymous with many building developments initiatives across the country. He noted with delight some states of the federation who are currently towing the path of integrity as far as the construction industry is concerned to include the Lagos State Building Regu...

Urban Shelter Managing Director, Saadiya Aminu @ the 30 th  A nniversary and 8 th  E mployee Recognition and Award Ceremony in Abuja By: Femi Esan In its continuous effort to proffer solutions to the lingering housing deficit in the country as well as satisfy its potential clients, the Urban Shelter Limited has reiterated its commitment to providing housing and real estate services that conform to global best practices.   Speaking with Africa Housing News reporters at its 30 th anniversary and 8 th employee recognition and award ceremony in Abuja, the Managing Director of the company, Saadiya Aminu , stated that despite the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company has satisfactorily met the demands of its teeming clients as it relates to property development and management in the last one year . According to her, the company has been able to open up new projects in Kaduna, Lagos, and Abuja. “In the course of Covid, some major challenges have ...

• HDAN condemns Reps resolution, says bill passage refusal will endanger housing sector By: Femi Esan The house of Representatives has turned down the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) Regulation and Development Bill. This follows the resolution of the Ad-hoc committee set up by the house to investigate the operations of real estate developers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The decision of the Green Chamber was conveyed in a communique signed by the Chairman of the investigative panel, Hon. Blessing Onuh. It will be recalled that the Senate had in November 2021 passed a bill to help curb fraudulent practices, ensure that the real estate business conforms with the National Building Code in Nigeria, as well as create an innovative and sustainable environment to promote Nigeria as a real estate investment destination in Africa and the world. The bill was sponsored by Senator Aliyu Wamakko. Meanwhile, the bill suffered rejection at the house on the ground that ...

Protocols: It is with immense gratitude to almighty God that I welcome us all into the festive season of the birth of Christ and another transition into a New Year.  As it is often said that time is fleeting in that the year 2021 we all started in January is counting and almost running to an end, there is much to be appreciated in the way God has favoured the Ekiti Youth Parliament, EYP on many fronts.  It is an undeniable fact that the EYP and other youth Parliaments in the country have continued to contribute significantly to the development and improvement of youths, thus, recognized as a symbol of excellence in service delivery and leadership. My dear youths, let me caution at this point that even as we have much to be grateful to God for over our achievements in 2021, the year 2022 will be a defining year for the parliament because of its importance to our strategic vision.  It is the year earmarked for greater exploits and impact, as we cannot afford to rest on our ...

FFS personnel displaying professional skills during NPL working visit  Nigeria’s Federal Fire Service has indeed, grown beyond toddlerdom. This is evident in the giant strides recorded in the service in the last one and half years. The Comptroller-General of the Service, Dr. Liman Ibrahim was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2019 and since then, the operations of the fire service have not remained the same. Worthy to note are the modern equipment and facilities put in place by the service, to improve fire fighting response and staff welfare. Report: Femi Esan The Controller-General, CG of the Federal Fire Service, FFS, Dr. Liman Ibrahim has reiterated the Federal Fire Service's commitment to controlling and preventing fire outbreaks in the country, as well as carrying out other rescue missions. He gave the assurance during a working visit by the Nigerian Prize for Leadership, NPL 2021 ambassadors to the headquarters of the Fire Service in Abuja. Speaking on behalf ...

Members of IPC during a walk against the spread of Covid-19 By: Femi Esan The Infection Prevention and Control, IPC vanguard branch of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC orientation camp, Kubwa, Abuja, today, organized a walk against the spread of Covid-19 in the camp. The group, comprising staff and corps members were seen moving around the orientation camp, carrying placards conveying different messages, as it pertains to covid-19 prevention. Speaking with OBS reporter during an interview with the IPC Head of Compliance, Mrs. Adisa Abutu, said that the essence of the movement is to stop the spread of covid-19 by enforcing the use of facemask in the camp. She added that the tour is designed to get all corps members and camp officials vaccinated, starting tomorrow, the 6th of December, 2021. Speaking further, she noted that proactive measures have been put in place to ensure compliance by both corps members and camp officials through sensitization, campaign, enforcement, and most i...

Dr.  Okey Ikechukwu    Femi Esan A communication expert and Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, has tasked Nigerian youth leaders to embrace environmental consciousness, while also building effective communication skills to better their leadership experience. He gave the charge at a workshop, specially designed for the Nigerian Price for Leadership ambassadors, 2021 in Abuja. Dr. Ikechukwu noted that every youth leader who aspires to attain a great height of leadership accomplishment must possess effective communication, public speaking, emotional intelligence, and non-violence communication skills. Speaking further, he described effective communication as a viable tool for societal and institutional transformation and conflict resolution. He emphasized the need for youths to be conversant of their environment while recognizing their feelings and using the same as a basis for human management and problem-solving. Dr. Ikechukwu condemned yout...

Group picture of NPL 2021 Ambassadors and NPL Governing Board  Femi Esan The Nigerian Price for Leadership, NPL, has held an orientation for its leadership ambassadors, the second edition of the leadership programme. The orientation programme took place at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, one of the partners of the leadership programme, in Abuja. In his Goodwill message, the Vice-chairman of the NPL Governing Board, Professor Jerry Gana, congratulated the new ambassadors, adding that their selection as participants is a proof of their competence and leadership strength. According to him, the essence of the leadership programme was to build youth leaders of distinguishing character, integrity, positive-minded, trustworthy, and above all, God-fearing, for transformational change. Also speaking at the event, a member of the Governing Board, Senator Ibrahim Idah, while congratulating the new mentees, noted that different considerations were taken before selecting the participan...

 

Award presented to Esan Femi Williams as the winner (postgraduate category), John Kayode Fayemi Annual Essay competition, 2021. By: Esan Femi Williams   Nigeria is a heterogeneous society with an ethnic pluralism that is grounded in diverse cultures. With over two hundred different languages and ethnic groups, and diverse political ideologies that vary by individuals, communities and social strata, the variability of Nigerian culture is rather undeniable. Democratic governance, as it stands today, remains the only viable bedrock of a value-based political system; a system of government where institutions function according to democratic processes and norms, both internally and in their interaction with other institutions. This system of government, as a matter of necessity, must operate within a solid system of checks and balances whereby each arm of the government operates independently, but with a form of mutual oversight to ensure there is no abuse of power within any arm. Democ...

The Ekiti Youth Parliament Speaker, Rt. Hon. Toba Ayo Fatunla, has lauded the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, over his commitment to youth development in the state. Fatunla expressed his gratitude in his congratulatory message to the Governor, on the occasion of the third anniversary of his second term in office. He hailed the Governor for his achievement in the area of youth development, adding that his administration has created a conducive atmosphere for youths to grow in the state. Fatunla, in what he described as a testament to youth development under the watch of Gov. Fayemi, said that Ekiti youths currently take the lead in all youths' engagements in the country.  "His Excellency has created an enabling environment for youths to thrive in Ekiti State, little wonder Ekiti youths take central stage in Nigeria.  For instance, the Speaker of Ekiti State Youth Parliament is the Chairman of the conference of State Youth Parliament Speakers in Nigeria, the Presid...

Gov. John Kayode Fayemi The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi has approved an internship programme for the Ekiti Youth Parliament (EYP) members. This was contained in a commendation letter sent to the speaker of the Youth apex body in the state, Rt. Hon. Toba Fatunla. Recall that the parliament, following its August 10, 2021 special plenary sitting, held at the Ekiti State House of Assembly, presented the summary of the bills passed and motions moved to the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Fayemi. According to the Speaker of the Parliament, the document contained strategies, suggestions and recommendations on how best to engage the youths, put a stop to unemployment and galvanize the youths towards economic empowerment, liberation, self-reliance, self-sufficiency and prosperity. Fayemi, while commending the Parliament under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Fatunla, pledged his commitment to the realization of the suggestions and motions moved at the special plenary sitting o...

COHESTI entrance and exit gates The Students' Union Government of the Ekiti State College of Health Sciences and Technology, COHEST, Ijero-Ekiti, has inaugurated its newly elected executives. This is coming barely after eight years of electoral crisis, which saw the students' union body through series of a caretaker government in the college.  The Provost of the college, Dr. Cecilia Adebayo, while inaugurating the new executives, expressed utmost delight over the new development, adding that the election exercise is the first of its kind during her tenure as the provost of the college. While congratulating the new set of executives, she charged them to be proactive, visionary, and creative leaders. "This ceremony is very remarkable because this is the first election that would be conducted to fill the various posts in the SUG during my tenure, having assumed office as the Provost of the college in October last year. "I thank God that the election conducted on Wednesda...