News
CBN House Of Horror: Multi-billion Naira Property Turns Hideout for Hoodlums, Rapists and Wild Animals in Ibadan.
*Community Cries Out for help.
These properties were built with public funds. Today, most Federal Government Properties in Nigeria are either abandoned or underused. These national statues are now in ruins and threats to security. Some of these abandoned properties have been hijacked by weeds, rodents, wild animals and reptiles, while also serves as abodes for hoodlums, miscreants, armed robbers, kidnappers and the likes, this is exactly the true picture of the Central Bank of Nigeria property at Owode Estate, Apata, Ibadan, in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The multi-billion naira property in question owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria has been abandoned for over two decades. Mega Icon Magazine investigations revealed that the property was designed and aimed at providing housing scheme to the staff of CBN. It was also established that the speedily completed Quarters had never accommodated any occupant, even for once, up till date.
Visit to this abandoned, neglected site shows the parlous, pathetic and deplorable situation of the property that could have accommodated an estimated figure of about 10,000 people conveniently.
subsequent to the total neglect and insensitivity of the Federal Government, the property now poses great security risks to residents of the community.
Speaking with one of the community leaders, Deacon Idowu Aladejobi expresses his displeasure about this ugly situation. Aladejobi further stated that the abandoned property has constituted security risks to the community, “we discovered that CBN normally come to the site to burn their refuse (currencies) almost on a daily basis, which is an environmental hazard and injurious to the community.
He stated that the property has also been turned in to a safe haven by rapists who hide in the bushy environment to lure and rape their daughters with reckless abandonment.
Abandoned CBN Quarters housing decayed buildings at Owode Estate, Ibadan.
According to him, men of the underworld also use the abandoned property as hideout to strategize and plan on how to carry out their evil operations, “they always come out of the place to attack and rob the community, this is very dishearten”, he lamented.
Though, one would bewildered with the ease at which CBN abandons its assets to decay still baffles many, other people perceive the problem as misapplied, misconceived, wrongly executed policies and absence of complete honesty in the management.
Stressing further , Aladejobi said the community has taken bold steps by writing the CBN consistently, both the Ibadan Branch and Headquarters in Abuja to curtail this malady.
“ Even former governors of the Bank, Professor Soludo and Mr. Sanusi also came to inspect the property, we thought when they came, they would be able to address the issue, but unfortunately, it is to no avail”, he decried.
He advised the CBN to investigate and appraise the matter, probably release the property to the Local Government, State Government or better still, sell to private individuals, so as to meet other community needs and serve the people.
In a related development, a former President of the Association, Pa. Lawrence Abayomi Kupoluyi make plain the rich history of the abandoned CBN property that should have make the deserted project stand out as a national monument or major source of revenue, but suffers neglect or underutilization.
Kupoluyi in his reaction said that the community had taken several steps to ensure that the place is turned to a useful legacy, “we had written letters to CBN and Housing Corporation on this issue, yet nothing has been done, it is inhuman, our hope is dashed as the residents suffer neglect, we have been dehumanized”, he lamented.
Access road leading to the abandoned property.
Mega Icon Magazine learnt that the abandoned property has been turned to a game reserve where wild animals, including python dwell while corpses are buried at the place since there is nobody to challenge those people who have turned the place into a grave yard.
“A former Nigerian diplomat son, Ambassador Maiyaki was brutally attacked in the Estate by hoodlums who use the site as a hideout and since then, the man had never returned to Nigeria, he is psychologically affected”, another aggrieved resident declared.
Mega Icon Magazine checks further unearthed that different investors had approached the CBN, including Universities, but they never responded.
The leaders, however called on the Oyo State Government and relevant authorities to come to their rescue and save the community before it is too late.
By Idowu Ayodele.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record revenue collection of N5.7 trillion as of November 12, 2024, surpassing its yearly target by 10 percent.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the ongoing 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
Themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the conference showcased the Customs Service’s progress in modernizing its operations and fostering collaborative partnerships.
“Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how our commitments in 2023 have evolved into tangible achievements,” Adeniyi stated.
He attributed the revenue growth to a series of reforms, including the implementation of a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, a revamped ICT infrastructure, streamlined inspection procedures, and enhanced automation.
Adeniyi explained that these changes reflect the agency’s commitment to elevating operational transparency and efficiency.
“We pledged to re-align our free trade operations, elevate cargo integrity standards, and expand our scanning capacities,” he said.
“Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations—one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaborations with our partners.”
As of Tuesday, November 12, Adeniyi confirmed that the NCS collected N5.07 trillion, achieving the anticipated 10 percent revenue surplus.
“This performance validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent strides in trade facilitation, revealing that six companies have been selected to benefit from the Authorised Economic Operators programme, which provides fast-tracked customs clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the NCS has processed 21 requests under an advance ruling programme, designed to expedite customs decisions on import and export cargoes before they reach Nigerian ports.
The Comptroller-General expressed optimism about the NCS’s potential to drive further economic growth, citing the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative practices within the customs sector.
Nineteen out of the thirty-eight directors who were shortlisted to fill permanent secretary vacancies within the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying examination, a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) revealed on Tuesday.
The memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, disclosed that the qualifying exam was conducted on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Federal Government, through the OHCSF, launched the recruitment drive in October to fill permanent secretary vacancies in eight states.
Providing insights into the progress, Eno Olotu, Director of Press at OHCSF, stated, “Of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the exam, 19 have passed the first stage and will move on to the second stage, which will assess their competency in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government operations on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.”
Olotu highlighted the rigorous three-stage selection process, designed to ensure that only the most capable individuals are appointed to these high-ranking civil service roles.
This comprehensive approach, according to OHCSF, aims to elevate the quality of leadership across federal ministries.
The directors who advance beyond the ICT proficiency test will face a final stage on Friday, November 15, 2024, where a panel of senior government officials and private sector experts will conduct a final evaluation to determine their suitability for the permanent secretary positions.
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and representative of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Saturday urged the community to unite in advancing key development projects aimed at transforming Ikogosi.
Speaking at this year’s Ikogosi Day celebration and the launch of a N1 billion development project in Ekiti, the lawmaker, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the importance of unity and collective action.
He encouraged attendees to approach the celebration as a call to action for the betterment of their community.
“As we all know, Ikogosi is not merely a town; it is a treasured gem in the heart of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said. “Ikogosi, a historic and vibrant town, plays a vital role in the tourism and economic landscape of Ekiti State. Its rich cultural heritage and unique resources draw visitors and stimulate economic activities that benefit us all.”
“Today is not just a celebration; it is a call to action,” he continued. “Let us come together, united in purpose, to support these transformative projects that promise to uplift the Ikogosi community. I urge everyone here to invest their time, resources, and energy in this endeavor. Together, we can build a legacy of self-help and development that future generations will cherish.”
Reflecting on the broader challenges facing the country, Oseni encouraged the people of Ikogosi and all Nigerians to remain hopeful and resilient, assuring them of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to a brighter future for the nation.
“To the good people of Ikogosi and all citizens of Nigeria, I urge you to remain steadfast and hopeful. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for all Nigerians. The APC-led administration’s Renewed Hope agenda holds the promise of a brighter future. Though the beginnings may be challenging, perseverance will guide us toward a prosperous new Nigeria,” he stated.
In a statement released by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker lauded the Ekiti State government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership for its transformative efforts in governance and development.
He acknowledged the strides made by the governor and praised his impactful initiatives, which have set Ekiti on a progressive path.
“First and foremost, let me commend the Ekiti State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. The trailblazing development initiatives and effective governance during your tenure have not gone unnoticed,” Oseni remarked.
“Under your stewardship, we have witnessed remarkable progress and commendable governance that have undoubtedly made Ekiti State a shining example of peace and development,” he added.
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