Ikoyi Building Collapse: Osinbajo Condoles With Affected Families, Distances Self From Property

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer
Three Aspirants Have Stepped Down For Osinbajo -- Campaign DG

Ad

Concerns escalated as NIPOST Raises Payment to $80 Customs Duty on US Shipment

By Abiola Olawale Nigerians sending parcels to the United States will now face a mandatory $80 prepaid customs duty beginning from August 29, 2025, as announced by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). This new charge, equivalent to its Naira value, applies to all non-document shipments, including parcels and packages, and will be collected at the…

Nigerian-Canadian, ex-Raptors president Masai Ujiri hails latest United Nations role

By Obinna Uballa Former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has expressed excitement over his appointment as a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocate. The announcement, made on Thursday in a release by his foundation, Giants of Africa, confirms Ujiri’s inclusion in a select group of global leaders championing efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger,…

Jonathan eyes 2027 options as brother knocks reports of ex-President Stepping down

By Obinna Uballa Goodluck Jonathan's cousin, Azibaola Robert, has denied reports suggesting that the former president has withdrawn from the 2027 presidential race, insisting he has not ruled himself out as consultations continue across the country. The rebuttal followed a publication claiming Jonathan had opted out to protect Southern unity. The report, titled “Jonathan Rejects…

Ad

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo expressed sadness over the collapse of a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Nov. 1.

The vice president also condoled with families that lost loved ones and relatives in the ‘horrible tragedy’.

Osinbajo’s sympathies were conveyed in a statement by Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Office of the Vice President on Friday in Abuja.

“The vice president condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured, or were affected in the collapse and considers the painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.’’

Akande debunked an online media claims that Osinbajo owned the land where the ill-fated property was sited.

“Also, the attention of the vice president has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by an online media outfit on Nov. 4 to the effect that:

“ The vice president owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

“That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, the Chairman of Elizade Motors;

“That the vice president, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.’’

Akande said it should be made absolutely clear that the vice president did not own and had never owned the said land.

He said that Osinbajo had also never been involved in any shape or form in the development of the said land or any other land since he became the vice president.

“At no time whatsoever did the vice president buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Ade-Ojo or anyone for that matter.

“All property and assets owned by the vice president have been publicly declared.

“Also, the vice president has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the state government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed.

“He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

“The vice president restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building, or development.’’

He said it was unfortunate, wicked and an act of dangerous desperation to spread such lies.

Akande said that appropriate legal actions would be taken.

“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

“The online outfit is undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct.

“Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism; the publication was not signed by anyone.

“The vice president has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action,’’ he said. (NAN)

Ad

X whatsapp