By Jimoh Sulyman
In a new discovery, it has been revealed that the late owner of unfortunate 21-storey Ikoyi building, and CEO of Fourscore Homes, Femi Osibona and the Nigeria Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo are cousins.
The affinity was disclosed by the popular journalist and the publisher of Ovation magazine ,Mr Dele Momodu in his recently posted write up, narrating his account on the tragic incident.
This new discovery has since confirmed rumour on the relationship between Osibona and Osinbajo, fueling the suspicion of the Vice president’s involvement in the whole scenario as some are already suggesting that Osinbajo has a stake in the construction company.
Despite all the assertions, Vice President Osinbajo has kept mum on his close relationship with the late estate developer.
However, also in the same article, Momodu has clearly dismissed the public allusion that the duo of Osibona and Osinbajo have a business relationship.
He disclosed that, “despite being a cousin of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, he (Osibona) was too proud and self-reliant to approach the vice president or anybody else or favour of that kind.
“He has never gotten any government contracts, he relied on his own ability, marketing skills and funds….” he said.
The unfortunate incident that occurred on Monday, has since been generating a lot of comments both online and offline, as the death toll continues to rise, as the number of casualties hit 44.
Chartered architects demand triple level probe
The Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects (ANCA) on Sunday advocated three independent political, technical and judicial panels to unravel root cause of the 21-storey building collapse in Ikoyi, Lagos.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by ANCA President, Mr Moyosore Omatsone and National Secretary, Mr Adekoyejo Jolaoso.
“We commend the governor of Lagos State for promptly setting up a Probe Panel to douse the spontaneous tension with a 30-day deadline.
“However, we are of the view that the magnitude and very wide implications of the incident demand and warrant that a three-legged probe should be envisaged,’’ ANCA said.
The group said a political probe would help government make informed decisions after getting details on approvals, supervisions and regulations.
They said the 30-day deadline was adequate for government to complete its political probe to usher in the technical phase.
“A Technical Probe, which should be carefully set up with all technical personnel in the building, construction and property industries.
“This panel should be given enough to address a myriad of technical issues involved in such a complex development,’’ it stated.
The statement stressed the need for a technical panel to study the original brief for the project and its design as well as documented evidences to understand facilities included in the failed edifice.
It queried projected lifespan of the ill-fated building which would have been inhabited by occupants/owners whose presence would have increased the load on the tower.
ANCA raised technical queries on alleged withdrawal of the structural engineer midway, quality of construction/materials considering Lagos environmental factors and called for structural tests on the initially completed two high-rise buildings on the same site.
The group said the Judicial Probe or Corona’s Inquest should be reserved for the last stage while appealing against unnecessary injunctions and delays.
It advised the judiciary to also borrow lessons from other climes on planning approvals to ensure justice is served to avert future occurrence.
