Ghana must-go

FUNKE ADETUTU
Sometime in the 1970s, something unusual happened in the then Gold Coast now called Ghana. Citizens from foreign countries were asked to leave Ghana for their respective countries. Then, it was very much unlike now that the message being preached in most countries of the world is that the world should become a ‘global village.’ Much later, Nigeria retaliated and Ghanaians were asked to leave Nigeria. Much later however, the old friendliness between the two countries was restored and the ‘cold war’ was consigned into the thrash can of history. What’s Funke exactly driving at, you ask?
Well, reported comments attributed to Lagos State Government some time ago when the demolition process in the state that really affected some residents got me thinking and I wonder if that should happen, otherwise, what will become of Lagos? If what I hear is correct, that the governor advised the displaced persons to return to their hometowns since it seems Lagos can no longer accommodate them, then I see this as a kind of re-enactment of what happened between Nigeria and Ghana in the ‘70s. But this time, it’s not a battle between nationalities, it’s one between brothers and sisters, kinsmen closely knitted and related by blood, since we all belong to this great country.
Someone once offered that if the displaced ones were sent back to their hometowns, what would they fall back on? Many other people have asked what provisions the various state governments put in place to ensure that these people don’t return to “square one.” But I tell you, that in our dear country such thing is alien. No state government has ever thought of natives of his state sojourning to other states. They will just fall back on the same old cycle of hopelessness.
If for instance, they plan to venture into farming, on whose land would they till? Whose seeds would they plant? How do they get the money with which to buy manure and other farm implements? I can imagine how tough life would be for them. And if they decide to go into trading, then how do they get the money with which to purchase the goods? As little as N5,000 could be very difficult for these people to access. But the truth is, it all boils down to the fact that the government of each state must learn to take responsibility for their citizens.
On a very sincere note, I will like to look at this from two sides. It’s understandable that the state government is overwhelmed by the large influx of people into the state everyday, while hoping that something would be done to help them. So, if the state government says “go back to your village,” well, I cannot discount why it has said that. But then again, back to the earlier question, ‘what do they go to do?’ There is a lady at the Arch Bishop Taylor Memorial School that I met some weeks ago. Though from Oyo State, she is one of those displaced as a result of the on-going road construction going on at Lekki.
I asked if she would like to return to her village, but sarcastically, she laughed. It was a dry, and very pregnant laughter, that deeply sounded something more like, “what do I go back to do?” Yes, she has no house and you know, of course, the psychological side of it! Once a person comes to Lagos, the expectation is that such persons should return “home” richer, contented, a person that can now be looked up to, with loud expectations like, ‘so what have you brought back for us form Lagos?’ This huge expectations from the folks at home and the very many dependants of course, is what scares many from wanting to leave Lagos back to base. Many can’t stand the shame of “returning empty-handed,” and so would rather stay “put” and continue to suffer.
But if the truth must continue to be told, I think what Lagos State government should want to see happen is that other states take their social responsibility more seriously in terms of housing, infrastructure, job creation, etc. Lagos State for instance has employed more people to sweep the roads, to keep vigilance among others. This, regrettably, is not happening in many other states; and as long as those problems exist, so long will Lagos remain the honey pot that is attracted to by more and more pests.
Honestly, I insist there has be a kind of diplomatic relationship and synergy among all the states in the country. Maybe when next governors hold their meetings, pray they discuss these issues. Without sentiments and any sense of arrogance, me think Fashola as Lagos governor, should be able to meet with say Alao-Akala of Oyo State and stress it to him that ‘your people are worrying me in Lagos, so what are you doing about this?’ Yes, Akala may truly get angry and perhaps to further compound matters, all the more because they are in different political camps, but there has to be a way out of this! As long as we continue to see it as delicate issue that is difficult to surmount, so would the problem persist.

A God of vengeance

FUNKE ADETUTU
I would have loved to title my piece this week Life is about choices II as a sequel to the first one I did some weeks ago. Giving it this title will also mean I succumb to the thinking of Olawale Ayetolu, one of the ardent readers of this column who also scanned this page and sent it as an attachment to his comment as a proof of his loyalty to the views I share on this page. “Your story today is very interesting, writes Olawale, except that it looks as if you were asked to encourage wasteful spending of church money to better the life of church leaders. I will not be surprise if by next week, you write ‘Life is about choices phase two’ and you equally paint good the acquisition of jets by bank executives at a time when the whole world is being prudent with the way they spend.”
It seems Olawale has refused to see reasons with and perhaps does not understand my position on this issue. When I wrote that life is about choices, so, I wasn’t; and still not trying to encourage church leaders to squander or embezzle church fund. All I was trying to say is that as church goers, we have a choice to put down our offerings or tithes in the baskets being passed round.
But then, there is also the issue of faith as dictated by the tenets of any religion. As individuals, we also have a choice to believe what the holy book says, in particular to giving tithes and offering. The law backing tithes and offering is based on the popular book in the Bible, Malachi chapter three which admonishes Christians to give tithes and offering with a promise of increase. Hence, if the Bible says give, then we must give without questioning what anybody does with the money. The instruction ends with ‘give’ not for the individual to begin to inquire what the church does with the money. Of course, there is no right thinking church that would want to embezzle God’s money. After giving, the giver should hand over to God completely; it is left for God to punish accordingly if the money is misused. Let’s not forget that we serve a God who knows all things and says vengeance is His.
In fact, some Biblical figures like David believe strongly in giving to God, hence he clearly stated that he would not give to God an offering that costs him nothing; even Abraham, the world-acclaimed father of faith gave Melchidezek, ten percent of the spoils of war. He never bothered himself what the High Priest was going to do with what he had given him. He just gave Melchidezek, the ten percent tithe and went his way. Hence, whatever, Melchidezek did with the tithe was his problem and not Abrahams.’
I still maintain that we should wait for Pastor Adeboye’s comment. We can’t crucify the poor man even before he speaks. Let’s just wait to hear from him.
I’m glad I did this piece anyway and I’m excited to have received all the different arguments and comments that have trailed “Life is about choices.” Trust me, some of them I have decided to publish as they were sent in. Excerpts:
“I just finished reading your column in Business Day. I also oppose the purchase of the jet because it is coming at the time when people/church members are struggling for survival. It is true Oyedepo has a private jet, but Living Faith does not have the type of churches that Redeem has in the name of expansion. Look, 4 billion naira is a lot of money. Sunday Mirror of last week reported that the operation cost is 5000dollars per hour when in use. If 1billion is spent on the camp to upgrade facilities, members will be willing to do more. Whether its church money or not, it will dampen the spirit of people as most people, especially bankers are only praying for their jobs not to be affected as the global meltdown is heating up on us in Nigeria. Rumours have it that Apapa family (a parish under Apapa) contributed 70 million naira. Directly or indirectly, the common man is affected with the purchase of the jet. Look, some parish can not even pay their rent. If this money was channelled into building a better church for worshippers, it will go along way or 1 billion is used to construct another access road to the camp, this will have immediate and direct impact on all and sundry as traffic will be reduced along the Ibadan express road. Lastly, the church can do better by giving scholarship to helpless members in Redeemers University. I ask how many active members can conveniently send their wards to local universities, less private university. I beg am not happy about the purchase. Please confirm if it is a rumour or reality?
---- Olumutimi Oyejide

I think your article in Business Day is particularly interesting. The fact is that a large majority of Nigerians have had their thinking so constricted and coloured by the poverty, mediocrity and 'smallness' in our environment that their minds can hardly conceive anything 'great', 'ground-breaking' or extraordinary. It's no surprise (though unfortunate) that most people around here never amount to anything significant in life beyond barely getting along. Kenneth E. Hagin in 1981, gave out a jet and a Cadillac limousine as gifts to a ministry. Years after, Kenneth Copeland bought and gave him (a private jet to Kenneth Hagin). These things are not unusual. How many multinational corporations have grown out of Nigeria? In which industries /sectors do we have any strong presence even in Africa? What particular discipline or skill sets are we recognised for? Yet, a Nigerian based solely on account of his character and contribution is recognized as one of the 50 most influential people alive. Pastor Enoch Adeboye has paid the price for greatness, has been acknowledged as such and it should come as no surprise that he has (personal or official) one of the things a great man with his level of impact and contribution to society (whether in business, agriculture or ministry) can reasonably expect to have. Let's challenge those who think he has got too much to impact their own small constituency (their homes, their neighbourhood, their schools) in the same way. Let them go the extra mile, let them pay the price. Then they can criticise others.
---- David Adeoye, Skye Bank Plc.


As usual, I find your column today quite interesting. I think you may have picked on a highly emotional issue despite your claim that no emotions are involved here. It may also be hasty since Pastor Adeboye has not really come out to confirm or deny the fact that he bought a jet or how much was spent on it. As a man of God, he should be seen to be above reproach and I believe it will be proper if he comes out to state if he actually bought a jet, and how much? The source of the funds and most importantly, why he needs a jet...without these explanations... it may be too hasty to speak against or for this position. Personally, I understand while a man needs a car in Lagos, I understand and sympathise with the fact that a bank's CEO needs a jet in Nigeria… but am not too sure why a man of God needs to jet around in a jet...unless, I understand the issues involved... that is why Adeboye owes us some preaching on "Jets and Pastors.” It may help us on the road to salvation...
---- K.K Brown

Nice article here, but it's somehow hard for me to pass any comment on this because I have so much respect for this man of God and I still find it hard to believe he actually purchased a jet but if he did, then I think it's for a good reason. I know him to be a very humble person but to be realistic, he has paid his dues and if he feels having a private jet is what he has dreamt of all his life, then who wouldn't want to see the actualisation of his dream? He has done so much for the church, so it's not a question of embezzlement, at least, it will be used for ministration.
---- Olawale

Who will tell our story?

FUNKE ADETUTU
My adventurous instincts again took me on another journey last Friday. But was I amused? Certainly not! Rather, the outing left me with no option but to ponder and ask some questions to which I’ve still not found answers. Yes, I admit, I was initially elated and very optimistic about the outcome of the trip that when a colleague told me about it two weeks ago, I did not turn down the invitation.
The place was Abuja and the event was the historic election of the National president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. Since I witnessed the election of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists’ own last year, I thought it would be a worthwhile experience to witness the NUJ presidential election at the national level.
As usual, I looked forward to a fun-filled trip and stay in Abuja. At least, I had a
nice time with the wonderful and energetic women I travelled with to Ibadan for the NAWOJ election in Ibadan. The experience is still very fresh in my memory. I therefore did not expect anything less from Abuja as well but unfortunately, the end result of the election left a sour taste in my mouth which I’m sure will remain for a long time to come.
The International Conference Centre, venue of the election was already a beehive of activities when the convoy of the Lagos State delegates arrived the centre that Saturday morning. The Abuja weather was far from being friendly as the sun arrogantly stayed glued high up and its scorching rays fell brilliantly on the skin, leaving an unfriendly warmth in its wake.
We all went through the screening process at the gate and entrance to the hall. The posters and billboards of the four contestants for the presidential post littered a greater part of the hall’s frontage. Funke Fadugba’s poster was the first to assault our eyes as it was strategically placed to the right, followed by that of Muhammed Garuba. Next to
His; was Ndagene Aku’s. Aku, incidentally is the immediate past president of NUJ whose tenure is just elapsing and the last to the left was Wahaab Oba’s.
Inquisitively, I noticed that with the way the posters were arranged, there seemed to be a contention between the four main contestants, most especially between Garuba, Aku and Oba. Wherever there was a Wahaab Oba’s poster there was bound to be that of Aku or that of Garuba. It was glaring the supporters of each camp tried as much as possible to out one another in their aggressive campaign for their candidates. In fact, supporters could be easily identified through the campaign T-Shirts they adorned in a show of solidarity for their candidate.
By the time we finally scaled through the somewhat rigorous screening process, the event had already gone half-way. However, the various recognition and protocols, characteristic of events of this nature were skipped in the spirit of re-branding the new Nigeria which was ‘okayed’ by everyone as the programme was not delayed unnecessarily.
That afternoon, I could tell from the look on the faces of everyone in that large hall that Adams Oshiomhole struck a cord in the minds of all present and his admonition had a positive impact on them because this later affected the peoples’ reaction to the outturn of events later that evening.
After Oshiomhole’s speech, we all became restless as we eagerly looked forward to the elections. Shortly after the various speeches, we went for lunch and were soon called back for the Business Meeting.
While launching was going on, a group of people from the Eastern part of the country protested the re-election of Ndagene Aku as NUJ president with placards bearing negative descriptions of his person.
As I watched the group from a distance, I was scared stiff and prayed quietly no untoward thing should happen between these rivals. Indeed, the atmosphere was tense that afternoon, and from the look of things, and what was generally said of Ndagene, there was this palpable fear that he was not ready to relinquish power.
Before long, the Business Meeting began in earnest but the president was no where to be found. The whole hall had to wait for several minutes if not hours for Ndagene. Since he failed to show up, someone walked up to the podium to suggest that in his absence, the deputy president should take his place as stated by the NUJ constitution. But interestingly, even the deputy president was no where to be found--- he was said to be praying at a mosque somewhere. It was at this point, that most people went outside the hall to purchase a copy of the NUJ Constitution. In fact, a group from Benin who sat in front of us were raising tantrums at the top of their voices against Ndagene whom they claim to “know quite well.” After a long wait, the deputy president surfaced and the whole hall shouted for joy. You could see it wasn’t so much for their love for him but the fact that “the end has finally come for Ndagene.” Alreading all over the venue surrounding, there were posters screaming the delegates’ distaste for the Ndagene led administration. Several allegations bordering on misappropriation of fund and embezzlement were leveled against him.
But in a dramatic twist, soon Ndagene re-surfaced from nowhere and when he spoke, he urged that the accreditation should be done before the dissolution of his executive. Naturally, a resounding “no” from the audience rent the air in stiff opposition to his proposal. This led him to another round of delays in the name of “consultation” with his colleagues on the high table, unmindful of the sea of heads that was eagerly waiting.
Eventually he gave in and the motion for the dissolution of his executive was moved. “Would anyone like to move a motion for the extension of my tenure?” he asked jokingly. But again, he met a stoned faced audience that was obviously not willing to have him remain on that seat for a second longer. It was at this point that I was fully convinced that Ndagene was indeed power drunk.
What I found saddening later that evening was the allegation that the delegate lists sent in from the various councils were fraudulently altered which made it impossible for the delegates to cast their votes. For instance, the chairman of the Osun State Council said his list was cut down from 31 to 14 which was incredible if proven to be true!
If the NUJ could go this low and do this, then what message do we as journalists have to preach to a society for which we are its watchdog? It was just a waste of resources convening such a large number of people from different parts of the country without the elections holding as it was suspended.
Sure, it’s really sad that we have no one to tell our own story while we criticise others for their misdemeanor.

It’s never been closer to my skin

FUNKE ADETUTU

One sunny Friday morning, I was getting ready for work when my phone beeped. I knew it was a text message but didn’t immediately know from whom the message came. Incidentally, I wasn’t eager to read it then, because I thought it was one of those promo texts that assault my phone from the service provider. You can’t blame me, can you? For weeks now, that particular line has been bombarded by different text messages announcing one promo or the other the network has to offer. Hence, when the text came, I thought it was the usual and so, didn’t want to bother myself. However, after a few minutes, my instinct told me to go through the text and when I did, I was taken aback by what I saw; “FGN: NIGERIA: Good people, great nation.”
After reading the text, for the first time in a long time, I felt there is a connection between my country and I. I also felt close to my country. I felt I was being remembered by those at the helm of affairs. Most of you reading this will agree with me that all these years, there have been a kind of disconnection between the Nigerian people and their leaders. So, for the first time, I’m sure, most of those who received the text message on their phones must have had this “rare” sense of belonging. I’m not saying that the Yar’ Adua-led government has achieved much since it assumed office, don’t get me wrong. The text message, however, in this estimation, is one way to re-brand Nigeria. This, for me, is a good move because the Nigerian people must first believe in who they are before they can tell their own stories to the world. For a long time, we have allowed foreign media to re-brand us, to tell the world who we are. But it is only we, as a people, that can tell our true stories because we know who we are and what we have to offer in the world that is fast becoming a global village.
I regard Nigerians as a bunch of faceless people who have been thrown into the cold by leaders who are too selfish and self-centred to give a thought to their sufferings. For sometime now, you will agree, there has been some kind of disconnectedness between Nigerians and their rulers. Nigerians do not have an identity in the scheme of things even in a country they hold dear as their fatherland. Most of us are unsure of when last, a ruler thought of us, either as a family or individuals. Of course, I’m not saying that the president should know us individually, but for God’s sake, our leaders must bear in mind they are ruling a people with diverse faces and needs. For instance, there is no social programme yet in the country which caters for the needs of families. I don’t think the family chain takes any prime place on the President’s agenda for instance. I don’t think those at the helm of affairs know the importance of families in a nation because if they do, they would have put this minute but important unit first in everything. The governments of most countries in Europe have special provision for the unmarried and married who are unemployed and for families who can not take care of their children, even the aged. But in Nigeria, such programme is alien to us.
As I write this, I recall what the founding fathers of Negritude like Late Leopold Sedar Senghor of Senegal and Aime Cesaire and others went through while trying to tell the world who they were with their “black is beautiful” slogan. As a historical movement, Negritude received two competing interpretations. Cesaire's original conception sees the
‘specificity’ and unity of black existence as a historically developing phenomenon that arose through the highly contingent events of the African slave trade and New World plantation system. This formulation was gradually displaced in intellectual debate by Senghor's essentialist interpretation of Negritude, which argues for an unchanging core or essence to black existence. Senghor's Negritude, nonetheless, served to reverse the system of values that had informed Western perception of blacks since the earliest voyages of discovery to Africa. Cesaire's developmental model of Negritude, on the other hand, continues to offer a model for the ongoing project of black liberation in all its fullness - that is spiritual and political. Therefore, like the Negritude movement, rebranding Nigeria is both spiritual and political. We need a kind of cleansing from the way we see ourselves as a people.
Beyond this, for the whole re-branding process to work, the government must strive and work hard at making Nigerians understand that the term ‘Nigerian’is beyond ethnicity. They must get Nigerians to understand that, being Nigerian starts from seeing one and another as human beings first and not as Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Efik, Ibiobio or others.
It is about respecting one and another as human beings, as a people that have gone beyond all forms of ethnic divide. It is only then, that Nigeria can be closer to our skin as a people.

SHYLOCK LANDLORDS, HELPLESS TENANTS

FUNKE ADETUTU writes that with skyrocketing accommodation cost, the rent system in Lagos works in contradistinction with the dictates of the global financial downturn which has forced down housing costs in other countries



Adekoya Street, one of the busy lanes at Oshodi in Lagos, is mostly known for the shady deals that a good number of its inhabitants engage in. Many residents of this neighbourhood are low-income earners, hence the housing structures on the street are bungalows built in the face-me-I-face-you style, consisting of one-room apartments. It is in one of such apartments that Baba Oyeniyi, as he is fondly called by residents, has sought refuge for the past 20 years. But that was until one cold morning last April when his landlord summarily served him a quit notice. Since then, he has been running helter-skelter for another accommodation, but several factors have made his attempts unsuccessful.
Oyeniyi has been jobless for about two years, for which reason his family depends solely on the meagre income his wife makes from selling roasted corn and bread in front of their home.
“I don’t know what to do. I have been on this for the past one year,” he explains while his eyes well up in tears. “My wife and I tried to get another apartment but the rent was too expensive for us. We cannot afford to pay because the estate agent demanded for two years. Where do I get that? That was exclusive of the agreement fee.”
Baba Oyeniyi is just one of many Lagosians who contend with the problem of rent advance payment of two years or more that most landlords and estate agents ask for. For this reason, most people in dire need of a place to lay their heads in the Lagos metropolis find this an impossible task; while others who wish to change apartments are unable to do so as a result of soaring rent rates.
Eric Amole-Adams, a tenant on Ogundana Street, Ikeja, falls into the latter category. Before the New Year, he received an increment notice from his landlord stating that rent for his three-bedroom apartment had been increased from N300, 000 to N400, 000, and he was expected to pay two years. “It’s uncalled for that the rent should be increased just like that. I don’t understand why this has to happen when the year is just starting,” he laments with a sigh. “How do I get another accommodation if I plan to do so? I will also be asked to pay for two years’ exclusive of agreement and other things. It’s so unfair.”
While tenants see no need for the incessant increase in house rent, some landlords insist that they have every right to do so. They affirm that the bureaucratic process involved in putting up a structure in Lagos is enough to discourage anyone from building a house. Hence the possibility of encouraging private developers to alleviate the housing needs of Lagosians may seem impossible.
“If a developer wants to register his title,” explains Banjoko Azeez, a private developer, “he will probably spend more than the cost of the land for him to get the C of O. If I want to mortgage my property and I want to register it or obtain Bill of Assignment, I will go through hell. I will go through a lot of tax payment. All these do not encourage people like me to invest in housing.”
As far as Gbenga Osho a house owner at Gbagada is concerned, the challenges of infrastructure is a major issue for landlords, which have led to the increase in rent and some people believe that this will not make the rent advancement act realistic.
“The developer goes through the hassle of buying the land at a very exorbitant price, begging government and bribing his way through to get the C of O without which you cannot do anything on the land. All this makes the realisation of ‘housing for all’ unrealistic. Now, the developer will also be the supplier of electricity because if you are able to get electricity within two months, then you thank your stars. And if there is no electricity, he will be the one to provide the generator, water, roads,” he explains in a tone laden with frustration.
For most estate surveyors, the demand and supply forces playing out in the open market compound the housing problem in Lagos, as most landlords are confident that if a tenant refuses an apartment there are thousands of people waiting to move in. “The demand for housing is like a million,” says Elijah Olapade, managing consultant, Elijah Olapade and Company, an estate surveyor outfit. “Supply is like a hundred whether you make rules or not. People have to beg to stay in a house. That is where for me the issue of conscience on the part of government comes in. The state government has to make adequate provision to impact positively on the people.”
Olapade also explains that the move made by the Lagos State Government sometime last year to completely erase rent advance payment may be realisable if government can totally eradicate the bureaucratic process involved in title registration.
“If the government wants to put in place a law that will compel landlords to collect one-month rent, it is possible; but certain parameters, certain foundational work have to be done by the government. The Lagos State government should let the residents of the state know whether it is sincere; sincere in the sense that the activities of the Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC) are purely commercial.”
The LSDPC has been accused of developing houses for the high-income earners instead of building low-income housing for the less-privileged. Therefore, it seems the problem of housing in the state is far from being resolved.
“Most of their property investments around Lekki are mostly commercial property. The Lagos State government itself is producing for the highest bidder who will now develop the housing and sublet the houses to the poor. The issue of the Land Use Act of 1978 is also pushed to the extreme,” remarks Bamidele Alade, an estate surveyor.
As if that is not bad enough, Olapade opines that the state ministry of housing has limited funds at its disposal, and the little it has is actually geared towards developing housing schemes for high-income earners and other commercial users.
“People think that the fact that you are involved in high or low housing that will benefit low-income earners means you will not profit. But that is not true. It is very possible to make profit. That perception boils down to attitude; the uncaring attitude and the inability to truly serve the people who elected the leaders. I’m of the opinion that the Lagos State Ministry of Housing is the only organ that is involved in developing houses for low-income earners. The problem of the state ministry of housing is enormous as they only have about 10 percent capacity with which to develop low-income housing. Hence, the impact that they have is very little,” he says.
With a housing policy that has become obsolete in the reality of pressing housing needs of Lagos residents in the new millennium, Olapade explains that the content of the 1991 Housing Policy will not make the ‘housing for all’ project possible. “Unfortunately, the best housing national policy we had was in 1991; and that was the only one during the Babangida regime. There were other proposals in 2002, 2004, 2006 but they were never implemented. The legislature never approved them. We can simply say that it is the 1991 national housing policy that we are still using till date. Now if there is no good policy in place, how can government claim that it is doing something good about housing the populace? I brought that in because in that document of 1991, the government says that it will not be involved in the direct supply of housing because it has not achieved much in the previous provision of housing,” Olapade adds.
Although there have been several attempts by past governments to alleviate the housing needs of Lagosians, the incessant increase in population rate has thwarted such efforts. For instance, government wanted to supply 202, 000 houses during the Shehu Shagari regime. Before then, there was an effort to supply 59, 000 houses, explains Bamidele Oloja, a landlord at Bariga. But he adds that the level of achievement was not more than 15 percent. “Government realised that it could not achieve much and left it for the private sector. There was what they called ‘private/public’ partnership. And in that document they also said that the government would concern itself with supplying site services; that, is they will open up lands, put all the infrastructure like water, electricity, drainage among others there. But as of today, whether on the Federal Government or State level, this promise has not been fulfilled,” he declares.
Meanwhile, residents of low-income neighbourhoods are not the only ones affected by the incessant increase in rent rate. In the past few months, some occupants of duplexes at Oniru Millennium Estate, one of the posh neighbourhoods on Victoria Island, have been relocating to less expensive areas. As a homeowner in the estate, Gbadebo Ayanwuyi explains that a terrace duplex on a street adjacent to his is being priced for N5.5 million per annum. “The value of properties in this estate has increased greatly. A duplex goes for N5.5 million, and the estate agent is demanding for two years plus a commission of 10 percent and an agreement fee of 10 percent. There is also a security fee of N5.5 million which is negotiable,” he says. Currently, there are two duplexes in the estate with a ‘To Let’ sign affixed to their gates.
Theodora Kio-Lawson, a legal practitioner, reveals that the actual percentage of tenement rate increase approved by the state government is 50 percent, but some landlords have taken laws into their hands with the ridiculous increase of about 100 percent or more. “There are serious laws in favour of tenants in the state which the tenants themselves are unaware of. Therefore, it is important that they are educated on the laws backing them as tenants. They cannot afford to be subject to inhuman treatment and reckless tenement rate increase by any landlord,” she contends.

However, all efforts to get the state ministry of housing’s side of the story have proved unsuccessful, as the department observes that its primary concern is to put up structures in designated parts of the state.
Regardless, Olubodun Ayeni and Oluwaseun Adewale, in their paper titled: “Evaluation of Tenement Rate Administration Using the GIS Tools,” say various levels of government handle a colossal amount of data which are needed to perform critical tasks in state administration for equity and good governance in a most efficient manner. However, this may not be realisable where available data cannot be matched with necessary management tools to create desired results; hence the offer that The Geographical Information System (GIS) is the right method which government can employ to get appropriate data for the provision of efficient housing for Lagosians.
“With the increasing functions of Local Government authorities, for instance, it is required to operate with optimal efficiency to be able to satisfy the ever increasing needs of its residents. There is therefore the need for a management system that will bring about desired effectiveness in the administration. GIS already provides the required data management capabilities for land administration,” they maintain.

SHYLOCK LANDLORDS, HELPLESS TENANTS

Life is about choices

FUNKE ADETUTU

Few days back, I had a slight argument with someone who complained about being swindled by a scheme put in place by her office. She felt thoroughly cheated by the whole process, such that, she exclaimed: “It was sheer robbery. I can’t afford to pay that kind of money.” But she couldn’t help it, because she was already half way into it and as such, there was no going back! When I was therefore confronted by a piece in one of the dailies last week Sunday, I was amazed at the person’s level of reasoning and how quick, people are wont to jump to conclusion. The columnist made a satirical comment on the private jet allegedly said to belong to Pastor Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. It was really a biting satire, based on an argument between a member of the church and a non-member who felt the member was being “cheated by the many cheap lies” he has had to take hook line and sinker from the church hierarchy. To cut the long story short, the writer tried to lay the blame at the footstep of a church leader feeding fat on the sweat of his followers.But the problem I have with an article like this, especially one with so-much talk about “Pastor Adeboye’s private jet” is that nobody can be too sure that this highly respected man of God truly man bought the jet with other people’s personal money. Not just that, they are not even sure if he used the church’s fund to buy the jet. In fact, all the comments and talks about this jet are merely based on speculations and conjectures.No, please don’t get me wrong, I am not a worshipper at The Redeemed church, and I’m not trying to support a corrupt practice if anyone sees it as such, but let the truth and the whole truth be told without sentiments and emotions, but for the few of us who would not want to be mischievous, the fact remains that the pastor Adeboye we know is beyond the mundane way of life. There are still men of honour and dignity in this country, and Pastor Adeboye is certainly one of them! So, for anyone to think Adeboye used the church tithes and offering to buy the aircraft, is ridiculous and absurd. People need to do their investigations rightly before casting aspersions on other people’s reputation. We all can’t be thieves! And I beg to disagree that this country is no country of rogues!! Whatever the ignoble activities of a few unscrupulous Nigerians may have cost us.For me, what some people fail to understand is that paying tithe or offering is a choice. He or she can decide not to pay the money. In addition to that, nobody can really say if the aircraft was not purchased by the rich members of the church for the church’s missionary activities which span the whole world. For anyone to claim that Adeboye bought the jet for his private use with the church money is most unfair. This man by all standards, represent one of the best things to come from Nigeria. I’m still at a loss how a man reputed to be an embodiment of all that is humble, honorable, just and right would want to be dragged down like this. Cynics should learn to give the man a chance. At least, let the members come to declare that they never authorized the purchase of the aircraft or that the pastor embezzled their church’s fund to solely finance the purchase.The RCCG I know is made up of intelligent, resourceful and highly educated people. Recently, a member of Adeboye’s church told me that he had a change of heart concerning payment of his tithes and offering, on one of the occasions he was at the camp. It dawned on him that some people’s contributions to the church development must have provided the thousands of chairs and generally developed the hitherto “bush” along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway that is today known as the Redeemed Camp. This, for instance, is a personal decision he made, not one imposed.And like a writer once wrote, life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. In our lives, many roads would come our way as we journey through. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune on one hand, or isolation and poverty on the other. There are roads to happiness or perdition, to victory and jubilation, and roads to defeat and disappointment.Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads. Perhaps the most perplexing road that anyone can encounter is a crossroad. With four roads to choose from, and with limited knowledge on where they lead to, I dare ask, which road would you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: at the foot of a crossroad? There are no guarantees. Hence, every individual must learn to take responsibilities for their actions and mistakes, instead of blaming our misfortunes on others. It’s a food for though!