Hospitality business hope for Nigerian economy--- Expert

Emeka Ibemere

Hospitality business in Nigeria has taken a flight to the next level in Nigeria, with a sound tourism capacity building, employment, and cultural rebirth. 

Following the establishment of the National Tourism Policy in 1990, the tourism industry in the country has grown beyond expectations.

Today, tourism is regarded as one of the fastest growing sectors in the Nigerian economy equivalent to communication sector.

According to TPL Bisi Adedire, Chairman of Happy Crown Hotel, which commenced operation few months ago, the intention was to make the hotel a strong player in tourism development, as well as contribute its quota to the economic growth of Meiran, a suburb of Lagos, Lagos State and the entire nation. Adedire said the contribution of hospitality in Nigerian economic development cannot be quantified.

“As a matter of fact, huge percentage of the nation’s economic growth can be linked to tourism. Many of the foreign investors in the country today were firstly attracted to the country by the richness and diversity of the Nation’s culture and tourism”, he quipped.

“The rate of economic and physical development between 1990; when the tourism industry was accorded priority and now is unfathomable. This reveals the importance the tourism”.

According to him, one of the incentives provided in the 1990 National Tourism Policy was the involvement of the private sector participation in the operations of the tourism industry. He explained that the government has given individuals and corporate bodies the opportunity to partake in all the sub-divisions of the tourism industry.

Adedire further explained that the hospitality sector of the tourism industry seems to be the most competitive area in this regard with various individuals being involved in the building of luxury hotels within the country.

“Without missing words, many of the hotels in Nigeria as of today are owned by private individuals. Sheraton, Nicon Hilton, Oriental Hotel, Intercontinental Hotel, Le Meridian Hotel, Shangri Lai Hotel, Eko Hotel and Suites; to mention a few are all own by citizens of the country or foreigners. The effects of which has been so massive on the economy”, he stated.

Speaking last Friday, December 5, 2014  on packaging Nite of the hotel at Happy Crown Hotel situated at Idowu Ogunesan Street, Omolayo Bus Stop, Akitan Meiran, Adedire maintained that apart from packaging Nite, lots of other events have been lined up to make this year Christmas celebration in the area a unique. Among such event is ‘Laugh Amicably,’ where notable comedians would thrill fans and customers.

The event brought together politicians especially members of his APC political class, business associates and corporate bodies from Ifako-Ijaiye and Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, in packaging Nite to boost socio-economic activities of Meiran in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

The packaging Nite, according to the Chairman of Happy Crown Hotel, Adedire, was to re-awaken entertainment circuit as well as raising the socio-economy of the area and its environs.

The Chairman of the hotel, who was also immediate past chairman of Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), looking at the calibre of the people in the area, as well as members of the APC that gathered at the hotel for the celebration of Makinde’s victory, it was obvious that the event was meant to repackage the business which has given employments to the residents of the area.

The ‘Laugh Amicably’ event, which took place on Sunday, December 14, 2014, saw several high players in the comedy and music industry. Mc Tom, Laff Doctor, George, Mercury, Jay Money, Professor Holy Rock, Ochi F Rado, Ad Tayloy, Street Feet, Jay Styka, Princess Jay and Helen 1Da.

Others are Big Mouth, Funny White boy, Papa C, Rette, Little Ray, Danpzee, Psalm 70 and Osato Street Relatives. Other performing artists at the event include, Fancy Aye Alamu, Yinka Samuel, Babs Dixmos, Kareem Ayinde Olumide, Leez and Mezzy and other hip-hop musicians.

Speaking on his victory as the candidate for APC in the February 2015 general election for Ifako/Ijaiye State Constituency, Rasheed makinde said it was through divine intervention from God and the love and support that his people have for him that made him to win the primary election.

He said without the support of leaders of the party in his constituency, as well as support of every members of their party there was nothing he could have done to attain this feat. He now used the occasion to thank God, and all members of the party for their immeasurable support they gave him towards achieving the victory. Makinde promised to represent the interest of his constituency, if he eventually emerged victorious at the State House Assembly election coming next year February. Realising the importance of music as one of the key factors in uniting the people, irrespective of tribe, religion or party and group affiliations, as well as merry –making, the management of the hotel invited the leading Fuji maestro, Alhaji Kolington Ayinla and other notable musicians to treat the people with resonant songs.

Estate developers decry delay in obtaining Certificate of Occupancy

Mrs. Akon, Honourable Minister for Lands and Urban Development

Raji Adebayo

Estate developers in Lagos State who bought federal government lands have cried out for help in obtaining their Certificate of Occupancy, two years after the documentation and payment of their necessary fees.

Eke Philips, one of the developers who has been going through pains travelling from Lagos State to Abuja, for the C/O of a piece of property he acquired through the Ministry of Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Abuja said the process is becoming frustrating, especially when the Minister, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi was doing nothing to alleviate their suffering.

“Actually it is about the c/o, I have processed for two years now, when I started, I was directed to the Glass House at the Lagos State at Tafawa Balewa, they are in charge of the federal housing. After documentation there, our files were taken to Abuja office of the Minister for signing and issuance of the c/o document. I was giving information that our files are at the Minister’s office and I need this document seriously,” he stated. “Some people’s c/o have been signed and those ones are from Akwa Ibom State, the Minister is from Akwa Ibom. We have tried to see if she could sign it but she hasn’t signed it. She has trapped some people’s file there for two years, and these developers need this document to process their businesses.”

It was gathered that the Lagos State department of the Ministry has finalised their own documentation and has forwarded it to Abuja for signing and collection but nothing is happening.

“We learnt that the Minister has issued one federal government agency that has property there their own c/o but the individual ones have been denied of their C of O because we don’t have somebody to speak for us and that is why our own is being delayed for two years now. The Permanent Secretary, to the Minister who was very effective was changed because that one doesn’t delay in exercising his duties, because he doesn’t want that one to implicate her, and she redeployed him to another department”.

The process for obtaining the C/O of the property said to be on Aburo Hilltop Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State and its environs, started two years ago and after completing the forms and payments for the legal instrument, the Minister is yet to issue the documents to the developers, leading to fears being expressed by them, as whether they have been duped.

Certificate of Occupancy is an instrument prepared at the Land Registry, signed by the Minister, the Governor, in the case of any state of the Federation, registered in the Land Registry and given to the holder of a Right of Occupancy in evidence of a grant.

The Land Use Act made provision for the issuance of a C of O over every grant. A Certificate of Occupancy is the key document used to certify the legal use and occupancy of a building.

The Certificate describes how a building may be occupied, for example, a two-family home, a parking lot, a 40-unit multiple dwelling, or a store. A Certificate of Occupancy is often required when selling a home or refinancing a mortgage.

Owners must obtain a new or amended Certificate of Occupancy for new buildings or where construction changes the use, or occupancy to an existing building before the building may be legally occupied.

The Certificate of Occupancy are issued after all paper-work are completed, and all necessary approvals have been obtained from other appropriate City agencies, all fees owed to the Department are paid, and all relevant violations are resolved.

All these steps have been taking by group of land developers in Lagos State who bought lands from the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Developments for past two years, yet the ministry has withhold their C/O without any reasons given to them.

It would be recalled that presently the Minister for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development officially declared that the new C OF O fee on land in Abuja has gone up by 900% from N2000/m2 to N18, 000 to N2million, which experts have described as outrageous. Those who have applied for C OF O land in the federal properties in Lagos State are crying for their C/Os

After get their survey plan, the land information from the surveyor general's office and their lawyers getting it for them which cost money, their C of Os are yet to be released for them.

 The developers said they have submitted their files in the Minister’s office in Abuja which contained their structural drawing or architectural design.

According to the developers, who wouldn’t want their names mentioned for fear of victimization, said their passport photographs, tax receipts and tax clearance certificates are in their files with their C/O registration after paying  to the land registry to cover the tax clearance certificate.

Newswatch Times gathered that the developers’ lawyers have paid their legal fees but two years after the documentation of their files with the Minister they are still waiting the minister’s consent

It was learnt that on completion of legal fees, it takes 40 days for issuance of C/O but under the present Minister, procuring the minister's consent for issuance of C/O is now two years .

A source stated that there are requirements that must be filed after calculating the Minister’s consent which includes dated letter of application with addresses and telephone number usually done by a lawyer, completed Form 1c usually done by a lawyer on behalf of the owner of the land, certified true copy of the grantors title document. Others are grantee's tax clearance certificate/ development levy, four copies of the Deed of Assignment, survey plans, evidence of payment for charting, endorsement and form, evidence of payment of ground rent /Land use charge and building plan and photography of the property.

It would be recalled that the minister pointed out, that in the last four years N8.1b has been realised by her ministry from tender fees, ground rents, premium on lands, title registration fees, consent fees, Certificate of Occupancy(C of O), processing fees and survey fees.

COURT JAILS FRAUDSTER FOR DUPING AUSTRALIAN $800,000

EFCC Press Release
Justice Kudirat Jose of a Lagos High Court sitting in Lagos, has convicted and sentenced Promise Ntuen Ekemini to one year imprisonment, for hijacking the e-mail of a lawful owner of a property, located in Western Australia valued at $800,000( Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), and attempted to sell the property.

He was arraigned in April, 2014 on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to defraud, attempt to obtain money by false pretences and forgery. Justice Jose found him guilty of all the charges and convicted him. His  sentence is to run from the day of his arraignment.

Ekemini got into trouble by impersonating Brian Roderick Daniel, owner of a property located at No. 143, Sprinaway Parade, Falcon, Western Australia  and offering the his property to buyers on the internet without the consent of the owner. The Australian Police alerted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  to monitor a controlled delivery of some documents related to the transactions to Ekemini. He was arrested at the point of collection of the documents. 

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
19th December, 2014

EFCC Arraigns Three For N3m Land Scam

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has arraigned the trio of Haladu Ibrahim (Mai Anguwa), Sa’idu Balarabe Sulai

man and Baba Sale Sarkin Magina before Justice Tukur Mu’azu of Kaduna State High Court on  a 4- count charges bordering conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence

The trio were alleged to have conspired among themselves to sell two plots of land behind the International Trade Fair Complex, Kaduna valued at N3, 000,000.00, using forged documents.

 One of the charges read, “That you Haladu Ibrahim, Saidu Balarabe Sulaiman, Aisha Mohammed and Baba Sale Sarkin Magina sometime in 2011 within the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Kaduna State dishonestly used as genuine a certain document, to wit: Offer of Grant/Regrant of Statutory Right of Occupancy No. KDL/87365 which you knew to be a forged document and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 364 of the same Law”.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges and were admitted to bail in the sum of one million naira each (N1m) and one surety in like sum. The sureties must not be less than a level 14 officer in the civil service and they are to deposit their International Passports with the court.

 The case was adjoined to February 19, 2015 for trial. 

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

21^st December, 2014

 

Court Jails Three Fraudsters For Stealing N480, 000

EFCC Press Release

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced the trio of James Ettete; Ekene Jude and Abidemi Adesanya to two and half years imprisonment each,  for stealing the sum of N480,000( Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira only) belonging to Skye Bank Plc.

They were arraigned in May 2014, on a six- count charge, bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, forgery and use of false document. Justice Ipaye found them guilty on all the counts and convicted them accordingly. The sentence is to run from the day of arraignment.

Troubles came for the convicts, when the management of Skye Bank petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over their fraudulent activities. They were operating as a syndicate of fraudsters, who specialized in stealing bankers' identity, to enable them effect fraudulent wire transfers from unsuspecting and well-funded customers' account. They contacted some staff of the bank to join the syndicate. However, the staff members informed the bank and were asked to play along. They were later arrested by operatives of the EFCC.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

22^nd December, 2014

AGABI URGES EFCC NOT TO DESPAIR AS COMMISSION HONOURS 306 STAFF

EFCC Press Release

 

 

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to be resolute in its efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes.

Agabi, who was a special guest at the anti-graft agency’s maiden “Rewards and Recognition” ceremony held at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja, on Monday, December 22, 2014, noted that building Nigeria was a collective effort, and EFCC had a pivotal role to play.

He said, “Our country is ours to build, and you are in the remarkable position, having been appointed to investigate and prosecute all those who undermine that work through corruption.

“Our laws are not self-enforcing, they require good men and women to enforce them, and you of the EFCC are the good men and women that the nation has appointed to see to the enforcement of our laws.”

Agabi, in whose tenure as AGF the Commission was established in 2003, expressed delight that the EFCC, which though faced teething problems at its inception, had grown to become an institution of repute within and outside the country.

 

No fewer than 306 staff members of the EFCC were honoured at the ceremony for serving the Commission meritoriously in various capacities.

While 87 of the awardees were pioneer staff, 161 staff members were celebrated for meritoriously serving the Commission for the past 10 years.

Other categories of awards include: Commendable Achievements, 34; Outstanding staff, 10; Noteworthiness, 5; Award for Meritorious Service Ex-staff Category, 7; Award for Outstanding Performance, Ex-staff Category, 2.

Lagos Zonal office received commendation for being a model and distinguishing itself by securing the most number of arrests and successful prosecutions in court.  

In his opening remark titled “We are called to serve”, Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde described the ceremony as 11 years in the making. He said that right from inception, the Commission took a conscious decision to be different; thereby throwing a challenge to chart a totally new path in law enforcement in Nigeria.

“Consequently, we have set a very high standard for our staff, not only at the point of entry, but also in the discharge of their duties and for them to continue to stay employed with the Commission”, Lamorde said.

He added that, “The EFCC that only a few were willing to give a fleeting chance of succeeding eleven years ago, is today an institution of reckoning in law enforcement, with operations, partnerships and influence stretching across and beyond the African continent.”

According to Lamorde who said the reason for the gathering was to say “thank you” to former and present staff, friends and stakeholders who have distinguished themselves in their varied contributions to EFCC collective aspirations, “we are also here to remind ourselves that as far as the EFCC is concerned, anything less than excellent is unacceptable”.

Former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, who was returning to the EFCC for the first time after his exit was also one of the awardees.

He said he doesn’t believe that there is an institution in Nigeria that has given hope and still gives hope to Nigerians than the EFCC. “We believed we have clean hands and therefore we can clean the dirty faces of Nigerians”, he declared.

Describing the event as a joyous moment, Ribadu admonished staff of the Commission to be steadfast in their commitment to the fight against corruption.  “The EFCC remains my family, and no matter how long, your good efforts will be rewarded, don’t worry, continue to do your job no matter the circumstances, and you will surely be rewarded,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to appreciate former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr. Femi Falana, General Aliyu Gusau, and late Gani Fawehinmi, for believing in the vision of the EFCC to rid the country of economic and financial crimes.

Mr. Abdullahi Yola, who is permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, described the EFCC as an institution of great relevance in reshaping the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

He said, “The EFCC has undoubtedly proven to be a capable instrument in achieving good governance in Nigeria.”

 

To Emmanuel Akomaye, pioneer Secretary to the Commission, the work of the EFCC is not like any other. He said “the EFCC demystified the concept of big man. The EFCC either took justice to the corrupt or bring the corrupt to justice”. He admonished the officers not to despair or be frustrated in spite the attack as he likened corruption to a bigger monster In Nigeria.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

22^nd December, 2014

Xmas rush for money: NDLEA ARRESTS FOUR SUSPECTS WITH 6.135KG OF DRUGS

Barring last minute pressure to get money and celebrate the nativity of Christ the King, four drug kin-pigs were nabbed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

the suspects were apprehended

at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The suspects include Omidiya Taiwo, 44 years old that works in an automobile company in Barcelona, Anikwe Chukwudi Charles, 25 year old hotel attendant in Lagos, Igwe Nelson Chidi, 24 year old student in Cyprus and Agomuo Ekwutosi Basil, 44 year old farmer in Imo State. A total of 6.135kg of narcotics were seized from them.

NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the breakdown of the drug as 4.290kg of heroin, 570 grammes of methamphetamine and 1.275kg of cocaine. “Omidiya Taiwo was found in possession of 525 grammes of cocaine and 1.540kg of heroin. He ingested 87 wraps and concealed others in his pants on his way to Spain. Anikwe Chukwudi Charles was intercepted with 570 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in his luggage handles on his way to Malaysia, Igwe Nelson Chidi was found with 750 grammes of cocaine hidden under his luggage and Agomuo Ekwutosi Basil was caught with 2.750kg of heroin hidden inside duty free bag inside his luggage while returning from Pakistan. They are cooperating with our team of investigators and will be charged to court soon” Hamza stated.

Omidiya Taiwo who works in Spain said that he was introduced into drug trafficking by a friend. “I have been living in Spain for the past 14 years where I work with an automobile company. My friend in Barcelona called me requesting that I should bring drugs to Spain. He even contacted somebody who gave me the drugs in Lagos. After swallowing 87 wraps, I hid the remaining in my pants because the wraps were many. I was sad when the drug was detected at the airport because I would have made a fortune from it” Omidiya lamented. He hails from Ogun State.

Anikwe Chukwudi Charles said that he was on his way to Malaysia for studies when he was caught with the drugs. “I was working as a hotel attendant in Lagos when a customer asked me if I am a graduate. I told him that I have five credits but could not further my education because of lack of finance. He promised to help me and used to give me money any time he comes around. He called me that he has completed my admission to further my studies in Malaysia. That was how he paid my travel expenses and gave me a bag to take to Malaysia. According to him, his friend will collect the bag from me and assist me with my school admission. Unfortunately, drug was found inside the handle of the bag he gave me” Anikwe stated. He hails from Anambra State.

Igwe Nelson Chidi who is a student said that he agreed to smuggle the drug for the sum of 5,000 pounds. According to Igwe who hails from Imo State, “I got admission two months ago to study Tourism and Hotel Management in Cyprus. While in Nigeria, a friend in Cyprus called me to bring narcotics for a fee of 5,000 pounds. That was how I got involved in drug trafficking. I wanted to use the money to settle my fees and buy books for my study. This is a big setback for my career”.

Agomuo Ekwutosi Basil said he was suffering in the village farming to survive when he was asked to go to Pakistan by a friend. “I am a farmer in Imo State. It was difficult for me to feed my wife and only child because of hardship. That was my condition when a friend invited me to Pakistan. He promised to sponsor my trip and help me secure a good job. When I got to Pakistan, he told me there was no job but that I should take drugs to Nigeria. He promised to give me half a million naira to start my business if I can take the drugs to Nigeria. Since life was becoming unbearable I decided to take the risk. I was however not lucky because I was arrested at the Lagos airport” Agomuo stated.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade warned drug trafficking syndicates that the Agency will continue to intercept narcotics, arrest traffickers and prosecute them. “We have put in place measures to intercept narcotics this end of year season. Drug traffickers planning to smuggle drugs through the country shall be apprehended and prosecuted. I am happy with the arrests particularly that of 25 year old Anikwe Chukwudi Charles, a hotel attendant who was taking drugs to Malaysia where drug trafficking attracts capital punishment” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to report suspected drug activities to the Agency.

 

Ofoyeju Mitchell

Head, Public Affairs

08034088136