Monday 27 March 2017

OTODO GBAME DEMOLITION, WHERE DO WE START FROM?

OTODO GBAME DEMOLITION.
OTODO GBAME CRIES OUT!



Crying for the lost of her daughter during the demolition. Photo Gbemile Oluwatosin
Now that they've demolished our houses, businesses, schools, church where do we start from? this were the out cry of the Otodo Gbame residents, area of Lekki Lagos State.

Photo-Journalist, Gbemile Oluwatosin captures the scene.


Houses completely burnt down. Photo Gbemile Oluwatosin

 However, the question begging for answer now is, why is destroying our house? we voted for change not destruction.
About fifteen person sleeps inside the boat beside where the is standing. Pix Gbemile Oluwatosin.

Little boy relaxing at the same time searching for fish. Photo Gbemile Oluwatosin

This little girl is now homeless. Photo Gbemile Oluwatosin


Both the boy and the little girl in search of fish. Photo Gbemile Oluwatosin

Family house without a roof. Photo Gbemile Oluwatosin

Thursday 23 March 2017

LAGOS STATE DEMOLISH OTODO GBAME WITHOUT NOTICE

NO WHERE TO SLEEP AGAIN!

Hmmm!!!Landing Otodo Gbame, Lekki area of Lagos where the Lagos State Government led by Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode had been demolishing homes, schools and worship centers, I taught I was in an area under #Boko Haram siege as seen on TV.


The residents of Otodo Gbame, an ancestral, predominantly Egun, fishing settlement in Lekki on 17th of March, 2017 were shocked seeing Lagos State Task Force, who said they were on orders from the Lagos State Governor, accompanied by Military Police and the Nigerian Security and Defense Corps to demolish their structures (place of settlement).



All the homes, schools, and businesses built on land had been destroyed, rendering an estimated 4,698 residents- including children and the elderly- homeless in a matter of hours. There was no prior notice, no consultation, and no alternative shelter or resettlement offered.





It will be recalled that the November demolition of Otodo Gbame has been broadly condemned as a forced eviction and a gross violation of human rights, including by the United Nations special Rapporter on adequate housing, amnesty international and countless others.

On 26th January 2017, Honourable Justice Onigbanjo delivered a landmark ruling in the case brought by waterfront residents, his lordship found that demolitions on short notice without provision of alternative shelter constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of the right to dignity enshrined in section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
 
CEO, CEE-HOPE NIGERIA, Betty Abah, being interviewed by Simon Ateba of SAN ONLINE NEWS
Honourable Justice Onigbanjo then ordered the parties to attempt mediation through the Lagos State Muti-Door Courthouse and ordered them to maintain the status quo-refraining from any evictions during the pendency of the nediation and the suit.

Photo credit: Gbemile Oluwatosin, live at the demolition spot.

Friday 10 March 2017

VP, Yemi Osinbajo is still the Acting President, says PMB

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that he decided to return to Nigeria on Friday, so he can continue to rest over this weekend.

Buhari returned to the country 49 days after he left on a medical vacation to the United Kingdom.

Before he left, he transferred powers to his Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, who has earned plaudits for how he handled the role.

Buhari has now said Osinbajo would continue to work, while he looks after himself.

He also told those who are planning to come and see him, to stay back and continue to pray for the country.

The President also hinted that he would be doing some follow-ups on his health in a few weeks.

COV/Ifreke Inyang on March 10, 2017
@dailypostngr

Saturday 4 March 2017

I built my home from the scratch.

Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is the wife of Ondo State governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, hails from Emeabiam in Owerri West Local Government of Imo State.

A breast cancer survivor, she is the founder and president of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), an organization she founded in October 1997, tells us how he met Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu her husband.

"I was 25 years of age while he was 22 years when we met"

I met my husband in Enugu, he was a youth Corper then in the State. I was also posted to Enugu.

So, a friend of mine visited me and she came along with her boyfriend who also came with my husband.

That was how we met and it was love at first sight. I think people frown at love first sight but it worked for us.

I fell in love with his broad shoulders. Then, he was really looking cute. I can still remember what he was wearing that day, a red shirt, long sleeves and a jean trouser.

That was 37 years ago. He couldn't even take me out because he didn't have money as a youth Corper. It was quite magnetic and that was it.

There is 3-year age difference between us. I'm older than him anyway. I was 25 then when he was 22. It was love that really endured.

I had graduated and in my place (Owerri, Imo State) when a girl graduates from the university suitors come from left, right and centre. And your parents would expect you to go for a made man with everything, but I have always known that there was no way I could have married a self-made man.

"I will better build a home from the scratch with you because I want to have a say in my home."

We're blessed with four successful children: Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Dr. Teniola Akeredolu, Mrs.Yejide Runsewe and Babajide Akeredolu.