Connect with us

News

Ikoyi Building Collapse: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Ikoyi building collapse

On 1 November 2021, Nigerians witnessed a terrible occurrence as a 21-storey high-rise building under construction in Ikoyi, Lagos collapsed at about 2:25 pm with scores of people under it, including the developer, Mr Femi Osibona. The collapsed block of luxury flats was located on Gerard Road, Ikoyi and so far, at least 36 people have been confirmed dead, among whom is Mr Osibona. Rescue efforts and investigations are still ongoing.

Here’s What We Know

Since the Ikoyi building collapse, there have been investigations and inquiries as to what actually transpired and why the building collapsed. The 21-storey luxury residential high-rise tower was one of the properties of Fourscore Homes Limited, a real estate company based in Nigeria owned by the now-late Mr Femi Osibona. This particular building is one of a trio of highrise buildings – referred to as 360 Degrees Towers – constructed by the company at no. 20 Gerard Road Ikoyi, Lagos.

Ongoing investigations have revealed that there have been incidents that had occurred in the past which served as warning signs to the events that are actually unfolding today. Simply put, the Ikoyi building collapse could most like have been prevented.

In February 2020, the original consultancy firm which had supervised the construction of the other two high-rise buildings on the site – Prowess Engineering Limited – withdrew from the project and put out a statement where they voiced their reservations over the work done on the now-collapsed building. While they vouched for the integrity of the other two structures, the letter claimed they could only vouch for the third building up to the 4th floor and as such, they were pulling out from the entire project.

Also, the Lagos State Government had made moves to seal the site in July 2020, as it was reported that the developers of the 360 Degrees Towers had defied the government orders and were erecting a 21-storey building instead of a 15-storey which was approved for the site.

At the time, the State Government took the action to seal the project site and even arrested Mr Osibona (as was seen in viral video clips making the rounds) in order to prevent another building collapse as the state has had a handful in recent times. However, he was released and the building project continued.

A source said at the time:

“It is unheard of that the owners of the Ikoyi project in question would embark on such a capital intensive project without obtaining required approvals for a project as massive as that. Gone are the days of negligence on the part of the Government when people flout the law. Sealing up the project is law taking its due course.

Ikoyi building collapse

“The owners of this project have shown themselves to be defiant and obstinate, in that the State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning had been calling on them (to) without paying attention to what the Ministry had been calling their attention to.

“It does not benefit the state to stop economically viable projects like the project on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, but the responsibility falls on the government that all rules and regulations guiding such buildings are strictly adhered to. What the government has done is to halt further construction with a view to assessing and evaluating the extent to which the builders had adhered to the building code. The state will take it up from there.

“The government will not fold its arm and watch people behave recklessly without order and accountability. We are talking about people’s lives here. The state will no longer tolerate such attitude from anybody no matter how highly placed they may be.”

Eyewitness Reports

Gabriel Bassey is one of the site workers who narrowly survived the Ikoyi building collapse and he told our reporter that he is lucky to have escaped being trapped under the rubbles.

“This project, 360 Degree, was built by Fourscore Homes Limited. I was trying to plug my phone and not up to five seconds that I left the spot, I saw the building coming down and I ran to safety. We have a lot of people trapped in the rubble, who we need to bring out.

“When the incident happened, we brought out six dead bodies and we still have like 30 Togolese and Nigerian bricklayers and four engineers and other workers. My boss, Mr Femi, is still trapped in the building. He was on the 18th floor with some of his clients, who wanted to buy the building when the incident happened.”

Another eyewitness, Blessing Feyijimi, decried the fact that the first responders were not properly equipped for the job they came to do. In her opinion, if they had the right equipment, more persons would have been rescued.

“When the incident happened around 1.36 pm, we started rescuing people but the security men locked the gate and didn’t allow people to enter. We protested and forced our way in. We recovered four dead bodies on the last floor and rescued four injured persons, but some people are still trapped in the rubble.”

Rescue Efforts and Ongoing Investigations

At the time of the Ikoyi building collapse on Monday, November 1, 2021, about 50 persons were said to be in the building, including engineers, labourers, prospective clients, and of course, Mr Femi Osibona himself. As of today, November 6, about 36 persons have been confirmed dead while about eight persons were rescued and are recuperating at the Lagos State General Hospital from the various degrees of injuries.

Ikoyi building collapse

Rescue efforts are still ongoing and the operation is led by the Lagos State National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) alongside other responders. NEMA has the military has been called upon and would soon take over the rescue operations.

The Lagos State government has since launched an investigation into the Ikoyi building collapse and has suspended the chief architect of the state, Mr Taiwo Aiyepe, pending further investigations. Furthermore,  an independent panel has been charged with the task of conducting an investigation with a result expected in the next 30 days.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Odumodublvck drops 23-track Industry Machine album

Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has officially dropped his highly anticipated 23-track album, Industry Machine, featuring powerhouse collaborations with Wizkid, Davido, Skepta, Seun Kuti, and several others. Produced by Telz and P.Priime, the project seamlessly fuses hip-hop and Afrobeats, underscoring Odumodublvck’s versatility and bold sonic direction. Within hours of its release, the album soared to No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart, signaling both widespread acclaim and the rapper’s growing dominance in the music industry.

Among the standout tracks, “Big Time” featuring Wizkid debuted at No. 9 on Apple Music’s Top Songs chart, earning praise for its infectious rhythm, Wizkid’s captivating verse, and Odumodublvck’s sharp lyricism. Fans and critics alike have hailed Industry Machine as a defining moment in Nigerian music, celebrating its high production value and collaborative depth. Speaking on the project, Odumodublvck described it as “a celebration of creativity, hustle, and the evolution of the industry,” cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most innovative and influential rap voices.

For a while now, followers of Nigerian music have been keenly aware of the concept of the ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE.’ The swaggering phrase has been an integral part of the digital vocabulary of Nigerian rapper and singer, ODUMODUBLVCK, hinting at the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2023 mixtape, ‘EZIOKWU’, which spawned several hit tracks and established his reputation as one of Nigeria’s finest Hip-Hop acts.

In the two years since ‘EZIOKWU,’ ODUMODUBLVCK has only grown more unstoppable, racing to the top of charts in Nigeria on multiple occasions while showcasing the full breadth of his amorphous Okporoko sound on songs like “100 Million” and “NOT ALL THAT” as well as on collabs like “JUJU,” “Funds,” and “Flako.”

Seven months after the surprise drop of ‘THE MACHINE IS COMING,’ ODUMODUBLVCK has finally released ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ bringing a thrilling conclusion to months of anticipation with a blockbuster 23-track release that runs through the full gamut of the Abuja rapper’s fascination and beliefs across a variety of soundscapes.

Throughout ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ ODUMODUBLCK glides between euphoric party starters (“BANZA BOY, “VINICIUS,” and “GROOVING”) and gritty Rap joints (“UNAWARE,” “IF YOU LIKE GYM,” and “LAYI WASABI.”). At different turns, he reveals a new layer to his work without losing touch with the uniquely Abuja perspective that broke him through.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

#SpotlightAfricaThrowBackSeries Ado-Ekiti Indigenes Celebrate the Life and Times of Late Chief Ogunremi

Ado-Ekiti witnessed an outpouring of tributes as family, friends, and dignitaries gathered to honour the life of High Chief Oluwasesan Ogunremi, the Barafon of Ado-Ekiti and a respected leader of the traditional warlord chiefs in the kingdom.

The funeral began with a Christian wake and service of songs at the open grounds of St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti, before proceeding to the deceased’s compound in the Idolofin axis of the town for the main service. The ceremony, attended by top figures from within and outside Ekiti, featured prayers, thanksgiving, and eulogies in recognition of the late chief’s contributions to his community.

Following the service, Chief Ogunremi’s remains were interred at his residence, accompanied by hymns and tributes from relatives and well-wishers.

A reception later took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, where guests—including family members who travelled from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany—were entertained with a lavish banquet. The event featured a performance by renowned gospel and highlife singer Evangelist Yinka Ayefele, while veteran emcee Olushola Oladele, popularly known as Pa Aristoe, anchored the proceedings.

The gathering attracted prominent personalities such as Mr. Babatope Adebiyi (King Jafil), Mr. Goke Olatunji, Regent Omotunde Adelabu, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, members of the Ewi-in-Council, lawmakers, politicians, business leaders, and artisans.

Born on February 7, 1929, to Mr. Williams Akomolafe Ogunremi and Princess Abigail Ogunremi in Ado-Ekiti, Chief Ogunremi began his education at St. George’s Primary School, Agere, before moving to Lagos for electrical training. He later founded the well-known Micho Electronics and worked with business figures such as Chief Lawrence Omole and Chief Ajanaku in Ilesha.

He married his first wife in Ilesha, where the ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 1970, he returned to Ado-Ekiti and established Micho Motors, expanding his business interests into the automobile sector. His ventures took him across Europe, including Austria, Brussels, Italy, and Germany.

In July 1988, he was installed as the Barafon of Ado-Ekiti by Oba George Adelabu, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. He became widely known for hosting the Udiroko Festival at his Okeilaja palace, a major cultural event that drew indigenes and chiefs before culminating in celebrations at the Ewi’s Palace. He later served as commissioner of the Ekiti State Electricity Board during the administration of Governor Adeniyi Adebayo.

Until his passing, Chief Ogunremi remained an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti. He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Continue Reading

News

Fresh reaction emerges over Saraki’s peace move amid PDP crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Renaissance group has praised the reconciliation efforts of the committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, describing the intervention as pivotal in preventing the party from collapsing under internal disputes.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 28, Bashir Sulaiman, convener of the group, commended both Saraki’s Reconciliation and Strategy Committee and the PDP Governors’ Forum under Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for “restoring peace where many expected chaos.”

“I am very impressed by what Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, and PDP Governors Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, have done to get the PDP back on track,” Sulaiman said.

“They were tasked with resolving disputes and preparing the party for its convention, and they have delivered with precision and dedication.

The PDP has been in turmoil since the 2023 general election, with key figures such as Sunday Udeh-Okoye, Setonji Koshoedo, and Sam Anyanwu embroiled in a tussle for the National Secretary position.

According to Sulaiman, Saraki’s intervention was instrumental in ensuring that the long-standing dispute was finally resolved in favour of Anyanwu.

“Many had predicted that the PDP would collapse under the weight of its internal disagreements. Yet, thanks to Dr. Saraki, his Reconciliation Committee, and the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the party has defied those expectations,” Sulaiman noted.

“The 100th, 101st, and 102nd NEC meetings were conducted without rancour, and lingering disputes have been amicably settled.”

With preparations for the party’s convention and zoning framework now underway, the PDP Renaissance group believes the opposition is on course to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The party is now better positioned to take power back from a government that does not care about the needs of the people,” Sulaiman said.

Continue Reading

Trending