News

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

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.

“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.

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.

News

NIMC Cracks down on Illegal NIN Centres after discovering Unauthorised Enrolment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested several illegal NIN operators and seized registration equipment in Gwagwalada. Officials warned Nigerians to avoid unapproved roadside agents to protect themselves against identity theft and extortion.

If you’ve ever been tempted to register your National Identification Number (NIN) through a roadside “agent” who promised to get it done faster, you may want to think twice. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stepped up its fight against illegal NIN registration and unauthorised data modification, arresting several suspects during an enforcement operation in Gwagwalada and other locations.

The Commission said officers from its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU) carried out the operation seizing machines and other equipment allegedly used for illegal NIN enrolment.

According to NIMC, the crackdown is aimed at protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s National Identity Management System and stopping people from exploiting Nigerians through unauthorised registration and extortion.

The agency explained that many of the complaints and problems experienced by NIN holders often happen because some people choose to bypass the Commission’s approved registration process.

It reminded Nigerians that NIN enrolment can only be done at NIMC-approved enrolment centres, while changes to personal information, such as names, phone numbers or dates of birth, should only be made through the Commission’s official self-service modification platform.

NIMC also encouraged NIN holders to download the NINAuth mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. The app allows users to access extra security features, print their NIN slips, and manage other identity-related services securely.

Reaffirming the agency’s position, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the Commission has no room for extortion or unethical practices.

She said the Commission remained committed to providing “seamless and hitch-free NIN enrolment services” for Nigerians and legal residents. The Commission urged members of the public to avoid unofficial registration centres and use only approved channels for NIN enrolment and related services.

It also advised Nigerians to visit its official website and verified social media platforms for accurate information and updates, warning that dealing with unauthorised operators could expose them to fraud, identity theft and invalid records.

News

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru to be buried in Imo State

The family of late Nollywood actor Francis Duru has released details for his final burial rites. Services of songs will be held in Abuja and Imo State before he is laid to rest on December 11, 2026. The family made the announcement in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday, November 2, inviting relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to join them in honouring his life and legacy.

According to the announcement, a service of songs will be held on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 p.m. at Family Worship Centre, Idris Gidado Street, Wuye, Abuja. A second service of songs is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, at the late Pa Theophilus Ogide Duru’s family compound in Okai, Eziama, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.

The funeral and interment will follow on Friday, December 11, at the same family compound.

The statement, signed by the actor’s son, Ebuka Duru, and sister, Anthonia Chenyi, described him as a cherished husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

The family also expressed appreciation to those who had supported them with prayers, calls, messages, and other gestures since his death. The statement read, “A remarkable life, a beautiful legacy, a star that will never stop shining. Though our beloved Chief Francis Duru has taken his final bow, his memories will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”

The family added that the love and support received throughout the difficult period had been a source of strength as they prepared to give the actor a final farewell.

News

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya remarries years after his first marriage ended

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has remarried years after his first marriage ended, introducing his new wife, Mo Jasyme, to The Fountain of Life Church congregation during a Sunday service in Lagos. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has found love again, more than a decade after marrying his first wife, Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, with whom he shares two children.

The senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, introduced his new wife, identified as Mo Jasyme, to his congregation during Sunday service on November 1, 2026. The announcement came a day after Odukoya sparked curiosity on social media by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”

His followers, especially popular celebrities like Broda Shaggi, Ifedayo Agoro and Bisola Aiyelola, congratulated him.

Standing beside his wife in church, Jimmy spoke about how he had been navigating life alone since taking over the leadership of the church following his father’s death. He then introduced her to the congregation as his wife and the church’s new first lady.

The couple subsequently knelt before Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, who prayed for and blessed their union.

Before his new marriage, Odukoya was married to Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, popularly known as Kemi. The couple married in London on March 9, 2013, after meeting in Lagos in 2011. They eventually welcomed two children together before their marriage ended in separation.

Interestingly, their relationship began at Ooh La La, a restaurant in Ikeja, Lagos, when Kemi accompanied her cousin to meet Jimmy and a mutual friend.

In a 2013 interview with ThisDay, republished by YNaija, the couple opened up about their courtship ahead of their wedding. Jimmy recalled that although he initially paid more attention to Kemi’s cousin, they eventually started talking at another family gathering.

Their conversations became so frequent that they sometimes spoke from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.Interestingly, Kemi revealed that Jimmy did not initially tell her he was a pastor. When he eventually disclosed it, she reportedly went silent for about 30 seconds.

Jimmy also recounted how he proposed to her in London, using a sweet wrapper to playfully ask her to marry him before revealing the actual engagement ring.

However, their marriage eventually came to an end. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya’s new wife is Mo Jasyme, a designer and creative entrepreneur who is now known as Pastor Mo Odukoya.

Mo was previously married to British-Nigerian music producer Mosadoluwa Adegboye, popularly known as itsMOSA. The former couple reportedly collaborated on several creative projects during their relationship.

Mo made her first public appearance as Jimmy’s wife at The Fountain of Life Church on November 1, 2026, where she described it as an honour to stand alongside her husband.