World Health Organisation, W.H.O, report shows that, worldwide, One Hundred and Sixty Children have Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD.
Due to the debilitating effects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, United Nations set aside every 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day.
The day is to recognize and spread awareness for the rights of people with autism.
In this special report, our health correspondent, Titilayo Kupoliyi, X-rays management of autism.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says his administration will embark on the regeneration programme in Government Residential Areas, GRAs.
Prince Abiodun who made this known during an on-the-spot assessment of the five hundred housing units at the Kobape Housing Estate, along Sagamu-Abeokuta expressway, said his administration would continue to intensify efforts towards tackling the housing deficit in the state.
While pointing out that the housing project in Kobape was also being replicated in Sagamu, Ikenne, Ijebu-Ode, Ota and Ilaro, Governor Abiodun noted that his administration was targeting over two thousand housing units.
The governor also said his administration was working towards laying a gas pipeline from the Sagamu interchange to Abeokuta, adding that the pipeline would boost uninterrupted power supply on the road as well as the state capital.
Governor Abiodun who also visited interchange announced that Sagamu-Abeokuta expressway would be completed in May, 2021, irrespective of any obstacle.
While addressing the people of the area, the governor said that Commissioner for Education and his counterpart in the Ministry of Health would visit the area and look at ways of building a befitting health center and school in the area.
Bolanle Adesida
Ogun State government has demolished a three – storey building in Abeokuta, after it failed a structural integrity test to ascertain its durability.
The distressed building had been razed as a result of power surge which occurred at a neighbouring shop in September last year.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Tunji Odunlami said the electronic mall, located at Totoro area of the state capital was pulled down to forestall the loss of lives and property to building collapse.
The commissioner explained that test had shown that the building was not safe for use, hence the need for the demolition.
In an interview, the owner of the Electronic Mall, Mr Emmanuel Olujimi maintained that the state government had done a thorough job after the fire incident, before deciding on the demolition.
He encouraged residents to always observe safety precautions, to reduce the risk of fire outbreak.
The exercise was supervised by the Ogun State Building Production Management Authority, led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Physical Planning, Mr Tunde Olugbewesa and the Acting General Manager of the agency, Aderonke Afolabi.
Olusegun Folarin
Oyo State Government has extended the deadline of the application for Certificate of Occupancy under the Oyo Home Owners Charter Scheme by six months.
A statement by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Abiodun Abdu-Raheem says the extension of the deadline was due to the clamour by property owners for more time in order to apply for the C of O under the OYHOC Scheme.
According to the statement, the window period for the application of the OYHOC was supposed to end in December 2020, this brought about a lot of traffic last year December, whereby a lot of applicants paid the required processing fee.
Mr. Abdu Raheem explained that a lot of applicants who could not process their C of O clamoured for more time which necessitated government’s decision to give more time for the applicants to have their title documents processed.
He urged people to take advantage of this period to buy the scratch card and pay the required amount of processing fee so as to have their property registered under the OYHOC Scheme.
Mr. Abdu Raheem enjoined applicants of the State’s C of O, to call 0700 696 52637, log on to www.lands.gov.oyostate.ng or visit the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development at Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan.
The Commissioner also called on land grabbers to desist from the nefarious act as they pose security threat to the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by the people of the State.
PR/Iyabo Adebisi
At around 11am this morning, the lift installation team from our contractor handling the installation of the new lift to improve efficiency of work at Odu’a Investment Company Limited while working on the lift suffered a mechanical failure.
The said failure resulted in the lift car dropping and crashing into the basement pit.
Unfortunately, one of the technicians in the team did not survive the incident.
Three other technicians suffered minor injuries and have been taken to the hospital for check up/ treatment.
The head office of the company has been informed and their representatives have arrived to take charge of the situation while the Police have also been informed.
We sympathise with the family of the deceased and pray that God Almighty in His infinite mercy will grant repose to the lost soul and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss. Amen.
Victor Ayetoro
Head, Corporate Affairs
OICL
Ogun state government has encouraged prospective homeowners in the state to always engage qualified building professionals to prevent structural deficiencies that could attract government sanctions.
Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Tunji Odunlami gave this advice in Abeokuta, at a meeting with members of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Ogun State Chapter.
Mr. Odunlami explained that the establishment of Ogun State Building Production Management Authority was aimed at ensuring that stages of construction were certified by qualified professionals, to avoid structural defects capable of causing building collapse.
He maintained that the engagement of professionals was safer and less expensive in the long run, while non-professionals result in using substandard materials, most times to cut cost.
Earlier, Chairman Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Gbolahan Popoola, noted that the incessant building collapse could be averted if stakeholders would abide by the ethics of the built profession.
Olusegun Folarin
Residents of Imose community in Ejila Awori area of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State are appealing to government to save them from land grabbers who have invaded the area and forcefully disposed them of their land.
Speaking with newsmen, Head of the Community, Baale Lawal Amusa stated that the land grabbers from neighbouring Ikogbo community who were accompanied by policemen invaded Imoshe town with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons
The Head of the community, Baale Amusa , noted that economic activities have been paralysed in the area as houses and shops have been hijacked while three persons died.
Chairman of the Traditional Rulers in Ejila Awori area, Oba Rigali Bamgbose bemoaned the activities of the land grabbers and urged government and other stakeholders to step into the matter.
On his part, the leader of Ototowu community in the area, Baale Moshood Bamgbose called on the Commissioner of Police in Ogun state to protect the ancestral land of Imoshe from the land grabbers.
Secretary to the Imohse community also pleaded with government and security agents to urgently arrest the situation as the people have no other place to go and can no longer bear the loss of lives and property.
Our correspondent reports that forceful take-over of landed property is rampant in that part of Ogun State, often leading to loss of lives while government legislation to curb this has not achieved much.
Solomon Olope
The Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, joint committee on Works and Transport and Lands, Urban and Physical Planning has ordered the sealing of buildings that contravene safety and professional standards in Egbedore Local Government Area of the state.
This is sequel to the collapse of two buildings under construction at Okinni and Dada Estate areas of Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State.
The Chairman, House Committee on Land, Urban and Physical Planning, Mr Desmond Ojo while addressing the Directors of Town Planning in Local Governments and Director of Works said steps must be taken to ensure standardization of buildings in the state.
Mr. Ojo said town planners should be alive to their responsibility by ensuring house owners comply with building plan and layout in their area as approved by the Ministry of Land, Urban and Physical Planning.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of Town Planning in the local governments, Mr. Femi Odewunmi explained that the challenges being faced by town planners, especially, mobility, had affected them in carrying out their duty.
Mr. Odewunmi also called for political will to enforce the laws already in place guiding construction of buildings in the state.
Funmi Adekoya
In Oyo state, two hundred successful applicants are the first set of people that will receive digitized Certificate of Occupancy under the Oyo State Home Owners Charter OYHOC charter.
The State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde presented the digitized C of O to some of the beneficiaries at the Agodi, Government House, Ibadan under strict adherence to COVID-19 safety measures.
Governor Makinde noted that the initiative became a reality after attempts by the previous administrations to issue a digitized Certificate of Occupancy failed.
Governor Makinde said his government would secure the digitized document to prevent fraud on land matters.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem said work has begun on the second batch of successful applicants.
Some of the beneficiaries of the digitized C-of-O commended the initiative.
The event was graced by top government functionaries.
Iyabo Adebisi
The Oyo state government has vowed to deal with property-related fraud and problems of land grabbers leveraging on invalid inheritance.
Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Abdu-Raheem Abiodun in an interview with Radio Nigeria expressed government’s readiness to minimize dispute over land ownership.
Mr Abdu-Raheem noted that the ministry was collaborating with the police to end the menace, stressing that government would deal with any land grabbers caught in the act to serve as deterrent to others.
On the recently launched Oyo State Home Owners Charter Scheme, and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, the commissioner maintained that the deadline given to all property landowners in the state to have registered title is 2022.
The commissioner stressed that all penalties and fines have been waived while documentation requirements relaxed so as to enable many residents benefit from the ongoing Home Owner Charter Scheme.
Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo state government has expressed its readiness to ensure that all land owners in the state have digitised title documents by December 2022.
A statement by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem says the step is part of its efforts aimed at shoring up the state’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
The statement notes that the processing and collection of Certificate of Occupancy, CofO, has now become faster, easier and affordable.
Mr Abdu-Raheem explained that government has commenced the accelerated provision of digitised title documents, urging all eligible property owners without title or approved documents to take advantage of the window of opportunity for the processing and collection of Certificate of Occupancy within sixty (60) days.
According to the statement, the initiative under the Oyo State Home Owners Charter (OYHOC) scheme will bear the cost of survey and planning permission for all applicants who do not have them.
Mr Abdu-Raheem added that application forms could be obtained at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the State secretariat, all Local Government Authority Offices as well as Local Council Development Authority offices (LGA &LCDA’s) for only N6,000.00 (Six thousand Naira) payable using customised OYHOC recharge cards.
Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State Government says it has launched a digitized Certificate of Occupancy Issuance platform, as part of its strategy for growing the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of the State.
This is contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem.
The statement which notes that the processing and collection of Certificate of Occupancy is now faster, easier and affordable, urges all eligible property owners without title or approved documents to take advantage of the opportunity.
The statement reveals that Oyo State Government will ensure all land owners in the State have digitized title documents by December 2022, amidst the accelerated provision of digitized title documents.
“The processing and collection of Certificate of Occupancy would take only Sixty (60) days under the Oyo State Home Owners Charter (OYHOC) scheme. While Government will bear the cost of survey, planning permission and all other relevant documents for applicants who do not have them under the OYHOC scheme”.
“Records have shown that majority of residential landed properties in Oyo State have no registered titled documents leaving such property owners open to many risks, hence the need for the CofO”.
According to the statement, all CofOs issued under the improved OYHOC will not only be digitized for ease of authenticity confirmation, but they would also be the same legal instrument as any other CofO being issued by the government.
The statement adds that application forms can be obtained at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the State secretariat, all Local Government Authority Offices as well as Local Council Development Authority offices (LGA &LCDAs).
Adedayo Adelowo
Oyo State Government is set to review the allocation of Government Reserved Areas, GRA, at Akitipiti, Oyo and Oke Anu, Ogbomoso.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem said the step was in fulfilment of the state government’s promise to decongest Ibadan during duty tour to Oyo and Ogbomoso GRAs.
He noted that the lands at Oyo and Ogbomosho ends of the state have been allocated for over 10years without any development carried out on them.
While calling on the Oyo and Ogbomoso GRA landowners to be ready to develop their plots of land, Mr Abdu-Raheem said the allocations would be reviewed and revoked where necessary.
The commissioner said anyone interested in acquiring lands at Oyo and Ogbomoso might visit the Ministry for guidelines especially for those who meant business.
Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State government has expressed displeasure on the undeveloped 11 hectares of land at the highbrow Samonda GRA in Ibadan with a call on investors to partner the state to develop the land to boost the economy.
The state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Abiodun Abdu-Raheem stated this during a tour to some state’s reserved areas and Samonda Ultra-Modern shopping Complex in Ibadan North Local Government in Ibadan.
Mr. Abiodun who noted with disdain over the unused eleven hectares of land within which the ultra-modern shopping complex was situated said the complex would be turned to an annex for the popular Gbagi market.
“The governor is not happy that these vast hectares of land is being put to waste when investors can be called in to use it for things that will help grow the State’s economy, we have gone around and see that the Samonda Shopping Complex needs some touch of revamping after which we will work towards making the complex an annex to the Gbagi market.
“The Ministry will discuss with other concerned Ministries, especially those in charge of the Gbagi market to come up with a plan for proper usage of the place as the present administration will not allow any resources of the state to go to waste, we are calling on well-meaning Nigerians who are interested in partnering the State on this project to come forward with ideas on how to develop the eleven hectares of land for the benefit of the State.”
He called on the landlord association of the Samonda (Aerodome) GRA to desist from distorting the plan of the estate by building on waterways and areas mapped out for recreational purposes.
Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State Government has announced its plan to sell about 38 semi-detached units of bungalow situated at Carlton Gate Estate, Akobo, Ibadan to members of the public at affordable rates.
The State commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Abiodun Abdu-Raheem stated this while on inspection tour to various housing estates in Ibadan.
Mr. Abdu-Raheem said the step was taken to fulfill part of the present administration electoral promises towards provision of affordable housing for the citizenry.
He noted that a lot of people in the state were in need of affordable houses which he said was handy in Carlton Gate Estate, if they apply at the appropriate time.
The commissioner expressed displeasure over many undeveloped plots of land in the areas visited as he observed that many choice lands were only fenced round without the owners developing them.
He pledged on behalf of the state government that all illegal structures on the lands will be removed, adding that it was noticed that around March, this year a lot of allocations were carried out.
The commissioner stated further that all allocations are sub-listed for revocation and withdrawal.
He however assured the public that the government would withdraw allocation from those who have not paid, stressing that the issue will be handled with fairness, transparency and accountability.
Mr. Abdu-Raheem called on people whose building plans have not been approved, those that have letters of land allocated to them but do not have Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), and those that have obtained building plans but their applications were not completed to visit the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to complete their application within a period of seven days from Monday, or have their lands revoked.
Places visited within Ibadan and its environs include Kolapo Ishola Estate; Carlton Gate Estate, Akobo; Quarter 105 Onikoko Avenue Agodi GRA; Ajumose Housing Estate NIHORT Jericho; Elenushonsho Estate Jericho; Queen’s School Ibadan Apata and Adeoyo GRA, Ring-road.
Iyabo Adebisi
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state says his government is ready to partner Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, on provision of affordable housing for the state workers.
He disclosed this when the management team of the FMBN, paid him a courtesy visit at the state secretariat, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde reiterated the commitment of his administration towards the worker’s welfare, saying provision of affordable housing would definitely enhance workers standard of living.
He said a government delegation would soon engage with the management of the FMBN on the proposed housing estate.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Mr. Kabir Yagboyaju, said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the governor about the programmes of the FMBN and to congratulate him over his victory at the poll.
Mr. Yagboyaju noted that Oyo state was not contributing to National Housing Fund, NHF Scheme, and urged the state to take a leading role in contributing to the scheme.
He further made a request for a parcel of land that would be used to build FMBN building in the state capital.
Iyabo Adebisi
