Izuchukwu Okosi
By Izuchukwu Okosi
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Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed sadness over the building collapse in Ikoyi, Lagos that has claimed the lives of close to 40 people and has duly sent his commiserations to the families of the deceased.
Osinbajo made his heartfelt feelings known on Friday in a press release made available to Prime Business Africa by the office of the Vice President and signed by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity.
The VP through the release however frowned at the unprofessional reports from a popular but rather controversial Lagos news website that claimed the land at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi where the fallen building was erected belonged to him.
“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed,” the statement read in part.
“He (Osinbajo) condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.
“Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:
1. The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.
2. That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and
3. That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.
“Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.
The release further stated that Osinbajo had never spoken to the Lagos State Governor or any official of the State Government regarding the unsealng of the property.
The statement clarified that indeed the Vice President has never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.
“Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.
“The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action,” the media release revealed.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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