Kingsley Oligie Blog

Monday, 9 October 2017

How to prevent losing your hard earn money to Fraudstars during Land Purchasing - Kingsley Oligie

On daily bases, thousands of Nigerians at home and abroad hope to buy lands in Nigeria more especially in popular cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, etc but a common night mere that filters through their minds is how to prevent the risk of losing their hard earn money to Land Fraudsters or lose their Lands to the Government coupled with the terrifying stories that normally accompany the smooth transfer of these lands because of the prevalent nature of Land Scammers and dubious Real Estate companies.

Before buying a Landed property in Nigeria especially Lagos, The following mandatory documents must be available and these include;

Receipt
Approved survey plan
Approved layout
Power of Attorney
Deed of assignment
Certificate of Occupancy ( C of O)

The People from which you can buy any parcel of land can be categorized into three:

· An estate developer,

An individual and

· Family who claims to owns the land.

The following are the fees associated with a Landed Property;

· Cost of signing the documents- ( An unusual tradition in Lagos)

· Cost of putting up a fence to secure your land immediately you purchase it

· Legal fees- 5% of the cost of the land

· Agency Fees- 5% of the cost of the land

· Survey Plan- This amount depends on the location of the land and state.

· Cost of perfecting your documents with the Government at the Land Registry such as a C of O, Governors Consent, Ratification fees, Survey Land information, etc.

Once you have finished adding up these hidden charges, you can now know the actual budget you have and this budget will now determine the location and type of land that would tally with your budget.

NOTE: It is very important that you have a good property lawyer before embarking on land/property purchase. Reason being that your lawyer is the one who ensures that you don’t run into legal trouble with land/property documents after purchase. It’s your lawyer’s job to verify the authenticity of any title document backing the land/property.

To be continued …

Kachikwu, Baru and the NNPC Debacle - Reuben Abati

Reuben Abati

The current NNPC debacle is probably the most embarrassing, even if mercifully, eye-opening crisis in the history of that nationally strategic institution since its creation in 1977. I seek in the following commentary to offer a number of observations that would probably throw some light on the muck and confusion running riot out there on the matter. In my view, it was an error to have paired the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, with Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

I say this for two reasons. When Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was appointed the GMD in charge of the NNPC and as Minister of State in 2015, it looked like a dream appointment and an extra-ordinary career point for him but not necessarily for the sector. Dr Kachikwu did not hesitate to assert himself and in his attempt to reform the NNPC, one of the victims was a certain Dr Maikanti Baru, most senior Executive Director at the NNPC, who was redeployed under the new dispensation as a Technical Adviser in the Ministry of Petroleum. This was like sending Baru to desert territory of the oil and gas sector. How the same Baru eventually got rehabilitated as GMD of the NNPC, to work with the same man who had tried to marginalize him within the system was a poor demonstration of an understanding of human psychology.

It was common knowledge that there was no love lost between the two men, and yet someone thought it was a good idea to force them to work together as a team. Leadership failed at that point, because the arrangement was not going to work. The Ministry of Petroleum and NNPC that emerged at that point was built on a fulcrum of conflict of personality and interest. The key players in the oil and gas sector can only work together as a team if they must reduce the opaqueness and conflicts in that sector, but the pairing of Kachikwu and Baru practically showed a lack of understanding. The crisis that has now erupted between both men was foreseeable, and I dare say, avoidable. Where is the wisdom in forcing two persons who have shown open dislike for each other to work together?

But let us consider the other level of the conflict: and that is the conflict of interest. One major issue in the oil and gas industry, over the years has been the uneasy relationship between the Ministry of Petroleum and the International Oil Companies (IOCs). The Ministry of Petroleum through its parastatals, the NNPC, and more particularly, NAPIMS, regulates the IOCs. Nonetheless, the relationship between the regulator and the IOCs has always been like that between the cat and the mouse. Civil servants not just in the NNPC but elsewhere within the government have a penchant to want to work with their own.

Political appointees are treated with suspicion, as wayfarers, as the civil servants seek to protect their own territory. The battle for territory in the Nigerian government is one of the most vicious fights in the corridors of power. So it has been that in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, every attempt to appoint an IOC-associated person as head of the NNPC or other parastatals under the Ministry of Petroleum has always resulted in the equivalent of street fights.

Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Edmund Daukoru and Funso Kupolokun could not forge a seamless relationship even if Daukoru spent only five months or so in that position. Diezani Allison-Madueke was also from the IOCs (in her case Shell) and obviously she had issues with NNPC and Ministry officials. She had an advantage though: no GMD of NNPC would dare stand up to her, or by-pass her.

The belief within the Ministry of Petroleum system is that Ministerial appointees from the IOCs have interests that are different from their own traditions. President Buhari made the matter worse by making Kachikwu, an IOC man, from Exxon Mobil, GMD and Minister of State of Petroleum. On the surface of it, the impression was created that he could generate policies as he deemed fit, enjoy direct access to the Minister of Petroleum and gain the authorization to implement the same policies as he liked. From day one, Kachikwu was thus a marked man within the Ministry of Petroleum system. It will be naïve to assume that it is only Maikanti Baru that is fighting him. It will be safer to assume that it is the establishment that is trying to cut him down to size. If you doubt that, then check the history of the system: most of the former Ministers of Petroleum that managed to do well are not even from the system but complete outsiders. Caught in the middle of this conflict, Kachikwu does not want to take the matter lying low. He is fighting back. I’ll comment on whether that is a smart or clever move anon.

Nigeria Of Today (Everyone is a local Government) - Kingsley Oligie

In Nigeria of today, everyone is his/her own Local Government Area. When I woke up today, the first topic that came to mind was this. I could still remember when I was like 5 years old, there used to be well treated government pipe borne water almost everywhere in the country including my village, stable electricity, good roads, good schools, good hospitals, etc. But today those mandatory social amenities are nowhere to be found. Where did Nigerians get it wrong, I have been to some other countries of the World which are not so much endowed with God given natural resources like Nigeria but the development in those countries will get you Astonished.

One day in Dubai I bumped into one Arabic man and he asked me where I come from, I told him Nigeria and he said to me there was a time his country came to Nigeria to solicit for Loan but Nigerian government refused them but today the story is a different case. Everything there is working perfectly, they live a life of less worries because government is working. Their Major roads are usually constructed by government own companies, not one private company own by either minister, senator, rep member or Secretary General of the Federation as in the case of our dear country Nigeria.

A country where youth unemployment rate is about 65%, why not channel these youths to the development of this nation by employing majority of them in Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Majority of the Federal and states roads in this country are deteriorating because they are not been maintained. Roads maintenance suppose to be everyday work as its being done in other parts of the World. But what do we see here, a government will develop a place, and when he finishes his tenure, the subsequent government that will come on board, will not continue from where the previous government stopped, rather try to tarnish the former image for political interest and start all over again from different direction, How does Nigeria Develop from the attitudes of this crop of politicians?

Today in Nigeria, everyone generates his electricity, constructs his roads, Provides security, provides water, Education and health care. A country where during election, a campaigner will promise heaven on earth and when he finally wins, denies his own manifesto at the public glare.

I will conclude by saying everyone is his/her own Local government in Nigeria today. Everyone should rise up and say enough is enough, the government belongs to all of us not the political elites alone. I rest my case.

Author: Kingsley Oligie

Founder Kingsley Oligie Blog

Your Comment is highly appreciated!

Saturday, 7 October 2017

Biafra: Nigerian Army opens up on Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts

Relatives of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu are aware of Kanu’s hideout, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, has insisted.
Usman called on Nigerians to question Kanu’s younger brother and legal adviser, Ifeanyi Ejiofor of Kanu’s location, while emphasising that the IPOB leader is not in the Nigerian Army custody.

The Director asserted that the IPOB leader is one without a means of living, but used “propaganda” to gain the sympathy of the public. He added that followers of Kanu were in a “one-chance vehicle.”
He made the disclosure in Abuja, while bringing to a close, a two-day media conference on the military’s improvement of human rights.

According to Usman, “There was an allegation that somebody (Kanu) went into hiding. Now, I can’t remember the day but in an interview on Channels TV, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brothers said that he was in hiding and he knew where he was.

“And one lawyer came up that he has taken the Chief of Army Staff to court. Now, who gave you the brief? You said you do not know where he (Kanu) is. Now, who gave you the brief?
“And the media is asking us where is Nnamdi Kanu? Why not ask the man that said so who gave him the brief to take people to court when he does not know where the man is?

“That is why those people following him have entered into a one-chance vehicle. This is somebody standing trial in a criminal case. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, we want to stand against the truth.

“But no matter how long, the truth will come to pass on October 17. This is an individual without a means of livelihood.
“I can speak eloquently. So what? If I can speak like him; I can also have my own group, that’s exactly what is happening. So, what is the essence of our education as a people? You know that somebody is in a criminal case, and you believe in him.”

Monkey Pox virus: Foods you must avoid

A statement released on Thursday by the Director, Media and Public Relations in the federal ministry of health, Boade Akinola, on behalf of the honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole issued the warning to Nigerians.

The minister assured Nigerians of government’s efforts in combating the spread of the virus, warning that the disease neither had a cure nor a vaccine, however, that there was no cause for alarm as it was mild.
The statement read in part, “He (Adewole) said the virus was mild and there was no known treatment and no preventive vaccines , hence the public should be at alert and avoid crowded places as much as possible.

“He advised the public to avoid eating dead animals, bushmeat and particularly bush monkeys.”

According to the minister, test samples have already been sent to the World Health Organisation (laboratory ) in Senegal but the result is still being awaited.
He, however, called on Nigerians, who notice symptoms of fever, back pain and rashes resembling chicken pox, to immediately report to the hospital for medical attention.

BREAKING: Iwobi becomes a national hero as his late strike sends Nigeria into Russia 2018 World Cup (how it all happened) BREAKING: Iwobi becomes a national hero as his late strike sends Nigeria into Russia 2018 World Cup

Nigeria have qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a 1-0 win over Zambia in Uyo
Alex Iwobi scored in the 73rd minute to secure the World Cup ticket for Nigeria - The goal was his second international goal for Nigeria The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2018 World Cup after a 1-0 win over Zambia on Saturday, October 7, at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. Arsenal star Alex Iwobi scored in the 73rd minute few minutes after coming in to give Nigeria all three points that take them to 13 points on the log and against the reach of Zambia who have 7 points.

The victory means Nigeria last game in the group against Algeria will be just for mere formality as the Super Eagles have booked their place in Russia and will be making their sixth appearance at the tournament.

Read more at: https://www.naij.com/1129138-breaking-iwobi-late-strike-sends-nigeria-russia-2018-world-cup.html#1129138

- Nigeria have qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a 1-0 win over Zambia in Uyo - Alex Iwobi scored in the 73rd minute to secure the World Cup ticket for Nigeria - The goal was his second international goal for Nigeria The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2018 World Cup after a 1-0 win over Zambia on Saturday, October 7, at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. Arsenal star Alex Iwobi scored in the 73rd minute few minutes after coming in to give Nigeria all three points that take them to 13 points on the log and against the reach of Zambia who have 7 points. The victory means Nigeria last game in the group against Algeria will be just for mere formality as the Super Eagles have booked their place in Russia and will be making their sixth appearance at the tournament. Read more: https://www.naij.com/1129138-breaking-iwobi-late-strike-sends-nigeria-russia-2018-world-cup.html#1129138

Nigeria tries Boko Haram suspects behind closed doors

More than 2,300 suspected members of the jihadist group Boko Haram were expected to appear in court in Nigeria from Monday in unprecedented mass trials to be held behind closed doors.
The defendants have all been picked up and held in detention since the start of the conflict eight years ago, which has left at least 20,000 dead in the country's remote northeast.
To date, just 13 people have been put on trial and only nine convicted for their links to the Islamist insurgency, according to official figures.

The most high-profile current case is that of Khalid Al-Barnawi, a leader of the Boko Haram offshoot Ansaru, who is charged with the abduction and murder of 10 foreign nationals.
Nigeria's justice ministry announced the start of the trials at the end of last month, saying four judges had been assigned and that defendants would have legal representation.
Some 1,670 detainees at a military base in Kainji, in the central state of Niger, will be tried first followed by 651 others held at the Giwa barracks in the capital of the northeastern state of Borno state, Maiduguri.

"It's the first significant trial of Boko Haram suspects," said Matthew Page, a former US State Department analyst and a specialist on Nigeria.
But he told AFP that while "positive" it was still a "very small step", as many of the detainees had been held in custody for years, without access to a lawyer or ever having appeared before a judge.
- 'Wrong signal' -
How the long-awaited trials will be held also raises questions, particularly about transparency.

A justice ministry source said no media would be allowed on security grounds and that although civilian courts, they would be held in military facilities.
Umar Ado, a defence lawyer based in Nigeria's biggest northern city, Kano, said that was "as good as denying the public the right to know how the trial is carried out".
"It sends the wrong signal that justice is not served or the process is compromised," he added.
There have also been questions about the ability of Nigeria's justice system to handle so many cases at once and even of simple procedural details such as whether defendants will be tried on their own or together.
The justice ministry itself has already highlighted the potential pitfalls facing judges, such as poor investigation techniques, lack of forensic evidence and "over-reliance on confession-based evidence".
- International pressure -

Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4959522/Nigeria-tries-Boko-Haram-suspects-closed-doors.html