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  LAND OWNERS ALLEGEDLY TAKE LAFARGE TO COURT OVER INJUSTICE

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Some land owners of Ijagba community and their neighbors in Sagamu, Ogun state have taken Lafarge cement WAPCO Nigeria to court over an expanse area of land which was compulsorily acquired by the military government of the state late in the 1990s.

Reports have it that over 1,000 hectares of land was acquired for public purposes abosolutely and especially for the establishment of cement factory. After the acquisition, the land owners reportedly challenged the surveyors who were working on the land which they told then (Land owners) that they (Surveyors) were staff of the state government who were paving way for a state owned cement factory in which the children of the community would have unrestricted access to employment. The land owners were happy and gladly agreed with the acquisition.

But at a meeting held at the Onijagba’s palace on Wednesday,11th July, 2007 over the crop enumeration exercise, representatives of both of the state government and Lafarge disclosed that the land was going to be transferred to Lafarge to exploit. This angered the land owners who spoke in one voice that Lafarge should pay the market value of the land. Since there had been open confrontation between the land owners on the land, Lafarge and Ogun state government, on the other hand, this led to the land owners’ letter of 19th May, 2008 demanding full compensation from Lafarge.  In order to get a full picture of the story, this column made enquiries from Lafargeholcim in Europe, the parent company of Lafarge cement WAPCO Nig. PLC in an email on Nov. 4, 2015 and demanded answers to a 14-list set of questions. The questions bordered on why Lafarge should allow themselves to be dragged to court over a land they would immensely exploit for profit.

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Since Lafargeholcim have not bothered to respond to our enquiry, we take it probably a corporate policy of the company not to countenance agitations that may benefit them. The land owners claim to have been so treated by Lafarge in Nigeria.

This column has therefore decided to go ahead with the story as far as our investigation can support.

Since the land owners letter on 19th May, 2008 referred to the land owners have reportedly made a series of overtures to Lafarge with a view to arriving at an amicable settlement. The company’s attitude had been negative.

In March 2014, the land owners reportedly instituted a legal action against Lafarge claiming full compensation for the land that had been transferred to them. The ogun state government was joined in the action.

After the completion of the crops enumeration excises the state government wrote to Lafarge to send their cheque for some #32,000,000 as compensation for the crops and structures. The sum was distributed by the state government to the land owners in accordance with the crops enumeration list. This list was prepared well ahead of the meeting at Onijagba’s palace in July 2007.

Lafarge is reportedly claiming that the 32m for crops was for the land. This shows that one hectare of land would cost about #32,000 i.e a plot of land of 60ft x 120ft will cost #2,134 or less than ten euro!!! Can’t someone in Lafarge be serious?

On its own part, the state government is contesting that the action by the land owners was statute barred but the court has ruled that it was not statute barred as the transfer of the land to Lafarge took place in 2008/2009. All other grounds of objection by the state government were also ruled in favor of the land owners.

It is understood that subsequent to the court ruling in the proceeding paragraph, the land owners had again extended their hand of fellowship to Lafarge for dialogue which the company hasn’t reciprocated.

The question bothering this column is why Lafarge should think they should seize the land which has been the source of livelihood for over three and a half centuries from the land owners and pay nothing for it. They want to exploit this land for profit and send 60% of such profit to shareholders outside the shores of the country. The remaining 40% will be distributed to less than 50% of the Nigerian population and probably none of the land owners benefiting from such distribution. The land owners have reportedly decided to resist the injustice.

we sent them messages for confirmation but no response.

“My name is Ifetayo Adeniyi, a Publisher and Celebrity journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria. I came across a story few weeks back and I decided to investigate it for me to have a balanced story. The story is all about THE BAD AND UGLY SIDE OF LAFARGEHOLCIM DEALING TOWARDS LAND OWNERS (IJAGBA COMMUNITY) IN SAGAMU, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA. I have some questions begging for answers so that it would not be a one side story by the time I break the news to the international community. I have some documents that are in my possession during the course of my investigation. I also discovered that few elite and royal father too have been compromised with members of your top management here in Sagamu and Nigeria to the detriment of the Land owners from Ijagba community, in Sagamu, Ogun State. This act cast shadow on your integrity as multi National company.The few elite can not champion the course of Ijagba community land owners because of their selfish interest. I’ll appreciate your sincere response. 1. How much do they pay Land owners from Ijagba community for the 1001 hectares of land that they are operating on now? Not crops and structure compensation. 2. Are they aware that the said land was meant for Public Use when government discussed with the landowners before they gave it to Lafarge wapco cement now Lafargeholcim? then converts it for commercial use which is contrary to the law without paying the landowners from Ijagba community. 3. Do they connived with the government officials to deceived the land owner Ijagba community that they would be paid for their land and other remuneration as dimmed fits. 4. In 2007, when wapco Lafarge cement then paid about #32,000,000 for the crops and structure to Ijagba community landowners…did the document stated 1001 hectares of land was for free ? 5.Are they aware that the land owners Ijagba community source of income were their farmlands (1001 hectares) that was taken without paying for the it? 6. Do they connived with few elite in the community who has nothing to do with landowners (Ijagba community) to suppress their voices? 7. Is there any of their CSR projects located within Ijagba community for direct benefits of the land owners or was it a compensation or hijacked by few elite and royal father to their immediate community in Sagamu?. 8. Are they aware that majority of the landowners (Ijagba community) are leaving in abject poverty? 9. Is Lafargeholcim ready to pay for the land to the Land owners (Ijagba community) or not? When they make billions of naira every year on the said land. 10. Is Lafargeholcim aware that the land owners (Ijagba community) are going through emotional tortures that has lead to the death of some of them? 11. Is that the way Lafargeholcim operates in other countries? I mean taking over landed property of about 1001 hectares without paying for the land? 12. Is the payment for the crops and structures because of air pollution caused by your able company that destroyed their means of livelihood is the same thing as paying for the land? 13. During my investigation I understand that the landowners would have preferred out of court settlement after they won the case at the high court but few top management of Lafargeholcim and the few influential people in sagamu always block the Avenue for the two parties to meet because of their selfish interest. Is that the way you have been doing it in other countries? 14. Lafargeholcim going to court over the used of the said land by them without paying for it, in whose interest? Is it to delay justice until the landowners die or to deny the landowners of their heritage and right because they can’t afford Senior Advocate of Nigeria? Thanks and God bless you as I wait on your reply within 5days before I would go to the Press. Thanks +234-705-311-1111. ifetayoadeniyi@gmail.com

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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COURT DISMISSES LAND SUIT AGAINST NIGERIAN BREWERIES

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COURT DISMISSES LAND SUIT AGAINST NIGERIAN BREWERIES

COURT DISMISSES LAND SUIT AGAINST NIGERIAN BREWERIES

 

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The Imo State High Court of Oru Judicial Division sitting at Mgbidi and presided over by his Lordship Hon. Justice Onyekachi has dismissed Suit No. HOU/71/2019, which was instituted by Chijioke Nwadika against
Nigerian Breweries Plc in the said suit, the claimant Mr. Chijioke Nwadika prayed the court to declare that the entire Ama Ogbejelem farm land at Awo-omamma in Imo State where Nigerian Breweries Plc constructed it’s drainage for waste disposal at its Awo-omamma
Breweries plant belongs to him and his family.

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COURT DISMISSES LAND SUIT AGAINST NIGERIAN BREWERIES

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The claimant also sought the court to order Nigerian Breweries Plc. to remove the drainage system from the land and pay the sum of N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as damages for unpaid
royalty, and destruction of the family’s economic trees as a result of disposal of waste through the drainage that runs through the claimant’s
farm land as claimed.

The claimant Mr. Chijioke Nwadika was represented through-out the
Suit by his counsel Damian Uneze Esq. who urged the court through his
submission to grant the reliefs. Dr A.A Orunkoya Esq counsel to Nigerian Breweries Plc vehemently challenged the claims of the claimant and urged the court to dismiss the suit on grounds that the
claimant failed to prove with empirical evidence the ownership of the and where Nigerian Breweries is situate or any part of it where the
drainage system of Nigerian Breweries passed.

It was his contention
that the claim of Mr. Chijioke Nwadika is predicated on tittle; hence the onus was on him to prove ownership of the land before he can be
entitled to any other relief or claim for damages connected to the land.
Dr. A.A Orunkoya Esq. further informed the court that the claim of Mr. Chijioke Nwadika was statute barred as the entire suit was centered on
a contract he purported his father had with Nigerian Breweries in 1983
whereas the action was instituted in 2019 in breach of limitation of
Action Laws that requires actions founded on breach of contract to be
instituted within six years.
The trial judge Hon. Justice Onyedikachi after considering the argument
and evidence put before the court dismissed the suit in favour of Nigerian Breweries Plc. Dr. A.A. Orunkoya Esq defence counsel to
Nigerian Breweries Plc while addressing the press after the judgment,
reiterated that the judgment has further rekindled the hope of investors and corporate organizations to invest in rural communities.

He stated that private companies are usually sued by unscrupulous
persons in their host communities thereby discouraging investors.
Dr. A.A Orunkoya Esq. further stated that the suit of Mr. chijioke
Nwadika was capable of frustrating the continuous existence of the Nigerian Breweries in Awo- Omamma but because the claims lack
merit, the court appreciated the issues of law that was canvassed as a defence and entered judgment in favour of Nigerian Breweries by dismissing the suit.

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Palliatives: Dangote donates 80,000 bags of rice to Lagos residents

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Palliatives: Dangote donates 80,000 bags of rice to Lagos residents

 … Sanwo-Olu says Dangote prioritize Nigerians’ welfare above profit

 

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The Aliko Dangote Foundation, (ADF) has flagged off the distribution of 80,000 10kg bags of rice to the vulnerable in Lagos state.

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President of Dangote Group and Chairman of the foundation, Aliko Dangote, noted that the gesture is part of the over one million 10kg bags of rice that would be distributed to reach one million vulnerable people in the 774 local government areas of the country.

 

 

 

 

Speaking at the flag off in Alausa, Dangote, said the distribution of the 80,000 bags of 10kg rice is another demonstration of the foundation’s commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity.

Noting that the distribution of the rice is in addition to the daily distribution of 12,500 loaves of bread in Lagos, Dangote stressed that with the initiative, the foundation aspires to ameliorate some of the burdens faced by vulnerable communities across Lagos State.

In his remarks, Governor of Lagos state,  Babajide Sanwo-Olu, applauded the many initiatives of Dangote to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians, while praiseing him for showing compassion to the needy in the society.

Sanwo-Olu said the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the Foundation prioritize the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.

The Governor said: “Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that has chosen to be different. You have choices but you have made the right one which is caring for the vulnerable. I appreciate Mr. Aliko Dangote for extending his kind gestures to the people at the bottom of the pyramid and we are grateful for supporting us in government. There is a lot of global disruption in different parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership,” he said.

While encouraging other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote, the Governor said the distribution of the rice would support the initiative of the state in addressing the effects of the economic hardship.

Justifying the food intervention in Lagos, Dangote said: “While our traditional Ramadan food distribution has been focused on the Muslim Community, we recognize that the current circumstances where a significant proportion of Nigerians across the nation are experiencing severe hardship due to the prevailing high prices of food, require that we broaden our program to cover communities of all faiths. This is why we are extending the Ramadan initiative to cover all the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory as a testament to our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values and the spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadan,” he said.

The CEO of the ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, said the Foundation is partnering credible NGOs, civil societies, religious bodies among others to ensure the donations go to the most vulnerable in Lagos State.

She said the Foundation is guided by a vision of empowering Africans to achieve their self-actualization and full potential as it believes that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

“In times of hardship, it is imperative that we stand together as one nation, one community, extending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in their time of need as we have done with our female empowerment programme in Lagos State which targeted 40,000 (Forty thousand) disadvantaged women,” she added.

Group Executive Director Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Fatima Aliko-Dangote, noted that the flag off in Lagos is a follow-up to the 120,000 bags distributed in Kano on Saturday, said the intervention is targeted to reach the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

“We have been doing this for a while but we didn’t publicize  it because  our chairman  believes  this is between him and God but this year we decided  to publicize  it so that we can encourage  and inspire others to do so.

“There are many other things the Dangote foundation is also doing. We are also serving 2,500 breads all over Lagos daily. We started this in 2020 during COVID-19. Also in our hometown in Kano, we have been doing breakfast, lunch and dinner for the past 35 years. The foundation has invested in many things. Years back, we gave women some money to be able to invest in their businesses,” she said.

Speaking further, Dangote noted that Lagos state holds a special place in the hearts of the Group, hosting two of its major investments – Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Plant.

He disclosed that the Dangote Group is also working on the nutrition agenda and has made significant strides in food fortification, investing in iodized salt and vitamin A fortified sugar. He stressed that the Group actively promotes food fortification within the Nigerian food industry and is exploring fortification methods for staples like rice and wheat and bouillon cubes to help ensure improved nutrition nationwide.

“At the heart of the Aliko Dangote Foundation lies a deep-seated belief in the importance of nutrition in human capital development. We understand that access to nutritious food is not only a basic human right but also a critical determinant of good health and well-being. By providing these modest bags of rice to those in need, we are not only looking to alleviate immediate hunger, but also investing in the long-term health and prosperity of our communities,” he added.

While commending Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu as a Governor with a penchant for overcoming adversity and enormous capacity in handling emergencies, Dangote urged other well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to emulate the efforts to support the less privileged in the communities, especially during Ramadan, which is a time of self-reflection, empathy, and charity.

Palliatives: Dangote donates 80,000 bags of rice to Lagos residents

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NIFESAF ESUT Lagos Holds 4th Edition Of Business, Career Exposition

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The Lagos State Alumni Fellowship of Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFESAF) has held the fourth edition of its Business and Career Exposition programme themed ‘Maximizing Technology and Strategic Customer Loyalty For Sustainable Business Growth In Today’s Economic Condition’ on Saturday, 23rd of March, 2024 in Lagos.

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The programme which was basically for Small and medium-sized enterprises since its inception has served as a major platform for the promotion of Nigerian-owned businesses and created several opportunities for SMEs to thrive and have access to the world through the global reach of NIFESAF ESUT.

Just like the previous editions, the fourth edition wasn’t any different; it featured an avalanche of exhibitions by several Nigerian businesses with guests who were ready to patronize them and a huge platform to publicize their businesses.

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Some of the businesses involved in the exhibition include Finet Mobile, Purch Gadgets, Congratulations Corporate Events, Exceptional Intensive Vocational Training, Farmskills Limited, Jigsimur health drink, De Luxe flour, Royal Almonds, Ifiefruit, Ihubest trading enterprise, K-shape fashion designer, Zara Caps and Hats, Chee Havillah Royal Services Ltd, Lowan Enterprises, Mace Ventures, Arif Bureau, Davis Exotic Homes, Whiztech Global Ltd, Earthblend flavours, to mention but a few.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Global Body— Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) ESUT Alumni Fellowship, Mr. Fred Nnadike, said the essence of the business exhibition was to support and build a community of excellent, Christians who would be role models in their respective careers.

Nnadike who urged believers under the umbrella to keep the faith alive equally charged them to uphold ethical standards, sound corporate governance, and avoid sharp practices in their respective professions and business endeavors as ardent followers of Christ.

“We want to encourage what we produce and link our entrepreneurs to the global space. SMEs are indispensable for economic growth and development. The government across board should do something urgently to revive the economy by making the environment conducive for businesses to thrive” he implored.

On his part, the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of the Fellowship, Mr Henry Nnadike, said the leadership of NIFESAF has often reminded the government that MSMEs are still the engine room of every strong economy.

“Government must address multiple taxation, epileptic power supply, dilapidated road network, and general scorching economic environment. Governments must be transparent in their reforms and interventions. Besides, we need informed ideas, programs, and policies that must be designed by the best brains. The government should learn to put the interest of the masses above their personal interest for posterity’s sake” he urged.

Similarly, the Vice Chairman of NIFESAF, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Chika Idalah–Allison, called on the state and federal government to partner with NIFESAF and related organizations which are poised to promote skills and craftsmanship, particularly for youths.

“Government should partner with organizations promoting skills acquisition, innovation, human capital development, and creative industry. In NIFESAF we are under the mandate to support every entrepreneur under its umbrella even beyond.

Idalah – Allison told newsmen that she was able to travel to different countries for business purposes, not by her academic certifications but by the salability of her skills in artwork and design.

“Nigeria is our only country, we must build it because the world is waiting for us to step out, and that is what we must all do collaboratively, however, our education curriculum should be designed fit- for -purpose” she asserted.

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