News

LASG to demolish $200m Landmark Beach Resort for coastal highway project

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2024

By Sodiq Adelakun

Controversy swirls in Lagos as the state government prepares to demolish the $200 million Landmark Beach Resort to make way for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

The notification to the owner of Landmark Beach Resort, Paul Onwuanibe, dated March 19, 2024, and signed by Deputy Director (Development Matters Department) Tpl Shomolu O. on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, conveyed the directive.

Paul Onwuanibe, aged 58, revealed to journalists that he received a notice in late March, commanding him to vacate his multimillion-dollar resort within a mere seven days before its imminent demolition.

The Landmark Beach Resort, valued at over $200 million, serves as the host to more than 80 thriving businesses and provides employment to over 4,000 individuals directly.

Additionally, it contributes substantially to the state’s economy, generating over N2 billion in taxes annually.

Renowned as a premier tourism destination in Nigeria, the beach resort greeted nearly a million visitors in the past year alone.

Onwuanibe conveyed a blend of sentiments upon receiving the demolition notice, highlighting that he acquired the property back in 2007, long before the conception of the highway plans. He is currently pursuing avenues for adequate compensation amidst the impending displacement.

He raised concerns about the impact of the resort’s demolition on investment in the state and the livelihoods of those already operating there. The Landmark Group, with investments from both international and domestic players, could potentially withdraw if the resort, featuring various amenities like a mini-golf course and sports facilities, is dismantled.

Amidst the Lagos State Government’s initiative to clear unauthorised structures along the proposed Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, the Landmark Beach Resort finds itself in the crosshairs of potential demolition.

Removal notices, aimed at properties obstructing the planned 10.4-meter right-of-way for the project, have stirred apprehension among investors, both local and international.

The looming specter of the Landmark Beach Resort’s demolition has instilled fear within the business community. Owner Paul Onwuanibe has underscored the substantial investments poured into the resort over the years.

Its destruction, he warns, not only threatens the survival of the enterprise but also jeopardises the broader ecosystem it sustains. This includes the risk of substantial financial losses and the potential defaulting on loan repayments, further exacerbating the economic uncertainty surrounding the development.

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News

Let’s join hands with him – Adepoju canvasses support for Finidi

Published

16 mins ago

April 30, 2024

NewsDirect

Former international Mutiu Adepoju has canvassed support for the newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George.

Finidi was named head coach of the three-time African champions on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old was one of the assistants to former head coach, Jose Peseiro.

Adepoju also congratulated the former winger on his appointment.
“Congratulations to my brother, Finidi George for getting the final nod as @NGSuperEagles Head Coach.Let’s join hands and wish him the best of success,” Adepoju wrote on X.

Finidi’s reign will begin with the Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June.

metro

Kaduna: Police nab man for allegedly abducting, hiding kid in fridge

Published

21 mins ago

April 30, 2024

NewsDirect

Personnel of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested a suspect who allegedly abducted a 10-year-old girl and hid her inside a refrigerator.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest of the suspect to newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna.

He said on Saturday, at about 1400hrs, the mother of the abducted girl, Uwaila Idris of Unguwar Gara Village of Kauru Local Government Area of the state, reported the disappearance of her daughter.

“She came to the police station and reported that on April 26, at about 1300hrs one Aminu Garba of the same address allegedly abducted her 10-year-old daughter named Hanifa Garba in his shop,” he said.

Hassan said when the suspect was asked about Hanifa’s whereabouts, he denied any knowledge of where she was.

He added, ” The suspect denied seeing her and went back to his shop, covered the girl’s mouth with a Hijab (veil) and forced her into a refrigerator, and padlocked her inside.

”The youths in the area insisted on searching the shop, after which Hanifa was found locked inside the refrigerator.

“The suspect was immediately arrested, while investigation is ongoing to establish the real motive behind the suspect’s action.”

According to him, the suspect would be charged in court on completion of the ongoing discreet investigations.

Entertainment

‘Retire from music if you’re fed up’ – Israel DMW tells Wizkid

Published

54 mins ago

April 30, 2024

NewsDirect

Davido’s Logistics Manager, Israel Afeare, popularly known as Israel DMW, has wadded into the beef between his boss and Wizkid.

NEWSMEN reports that Wizkid and Davido were engaged in a fierce social media war on X on Monday.

Reacting via his Instagram story, Israel DMW stated that he was disappointed with Wizkid’s behaviour, stressing that Davido had done nothing to deserve it.

He urged Wizkid to retire from the music industry “honourably” if he is fed up.

He also berated him for shading ace music executive, Don Jazzy.

Israel DMW wrote: “I use to like everything about you, thinking you’re a human being. I never knew you’re a fully daft headed human being. Why dis continous jealousy and hatred? Did oga [Davido] stops you from releasing ur own back to back sweet hits?

“He has never in anytime said anything bad of you at all. You you just keep hating him for nothing sake. Retire from music if you’re fed up. Resign honourably. Who the hell are you? You’re just a small dwarf. You will be taught a lesson, if you’re not careful.

“You’re an idiot. A whole Don Baba? Na ur mate? Ugbeowagbon, Usaloa.”