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Built Environment: Facility Managers Calls for Synergy

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As professionals in the Nigerian built environment converged in Lagos to mark this year’s ‘World Facility Management Day’, facility managers and other stakeholders have called for synergy among players in the sector towards achieving an excellent built environment.

As professionals in the built environment continue to change the narratives towards sustainable progress in strategic collaboration with public institutions for a better operating environment for facility management (FM) in Nigeria; stakeholders are of the view that better synergy among players in the sector will deepen FM. The event which took place at the University of Lagos had the theme- “Celebrating FM: Standing tall beyond the Pandemic” drew participants from academic, political and social Nigeria.

Addressing stakeholders nationwide, at the celebration, the President of the International Facility Management Association, Nigerian Chapter, Mr Segun Adebayo said the event in line with the global practice seeks to recognize and celebrate the vital work that facility managers across the world have contributed to different industries during the pandemic and even now that we are gradually winning the war against COVID-19.

He states further that IFMA will continue to map out critical paths towards a better operating environment, as members are determined to achieve a sustainable and forward-thinking industry through capacity building, knowledge development and research.

According to him “For us in IFMA, Nigeria Chapter, we are celebrating the day with a strong sense of commitment towards improved health and safety in the built environment, effective activation of business continuity and emergency preparedness. While we will continue to map out our critical path towards a better operating environment, we are also determined to achieve a sustainable and forward-thinking industry through capacity building, knowledge development, research and development.”

The President noted that between the last celebration and now, the body has been able to deepen its advocacy commitment through its knowledge-sharing session series.

“In line with our renewed purpose as a pioneer and foremost professional Association in Facility Management with global affiliation and in commemoration of 2021 World FM day, we shall be formally commencing our Mentorship Development Initiative (MDI) with twenty-four mentees from different background today.”

“In line with IFMA renewed purpose as a pioneer and foremost professional association in Facility Management with global affiliation, Adebayo posits that, “We will also be collaborating with one of the Lagos State Public Institution on a program tagged “A Day with Artisans ‘scheduled to hold by the early part of 3rd quarter. This and many more we shall explore for a better-built environment,” he stated.

Shina Atilola, the head of retail and consumer banking at Sterling Bank and Keynote Speaker, said digitization and COVID-19 fast-tracked the need for players in the built environment to capitalize on the emerging environment.

According to him, the pandemic provided an opportunity to change the narrative, hence FM professionals must be proactive. In order words, he states that FM professionals must leverage robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) for better outcomes.

In his speech, the special guest of honour, Architect David Lola Majekodunmi, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos chapter, advised Facility Management practitioners to create a trust fund and invest more in research towards encouraging young Nigerians to be a part of Facility Management. He also urged all professionals within the built environment to collaborate effectively with facility managers and get them involved from the predesign stage of Construction.

Arch. Majekodunmi said local content should be embraced by players in Facility Management and the built environment in Nigeria. He equally called for collaboration with other professional associations in the built environment.

In his words, “we are trying to make good rules for Lagos State, in terms of physical planning and urban development, we succeeded in changing or reviewing the law, in 2010. However, there was a new physical planning law, but as I stand here today I can say there are over 5000 laws in Lagos State and Zero enforcement.

The Chairman also expressed disappointment about the National Building code which has been drafted thirty-six years ago but has not been approved to date.

During the panel session, Nike Adekanbi, the General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructural Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA), noted that FM professionals and others were frontline workers during the pandemic. According to her, proper maintenance sustains the life span of facilities.

As said by Professor Modupe Omirin, Head of Department, Estate Management, University of Lagos, there is every need for facility managers to be seriously proactive to ensure facilities are properly adaptable.

Engineer Felix Elerunndu, the chief engineer of Park Inn by Radisson while sharing his experience from the hospitality perspective of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of facility management, said players in the sector had to look inward to stay afloat during the pandemic.

The event was rounded off with the selection of Mentees from Lagos State Technical Schools, 500 level Estate Management students and Masters in Facility Management students from the University of Lagos, and artisans. It is expected that these mentees will be trained and have a first-hand understanding of facility management from their mentors who have excelled professionally.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Nigerians Can Film Police on Duty—Court Declares

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has affirmed the right of Nigerians to film personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on duty.

The judgment was given by Justice H. A. Nganjiwa on Tuesday in a case filed by Mr Maxwell Uwaifo in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025.

The court held that Nigerians have the constitutional right to use any device to record police officers executing their official duties in public.

It was ruled that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens documenting their activities.

The court awarded the applicant N5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights and N2 million for the cost of litigation.

Business Post reports that the respondents in the case were the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the NPF, the Police Service Commission (PSC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

The lawyer filed the case in accordance with Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 of the Constitution of Nigeria and others.

“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” Mr Uwaifo said after the judgement.

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Lagos Consumes 30% of Total Power Off-Take in Nigeria—TCN

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TCN EKEDC Total Power Off-Take in Nigeria

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The General Manager in charge of Transmission for Lagos Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Adeshina Adeonipekun, has stressed the critical role of Lagos in the national grid.

While receiving the chief executive of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Ms Wola Joseph Condotti, at his office on Monday, he said the Lagos region accounts for about 30 per cent of total power off-take in Nigeria.

He stated that TCN was implementing strategic expansion and project upgrades aimed at enhancing grid stability and operational efficiency in response to rising demand.

Mr Adeonipekun highlighted recent key milestones achieved in the region, including the commissioning of a 100MVA power transformer at the Ijora 132/33kV Transmission Substation, a 300MVA transformer at the Lekki 330/132kV Transmission Substation, and a 125MVA unit at the Agbara 132/33kV Substation, among others.

According to him, these additions have further increased the region’s installed capacity to 5,470MVA on the 132/33kV network and 4,110MVA on the 330/132kV network.

He further said that there were several ongoing rehabilitations at key substations within the region, including Amuwo GIS, Akoka 132/33kV, and Itire 132/33kV Transmission Substations, all geared towards further improving reliability, reducing system constraints, and enhancing the overall efficiency of power delivery.

In her remarks, Ms Condotti expressed appreciation for TCN’s continued partnership and support, underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration between transmission and distribution companies in building a more stable and efficient electricity transmission and supply network.

Both parties explored ways to strengthen collaboration and ensure a more stable and efficient power supply in Lagos, the nation’s commercial hub.

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Anambra to Regain Economic Strength After End to Sit-at-Home—Soludo

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Anambra, Mr Chukwuma Soludo, says the years-long sit-at-home is now a thing of the past in the state as it will bring back lost economic viability to the South East state.

The governor spoke on Tuesday during his inauguration for a second term as the leader of the state, noting that security has improved in Anambra.

“The debilitating one-sit-at-home is over, and our schools, markets, businesses, and public servants are back to work. Reports say that ours is now the safest, or at least one of the safest states in Nigeria,” Mr Soludo said.

The second inauguration of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) witnessed eminent Nigerians, including ex-presidents Mr Goodluck Jonathan and Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, among others.

“I’m sure many of you flew into Anambra yesterday, being Monday. Previously, it was not possible,” he said at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.

Primarily associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state, the sit-at-home saw millions of South-East residents remain indoors, shut their businesses, and stay off the roads on Mondays. Initially, it was declared as a weekly protest (especially on Mondays) to demand the release of IPOB leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, in 2021 by the Federal Government and draw attention to the separatist cause.

The cause had significant socio-economic consequences in the South-East states like Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

However, Mr Soludo referenced several milestones, including the destruction of criminal camps and the “mass return” of Anambra indigenes during the Yuletide, as evidence of improving security in the state.

“Some 62 criminal camps have been dismantled, and 8 local governments previously under total siege have been liberated,” the governor said.

“Anambra had its best Christmas season in decades last December with a mass return and over 10,000 visitors per day to the Solution City every day until the 10th of January.”

Part of the measures to address insecurity in Anambra was the Homeland Security Law 2025, a measure the governor said contributed to the reduction in criminality.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Soludo as the winner of the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State. The APGA candidate polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Mr Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.

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