Funso OLOJO, Editor

A visit by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, to a disputed construction site at Osborne Foreshore Phase II Estate, Ikoyi, on Saturday, October 31st, 2026 ended in a dramatic confrontation after the developer, Kenshad International Limited, failed to open the gates to the property.

Hamzat, who led a high-powered government delegation to the estate following complaints by residents over alleged planning violations and environmental infractions, reportedly waited for more than 30 minutes at the entrance to the development, known as Abba Court, on Mahogany Close, without gaining access.

The incident has heightened tensions over the controversial development, with residents questioning the developer’s refusal to grant access to the deputy governor and his entourage, while the company has dismissed suggestions that it deliberately locked out the government delegation.

The deputy governor’s visit followed mounting complaints from residents, who alleged that the developer had embarked on construction activities capable of compromising the safety, drainage infrastructure and environmental integrity of the estate.

At a meeting with Hamzat, tagged Osborne Phase II Residents and Public Leaders Dialogue, residents accused Kenshad International Limited of constructing beneath high-tension electricity lines, laying concrete slabs over a canal and undertaking sand-filling activities that had allegedly narrowed water outlets within the estate.

They warned that the alleged obstruction of the canal could disrupt the natural flow of water, undermine the estate’s drainage system and increase the risk of flooding, with possible consequences for adjoining communities.

The residents also accused the developer of creating an unauthorised rear entrance into the estate, allegedly used to bring in suspected thugs to intimidate residents opposed to its construction activities.

They further alleged that soldiers, police personnel and officials of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had been deployed or involved in attempts to harass and intimidate them.

The residents called on the Lagos State Government to investigate the allegations against Kenshad International Limited and its owner, Ken Ukaoha, and determine whether the development complied with applicable planning, environmental and safety regulations.

They also questioned the legal basis of the developer’s claimed joint-venture arrangement with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, urging the state government to scrutinise the agreement and establish whether it conferred the necessary authority to undertake the disputed activities.

Responding to the complaints, Hamzat maintained that physical planning, land use and development control were matters within the constitutional jurisdiction of state governments.

Citing Supreme Court decisions, the deputy governor argued that the Federal Government could not unilaterally assume the functions of state planning authorities or issue building approvals in place of the relevant state agencies.

He assured the residents that the Lagos State Government would investigate the allegations and take appropriate steps based on its findings.

Hamzat was accompanied on the visit by former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District; Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly; commissioners and other government officials.

Hamzat is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the February 6, 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

However, reacting to the controversy, Managing Director of Kenshad International Limited, Ken Ukaoha, denied that his company deliberately locked out the deputy governor or obstructed a canal at the estate.

Ukaoha explained that the construction site was closed because of a government-issued circular directing a temporary suspension of construction activities ahead of a scheduled meeting.

He insisted that the gates were not shut to prevent Hamzat or any government official from accessing the property, but because workers and other personnel had vacated the site in compliance with the directive.

The developer also said he was not in Lagos when the incident occurred and had not received any formal notification that the deputy governor or other government officials intended to inspect the property.

“Nobody locked the deputy governor out of the site. The site was locked because nobody was there. They gave a circular that we were meeting. So, everybody was away. It is a construction site, and nobody was there,” he said.

Ukaoha, who confirmed that he had been invited to a meeting over the allegations of canal obstruction and land grabbing, described the controversy as a disagreement between his company and a neighbouring property owner.

On the allegation that Kenshad had blocked a canal, the developer maintained that he personally financed the construction of part of the drainage infrastructure in the estate.

“As I am talking to you, that canal in question, I did the canal with my money. The Royal Palm, where I did half of it with my money,” he said.

He further claimed that the canal in dispute was not connected to any other drainage channel, adding that his company had undertaken drainage construction in the area with the involvement of government officials.

Ukaoha also maintained that Kenshad had obtained the necessary government approvals for its construction activities and paid the prescribed fees.

He said officials of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment had visited the site on several occasions, insisting that the company had not violated any applicable law.

The conflicting accounts have brought renewed attention to the dispute over the development, particularly the allegations concerning drainage infrastructure, construction beneath high-tension power lines, land-use approvals and the respective regulatory responsibilities of federal and state authorities.

The outcome of the Lagos State Government’s proposed investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the development and establish whether the disputed construction activities comply with the relevant planning, environmental and safety requirements.

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter

The Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) is set to bring together leading government officials, maritime regulators, industry experts and private sector operators at its Unity Conference scheduled for Friday, November 13th, 2026, in Lagos, to deliberate on reforms and strategies for repositioning Nigeria’s maritime industry.

The conference, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, will focus on the performance, policy direction and reform agenda of the maritime sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with particular emphasis on seaport modernisation, trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the conference, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, will attend as Special Guest of Honour.

Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, is expected to deliver the keynote address on the theme, “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue.”

The conference is expected to provide a platform for critical engagement among policymakers, industry operators and other stakeholders on practical measures to improve port efficiency, strengthen maritime infrastructure and maximise the sector’s contribution to national economic development.

Deliberations will centre on the modernisation of Nigeria’s seaports, rehabilitation and renewal of critical maritime infrastructure, streamlining of cargo clearance procedures, trade facilitation and initiatives to improve the ease of doing business.

Participants will also examine strategies for enhancing government revenue, plugging financial leakages and tackling operational bottlenecks that continue to affect the efficiency and competitiveness of the maritime industry.

Other issues expected to feature prominently include investment opportunities in the marine and blue economy, employment generation, maritime safety and security, and measures to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global maritime industry.

The gathering is expected to attract heads of maritime agencies, managing directors of shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders and other key stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

According to the organisers, the Unity Conference is designed to encourage constructive dialogue, deepen public-private sector collaboration and generate policy recommendations capable of improving port operations, facilitating legitimate trade and unlocking the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The conference will also underscore the role of maritime journalism in promoting transparency and accountability, providing independent industry analysis and keeping the public informed about government policies, regulatory developments and reforms within the marine and blue economy.

Through the initiative, NNMJ seeks to strengthen professional relationships within the maritime industry, foster greater cooperation among stakeholders and provide a platform for exchanging ideas and developing practical solutions to the challenges confronting the sector.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

Nigeria’s organised private tourism sector is taking the lead in restoring the country’s presence on the global tourism stage as the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) prepares to showcase the country’s tourism potential at the 2026 World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

The three-day international tourism exhibition, scheduled for November 3 to 5, will see NANTA lead a delegation of Nigerian tourism stakeholders, with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) also expected to participate, marking Nigeria’s return to the global marketplace after missing last year’s edition.

The renewed participation is particularly significant against the backdrop of Nigeria’s inconsistent presence at the annual exhibition since 2013, following the departure of Otunba Segun Runsewe from the then Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), now NTDA.

The absence of a sustained government-backed presence at the event has, over the years, raised concerns about Nigeria’s visibility, destination marketing and competitiveness in the international tourism market.

In response, NANTA stepped in to sustain the country’s participation, mobilising its members and privately sourced resources to secure Nigeria’s presence at WTM London for three consecutive years between 2022 and 2024, without government funding.

The association subsequently handed over the responsibility to the Federal Government through the then Ministry of Tourism and its relevant agency at a ceremony during the 2024 edition of the exhibition, in the hope of ensuring a more sustainable national participation.

This year’s outing will be led by NANTA’s First Deputy President, Mustapha Mohammed, who is heading a high-powered delegation to London in what represents his first international assignment since his election into the association’s leadership.

Mohammed is representing NANTA President, Dr Yinka Folami, who is currently engaged in another assignment on behalf of the association.

Speaking from London ahead of the exhibition, Mohammed expressed excitement about leading the delegation, commending NANTA members for their commitment and sacrifices towards promoting Nigeria’s tourism industry.

“I feel privileged to lead this great association to the London travel market and, most interestingly, to inspire again the return of Nigeria to the global tourism and travel trade market.

“We are proud to be the only association with a dedicated stand at WTM London, and I must thank our president, Dr Yinka Folami, for making this happen.

“As usual, we expect the teeming numbers of NANTA members to be here to make Nigeria proud. We understand NTDA will be here, and together, Nigeria’s tourism flag will fly again,” he said.

Meanwhile, NANTA’s immediate past president, Susan Akporiaye, has arrived in London ahead of the exhibition. She is reportedly coordinating efforts to facilitate the Federal Government’s participation through the NTDA and ensure a smooth national outing.

Her involvement reflects her continued engagement with the industry’s international promotion efforts, particularly the drive to ensure that Nigeria’s representation at global tourism exhibitions is coordinated by experienced industry stakeholders.

Also expected at WTM London is the Chairman of the Nigeria Tourism Sector Skills Council and immediate past President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Nkereweum Onung.

Onung, who also serves as Honorary Senior Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is expected to use the international platform to promote Nigeria’s tourism opportunities and strengthen engagement with global industry players.

He is also expected to unveil a new tourism marketing company, Experience Ibom, later in the year as part of efforts to market Akwa Ibom State as a destination for domestic and international tourists.

The initiative is expected to complement Governor Eno’s tourism development agenda, which includes investments in tourism infrastructure and efforts to position the state as an attractive destination for visitors.

For Nigeria, the return to WTM London presents an opportunity to rebuild international tourism relationships, attract destination-marketing partnerships and draw investment into the country’s largely untapped tourism assets.

Beyond the international attention generated by Afrobeats and Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage, particularly its globally celebrated Jollof rice, stakeholders believe the exhibition offers an avenue to translate the country’s cultural appeal into concrete tourism opportunities.

With NANTA providing a strong private-sector presence, the anticipated participation of the NTDA and the involvement of other industry stakeholders, the focus will be on converting Nigeria’s renewed visibility into business partnerships, investment commitments and increased international visitor arrivals.