Sustainable Built Environment

15/03/2017

Ajibola, OAU Graduate Who Provided Health Centre For 5 LGAs In Kwara

By: Damilola Banjo, March 15, 2017

If you are in doubt about the essence of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), maybe you need to take a cue from Olayemi Ajibola, a vibrant young graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, who refurbished the only primary health care centre that services five local government areas in Oyun, Kwara state.

Ajibola was posted to Kwara state, but unlike many of his colleagues who think NYSC is merely a waste of their time, Ajibola saw a need that required his attention, with his miserly N19,800 allowance and goodwill of like minds , he embarked on a Community Development Project (CDS) that not only cost him financial resources but his time.

Tepatan Health Centre before Ajibola’s intervention, would have passed off as an abandoned building, except that it was not. Pregnant women, children and hundreds of locals use the facility every day. It is the only source of primary health care in the community but due to the inefficiency of the Nigerian government at different levels, the centre was left unattended to, for more than two years.

He and his team, mostly locals in the host community, worked on the renovation of the health centre. They fixed the bad roof, cleared the interiors and supplied mosquito nets to the clinic. Then they proceeded to give the health centre a much needed paint job.

On the 9th of March, 2017, the newly renovated primary health center was commissioned, in the presence of 2 community chiefs, 4 school principals, NYSC officials, local government officials and everyone else who could – and should – have given a damn about that health centre before Olayemi came.

For Olayemi, it’s all about doing good for the people of Oyun community; “Even if my name fades from this building, the people living in Abati, Tepatan Oke, Isale, Iya-aro, & Imode won’t forget how ‘NYSC helped them’.”

Ajibola, although seemingly young. Has left his name on the sand of time. When posterity comes beckoning, he would be remembered for his selfless service to humanity. Nigeria can only be the country of our dreams, if we would all live emulate from this act of patriotism.

14/03/2017

FOUND A PLANT THAT KILLS CANCER IN JUST 16 HOURS

According to research published in “Life Science”, artemisinin – derivative of Sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua L., a literal translation from English – the sweet wormwood) used in Chinese medicine – can kill 98% of breast cancer cells in less than 16 hours. If the plant is used it causes 28 – percent reduction in breast cancer cells, or in combination with iron, Sweet wormwood can “delete” cancer almost completely.

Moreover, it did not affect at all the normal cells in the breast in this experiment.

Artemisinin has been used in the past as a powerful antimalarial agent, but now it has been proven to be effective against cancer.

When the subjects in the study were added iron, which often accumulates in the breast tissue or cells infected especially in cancer, artemisinin selectively attacked the “bad” cells, while “good” cells did not touch.

Iron accumulates in cancer cells with specific receptors that help them sharing cells (called “transferrin” receptors).

Normal cells are likely to have these receptors as well, but cancer cells have them in large quantities, and thus can be targeted by a combination of iron and artemisinin.

There have been lots of experiments that prove that artemisinin can effectively remove the disease in the presence of iron.

This extract has been used for thousands of years in China against malaria.

Malaria parasite cannot live in the presence of Artemisinin because it is full of iron.

Bioengineer Henry Lai and Narendra Singh of the University of Washington, Seattle, is the scientist who first discovered this.Their research demonstrates that the cancerous cells experiencing apoptosis, or their own destruction.

So far this extract was difficult to obtain at lower prices, but with the increased interest in this plant and the price could be more acceptable.French drug manufacturer “Sanofi” expects to produce 50-60 tons of Artemisinin each year, hoping to meet the demand of the world market.
Source: www.zivjeti-zdravo.com

13/03/2017

Corps member Adeniran Raphael Iyiola printed his name boldly in the centre page of the National Youth Service Corps, Ondo State book of history. His decision to train the people of Ipesi-Akoko (his host community) on Banana and Plantain Sucker Multiplication brought joy not only to the host community but to his fellow Corps members and the entire NYSC Secretariat, Ondo State Chapter.

On the 4th of February, 2017, the people of Ipesi-Akoko, Ondo state gathered at the Information Centre to undergo the training on Banana and Plantain sucker multiplication training to be led by Corper Adeniran Raphael Iyiola. This day happens to be the official flag-off of the training as there’ll be many more sessions of training afterwards.

It was a big moments of delight as the Ondo State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Aroni Sunday Roberts, duly represented by the Head, Community Development Service, NYSC, Ondo State, Mr Lazizi Olawuyi Ganiyu who was also represented by Mr. Awe Felix Talabi alongside the Local Government Inspector of NYSC, Akoko South East, Comrade Oluwasola Falaye flag off the project. Also, present at the event was the Provost, Upland College of Education, Ifira/Ipesi Akoko, Dr Oladapo Bolarinwa Davies, and the Secretary to the Reagent of Ipesi-Land, Chief Olotu S.A and Chief Olowo M.A representing the Council of Chiefs, Mr. Katola Titus also represents the head of the Ipesi Market


Association.

Corper Adeniran Raphael engaged in this training as his Personal Community Development Service as he was earlier trained by the NYSC/SDG’s War Against Poverty project. As desired by the NYSC that corps members should engage in CDS (both group and personal) so as the give back to the society during their service year, Corper Raphael embraced this opportunity and played this pivotal part.

Chief Olowo M.A, the chairman of the day, in his opening remark expressed his gratitude and gave his total support as he believes that this training would enlighten the youths of the land, as well as the adults in their farming occupation in Ipesi Land.


The political scientist cm agriculturist, Corper Adeniran Raphael in his speech, said the reason behind his intention to train the peoples of Ipesi Akoko, was born out of his love he has for humanity and his special love for agriculture. He posits further, that he is using this opportunity to train the people of Ipesi Akoko on Banana and Plantain sucker multiplication, in other to encourage the commercial plantation of banana sucker and solve the problem of shortage of banana sucker.

He also said he wants to play his part in encouraging the community members to embrace the diversification of the economy to agriculture by the federal government.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Ondo state, represented by Mr. Awe Felix brought greetings from the Director – General of NYSC, Brig. Gen Kazaure, and all the Corp members serving in Ondo-State. He went on to encourage the indigenes of the community to key into this rare opportunity as it is for their benefit and it is a rare privilege for this to have happen in their town. He posits further that agriculture is the way out of the financial mess and economic recession that the country is in, so they should embrace the new innovation of banana and plantain sucker multiplication brought to them by Corper Adeniran Raphael.


Dr. Oladapo Bolarinwa, the Provost of Upland College of Education, Ifira/Ipesi Akoko, in his remarks expressed his excitement and gave his total support to the project. In his words, “Upland College is an institution that strongly believe so much in educational research, which is why we are here.” He believes this project carried out by Corp member Adeniran Raphael is a blessing to the community and to ensure that the project lives on, the college has resolved at the management level to be the Research Centre for the project. In this end, the College is allocating a portion of her land for the purpose of practicalising the training, so as to carry on with the project.

He as well slated that negotiations and plans are going on to retain Corper Adeniran Raphael for couple of months after his service year so as to carry on with the project.

Chief Olotu as well believes that the project would help the people of the land. He went on to give the vote of thanks on behalf of the Reagent of Ipesi-Akoko and the people of the land. Chief Olotu also acknowledged the fact that the set of Corps member serving at the Ifira /Ipesi axis are of good conduct, intelligent and as well have the love and good interest of the people at heart.

The flag-off of the training on Banana and Plantain Sucker Multiplication was declared open by Mr. Felix Awe Talabi and it was covered by NTA Channel 43 UHF, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo-State.

Corper Adeniran Raphael Iyiola has indeed made a difference in his time and as well put joy in the heart of the people of Ipesi-Akoko land by impacting them with the knowledge on how to increase their plantations and get bountiful harvest at the very end.

13/06/2016

Synagogue building collapse: COREN continues investigation despite opposition

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has carried on with its investigation into the circumstances that warranted the collapse of a section of the Synagogue Church of All Nations’ building in Lagos, despite stiff resistance by a legal practitioner.

At the headquarters of the agency last week, COREN’s Council of Registered Engineers Investigating Panel met on the matter but the action was opposed by Mr. Donald Ayibiowu, the counsel to the two engineers currently facing criminal charges before a Lagos State High Court for their involvement in the construction of the building.

The panel was convened to investigate the professional conduct of the two engineers involved in the construction of the Synagogue church building, which collapsed on September 14, 2014.

The two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, were represented at the hearing by their counsel, Ayibiowu.

The lawyer said the panel should not hear the testimonies of the witnesses it invited on the grounds that his clients were still in custody despite the fact that they had fulfilled all the bail conditions imposed by the court.

Ayibiowu made several attempts to dissuade the panel from forging ahead with its investigation, as he argued that the hearing should be adjourned to a later date to enable his clients to attend.

According to him, any attempt to hear the invited witnesses will amount to a breach of the principles of fair hearing and justice.

But the Chairman of the panel, Mr. Nurudeen Rafindadi, stated that the prayer of the defence counsel would not be granted since the panel’s job was a fact-finding one and not to decide on the issues at stake.

He maintained that the invited witnesses must testify at the hearing and noted that the panel would avail the defendants records of the proceedings while the counsel would also be given a chance to cross examine the two witnesses.

Talking to Ayibiowu, the panel chairman said, “Your presence here is representative of your clients. So, proceedings have to continue so as not to waste time. This panel does not have the power to determine anything. Ours is to investigate and pass the findings to the tribunal.”

Realising that his objections would not stop the panel from proceeding, as his prayers for an adjournment were ignored, Ayibiowu staged a walk out during the hearing.

But Rafindadi told journalists that the absence of the counsel would not have any implications on the outcome of the matter, especially if it would eventually get to the tribunal stage.

Source: The Punch

13/06/2016

Restore WAI to protect environment, group urges FG

A civil rights organisation, One Environment, has called on President MuhammaduBuhari, to re-enact the popular ‘War Against Indiscipline’, to protect the environment and enhance its sustainability.

The organisation also warned that except stringent measures were taken to protect the environment, Nigeria risked serious disasters in about 2040.

The Executive Director, Art Collective Foundation, Mr. Comedy Nwanyanwu, stated this in an interview with our correspondent on the sidelines of a press briefing held in Abuja to herald the inauguration of One Environment scheduled for July 2016.

He also informed that the OE intended to plant 5,000 trees within the next 12 months in Abuja and its satellite communities.

The essence of the OE, he said, was to bring together environmental experts to discuss the challenges and articulate ideas that would promote sustainability organic contents.

Nwanyanwu said, “If the government can enforce some of the policies that we have on ground like sanctions and environmental sanitation and disposals, there will be sanity. If you go to the market a lot of people are more concentrated on the goods that they sell but less interested in the environment through which they generate money. That is why you see people dumping refuse everywhere even when they are in taxis and nobody is arresting them.

“That is what I am saying, the War Against Indiscipline should be brought back, this time tor the environment. The problem is not that we don’t have the policies but it is about lack of enforcement of these policies. That is where we have issues; so if the government comes up and becomes very firm in enforcing some of those things we won’t have a problem.

“I don’t see any reason why people should dump refuse on the road; we don’t have any recycling collection point. Everything is all mixed up together and by the end of the day, we find them in land fields and it is not supposed to be like that.

“If the government is able to enforce what they have brought to the table, it makes it easier for us to get along and it goes on to say that we can’t deny the fact that some of the little things we do collectively affect the environment.”

According to him, Nigeria will be in a serious problem in some years to come because of certain factors, which constitute a threat to the environment.

He said, “We have already seen danger, it will be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire if we just keep up with this abusive attitude towards the environment. I don’t even want to start imagining how it will be in the next 10 years. I will rather imagine if we start getting our acts right because the projection is that in 2040, Nigerian population will come up to 350 million. So, you can imagine how much waste we will be generating if we keep on with this abusive attitude. We are all here enjoying fresh air and beautiful environment. Why should we mess it up for our kids to come and clean it up? It doesn’t make sense.”

Source: The Punch

13/06/2016

Stakeholders condemn activities of quacks in estate surveying

The President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Mr. Gabriel Fasoto, has condemned the unscrupulous activities of the some people in the estate surveying and valuation profession.

Fasoto, who gave a keynote address at the investiture of Dr. BolarindePatunola-Ajayi as the 22nd President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, said the development was capable of tanishing the image of the profession.

He said the institution should seek collaboration with relevant professional bodies and come up with effective measures to check and penalise errant individuals.

http://punchng.com/stakeholders-condemn-activities-quacks-estate-surveying/

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13/06/2016

Nigeria says one million housing units required annually to curb deficit

Nigeria says one million housing units are required annually to curb existing deficit.Speaking during Shelter Afrique 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium held in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari said that the housing deficit in Nigeria now stands at 17 million.

Represented by Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the FCT Minister, Buhari said the federal government has earmarked US$202.8m in the 2016 capital budget to implement a comprehensive housing programme in the country.

“Government intends to directly supply housing stocks in urban areas across all the geo-political zones under its Comprehensive Housing Programme,” said Buhari. “We will continue to prosecute overall housing policy stand which recognizes the government as active facilitator of the private driven housing sector,” he added.

Additionally, President Buhari noted that the federal government is considering vibrant reforms towards the land administration, urban planning/renewal and mortgage housing finance under its new comprehensive housing programme to improve housing delivery in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s current realties of housing shortfall has challenged the housing developers in Nigeria and Africa such that the developers need to re-assess their strategies in order to evolve fresh methodologies to meet the exigencies of the recent times.

Participants are urged to evolve strategies that will assist the national governments across the continent to develop a robust systems that will help to deliver affordable housing to the low income earners on a sustainable basis. Shelter Afrique and other development partners have been urged to consider more investments in the Nigeria housing sector to deepen the vibrancy of the country’s housing market.

According to James Mugerwa, Shelter Afrique Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, the company has invested US$50 in the housing sector and has created 30 million construction workers across the continent. Shelter Afrique is a pan-African finance institution that exclusively supports the development of the housing and real estate sector in Africa.

07/06/2016

Estate surveyors take fight against building collapse to Oba of Lagos

Worried by the spate of building collapse in Lagos, members of the Lagos state branch of the Nigerian Institution of estate surveyors and valuers NIESV have taken the ‘fight’ to prevent building collapse in the state to Oba of Lagos, HRM Alaiyeluwa Rilwanu Akiolu 1 for his intervention.

Leading members of his executive council to Oba Akiolu’s palace last week, the chairman of Lags state NIESV, Mr. Samuel Ukpong said: “We know that Kabiyesi is very worried and in fact, disturbed about the frequent news of collapsed buildings in the state.

www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/estate-surveyors-take-fight-building-collapse-oba-lagos/

Worried by the spate of building collapse in Lagos, members of the Lagos state branch of the Nigerian Institution of estate surveyors and valuers NIESV have taken the ‘fight’ to prevent building collapse in the state to Oba of Lagos, HRM Alaiyeluwa Rilwanu Akiolu 1 for his intervention.

07/06/2016

Shelter Afrique, Chicason group in N55b deal to boost housing in Abuja

Fresh building blocks were again laid unto the housing sector last week, when the pan African housing institution, Shelter Afrique endorsed an agreement to support a private sector led effort in the construction of 3,000 unit housing programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The deal was sealed at the sideline of the 35th Annual General Meeting and Symposium of Shelter Afrique in Abuja between the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique, James Mugerwa and Chief Operating Officer, Afro –
Asia Shelters International, Francis Onwuemele in the presence of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.
Under the scheme, the company would
provide 3,000 residential accommodation to
the Nigerian public particularly the Nigerian
worker in public and private sectors in the second phase of the Rock City II Jibi in Greater Abuja area. This phase will cost about N55 billion with Shelter Afrique contributing 59 percent while Chicason Group will contribute 41 per cent of the project cost.

The Rock City II development is following
after the N110 billion Rock City 1 in Lugbe
currently under construction by Rock of Ages
Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of Chicason Group. The company is developing decent residential estate across the country in partnership with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
During the signing the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), Mugerwa noted that
Shelter Afrique remains committed to the shared vision of the founding fathers of the
organization, which is to tackle the ever growing housing deficit in Africa.

He said: “The objective of providing
affordable and quality housing to all is at the very heart of our mandate — it is the core of our operations.
“I am happy to inform you that as we
continue in our quest to deliver on that objective, we have created new systems and
drafted and put into operation a new strategy.”
Onwuemele said that Shelter Afrique, as a credible financial institution in Africa has
recognized the contributions of his organization to the development of the housing sector and has agreed to partner with them by providing the required funds at a friendly rate.
According to Onwuemele, his organization
has acquired 443 hectares of land at Lugbe,
Abuja from the Federal Government for the
expansion of their mass housing scheme.

He disclosed that the funds coming from Shelter Afrique will go a long way in helping
them to fastrack the partnership his organization entered into with the TUC to
provide affordable housing to Nigeria workers.
It would be recalled that Shelter Afrique have signed an MoU with the Nigerian Police Force, Customs Coop of Nigeria and Real Estate Developers Association (REDAN) for the delivery of affordable housing. In the units to the police force cooperative, the parties would execute a housing programme with a 25,000 benchmark in view, with the first phase delivering 3, 000 units between Abuja, Lagos, Ogun and five other operational zones.

In the agreement with Customs Coop of Nigeria. The two organisations will ensure
the successful delivery of 5, 000 housing units for members of the Co-operative.

Under the terms of the understanding, Shelter Afrique is expected to provide advisory services and funding while the Coop is expected will provide off take guarantee and equity contribution in the amount and timeline required by Shelter Afrique.

07/06/2016

30% for capital projects’ll create jobs for quantity surveyors, others- NIQS boss

By Ikenna Asomba

THE President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, Mercy Iyortyer, has hailed President Buhari for allocating 30 per cent for capital projects in the 2016 budgetary allocation which is believed to be the highest in the country's history, adding that it would create a lot of jobs for quantity surveyors and other professionals in the country's built industry.

Iyortyer, the first female president of NIQS who spoke at the 1st NIQS Job Fair for fresh graduates and undergraduates from South-West tertiary institutions last week at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, said
"One of the visions I have for the Quantity and Surveying profession is to create opportunities for our members. Students and job seekers are part of our members.

“When we discovered that there are a lot of job seekers out there, we decided to organize this job fair to enhance their job seeking skills. We decided to use this fair to teach them how to write and present good job curriculum vitae CVs, what to do at interview sessions,
who and who to meet as their potential employers, then, it would be the beginning of giving them hope”, she stated.

The optimistic Ivortyer added that "One good thing about Nigeria today is that for the first time in so many years, we have capital allocation of 30 per cent from the usual 12 per cent. Capital allocation in the past had never exceeded 15 per cent. So, this year, it has doubled.

“So, the chances for people getting jobs now is going to double. As an institute, that is our expectation. We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for this vision he has for this great country, to take infrastructure
development to a new level. Without infrastructure development, there will be no national development.

"What makes first world countries industrialized is because of the infrastructure they provide for their citizens. By the time federal government provides infrastructure, there are high hopes for job seekers, particularly those in the construction sector to get employed", Iyortyer assured.

On his part, Obafemi Onoshile, deputy president, NIQS, said "The job fair is out of concern for our young graduates and even students. While at school, they have little or no counselling about what to do when they graduate. Or even, how they can apply what they are being taught in school. In many educational institutions, abroad, companies organize fairs to select best students in order to catch them young and groom them for their companies. But in Nigeria, no firm is doing that.

"So, we decided as an institution to kick-start it, so that as it expands, employing companies can start doing theirs. Employers and the institute put this fair together in order to encourage graduates and students of quantity surveying in the south-west region fulfil their dreams by giving them hope and aspiration, especially now where unemployment is a major issue in our country.

"In our own little way to create job opportunities for teeming graduates and students of quantity surveying, we have put in this job fair. Also, the fair is a way of developing our profession by giving new entrants the opportunity into the market. This is a win-win situation for the graduates and the employing companies, to expand the proficiency and sustenance of our profession", Onosile said.

The the job fair saw participants from building and infrastructure construction companies, MEP contractors, quantity surveying and multi-disciplinary consulting firms, human resource consulting companies, who were on ground to enlighten participants on how best to get employed after school.
Among the companies at the fair were: Julius Berger Plc; Arbico Building Construction company; Meksan Power & Distribution Transformers; Etco Nigeria Ltd. Engineering & Technical Co.; Construction Economists Partnership Limited (CEP) and Austin Onaro Associates, Chartered Quantity Surveyors.

Others were ITB Nigeria Limited; Costec Consultants; BQC Consultants Limited; FO. AB Partnership; Project IQ Service Ltd; Lambertelectromec Ltd; Billing Cost Associates; Elalan Construction Company; HOS Consult Ltd; VACC Technical Ltd; San-Latunag Ltd.

www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/30-capital-projectsll-create-jobs-quantity-surveyors-others-niqs-boss/

THE President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, Mercy Iyortyer, has hailed President Buhari for allocating 30 per cent for capital projects in the 2016 budgetary allocation which is believed to be the highest in the country's history, adding that it would create a lot of jobs for quan...