Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has rescued two persons from a building that collapsed in Agarawu Street, Aroloya Central Mosque in Idumota, Lagos Island.

Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who made this known in a statement, said the incident happened at about 2pm on Monday.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency received a distress call through its 767 and 112 Emergency Toll-Free lines at 2:16pm and its response team from  Lekki Base rushed to the scene.

“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a storey building, under construction, self-collapsed at the aforementioned location.

“So far, two adult males, rescued from the rubble of the building, had been given first aid treatment by  LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit,” he said.

According to him, no other casualty has been recorded as at the time of filing this report.

He said law enforcement agencies had condoned off the scene.

He also said the immediate cause of the collapse of the building, which was under construction, is yet to be ascertained, adding that further investigations would be conducted.

He added that the agency’s search and rescue operations had been concluded.

•BoI MD, Olusi,  Uboh, others  receive awards

Foreign Investment Network, FIN, a leading London-based investment organisation,  has honoured   Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State) and Monday Okpebholo (Edo State), Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II and other top personalities during its international award ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The epoch-making award ceremony, which took place recently at the Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, during the 2025 Net Zero MEA Summit, had top CEOs, MDs, innovators, founders and other stakeholders from different countries in attendance. 

Sanwo-Olu was honoured with the Distinguished FIN Outstanding Leadership Award, while Okpebholo received the Distinguished FIN Emerging Governor Of The Year Award  in recognition of their remarkable achievements in Lagos and Edo States. 

The MD/CEO, Bank of Industry, BoI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, was honoured with  Distinguished FIN Transformational Leader in Development Finance Award while the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Doris Uboh, who graced the prestigious event, also received the Distinguished FIN Rural Electrification Champion of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution to public service. 

In his remarks at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, who received the Distinguished FIN Outstanding Leadership Award on behalf of the  governor said, “Our unique selling point is not just about an upwardly mobile population, but a growth trajectory that confirms Lagos as a choice destination for investment.

“The FIN event is an opportunity for Lagos, under the  leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu, to showcase the competitiveness of our city as an investment destination. We were also able to debunk some assumptions about the progress we are making as the largest subnational towards improving our livability index. We are also delighted about the enquiries and follow up we have had so far.”

The Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office, Mr Amen Odigie, who received the Distinguished FIN Emerging Governor Of The Year Award  on behalf of Governor Okpebholo, said “Under his visionary leadership, the present administration is prioritising agriculture, renewable energy investments and sustainable development. 

“I also wish to use this opportunity to highlight the state’s abundant natural resources, progressive reforms and investor-friendly environment, positioning Edo as a gateway to West Africa’s green economy and inviting global partners to collaborate on transformative projects.”

The Oba of Benin, who was present at the event and honoured with the Distinguished FIN Lifetime Achievement Award, said” We are actively seeking investment partners to drive the development of our agricultural and real estate sectors in Edo State. With thousands of hectares of land earmarked for these initiatives, we are positioned to support significant growth and innovation. 

“We also recognise the critical role of renewable energy—particularly solar power—in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of these sectors. Therefore, we invite stakeholders and investors in the renewable energy space to engage in meaningful dialogue with us. Together, we can explore the most effective ways to facilitate your investment and ensure mutual value creation across all areas of collaboration.”

In her remarks, the FIN Chairman,  Dr Olayinka Fayomi, said, “ We are delighted to honour our distinguished honourees in Dubai for their stellar achievements and remarkable contributions to public service and humanities. 

“ For the record, our honourees were chosen after a rigorous nomination process by FIN Management and I can say with high sense of responsibility that our honourees will live up to expectations.“

It was an electrifying moment as many industry game-changers and leaders who have made significant impact stepped out in style to receive their awards amid applause from the audience. 

Some of the prominent personalities who graced the event include Yaqoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor from The Office Of His Highness, Sheikh Juma Bin Makhtoum Al Maktoum; Mr. Gong Jackey, CEO, BMSER Technology; Mr. Chen Xiaodong, MENA Region General Manager, GoodWe Technologies, Dr. Bu Abdulla, Chairman of the Abdulla Group; and Ahabue Ezekiel Botha, an Advisor to Edo State Government and foreign investment expert among other dignitaries. 

Other notable people who received awards include Hon. Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa; HRH Princess Sikhanyiso of Eswatini Kingdom; Faisal Ali Al Rashid, Senior Director, Demand Side Management, Supreme Council of Energy; Mohammed Al Ta’ani, Secretary General, Arab Renewable Energy Commission, Padmashri Sadguru, Brahmeshanand Acharya Swami, Spiritual Leader and several others.

It is instructive to note that some award recipients spoke on the uniqueness of the event, while exclusive interviews with the awardees were anchored by FIN’s Chief Editor, Chimezie Prince Ochionuoha, and photo sessions. 

FIN, a company focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investments, FDIs, to countries, states and multinationals, has a wide network of global investors from various nations with over 25 years of successful business operation. 

It has also hosted trade summits, deal sessions, international conferences in over 80 countries and numerous high-level industry award ceremonies in partnership with Forbes US (emerging markets).

Vice Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Olushola Alao, has said that there is no supremacy dispute between the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

Oba Alao, who is the Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, stated this on Sunday at the palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade while paying a royal visit to him.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that Oba Owoade was crowned on April 5, as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

Speaking with journalists shortly after a close door meeting with the Alaafin, Oba Alao, encouraged all traditional rulers in Yoruba land to be united for the development of Yoruba race.

The Olugbon said he had heard a lot of things after the Alaafin’s coronation, “but I will tell you one thing, Alaafin will remain Alaafin of Oyo while Ooni will remain Ooni of Ife. So there is no dispute,” he said.

According to Oba Alao, his visit to the Oyo palace was to pay homage to Alaafin whom he described as “a leader, a man of wisdom, who chooses his words carefully and is equipped academically.

“Due to our past relationship, traditionally, culturally and historically; Olugbo, Aresa and Olukoyi see Alaafin as our affiliation and our tide, we have a very long bond from the days of Oyo empire till date.

“I and Oba Owoade discussed issues that are progresive to Oyo state government, Oyo state traditional council, and to entire Yoruba traditional council,” he said.

Oba Ajao maintained that the objectives of the traditional rulers were to work towards promotion and preservation of Yoruba cultural values,

He added that Oyo State Traditional Council has been working together with the governor, to achieve this mission, noting that there’s no way traditional rulers could do things on their own.

“We must have a synergy with the government and we are doing that. These are parts of the things we share in common.

“And I know for sure that we have a new leader, a new era to move Oyo State Council of Obas forward, to move Oyo state as a whole forward, in synergy with the state government,” Olugbon stated. NAN