Pentagon Estate, Subscriber Disagree on Development Charge 

Bennett Oghifo 

A subscriber to one of the property of Pentagon Estate, Mr. Ademola Oluwaranti is distraught because he wasn’t allocated the two plots of land he paid for in 2007 until this month. Besides the long wait, he endured a bitter court process which favoured him. The court ordered Pentagon to give him his land.

However, Oluwaranti is still unhappy because Pentagon is asking him to pay N3.5 million for each of the two plots of land he bought for N700,000 about 18 years ago.

He said, “They asked me to pay N7 million as development levy for both plots. My query is that I did not buy the land in 2024. As such, why should I pay this. I bought both plots in 2007 for N700,000.

“I bought the land in 2007. They did not give me the land and they did not say anything about development levy.

“In so far I know that in every estate, they pay development levy when you move to site, but the case remains that they did not allocate my land to me in 2007. I bought the two plots at N350,000 each in 2007, which was a lot of money then.

“Now in 2024, they’re asking me to pay N3.5 million each for development levy for a land I bought at N350,000. It does not sound reasonable in any law. So, what I’m saying is this, while I’m open to paying development levy, which is a function of how much you paid for the land. I didn’t buy the land in 2024. How much did those who bought land from him for N350,000 in 2007 and took possession, pay as development levy?

“If he is not going to refund my N2.6 million, which I paid to rezone, and which I should not have paid, according to the Chairman of Pentagon, so, can we cross that for development levy? And they write me a receipt and swap that and development levy is sorted.”

When contacted, the Chairman of Pentagon Estates, Mr. Okoruwa Kennedy said, “Usually, when your land is in a place that is not fully developed, you will pay for relocation and they will relocate you from where you are to where you can start building. I found out that they have paid for relocation and that is why they have been relocated.

“However, the estate requires infrastructure and they will pay that cost of infrastructure when they want to start development. It is not something they will have to pay now.”

Pentagon told the subscriber, “Also please note that you made a payment for reallocation, as the currently allocated land is a reassigned plot.”

According to Pentagon, “The Development Levy is payable at the current rate of ₦3.5 million per plot, ₦500,000 initial payment and spread balance within 17 months.

“Payment Terms for 2 Plots: 

Initial Payment is ₦1,000,00 and balance payable in 17 monthly installments.”

Caption: Guests at the Elevate 2025 Realtor Retreat at Pertinence Place, Lagos

Pertinence Empowers Realtors with Skills to Succeed in 2025

Uche Nnaike

Reinforcing its commitment to empowering real estate players, Pertinence Group, an empowerment and enterprise development company, recently organised a retreat for its sales affiliates, tagged ‘Elevate 2025.

The event, which held at the Pertinence Place, Akowonjo, Lagos, brought together over 300 sales professionals for a dynamic and impactful programme designed to equip them with the skills, strategies, and insights needed to thrive in the competitive industry.

The retreat began with a keynote session by Mr. Wisdom Ezekiel, co-founder of Pertinence Group, followed by insightful presentations from corporate trainer and founder of RCV, Mrs. Bosede Olusola-Obasa; co-founder of Eazipay, Dr. Emmanuel Efosa-Zuwa; and Dr. Sunday Olorunsheyi, co-founder of Pertinence Group. They offered the attendees valuable knowledge and strategies for navigating the opportunities and challenges in the real estate and related sectors in the year ahead.

Ezekiel highlighted the massive opportunities available in Nigeria in 2025. He set the tone by emphasizing the interplay between strategy and culture in personal development and business growth, reiterating the importance of behavioural changes in achieving planned goals.

He emphasized that while having a strategy is important, real growth requires behavioural changes that align with one’s goals; hence he urged attendees to align their actions with their strategic aspirations.

Olusola-Obasa challenged attendees to “own their game” in the new year. Her session focused on the importance of delivering exceptional customer service as a competitive advantage in the real estate sector.

Olusola-Obasa, who introduced her CUTE framework – courtesies, understanding, trustworthiness, and experience – emphasised that strong customer relationships lead to better sales outcomes. 

Dr. Efosa-Zuwa delivered a compelling lecture on leveraging technology to enhance sales and personal value. He encouraged realtors to integrate digital tools into their workflows, from managing client relationships to setting reminders for key dates like customer birthdays and anniversaries.

“It’s not about the 2,000 contacts on your phone, but how you manage them. So, how well are you leveraging on, or taking good advantage of those contacts on your phone?” he asked, urging participants to be intentional about building meaningful connections with their clients.

Olorunsheyi rounded off the keynote sessions by delivering an enlightening breakdown of the Pertinence Group’s diverse companies and products. He shared numerous opportunities available to realtors, offering them practical pathways to scale their businesses and achieve unprecedented success in 2025. 

A major highlight of the retreat was the breakout sessions, where participants were trained on critical digital skills to boost their sales and marketing efforts. Led by seasoned professionals within the Pertinence family, the sessions included classes on digital marketing, content writing and copywriting, graphic design, and video production.

Realtors left the sessions equipped with actionable skills to enhance their online presence and drive bigger sales in 2025.

One of the participants, Ms. Chidinma Okafor said that the event was a great way to begin her sales journey this year.

“I am so glad I attended this event. The energy from everyone here has been incredibly motivating; every session meant a lot to me, and I am grateful.”

The attendees also engaged in interactive activities, including brain teasers, humour, dance, music and food, which provided opportunities to relax, recharge, and network with their peers.

The company said that the retreat was to demonstrate its commitment to the growth and success of real estate professionals, and to position its sales affiliates for excellence in a competitive market.

Caption: Oguntala

Oguntala: Why FG Must Prioritise Professional Appointments in Key Leadership Roles

The President of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, who recently marked one year in office, explains to Funmi Ogundare how the Society’s collaboration with various organisations will go a long way in opening pathways for local manufacturing, job creation, and increased productivity, especially for country’s young people in sectors like agriculture, technology, and infrastructure. She also states why it is imperative for the federal government to consider appointment of qualified professionals for key leadership roles, especially in the management/boards of the River Basin Development Authorities, as well as other engineering positions in Ministries, Departments and Agencies

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), recently signed an MoU with Assetrise, Lancaster Farms, Techlytics and BHM. How does this collaboration align with NSE’s long-term vision for Nigeria’s engineering industry and the nation as a whole?

I would like to inform you that we came on board with a strategic agenda to address the pressing needs of the engineering industry and community in the country. The agenda is carried on five pillars which includes membership development, improving intergovernmental industry/academia collaborations, re-enforcing international relations mechanisms, re-imaging the NSE for enhanced publicity and governance structure and Improving community impact. It is part of the effort at achieving this overall objective that we recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Assetrise, Lancaster Farms, Techlytics, and the Black House Media (BHM). Partners like the tech-centric Techlytics and Assetrise Limited provide platforms for upskilling engineers in data-driven decision-making, smart technologies, and sustainable practices. Therefore, with their assistance we will ensure that our engineers are well-equipped to tackle both present and future challenges. Lancaster Farms’ expertise in agriculture complements NSE’s vision for sustainable engineering solutions covering food production and rural development. We believe that the collaboration can lead to innovative approaches in smart farming, irrigation systems, and renewable energy solutions, all of which are essential for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We plan to establish demonstration farms and engineering villages across the six geo-political zones, enabling our engineers to apply their expertise in mechanised farming, irrigation systems, and sustainable agricultural practices. These hubs will not only centralise cutting-edge equipment for optimal resource use but also serve as innovation incubators where new agricultural technologies can be developed and tested.These collaborations we are talking about will go a long way to open pathways for local manufacturing, job creation, and increased productivity in sectors like agriculture, technology, and infrastructure. This aligns with NSE’s goal of leveraging engineering expertise to catalyse Nigeria’s economic diversification and reduce reliance on imports. This move also supports NSE’s commitment to community engineering initiatives by ensuring that projects have a direct and positive impact on Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots level. The Black House Media (BHM) on the other hand will amplify these efforts through strategic communication and advocacy, ensuring that the benefits reach all stakeholders. Again, these collaborations underpin NSE’s vision of being a leader in transforming Nigeria into a country driven by sustainable engineering solutions. By integrating expertise from these partners, NSE would strengthen its capacity to address developmental challenges and position the engineering profession as a critical driver of national progress.

What specific benefits will engineers gain from these collaborations?

The collaboration with our partners as mentioned, offers a range of tangible benefits for our engineers. I wish to inform you at this point that besides, we also have other partners that we do not have MoUs with but are working with us in the direction of our vision. They include; Kenol Nigeria Limited, Coleman Technical Company Limited, Protogy Global Services Limited, LEE Engineering, Total Energies, NASENI,Energy Commission of Nigeria , Dynamic Power Construction Company Limited among others , we are indeed grateful to all them. In collaboration with them, Our professional development department and techlytics have successfully carried out a training on Data Analytics and Software Development which 279 young engineers benefitted. Earlier, under similar collaborative window, we launched a training on Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security for 600 young engineers across the six geopolitical zones of the country, done jointly with the Nigerian Contend Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB). Under the same form of arrangement, we have held a mini workshop on smart farming with our partners, the International Standards Organisation (ISO). The workshop provided the young engineers a unique opportunity for all of them to further develop expertise and expand knowledge, equipping them to contribute to our country’s agricultural transformation. Let me inform you that our strategic agenda includes a robust entrepreneurship development programme designed to enhance the agricultural sector’s productivity and innovation. By equipping our engineers with entrepreneurial skills, we aim to revolutionise agri-businesses through advanced engineering solutions. We plan to establish demonstration farms and engineering villages across the six geo-political zones, enabling our engineers to apply their expertise in mechanised farming, irrigation systems, and sustainable agricultural practices. These hubs will not only centralise cutting-edge equipment for optimal resource use, but also serve as innovation incubators where new agricultural technologies can be developed and tested. These trainings, as I have explained are planned to enrich knowledge and also empower our engineers. The NSE remains committed to fostering professional development initiatives that will enhance the employability and entrepreneurial capacity of our members, particularly our young engineers. 

What role does the NSE play in supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure in the country?

The Nigerian Society of Engineers plays a crucial role in supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure through various initiatives and activities. As a first step, we promote initiatives to boost the skills of workers on projects in different sectors. For example, our collaborations with the federal government in which we highlighted the importance of a specialised training institute for the power sector, immediately led to the establishment of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN). Our engineers provided expertise and technical support during the planning and establishment of NAPTIN, ensuring that the institute’s curriculum and training programs meet industry standards. We also followed up to ensure that the training programs incorporate industry standards and practices, preparing trainees for real-world challenges in view of the cruciality of the sector to the economy. NSE organises regular workshops and seminars focusing on the latest technologies and best practices. We collaborate with universities to develop specialised courses and curricula that align with industry needs. Through partnerships, we facilitate internship opportunities for engineering students, providing hands-on experience in the respective sectors. This is yet, another long-term approach to the delivery on infrastructure by our would-be professionals. Our Continuous Professional Development (CPD), is also a veritable platform for our members who regularly update their knowledge and skills. We have the mentorship programmes, which we deploy our fellows who are experienced engineers to impart knowledge to the younger professionals, helping them navigate their careers and enhance their skills.We also work with regulatory bodies to establish standards that ensure high-quality engineering practices. We encourage research and development thereby promoting innovative solutions to industry challenges. We host technical sessions in our conferences where engineers can share knowledge and innovations related to specific sectors.We collaborate with companies to design training programs tailored to industry needs. NSE organises parleys where engineers, industry leaders, and policymakers can discuss and address sector-specific issues. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that our engineers are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to our country’s infrastructure needs. You are aware that as a country we are grappling with the menace of the deployment of inferior materials and cutting of corners by some notorious clients, contractors and property developers which leads to eventual collapse of infrastructure. The factors behind the collapse of buildings, particularly, residential and commercial complexes are numerous. However, there are extant laws meant to checkmate these unfortunate occurrences. In 2019, we pushed and the Engineers Registration Amendment Act was affected to among other things address the menace of building collapse and other cases of engineering failure in the country. The amendments also strengthened the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); with far-reaching powers of prosecution of infractions, regulating industrial training of engineers and capacity building for local content in the engineering industry. The law therefore grants COREN the power to prosecute any individual or body corporate that contravenes the provisions of the act in a court of competent jurisdiction. In-spite of this, buildings have continued to collapse. Owners of buildings and quacks infiltrating the industry have continued brazenly with alteration of approved building plans or even embarking on construction of some buildings without approved plans. Again, poor maintenance culture and wrong use of structures has pervaded our polity. The issue of building collapse has therefore bedevilled our country at the expense of precious lives. Aware of the inefficiency of the building regulatory agencies or conflicts among the professionals in the industry, the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2013, took the bold step by galvanising the sector players by initiating discussions on sanitising the built environment at the level of presidents and registrars of the concerned bodies. The idea is for us to meticulously pursue the observance of the necessary rules guiding infrastructural development in our country in all ramifications. Similarly, knowledge exchange and technology domestication is top on our agenda.We have taken these steps because, the very essence of the establishment of our respective Societies and associations is for the advancement of the practice which, in itself, has critical control measures embedded in order to sufficiently uphold the dignity of practitioners and the professions. NSE will continue to lead the pack of professionals to continue to do this until we experience sanity in the industry. The roles played by our members in the Nigerian economy cannot be over emphasised. The available road networks and buildings amongst other critical infrastructure across the country lay credence to this assertion. Consequently, we cannot fold our hands and see disruptions that are destructive go on unabated. The rascality of imposters who have invaded the profession has impugned on our dignity and image of our profession for too long and cannot be tolerated again.

What is your view about the federal government’s recent appointment of executive officers who lack the requisite credentials and qualifications into critical engineering positions of the River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) and what does it portend to the development of the country?

Again, let me here remind you that our spontaneous reaction on this matter when the federal government announced the appointments is part of our effort in supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure in the country. The River Basin Development Authorities as is well known play very important role in ensuring the efficient administration and equitable distribution of our nation’s water resources, which are essential for agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and economic growth.  It is vital that these authorities are overseen by individuals who possess both the technical expertise and professional qualifications required to navigate the complex engineering challenges of the industry. The appointment of personnel without the requisite engineering qualifications undermines the integrity of these institutions and jeopardises the ability to fulfil their mandates effectively. Having carefully reviewed the composition of the various RBDA boards, the council of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has noticed that many of the appointees assigned to manage the critical engineering positions, namely; Executive Director, Engineering and Executive Director, Planning and Design,  lack the necessary qualifications and professional credentials. Our findings have also revealed that only four of the appointments were allotted to engineers as Executive Directors, which are: Engr. Julius Oloro (Executive Director Engineering, Ogun-Osun RBDA)Engr. Mohammed Shettima (Executive Director, Engineering, Chad BDA) Engr. Babajamu Adeniran, (Executive Director, Engineering Designate, Lower Niger RBDA) Engr. Charles Osua Akpan (Executive Director, Engineering, Cross River BDA). We have already pointed out this through a protest letter to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria expressing our concerns which are genuine regarding the implications of these appointments for the future of Nigeria’s water resources management and sustainable development. The Nigerian Society of Engineers urges the federal government to reconsider these appointments and adhere to established guidelines that ensure the appointment of qualified professionals for key leadership roles. We advocate for consultations in the appointment process and the necessity of qualified engineers who possess the relevant degrees and professional accreditation to occupy the positions of Executive Director, Engineering and Executive Director, Planning and Design in the management/boards to oversee the vital departments in the River Basin Development Authorities as well as other engineering positions in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

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