The Lagos State Police Command has initiated an inquiry into the demise of an individual identified as the Chairman of Victoria Garden City in the Lekki area of Lagos State, Gihan Mbelu.

Responding to a tweet by Deji Lambo, the Command’s Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating that “Investigation has commenced into this.”

According to Lambo’s tweet, the 42-year-old man, Gihan Mbelu, was discovered unconscious in his C300 4Matic car. He was found around 10.10 am on Friday in the VGC area, Ajah, Lagos State, where his vehicle had been running for hours.

After observing the situation, individuals in the vicinity found Mbelu inside the vehicle. Efforts to awaken him were unsuccessful, leading to speculations about his condition.

Mbelu was subsequently pronounced dead at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and his body was taken to the hospital’s morgue. The police were notified of the incident, and an investigation was launched to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

Commenting on Lambo’s post, an individual identified as Politicalmen007 confirmed Mbelu’s position as the chairman of VGC. Another user, Dapsieb, expressed shock over the news and mentioned Mbelu’s active involvement in the VGC Residents Association.

The remains of Nigeria’s popular gospel musician, Morenikeji Adeleke, popularly known as Egbin Orun, have been laid to rest.

Recall that The Eagle Online had earlier on Sunday (today) reported the death of the popular musician in the gospel genre.

According to another gospel musician, Esther Igbekele, the death of Adeleke came as a shock.

Igbekele said she spoke with Adeleke some days before she learnt of her death.

She wrote: “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.

“Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye.

“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.

“You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry. 

“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. 

“You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.

“Ah Egbin Orun. 

“Good night! 

“Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.

“Ah Gone too soon.

“Yeeee.”

A Update seen by The Eagle Online showed the beginning of the burial service for Egbin Orun at a white garment church.

The Lagos State Government on Sunday stated that the ongoing removal of all contravening structures under the system 1 drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu, will address major flooding issues on the mainland and its environs.

State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab stated this.

He made the assertion when he alongside the SA Environment, Tokunbo Wahab led the management on an inspection tour to the enforcement sites to ascertain the level of compliance by property owners and extent of work.

He explained that the System 1 was established in 1974 and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods the major parts of the mainland which cut across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, Maryland, adding that the flyover bridge coming from Odo Iyaalaro will cut across these areas.

Wahab stressed that the Government had been having discussions with property owners / residents since year 2021 and the conversation ended in November 2023, stating that contravention notices have been served to owners of buildings lying within the 140 metres of System 1 since year 2021.

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“We found out that people have gone back to encroach on the right of way and alignments. Since 2021, we have been engaging the homeowners and residents where government has been notifying them of impending enforcement without which we cannot abate flooding,” he said.

The Commissioner  explained that property owners whose buildings fall within the approved 140 meters Right of Way of the channel had been given the option of voluntary compliance for almost three years now.

He added that the government also discovered that while contravention notices had been served and dialogue on way forward was being explored, some of the property owners continued with the construction of  new buildings that surfaced in the areas now.

He explained  that the property owners/ residents affected were advised for about three years to voluntarily remove the contravening structures before the state government officials commenced the enforcement but were foot dragging 

According to him, “the conversation ended officially in November last year when they were asked to come forward with their documents and approvals and we found out that most of them do not have any.” 

He stressed that it has been observed that all the structures on the System 1 Right of Way have no valid documents from the government as such all the structures will have to be removed. 

He stressed that the original dimension was 140meters before the alignment but the State government is willing to put a human face to the enforcement process.

Wahab charged Lagosians to respect the State Drainage Master Plan to avoid properties demolition, insisting that there was no going back on the decision of the state to enforce the law and reclaim drainage setbacks following the expiration of the notices issued.

He advised residents to always visit necessary Government agencies when doing their land searches especially Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to get their drainage clearance as this will suffice for them in case of any occurrence in future. 

The Commissioner accompanied by the Permanent Secretaries, Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen; Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; MD LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, GM LASPARK, Adetoun Popoola, General Manager, LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi; General Manager, LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi and some Directors.

The team also visited Okota, Faseun Bridge System 6E, off Ago Palace Way as the Ministry is set to commence major maintenance dredging to curb flooding and proffer lasting solution to waste that usually got stuck under the bridge. 

The Special Adviser on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu; said the government is determined to find a realistic solution to the issue of flash flooding in every part of the state.

According to him, the world has changed and everyone must put in place various measures to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues confronting human existence.