Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor

By: Michael Mike

The rationale behind the pulling down of the historic Awolowo House, a multi-story building, in Ikeja, Lagos, that has been a symbol of innovation since 1978 has been explained.

The iconic building, which is managed by Wemabod, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, owned by the six South West states of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti, was demolished and is being rebuilt into a modern and magnificent technology haven called Awolowo Technology Mall.

The new Awolowo Technology Mall, is being developed to commemorate and immortalize legendary nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy of innovation, quest for knowledge, spirit of discovery, and excellence; qualities that the leading technology companies taking up spaces at the Awolowo Technology Mall are globally famous for.

The new Awolowo Technolgy Mall will more than double the previously available commercial space of Awolowo House from 4,800 sqm to over 9,000 sqm.

On the rationale for the demolition of the former edifice, the managing director of El-Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr Ben Gbade Ojo, whose company is in partnership with Wemabod to develop the Awolowo Technology Mall, told journalists in Abuja at the weekend, that “the Awolowo Technology Mall, now famously called A.T Mall, is a place where top-notch information technology companies will set up shops and offices to exhibit and market the latest information communication technologies and systems, a place where latest ICT products from global technology companies can be found in Nigeria. It is a place where leading ICT experts congregate and set up shops and offices, a place where ICT training is carried out by global ICT geniuses and where ICT puzzles find ready answers, and ICT problems find well-tailored solutions. You will likely find at the A.T Mall, any ICT product or electric product available in the world, and you may not need to travel outside Nigeria for the product. Whatever technology products or services you are in need of, come to A.T Mall, Ikeja, and you will get them”.

He noted that recently, a comprehensive report by data analytics firm, Statisense ranked Lagos as the world’s fastest-growing emerging technology ecosystem in 2025.

The report published on X placed Istanbul in second position, followed by Pune. Belo, Horizonte, Mumbai, Curitiba, Riyadh, Johannesburg, Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City completed the top ten.

Analysts say the ongoing development of the magnificent Awolowo Technology Mall, now sought after by world-class technology firms, will further solidify Lagos’ now globally acknowledged status as a leading technology hub in the world.

Statisense is a leading artificial intelligence data analytics company known for its annual ecosystem intelligence reports across emerging markets.

Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor

Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Benue on Tuesday confirmed the killing of a 55-year-old farmer in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 3:44 p.m. by Mr. Zaki Pkan, a resident of Yelwata, who raised alarm after his brother, Mr. Ayua Fedelis Hemen, failed to return from his farm.

“Upon receiving the report, the coordinator of tactical teams in Yelwata mobilised operatives to the area.

“The body of the deceased was discovered in the farm with multiple machete cuts. It was photographed, evacuated and later handed over to the family,” he said.

The sources added that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the suspects behind the killing.

Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue

Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Benue have destroyed five camps belonging to suspected armed herders during a clearance operation in the Sankera axis of Ukum Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which began at about 11 a.m., on Friday was carried out jointly by Ukum Divisional Police personnel, Operation Zenda, visiting units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), operatives of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Benue Civil Protection Guard.

“During the offensive, five bandits’ camps were destroyed following a fierce gun battle around Dyom and Asom Amadu in Ukum LGA.

“The armed bandits fled with bullet wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle with breech number 309416 and five rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. These were recovered by our men.

“The clearance operation is still ongoing with efforts being intensified to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits,” he said.

The sources said the coordinated operation was part of measures to flush out criminal elements terrorising rural communities in the Sankera axis.

Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle