‎
By David Owei

‎The Chairman of Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, Dr. Peter Singabele has attributed the last seventy years of his life to God’s faithfulness towards him, his family and career.
‎
‎Speaking ahead of his 70th birthday coming up on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Dr. Singabele said God has showered him and his family with favour, and even in his career as a public servant, describing age 70 as a significant milestone.
‎
‎He noted that the celebration was significant not just for the fanfare, as he expressed gratitude to God with the theme “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness”, pointing out that he never wanted to mark the day but his children convinced him to observe it, owing to the importance accorded to the celebration.
‎
‎The former NFF Board member asserted that attaining 70 years is not an easy feat; that some of his age-mates and friends are no longer in existence while some are struggling to survive, adding that celebrating the milestone means a lot to him.
‎
‎He recalled his one year experience in Mogadishu, Somalia with the United Nations (UN) when they were traveling with Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) for humanitarian services and on two occasions, they were confronted with rough and deadly situations, explaining that he narrowly escaped in one of the attacks by a militant group in Somalia.
‎
‎While acknowledging God’s factor in his life, Dr. Singabele noted that proper nutrition and moderate exercise play a crucial role in healthy living, maintaining that one of the reasons that has made him strong even at age 70 is his continuous involvement in sports.
‎
‎According to him, he has learned a lot as a public servant in the State, that the service has impacted positively in his life just as it has impacted the lives of many individuals in the State, particularly in the sports sector.
‎
‎He explained that his foray into sports administration in Bayelsa State started before the civilian administration in the State, around 1998/1999, when he was appointed as the sole administrator of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, pointing out that his passion for sports led him to form a team called Adaka FC as a way of curbing youth restiveness.
‎
‎Dr Singabele further explained that some of the players in the team later became players of Bayelsa United in the year 2000 when the team was formed, pointing out that he played a crucial role by initiating the process of forming Bayelsa United under the late DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, thereafter becoming a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
‎
‎He opined that beyond being a sports administrator, his team, Krusaders FC has become a breeding ground for many coaches in Bayelsa which include; Moses Aduku, Ada Gwegwe and Meremu Okara, adding that Gabriel Biriduba is a product of his team, having won the Prosperity Cup in 2018, then called Restoration Cup.
By David Owei
‎The Chairman of Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, Dr. Peter Singabele has attributed the last seventy years of his life to God’s faithfulness towards him, his family and career.
‎
‎Speaking ahead of his 70th birthday coming up on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Dr. Singabele said God has showered him and his family with favour, and even in his career as a public servant, describing age 70 as a significant milestone.
‎
‎He noted that the celebration was significant not just for the fanfare, as he expressed gratitude to God with the theme “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness”, pointing out that he never wanted to mark the day but his children convinced him to observe it, owing to the importance accorded to the celebration.
‎
‎The former NFF Board member asserted that attaining 70 years is not an easy feat; that some of his age-mates and friends are no longer in existence while some are struggling to survive, adding that celebrating the milestone means a lot to him.
‎
‎He recalled his one year experience in Mogadishu, Somalia with the United Nations (UN) when they were traveling with Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) for humanitarian services and on two occasions, they were confronted with rough and deadly situations, explaining that he narrowly escaped in one of the attacks by a militant group in Somalia.
‎
‎While acknowledging God’s factor in his life, Dr. Singabele noted that proper nutrition and moderate exercise play a crucial role in healthy living, maintaining that one of the reasons that has made him strong even at age 70 is his continuous involvement in sports.
‎
‎According to him, he has learned a lot as a public servant in the State, that the service has impacted positively in his life just as it has impacted the lives of many individuals in the State, particularly in the sports sector.
‎
‎He explained that his foray into sports administration in Bayelsa State started before the civilian administration in the State, around 1998/1999, when he was appointed as the sole administrator of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, pointing out that his passion for sports led him to form a team called Adaka FC as a way of curbing youth restiveness.
‎
‎Dr Singabele further explained that some of the players in the team later became players of Bayelsa United in the year 2000 when the team was formed, pointing out that he played a crucial role by initiating the process of forming Bayelsa United under the late DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, thereafter becoming a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
‎
‎He opined that beyond being a sports administrator, his team, Krusaders FC has become a breeding ground for many coaches in Bayelsa which include; Moses Aduku, Ada Gwegwe and Meremu Okara, adding that Gabriel Biriduba is a product of his team, having won the Prosperity Cup in 2018, then called Restoration Cup.

By David Owei ,Bayelsa

‎The Chairman of Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC‎Dr Singabele Reflects On Success Story As He Clocks 70

‎The Chairman of Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, Dr. Peter Singabele has attributed the last seventy years of his life to God’s faithfulness towards him, his family and career.
‎
‎Speaking ahead of his 70th birthday coming up on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Dr. Singabele said God has showered him and his family with favour, and even in his career as a public servant, describing age 70 as a significant milestone.
‎
‎He noted that the celebration was significant not just for the fanfare, as he expressed gratitude to God with the theme “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness”, pointing out that he never wanted to mark the day but his children convinced him to observe it, owing to the importance accorded to the celebration.
‎
‎The former NFF Board member asserted that attaining 70 years is not an easy feat; that some of his age-mates and friends are no longer in existence while some are struggling to survive, adding that celebrating the milestone means a lot to him.
‎
‎He recalled his one year experience in Mogadishu, Somalia with the United Nations (UN) when they were traveling with Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) for humanitarian services and on two occasions, they were confronted with rough and deadly situations, explaining that he narrowly escaped in one of the attacks by a militant group in Somalia.
‎
‎While acknowledging God’s factor in his life, Dr. Singabele noted that proper nutrition and moderate exercise play a crucial role in healthy living, maintaining that one of the reasons that has made him strong even at age 70 is his continuous involvement in sports.
‎
‎According to him, he has learned a lot as a public servant in the State, that the service has impacted positively in his life just as it has impacted the lives of many individuals in the State, particularly in the sports sector.
‎
‎He explained that his foray into sports administration in Bayelsa State started before the civilian administration in the State, around 1998/1999, when he was appointed as the sole administrator of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, pointing out that his passion for sports led him to form a team called Adaka FC as a way of curbing youth restiveness.
‎
‎Dr Singabele further explained that some of the players in the team later became players of Bayelsa United in the year 2000 when the team was formed, pointing out that he played a crucial role by initiating the process of forming Bayelsa United under the late DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, thereafter becoming a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
‎
‎He opined that beyond being a sports administrator, his team, Krusaders FC has become a breeding ground for many coaches in Bayelsa which include; Moses Aduku, Ada Gwegwe and Meremu Okara, adding that Gabriel Biriduba is a product of his team, having won the Prosperity Cup in 2018, then called Restoration Cup. has attributed the last seventy years of his life to God’s faithfulness towards him, his family and career.
‎
‎Speaking ahead of his 70th birthday coming up on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Dr. Singabele said God has showered him and his family with favour, and even in his career as a public servant, describing age 70 as a significant milestone.
‎
‎He noted that the celebration was significant not just for the fanfare, as he expressed gratitude to God with the theme “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness”, pointing out that he never wanted to mark the day but his children convinced him to observe it, owing to the importance accorded to the celebration.
‎
‎The former NFF Board member asserted that attaining 70 years is not an easy feat; that some of his age-mates and friends are no longer in existence while some are struggling to survive, adding that celebrating the milestone means a lot to him.
‎
‎He recalled his one year experience in Mogadishu, Somalia with the United Nations (UN) when they were traveling with Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) for humanitarian services and on two occasions, they were confronted with rough and deadly situations, explaining that he narrowly escaped in one of the attacks by a militant group in Somalia.
‎
‎While acknowledging God’s factor in his life, Dr. Singabele noted that proper nutrition and moderate exercise play a crucial role in healthy living, maintaining that one of the reasons that has made him strong even at age 70 is his continuous involvement in sports.
‎
‎According to him, he has learned a lot as a public servant in the State, that the service has impacted positively in his life just as it has impacted the lives of many individuals in the State, particularly in the sports sector.
‎
‎He explained that his foray into sports administration in Bayelsa State started before the civilian administration in the State, around 1998/1999, when he was appointed as the sole administrator of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, pointing out that his passion for sports led him to form a team called Adaka FC as a way of curbing youth restiveness.
‎
‎Dr Singabele further explained that some of the players in the team later became players of Bayelsa United in the year 2000 when the team was formed, pointing out that he played a crucial role by initiating the process of forming Bayelsa United under the late DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, thereafter becoming a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
‎
‎He opined that beyond being a sports administrator, his team, Krusaders FC has become a breeding ground for many coaches in Bayelsa which include; Moses Aduku, Ada Gwegwe and Meremu Okara, adding that Gabriel Biriduba is a product of his team, having won the Prosperity Cup in 2018, then called Restoration Cup.

‎The Chairman of Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, Dr. Peter Singabele has attributed the last seventy years of his life to God’s faithfulness towards him, his family and career.
‎
‎Speaking ahead of his 70th birthday coming up on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Dr. Singabele said God has showered him and his family with favour, and even in his career as a public servant, describing age 70 as a significant milestone.
‎
‎He noted that the celebration was significant not just for the fanfare, as he expressed gratitude to God with the theme “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness”, pointing out that he never wanted to mark the day but his children convinced him to observe it, owing to the importance accorded to the celebration.
‎
‎The former NFF Board member asserted that attaining 70 years is not an easy feat; that some of his age-mates and friends are no longer in existence while some are struggling to survive, adding that celebrating the milestone means a lot to him.
‎
‎He recalled his one year experience in Mogadishu, Somalia with the United Nations (UN) when they were traveling with Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) for humanitarian services and on two occasions, they were confronted with rough and deadly situations, explaining that he narrowly escaped in one of the attacks by a militant group in Somalia.
‎
‎While acknowledging God’s factor in his life, Dr. Singabele noted that proper nutrition and moderate exercise play a crucial role in healthy living, maintaining that one of the reasons that has made him strong even at age 70 is his continuous involvement in sports.
‎
‎According to him, he has learned a lot as a public servant in the State, that the service has impacted positively in his life just as it has impacted the lives of many individuals in the State, particularly in the sports sector.
‎
‎He explained that his foray into sports administration in Bayelsa State started before the civilian administration in the State, around 1998/1999, when he was appointed as the sole administrator of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, pointing out that his passion for sports led him to form a team called Adaka FC as a way of curbing youth restiveness.
‎
‎Dr Singabele further explained that some of the players in the team later became players of Bayelsa United in the year 2000 when the team was formed, pointing out that he played a crucial role by initiating the process of forming Bayelsa United under the late DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, thereafter becoming a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
‎
‎He opined that beyond being a sports administrator, his team, Krusaders FC has become a breeding ground for many coaches in Bayelsa which include; Moses Aduku, Ada Gwegwe and Meremu Okara, adding that Gabriel Biriduba is a product of his team, having won the Prosperity Cup in 2018, then called Restoration Cup.

By ESV Adah George

Property management plays a critical role in sustaining the value, functionality, and profitability of real estate assets. In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, effective property management has become increasingly important due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, rising housing demand, and the expansion of commercial and residential developments.

As Nigeria’s administrative capital, Abuja attracts government institutions, multinational organisations, commercial ventures and inflows of people from other parts of the country. This continuous influx has created significant pressure on the real estate sector, making property management more complex.

As a result, property managers in the FCT face numerous challenges that affect service delivery, tenant satisfaction, asset preservation, and investment returns.

Rapid Urbanisation and Population Growth

As reflected above, Abuja has experienced sustained population growth over the years resulting in increasing demand for housing and commercial spaces. This has placed considerable pressure on existing infrastructure and property management systems.

Many residential estates and commercial facilities operate beyond their intended capacities, leading to accelerated wear and tear of buildings and common facilities. Property managers often struggle to maintain adequate services such as waste disposal, water supply, parking spaces, and recreational amenities in high-density developments.

Accordingly, inadequate Infrastructure remains one of the major challenges confronting property management in the FCT. Despite Abuja’s planned city status, many districts and satellite towns continue to experience deficiencies in essential infrastructure, including:, poor road networks, power outages, limited public water systems, inadequate drainage facilities and Insufficient waste management services

The infrastructure deficits propel property managers to frequently bear the responsibility of providing alternative infrastructure such as power generators, boreholes, water treatment systems, and private waste disposal arrangements.

These additional costs increase service charges and often lead to disputes between tenants and property owners.

Rising Cost of Property Maintenance

The downturn in the nation’s economy has intrinsically pushed up the cost of property maintenance. This is evident in the prevailing high inflationary rate, currency fluctuations, and the increasing cost of construction materials

Routine maintenance activities such as painting, plumbing repairs, electrical works, security upgrades, and landscaping have now become more expensive. The high cost of skilled labour further compounds the problem.

Many property owners are reluctant to approve adequate maintenance budgets, resulting in deferred maintenance and deterioration of property conditions.

Service Charge Disputes

Service charge administration remains a persistent challenge in many estates and commercial properties within the FCT. Tenants often raise questions over transparency and justification of service charges, particularly when there is little accountability regarding expenditure.

Conversely, property managers argue that increasing operational costs make it difficult to maintain quality services without periodic reviews of charges.

It’s important to identify the common areas of disagreement between estate managers and tenants to include:

– Security expenses
– Generator fuel costs
– Cleaning services
– Waste management fees
– Facility maintenance costs
– Administrative charges

These disputes in some cases affect landlord-tenant relationships and impede on tenants satisfaction.

Land administration and regulatory bottlenecks constitute another conundrum faced by estate managers This is because of the unique land administration framework in the FCT

Besides, the process of obtaining Certificates of Occupancy, land title verification, development approvals, and consent for property transactions is often lengthy and bureaucratic. Delays in documentation and title regularisation can complicate tenancy agreements, property transfers, and facility upgrades.

Frequent policy changes and inconsistent enforcement of development regulations also create uncertainty for investors and property managers

Although Abuja remains relatively secure compared to some other parts of the country, security concerns have increased in recent years, particularly in peripheral districts and satellite towns.

Property managers are compelled to invest heavily in security measures such as Surveillance systems, access control technologies, private security personnel, perimeter fencing and emergency response systems

These additional expenses contribute to higher operating costs and increased service charges.

Unprofessional Practices in the Real Estate Sector

The proliferation of unregistered agents and unqualified property managers poses a significant challenge in Abuja’s real estate market. Cases of fraudulent transactions, multiple property listings, inflated agency fees, and misrepresentation of property information have undermined trust in the sector.

Prospective tenants and property owners often encounter unethical practices that complicate property management processes.

The absence of effective regulation and enforcement encourages the activities of unscrupulous operators.

Moreover, managing diverse tenant populations in Abuja presents some challenges. Common tenant-related issues include:

– Delayed rent payments
– Property misuse
– Violation of tenancy agreements
– Noise complaints
– Poor waste disposal habits
– Non-payment of service charges

It’s also important to note that resolving disputes between tenants and landlords requires effective communication, conflict resolution skills, and a clear understanding of tenancy laws.

Research indicates that tenant attitudes significantly influence the effectiveness of property management and overall satisfaction levels among stakeholders.

Vacant Properties and Market Imbalances

Abuja’s real estate market exhibits a paradox of high housing demand alongside a significant number of vacant properties.

Many high-end residential developments remain unoccupied due to affordability, constraints,speculativ investments, and mismatches between supply and market demand. This situation creates difficulties for property managers who must maintain vacant properties while generating limited rental income.

Vacant properties are also more susceptible to vandalism, deterioration, and security risks

Besides, climate change and environmental concerns increasingly affect property management in Abuja. Heavy rainfall, flooding, erosion, and extreme temperatures usually damage buildings and infrastructure. Poor drainage systems in some districts exacerbate these challenges.

Additionally, there is growing demand for sustainable property management practices, including:

– Energy-efficient systems
– Renewable energy solutions
– Water conservation measures
– Green building technologies
– Effective waste recycling programmes

However, the high initial costs of implementing sustainable solutions discourage many property owners.

In the face of the aforementioned challenges, it’s crucial to design measures to address them.
Addressing the challenges in the FCT requires collaborative efforts among government agencies, property owners, estate surveyors, and tenants.

Accordingly, the following suffice:

1. Strengthening regulatory oversight of property management practices.
2. Digitizing land administration and approval processes.
3. Improving urban infrastructure in both city centres and satellite towns.
4. Promoting transparency in service charge administration.
5. Enhancing professional training and certification for property managers.
6. Encouraging the adoption of smart property management technologies.
7. Strengthening tenant education on rights and responsibilities.
8. Implementing policies that support affordable and sustainable housing.

The implementation of these measures would have a far-reaching impact in ameliorating property management challenges and conundrums inherent in the Federal Capital Territory

By ESV Adah George MNIVS