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Tanimu able to serve after first Eagles name up

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Tanimu able to serve after first Eagles name up

Tanzania-based defender Benjamin Tanimu is eager to wear the national team jersey for the Super Eagles after he was handed his first call up into the team on Saturday, According Sports Extra reports.

The former Bendel Insurance defender was named among the 27 players invited for the friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in Morocco later this month.

Nigeria will take on West African rivals Ghana at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Friday March 22 and also play on Tuesday March 26.

In anticipation of his meeting with some of the players he calls his idol, the 21-year-old centre back is rearing to go in the national team after featuring for the U-23 team last year.

“It’s God’s doing,” Tanimu told According Sports Extra.

“This time last year, I was also invited to the U-23 team. I’m glad to have been invited to the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the upcoming international friendlies against Mali and Ghana. It’s huge progress for my career.

“Clarion call heard and I’m ready to serve Nigeria with all strength,” he said.

Before joining Ihefu of Tanzania in January, Tanimu was a consistent figure in Bendel Insurance’s defence in the Nigeria Premier League since their promotion to the topflight in 2023.

He scored two goals in 19 appearances before making the move and was also part of their unprecedented 21-game unbeaten run in the league last season.

He also played a key role in their 2023 Federation Cup triumph.

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Presidency denies price range padding allegations, Senate meets over claims Tuesdaysdraf

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Presidency denies price range padding allegations, Senate meets over claims Tuesdaysdraf

The Presidency has denied allegations of padding the 2024 budget by an additional N3tn.

This followed accusations by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP) that the executive is implementing a budget other than the one approved on January 1, 2024.

This came as Senate said it would meet over the matter on Tuesday, using its internal mechanisms and control process.

Ningi, under the aegis of the Northern Senators’ Forum, had contended in a BBC Hausa Service interview that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, was executing a budget significantly higher than what was passed by the NASS.

According to the lawmaker, a N25tn budget was debated and passed, not the N28.7tn that is currently being implemented.

“Apart from what the National Assembly did on the floor, there was another budget that was done underground which we didn’t know.

“The new things we have discovered in the budget were not known to us. We haven’t seen them in the budget that was debated and considered on the floor of the National Assembly.

“For example, it was said that there was a budget of N28tn but what was passed was N25 trillion. So there is N3tn on top. Where are they, where is it going? So, we need to know this. There are a lot of things,” said Ningi.

The lawmaker also revealed plans to meet President Bola Tinubu later this week saying, “We are coming up with a report and we will show the president himself and ask him if he is aware or not.”

He revealed that the forum had commissioned consultants to evaluate the 2024 budget to unearth how N3tn was surreptitiously included in the amount passed by lawmakers.

However, in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described Ningi’s claims as “false” asserting that Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.

It said this budget included N9.92tn for recurrent expenditure, N8.25tn for debt service, and N8.7tn for capital expenditure, contrasting Ningi’s claims.

The Presidency emphasised that it was implausible for the Senate to have debated and passed a N25tn budget that was never presented.

“Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25tn budget that was not presented to the National Assembly.

“We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

“It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024, as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7tn,” Onanuga insisted.

It argued that the National Assembly only exercised its appropriation powers, and increased the executive’s proposed budget by N1.2tn to N28.7tn, which President Tinubu subsequently signed into law on New Year’s Day.

Onanuga stated, “We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7tn budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.

“Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund and others. He did not present a budget of N25tn.”

Addressing Senator Ningi’s assertion that the 2024 budget was anti-North, the Presidency dismissed it as “far-fetched” and “unbecoming” of a leader of his stature.”

It further said, “On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.

“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.

“The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.”

It also expressed concern that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could “employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.”

Onanuga thanked the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, for “setting the record straight,” and commended Senators Steve Karimi (Kogi), Titus Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for “coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.”

Meanwhile, indications have emerged some senators may call for the suspension of the Bauchi senator over the claims, which some of them have described as unfounded.

According to different sources, the senators are angry with the lawmaker for allegedly making claims that could paint the Senate in a bad light.

Meanwhile, the Senate through its spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu ( APC, Ekiti South) had in a chat with our correspondent refuted the claim on Saturday, stating that there was no padding whatsoever in the budget.

According to findings, some senators and members of the House of Representatives have been meeting since the interview surfaced online.

One of such meeting was held at the Senate wing of the National Assembly where some lawmakers including, members of the Executive of the Northern Senators Forum reportedly distanced themselves from Ningi’s statement.

One of the lawmakers specifically said the northern bloc of the Senate would address a Press Conference on Monday to clear its name from the allegations raised by the chairman of the forum.

Meanwhile, some senators who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity claimed that legislative steps were being set in place to sanction Ningi.

This could not be independently verified as of press time.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations,  Senator Solomon Adeola ( APC Ogun West ), on Sunday told journalists that his initial plan to address the issue of alleged budget padding had been withdrawn, explaining that the Senate would address the issue through internal legislative mechanisms.

Adeola who spoke to the journalists amid other Senators across the northern and southern axis, said since an allegation of budget padding was made by a serving Senator who participated in the consideration and passage of the budget, the best place to react was in the Senate Chamber on Tuesday.

Adeola said, “As you people can see, many Senators across the six geo-political zones are here with me to react to what a senator said at the weekend on alleged two versions of the 2024 budget but after realising that there are laid down procedures and processes to follow in dealing with such a matter involving an insider, we have decided, to shift the venue of reaction to the Senate Chamber on Tuesday, after which, journalists would be briefed adequately.”

Going by its relevant rules, the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, might be mandated to invite Ningi for questioning.

Efforts to get Ningi’s reaction were not successful as of press time. He didn’t answer calls and respond to texts and WhatsApp messages sent to his line on Sunday.

Tinubu had on Wednesday, November 39, 2023, presented a total of N27.5tn budget which he tagged “ Renewed Hope budget” to a joint section of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly however, on Saturday, December 30, 2023, passed a harmonized 2024 budget Appropriation Bill totaling N28.77tn for a third reading.

LASG dedicated to employees’ welfare, says Sanwo-Olu

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LASG dedicated to employees’ welfare, says Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the state workers have been receiving N41,500 as the minimum wage, far higher than the N30,000 that was prescribed for workers in the country.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement through his Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, at the South-West geopolitical zone public hearing of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday.

Due to the rising cost of living and agitations among labour unions in the country, President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-member panel on January 30, 2024, to review the current N30,000 minimum wage.

Speaking during a public hearing, Agoro insisted that Lagos State had always prioritised the welfare of its workers in line with economic realities and as situations demanded.

He said, “The subject of the National Minimum Wage is not just a matter of social policy, it is a reflection of our dedication to ensuring that the hard-working men and women who continue the posterity of our great nation are treated with the dignity and fairness that they deserve.

“In Lagos State, we have always prioritised the welfare of our workers, recognising that a well-compensated and motivated workforce is essential to sustainable development. One notable accomplishment of the state has been the regular review of the minimum wage.

“I am proud to announce that Lagos State has implemented a minimum wage of N41,500, surpassing the standard set by many other states in the region. This step is a testament to our commitment to providing a living wage that reflects the economic realities facing our citizens.”

In 2019, the governor announced the approval of N35,000 through a circular that was issued by the then Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, as the minimum wage.

The statement had read, “In his determination to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants in Lagos State, he graciously approved the implementation of the new minimum wage (N35,000) with effect from November 1, 2019.”

Doctor urges early presentation of organ-failure sufferers

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Doctor urges early presentation of organ-failure sufferers

A senior registrar at the Department of Family Medicine in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr Temitope Okunola, has raised concern about the growing number of patients who present at the hospital after experiencing serious organ damage, such as liver or kidney failure.

The physician lamented that these patients often arrive at the hospital with no symptoms, only to discover that they have severe organ damage that could have been prevented if they had come to the hospital sooner.

He said this on Saturday at a preventive health initiative organised by the old student association of Ojokoro High School, held at the school’s premises in the Ijaye area of Lagos State.

According to him, most of the problems in the teaching hospitals are because people present themselves late when little or nothing can be done.

“Many of the cases we are seeing in LUTH are people who have already had kidney damage and liver problems before coming to the hospital,” he noted.

The physician attributed the increasing cases of liver and kidney damage to many factors, including self-medication and abuse of herbal concoctions.

He lamented that many patients come to the hospital after taking various unregulated or untested herbal remedies for a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, diabetes, and hypertension.

The medical doctor noted that these remedies can cause serious harm, and can even be fatal, stressing that self-medication, or taking medications without a prescription, is a major contributor to organ damage.

The physician urged people to only take medications under the supervision of a medical professional.

He stated that there is a need for people to realise that visiting the hospital regularly is both a strategy to prevent certain diseases and a normal occurrence.

“Hospitals should not be seen as a place for only the sick. Coming regularly for checkups will help detect certain diseases early, among others.

“High Blood Pressure is a silent killer and a lot of people have died because of it. People need to check their BP at least once in three months to ascertain if it is high.

It is not until you are sick that you go to the hospital.

“We have these cases and an increase of people with damaged vital organs because a lot of people are not aware of the danger involved in the things they take.

“We have people indulging in drugs, indulging in some things like herbal contortions, things that they are not supposed to be taken without a prescription. They feel that, oh, this thing has been working for me, let me continue to take it.

“With that, we are putting our body in danger in terms of the fact that this is because the body has organs that control some things in our body. For example, the liver has some functions that it does in our body. The kidney has functions that it does in our body. The heart has functions. So when we are taking all these drugs, they have some chemicals inside them that can put our health in danger.

“When we take them for over a long period, they will begin to cause damage to the heart, to the kidney, to the liver. And the effect, when it comes up, will put the person in danger, and can also cut the lifespan of the person short.

“Some people will say; ‘oh, I’ve never been in the hospital for the past 20 years.’ No, it’s not an achievement; you come to the hospital when you don’t have any complaints. That is when it is even best to come to the hospital; when you don’t have any complaints.,” he explained.

In his remarks, the president of the old student association, Chris Okhumale said the health initiative was to check the BP and sugar level of members, teachers of the school, and residents of neighbouring communities.

He added that drugs and mosquito nets would be given to beneficiaries, while people with extreme cases would be referred to the nearby hospital for further screening and treatment.

“This programme is not a one-off thing, it will continue to happen periodically. So in the next three to six months, we’ll be looking for another programme on this health initiative.

“So, those that never have the opportunity to partake in this, they will have the opportunity to still come again in the next three to six months and partake in it. And for those that have come, we will also have an opportunity to monitor them and see how far they have gone.

“Although some of them will be referred to very close hospitals because the team of doctors that come from the LUTH have a close relationship with some hospitals around here. So they can always keep in touch,” he concluded.

PenCom denies lending FG N10tn

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PenCom denies lending FG N10tn

The Director General of the National Pension Commission, Aisha Dahir-Umar, has denied allegations that the commission loaned N10tn to the Federal Government.

The House of Representatives in October adopted a motion mandating its Committee on Pensions to recover N10tn pension funds “borrowed” by the Federal Government.

Dismissing the claim during an interview over the weekend, Dahir-Umar said that PenCom was not a bank and did not warehouse or manage pension funds, adding that the Federal Government did not obtain a N10tn loan from the commission.

She said, “Investments by the PFAs in the securities of the Federal Government of Nigeria are not loans as erroneously portrayed, but investments in securities, through bonds and treasury bills, as approved by the relevant government agencies, in this case, the Debt Management Office and Securities and Exchange Commission. They are traded on authorised capital markets. That is, the Nigerian Exchange Limited and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.

“Moreover, pension fund assets are not managed by PenCom. I have said repeatedly that when we say pension assets have grown to N19.6tn, that does not mean PenCom has N19.6tn locked somewhere in its office or bank accounts. Pension fund assets are managed by the licensed PFAs and held in custody by the licensed Pension Fund Custodians.

“The PFAs are responsible for investing pension fund assets in allowable asset classes, including FGN debt instruments. The objectives are safety and fair returns. All these are in line with the provisions of the enabling law, the Pension Reform Act 2014, and the rules issued by the commission. It is obvious from the above that what is referred to as ‘loan to FGN’ is just investment in FGN securities by the PFAs, as is done by other institutional investors such as banks, insurance companies, asset managers, etc.”

Responding to claims that PenCom was owing Federal Government retirees arrears of pensions, Dahir-Umar argued that the Federal Government had consistently met its repayment obligations.

The PenCom DG further clarified claims about outstanding benefits to Federal Government retirees: “The delayed payment of retirement benefits to some Federal Government retirees and deceased employees is because of the inadequate and delayed funding for the payment of Accrued Pension Rights for those who were in service before the Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced when PenCom was established in 2004.

“Payment of the accrued rights is subject to release of funds by the Federal Government. So, it is beyond the powers of the Commission. However, we have been engaging the Federal Ministry of Finance for more funds to be released to settle these liabilities, but it is not a secret that the government itself has budgetary constraints.”

She said all those enrolled under the CPS had been receiving their benefits through their PFAs, adding that there was no unsolved complaint before the commission.

The total assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme reached N18.36tn by the end of 2023.

Japa: Nigeria misplaced 16,000 medical doctors in 5 years

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Japa: Nigeria misplaced 16,000 medical doctors in 5 years

The Federal Government on Sunday disclosed that 55,000 licensed doctors are in the country to attend to the growing population of patients following the exodus of health professionals to hospitals and health facilities abroad.

It said in the last five years, the country lost about 15,000 to 16,000 doctors to the Japa syndrome while about 17,000 had been transferred.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, disclosed these when he featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Pate, who said the brain drain syndrome has robbed the health sector of its best hands, affirmed that the government is doing its best to expand the training scheme and motivate others who chose to stay back and serve their fatherland.

The brain drain phenomenon, otherwise known as ‘Japa’, has seen a generation of young doctors, health workers, tech entrepreneurs and a number of professionals abandoned Nigeria for greener pasture abroad.

But the minister reiterated that though there are 300,000 health professionals in Nigeria, only 55,000 of them are doctors.

He said, “There are about 300,000 health professionals working in Nigeria today in all cadres. I am talking about doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and others. We did an assessment and discovered we have 85,000 to 90,000 registered Nigerian doctors. Not all of them are in the country. Some are in the Diaspora, especially in the US and UK. But there are 55,000 licensed doctors in the country.

“The issue overall, in terms of health professionals, is that they are not enough. They are insufficient in terms of the skills mix. Can you believe most of the high skilled professional doctors are in Lagos, Abuja and a few urban centres? There is a huge distribution issue.

“The population of doctor overall is about 7,600 doctors in Lagos and 4,700 or thereabout in Abuja. The doctor to population ratio in Abuja is 14.7 per 10,000 population. These are numbers that you can verify. In Lagos, it is about 4.6, even though the average is 2.2 by 10,000.

“There are huge distributional issues and they are, of course, the opportunities even for some of those who have been trained to get into the market. So you have to look at it from a perspective that is holistic. Not only doctors but other cadres that are important in the delivery of health care. For doctors, we have been losing many that have been trained.”

Continuing, Pate emphasised that since the oxygen of any serious health sector is its human resource, Nigeria cannot afford to continue losing its best brains to the developed countries.

He however admitted that the Japa syndrome is a global phenomenon that equally affects other countries like India and Pakistan.

According to him, the country has lost about 16,000 doctors to brain drain in the past five years.

“Now to the Japa you talked about, it is not only limited to Nigeria. It is a global phenomenon. Other countries don’t have enough. They are asking to take more. It is not only in Nigeria. It is happening in India, Philippines and other parts of Africa. In the last five years, we have lost about 15,000 to 16,000 and about 17,000 had been transferred. We’re barely managing. That’s why expanding their training will become logical. The same thing with nurses and midwives; they are also leaving. That’s why expanding the training is important to ensure those still around are well trained.

“But there are also thousands more, which is what I was trying to hint at, who are here. And despite the opportunity to travel abroad did not leave and we don’t appreciate them. I’ll give you an example. The head of the ICU at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, a very brilliant gentleman. I met him in December and he said, ‘Four of my colleagues have left’ and I asked to know why he has not left. He said ‘Look, this is my country. I want to serve because health is a sector where there’s inherent motivation in those who select to go in there.’ People don’t just go in there because they want to have a job. They go because they’re intrinsically motivated and we have to recognise and tap into that.

“We are beginning to take steps to expand the training and work environment, taking some steps to encourage salaries and incomes commission to do certain things that will encourage them to feel at home. But even the issue of working hours that has come about recently, particularly for the junior doctors, is being addressed.”

“We are beginning to take steps to expand the training and work environment, taking some steps to encourage salaries and incomes commission to do certain things that will encourage them to feel at home. But even the issue of working hours that has come about recently, particularly for the junior doctors, is being addressed. This is because when some of their colleagues leave and they remain at home, the burden has not reduced. And so they work extremely hard. We’ve listened to that. We are looking at how we can alleviate that and with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, we are looking at how within the code of ethics and the guidelines for the physician to provide some safeguards to ensure they are treated as valuable assets so they are not burnt out,” he said.

Sporting thrash Remo 4-1 in Southwest Derby

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Sporting thrash Remo 4-1 in Southwest Derby

Sporting Lagos claimed the bragging rights in the second installment of the new southwest derby in the Nigeria Premier Football League with an emphatic 4-1 win over Remo Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Sunday, According Sports Extra reports.

The Ikenne side were undone by three of their former players in the ranks of Sporting, with Junior Lokosa, Godwin Odibo and Philip Odubia all involved.

Odibo won a penalty inside five minutes and Lokosa made no mistake from the spot to give Paul Offor’s side the lead while Paschal Durugbor doubled the advantage in the 27th minute.

A 38th minute own goal by defender Salaudeen Aliu reduced the deficit for Rem before halftime but the hosts came back with full throttle in the second half, as Odubia netted two more goals to see off the game 4-1.

In Aba, Chijioke Mbaoma moved to the top of the goalscorers chart with his 12th goal of the season in Enyimba’s 1-0 win over Doma United.

Mbaoma’s 88th minute goal stirred controversy as referee Nura Abdullahi initially disallowed the goal before leaving it to stand after consulting one of his assistants.

In Ibadan, 3SC thrashed Akwa United 3-0 to send the Promise Keepers back into the relegation waters even as Lobi Stars kept their place at the top after a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors in Aba.

The game between Enugu Rangers and Kwara United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe, Enugu ended goalless  as the Harmony Boys halted their hosts’ perfect run of five wins and without conceding.

At the top of the table, it’s a neck-and-neck battle with Lobi leading the pack with 43 points, one point above second-placed Enyimba while Plateau are third with 41 points.

Heartland are rooted to the bottom of the table with 20 points after 24 games with Gombe United, Akwa United and Kwara United above them and two points each separating the bottom-four sides.

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Diri honours Lokpobiri, others, says it’s time for governance

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Diri honours Lokpobiri, others, says it’s time for governance

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has urged the political class in the state to bury their political differences and jettison petty jealousies in the interest of the unity and development of the state.

Diri, who spoke at the grand reception in honour of some eminent sons and a daughter of the state from Ekeremor Local Government Area held at the Ekeremor community pavilion on Saturday, said politics was over and it was time for governance.

The governor and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were sworn in for their second term in office on February 14, 2024 following their victory at the November 11, 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Among those honoured were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; the state representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Denyanbofa Dimaro; a member of the board of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mrs Bekearedebo Warrens; a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kemasuode Wodu; and Mr Felix Okorotie, who were both conferred with the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, stressed that the time for politicking was over and urged the people, irrespective of political differences, to rally round his administration to accelerate the pace of development.

He claimed that his administration was building a new Bayelsa where political boundaries would not hinder sustainable development of the state.

Diri, who expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing illustrious sons and a daughter of the state into various positions of trust in his administration, also appreciated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the appointment of Lokpobiri as a minister.

He said, “This is not the time for PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) or APC (All Progressives Congress). Politics is over. It is time for governance. We do not have party differences in Bayelsa but what we have is the development of our state and Nigeria at large. Let us jettison petty jealousies and join hands to develop our state so that it will grow from strength to strength.

“The persons appointed have what it takes to represent Bayelsa. Under Senator Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, we will see a different kind of representation. We need to partner with the NDDC and the Delta State government to build a bridge across both states. We need to also partner with the NDDC to take the Ekeremor road to Agge. We need this road infrastructure for easy movement of our people.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, l thank President Bola Tinubu for making these appointments possible. Aside from God and the president, l also thank the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for contributing to the appointment of Senator Lokpobiri as minister.”

Diri also assured the people that the construction work on the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East Senatorial District would continue and hinted that the Federal Government had indicated interest in the project.

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Matthew Seiyefa, also thanked President Tinubu for the appointment of sons and a daughter of Ekeremor.

Seiyefa, who is also Pro-Chancellor of the state-owned Niger Delta University, said it was heartwarming that Ekeremor alone produced two Senior Advocates of Nigeria and by dint of hard work and perseverance attained the highest level in the legal profession.

Also delivering his solidarity message, the Pere of Tuomo Kingdom and retired Supreme Court Justice, King Francis Tabai, urged the youths to see the celebrants as source of inspiration by taking their education seriously, saying without education, they would not have been celebrating the successes achieved by Lokpobiri and others.

Responding on behalf of other honourees, Lokpobiri expressed appreciation to the leaders of Ekeremor as well as the state governor for the honour done them.

Many feared trapped as five-storey constructing collapses in Anambra

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Many feared trapped as five-storey constructing collapses in Anambra

Less than three weeks after a three-storey building collapsed at the Odu-Igbo section of the Ochanja Market in Onitsha, killing no fewer than six persons, another five-storey building has collapsed at Basden Street, Fegge, in the commercial city of Onitsha, Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the building, meant to serve commercial purposes on completion, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday, while some of the construction workers were on the last floor.

Sources in the area said the building made a loud noise that sent panic around the area before caving in from the fifth floor, adding that there were human activities under the building a few hours before it collapsed.

A source said, “On Friday night, there was heavy rainfall in the area and it came with heavy winds for several hours and just at about 5am on Sunday, we heard a thunderous noise from the construction site and after a few minutes, the building started caving in from the last floor.

“Some of the workers were on the last floor when the building came down. No one knows how many of them were there, but they were trapped in the rubble. The developer quickly moved an excavator to the site to begin the evacuation of the rubble and possible rescue operations for the trapped victims.

“The building was at its finishing stages. An escalator is currently working on the debris to see if the trapped persons will be rescued, we are not sure if they are still dead or alive, the local government area chairman has visited there and waiting for the escalator to pull down the remains of the building.”

Although the reason for the collapse had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report on Sunday evening, it was gathered that one person had been rescued while rescue operations were still ongoing to locate other trapped victims from the rubble.

When contacted on the development, the state police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and said security operatives were already on the ground to coordinate the rescue operation.

He, however, declined to comment on the number of casualties, saying the rescue operation when completed will answer that.

“Immediately the incident was reported, the DPO in charge of the area quickly cordoned off the place and our DCP Ops is already on the ground to coordinate the rescue operation, which is ongoing.

“Yes, our operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations are there now, the area has been cordoned and rescue operations are ongoing, further details shall be communicated, please.

“The number of casualties or fatalities, if any, can’t be discussed now until the rescue operation is completed,” Ikenga said.

The Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Chike Mmaduekwe, who also confirmed the incident, lamented the development.

He, however, disclosed that approval given was for the construction of a three-storey building but the developer went contrary to plan and started erecting a five-storey building.

Also, the Transition Committee Chairman of the Onitsha South LGA, Chief Emeka Orji, said, “An emergency rescue team has already been deployed to carry out preliminary rescue activities with the assistance of security operatives in the area.

“We urge members of the public not to panic as the Onitsha South Local Government Area is on the top of the moment.”

The Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Chinyere Nworah, could not be reached as she did not respond to messages and calls to her telephone.

As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene and no official casualty figure has yet been obtained.

Police detain man for alleged theft of motorbike tyres

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Police detain man for alleged theft of motorbike tyres

A man simply identified as Jonathan Onu is now in police custody for allegedly stealing motorcycle tyres worth N300,000 from the Trade Fair Market in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State.

According Metro learnt that the incident occurred at about 7.35pm on March 2.

A police source told our correspondent that the suspect stole 20 pieces of motorcycle tyres from the market.

“A chief security officer in the Trade Fair complex said Onu, a security man working in the complex, carted away 20 pieces of motorcycle tyres from a cargo company valued at N300,000,” the police source said.

A trader, who pleaded anonymity, claimed that the suspect had a history of stealing from the market.

“He is fond of stealing, and this is not the first time he has done this. He was not just lucky this time around, and it is not fair that someone would steal in this economy,” the trader said.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

Hundeyin said the stolen items had been recovered, adding that the suspect would be charged in court after the conclusion of an investigation into the matter.

He said, “The items have been recovered at the station, and the suspect will be charged in court at the conclusion of the investigation.”

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