Fire has gutted a Mobil fuel station near Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Lagos.
The incident was said to have occurred around 11:00 am on Thursday during a busy period of Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, sales.
It was gathered that more than two vehicles were consumed by the ensuing fire.
Details shortly…
BREAKING: Fire guts filling station, destroys vehicles in Lagos (Video)
BREAKING: Fire guts filling station, destroys vehicles in Lagos (Video)
CBN probes allegations of wrongdoing against EcoBank
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly launched an investigation into Ecobank Nigeria (ENG) and Ecobank Transnational Inc. Specialized Resolutions Company (ETISRC) following a petition filed by Wilben Trade (Wilben), and its CEO, Marcus Wade.
The development comes after two years of legal wranglings in a case filed against Wilben and Mr Wade by ETISRC and ENG.
Counsel to Wilben Trade, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, Partner, Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore Legal Practitioners, who made this known said the petition was forwarded to the apex bank, which said it would look into it and that the outcome of engagement in efforts to resolve the matter would be made known as soon as possible.
In 2021, ENG (through ETISRC) filed a complaint over a loss suffered by ENG in 2014/15 against Wilben and its CEO, Marcus Wade. Wilben claimed the actions of ENG and ETISRC have caused it significant financial and reputational damage.
READ ALSO:Court insists Ecobank deposit N1.089bn to settle former Oceanic Bank staff pending final judgment
ENG said its losses resulted from a loan transaction with an existing customer, Agrico Agbe Limited and associate company, Little Rose Trading LLC.
It was gathered that after attempts to recover losses from the original customers failed, ETISRC tried to recover them from Mr Wade and Wilben who had stood in as sureties for the loan
Speaking further on the matter, Akangbe said:
“We applaud the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to investigate Ecobank Nigeria. This is a clear indication the authority is willing to act on its mandate to promote a sound financial system and counter corruption across the financial industry. As a key player in the industry, any unethical behaviour by Ecobank Nigeria must be dealt with to the full extent of the law.”
This comes as Nigeria moves to crack down on corruption, which is stifling the country’s economic growth by creating insurmountable barriers for international investors, who will subsequently be forced to invest elsewhere without the right checks and balances being put in place.
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Austria foils IS-linked plot to bomb Taylor Swift concert
A 19-year-old IS sympathiser arrested in Austria was planning a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna designed to kill many people, the intelligence agency said on Thursday.
“He said he intended to carry out an attack using explosives and knives,” domestic intelligence agency (DSN) head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner told a news conference.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that the three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been cancelled following a possible security threat.
The shows, part of Swift’s Eras tour, were due to take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium.
A statement from the organisers said: “Due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.”
The statement added, “All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 working days.”
Earlier, Austria’s General Director for Public Security, Franz Ruf, said a 19-year-old Austrian citizen had been arrested on Wednesday morning in Ternitz in the province of Lower Austria.
He said a second arrest took place in Vienna in the afternoon but gave no further details about the suspect.
“According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalised via the internet,” Mr Ruf said.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in a post on X that the cancellations would be a “bitter disappointment for all fans” but that the situation had been “very serious”.
“Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and [security agencies] with foreign services, the threat was recognized early, combated and a tragedy prevented.”
The head of police in Vienna, Gerhard Pürstl, said 65,000 people per day had been expected to attend the concerts, as well as 22,000 fans outside the venue.
“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert, either today or tomorrow.”
The term “IS” often refers to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
It is a militant group that originated from the remnants of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and gained prominence during the Syrian Civil War.
Minimum wage: LGs have no reason to complain – Council chairman
The Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr Fatai Ayoola, has said that local governments have no reason not to pay the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage.
Ayoola, who spoke in Lagos on Thursday, stated that with increased federal allocations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the recently granted financial autonomy, local governments had been well-equipped to pay the new wage.
According to him, local governments recorded a 100 percent increase in federal allocations under the present administration.
“There is no reason councils should not be able to pay the minimum wage, with direct federal allocations to them.
“Ajeromi-Ifelodun pays more than the minimum wage in terms of allowances added to the salaries of our staff members.
“Paying the minimum wage will not pose any issue to us and will not affect our ongoing and future projects,” he said.
He added that the council regularly gave palliatives to its staff and community members.
“We buy a trailer of rice monthly bag the rice into 10kgs and sell it for less than N7,000 to people in our communities.
“We also distribute portions of cow meat, we take care of security outfits that support protecting our environment,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for facilitating financial autonomy for local governments.
He said that local governments should make more impact on their communities and ensure accountability.
Ayoola added that local council officials should make necessary sacrifices for the good of the people at the grassroots, urging Nigerians to hold their local government chairmen accountable.
Minimum wage: LGs have no reason to complain – Council chairman
Chelsea confirm Anselmino signing from Boca Juniors
The Chelsea Football Club has announced the signing of defender Aaron Anselmino, who will spend the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Boca Juniors.
According to a statement issued by the Chelsea Football Club on Thursday, Aaron, 19, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge but will initially continue his development in his native Argentina, where we look forward to monitoring and supporting him in his progress.
“Aaron spent time in the youth ranks of Juventud Unida and Sportivo Realico before joining Boca at the age of 12.
“He signed his first professional contract with the club on 10 June 2023, and was handed his first-team debut against Lanus on the same day.
“The centre-back has gone on to make nine further appearances for Boca and scored his first senior goal for the club in April, a winner in the Copa Sudamericana group stage against Trinidense. Welcome to Chelsea and good luck or loan, Aaron!,” Chelsea said.
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Ngannou to make MMA return against Ferreira October 19
Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Francis “The Predator” Ngannou will return to MMA for the World Title Fight of the year against PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan ‘Problema’ Ferreira on October 19.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Professional Fighters League (PFL), it was announced that Ngannou, who last competed in MMA in 2022, has been focusing on boxing, with notable fights against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. However, the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ is now turning his attention back to MMA, where he will face his toughest test yet in the form of the towering Brazilian Ferreira.
The greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time, Cris ‘Cyborg’ (27-2, 1 NC), will face two-time PFL Champion Larissa Pacheco in the co-main event of the PFL PPV Super Fight, which will be broadcast live on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S. and DAZN worldwide.
“The Professional Fighters League is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of superstar and undisputed Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou to MMA in The Battle of the Giants against the most-feared Heavyweight, 6’8″ 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan Ferreira, in the biggest world title fight of the year,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
Speaking about the challenge of his opponent ahead of the fight, Ngannou said, “Renan is a great fighter; I have been watching him for years. I have been studying him for years; in fact, I’ve been telling people to watch this guy. He’s quite unique—athletic and fast. His size doesn’t impress me as much as his skill.”
In the co-main event, Cris’s legacy will be on the line when she squares off against PFL two-division champion Pacheco (23-4), who aims to prove she is the greatest women’s MMA fighter on the planet.
“We are incredibly excited to broadcast this blockbuster night of PFL action on October 19,” said Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets at DAZN. “Francis Ngannou is one of the biggest names in combat sports, and with the formidable Renan Ferreira, this fight night is not to be missed.”
Nigerian university asks female students, staff to stay indoors over ‘Oro festival’
The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has issued a safety advisory, urging all female staff and students on the institution to stay indoors from August 7th to 9th, 2024, due to the Oro festival in the community.
The traditional festival will take place from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am each day, restricting women’s movement during these hours.
TVN learnt the university is taking the precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of its female community members.
The directive was contained in a memo titled: “Notice to All Female Staff and Students on Ikole Campus,”signed by Senior Assistant Registrar Ibukunoluwa O. Alamu.
“This is to inform all female staff and students on the Ikole campus of the University that they are requested to stay indoors between Wednesday, 7th August, and Friday, 9th August 2024 due to the ‘Oro’ festival scheduled to hold within the Ikole-Ekiti community. This is for your kind noting,” the memo read.
Nigerian university asks female students, staff to stay indoors over ‘Oro festival’
Amnesty International condemns attack on NLC headquarters
The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, condemned the invasion of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja on Wednesday.
He disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The raid, which occurred on Wednesday night, was described as a “sinister and calculated attack” designed to intimidate the labour union.
He stated, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel. The chilling raid last night appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union.”
During the raid, security personnel ransacked the NLC bookshop, confiscating materials and claiming they were used to incite and organize recent protests.
Sanusi expressed concern about the safety of NLC officials, stating, “We are deeply concerned about the safety of NLC officials. Under international human rights law and standards, trade unions cannot be targeted for their participating activities.”
Amnesty International emphasised that Nigeria has an obligation to respect and protect the rights of trade unions under international human rights law.
Sanusi added, “Under international human rights law, Nigeria has an obligation not only to respect the rights of trade unions but also to protect these rights from abuse.”
The raid on the NLC headquarters has sparked fears of a broader crackdown on labour activism in Nigeria.
The NLC has been at the forefront of recent protests against government policies, and the raid is seen as an attempt to silence the union’s voice.
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Protest: Don’t poke-nose in our internal issues – Nigerian Govt warns foreign powers
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to foreign countries against meddling in the nation’s internal affairs.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, issued the warning on Wednesday while briefing members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja, highlighting the significance of cordial international relationships.
TVN recalls that the protest, which gained momentum in major cities, such as Lagos, Benin, Osun, Oyo, Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns, was marked by violence, and that at least six Spaniards were arrested in Kano in connection with the protest.
The minister called for continued collaboration from the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts in overcoming its current challenges and achieving a better future for all Nigerians.
Tuggar, who reiterated the government’s efforts to work hard through the various reform programs and measures to address challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians, stressed that no nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs and that of its citizens, adding that Nigeria is not an exception.
According to him, the government would take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
“Nigeria cherishes and continues to value the cordial relationships that happily subsist between her and your countries and organizations and will not do anything to undermine or take for granted such relationships.
“Indeed, more than any time before now, we solicit your understanding and collaboration in the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the economic challenges confronting the country, to achieve a better life for every Nigerians at home and abroad,” the minister warned.
Protest: Don’t poke-nose in our internal issues – Nigerian Govt warns foreign powers
Immigration suspends officer caught on video asking for money at Lagos Airport
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has taken swift action against one of its officers caught on camera soliciting money from a traveler at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II, Okpravero C. Ufuoma, has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation, the service announced on Wednesday.
A viral video captured the officer soliciting for bribe red-handed while on duty, a development that sparked outrage on social media. The NIS, in a statement signed by Comptroller General Kemi Nana Nandap, condemned the officer’s behavior as “disgraceful” and a direct contradiction of its ongoing reforms aimed at improving service delivery and integrity.
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“We wish to inform the public that the conduct of the officer, identified as Okpravero C. Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI 2) at Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, does not reflect the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS.
“The NIS condemns this misconduct in the strongest terms, as it undermines the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing our service standards. This disgraceful act is not representative of our commitment to hospitality, reception and courtesy,” the statement read in part.
It added, “As a result, the officer has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, which are in the accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.”
To prevent similar occurrences and streamline passenger processing, the NIS revealed plans to install electronic gates (e-gates) at all five international airports across the country.
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