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Category: General News

  • FRSC deploys 1,597 personnel for Eid-el-Kabir traffic management

     

     

    Sallah

    By Abiodun Lawal

     

    Sallah

    By Abiodun Lawal

     

    Abeokuta, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun has deployed 1,597 personnel, 32 patrol vehicles, and 14 motorbikes to ensure the free flow of traffic during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    Mr Anthony Uga, the State Sector Commander of the FRSC, disclosed this during a news conference on Friday in Abeokuta.

    He explained that the personnel deployed comprised 820 officers and 777 special marshals, with the special operation aiming to ensure an accident-free Eid-el-Kabir.

    The operation will run from June 14 to June 21.

    According to Uga, excessive speeding is a serious offence, while the FRSC has equipment to track speeding vehicles.

    He also mentioned that the command had engaged drivers of articulated vehicles on the importance of installing speed limit devices on their vehicles, as most crashes in the state were caused by these drivers.

    “This is why you see them falling over, and most of them don’t carry out early morning checks on their vehicles.

    “Before you move your vehicle in the morning, carry out what is called an early morning parade: check the water, check your tyres, check the sound of the engine, check the lighting system.
    Most of them don’t do it,” he said.

    Uga said that the FRSC Corps Marshal, Sheu Muhammed, was particularly focused on ensuring a smooth and accident-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    He called on the motoring public to drive safely and always obey traffic rules and regulations.

    Representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Park Management, and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) attended the news conference. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    LKA/OIF/AWA
    ============

    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Olawunmi Ashafa

     

  • Makinde promises to give priority to infrastructure devt

    Makinde promises to give priority to infrastructure devt
    Infrastructure
    By David Adeoye
    Ibadan, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Friday, said that his administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure development, to enhance growth and productivity in the state.

    The governor stated this at the funeral and thanksgiving service in honour of the mother of Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the late Elizabeth Oke.

    Bishop Oke is the founder of Christlife, National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and founder, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan.

    The thanksgiving service was held at the St. James Memorial Anglican Church, Kasumu Village, Ibadan.

    Makinde said the ongoing road construction in Kasumu village to Egbeda Road, through Owobaale-Erunmu, would be completed as planned.

    He said his administration attached importance to the road which links Erunmu where the state government planned to convert the moribund Erunmu dry port to a container terminal.

    The governor, however, cautioned residents of Kasumu village and other communities in the area to be wary of land grabbers and  equally avoid selling their lands.

    Makinde said road corridors in the area would soon experience massive economic transformation as a result of the project and the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road Project being developed around the axis.

    The governor, who described the funeral and thanksgiving as the celebration of life for the late Oke, observed that the character of the deceased could be seen in her children.

    He said the late Oke lived a fruitful life and impacted the community and people around her meaningfully.

    He charged the Oke family to take solace, saying that Mama Oke lived for 97 years, which called for celebration.

    In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, charged people not to see death as a bad thing but a transition of believers to a place of peaceful rest and everlasting life.

    Speaking on behalf of the family, Bishop Oke thanked Gov. Makinde for his exceptional life and giant strides in transforming the state into an enviable one.(NAN) www.nannews.ng (NAN)
    DAK/SOA

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • NGO urges Nigerians to donate blood to save lives

    Blood

    By Sarafina Christopher

    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), a humanitarian organisation, has urged Nigerians to donate blood in order to save lives.

    The Chairman, DNKI, Abuja Chapter, Mr Kolawole Otepola, made this call on Friday at the Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, during the organisation’s visit to hospitals to commemorate 2024 World Blood Donor Day.

    According to Otepola, blood is God given; hence the need to reach out to others who do not have; who cannot pay and donate freely from what God has freely given.

    He said that blood donation was what the organisation did on a yearly basis.

    “This time, we chose Wuse hospital because we looked around; we have been to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja six times; we have been to Maitama and Gwarinpa.

    “So, we decided to go somewhere new this time;  we decided to go to where our impacts will be further felt; where we have not gone before,” he said.

    He advised that Nigerians should make use of the opportunity to turn out and donate blood to save lives and help humanity.

    In his response, Dr Oluseyi Asaolu, Medical Director, Wuse District Hospital, said that blood was life and the act of donating it reduced the rate of death.

    “Blood is very crucial to human life; everybody needs blood; when you make that intervention to donate blood, it becomes a saving moment for someone in need.

    “It is a beautiful initiative when the world does a blood donation day; we are happy that this has been sustained even up till now.

    “There is a need to donate blood; there is nothing you are doing with the blood just storing it there and the good thing is that if you donate blood, the body has a way of replenishing it, so it is a win-win for everybody.

    “We really want to appreciate DNKI that considered Wuse District Hospital, for bringing people to donate and support what we are doing here,’’ he said.

    Asaolu said that Wuse District Hospital had one of the best blood donation and blood transfusion services.

    He said that the hospital maintained the services and screened blood properly before administering to the patient.

    Mr Ogbobe Mathew, a member DNKI, said rendering humanitarian services to people in need was the organisation’s culture and what it did every year.

    “When the organisation came up with the blood donation thing, we discussed it knowing that giving our blood will save lives

    “You never can tell whose life the blood is going to be safe.

    “We tend to render humanitarian service like helping people in need in order to make the society a better place,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

     

    SAF/CJ/

    ========

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

     

  • Sports Festival: Ogun inaugurates 29-man committee

    Committee
    By Yetunde Fatungase
    Abeokuta, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Ogun Government has inaugurated a 29-man committee of Team Ogun, ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged, “Gateway Games 2024”.
    Speaking during the inauguration on Friday, the state’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, noted that the festival is one of the most important events in the national sporting calendar.
    The festival, scheduled to hold from  Jan. 12 to  Jan. 26, 2025, is to foster unity among youths in Nigeria, regardless of ethnic, religion and political affiliations.
    Isiaka disclosed that the hosting rights granted the state was possible through  efforts of Gov. Dapo Abiodun to lay a solid foundation for sports development.
    He expressed optimism that the festival would leave a legacy of capacity building, skills transfer, economic growth, sporting facilities and infrastructural development in the annals of the state.
    “The festival will serve as an affiliation of the limitless potential by revealing shared values of excellence, thoroughness, industriousness and hospitality of the state,” Isiaka said.
    He assured that the state government would provide necessary infrastructure, facilities and accommodation for a befitting festival.
    He also hinted that government would collaborate with relevant stakeholders, employ modern technologies, provide top-notch security and medical services for safety and wellbeing of all athletes, coaches and officials.
    Isiaka stated that the committee was responsible for overseeing a seamless, hitch-free festival for the 36 states of the federation and FCT.
    He said that it would also steer the affairs of the event, urging members to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to bear in order to achieve a world-class festival.
    “The committee will work with me as commissioner, to prepare and present a formidable team that is capable of representing the Gateway state in the various sporting events,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  some members of the committee are  great sportsmen and women, sports administrators of high repute, media practitioners and technocrats.
    Among them are, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya, Prince Tunji Onatolu, Alhaji Ganiu Majekodunmi, Mr Adesola Faleti and Mr Biodun Alabi.
    Responding on behalf of other committee members, Prince Tunji Onatolu expressed appreciation to the state government for giving them the opportunity to serve, promising to work assiduously to ensure a successful festival. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    YAF/CHOM/SOA
    ==============
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle

  • 15 people injured in Lagos multiple accident – LASEMA

    Truck

    By Henry Oladele
    Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) About 15 passengers sustained injuries in a multiple accident that occurred at Ketu, inward Ojota, in Lagos state.
    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
    Oke-Osanyintolu said the accident was reported via the state’s toll free emergency numbers, 767 and 112.
    He added that the LASEMA’s Response Team from the Command and Control Centre, C3, Alausa  swiftly swung to the scene.
    “They arrived the scene of the multiple collision which involved three vehicles under the Ojota Interchange Bridge, at 11.40 hrs.
    “Upon arrival, it was discovered that the accident involved a BRT bus, with registration number EXY-167XY, an articulated truck, with unknown registration number and an 18-seater commercial bus, with registration number, JJJ-439YG.
    “The articulated truck was laden with a 40-feet container.
    “Further investigations revealed that the articulated truck, while heading inward Ketu, suddenly lost control on motion,” he said.
    He added that the truck skidded off its lane and collided with the BRT bus headed inward Ojota from the opposite direction.
    “The BRT subsequently skidded off its lane into the service lane and collided with the yellow commercial bus.
    “15 people were injured. No critical injuries were sustained and fatalities were recorded.
    “The BRT bus suffered significant damage to the front and rear ends and the tractor head of the truck was also damaged,” he said.
    He added that the injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
    “Four of the victims were attended to by the agency’s pre-hospital care team alongside the Lagos State Ambulance Service at the incident scene.
    “LASEMA in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials at the incident scene, activated road traffic control and were able to divert vehicles into the BRT lane to safely evacuate the vehicles off the road.
    “The articulated truck was recovered off the road and towed to LASTMA yard at Oshodi.
    “The BRT bus was recovered off the road to the BRT yard in Ojota, while the yellow commercial bus was driven off by its owner,” he added.
    He said that the  road had been set free for vehicular activities.(NAN)
    HOB/CHOM/JNC
    ===============
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Varsity Don urges African leaders to prioritize welfare of citizens

    Varsity Don urges African leaders to prioritize welfare of citizens

    Welfare

    By Nefishetu Yakubu

    Benin, June, 14,2024(NAN) A University Don, Prof. Steve Iyayi, on Friday called on African leaders to prioritize the welfare of their citizens to avoid repeated military interventions as recently witnessed in the continent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, Iyayi is a Professor of Public Administration and Dean of Social and Management Sciences,WellSpring University, Benin.

    Iyayi made the call while delivery the 2nd Inaugural Lecture of the WellSpring University, Benin, with the topic, Imperative of Human Centric Governance In Sustaining Democracy in Africa: AN Insight in Niger Republic.

    He said that several decades after gaining independence, African countries were still grappling with problems of true democratic practice beyond its mere claim.

    He noted that indicators of democracy like the rule of law,  free and fair elections and people’s participation in state affairs were hardly present in most African countries.

    He said that the relevant institutions that supported impactful governance were also weak, adding that it had failed to raise the people’s standard of living.

    ” This has significantly added to the explanations for the rather unending military interventions in most African democracies, ” he said.

    He disclosed that on the average, African ranked among the top regions of the world that had experienced military coups and overthrow of constitutionally elected governments.

    “Out of 54 countries in African continent, 45 have had at least one coup attempt since 1950. The total number of coups by the year 2011 was 214, with 106 of the coups being successful.

    ” Since then, there have been additional seven coups, all successful thereby bringing the total to 221 coups, ” he said.

    According to him, democratic governance has remained generally unstable in African occasioned by mask of welfare for the people.

    He noted that the current situation  in Niger Republic was a reflection of the happenings in other countries in the continent with minor variations where they exist at all.

    He said that democratic governance had, therefore, not really addressed the needs of the society and the people in African region.

    Iyayi said the welfare of the people should be prioritized and necessary environment created for them to participate in the affairs of their country.

    He said that there was an urgent need to reduce the cost of governance in Africa because the costs were adversely affecting the welfare of the people.

    According to him, African leaders should evolve workable strategies to fight and reduce poverty in all forms to a tolerable level.

    , The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Ajayi commended Iyayi for the robust lecture which had provided insight into Africa’s problems and proffered solutions to them.

    Ajayi urged him not to relent in his research efforts and academic pursuit because the education sector would always need researchers like him. (NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)
    NY/JI

    Edited by Joe Idika

  • Sallah: LASPA urges event organisers to prioritise safe parking

    Parking
    By Chiazo Ogbolu
    Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has called on event organisers to prioritise safe parking during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and beyond.
    The General Manager of LASPA, Mrs Adebisi Adelabu, made the appeal in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
    Adelabu emphasised the importance of proactive parking to mitigate the potential hazards associated with increased event attendance during this festive period.
    “With the Eid festivities fast approaching, we anticipate a surge in events across Lagos, which will translate to increased demand for parking spaces.
    “It is imperative that event-goers prioritise and pre-plan their parking arrangements to prevent haphazard parking, which can impede traffic flow and jeopardise public safety.
    “Let us come together to create a joyful and safe festive atmosphere, devoid of frustration and danger,” she said.
    Adelabu also underscored the necessity for strict adherence to parking regulations to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout the Sallah celebrations.
    “We must avoid blocking driveways or parking in unauthorised areas.
    “Non-compliance not only disrupts the joyous spirit of the season but also poses risks to the safety and convenience of fellow road users,” she said.
    She cautioned against converting sections of major roads into makeshift parking lots for events without proper authorisation and provision of parking marshals to oversee parking arrangements.
    Adelabu also encouraged event centres requiring parking assistance to liaise with LASPA.
    “We stand ready to assist event organisers by connecting them with nearby facilities that have available parking spaces and providing trained parking marshals,” she said.
    She, however, reiterated LASPA’s unwavering commitment to addressing all parking-related concerns, ensuring that residents and visitors alike enjoy optimal parking experiences across the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CAN/JNC
    ==========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • EFCC, FBI strengthen partnership on fight against crimes

    Collaboration
    By Isaac Aregbesola
    Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have strengthened their partnership towards tackling the old and emerging crimes that are of mutual interests to Nigeria and the United States. .
    FBI’s Director, Christopher Wray, said this on Friday when he led a team of the Bureau’s top officials on a visit to the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede in Abuja.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two agencies have strengthened their partnership on a renewed strategic alliance against crimes.
    Wray, in his remarks, expressed delight at the bond that had existed over the years between the EFCC and FBI and called for upscaling in the face of common crime threats that confront Nigeria and the U.S.
    “Thank you for your hospitality and in particular, for the partnership that exists between the FBI and the EFCC across a wide range of threats that we face together.
    ”We have had a relationship over the years and this is a reflection of how stronger than ever we are looking forward to taking our partnership to higher and higher levels in tackling threats that affect the people of Nigeria and the people of the United States.
    ”We have had close partnerships in shared values and focus and I want to say thank you for the wonderful partnership,” he said.
    Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the FBI  for being the EFCC’s personnel and institutional capacity building benefactor over the years and expressed optimism that the collaboration between the two agencies  would be taken a notch higher.
    “We value the partnership between the EFCC and FBI. Over the years, this partnership has existed and it is for mutual benefits.
    ”We have to acknowledge that we have benefitted from your manpower and capacity development programmes, which have added value to the capacity of our operatives and our Academy.
    ”We also want to thank you for the technical support that you have provided over the years for the EFCC and by extension, Nigeria,” he said.
    Olukoyede requested that the collaboration and strategic partnership between two agencies should be strengthened in mutual interest of Nigeria and the US, especially as criminality has become borderless.
    “Some of the crimes we fight are borderless crimes, so it is extremely important for law enforcement agencies across the world to come together to collaborate.
    ”Law enforcement agencies must collaborate more. Our activities must be borderless so that we will be able to challenge the activities of the bad guys,” he said.
     He assured Wray and his team of the Commission’s commitment to collaboration with the American agency.
    Olukoyede noted that achieving the shift in paradigm in the operations of the commission called for new dynamism and mechanisms in the tools of the anti-corruption fight.
    “The major thrust is to use the instrument of prevention to tackle corruption in the country.
    ”The EFCC has done well over the years in the areas of investigation and prosecution, but upon my assumption of office, I decided to look at the sources and causes of these problems.
     ”We will not just enforce but also look at prevention, since it is also within our mandate. So, we decided to set up a new department, called Fraud Risk Assessment and Control,” he said.
     He expressed optimism that contract and procurement fraud would soon be a thing of the past.
    According to him, the commission is going to ensure e-procurement in the entire nation so that it would be easy to track the execution of projects.
    “That is one of the key innovations we have brought into our activities and we are really going to follow it through.”
    Other officials on the FBI delegation include: Charles Smith Jnr, Sydney Schaur, Joshua James Moldt, William Michael Miller, Vanessa M. Tibbits, William B. Stevens, Leigha Ramson, Sofie Admire Sosenzweig and Dr. Jim Oscar.(NAN) www nannews.ng
    IAA/ADA
    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Fire guts twin duplex in Lagos

    Fire
    By Henry Oladele
    Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, (LASEMA), on Friday, said a twin duplex was engulfed by fire at Magodo Phase 11, a Lagos suburb.
    This is contained in a statement by LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
    Osanyintolu said the incident occurred at No. 16, Alhaji Jubril Str. Magodo Phase II.
    He added that the agency responded swiftly to the incident area after a distress call was made via the state’s Toll Free Emergency numbers 767 and 112.
    “The agency’s response team from the Command and Control Centre at Alausa arrived at the twin-duplex where the incident occurred at 08.02hrs.
    “Upon arrival of the team, it was discovered that the fire started at approximately 7.05 a.m. and quickly spread from the main duplex consisting of about five rooms.
    “The fire then escalated  through the roof to the other wing of the duplex, which consisted of about three bedroom and a living room.
    “After thorough investigations, it was discovered that the cause of the fire was as a result of an electrical surge from the air conditioner unit in one of the rooms in the main duplex,” he said.
    He said the occupants of the duplex were evacuated safely and no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
    “The fire was extinguished by the joint efforts of the LASEMA’s Response Team and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which responded promptly to the emergency call.
    “The duplex suffered significant damage, leaving the roofing and interiors seriously affected.
    “The inferno was quickly curtailed from spreading to surrounding and adjacent buildings.
    “The contents of the duplex, including furniture and personal belongings, were salvaged by the quick response of the response unit,” he said.
    He added that the fire service department extinguished the fire and ensured safety of the occupants.
    “The inferno has been successfully put out.
    “However, while dampening down was on going, one of the fire fighters fell from the ceiling, but was quickly rescued and attended to by the Lagos State Ambulance Service officials at the incident scene,” he said.
    He said that LASEMA response team, the fire services were in attendance to put off the fire, adding that the operation had been concluded.(NAN)
    HOB/JNC
    ========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Bedridden sports coach begs Soludo, other Nigerians for help

    Appeal
    By Chimezie Anaso
    Awka, June 14, 2024 (NAN) An Awka-based grassroots football and gymnastics coach, Benson Udeh, bedridden for eight years, has appealed to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra and other public-spirited Nigerians to come to his aid.

    Udeh, who is bedridden with spinal cord injury, made the appeal on Friday, when he spoke with newsmen from his sick bed in Awka.

    He said that with the assurances given by the experts managing him, he was hopeful to walk again, if he could have access to the necessary medical care.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Udeh sustained a spinal cord injury in June 2016 on his way to the final of the maiden Gov. Willie Obiano Academicals Football Competition at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha.

    He was leading his team, the Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu and Community Secondary School, Isuanocha, when their vehicle crashed at the Oba-Nnewi Road.

    He was treated at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Memphis Specialist Hospital, Enugu and National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu but stopped receiving treatment since 2017.

    He said: “Living in solitary confinement for eight years has been the most traumatic experience in my life.

    “It has been eight years now since I sustained this spinal cord injury and I have been bedridden since then.

    “l thank everybody for the assistance they have given to me but I still want to walk again.

    “I call on Gov. Soludo and his sports-loving and compassionate wife to help me.

    “I call on lovers of sports and public-spirited Nigerians to support me financially to get the needed medical attention,” Udeh said.

    He said that he still love football and wanted to go back to what he loved doing, including helping young people to discover and develop their talents in sports. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/OIF/USO
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sam Oditah