Barely 24 hours after two lives were lost in an explosion that hit the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, another gas explosion has occurred in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital leaving two persons injured.
The gas explosion which occurred at Onikoko area of Abeokuta around 10:am on Friday caused serious panic.
This explosion will be the fifth incident that has occurred in Abeokuta in the last nine days, killing about eleven persons.
Our correspondent who visited the scene of the incident gathered that it was an industrial gas belonging to a construction company kept in its garage that exploded.
An iron splinter from the exploded gas cylinder flew to about 200 metres inside St. Leo’s College, Onikoko, and hit one of the victims who’s a woman in her chest, injuring one of her breasts.
The effect of the explosion was seen on nearby buildings, shattering walls and glasses.
Confirming the incident, Commissioner for Special Duties, Lekan Ogunbanwo, and Special Adviser to the governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya, said two were injured.
Ogunbawo said, “Within the last one week, we have lost about eleven persons while others were in hospital in critical conditions.
“We were able to trace one of the sources together with the Commissioner of Police and Director of the DSS.”
Meanwhile, the state government has sealed off an industrial gas retailing depot at Omida.
The Islamic group, therefore, slammed the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as wicked over his hostile treatment of civil servants in the state.
Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shiites, has said its members have been attacked and killed by hired thugs during peaceful protests on the streets of Kaduna State.
The Islamic group, therefore, slammed the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as wicked over his hostile treatment of civil servants in the state.
Kaduna State Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai
El-Rufai had sacked Kaduna State University’s lecturers, health workers and others who joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike in the state.
He had also declared the National President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba and 17 others wanted.
The Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige waded into the crisis between the state government and the NLC and invited both parties in the dispute to an emergency meeting.
Following the emergency meeting, the NLC suspended its five-day warning strike in the state as announced by Wabba.
However, IMN says it is necessary to condemn the strong-arm tactics deployed by El-Rufai against the peaceful NLC protests during the warning protest.
This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesman for IMN, Ibrahim Musa, made available to Daily Post on Friday.
It said, “If not for the fact that Islam abhours injustice and implore adherents to speak out against injustice anywhere, anytime, more so injustice to one is an injustice to all, we wouldn’t have bothered to declare our stance on this preventable face-off between the Governor and NLC.
“It is unfortunate the way and manner the embattled Kaduna Governor declared Wabba and 17 others wanted for alleged economic sabotage and attacks on public infrastructure under the Miscellaneous Offences Act and even disclosed that there was a handsome reward for anyone who could give information on Wabba’s current whereabouts.
“This strong-arm tactics employed by the Governor is not new to us in the Islamic Movement at the height of our struggle for justice to Sheikh (Ibrahim) Zakzaky from 2016 to date.
“Also, hired armed thugs with knives, sticks and stones, attacked the peaceful protest of the labour union in Kaduna State on Tuesday, 18/05/2021. If not that the police and the DSS (Department of State Services) in Kaduna had apprehended some of the sponsored thugs, thereby protecting protesters and averting bloodshed, the story would have been different by now.
“However apprehending them without bringing them and their sponsors to justice will only be a waste of state resources. Their sponsors must be exposed and brought to justice if the law enforcement agencies are serious.
“We are not strange to such barbarism of Governor El-Rufai. It is on record that times without number when we embark on peaceful protests in the streets of Kaduna, such hoodlums are employed to spill our blood for no reason. In fact, it is on record that we have lost at least two people to such gruesome ploys.
“KDSG even resorted to vile propaganda when it likened ‘the actions of the NLC as equivalent to the actions of the bandits kidnapping and menacing our citizens. Bandits illegally use arms, but the NLC is deploying mob action for exactly the same ends,’ as claimed the state in a press statement.
“We will not forget when the governor was busy trumpeting that the Islamic Movement is worse than Boko Haram at the slightest opportunity. His crude tactics have always been to’ black-paint’ innocent citizens to deceptively sway public support to his side.
“And to cap it all up, the governor announced that he had fired Kaduna State University’s lecturers who joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike in the state, as ‘KDSG will not tolerate criminal acts disguised as industrial action.’
“The government also announced the dismissal of all nurses below Grade Level 14 for the illegal strike. If this is not the way of fascist regimes, what is it? Certainly, this is most undemocratic and extremely autocratic,” the statement partly read.
The group used the opportunity to demand justice for its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who has been detained since 2015, while commending the NLC for confronting the autocratic tendencies of El-Rufai.”
“Finally, we hereby salute the courage of the NLC and its leadership for resisting the evil plans of the wicked Governor of sacking the common masses from their places of work.
“We also hope by now members of the public must have realised what we have been saying all along, since the Zaria massacre of December 2015, that this regime is brutal, aggressive in its actions and extremely egocentric.
“It doesn’t care about the lives, property and welfare of the citizens. Had it been we were listened to, we might not have reached the sorry state the nation is in now.
“Hence we reiterate our demand for justice to Sheikh Zakzaky, his family, followers and all the victims of the Zaria massacre, which is nothing short of their immediate release from illegal detention,” the statement added.
Anthony Joshua has called Tyson Fury “a fraud” with their undisputed title fight on the brink of collapsing after he was given a 48-hour deadline before being ordered to face Oleksandr Usyk.
.@Tyson_Fury the world now sees you for the fraud you are.
You’ve let boxing down!
You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.
Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) May 19, 2021
The governing body’s stance on Wednesday evening is a further blow to the planned undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Joshua and Fury for August 14 in Saudi Arabia.
A court ruled on Monday that WBC champion Fury must take on Deontay Wilder again by September 15, meaning IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder Joshua may instead fight Usyk next.
“The world now sees you for the fraud you are,” Joshua posted on social media towards Fury.
“You’ve let boxing down! You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.
“Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.”
Fury replied: “You are more full of [rubbish] than [promoter Eddie Hearn]. Your full team knew there was an arbitration going on, it was out of my hands! If I’m a fraud let’s fight this weekend bare knuckles until one man quits.”
Why Fury should worry about Wilder
‘I’m nervous for grandad Mayweather’
Joshua hit back: “If there was an arbitration going on, why announce to the world we are fighting! The fight was signed!
“I’ll slap your bald head and you’ll do nothing!”
Fury called Joshua a “bottle job” then added: “I’ll smoke Wilder first then you will get yours as well.”
Revealed: How to win an undisputed title fight
Joshua set to fight Usyk
Usyk was called Joshua’s “Plan B” by promoter Eddie Hearn because he is the WBO mandatory challenger – that fight is now two days away from being ordered.
The WBO had originally agreed to forego Usyk’s right to a shot at the belt because of the magnitude of the planned undisputed title fight.
“The WBO is extremely happy as their mandatory challenger will be facing their heavyweight champion,” Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports.
Joshua vs Usyk?
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Joshua has 48 hours before he will be ordered to fight Usyk
“What else can they desire? We are waiting for their approval letter!”
WBO president Paco Valcarcel said on Tuesday night: “I hope boxing fans will enjoy Joshua vs Usyk in the near future.”
The targeted date for Joshua vs Usyk is in August at “most likely a big open-air venue in the UK”, says Krassyuk.
Usyk had previously been in negotiations to fight Joe Joyce for the WBO interim title while he awaited the winner of Joshua vs Fury.
Usyk is close to coming between Fury and Joshua
“Usyk said that he was crossing the English Channel by the time he received my message, and asked which turn he should be making,” joked Krassyuk.
“He was happy to hear the news.”
Krassyuk had previously reacted to the court ruling Fury to face Wilder: “There is no other reasonable excuse for AJ now. If he is not avoiding Usyk, it is high time to face the mandatory!
“We are now in the position to make the fight happen as soon as possible.”
Joshua breaks his silence
Joshua posted on social media shortly after the WBO gave him a 48-hour deadline, joking: “I’m thinking about starting a Go Fund Me page to raise money for Wilder’s step aside payment – £20m.
“So I can smoke that fat guy with skinny legs from Manchester.
“These heavyweights need a podcast or something because they do more talking than fighting.”
Explaining the Fury-Wilder-Joshua saga
Fury previously said about Wilder: “What a joke the Bronze Bomber has become.
“Asked for $20m to move over, joker.
“Looks like I have to [fight him] again.”
But Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott hit back: “No. Wilder declined and had no interest in step aside money. You are dealing with a whole different type [of mentality] over here. He wants the blood not the step aside money.
“‘Retribution is upon us’.”
Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder
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Fury beat Wilder in a rematch but a court ruled they must fight again
Fury posted a mocking list of Wilder’s “excuses” since they last fought: “Costume was too heavy, Fury’s gloves were loaded, I had weak legs, my water was spiked, Fury’s gloves had no padding, had bicep surgery, disloyal trainer, complications in camp, I broke my arm, fight stopped too early, Andre Dirrell’s fault.”
Can Joshua vs Fury be salvaged?
Promoter Eddie Hearn considered whether the undisputed title fight may be delayed until December, to first allow Fury to face Wilder and Joshua to meet Usyk.
Asked about the August 14 date in Saudi Arabia for Joshua vs Fury, Hearn said: “Am I hopeful? I don’t know.
“We were told the arbitration wouldn’t be a problem but obviously it is a problem.
“We have to think on our feet. We have to act accordingly. We still hope the fight can go ahead but it’s out of our hands.
“If [Fury’s] hands are tied [Joshua] will have to look elsewhere.”
The Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Dr David Oyedepo, has admonished youths against the excessive use of social media.
Oyedepo gave the warning on Friday during the 15th Convocation of the school in Ota, Ogun, NAN reports.
The chancellor noted that the negative impact of social media on youths has made them lose focus and robbed them of their destinies.
“The social media saga has eroded the substance of destiny as it has unconsciously robbed youths of their future and their time.
“The honour of this generation has been wiped off, chatting all day with no time left to think, plan program and engage productively in the pursuit of any task.
“Some professionals have classified social media addiction along with drugs, alcohol and sex.
“Social media that is supposed to be a plus to the youths, suddenly became a minus, as everything of value is delivered through the investment of time,” he said.
The chancellor noted that life without a vision was an adventure in frustration and that life without a bearing was a burden.
He said only those who know where they are going ever get anywhere.
“No one ever arrives at a future he cannot see, neither does anyone arrive at a future he is not prepared for.
“It is time for every youth to wake up from slumber and take his/her destiny in their hands,” he added.
The United States government has revealed plans to supply drones to Nigeria as part of its commitment to help overcome security challenges in the country.
The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth Leonard, stated this in Sokoto at a round table discussion with journalists in the state.
She said the drones would help Nigeria to end the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and Boko Haram in the country.
The American ambassador said: “Insecurity has shortchanged the development of the country in many areas of human endeavour.
“America is concern about the security situation of the country.”
The ambassador further explained that the US has been supportive of Nigeria on information gathering and hardware to combat security through modern technologies and other relevant areas of concern.
She said, however, protocols and channels that facilitate the implementations were considered by departments and expertise.
The ambassador who is going round states in the country to inspect American programs in the country said, “USAID had from 2015 to date invested about one hundred and twenty-two million dollars on different activities that comprised improving primary healthcare, immunisations, public access to quality healthcare, education, agriculture, and empowerments programmes.
“USAID future interactions aimed at strengthening the commitments include improving agriculturalists’ capacity for farmers to engage on right agricultural practices for growth and enhanced food production.”
She added that the Safe Schools Initiative and other educational support was accorded with priority, stressing that the US government accorded respect and concern on the plights of Nigerians.
She noted that the US government is assisting Nigeria in various human endeavours, stressing that her country is the largest single bilateral contributor to Nigeria.
The Ambassador commended the Sokoto State government for its commitment to developing the agricultural sector especially the cotton value chain.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) has berated governors who are clamouring for state police saying they are inviting anarchy.
Speaking at the Open Government Partnership Week in Abuja, the IGP said those governors asking for state police are doing so for selfish purpose because they want to use the instrument of state police against their political opponents.
The IGP, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Lemu Sanusi, said: “But state police will bring anarchy. Look at what is happening with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna. With state police what will the situation be? If there is an armed robbery case, a governor cannot send state police. What the governors are looking for are instruments to defeat their political opponents.”
Minister of State, Budget and National Planning and co-chair of Open Government Partnership, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba said that after the EndSARS protest in October, last year, the relationship between the citizens and police worsened. He said the government is trying to repair the damaged relationship through the Open Government Partnership.
Atletico players celebrate at the end of the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and CA Osasuna at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on May 16, 2021. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)
Barely a week has gone by this season without Diego Simeone pronouncing his mantra of “one game at a time” and now it really rings true, with Atletico Madrid one match away from winning La Liga.
If they beat Real Valladolid on Saturday, they will be crowned champions for the first time since 2014 and few could argue given they will have been top of the table since December.
But Real Madrid is lurking, only two points behind, and ready to dip their neck over the line at the last moment. They have not led La Liga since October 17.
Real Madrid will have to win at home against Villarreal to have any chance but the omens looks good for Zinedine Zidane’s side, given their opponents may not be at full strength.
Villarreal is in a three-way battle to finish fifth and sixth, with the team that comes seventh dropping out of the Europa League and into the new and less lucrative Europa Conference League.
But Villarreal could do even better and qualify for the Champions League if they defeat Manchester United in the Europa League final, four days after their game at Valdebebas.
“We will have an eye on the Manchester United game,” said Villarreal coach Unai Emery on Wednesday.
A draw for Atletico could mean the top two are tied on points but that would see the trophy returned to Real Madrid, who would sneak it on head-to-head.
In some ways, Atletico might benefit from the situation being clear. They will almost certainly have win to claim the title and can look for victory from the start.
Valladolid scrapping for survival
Valladolid might have been relegated already had results gone against them last weekend but instead they are still fighting to be the one team out of three that survives.
Huesca and Elche are the others scrapping to finish 17th, with both of them two points ahead of Valladolid, the trio sandwiched between already-relegated Eibar and Getafe, who are safe.
It means only a win will give Valladolid hope, a scenario that could play into Atletico’s hands if it encourages their opponents to attack, opening the spaces that were denied by the defensive approach of Osasuna, who so nearly spoiled Atletico’s chances last weekend.
Luis Suarez’s 88th-minute winner, which completed a stunning turnaround after Renan Lodi equalised only six minutes before, had the feeling of a pivotal moment, a dramatic twist to prove decisive in who harnesses the prize.
Yet Real Madrid’s priority on Sunday was survival and they beat Athletic Bilbao at San Mames to take Atletico to the last day, when the tension will be at its highest.
Simeone admitted “anxiety exists” among his players but in 10 years in charge he has tried to expunge the fatalist tendencies that haunted the club for so long.
Real Madrid has benefitted before when Atletico conceded in the 93rd minute in the 2014 Champions League final in Lisbon and lost in extra-time. Atletico went close in the 2016 final in Milan too, only to be beaten by Real Madrid on penalties.
Now Simeone’s team are within touching distance again, the difference this time that Real Madrid have no control, their own success now depending on what happens at the Jose Zorrilla stadium, 200 kilometres away.
Win or lose, it could be Zidane’s final game in charge and there are serious doubts around the future of Ronald Koeman as well, ahead of Barcelona’s last match against Eibar.
Barca’s disappointing end to the season means they could even surrender third place if they lose while Sevilla will hope for the chance to overcome a two-point gap when they face Alaves on Sunday.
Real Sociedad in fifth are a point ahead of both Real Betis and Villarreal, the tussle for the Europa League still alive. Betis travel to Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad are at Osasuna.
Elche host Athletic Bilbao and to stay up, they will have to better Huesca’s result against Valencia at Mestalla. Valladolid must beat Atletico and hope Elche and Huesca both lose.
The Federal Government yesterday ordered both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Kaduna State Government to return to the negotiation table to find lasting solution to the industrial crisis that has engulfed the state since Monday.
The government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment had initiated a reconciliatory meeting which held yesterday to forestall the industrial action from snowballing into a nationwide crisis as threatened by the NLC.
The meeting chaired by Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige had the leadership of the NLC and representatives of the Kaduna State government in attendance. Though Kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, had boycotted the meeting.
The NLC was represented by eight of its leaders led by its President, Ayuba Wabba, three deputy presidents, Joe Ajaero, Amechi Asugwuni and Najeem Yasin and acting General Secretary, Ismail Bello.
The Kaduna State delegation was led by Head of Service, Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed and Commissioner for Local Government, Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani.
The meeting which lasted for over six hours however resolved that everything should return to status quo with the constitution of a 10-member bi-party committee comprising six representatives from the state government and NLC, to engage further with the objective of reverting with a work plan on how to integrate the provision of section 20 of the Labour Act CAP L1 LFN 2004 to resolve the impasse.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the two disputing parties and top officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment at the end of the meeting.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Ngige said all contending issues were ‘exhaustively and extensively’ deliberated.
He said it was agreed that all the listed issues fall within the ambit of redundancy and it was resolved that the principle of redundancy as stated in Section 20 of Labour Act, Cap L1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria be applied..
According to Ngige, the contentious issues include the compulsory retirement of workers on Grade Level 14 and above and those who have attained the age of 50 years irrespective of Grade Levels, the reduction of staff strength of local government to 50 in each of the 23 local government areas and casualisation of workers on Grade Level 1-6.
The minister further disclosed that it was recognized in the meeting that the current situation in the state was a result of communication gap between the state government and NLC.
He disclosed that to resolve the issues, the meeting dicided to constitute a 10-man bi-partite committee, comprising six representatives of the Kaduna State government and three officials of NLC to engage further with the objective of reverting back with a work plan on how to settle the squabble
“The meeting resolved that the committee should have as Chairman, the Head of Service of Kaduna State Government and assisted by a Deputy National President of the NLC. The Committee is expected to revert with the work plan for peaceful resolution of all issues in contention to the Minister of Labour and Employment by Tuesday, 25 May, 2021.
“The work plan is to itemize the structure and sub-structure in the state local government of their activities, time of commencement as envisaged, final tenure of the committee or make recommendations if in its wisdom it thinks that the committee should be a Permanent Standing Committee.”
“In conclusion, it was agreed that there should be no further industrial action on these issues and no worker shall be victimized on account of his or her participation in the industrial action.”
A former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Joe Bisong, has said that Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State is an ingrate following his defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During a phone interview with Bisong, he said “The governor (Ayade) is an adult, a politician and he has done the needful.
“A man must belong to a political party and if he has chosen to join another political party, it is his right to do so, the constitution allows him to do that.
“But my take as a person is that he has created a vacuum within the political party that elected him and if I have to say it, it’s a sign of ingratitude,” the PDP chieftain noted
“The party shielded him, he ran the first tenure, and what he is doing now is his second tenure. The same political party has showed him the green light to become the senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hon Bisong observed that sadly, the man just got up one morning, less than two years to the end of his tenure, dumped the political party to a new one.
“It doesn’t show any political maturity. What the PDP needs to do is to get up, being the largest political party and will be able to meet up,” he advised.
Hon Bisong said that if he had the opportunity to meet Gov Ayade, he would tell him, ‘Your Excellency, you have taken a wrong decision, a wrong political decision.
“He is the governor of the State, his departure will create a lot of issues. The new party he is going must have given him some conditions and this will affect executive council decision.
“He was running a PDP ideology which is liberalism and today he is moving to APC which is a conservative political party. Their ideologies are not the same and it’s going to affect the state,” he noted.
