At least three persons have been reported dead and many others injured during a massive explosion at the Kubwa village market in Abuja.
The explosion, which happened around 7:00 pm on Friday evening, was caused by adulterated kerosene from a tanker near the main market.
It was learned that properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the explosion which consumed two shops and other roadside stores.
According to the acting Director, Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, Florence Wenegieme, three persons have been confirmed dead and scores injured in the explosion.
She stated the injured victims have been taken to the Kubwa General Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Wenegieme, however, lamented that hoodlums had taken over the scene and obstructed the firefighters from doing their work.
She said, “The incident happened not quite long. I can’t tell you the cause but I can tell you that three persons have died but we are yet to take out the corpses because hoodlums have taken over the place, they also did not allow our men to do their jobs. They have parked somewhere waiting for the police to come.”
As of the time of filing this report, security operatives had blocked the access points to the explosion site and also dispersed people who had gathered at the scene.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari is not as powerful as he is made out to be.
The minister made the claim at a Yoruba Tennis Club’s Landmark public lecture.
He stated that some people have often said that the president of the country is very powerful even more than America’s president, revealing that the claim is absolutely not true.
According to the former Lagos governor, the president have limited powers which are subjected to the national Assembly.
He advised Nigerians to get acquainted with the 1999 constitution so they would really understand the limitations to the president’s capability.
He said: “Very often, I hear a general statement that the president of Nigeria is very powerful. Some people say he is more powerful than the President of the United States of America.
“I want a better life and I am sure we all do. I want to say that there is always a flip side to the powers of the president.
“I urge all of us to get a copy of the 1999 Constitution; we can find them online and just read to acquaint yourself, and read one page or two pages a day; perhaps it will help us understand why things are where they are and what can be done.
“This will help us to contextualise some of the over-generalised statements that we have made because they are not reality. So, these powers are not powers running all over the place.
“It seems to me that for a long time we have lived in anticipation that once the president comes, all our lives will be better.
“The heart of matter is why do Nigerians place their hopes and expectations for a better life on their president rather than on their governors and their local government chairmen?
“The answer lies in the level of our interactions with our Constitution. We are not fully and sufficiently familiar with our Constitution and roles that each of these offices is expected play.
“It seems to me that we have expected the right things from the wrong places. That is why I frame the question: what can the president do for me?’
“What we really have in our country instead of an all-powerful president is a political arrangement of shared powers and responsibilities, and in some cases it is just difficult to cross the line.
“It is actually something we are involved in. It seems to me it is the people of Nigeria rather than one man, the president, who truly have powers and responsibilities over our affairs.’’
Barely 24-hours to the November 6th Anambra State Governorship election, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alkali Usman Baba, has redeployed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Joseph Egbunike.
Recall that the IGP had deployed Egbunike and the DIG in charge of Operations, Acting DIG Zaki Ahmed, to oversee the security personnel and operations in the Anambra election.
Confirming the news on Friday, the South-East Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Nkeiruka Nwode, said Egbunike was redeployed to another important assignment.
She stated that only Egbunike was moved to another assignment, refuting the report that both DIGs resigned from their positions over alleged plans by some politicians to compromise them.
In a related development, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has condemned Egbunike’s redeployment by the police boss a few hours to the election
Speaking with reporters in Awka on Friday, the group Convener, Ene Obi, also bemoaned the removal of the state Police Commissioner during the week.
She said: “This State has been a bit notorious in terms of Police deployment. I remember we were on the ground a month ago when we had a meeting with the security agencies.
“We just finished speaking with the CP who had been around less than 2months and around 8.30 pm, he was removed before the close of the meeting.
“There have been six CPs in Anambra State in 6 months. What is going on is only the AIG and IGP that can tell us why they’re deploying and redeploying at this last minute.
“This same DIG that addressed us yesterday is ironically from this state, we don’t really know what is going on.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied reports linking him with the ownership of the 21-storey building edifice which collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State on Monday.
The Vice President in a statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande said at no time did he buy the land or the building in question as been speculated in some quarters.
The statement also condoled with those who lost loved ones or who got injured in the unfortunate incident when the high-rise building under construction at Gerald road area of Ikoyi collapsed.
Days after the collapse, rumours emerged that the land upon which the building stood had been sold to Vice President Osinbajo by Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors.
But in his refutal, Osinbajo denied buying any landed property from Chief Ade Ojo, stressing that the details of all property and assets owned by him are available in the public domain as he has declared them as required by the law.
He said legal steps have been taken against those sponsoring the media campaign against him.
The statement reads in part: “Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade Ojo or anyone for that matter.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.
“Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.
“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.”
He cautioned those using such a sad event to spin other narratives for their selfish political interests to desist from such action, adding that those responsible should be ready to meet him in court.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.
“Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.
“The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.”
It was earlier reported that Chief Ade-Ojo, has reacted to the report claiming that he sold the land of the Ikoyi collapsed building to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Ade-Ojo in a statement he released on Thursday disclosed that he owns the land adjacent to the property on Gerald Road, distancing himself from the report by an online medium (Saharareporters) that he sold the land where the collapsed building was built.
He further stated that even though he owns the next property to the collapsed building, he has no intention of selling it.
A top staff of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Engr. Musa, who was declared missing by his family has been reportedly found dead at a Lagos canal.
The family of Engr Musa had declared him missing last week Sunday when he could not be found after he was last seen on Saturday.
A human corpse was recovered from the Iyana Ipaja canal that runs down from the Oko Oba abattoir, but the family of the MMA staff is yet to identify the corpse.
A source who was at the scene of the incident and spoke with Vanguard claimed that the remains were that of the missing Musa’s corpse.
The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity claimed that, “The family has been looking for him since Sunday but discovered his remains yesterday at the Lagos Canal in Iyana Ipaja.
“Musa was a strict man and he did not believe in eye service.”
It was also disclosed that a nail was found on the head of the deceased, while both hands were tied behind him, which could be a case of assassination.
In another development, six people who were kidnapped by gunmen on Tuesday morning from the University of Abuja Senior Staff Quarters have been rescued and reunited with their families.
In a short statement signed by the FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, on Friday, the victims were rescued through a joint operation with other security agencies.
Adeh also disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have been arrested and would be charged to court soon.
Transcorp Delivers Robust Q3 Results…Records accelerated PBT growth of 671%
Hospitality subsidiary, Transcorp Hotels, returns to profitability amidst the Covid-19 pandemic
Nigeria’s leading and largest listed diversified conglomerate, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) has released its unaudited results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, indicating sustained growth in 2021 as seen in the first two quarters of year.
With strategic investments in the Power, Hospitality, and Energy sectors, the conglomerate recorded a profit after tax of N13.5bn, rising by 617% up from N1.75bn recorded in the previous year.
Other key highlights of the result include the following:
Revenue rose by 57%, from N54.4bn in Q3 2020 to N85.6bn in the period under consideration.
Gross profit grew by 74%, from N22.7bn in Q3 2020 to N39.4bn in Q3 2021.
Profit before tax accelerated by 671% from N1.75bn in Q3 2020 to a significant N13.5b in Q3 2021.
Mrs. Owen Omogiafo, President/Group CEO of Transcorp, commenting on the performance said “the results reflect the continued commitment by the group to improve performance across all the sectors in which we operate. Our power business increased by 49% year on year, while our hospitality business increased by 115%.”
Omogiafo indicated that the company intends to complete the year with another quarter of excellent year-over-year growth, thanks to its scalability and sustainability strategy.
Omogiafo said, “Our outlook for the rest of the year remains positive despite some macro-economic issues. We are particularly excited by the performance of our Hospitality business and its recovery following the impact of the Covid pandemic. We have remained on track regarding our capacity recovery plan in our Power business and despite the systemic challenges in the Power sector, Transcorp remains a strong contributor to the power generated in the country. We will continue to drive operational efficiency and focused on delivering value to all stakeholders as we work towards building a long-lasting institution that would deliver on our purpose of Improving Lives and Transforming Nigeria.”
Heritage Bank launches Octiplus App, reinforces commitment as technology driven institution
Heritage Bank Plc has launched a robust innovative and advanced digital banking experience, “Octiplus”.
Octiplus as a bank-agnostic, all-in-one digital banking application, which grants users access to a bouquet of financial, lifestyle and social networking features with the added convenience of converging card based payments within one application irrespective of the issuing Nigerian Bank.
This state-of-the-art transactional and lifestyle application stands out in the industry, exposing customers to unique features which guarantee users access to relevant financial management tools which facilitate an improved spend and savings culture whilst affording users to a borderless transactional experience.
It is a mobile banking app developed and owned by the Bank and configured with a wide range of exciting features to meet the needs of the banking public.
The Divisional Head Innovation, Ikenna Imo stated that Octiplus promises an intelligent Omni-channel experience which augments the usual transactional features including bills payment, funds transfer and airtime recharge with its unique ability to facilitate person to person/group interactions which encourage small businesses and a thriving side hustle for young professionals.
He further confirmed that the App is now available for download on the Google and iOS App Stores.
Expressing his delight over the feat achieved, the MD/CEO of the bank, Ifie Sekibo stated, “Heritage Bank is a technology-driven institution with vast knowledge as a service organization in the business of banking and with the introduction of Octiplus, it is indicative that we are driven by the passion to ensure that your financial, business and lifestyle objectives are delivered in a convenient and interactive manner.
“With Octiplus, we are set to redefine the concept of digital banking for the discerning mobile user, as the app is equipped with several exciting features that reiterate the Bank’s commitment to expand its digital architecture and modernize its interactions with the banking public, irrespective of your preferred financial institution.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared three days of mourning for victims of the Ikoyi building collapse.
Naija News reports that the governor made the declaration in a statement on Thursday signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
The governor also directed that official engagements are cancelled during the mourning period and all flags are to be flown at half-mast in public and private buildings.
Sanwo-Olu, however, commiserated with Lagosians who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident, praying for speedy recovery for the survivors.
The statement reads. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared three days of mourning over the Ikoyi building collapse, which occurred on Monday. No fewer than 32 persons are believed to have died in the incident.
“All flags are to be flown at half-mast in public and private buildings and official engagements cancelled during the mourning period.
“The Lagos State Government, once again, commiserates with all those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.”
The governor disclosed that family members had submitted 19 names of those still missing, asking other family members to visit the scene and drop the needed information.
Sanwo-Olu added that the ongoing corona inquest on the bodies evacuated from the site was expected to be concluded today (Friday), after which families would be invited to identify them.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), we opened a register for people that have missing persons or loved ones whom they believed must have been at the site before the collapse.
“As I speak here, it is only 19 names of missing persons that have been registered. Some of them have pictures, others do not. This list would help us to get information on manifest of those at the site.
“As of this afternoon, we have recovered a total of 32 bodies. We are conducting a corona inquest on the bodies and by tomorrow (Friday), we hope the exercise would have been concluded. That is the deadline we gave to the corona, so that the families can come and identify the bodies recovered so far.”
Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, has accused some pastors in the country of constantly attacking President Muhammadu Buhari.
The presidential aide stated that these pastors have turned their pulpits to an avenue to spew hate and ridicule the President over the state of the nation.
He agreed that religious leaders and Nigerians have the right to be angry over the challenges facing the country, it must be noted that the Buhari government was doing its best to change the nation’s fortunes.
Adesina made the submission via an article released on his Facebook page on Thursday which he titled ‘This Kumuyi is simply different’, in support of a statement by the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi.
He stated that the constant criticism of his principal by an Abuja-based pastor forced him to stop going to a branch of his church, accusing the pastor of seeing himself as someone who must bring the Buhari government down with his criticisms.
He added that some Nigerian pastors are guilty of giving fake prophecies, recalling how some religious leaders predicted that Buhari would lose the 2019 election.
He wrote, “I used to attend a church in Abuja from 2015 to 2018, till the pastor began to see himself as someone who must bring the Buhari government down. Sunday after Sunday, it was all sorts of criticism from the pulpit. But I endured, since it was a branch of a church I had attended for over 30 years. Till one day, he overdid it.
“The Dapchi girls were abducted and there was no name the pastor did not call President Buhari that Sunday. It was horrendous that such things could come from the pulpit. But I suffered long and sat through the sermon, or rather, what was supposed to be a sermon. I then went home, wondering what the church of God was turning to.
“Irrespective of the titles they bear, I hear bishops, apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, cursing the government, and issuing doomsday notices. One even said publicly that the Buhari administration was over, before the 2019 elections. But the man won handsomely, and that preacher still struts and frets on the pulpit every week, not repenting in sackcloth and ashes.”
Adesina went ahead to appreciate Kumuyi for urging Christians not to attack those in authority and destroy government property because they failed to keep to electoral promises.
The presidential aide, however, berated some pastors for supporting the youths during the #EndSARS protests in 2020 which led to the destruction of properties in Lagos State.
Adesina added, “Pastor Kumuyi also says if you are a true believer in Christ, you wouldn’t go on the rampage, destroying government property… But that was not what we saw in the country in October last year. The country was almost burned down under the subterfuge of EndSARS.
“And sadly, they were encouraged by pastors and preachers, who simply hate the fact that a Fulani man is their President. Many of them are on record as having encouraged the protesters, till things went ugly, turned awry. And the pastors vanished into the thin air. Not a word of caution or restraint as the cities were burning, and policemen were being killed, and even eaten up.”
How Tinubu Worked His Way Up To Success From A Taxi Driver To Become One Of The Most Powerful Nigerian Politician
Many Nigerians believe that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former Lagos state governor, was born with a silver spoon and therefore always had everything he needed as a young man at his disposal. This was an assumption which was not totally true.
The great Nigerian politician, Tinubu, worked his way up to be successful, just like any ordinary young and promising Nigerian. He even climbed the political ladder through hard work and dedication.
Today we shall be looking at the grass-to-grass story of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as a young man who was once a taxi driver on the street but rose to the level of a political figure that can not be looked down upon in Nigeria at the present time.
Tinubu’s mother sold her trinkets and joined the proceeds with the money generated from the sale of the Volkswagen Beetle car given to him by his uncle to raise money for travelling.
When Tinubu was in the United States of America, he engaged in several forms of menial work to keep body and soul together and to sponsor his tertiary education. The great politician got involved in the taxi business by getting an unregistered used car which he ran as a taxi, taking passengers from the airport to their destination.
Tinubu, like every other taxi driver, faced challenges on the job, such as being slapped by a Navy officer for overcharging him because back then there was no GPRS to locate the direction and measure the accurate fees to collect. The politician has also carried a drunk man who failed to pay his fees after getting to his destination.
Tinubu did other menial jobs apart from cab driving throughout his schooling abroad and focus on his education till he graduated, and he returned to Nigeria in 1983 where he joined Mobil Oil and rose to the position of an executive of the company before his retirement.
The APC chieftain began his political career in 1992, when he joined the Social Democratic Party, SDP. This was where he gradually developed himself politically till he became a two-term governor of Lagos State and one of the most powerful politicians in Nigeria to this day.
This is a lesson for all youths to note that not everyone who is currently successful was born into a rich family. Many strive to become successful in life. People don’t know you when you are poor. The moment fortune smiles on you, people begin to recognize you.
