The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Five die, two injured in Ondo road crash

    Five die, two injured in Ondo road crash

    At least five persons have lost their lives, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal road crash that occurred yesterday in Ondo State.

    The accident, which occurred around 9:10am at Oyin Junction, after Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area, involved a Nissan Sunny car and a DAF tipper truck.

    According to eyewitnesses, the victims were on their way to the popular Ogbese Market, on the outskirts of Akure, to trade their goods.

    Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, attributed the cause of the crash to over speeding.

    “Seven people were involved, five people – one male adult, three female adults, and one female child – died, while two others were injured,” Ibitoye said.

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    He added that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, by personnel from the FRSC Owo Unit Command.

    Ibitoye lamented the rising cases of avoidable accidents on major routes across the state, saying the command had intensified engagements with tipper drivers and other motorists along the Akure-Ogbese axis to promote safer driving practices.

    “It is becoming too frequent. We have been engaging tipper drivers and will continue to do so. They must ensure proper vehicle maintenance to prevent crashes caused by mechanical faults,” he said.

    The sector commander called on motorists to adopt defensive driving techniques, especially during the ember months, stressing the need for road users to drive responsibly to safeguard lives and support national development.

  • One killed, eight injured in Lagos building collapse

    One killed, eight injured in Lagos building collapse

    One person has been confirmed dead, while eight others were rescued after a three-storey building with a penthouse collapsed at 28 Baale Alayabiagba Street, Ajegunle, Lagos.

    The building, which was said to be undergoing manual demolition, caved in around 11:09am yesterday, trapping some of the workers under the rubble.

    According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), eight adult male workers were rescued while one man was recovered dead from the debris.

    Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said emergency responders swiftly moved to the scene following a distress call.

    He said: “Upon arrival, it was observed that a three-storey building with a penthouse undergoing manual demolition collapsed, trapping some workers under the rubble. Eight adult males were rescued alive, while one adult male was recovered dead”.

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    Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu added that the injured victims were treated on-site by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being taken to Ajeromi General Hospital for further medical attention.

    Responders at the scene included LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), LASAMBUS, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigeria Police.

    Also, multiple accidents on the Kara Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway causede major traffic congestions across the state. The accident, which occurred barely hours after a fatal crash on the bridge left several people dead, was said to have injured at least one person. it halted movements from Otedola Bridge into Alausa; Eko Bridge, Third Mainland and the Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway for several hours.

  • Otemu educational foundation inducts first scholarship beneficiaries

    Otemu educational foundation inducts first scholarship beneficiaries

    The Otemu Educational Foundation (OEF) on Thursday inducted the pioneer students of its scholarship beneficiaries, marking a major stride in its mission to promote educational opportunity for underprivileged but brilliant students in Delta State.

    The Beneficiary Induction Programme (BIP), held at the Main Auditorium of Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, formally welcomed 13 exceptional scholars selected for the 2025/2026 academic session. 

    The beneficiaries emerged through a rigorous four-stage screening process from a pool of 475 shortlisted applicants.

    The Foundation, launched by former Delta state governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori in November 2024, aims to sponsor indigent but deserving students across Delta State, providing them with the resources to pursue higher education and achieve their potential.

    Dignitaries at the event included Chief Ibori, who is the Chairman of the OEF Board of Trustees; Professor Augustine Ikelegbe, Vice Chancellor of WDU; Chairman of the OEF Board of Trustees; senior faculty members, community leaders, media representatives, and families of the beneficiaries.

    In his goodwill message, Chief Ibori reaffirmed the Foundation’s guiding philosophy of empowerment through fairness and opportunity.

    “This is not charity. This is justice. This is equity. We are deliberately empowering those who have earned their place but lacked the means to claim it.”

    Shedding more light on why the foundation was established, Ibori said “We recognise the vital role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty, and our foundation is committed to providing scholarships and resources to talented students who would otherwise lack the financial means to pursue their academic dreams”.

    “By investing in these bright young minds, we are not only fostering individual growth but also empowering future leaders who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond”.

    “We believe that education is the cornerstone of progress and development. Our goal is to create an environment where every student, regardless of socio-economic background, has access to quality education and the resources needed to succeed”.

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    Each OEF scholar receives full tuition, accommodation, sundry fees, and a living stipend of ₦800,000 per academic year. The beneficiaries are enrolled in diverse programmes at WDU, including Computer Science, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Law, and Environmental Science.

    Programme Coordinator, Ms. Isioghene Maureen Eyikimi, described the scheme as “a launchpad for leadership and service,” noting that the scholarship also includes mentorship and personal development components.

     “This scholarship is a lifeline and a loud affirmation that where you start in life should never determine how far you can go,” she said.

    The ceremony featured a pledge of excellence by the scholars, certificate presentations, and an appreciation speech by Favor Egbunowor, who spoke on behalf of the cohort.

    “We pledge to honour this opportunity with excellence, integrity, and service. We will not only learn, but we will also lead,” she declared.

    The Otemu Educational Foundation has announced plans to expand its scholarship coverage by 2026, with future cycles expected to include vocational and technical training tracks. 

    The Foundation also appealed to corporate partners, philanthropists, and public-spirited Nigerians to support its vision of advancing educational equity and youth empowerment across Delta State and Nigeria.

  • Fire razes store in Abuja popular mall

    Fire razes store in Abuja popular mall

    Fire has razed the popular Jabi Lake Mall in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday and caused panic among responders and security personnel at the shopping complex.

    It was gathered the incident occurred around 3:00 am with the Adidas sports store in the mall razed by the inferno.

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    It was further learnt that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service as well as police officers were deployed to the scene.

    When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident and said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

    “We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” Adeh said.

    The situation has since been brought under control.

  • BusinessDay appoints Ijeoma Ude as Executive Director of Sales

    BusinessDay appoints Ijeoma Ude as Executive Director of Sales

    BusinessDay has appointed Ijeoma Ude as its Executive Director of Sales, a strategic move that reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. 

    With a remarkable career spanning years, Ude brings a unique blend of skills and experience to drive sales growth and revenue.

     Ude’s elevation from Chief Marketing and Sales Officer leverages her proven expertise in sales leadership and marketing acumen to propel the organization forward.

    In her new role, Ude will provide strategic direction and oversight for the sales function, spearheading initiatives to drive advertising revenue, secure key sponsorships, and foster business growth. 

    As a member of the senior leadership team, she will work in close collaboration with other top executives to ensure alignment with the company’s overall objectives, driving BusinessDay’s continued success in the market.

    Here key responsibilities would include developing and implementing sales strategies to meet revenue targets; leading a team of sales professionals to drive advertising and sponsorship sales; building relationships with key clients and stakeholders; identifying new business opportunities and pitches; collaborating with editorial and content teams to create attractive packages for clients; analyzing market trends and competitor activity to inform sales decisions and driving revenue growth and meeting sales targets.

    Having begun her career with the organization, over the years she has grown overtime from a young aspiring media executive to roles of increasing responsibility to the position of a

    Business Development Executive and then to the General Manager Advert,  Chief Marketing & Sales Officer and now the Executive Director of Sales.

    Her commitment and immeasurable dedication to the brand have earned her many meritable awards including the “Distinguished Staff Merit Award” in 2008 as Best Marketing Executive and the most recent Manager of the Year Award in 2021.

    She is an alumna of the esteemed Lagos Business School and a member of the Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria (APCON).

    She also holds doctoral fellowships to the following professional bodies; FIGPCM, CCM, LPC, FCIHRM, CHRP, AISM, and IPMA.

    She has gone on to bag many educational qualifications and degrees LLB Law, University of Bradford, UK;  Masters of Business Administration (MBA), University of Chichester, UK;  Business Management, Metropolitan School Of Business Management, UK; and Senior Management Program, Lagos Business School. 

    Her professional certifications include Doctorate of Philosophy, in Leadership and Organizational Management; 

    Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Leadership Manpower & Management Development; Doctoral Fellow Institute of Global Peace and Conflict management; Fellow, African Institute of Strategic Managers; Fellow, Professional Managers and Administrators; Certified Human Resource Professional – Doctoral Fellow, Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management; Certified Professional Manager & Administrator

    Institute of Professional Managers and Administrator of Nigeria; Certified Advertising Specialist (TAS) and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. 

    Ude is also a certified Conflict Manager, licensed Peace and Conflictologist and certified Human Resource Professional – CHRP.

    She holds other certifications in Operational Business Strategies for Media Effectiveness; Professional Sales & Relationship Management; Charted Institute of Human Resources Management; Institute of Professional Managers & Administrators of Nigeria; Cross-selling for Sales Professionals; Executive Development Programme on Leading Teams for Optimal Performance; Leading with Personal impact during slow Growth; Beyond Survival: Developing Actionable Strategies for Success in Era Of Negative Growth, amongst others.

    All these are from reputable bodies such as the School of Media and Communication Pan-African

    University, Workforce Group, Texem, Lagos state government (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and cooperatives), Journalism Clinic and Advertising Practitioners Council Nigeria (APCON).

    She also has a series of corporate management recommendations in the industry. To put it quite modestly, she has been and would continue to be a major force in the media and advertising industry in Nigeria.

  • One dies, two injure in NDLEA’s shootout with drug baron in Edo

    One dies, two injure in NDLEA’s shootout with drug baron in Edo

    One person has been confirmed dead and three others injured in Monday’s gun battle between suspected drug barons and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. 

    The 16-year-old  Emmanuel Monday died while the injured were an NDLEA official, one Godspower Omage ,20, and Ajayi Irobia 54.

     Edo State NDLEA Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said operatives of the agency were on official assignment when they were attacked by armed drug barons.

    He said the community was renowned for cannabis sativa cultivation.

    Edo Police Deputy spokesman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the community to condole with the bereaved family and ascertain the true situation.

    It said the Edo CP visited parents of the deceased boy and held a peace engagement with community leaders and youths.

    The statement said Agbonika said the Police have taken over the case and commenced a thorough and impartial investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “Furthermore, the CP visited Godswill Memorial Nursing Centre, Uzeba, where he met God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), who were receiving medical attention. He assured them of justice and police support.

    “The CP also visited the mortuary where the remains of the deceased boy were deposited, and he arranged for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and ensure proper documentation for the ongoing investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City. The Command assures the general public that updates on the investigation will be communicated as soon as credible findings emerge. The Edo State Police Command remains committed to upholding justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state,” the statement reads.

  • Dangote refinery a national asset, says group

    Dangote refinery a national asset, says group

    The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has described Dangote refinery and petrochemicals as a national asset that needs protection by the Nigerians and the Federal Government.

    The group said that the $20bn refinery represented Nigeria’s energy future.

    President of BAVCCA, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere said this in a press statement after leading a 15 – member delegation to the refinery.

    Chukwunyere said the refinery will boost our economy, reduce dependency on imports, and position Nigeria as a global leader.

    The BAVCCA President said: “My fellow Nigerians, as I reflect on every detail of this visit—from the testimony of belief and support, to the insights on passion and resilience, to our own contributions and the warm reception—we must internalise a vital truth: Dangote Industries is a national asset. It represents the pinnacle of what Nigeria can achieve when vision meets determination.

    “This refinery is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, reducing dependency on imports, and positioning Nigeria as a global leader. But assets like this face threats: skepticism from investors, sabotage on social media, and even closures of related industries. We cannot stand idly by.

    “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens from all walks of life—must rise to protect Dangote Industries. Share the stories of its triumphs, counter falsehoods with facts, and advocate for policies that shield such enterprises from harm.

    “Our association, BAVCCA, pledges to lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite.

    “Let us honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Vice President Edwin Devakumar by committing to this cause.”

    According to him, the Dangote Refinery represents “the pinnacle of sophistication in petroleum processing, featuring advanced equipment such as the world’s largest single-train refinery design, which integrates cutting-edge distillation columns, catalytic crackers, and hydrotreaters to efficiently handle a diverse range of crude oils and produce high-quality fuels and petrochemicals at an initial capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Ambitious expansion plans are set to more than double this to 1.4 million barrels per day, incorporating additional modular units and upgraded infrastructure to accommodate increased throughput and product variety, solidifying its status as a global leader in refining.”

    The BAVCCA President added: “Economically, this venture delivers profound advantages to Nigeria by saving billions in foreign exchange through reduced fuel imports, creating around 65,000 jobs to stimulate employment and skills development, enhancing energy security to mitigate supply disruptions, and generating over $55 billion in annual revenue to fuel broader industrial and economic growth.”

  • Arsonists raze warehouse with over N10m prepaid meters in Ondo

    Arsonists raze warehouse with over N10m prepaid meters in Ondo

    Suspected arsonists have set ablaze a warehouse belonging to one of the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) accredited by the Ondo State Government under the O’DATIWA Metering Scheme, destroying prepaid meters worth over N10 million.

    The incident, The Nation learnt, occurred on Monday and leading to the razing of a facility belonging to the Active Achievers Nigeria Limited along Barracks Road, Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state. 

    Not less than 100 Active Energy Prepaid Meters were lost to the inferno.

    Confirming the incident on Wednesday in a chat, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Henry Akinbola Oyinbo, said residents in the area alerted the firm to the fire outbreak.

    Oyinbo described the development as a “coordinated blaze”, insisting that the incident was an act of sabotage.

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    “We were informed early on Monday morning that a raging inferno was consuming our warehouse. 

    “Our Active Energy Prepaid Meters, though the best and most affordable in the market, are not inflammable, and as such could not have caught fire without someone deliberately setting it ablaze. 

    “It is devastating that agents of darkness could strike in this manner,” he lamented.

    The Managing Director called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into what he described as an attempt to cripple the state’s metering initiative.

    Confirming the incident, Ondo Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said detectives have launched an investigation to determine the actual cause of the fire.

  • Hausa, Benin youths clash over killing of suspected yahoo boy 

    Hausa, Benin youths clash over killing of suspected yahoo boy 

    Several persons have been injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths in Ogheghe community, Egor local government area of Edo State over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

    Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth of over a sour deal.

    Details of the deal were not available as of press time.

    The killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

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    Sources said many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

    News of the killing spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis.

    Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

    Policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

    Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send detailed statement.

    He was yet to do so as of press time.

  • Tenants sue landlord, LASBCA over alleged unlawful eviction, demolition in Ebute-Meta

    Tenants sue landlord, LASBCA over alleged unlawful eviction, demolition in Ebute-Meta

    A group of tenants in the Ijero area of Ebute-Meta (West), Lagos State, have taken their landlord and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to court over what they described as an unlawful eviction and demolition of their residence.

    The nine tenants filed a suit before the Magistrate Court in Yaba, accusing LASBCA and the estate of the late Razak Apara — along with Rasheed, Kehinde, Fatai, and Sueba Folashade Apara — of violating their fundamental rights to shelter and fair hearing.

    They also petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer of Iponri Division, alleging unjust and inhuman treatment.

    According to court documents, the dispute began after LASBCA issued a quit notice on October 10, 2025, to occupants of a 10-room bungalow located at 24 Ijero Street, Ebute-Meta (West), citing structural distress, cracked walls, and a tattered roof. The agency gave the residents seven days to vacate.

    A follow-up notice, dated October 21, 2025, ordered the immediate sealing and demolition of the property.

    Counsel to the tenants, Mr. Solomon Fasanmi, argued that the eviction violated the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2011 and due process for property recovery.

    “Even where a building is marked unsafe, there are established procedures the government must follow. Due process cannot be ignored in a democracy,” Fasanmi stated, describing LASBCA’s actions as unconstitutional, oppressive, and a breach of his clients’ right to dignity under the 1999 Constitution.

    He urged the court to restrain the agency and the defendants from executing the demolition order.

    One of the tenants, Ustadz Muiz Subair, said the notice came without prior warning.

    “They came early in the morning and pasted a seven-day notice, claiming the bungalow was distressed. How can a bungalow be distressed when it’s not even a storey building?” he asked.

    Subair appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene, describing the rising cases of forced evictions in Lagos as alarming.

    “Rent in Lagos keeps increasing, yet tenants are being rendered homeless by state officials,” he lamented.

    Responding to the allegations, Mrs. Adetoye Aderinsola, District Head of LASBCA, Ebute-Meta (East), denied any wrongdoing, saying the agency acted in the public interest.

    “A bungalow can be distressed if not properly maintained and if there are visible cracks. The building in question showed signs of structural weakness, and our actions followed standard procedure,” she explained.

    She also dismissed claims that LASBCA acted on behalf of the property owner, saying, “I’m hearing that for the first time. There is no truth to it.”

    The case is currently before the Yaba Magistrate Court for hearing.