In the early hours of Tuesday, a devastating fire broke out at Nkwo Nnewi Market, the largest market in Nnewi, Anambra State, destroying goods worth billions of naira

The inferno, which threatened to consume the entire market, was contained after a coordinated emergency response led by Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.

The fire, which broke out before dawn, jolted traders and residents of the industrial town awake as flames spread rapidly through the affected section.

Witnesses said the situation could have escalated to a catastrophic loss of goods and property worth trillions of naira if not for the intervention of the NAUTH fire-fighting team.

Prof. Ugboaja mobilized five fire trucks and personnel from the hospital’s fire department to battle the blaze.

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After more than five hours of intense firefighting, the flames were extinguished, preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.

A trader, Donald Okafor, described the incident as a wake-up call for the community. “The traders were jolted by the fire because they knew what they would have lost if it affected other parts of the market. But thank God for the intervention of the CMD of NAUTH, who single-handedly mobilized firefighters to save the day,” he said.

Another trader, Okechukwu Okonkwo, commended the efforts of NAUTH and its fire-fighting team.

“While I must commend the volunteers who tried their best to extinguish the fire, the management of NAUTH should be praised for responding swiftly to the distress call. Prof. Ugboaja’s leadership and the professionalism of his team showcased the importance of having a well-equipped fire-fighting department.”

Okonkwo also noted the critical role played by NAUTH’s recent investments in emergency response infrastructure.

“Since Prof. Ugboaja assumed office, NAUTH has maintained a fully functional fire-fighting unit. This preparedness saved Nnewi from losing its prized economic heartbeat,” he said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to reach the chairman of the market for comments were unsuccessful.

Traders and residents have expressed relief that the fire did not spread further.

“It would have been a terrible and devastating news if the fire engulfed all sections of Nkwo Nnewi Market. Goods and shops worth trillions of naira would have been destroyed,” Okafor added.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akure Zone, has strongly criticized the proposed phase-out of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as outlined in the 2024 Nigeria Tax Bill.

The union warned that the move, currently under review by the National Assembly, poses a severe threat to tertiary education in Nigeria.

During a press conference held at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo town, Ondo State, on Tuesday, the ASUU Akure Zone Chairman, Prof. Adeola Egbedokun, described the proposal as a deliberate attempt to undermine the development of the nation’s public tertiary institutions.

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Egbedokun highlighted key provisions in the proposed bill, including a reduction of education tax allocation to TETFund to 50% in 2025 and 2026, with a complete withdrawal of funding from 2030.

He expressed concerns about the replacement of TETFund with the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the possible diversion of education tax to other areas.

“ASUU is particularly alarmed by section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which proposes that only 50 per cent of the Education Tax (Development Levy) will be allocated to TETFund in 2025 and 2026, and that from 2030 onward, TETFund is set to receive no allocation,” Egbedokun said.

He warned that the proposed funding shift towards student loans could pressure public tertiary institutions into introducing high tuition fees, thereby transforming them into revenue-generating entities.

“The phasing out of TETFund would pose a significant threat to tertiary education in Nigeria as its contribution to physical infrastructure and capacity building of staff could come to a halt.

“This could also lead to students becoming chronic debtors, mirroring the financial challenges faced by the nation itself,” he added.

Egbedokun emphasized the pivotal role TETFund has played in the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education system over the past decade and cautioned against policies that could erode these gains.

“ASUU believes that these changes will severely undermine TETFund, which has been instrumental in repositioning Nigerian tertiary education for global competitiveness and transformative development,” he noted.

The union called on the National Assembly to reject any provision of the Nigeria Tax Bill that undermines TETFund and urged stakeholders to defend the agency’s existence.

“ASUU urges the National Assembly to reject any provision of the Nigeria Tax Bill that could undermine the existence and effectiveness of TETFund.

“The survival of TETFund is not merely an educational concern, it is a matter of national importance. Any attempt, whether intentional or otherwise, to repeal the TETFund Act 2011 would constitute a profound disservice not only to the education sector but to the nation as a whole,” Egbedokun concluded.

ASUU also appealed to the general public and education stakeholders to unite in opposing the proposed changes, warning that the future of tertiary education in Nigeria depends on sustainable and robust funding mechanisms.

Nine royal families in Oyo, known as the Atiba 9, have opposed the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo, calling it a violation of the revered traditions of the ancient town.

The families criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for presenting the staff of office to the Alaafin-designate on Monday, stating that the selection process was flawed and ignored Oyo’s established customs and laws.

In a statement released by Prince Sina Afolabi of the Adeitan royal family, the Atiba 9 expressed their dissatisfaction with the appointment, accusing the governor of relying on a proclamation by US-based Awise Agbaye, Prof. Wande Abimbola, who claimed Ifa had chosen Owoade for the throne.

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Afolabi stated, “What the governor did was totally against the highly revered Alaafin stool. His action has reduced the throne to an object of ridicule.”

The statement highlighted that the Oyomesi, led by Basorun Yusuf Akinade, remains the legitimate body responsible for initiating the selection process for a new Alaafin. The Atiba 9 also urged the Oyomesi to resolve any internal disputes to restore confidence in the royal institution.

The group emphasised their commitment to upholding Oyo’s traditions, culture, and the rule of law, stressing that the current process undermines the integrity of the Alaafin’s stool.

This is the second group to challenge Owoade’s appointment, following a declaration by five Oyo kingmakers who also deemed the process invalid.

As the controversy unfolds, the Atiba 9 continue their legal challenge, seeking to ensure that the throne’s sanctity and respect are preserved.