NEWS
Coca-Cola Foundation Doles Out $175m for Flood Victims
The Coca-Cola Foundation is through the Whitefield Foundation’ Operation Ladder providing assistance and relief to over 5,000 homes impacted by the devastating floods in Anambra and Delta State, with a $175,000 grant.
Funmi Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Whitefield Foundation, said, “With the devastating floods recorded across the 36 states, resulting in fatalities, population displacement, and extensive destruction of homes, farms, and infrastructure, it has become imperative to provide humanitarian interventions to these victims.”
In response, the Anambra State government commended the efforts of The Coca-Cola System on its timely intervention to ameliorate the suffering of those adversely affected by flood in the state.
Deputy Governor, Anambra State, Dr. Onyeka Ibezima expressed gratitude for the Foundations’ timely intervention and urged the beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity maximally.
He said, “On behalf of the Anambra State government, I would like to register our gratitude to The Coca-Cola Foundation, Nigerian Bottling Company and the Whitefield Foundation for identifying with our people during this trying period. I also urge the people to try and make the most of the intervention, particularly the counseling and agricultural seedlings which cannot be quantified in monetary terms.”
He maintained that the food and medicaments would be depleted but knowledge impacted via counseling would live forever with the beneficiaries.
Similarly, Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike commended the humanitarian aid, which he described as an investment in humanity.
“We are appreciative of Operation Ladder, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation because it is an investment in humanity, which is the best from our point of view as minders of public health,” he said.
According to the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 4.4 million people have been affected with 2.4 million people displaced and 660 dead due to the worst flooding the country has seen in over a decade.
Johnson explained the importance of the initiative adding that the WFF had mapped out the program to address the needs of affected communities in Delta and the Anambra States.
“Within the next three months, we would visit communities in Anambra State such as Ayamelum LGA, Ogbaru LGA, Umueri Anambra East LGA, Anambra East LGA, Anambra West LGA and for Delta State, we should reach out to Isoko South LGA and Ughelli South LGA.
She added, “The interventions will focus on providing immediate food and healthcare assistance to 5,000 households and implement a series of mitigating measures to reduce the risk of disease spread in communities. Participants would be counseled, to guard against becoming victims of gender-based violence under similar circumstances in the future.
It was learned that the initiative, which is anticipated to last three months, will focus on vulnerable groups such as mothers and children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, with at least 30,000 people from 5,000 households receiving nutritional food packages.
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
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The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
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