NEWS
Oyo Native Doctor Mourns 14 Lives Lost In Building Collapse
In Jegede community, Ibadan, Oyo State, tragedy struck when a house collapsed, narrowly sparing its landlord, Pa Abdullamid Alabi.
However, the incident claimed the lives of his wife, four grandchildren, and nine psychiatric patients.
The collapse occurred on Thursday after a 30-minute rainfall, with a powerful thunderstorm ripping through the windows of the bungalow.
Amid tears, Alabi recounted his ordeal while receiving treatment at Mercyland Hospital, expressing that he had no forewarning of the impending danger.
“The incident occurred at night. There was no crack in any part of the building. I still cannot tell what led to it, but God Almighty knows it all,” he added.
Most of the family members had settled in for the night, except for Alabi, who had stepped out to use the toilet at around 12:10 am.
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As the building collapsed, the native psychiatric doctor and sole survivor recounted that he was still in the toilet when the tragic incident occurred.
He said, “As of that time, every member of my family had gone to bed; that is the last thing I can remember. I later found myself in this hospital. I survived through the grace of God.
“I was using the building as a clinic for the rehabilitation of psychiatric patients. They were living with us in the house. Nine of my patients died in the incident. They were undergoing psychiatric rehabilitation and had almost fully recovered before the incident happened.
“A guardian of one of the deceased psychiatric patients willingly allowed one of them to live with me to regain full consciousness. I did not chain them; they moved freely around my house and lived peacefully with my family members.
“My first wife was also among the deceased. She was about 70 years old, and I am over 80. I am devastated. I am appealing to well-meaning Nigerians for help. I have nowhere to go from here. I am homeless.”
The victim also appreciated the intervention of all rescuers who he said played critical roles in pulling survivors out of the rubble.
The younger sister of the landlord, Jelilatu Olapade, said the building did not have any structural defects before it collapsed.
The 63-year-old noted that the children who died were fast asleep when the incident happened.
She said, “The children who died in the tragic incident were already fast asleep on the ground floor at the time the incident occurred. So, they could not escape and were covered by the wreckage of the collapsed building.
“The family members who narrowly escaped being buried in the debris were all upstairs. Even this one (pointing at another younger female survivor at the ward) and her husband were pulled out of the rubble.
“My daughter is a survivor. She is in another ward where she is receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the incident. If she had not quickly evacuated her newborn and another male kid from the rubble through God’s grace, they would been compressed to death by now.”
NEWS
Fuel Pricing: PETROAN Accuses Dangote Refinery Of Monopoly
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
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PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.
NEWS
Hardship: Let Us Intensify Prayers For Our Leaders – Sultan Of Sokoto Tells Nigerians
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has called on Nigerians to avoid publicly criticizing their leaders, instead urging citizens to place their trust in God to address leadership concerns as He deems fit.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, the Sultan emphasized faith and patience in navigating the country’s challenges.
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Acknowledging Nigeria’s current economic and social hardships, the Sultan encouraged continuous prayer, not only for the nation but for its leaders as well.
“Even though many feel times are particularly hard, we believe relief will come. Let’s increase our prayers for our leaders, trusting God to address them in His way,” he said, expressing hope that divine intervention could bring stability and prosperity.
The Sultan reminded political leaders of their ultimate accountability to God, cautioning that they will stand alone on the Day of Resurrection, with only their deeds to support them.
“On that day, every leader will stand alone. Governors, advisers—none will have support except their own deeds. Let us act with a deep sense of responsibility and fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing religious leaders, he warned against misleading their followers for personal gain, underscoring the trust many place in their religious guidance.
“Only God can save any human being,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to remain faithful and discerning in their spiritual beliefs. “Focus on worshiping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Don’t follow those who might lead you astray.”
With leaders from various religious communities, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in attendance, the Sultan called for unity, resilience, and communal effort to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and insecurity in the northern region.
He praised the North’s history of unity and resilience, warning against divisive narratives that threaten communal harmony. “When we are united, we can face any challenge and build a prosperous community,” he asserted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid ongoing social and environmental issues in the region, including a recent surge in climate-related challenges that have exacerbated poverty and security threats.
In light of these issues, he called on both Muslims and Christians to intensify their prayers, saying, “Our country faces many challenges, and we must turn to God in prayer. Let us intensify prayers in our mosques and churches.”
NEWS
#EndBadGovernance Protests: Tinubu Orders Release Of Detained Minors
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
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Idris confirmed that President Tinubu’s directive prioritizes the welfare of detained minors, instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate their safe reunification with their families.
A committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to oversee the welfare of the released minors and ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Additionally, President Tinubu has directed a formal investigation into the actions of law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
The president emphasized that any misconduct uncovered during the investigation will result in disciplinary action, affirming his administration’s dedication to accountability within law enforcement.