A destructive fire has gutted Laranto Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, destroying goods worth millions of naira.

The fire broke out around 11pm on Sunday after businesses had closed for the day, leaving three major sections of the market — Timber, second-hand clothes, and furniture—severely affected.

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This latest incident is part of a troubling pattern of recurrent fire outbreaks at the market.

Last year, an electrical fault caused a similar disaster, destroying goods and vehicles.

Alhaji Idris Shehu, Chairman of Laranto Market, confirmed the scale of the damage, stating that while the exact financial loss has yet to be determined, the destruction is substantial.

“We have lost millions of naira,” Shehu said. “The fire affected multiple sections, and we are still assessing the full extent of the damage.”

Umar Aliyu, Chairman of the Timber section, criticized the delayed response from the local fire service, which he believes worsened the situation.

Aliyu explained that after the fire broke out, market officials rushed to the Township fire service station, only to be told that there was no diesel to power the fire trucks.

Despite repeated appeals, the station did not respond until the Chairman of Jos North and the Commissioner for Water Resources intervened, mobilizing firefighters from the Government House to extinguish the flames.

“If the fire service had responded on time, the damage would have been less severe,” Aliyu added.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20).

The President landed on Sunday at 11:03 p.m. local time (3:03 a.m. Nigerian time on Monday) and was received by Ambassador Breno Costa from Brazil’s Ministry of External Relations.

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The summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet” and will focus on key global issues such as sustainable development, climate change, digital economy reforms, and geopolitical tensions, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and U.S.-China relations.

President Tinubu is joined by high-ranking Nigerian officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Art, Tourism, Culture, and Creativity Hannatu Musawa, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and National Intelligence Agency Director General Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

President Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit to further Nigeria’s socio-economic reform agenda.

These discussions will emphasize food security, poverty eradication, and sustainable development—issues that align with the summit’s objectives.

Brazil’s G20 presidency, which began in December 2023, is centered on tackling global challenges, including hunger, poverty, and inequality.

President Lula has proposed measures to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030, with a particular focus on food security.

The G20 summit, scheduled from November 18 to 19, brings together leaders from 19 member nations, including the United States, China, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, alongside representatives from the African Union and the European Union.

The event will culminate in the adoption of agreements and strategies to address pressing global issues and drive sustainable development.

President Tinubu’s attendance follows an official invitation extended by Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Areias, in August.

Ambassador Areias emphasized Brazil’s commitment to fostering international collaboration on food security and other critical global issues.

The summit marks the conclusion of a year-long series of ministerial and working group meetings under Brazil’s presidency.

Leaders are expected to approve agreements that address global challenges, with a focus on creating a fairer, more sustainable world.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has called on world leaders to recommit to immediate action to stem the mounting negative consequences of climate change.

He also listed several steps the subnational state of Osun has taken on the subject.

Gov Adeleke was addressing COP29 side event in Baku, Azerbaijan, represented by the state’s consultant on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof Chinwe Obuaku and recalled the various technical reports from several credible agencies which pointed to a heightening negative impact of climate change, noting that the time is now for remediation, adaptation and resilience actions to save the planet.

Gov Adeleke extended hands of collaboration to world leaders as he noted that “the challenges of climate change are global while our solutions can be local, scalable, and impactful.

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“Let us continue to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and invest in sustainable futures for all. Together, we can create a world where art, innovation, and environmental stewardship thrive side by side—a world where waste becomes wealth and resilience becomes a shared legacy”, the Governor canvassed.

The Governor spoke further at the event: “In Osun State, we are on a transformative journey toward climate resilience, sustainability, and economic empowerment. Aligned with the thematic areas of COP29, our efforts focus on adaptation, mitigation, circular economy, and inclusive development:

“Adaptation: Through our Climate Action Plan (CAP), we are equipping all sectors with the tools to assess emissions and vulnerabilities. Focal desk officers are tracking greenhouse gas data across agriculture, water, infrastructure, and health, ensuring targeted and actionable strategies;

“Circular Economy: Our state is pioneering waste-to-wealth initiatives by engaging both formal and informal players. Through waste characterization studies and upcoming recycling hubs, we are creating economic opportunities while protecting the environment;

“Nature-Based Solutions: We are reclaiming degraded lands, such as the Onibueja dump site, where reforestation and creative reuse of waste are transforming challenges into opportunities. Our Ago-Owu Forest project further demonstrates our commitment to ecosystem restoration;

“Renewable Energy Transition: Solar mini-grids, solar farms, solar powered boreholes, solar street lights, clean cooking stoves, and partnerships with international stakeholders are ensuring a just and inclusive clean energy future;

“Inclusive Development: By mobilizing women, youths, and local communities, we are creating a robust grassroots movement for climate action”, the Governor noted.

He commended Dotun Popoola’s remarkable exhibition, Reclaimed Beauty, exemplified the spirit of innovation and resilience that drives Osun State.

“His sculptures—crafted from recycled metal and discarded materials from our dumpsites—tell the story of turning waste into wonder, and challenges into opportunities. His work aligns seamlessly with our circular economy goals, emphasizing sustainability and cultural heritage.

“I commend the Heydar Aliyev Center for hosting this extraordinary event. It showcases the intersection of art, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment—a vision we deeply embrace in Osun State”, the Governor concluded.