NEWS
Call For State Of Emergency: Southern Groups Demand Urgent Repairs Of Federal Roads
The Coalition of Southern Groups (CSG) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on all federal roads in Nigeria’s southern regions, citing widespread deterioration that has made road-travel arduous and dangerous.
At the coalition’s first media event held on Thursday in Abuja, CSG leaders highlighted the worsening condition of federal roads across the South-South, South-East, and South-West regions, urging the government to take immediate action. Chairman of the coalition, Prof.
Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, and coalition Secretary Comrade Bello Osaretin stressed that a lack of repairs had left key infrastructure nearly impassable, especially for those commuting to and from the nation’s capital, Abuja.
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“The Coalition of Southern Groups calls on the federal government to, as a matter of urgent national importance and concern, declare a state of emergency on all the federal roads in the southern part of Nigeria,” Ajumbe said.
“The sordid state of the roads is yearning for attention and long overdue for total repairs and overhaul.”
The coalition argued that the southern region, which plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy as the center of the oil industry, has seen its infrastructure neglected for decades.
Ajumbe pointed to the southern states’ contributions through “liquid gold” oil revenues, which support the national economy, as a reason for immediate government attention.
To drive accountability, CSG proposed legislation requiring all public officials to use these roads for local travel, a measure they believe would spur greater responsiveness among leaders.
“If public officials experience these roads as ordinary citizens do, they will be more motivated to address the neglect,” Ajumbe suggested.
The coalition also called for enhanced powers for Federal Controllers of Works in each state, arguing that increased authority and resources would enable these officials to fulfill their roles in maintaining and improving infrastructure more effectively.
Looking ahead, CSG expressed a commitment to working with the Presidency and Northern leaders to promote national development and to seek collaborative solutions for pressing infrastructure challenges.
International News
Turkish Model Arrested Over Plan To Sleep With 100 Men In 24 Hours
A 23-year-old Turkish OnlyFans model, Ezra Vandan, also known as Azranur AV, has been detained in Istanbul for publicly announcing her plan to engage in sexual activity with 100 men within 24 hours.
The announcement, made on social media, sparked outrage and led to her arrest by the Istanbul Security Branch Directorate’s Morality Bureau.
Vandan had shared her intentions on January 14, 2025, posting a photo of herself in red lingerie with the caption: “My goal is to break a Turkish record first, then a world record! I’m starting with 100 men in 24 hours.”
She reportedly planned to live-stream the event, which was widely criticised as “obscene” and “damaging to societal morals.”
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According to reports, the post drew the attention of authorities, who initiated an investigation and apprehended her while she awaited a cosmetic surgery operation in Atasehir. Footage captured her being escorted down the stairs of a hospital by female officers, her wrists bound behind her.
In a controversial twist, Vandan allegedly uploaded a revealing image taken during her arrest by a police officer, captioning it, “I had the photo taken by one of the officers, he didn’t object much.”
Her husband, Pedram Behdar Vandan, 25, was also briefly detained but later released.
The Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace has charged Vandan with obscenity, resisting an officer on duty, and slander, stating that her actions and posts were “damaging to moral values” and “provocative to society.”
Defending herself in court, Vandan argued that her posts were personal and did not harm anyone. “I do not deserve to be judged,” she said.
The case has reignited debates in Turkey about personal freedom and societal values.
International News
Train Accident In Maharashtra Claims 11 Lives After Panic Over Fire Alarm
Eleven passengers tragically lost their lives on Wednesday in Maharashtra, India, after jumping off a moving train amid fears of a fire, only to be struck by an oncoming train.
The incident occurred in Jalgaon district, approximately 400 kilometres from Mumbai, and has once again highlighted safety issues in India’s extensive railway network, which serves millions of passengers daily.
Ayush Prasad, a senior district official, confirmed the fatalities and stated that five other passengers are receiving medical treatment. “People were run over by a train,” he said, without clarifying if the fire alarm was genuine or false.
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According to a spokesperson for Indian Railways, the chaos began when someone activated the “alarm chain” on the Mumbai-bound train, prompting several passengers to disembark. Tragically, they were struck by a train traveling in the opposite direction.
India’s interior minister, Amit Shah, expressed his grief over the incident, saying, “Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident.” Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described the tragedy as “deeply disturbing” and said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite efforts to modernise the railway infrastructure with a $30 billion investment aimed at improving safety and connectivity, accidents remain a significant concern. Official records indicate that an average of 20,000 people died annually in rail-related accidents between 2017 and 2021.
In 2023, one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters claimed nearly 300 lives when a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, leading to further collisions.
India continues to grapple with balancing its rapid economic growth with ensuring the safety of its ageing railway network.
NEWS
Joy In Enugu As Beatrice Ekweremadu Released From UK Prison
Mrs Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has been released from a United Kingdom prison after serving her sentence.
Sources confirmed that she returned to Nigeria on Tuesday and is currently in Abuja.
The news of her release has sparked widespread celebration in her hometown of Mpu, located in the Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Mrs Ekweremadu was jailed in 2023 alongside her husband and one Obinna Obeta for an organ-trafficking plot. While Beatrice has returned home, her husband remains in custody, prompting prayers from the community for his release.
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Mr Benjamin Chijioke, President of the Mpu Town Union Federated, expressed immense relief and joy over her return. “Our joy as Mpu people knows no bounds. It is a great day for us. Since morning, it has been jubilation and celebration in all the villages. People are shedding tears of joy, especially those who depended on the philanthropic disposition of the family to survive,” Chijioke said. He also prayed for Senator Ekweremadu’s safe return, noting the significant setback their absence had caused the community.
Ogbuka Edwin, the councillor of Mpu Ward, described the day as a “public holiday” in the community. “The absence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife created a big gap in the community. We are not going to relent in our prayers until our hero and leader joins his family, and we are trusting what God can do. It is celebration galore,” Edwin stated.
The entire Mpu community came alive on the Orie market day, with jubilations marking the family’s partial reunion. Meanwhile, supporters continue to hope and pray for the Senator’s eventual release.