On November 20, 2024, Kenya’s First Lady, Rachel Ruto, celebrated her 56th birthday and her husband President William Ruto publicly expressed his love and appreciation for his wife on this special day, wishing her well.

The birthday celebrations were marked by an outpouring of goodwill from political figures, media, and citizens across Kenya, who praised her for her grace, leadership, and significant contributions to society, particularly through initiatives like the Joyful Women Organisation, which aims to empower rural women.

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The day was characterized by a collective acknowledgment of her role as a national figure dedicated to community upliftment.

In a heartfelt message, President William Ruto took to social media, writing, “Happy birthday my love, @MamaRachelRuto. Continue being a blessing to me and our children. Mungu akubariki sana,” which translates to “God bless you abundantly.”

Other prominent leaders also extended their wishes to the First Lady, with Anne Waiguru, EGH, OGW, Governor of Kirinyaga County, tweeting, “Happy Birthday First Lady,” further showing the respect and admiration for Rachel Ruto’s leadership and impact.

A gas cylinder explosion at a filling station in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State has resulted in significant damage to six vehicles, according to a statement from the Katsina State Police Command.

The command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday, November 15, 2024.

He explained that a loud explosion alerted police operatives from the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters. Responding promptly, the Divisional Police Officer led a team to the site, supported by military personnel.

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“Upon arrival, operatives found a truck loaded with gas cylinders engulfed in flames at Tamal filling station, along Kagadama-Magamar Jibia Road,” Sadiq-Aliyu stated. The joint team acted swiftly, deploying measures to protect lives and limit property damage. Their efforts successfully extinguished the fire.

The spokesperson added, “Six motor vehicles were significantly affected by the fire incident, but fortunately, no life was lost.”

State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has directed a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Updates on the findings will be provided as investigations progress.

This incident highlights the need for heightened safety measures at gas filling stations to prevent such occurrences.

Students of the University of Calabar have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of several hostels on campus, with many fearing that the buildings could collapse due to structural damage.

The alarming situation was highlighted during a phone-in segment of the university’s Unical International Radio programme, What I Will Do If I Had Power to Run Unical, on Thursday evening.

Students, particularly those residing in Hostels 8 and 9, expressed deep worry about the growing number of cracks appearing on the walls, exacerbated by the ongoing heavy rains in Calabar.

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These cracks, they fear, could lead to the collapse of the structures, posing a significant safety risk to residents.

Jane, a female student from Malabo Republic, spoke out on the programme, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.

She said, “If I had the power to run this school, the first thing I would do is initiate a massive renovation of the hostels, especially those in Malabo Republic.

“The cracks in the walls of halls 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9 are major safety concerns. The rains we’ve been having could worsen the situation and lead to a disaster. These walls could cave in at any time, and the consequences could be devastating.”

Other students echoed similar concerns, highlighting the lack of basic amenities such as electricity, which has contributed to unhygienic conditions within the hostels.

This has led to unhealthy activities in the dormitories, further adding to the students’ frustrations.

In response to the complaints, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Bankong Obi, assured the students that the issue had been noted and that action would be taken to address the dilapidated state of the hostels.

“We are aware of the situation, and it has already been included in our plans for immediate action,” Prof. Obi stated.

The students are now calling on the university administration, as well as the Students’ Union Government, to prioritize the renovation of the hostels and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.