A fire outbreak on Tuesday night severely damaged a two-storey commercial building on Iweka Road, near Ochanja Main Market in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Anambra State Fire Service said it received a distress call at around 9:35 p.m. and immediately dispatched firefighters to the location.

Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

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“We don’t know the exact cause of the fire, but we were called to respond, and we did,” he said.

He further disclosed that four shops, mainly dealing in furniture materials such as leather and foam, were affected.

“These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam, and other items,” he added.

The firefighting team worked tirelessly through the night, eventually withdrawing from the scene around 3:05 a.m.

In the aftermath, residents and traders gathered at the site, attempting to salvage whatever remained of their goods.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has declared a State of Emergency on public schools across the state.

This was contained in a government house statement in Benin City on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, who cited his principal as saying that “the schools are in very bad shapes”.

It was gathered that the Governor, made the declaration while on an inspection tour of some schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Governments area of Edo South Senatorial District.

He lamented the sorry state of facilities in the schools located in urban areas and expressed displeasure over the state of the schools visited.

He said, “Edo children deserve a better schooling environment that will bring out the best in them.

Gov Okpebholo noted that while campaigning for the votes of the electorate, he promised to declare a State of Emergency on schools across Edo State that lack modern facilities and conducive environment for learning.

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He added that visiting Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor Local Governments Area, he was not pleased with what he saw and had no choice but to begin his action from the schools.

“I feel very bad about the situation of the schools I inspected today. Look at the type of school that our children are attending; it is not acceptable at all.

“When I was campaigning, I told Edo people that I would declare a State of Emergency in our schools across the State. I will start from this school Evbareke secondary School in Egor Local Governments area and the previous one we inspected today, Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, both in Edo South.

“We stopped on the road on our way to the school because erosion has cut off the road. This is not good for our children as we want the best for them.

“From tomorrow, work will commence here as the school visited has no fence, and the road leading to Army Day Secondary School has been washed off by erosion. We must give Edo children quality education to set them for the future.

“The road leading to Army Day Secondary School is known as Boundary Road, off Lucky Way. The road leads to Temboga.”

On his part, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said information got to the Ministry on the harsh conditions facing students of the school.

Iyamu said the Governor is visiting schools to see things for himself because he wants to feel the plight of the students and ensure that every Edo child has access to good structure and teachers in their schools.

“The Governor is here this morning to see for himself because he wants to feel the plight of the students of the average Edo child so that together we can all proffer solutions to the problem facing Edo schools. The Governor is here on practical governance to show Edo people they deserve the best.

“The Governor has given us the order to ensure that everybody in Edo State must have access to quality education whether they are able or physically challenged. The challenges are very obvious; dilapidated structures, with no chairs, in schools in urban areas. With the kind of governor Edo has, things will change,” Iyamu said.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has extended its Food Intervention Programme to Kwara State with 25,000 bags of 10kg rice set to be distributed across the 16 local government areas of the state.

The ADF team led by the Group General Manager Human Resources, Dangote Cement PLC, Ahmed Gobir, was received by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Tuesday.

At the event, Abdulrahman was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi.

Abdulrahman expressed that the unwavering commitment of the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote, in alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable is a great inspiration and one that is worth emulation.

He assured that, “The rice, which will be distributed to indigent families across the state, comes at a crucial time, as our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the sacred month of Ramadan and our Christian brothers and sisters are in the season of Lent. It is an act of compassion that will provide much-needed relief to those who are fasting and in need.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this kind and selfless contribution. This gesture not only complements the ongoing efforts of the Kwara State Government to support vulnerable communities, but it also demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting our people out of hardship.

“We remain deeply grateful for the Dangote Foundation’s continued support for indigent people across the country. This generosity serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the critical role philanthropists play in addressing poverty and hardship.

“I encourage other individuals and corporations to follow in the footsteps of the Dangote Foundation and similar bodies, as we work together to build a better, more inclusive society for all.”

A representative of the Chairman of the Aliko Foundation, Malam Gobir, stated that the ADF decided to partner with state government in the 2025 food intervention programme distribution to foster relationship between the private and public stakeholders, noting that out of the one million bags of rice for the 774 local government areas of the federation, Kwara State has received 25,000 bags for its 16 local governments which is aimed at cushioning the effect of economic hardship.

“The ADF is the philanthropic effort of Mr Aliko Dangote, and has been consistent in delivering different humanitarian projects across the federation.

“This is the second year in a row that the ADF is donating one million bags of 10kg rice worth N16bn for the 36 states and the FCT.

“This is not just a gesture of charity; it is a demonstration of our commitment to set Nigerians and Africans up for success, it is a testament to further foster the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s four-pillar goal in nutrition, health, education and empowerment. By providing these bags of rice, we aim to alleviate the immediate hunger and hardship experienced by many and contribute to the broader goal of food security in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

“As we move forward, the Aliko Dangote Foundation remains committed to identifying and addressing the pressing needs of our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to support vulnerable populations, create opportunities for growth and development, and build a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

While giving the vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, AbdulAfeez Abolore, described the event as “historic,” adding that “the gesture of the Chairman of ADF is in consonance with the instruction of the Holy Book. With the Christians and Muslims observing Lent and Ramadan in this holy month, together with the continuous efforts of the Kwara State government, this will go a long way in solving some food deficit problems.”