NEWS
We need Fire Station in Bodija Market, Chairman urges Makinde
Alhaji Musediq Adebuola, the Chairman, Ibadan Foodstuffs Sellers Association, Bodija Market, Oyo State, has called on Gov. Seyi Makinde to build a fire station in the market to promptly attend to future fire incident.
Adebuola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday that the call was in respect to the Monday’s fire incident that razed down about 33 shops with goods worth millions of Naira destroyed.
According to him, the market comprises both the plank and the 30-30 ram sections.
“The market needs the government to build a fire station within it to promptly attend to future fire outbreak in the market in order to prevent loss of lives and property.
“If a fire station is located within the market, this will fast track the response of fire fighters and reducing the time to get to the scene of a fire outbreak,” he said.
He also called for the lightning of the market, saying it was needed to aid security measures in the market, thus curbing goods from being stolen.
“It will also help traders who arrive late from where they had travelled to buy their goods,” Adebuola said.
The market leader, who also prayed for the provision of modern toilet facilities, said several letters had already been written to the Chairman of Aare Latoosa Local Council Development area in this regard.
The association leadership urged the council chairman to cede the Agriculture area of the market to them to build the toilets which is very significant to undertake to the market
Adebuola pleaded with the government to repair roads within the market to enhance smooth movement of people and goods.
NAN recalls that an early morning fire outbreak wrecked havoc at the Idi-Igi Lane of the market, where provisions sellers, beans sellers and people selling sacks were mostly located.
Meanwhile, one of the victims, Alhaji Musa Bogobiri, who claimed to have lost goods worth about N7 million, called on the state government for assistance.
According to him, my livelihood and that of others in my shoes had been denied by the incident.
Another trader, Mrs Rashida Talabi, said it was difficult to estimate how much she lost, because most shop owners bought goods on credit to make sure they had enough to sell for the festive period.
The Director of Operations, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Ismail Adeleke, had said that the Monday morning fire incident at the Bodija Market in Ibadan, was aided by several kegs of petrol stored in some of the shops.
Adeleke, however, said that agency was still investigating the main cause of the fire incident.
READ ALSO: Fire guts popular bodija market in ibadan
According to him, one Ayo Akeredolu from Yemetu Police Station, Ibadan, called at exactly 5.35 a.m. on Monday to inform the agency about the inferno.
“We responded quickly with a 27,000-litre capacity truck with water to the market and started putting the fire under control.
“Another 10,000-litre capacity truck also joined in our operation to finally put off the fire.
“However, in the course of our operation, we discovered that grinding machines were in most of the shops with some kegs of petrol, which contributed to the spread of the inferno.
“But, we thank God that we were able to put off the fire before it spread to the fourth block,” he said.
Adeleke said that further investigation would reveal the main cause of the inferno.
He, therefore, cautioned residents, especially traders to desist from careless storage of inflammable substances, not minding the scarcity of petrol as currently being experienced in the state.
NAN recalls that three blocks, comprising 11 lock up shops per block, situated at Ori-Igi Lane in the market, were affected by the fire.
Property worth millions of naira were also estimated to have been razed down by the inferno. (NAN)
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.
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.”
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.
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