Category Nigeria News

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday expressed sadness over the death of a mother and her child as a result of an oil tanker explosion in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Reacting to the incident, President Buhari in a statement signed by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said: “I am profoundly touched by the sight of the charred remains of an innocent mother and her child who are victims of this tragedy.”

READ ALSO: Petrol Tanker Explodes In Anambra, Kills Mother And Child

“I also extend my sympathies to other victims of the explosion whose houses, shops and other property were destroyed in the mishap.”

The President, however, called for urgent precautionary measures to be applied to steam the tide of frequent road tragedies.

“While I express sadness over this tragedy, I must at the same time call for urgent action on the part of those concerned to stem these frequent fatal disasters on public roads.

“Safety precautions and routine maintenance are taken for granted by vehicle owners.

“I call on the Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Commission and other stakeholders to urgently address the issue of safety standards in the country, with a view to stemming the embarrassing frequency of these tragedies.”

South-East leaders including governors on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.

The leaders during the meeting called for special Federal Government intervention for the speedy completion of the Enugu International airport and rehabilitation of federal roads in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi, urged the President to declare a state of emergency on roads in the South East.

He said, “We are here to kindly urge Mr. President to approve special funds for the Akanu Ibiam Airport just like what was done for Abuja Airport.”

READ ALSO: FG Will Do Everything To Look After Families Of Slain Officers, Says Buhari

Other Governors at the meeting include Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Also, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senate Minority Leader representing southeast Caucus in National Assembly and Senator Sam Egwu were at the meeting.

Others include former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; former Governors -Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State; Okwesilieze of Enugu State; Sullivan Chime of Enugu State; Achike Udenwa of Imo State, and Ikedi Ohakim also of Imo.

The meeting later entered into a closed-door session.

Also in the State House for a meeting with President Buhari are governors of the South-South region. They include Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Ifeanyi Okowa.

South-East governors had earlier this week resolved to meet President Buhari to discuss the welfare of the region, rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam international airport, among other issues.

Chairman of the forum, Umahi disclosed this after a meeting by the governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, religious leaders and South-East National Assembly Caucus in Enugu.

The governors resolved to meet with President Buhari following fears that the closed Enugu airport could be abandoned.

A file photo of Mrs Aisha Buhari.

The First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has apologised to her family and Nigerians following a video that went viral recently.

She tendered the apology in a statement by her Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna.

The statement read, “Commenting on the videos circulating on social networks, Mrs Buhari extended her apology to her children, her immediate family members and all well-meaning Nigerians over the embarrassment that the videos had caused.”

READ ALSO: Metuh To Face Trial Over Alleged Destruction Of Evidence

Meanwhile, Mrs Buhari said she had secured hectares of land for the construction of a regional secretariat for the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM).

She stated her resolve to construct a regional secretariat for AFLPM, which was established after the Beijing Conference of 1995, when she received first ladies from states in the country at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

“I have successfully secured 2.7 hectares of land in Abuja for this purpose and the foundation laying will soon be conducted in the presence of African First Ladies,” the wife of the President was quoted as saying in the statement.

On the advocacy project for the improvement of maternal and child health, which is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by Future Assured Programme in partnership with first ladies in Nigeria, Mrs Buhari said it would come to an end in December 2019.

She used the opportunity to commend the first ladies for the good work they have been doing in their various states, and the collaboration they did with Future Assured.

The President’s wife, however, called on new first ladies to do the same and urged them not to succumb to distractions by social media.

She thanked her husband for approving a new set of aides to assist her in carrying out her various responsibilities.

The First Lady of Borno State, Mrs Falmata Umara Zulum and her Edo State counterpart, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, spoke on behalf of the Northern and Southern First Ladies’ Forums respectively.

Also present were wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of the Senate President, Mrs Maryam Lawan, and wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila, among others.

Four Staff of the Niger State Ministry of Lands and Housing have been confirmed dead, following a motor accident which occurred on Wednesday evening along Mokwa-Batati road in Mokwa local government area of the state.

The Federal Road Safety Corps unit command in the area confirmed the accident to Channels Television via telephone conversation.

He says the crash involving a Trailer and a Honda Civic car took place just after Batati village, after a heavy downpour.

READ ALSO: Petrol Tanker Explodes In Anambra, Kills Mother And Child

The four staff of the State Ministry of lands and housing were said to be on their way to Mokwa when the accident happened.

They were confirmed dead at the spot where the accident occurred.

According to a report by the Ministry’s Head of Information, the victims are Ibrahim Audu, Abubakar DANJUMA, BABAN KOGI and Idris Jibrin.

As at the time of filing this report, the remains of some of the victims have been claimed by their relations for burial.

Some Nigerians in Pragati Nagar, Nalasopara Mumbai went on rampage on Wednesday after a Nigerian was beaten to death by fellow Nigerians, it was claimed by the police, while drinking overnight.

The murdered Nigerian was identified as 35 year-old Gut Ke Joseph.

Police said he was punched, kicked and left to die by fellow Nigerians during a drinking binge at 3.30am at Joseph’s home. A fight had broken out among them and this spilled onto the road.

Police took Joseph to hospital, where he was declared dead, reported Times of India. Police booked his death as ‘accidental’ and have arrested some Nigerians for questioning.

According to the newspaper, Jospeh’s killers fled the scene.

But in a different report, another newspaper Mid Day, said Joseph was beaten to death by some Indian youths.

Contrary to the police version, Mid Day reported that it was Joseph’s friends who rushed him to a nearby hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.

Alleging his murder by locals, around 20-25 Nigerians ran riot on streets. During that many vehicles including autos, taxis, car, tempos, trucks and bikes were vandalised.

Windscreens of vehicles were smashed, tyres deflated.

The riot invited the wrath of Indians. An Indian mob quickly gathered and threatened to deal with the Nigerians if they stepped out of their homes, reported Times of India.

*This story was revised and the headline changed, based on conflicting report by Indian newspapers

Source: PM News

The Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has sympathised the family of a woman and her child who was burnt to death in a truck accident in Onitsha, the state capital.

Governor Obiano has directed owners of properties affected by the tragic accident, including shop owners, to report at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the State Government on Monday, October 21, 2019, see how the Anambra State Government can assist them.

The accident occurred on Wednesday when a tanker laden with premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol, fell into a ditch and began to spill its contents. A ball of fire resulted from this incident and quickly spread.

READ ALSO: Petrol Tanker Explodes In Anambra, Kills Mother And Child

Men of the Anambra State Fire Service arrived at the scene with their equipment but were unable to quench the inferno as the angry mob on the scene prevented other fire trucks, including one from neighbouring Asaba in Delta State, from getting to the scene.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment Don Adinuba, said that a panel will be set up immediately to determine the cause of the accident, why the firemen could not put out the fire and how the condition of the victims can be ameliorated.

The governor also prayed for the repose of the souls of the woman and child who died in the accident. The Anambra State Government will assist their families in their burials.