Connect with us


BIG STORY

S-O-S: Akungba Community Leaders Decries Incessant Fatal Accidents Within The Town, Faults Ex-AAU VC [PHOTOS]

Published

on

The leaders of Akungba Community in Ondo State have expressed dismay over the numerous negative incidents of fatal auto accidents happening within the University town in the last five years, particularly within the Adekunle Ajasin University.

In a statement released Wednesday and signed by Dr. Bode Iwaloye, the Asiwaju of Akungba Land, on behalf of the entire Akungba community, they expressed deep concerns over the recent events and happenings within the University Town which “have taken a new dimension, degenerating from lone non-fatal accidents being witnessed to massive fatal accidents involving loss of numerous lives and properties.”

While appreciating the recent moves by the Ondo State Government in reducing the cases of accidents in Akungba, the community appealed to the state Government to proffer permanent and enduring solutions to these accidents.

The community also made some resolutions and recommendations they believe can be achieved at taming the unfortunate incidents in the community.

The full statement below:

RESOLUTION OF LEADER OF AKUNGBA COMMUNITY ON THE INCESSANT FATAL ROAD ACCIDENTS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY TOWN

Gentlemen of the press,

We write with dismay the numerous negative incidents of motor accidents that have bedeviled our community within the last five years. These incidents started with unprecedented students’ unrests, with their attendant destruction of properties of the University- and the Host Community, with discriminatory non-payment of reparation to the victims within the host community.

In spite of protests and representations from the host community on the issue, the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I. Ajibefun, refused to listen even though the students were made to pay for damages.

We have also consequentially witnessed a gradual erosion of the cordial and celebrated relationship which once existed between the University and the Host community up to the Vice-Chancellorship of Prof. Femi Mimiko.

This new relationship further buried the once existing valued concerns of the University about events and happenings outside its walls.

Of recent, events and happenings within the University Town have taken a new dimension, degenerating from lone non-fatal accidents being witnessed to massive fatal accidents involving the loss of numerous lives and properties.

The community has witnessed catastrophic accidents in the last six months which have caught global attention and painted the image of the community in very bad colours.

On October 31st, 2020, a trailer, loaded with bags of rice, ran into an 18-seater Hiace bus at the front of Ebenco Petrol Station at Abata Area of Akungba. About 17 people died, with 19 bags of rice looted. The victims of this accident were commuters passing through the town.

Exactly one month later another accident occurred at Ibaka market, with a trailer loaded with rice colliding with electric poles before running into the open market. In the process, 25 people died from electrocution and the impact of the accident trailer. The accident victims were mainly residents of the Akungba Community.

Accompanying this particular accident was the massive looting of bags of rice and the deliberate wasting of the rest that could not be carted away. This stealing by some criminal elements in the town is something strange to Akungba’s character and value system.

On 11th December 2020, three trailers (a) Dangote Cement, (b) Cooling Van loaded with fish, and (c) Trailer loaded with a container of electronics had an accident in front of the University gate. While three people were killed in the accident, all the contents of the burnt vehicles were looted by identifiable miscreants in the community.

The carcass of the burnt vehicle littered the gate of the University for over one month before it was cleared and evacuated, prior to the school resumption. The stench from the accident site was something a citadel of knowledge should not have condoned for a day!

Most agonizing is the accident that occurred in front of the university gate on Saturday 23rd January 2021. Another Dangote Cement Trailer ran into the frontage of the University gate killing 27 people, including Students, visitors, residents, and passers-by. This accident took the life of former SUG President Sam Praise.

There were also harrowing cases of three students of the same parents being killed in the accident.

Accompanying the accident was also the case of a gas explosion that killed some people near the accident site on that same day. Despite the trauma caused by this accident some identifiable miscreants still found time to loot the accident vehicle of its loads.

  1. The Akungba Community shares the pains of the families of the deceased and those who lost their loved ones in these serial and random accidents and pray that the Almighty Father console the bereaved.
  2. We are in pains that all these accidents have almost the same pattern, the fatal incidents being caused by trailers and trucks/buses cascading down the Okerigbo hill towards the university community and running near-road gatherings of people.
  3. These ugly incidents are being unfortunately explained in some quarters with conspiracy theories, alluding to the existence of ominous forces within the host community. The non-discriminatory nature of these accidents makes the assertions not only ridiculous but insane.
  4. We note that these accidents were recent in the history of the Akungba community and are not unconnected with the new re-construction of Ikare-Ajowa road which subsequently diverted Abuja and North-bound vehicles from Okene road to Akungba-Ajowa-Obajana road, causing trailers congestion along Akungba main road, something unknown in the years before.
  5. We commend the AAUA Students body for their maturity in reacting to the provocative loss of lives of their valued colleagues and pray that such incidents never occur again in the life of the University town. We also sympathize with the indigenes and residents who equally lost their loved ones.
  6. The fact is that, outside these mentioned accidents, there have occurred, in the last six months, about 15 other isolated cases of lower magnitude, recording few causalities. The periodicity of these accidents means that no one is safe and that the community is under the serious siege of the trailer and other vehicular traffic passing through the community.
  7. We totally condemn the incessant lootings of the accident vehicles by some criminals residing within the community. The police and Amotekun are being called upon to stop this criminal trend and bring the offenders to book. Akungba does not condone criminality and lawlessness.
  8. We frown at the nonchalant attitude of the University towards the most recent accident in front of its gate. Had the University made its water tankers available for use at the scene of the accident more lives could probably have been saved. We implore the University to be more concerned about what happens outside its protective walls, immaterial of their perception of the host community.
  9. While appreciating the recent moves by the Ondo State Government in reducing the causes of accidents in Akungba, we wish to appeal to the state Government to proffer permanent and enduring solutions to these accidents. We believe the solution can be achieved through:
    a. Realigning the sections of road between (I) Okerigbo Hill and Tunji filling station and (II) AAUA Guest House (Annex) and Police post, Etioro.
    b. Widening and dualizing the main road between Okerigbo hill and Etioro to give more space for vehicles that lost control and keep gatherings at distance from the main road.
  10. We are also appealing to the state government to help facilitate the payment of compensation to the families affected by the recent accidents involving Dangote Cement Company, being isolated accidents involving only Dangote Cement trailers. The Akungba community would strive to abide by any safety measures put in place by the Government. We shall, on our own part, try to coordinate the affected families to seek reparations by providing legal aid. We shall, in addition, make the plight of the community known to the Federal Ministry of Works, being the owners of the Federal road passing through our community, and call for their immediate intervention into the incessant road accidents.

 

Thank you,

 

Signed
Dr. Bode Iwaloye
The Asiwaju of Akungba Land,
(For and on behalf of Akungba community)

BIG STORY

UBA Earns Top 5 Spot In Customer Experience Survey, Shines In SME And Retail Banking

Published

on

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has further established its position as a customer-focused institution, securing a spot among the Top 5 banks in several categories of the KPMG 2024 West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey.

The survey underscored UBA’s strong performance, placing it second in SME Banking and third in Retail Banking. These results represent a significant advancement, propelled by the bank’s commitment to its “Customer First” (C1st) philosophy.

The bank’s upward trajectory in customer satisfaction is clear. In Retail Banking, UBA jumped to third place from 14th in 2023. Similarly, in SME Banking, it rose to second place from 6th. In Corporate Banking, the bank earned fourth place, up from 8th last year. These gains highlight UBA’s dedication to exceeding customer expectations and providing outstanding service across its operations.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, referred to the recognition as a validation of the bank’s transformation. He stated, “This achievement is a testament to our ability to turn aspirations into accomplishments and challenges into triumphs. Our “Customer First” (C1st) philosophy is more than a mantra; it’s the foundation of our success. Through it, we’ve redefined customer satisfaction, created value, and built lasting trust and loyalty.”

Alawuba credited UBA’s success to the unwavering dedication of its employees. “From our retail branches to corporate offices, and from technology teams to front-line staff, every effort has contributed to this extraordinary transformation. I am deeply grateful to our remarkable team for making this possible,” he said.

He highlighted the bank’s focus on six pillars of customer experience: Integrity, Resolution, Expectations, Time and Effort, Empathy, and Personalization. These principles have transformed UBA’s interactions with customers, fostering trust and loyalty across its varied markets.

While celebrating these milestones, Alawuba reaffirmed UBA’s ambition to be the leading bank in all segments. He outlined the bank’s strategy to deepen customer relationships, enhance processes, and drive ongoing innovation. “As the banking landscape evolves and customer expectations rise, we remain agile and committed to delivering unparalleled value. Together, we will set new benchmarks for excellence,” he added.

UBA is a prominent financial institution with 25,000 employees serving over 45 million customers worldwide. Operating in 20 African countries and international hubs such as the UK, USA, France, and the UAE, UBA offers a comprehensive range of retail, commercial, and institutional banking services, championing financial inclusion and utilizing cutting-edge technology.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Police Arrest 50 Suspected Vandals, Recover 25 Manhole Covers In Abuja [PHOTOS]

Published

on

The police command in the federal capital territory (FCT) has announced the arrest of 50 suspected vandals of public facilities in the nation’s capital.

During the parade of the suspects on Monday, Olatunji Disu, FCT police commissioner, stated that the suspects were arrested in markets where “fairly used” items are sold in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse.

Disu explained that the suspects are part of a network involved in selling stolen “manhole covers” to scrap dealers.

He added that operatives also recovered 25 “manhole covers,” five “solar streetlights,” and other items stolen from public facilities.

The 50 suspects arrested include Bashir Usman, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sani Isah, Ibrahim Hassan, Mustapha Hassan, Awal Nawan, Umar Aliyu, Auta Umar, Datti Ibrahim, Mohammed Salim, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Ifeanyi-Chuckwu Emmanuel, Abba Ismail, Najib Abdul, Muhammed Lawal, Rabiu Ibrahim, Adamu Suleiman, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, and Haruna Nasiru.

Others include Abdul Nai’ja, Josua Steven, Livinus Steven, Ismail Abdullahi, Munir Sada, Ibrahim Yahaya, Yahaya Musa, Dahiru Nasiru, Abdullahi Muhammed, Monday Barnabas, Hamisu Iman, Promise Abanonum, Ehieze Emeka, Ehieze Justice, Mohammed Inusa, Tijanni Suleiman, Promise James, and Haruna Auwalu; Ayuba Danjuma, Suleiman Abu, Nafiu Ahmmed, Kamalu Junaidu, Zaradeen Yakubu, Abdulhadi Adam, Mohammed Ibrahim, Chukwu Emmanuel, Douglas Yahaya, Mohammed Lawal, Auwal Musa, and Abubakar Kabiru.

Other recovered items include several “galvanised poles” used in constructing flyovers, 15 “streetlight poles” cut into smaller pieces, rolls of high-voltage Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) cables, two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, 30 tubes of “triple sub glue,” and 13 large “solar panels.”

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Retirement: Top Generals Get $20,000 Medical Allowance, Bullet-proof SUV, Others

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has approved a retirement package for service chiefs and generals, including $20,000 for foreign medical treatment, bullet-proof SUVs, cooks, and other benefits, which have been criticized by the Nigerian Medical Association, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.

Under the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, signed by President Bola Tinubu on December 14, 2024, the Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs are entitled to a bulletproof SUV or its equivalent as part of their retirement benefits.

The vehicle will be replaced every four years and maintained by the military. Additionally, a Peugeot 508 or an equivalent vehicle will be provided as a backup.

The retired generals will also enjoy a range of other luxurious benefits, including domestic aides and residential guards upon retirement.

While those who retire as lieutenant generals and their equivalents will enjoy international and local medical treatment worth up to $20,000 annually, the benefits for the CDS and the service chiefs were not specified, but it is believed that theirs would be significantly higher.

In addition, they will be assigned a special assistant or personal assistant, three service drivers, and a service orderly, with escorts provided as necessary by relevant military units.

Also, each retiring service chief will also be provided with five domestic aides, comprising two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener, along with an aide-de-camp or security officer.

The HTCOS read, “Retirement benefits for CDS and Service Chiefs: The following benefits shall be applicable: One bullet-proof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and to be replaced every four years. One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.

‘’Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrement to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards and one civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/security officer; one Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalents) or one Personal Assistant (Warrant Officer or equivalents); standard guard (nine soldiers).

“Three service drivers; one service orderly; escorts (to be provided by appropriate military units/ formation as the need arises); retention of personal firearms (on his demise, the personal firearm(s) shall be retrieved by the relevant service) and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”

For other senior officers such as lieutenant generals and equivalents, they are entitled to two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, along with $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards and two drivers.

The document stated, “Lieutenant generals and equivalents will receive two Toyota Hilux vehicles or one Toyota Land Cruiser, along with $20,000 annual medical treatment, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, and two drivers.

“Retirement benefits for lieutenant general/equivalents. The following benefits shall be applicable: Officers of three-star rank. Two Toyota Hilux Vehicles or one Toyota Land cruiser or equivalent jeep of the same value; two Cooks; two Stewards; four residential guards; one service orderly; two service drivers and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $20,000 per year.”

The Federal Government also approved for major generals and brigadier generals a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent, $15,000 annual medical treatment, domestic staff, and residential guards.

One-star officers are expected to receive $10,000 annually for medical care, a Toyota Camry or equivalent and similar domestic and security arrangements.

The HTCOS further read, “For major-generals/brigadier-generals and equivalents, the following benefits shall be applicable: One Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent car of the same value.

“One cook; One steward, two residential guards; One service orderly; One driver; Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of $15,000 per annum.

“Officers of One-Star rank (Brig. Gen.): One Toyota Camry or equivalent car of the same value; One service driver; two residential guards; One orderly and free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $10,000 per annum.’’

Colonels and their equivalents are to get a Toyota Corolla or its equivalent and free medical care within Nigeria.

The President of the NMA, Prof Bala Audu, emphasised that any retirement benefits received by government officials should be invested within Nigeria.

Speaking on the upgraded perks for the military brass, the NMA president noted, “If they want to give them government-benefited medical treatment, cooks, or whatever, I think they should give them all their benefits in Nigeria, that is what I believe.’’

“Whoever wants to receive benefits, whether service chiefs or Mr. President, it should be in Nigeria, and not abroad,’’ he insisted.

President of MDCAN, Prof Muhammad Muhammad, demanded that the Nigerian healthcare system should be transformed to cater to Nigerians’ healthcare needs.

“My main concern is not what they are giving, but the fact that it is made official that the medical treatment has to be abroad. When, in fact, in most situations, when they go out, it’s Nigerian doctors that they are going to meet. So, in that situation, we need to make sure they are taking good care of the Nigerian healthcare providers,’’ he said.

He added that the decision to make provision for foreign treatment for the retired officers signalled a lack of confidence in the local health sector.

“This also means that the government does not have confidence in the Nigerian healthcare system. So, they have to make sure that whatever level of care they receive abroad, we also have it in Nigeria because that is what is going to make Nigerians continue to have confidence in the healthcare system and the healthcare providers in Nigeria. So, my main concern is not what was allocated, but the fact that it is made official that the treatment will be abroad.

“That means the government itself is not comfortable and is not happy with what is available in the Nigerian hospitals for the care of Nigerians,” he added.

While acknowledging that the retirement package for service chiefs, judges, and politicians is not new, the medical expert insisted that the well-being of Nigerians and healthcare professionals should also be prioritised.

“And then likewise, they need to increase budgetary provisions to upgrade our hospitals and other healthcare institutions and training centres so that Nigerians who may not necessarily have to go out of the country will be able to get the requisite healthcare service that they require,” he recommended.

On his part, NARD president, Dr Tope Osundara, noted that medical tourism is the bane of the health sector, stressing the need to address it urgently.

“The treatment they go abroad to get can be gotten here in Nigeria. Besides, what is stopping the government from providing state-of-the-art equipment in our hospitals or upgrading the hospitals?

“It’s not like we don’t have Nigerian doctors who can do some of the things they travel abroad to do, but unfortunately, rather than prioritise our health system, equip the hospitals and make it efficient, we would rather spend the money elsewhere, thereby improving their economy.

“We should rather pump money into our health system, and this money will find a way to circulate. By the time you are pumping money into it, and people are taking advantage, it will give a return on investment. But it seems that the focus of the government is elsewhere rather than majoring on what is essential in Nigeria.

“I appreciate the Coordinating Minister, Prof Muhammad Pate, who is also trying to do everything they can to improve the health system, but there is a limit to what a minister can do.

“We need a paradigm shift concerning reforms in the health sector. It still lies with the executive arm of government to ensure that the priorities are not focused on medical treatment abroad, but we should internalise treatment and make it local,” he said.

The Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, described the development as “alarming”, noting the hardship faced by Nigerians, adding that the extravagant retirement benefits raised concerns about the priorities of the government.

He also questioned whether the service chiefs had done enough to deserve the packages while calling on the citizens to challenge such policies.

Odeh stated, “It is alarming that service chiefs are set to receive $20,000 for foreign medical treatment, bullet-proof SUVs, and personal staff as part of their retirement package. At a time when Nigeria faces economic hardship, such extravagance raises serious concerns about the government’s priorities.

‘’Millions of Nigerians struggle with poverty and failing public services, yet resources are being funnelled into luxuries for a select few. Does Nigeria truly have this kind of money to play around with?”

Odeh queried the wisdom behind the retirement perks citing the inability of the armed forces to address the insecurity plaguing the country.

He added, “The justification for these perks is questionable. For over 12 years, insecurity has ravaged the country, with insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and violence leaving a trail of destruction. While there have been some gains, they are uneven and insufficient.

‘’Have the service chiefs done enough to deserve such packages, especially when insecurity persists in many regions in a country where military procurement details are never public and allegedly, corruption sits deep in these budgets?

“This policy reflects deeper issues in governance. It sends a troubling signal that public resources can be lavishly spent on elites, regardless of performance.

“Citizens and the media must challenge such policies that always hide behind national security, and demand a focus on the greater good. While insecurity has marginally reduced in some areas, it is far from enough to justify rewarding leaders with excessive perks,” he stated.

The Executive Director of the Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre, Okechukwu Nwaguma, pointed out that the retirement benefits reflected “a troubling disconnect between government actions and the realities faced by citizens”, adding that the justification for such perks was questionable.

He noted, “The Nigerian government’s decision to grant excessive retirement perks to military leaders amid the current economic hardship reflects a troubling disconnect between government actions and the realities faced by citizens.

“It raises significant concerns regarding government prioritization and fairness. The lavish retirement benefits of military leaders contrast sharply with the struggles faced by the majority of citizens dealing with insecurity, unemployment, and inflation.

“This disparity can deepen public disenchantment with the government, as it appears more focused on rewarding elites than addressing the needs of ordinary people.”

Nwaguma said the decision may reinforce the perception that the Tinubu government favoured elite interests, fostering public alienation.

“It raises questions about the fairness of resource allocation during times of crisis. This situation highlights the need for improved governance that reflects the will and welfare of the people. Citizens expect their leaders to demonstrate empathy and responsibility.

“For lasting stability and public trust, the government should align its policies with the socioeconomic realities of the populace and prioritise security and social welfare initiatives,” he added.

 

Credit: The Punch

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular