Connect with us

BIG STORY

UPDATE: Death Toll From Kano Gas Explosion Rises To Nine

Published

on

A total of nine bodies have been recovered from the scene of a gas explosion that occurred in Kano state.

On Tuesday, a gas explosion occurred near a primary school in the Sabon Gari area of the Kano metropolis, sending residents into panic.

Speaking with journalists, Shuaibu Dikko, Kano commissioner of police, said efforts had commenced rescuing anyone who may be trapped under the rubble.

Dikko said a gas cylinder from a welding shop nearby caused the explosion which brought down a building in the school, adding that it was not a bomb blast as speculated.

Muhammad Garba, Kano commissioner for information, had also earlier said an investigation has commenced into the explosion.

“While the cause of the explosion is yet to be officially ascertained, an investigation has since commenced determining the cause, impact, and measures to be taken,” the information commissioner said.

As rescue workers rounded off operations at the scene of the incident on Tuesday evening, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that nine persons died in the incident.

Mustapha Ahmed, director-general of NEMA, was at the site of the explosion and coordinated the rescue operations.

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, during a visit to the area with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said the state would take measures to regulate welding activities in densely-populated areas to avoid future occurrence.

Joseph Abiodun, a resident of the area who participated in the rescue operations, also said nine bodies were recovered.

“The explosion occurred around 10 am, and because there was no excavator immediately after the incident, we used hands and some light equipment to bring out the bodies,” he said.

He added that some chemicals, which were found in shops that were damaged by the explosion, were handed over to security personnel.

Mike Ajibola, a pastor whose church was a few meters away from the scene of the explosion, said over 50 children from the nearby Winners School adjacent to the point of the explosion were rescued, but a few of them sustained minor injuries.

NEMA, however, said 10 people were rescued, while two people who were taken to the hospital had been discharged.

Ahmed instructed the NEMA rescue team to remain at the site of the explosion until the conclusion of the operations.

He also urged rescue workers to cooperate with security agencies.

BIG STORY

Police Confirm Rescue Of 14 Kidnapped Confluence University Students In Kogi

Published

on

The Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command, has confirmed the rescue of 14 students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, who were abducted by unknown gunmen on Thursday, May 9 while on campus preparing for their first semester examinations.

According to Daily Post, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya via a WhatsApp message on Sunday, confirmed that 14 students were rescued by the joint security operations carried out since the incident happened on Thursday.

He said the rescued students have been taken to hospital for medical assistance, stressing that the police and other security agencies in the state will continue to guarantee security of lives and properties.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kingsley Fanwo had issued a press statement on the rescue of the students from the kidnappers.

He commended the gallant efforts of all the security agents who went all out to rescue the students from their abductors, saying the unknown gunmen were confronted with superior power that made them abandon their victims.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Labour Unions Picket NERC Offices In Lagos, Abuja Over Electricity Tariff Hike [PHOTOS]

Published

on

Members of organised labour are currently occupying Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) offices nationwide.

The rise in energy rates for users in the Band A category is being opposed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other affiliated organisations.

The power rate for users in the classification was approved by NERC on April 3 and is now N225 per kwh instead of N66.

The demand from organised labour is for the increase to be reversed and for talks to resume.

The unionists, on Monday, arrived at the NERC office located at Novel House in Ikeja, Lagos, around 9:40am.

Addressing workers at the complex, Funmi Sessi, NLC Lagos chairperson, asked them to vacate their offices.

Sessi said the unions do not understand the regulatory functions of NERC amid the epileptic power supply in the country.

In Abuja, the unions besieged the NERC office located in the Central Business District.

Labour has also shut NERC offices in Jos, Akwa Ibom, Benin, Kaduna and in other capital cities across the country.

 

See photos below:

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Access Bank (SL) Ltd. Strengthens Leadership Team With Key Board Appointments, Names New Chairman

Published

on

Access Bank Sierra Leone Ltd (‘Access Bank (SL) Ltd’) has announced the appointment of new executives to its Board of Directors (‘the Board’), further strengthening its leadership team and advancing the implementation of its growth and transformation strategy.

These appointments also reflect the Bank’s commitment to fostering growth and development while maintaining the highest standards of governance and stewardship.

Joining the Board as Non-Executive Directors are Maurice Nathaniel Cole, Nsikak N. Usoro, Michala Mackay, Ibrahim Khalil Lamin, and Kolawole Augustine Ajimoko.

The appointees boast a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors, including banking, telecommunications, corporate governance, compliance, and finance. Their combined experience and vision will contribute to shaping the future trajectory of Access Bank (SL) Ltd.

Cole will serve as Chairman, following the exit of Alice Marie Onomake and will bring his experience to the fore as Access Bank (SL) Ltd works to consolidate its market position and deliver value for all its stakeholders.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new executives to Access Bank (SL) Ltd,” said Ganiyu Sanni, Country Managing Director, Access Bank Sierra Leone Ltd. “Their leadership and vision will be invaluable as we navigate through challenges and pursue sustained success. We extend our gratitude to outgoing Chairman, Alice Marie Onomake, and Non-Executive Director, Aminata B. Dumbuya, for their dedicated service and contributions to the Bank.”

Access Bank (SL) Ltd remains committed to excellence, transparency, and accountability as it embarks on this exciting new chapter. The Bank looks forward to leveraging the collective expertise of its leadership team to drive innovation, foster growth, and create lasting impact for its customers and communities.

About Access Bank PLC 

Access Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 21 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 thousand people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.

Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings Plc, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998. The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 18 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks.

As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

Continue Reading

Most Popular