Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted moderate dust haze from Wednesday to Friday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Tuesday, predicts horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km and localized visibility of less than or equal to 1,000 metres over the northern region.

“Moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is expected over the North Central region and the inland cities of the South during the forecast period, while a hazy atmosphere is envisaged over the coastal cities throughout the forecast period,” it said.

According to the agency, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is also expected over the North, the North Central and the inland cities of the South during the forecast period on Thursday.

It expected a hazy atmosphere over the coastal belt of the country throughout the forecast period.

NiMet predicts moderate dust haze on Friday with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km over the North, the North-central and the inland areas of the South throughout the forecast period.

“Hazy atmosphere is expected over the coastal cities during the forecast period, and the public should take necessary precautions as dust particles will be in the air.

“People with Asthma and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather situations.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said.

Wife of the late chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom state, Mrs. Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong and his sister, Ms Ofonime Frank have been burnt to death.

The tragic fire incident, which occurred on Christmas eve, razed down the house of the late PDP boss, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state. 

The cause of the fire remains unknown as at the time of this report.

This was disclosed in a statement issued to journalists by the Secretary, Transition Committee of the local government, Hon. Udeme Idiong disclosed in the early hours.

The Transition Community chairman of the council Hon. Godwin Ekpe (JP) has declared seven days mourning for all indigenes of the local government, the statement revealed.

It also stated that council chairman has sought the approval of the state government to withdraw all Ukanafun contingent in the ongoing Christmas Carol activity scheduled to hold on 28th December, 2023

 The statement states: “Sequel to the tragic fire incident that occurred at the residence of our Late State Party Chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong on 24th December 2023 which claimed the lives of his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong and her sister, Ms Ofonime Frank, the Chairman, Transition Committee, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Hon. (Elder) Godwin Ekpe JP has declared a 7 days mourning period for all indigenes of Ukanafun Local Government from Tuesday 26th of December, 2023 to Monday 1st January, 202

“He has also in collaboration with the Stakeholders of the Local Government and approval of the State Government approved a withdrawal of Ukanafun’s contingent and performance in the ongoing Christmas unplugged activity earlier scheduled to hold on the 28th of December, 2023.

“While sympathizing with the family of the deceased, we pray for the repose of the departed souls”.

Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service crews on Saturday battled a blaze that broke out at a market in Ikotun, Lagos, engulfing several shops.

According to authorities, the fire stemmed from a gas cylinder explosion at one of the shops around 2:10 p.m. today.

“Shops are on fire at a Market at Council Bus Stop which resulted from leakage of a gas cylinder in use at one of the shops which led to an explosion and spread to several other shops,” confirmed Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in a statement.

Firefighters from Ejigbo and Isolo stations are tackling the flames, joined by personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and the Nigerian Police Force from Ikotun Division.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have been caused by negligence during gas cylinder refilling. At least seven shops are believed to be affected, with significant damage to wares. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported as of this writing.

An accident involving a loaded truck, Toyota SUV, Toyota Corolla, Volvo jeep, and truck has occurred in the Alapere area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority disclosed this in a video shared on its X handle on Saturday.

According to LASTMA, no lives were lost but the accident had caused gridlock, leaving commuters stranded.

The caption read, “Multiple accident at Alapere inward Island involving a loaded truck with rice, Toyota jeep, Toyota Corolla, Volvo jeep and Truck.

“Our officers are on scene managing the situation effectively and as well police officers are on ground doing the needful.”

The director of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Muhktar Galadima says about 200 houses in Nuwalege near the Airforce Base are to be demolished.

According to him, the Nigerian Airforce wanted people residing in the area to vacate because it is too close to the Airforce Base in Abuja, just as residents were also encroaching on their land.

He said they had wanted to force them to vacate their houses but the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) told them that it was not their work, adding that “there is an urgency to do that job.”

The director disclosed that about three days ago, they went with the representative of the Nigerian Airforce, met with the emir and told him about their mission and also informed him of their return but when they went back on Thursday, they were nowhere to be found.

He said the houses and shops to be demolished had been marked, adding that while there were some to be compensated, others would not be compensated because there are guidelines to be followed before demolition can take place.

The Meteorological Agency predicted on Friday moderate dust haze on Saturday with horizontal visibility of 2km and 5km over the Northern region during the forecast period.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in its weather outlook in Abuja has predicted haziness and sunshine from Saturday to Monday across the countryNigeria.

The Meteorological Agency predicted on Friday moderate dust haze on Saturday with horizontal visibility of 2km and 5km over the Northern region during the forecast period.
According to NiMet, a sunny sky in a hazy atmosphere is expected over the North-Central cities and the inland cities of the Southern parts of the country, while it anticipated partly cloudy skies in a hazy atmosphere over the coastal belt of the country.

The agency further stated that it expects some prospects of localised thunderstorms over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states later in the day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NiMet as stating that “For Sunday, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is anticipated over the North and the North-central regions during the forecast period.

“Sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere is expected over the inland cities of the South during the forecast period. Patches of clouds in the hazy atmosphere is expected over the coastal cities throughout the forecast period.

“Also for Monday, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is anticipated over the North, North central and the inland cities of the South during the forecast period.” 

The agency predicted that a few cloud patches are expected in the hazy atmosphere over the coastal cities throughout the forecast period. 

It urged the public to take necessary precautions as dust particles are suspended, adding that people with asthma and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather situation.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it added.