Nelson Ugwuagbo

Orba Market, located at Orba community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was gutted by fire on New Year’s eve.

The affected area, according to a resident Chigbo Odegba, are stores where foams, gallons, drinks, provisions and other materials are being sold.

“It started around midnight,” says Chinyere Eze, a resident. “Millions of naira lost. It is a pity because the shop owners were not around. All the goods in the affected shops were destroyed. It is a sad New Year for us. The incident occurred along Obollo road.”

The Chief Fire Officer of the state, Engr Daniel Ohaa, confirmed the incident. He said the state Fire Service operatives deployed two trucks that quenched the fire.

He said, “It was a midnight fire incident. We got the information, and our office in Udenu responded swiftly, and extinguished the fire from destroying more property. Much was destroyed, and much saved.

“It’s fortunate that we have an office close to Orba. It was significant for the rescue operations. We thank residents that contacted us, and I commend our operatives that responded swiftly.”

Property worth N34.6m was on Saturday destroyed by a fire outbreak in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident which involved a diesel-carrying tanker occurred at Magaji Aare quarters, Idi- Ape area of Ilorin metropolis.

Leading Reporters gathered that the valve of the tanker carrying 22,000 litres of diesel had opened, causing diesel to gush out forcefully and consequently ignited fire.

The spokesman of Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said: “On December 30, 2023, at approximately 10:47 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a fire emergency at Magaji Aare quarters, Ajegunle, in the Idi-Ape area of Ilorin East local government. The firefighters, equipped with their fire appliances, arrived promptly to face a blazing diesel tanker containing 22,000 litres and with registration number MUS 916 YF.
“The situation escalated as the tanker’s valve opened, causing diesel to gush out forcefully. Undeterred, the firemen, demonstrating their exceptional firefighting skills, called for additional support, and another fire appliance quickly joined the effort. After a relentless hour of collective effort, the dedicated team successfully extinguished the raging fire.

“Upon investigation, the tanker driver revealed to the Fire Service media team that the fire originated from the pumping machine used to syphon diesel for the ‘Collo site’ mast, which serves all networks.

“The community’s cooperation played a crucial role in enabling the firemen to work efficiently and effectively in overcoming the challenging situation. Unfortunately, the ensuing fire resulted in damage to two shops and a football viewing centre.

“Total estimated property saved is N145.2m and total estimated property lost is N34.6m.”

The Senate increased the budget from N27.5 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu in November to N28. 7 trillion.

The Senate on Saturday passed the 2024 budget with an increase of about N1.2 trillion.

It increased the budget from N27.5 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu in November to N28. 7 trillion.

The upper legislative chamber also pegged the benchmark of oil price at $77.96 per barrel of crude oil to reflect the current market values of the product in the international market.

The federal lawmakers approved the oil production rate of 1.78 million barrels per day and the exchange rate of N800 to a US dollar.

The GDP growth rate was pegged at 3.88 per cent and the budget deficit was approved at N9.18 trillion.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the budget after the majority of the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.

The budget was passed after considering a report presented by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West).

Mr Olamilekan, while presenting the report, recommended that N1.7 trillion be approved for Statutory Transfers and N8 2 trillion be approved for Debt service.

The committee chairman also recommended that N8.7 trillion be approved as recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N9.9 trillion be approved as capital expenditure.

The lawmaker explained that the increase in the appropriation was as a result of a request for additional funding of items which were not listed in the Appropriation Bill as submitted by President Tinubu.

He said the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation observed inadequate funding in the budgetary allocation of some Ministeries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government

Breakdown

The breakdown of budget as approved by the Senate is as follows;

Aggregate Expenditure -N28,777,404,073,861

Statutory Transfers -N1,742,786,788,150

Recurrent Expenditure – N8,768,513,380,852

Capital Expenditure – N9,995,143,298,028

GDP – 3.88 %

After presenting the report, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of Supply, which considered and passed the budget

Goods and other properties valued at about N70 million were destroyed in a fire incident at No. 2C, Aba road, opposite Penco Plaza in Umuahia, Abia State, on Thursday night.

Several mails containing international passports were also burnt during the inferno.

Although the cause of the fire outbreak was not established at the time of the incident, some sympathizers said preliminary investigations pointed at a spark from a faulty electrical wall socket in one of the shops upstairs.

One of the victims, Rev Temple Uzodinma, said he received a distress phone call at about 7pm on Thursday from someone telling him that the buildings were on fire.

Uzodinma, who said he immediately contacted the men of Abia State Fire Service, added that the fire had spread to other shops and other corporate offices before the arrival of the fire fighters.

He said the firefighters were able to control the inferno from gutting more shops.

He cried out that the incident was a devastating blow to the victims, while appealing to the Abia State Government and other able individuals to come to their aid.

Among the property destroyed were cash, electronic appliances, sewing machines, rolls of clothes, international mails etc.

An employee of United Parcel Service, UPS, identified as Wisdom, told news correspondents that parcels of mails containing international passports and other important documents were destroyed in his office, lamenting that the situation may affect travel plans of the owners of the burnt mails.

The Federal Fire Service and Abia State Ministry of Environment had been running campaigns warning Abia residents on dangers of fire disaster.

The newly sworn in Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vowed to immortalise the late governor of the state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who died yesterday after a protracted illness.

The governor made the pledge when he led members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to the residence of the former Ondo State Governor in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to commiserate with the Akeredolu family.

He noted that the late Akeredolu will never be forgotten because his legacies and impacts can be seen and felt across the State and the country.

The governor described his late principal as a sincere, courageous, selfless and patriotic leader who fought for his people, championed development and touched many lives.

Aiyedatiwa in an emotional tribute, also described the former governor as a caring and compassionate husband, father and grandfather, adding that it was a rare privilege to have served under his tutelage.

He reiterated that the demise of his late boss is a great loss to Ondo State, tthe Southwest region and Nigeria at large, stressing that Akeredolu’s struggle for a peaceful, fair and just society is one that can never be forgotten in a hurry.

The governor noted that the legacies of late Akeredolu will continue to reverberate in his invaluable contributions to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of Ondo State, the growth of the Anglican Church and the reforms in the legal profession in Nigeria.

He emphasized that Akeredolu completed and fulfilled his mission on earth and was blessed with wonderful children that can sustain his good name.

Responding on behalf of the Akeredolu family, the younger brother of the deceased, Pastor Kola Akeredolu, thanked the delegation led by Governor Aiyedatiwa for the thoughtful visit.

Prayers were offered for the Akeredolu family, while Governor Aiyedatiwa led others to the signing of the condolence register.

A 23-year-old woman, identified as Amanda Uchechi Ugo, has allegedly shot and killed police officer Cosmos Ugwu at the Ezinihitte Area Command in Imo State.

The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday, December 26th, at the Ezinihitte Area Command in the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state.

Leading Reporters gathered incident occurred around 6:30 PM during Boxing Day. Upon hearing three gunshots from the deceased officer’s room, officers on duty took cover.

“When officers entered the room to investigate the commotion, they found Corporal Ugwu lying lifeless in a pool of blood.” the paper said quoting an unnamed source. “The woman had reportedly fired three shots: two to his chest and one to his left hand. He was rushed to Evergreen Hospital in Ezinihitte but unfortunately pronounced dead by the attending physician.”

The deceased and Ms Ugo had allegedly had a heated argument in the room before the shooting. During the altercation, Ms Ugo allegedly gained access to Corporal Ugwu’s firearm and fatally shot him.

“It was like something out of a movie,” the source added.