Panic gripped the student community of Ekosodin, Edo State, on Saturday morning as a storey building on Ekhator Street, Benin, collapsed during a heavy downpour.

Ekosodin, which borders the University of Benin, is home to a large student population, many of whom live off-campus due to limited accommodation options within the school.

Eyewitnesses reported that several students were trapped in the rubble. Rescue efforts, led by the university’s rescue team, have already resulted in the evacuation of some of the trapped occupants, though many sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

A student present at the scene, speaking anonymously, confirmed the efforts of the rescue team, stating, “The team managed to rescue some victims, but unfortunately, others remain trapped. One victim even called from inside the rubble, and the search is ongoing to locate and save her.”

The Dean of Student Affairs was also reportedly at the scene, working alongside the university rescue team to oversee and coordinate the efforts. However, as of the time of this report, no official statement had been released by the university management regarding the cause of the collapse or the exact number of those affected.

The Edo State Fire Service has joined the rescue operation. A fire service official, Sylvester, confirmed, “We have three trucks on site, and our men are actively assisting in the rescue mission.” The search continues as emergency services work to locate any remaining victims trapped beneath the rubble.

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has urged all Awori indigenes to unite and preserve their cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of their collective identity in the national landscape.

Speaking at the 2024 Awori Summit, held at the OPIC Event Centre in Isheri Olofin, Engr. Salako-Oyedele highlighted the need to prioritize leadership, education, and economic development to enhance the Awori image and deepen their contribution to nation-building.

The theme of the summit, “Projecting Awori Image in Nation Building,” was described by the Deputy Governor as timely and significant for the Awori people. She called on the community’s key players and elders to foster strong relationships that will empower future generations and promote socio-economic progress.

She also praised the summit’s convener, the Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade, for his foresight in organizing the event, noting that it presents a valuable opportunity to advance Awori culture. She encouraged leaders to ensure that the summit becomes a vehicle for concrete action and not just discussions.

In a keynote address, former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN), emphasized the importance of resilience and harmonious relationships within the Awori community. He also advocated for the production of a documentary to showcase the rich culture and traditions of the Aworis.

Summit Committee Chairman, Alhaji Abdulsemiu Yusuff, added that the event was necessary to strengthen the Awori tribe, calling attention to the land’s potential as a source of wealth for both indigenes and non-indigenes alike.

The Kogi State Police Command has paraded four suspects in connection with the killing of Damilola Olowoyo, a 19-year-old 100 level student of the Federal University Lokoja.

The four suspects paraded included Jeremiah Paul, the principal suspect, who was arrested around the Felele area of the state capital on Wednesday, Emmanuel Otitoju, Banabas Olugbenga and Ajayi Basit Ayomide.

Paul, a 20-year-old who hails from Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State, confessed to committing the crime.

In his confessional statement, Paul said, “I came to Kogi State to hustle. I met Damilola last Sunday. I approached her and she accepted. We started chatting. I already had it in mind that I wanted to use Damilola for ritual. I bought codeine and Sprite and mixed it up and gave it to her.

“I first drank it so that she wouldn’t suspect it. When she drank it, I told her let us go to my house and she agreed. When she felt weak, I took her to an uncompleted building close to my place and strangled her to death. The cloth she was wearing, I used it to tie her leg and neck. I later dragged her to a nearby bush and removed what the native doctor told me to remove.

“The native doctor who resides in Ibadan sent a driver and brought a calabash and a knife. He used a black and white cotton to wrap the calabash and a red cloth to wrap the knife. It is the knife I used to remove parts of her body, which are the eyes, tongue, lungs, intestine and some parts of her buttocks. I put it inside the calabash and wrapped it. I now gave it to the driver who he sent from Ibadan to Lokoja. So, the driver waybilled it back to Ibadan. After that, he now waybilled my soap back to Lokoja. I met the native doctor on tiktok and I copied his number and later messaged him on Whatsapp. I went with my friend to Ibadan to see the native doctor.”

Parading the suspects at the Police headquarters, in Lokoja, yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) William Aya, noted that Paul lured the deceased into the bush and killed her for money ritual.

Aya, a Superintendent of Police (SP), while disclosing how the suspects were arrested, said there was a complaint made to the Commissioner of Police (CP), over the disappearance of Olowoyo, a student in the Department of Biological Science, Federal University Lokoja.

His words: “The Commissioner of Police swung into action and assigned the matter to the State Intelligence Department. The operatives swung into action immediately and started working on the phone of the deceased, since it could not be reached. With the help of the technical unit at the force headquarters, we were able to apprehend Jeremiah Paul in connection with the case.

“The suspect actually confessed to us that on 4th of September, 2024, that he met the deceased Olowoyo and lured her to the bush. At first, he pretended that he liked her. When she accepted, he took her to an apartment. Before then, he gave the deceased a drink. Unknown to her, inside the drink, he had put some codeine.

“This worked in her system which made her weak for the suspect to carry out his heinous crime. He took the deceased to an uncompleted building before strangling her to death and dismembered her body. He removed her eyes, lungs, liver, tongue and fleshy part of her buttocks with the purpose of performing some rituals.

“Initially, he called the parents of the deceased that he had kidnapped the lady and demanded for ransom, in which he was paid, before killing the girl. He collected a ransom of N400,000 from the parents.

“Further investigation also revealed that one of the suspects here was the first person that approached the girl, but because he couldn’t provide what was being demanded from him, he withdrew. The main suspect, Jeremiah Paul decided to step in. He came with his friend from Kaduna State to commit this crime.”

The PPRO appealed to parents and students to be conscious of people they are moving with.

He added, “You may be seeing somebody as a human being but he is not. This act that Jeremiah Paul and his gang have carried out is an inhuman act. Imagine a 20-year old boy going this far; killing an innocent lady and removing her sensitive body parts, in the name of carrying out rituals.

“It shows that in the society we are living in, people need to be very careful. I am calling on students across the various institutions to be very careful with their friends, course mates and neighbours they are mingling with. Some people will be within the school environment but they are not students.

“Some may have admission and they are in school, but they have their own aim of being there. Students should be contented with what they have. Because of little things, this girl lost her life.”

He added that the command will arraign the four suspects as soon as investigation is concluded.

– Nation Newspaper

The Owa-in-Council has said the traditional rites for the late Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran have commenced.

Oba Aromolaran’s death was announced on Thursday by the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi. The 86-year-old traditional ruler spent 42 years on the throne.

Addressing journalists at Owa’s palace, Ilesa, on behalf of the Obaala of Ilesa, Chief Adeniyi Ibitoye, and other members of the council, the Odole Owa of Ijesaland, Chief Adebola Orolugbagbe, said the traditional rites for Oba Aromolaran would be on for the next 90 days.

Orolugbagbe, who is the traditional Prime Minister of the palace, said Owa-in-Council had not declared curfew in any part of the town.

He, however, said markets across the community would remain closed until September 21, adding that Owa traditional palace had been shut.

“All markets across Ijesaland shall remain closed for seven days, starting from the 14th and ending on the 20th of September 2024. All markets shall reopen on 21st September, 2024

“No curfew is imposed anywhere in ljesaland. Therefore, all citizens are enjoined to move about their normal daily lives and activities.

“The traditional palace at Okemese shall remain closed with immediate effect while all activities are suspended until further notice traditional transition rites shall continue for 90-day,” Orolugbagbe said.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed his condolences on the transition of Oba Aromolaran.

Also, the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described Oba Aromolaran as a compelling personality and personified kingship.

Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, on Friday, described the loss of the prominent monarch as “painful, huge and monumental”.

The governor said, “The late Oba Aromolaran distinguished himself not only as a first-class traditional ruler but as a renowned educationist, father figure, peacemaker, nation builder, and a repository of history and knowledge.

“The late Oba Aromolaran left worthy legacies that would continue to benefit generations yet unborn and had immortalized himself in the hearts of the people”.

In his tribute titled ‘The lion is gone’, Aregbesola said Oba Aromolaran uplifted the Owa’s throne, describing him as a quintessential monarch.

The former governor of Osun said, “Oba Aromolaran was the quintessential monarch – regal, majestic, intellectually sound, wise, discerning and decisive.

“With his sterling education and sagacity, he uplifted the throne and the institution of his fathers. He kept his head high even in an era of the decline of traditional rulership.

“He was my father before, during, and after my two-term governorship in the state. He was also my life coach and advisor in practically every area of life and governance.

“His ascension to the throne was described as the coming of the lion. He was and lived like a lion, dominated his territory, and was feared and respected beyond. But the lion is gone!”

In a related development, the former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has described the death of the monarch as an irreparable loss to his family, Osun State, and the entire country.

He said this while expressing deep condolence over the passing of the monarch who died at 86, adding that during his reign, Oba Aromolaran contributed tirelessly to the peace, understanding, security, and development of Osun State.

In a statement by the Head, Fayemi Media Office, Abuja, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, on Friday, the former chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum added that Nigeria would never forget the monarch, especially with the great impact of his standard textbooks on Economics for secondary school students in the 70s and 80s.

Similarly, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described the demise of Oba Aromolaran, as a big loss not only to Ijesaland but also to the entire Oduduwa race.

Oba Ogunwusi in a statement by his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, said Oba Aromolaran was a visionary leader with profound impacts on the people of Ijesaland, Osun State, and the Yoruba nation as a whole.

Ooni further said Oba Aromolaran’s departure notwithstanding a great loss to Nigeria, should be celebrated based on the rich legacy he left behind, which would continue to inspire generations to come.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday vowed that he wouldn’t support Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in his political life again.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, accusing the governor of lying against him.

“I will never support Fubara in my political life again,” Wike said. “Anybody knows me, it’s not about me. People laboured to put up a structure.

“People laboured, you wouldn’t have even taken the 50th position. I sacrificed to talk to the Ogonis, I sacrificed to talk to several other people that let us go this way.

“You turned it that I am asking for N50 billion, N100 billion. You turned up lies against me, I brought you up, put you here. Today, I turned to be over demanding.”

Political Structure
During the show, the former Rivers governor emphasised the need for political structure to be preserved and maintained.

Wike accused his successor of denying that he rose through a platform, describing Fubara’s action as being unfair.

“In every political family, you run election under people and people believe that we are all together. We must have to keep our political structure.

“There is nobody that has ever said that you will kill your… Your rose through somewhere, why do you deny it? It’s unfair and you want me to sit down,” he stated.

When asked about his demands to Fubara, the FCT Minister said he only told the governor not to abandon the people that toiled hard for him to get to that position.

He added, “We are all humans, ingratitude is bad, it doesn’t matter what anybody can label it.”

Rivers State has been embroiled in crisis after a strained relationship between Governor Fubara and Wike, his erstwhile political godfather and former governor of the state.

Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently serves as a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister under President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the height of the crisis last year, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly dumped the PDP for the APC. The lawmakers, led by the Speaker, are loyal to Wike and accused Governor Fubara of starving them of funds.

The lawmakers have also been having a strained relationship with the governor and attempted to impeach him in the heat of the political crisis in the state before President Bola Tinubu intervened and invited the feuding parties to Abuja which gave birth to an eight-point resolution.

– Channels TV

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the former correspondent of The Guardian in the state, Mr. Charles Coffie Gyamfi, as a thoroughbred professional who positively impacted society.

Mr. Gyamfi died in Abeokuta today, September 13.

Governor Abiodun, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, described Gyamfi’s death as a great loss to the journalism profession.

He condoled with the family of the deceased as well as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State chapter, urging them to take solace in the fact that he left an indelible mark as a professional whose name will continue to reverberate in society.

“His contributions to the field of journalism were both significant and impactful, and his absence will be profoundly felt within the profession.

“He was a journalist who dedicated his life to shedding light on important issues and events, advocating for truth and integrity in reporting.

“His unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and his passion for the truth marked him out. He demonstrated exceptional professionalism and a keen ability to connect with his audience.

“He reported on a wide range of topics as a state correspondent of The Guardian, traversing the nooks and crannies of our dear state, always approaching his work with a sense of responsibility and a deep understanding of the power of the written word.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with whom he had a strong affiliation.”

Tragedy struck on Thursday evening when a commercial bus plunged into the Ovia River in Edo State, leaving multiple passengers trapped and others dead.

The Edo State Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed that six persons were rescued, while two corpses were recovered from the river.

According to Mr. Cyril Mathew, Edo Sector Commander of the FRSC, “Six people were rescued, while one was recovered dead yesterday. Another body was recovered today.”

However, he noted that the chances of survival for the remaining passengers trapped in the river are slim, given the time that has elapsed since the accident occurred.

The rescue mission, which began on Thursday, continued into Friday, with divers engaged to help recover the bodies. However, negotiations are ongoing, as the divers are requesting N2 million to carry out the recovery.

The accident occurred at about 4:20 pm on Thursday when a bus traveling from Lagos to Port Harcourt veered off the highway and plunged into the river. According to passengers who survived the crash, the driver lost control of the bus after experiencing brake failure.

In a desperate attempt to avoid colliding with vehicles in front, the driver veered into the opposite lane, leaving the Ore-Benin-Lagos route and crossing over to the Benin-Ore road. However, due to the speed of the vehicle, the driver was unable to regain control, causing the bus to hit a pavement and plunge into the river.

The FRSC has urged caution and vigilance on the roads, as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.

“Unfortunately, the chances of survival of the remaining passengers in the river are slim, given that the accident occurred yesterday evening. We have engaged divers to help recover the bodies, but negotiations are ongoing,” Mr. Mathew said.

“The divers are asking for N2 million to carry out the recovery,” he added.

Mr. Mathew further explained, “According to passengers who survived the crash, the driver lost control of the bus after experiencing brake failure. In a desperate attempt to avoid colliding with vehicles in front, the driver veered into the opposite lane, leaving the Ore-Benin-Lagos route and crossing over to the Benin-Ore road.”

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja, inaugurated a 16-member committee on consequential adjustments in salaries, to deliberate on issues arising from provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.

Inaugurating the committee, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Head of Service of the Federation, said the decision by the government became imperative so as to maintain a fair and equitable salary structure for the federal civil servants.

Walson-Jack said the decision was as a result of the minimum wage, which was now fixed at N70,000 representing 133.33 per cent increase from the previous minimum wage of N30,000

“Consequently, there is a need to adjust the salaries of other categories of staffers, taking into consideration the consequential effect of the new minimum wage.

“To implement the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, the Federal Government approved the constitution of a committee on consequential adjustments in salaries comprising 16 members.

“This is made up of eight members each from the Federal Government and Trade Union sides, ” she said.

The committee on the government side chaired by Didi Walson-Jack has Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC),

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Permanent Secretary, General Service Office (OSGF), as members.

Others were Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (OHCSF),

Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation,

Secretary, National Assembly Service Commission,

On the Labour Side, the committee has Comrade Benjamin Anthony – National Chairman – JNPSNC (TUS) and National Vice President NLC, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, National President, NCSU and National Vice President NLC,

Comrade Roselyn Uba Anarah National President – NUPSRAW.

The others are Comrade Kabiru Minjibir – National President – MHWUN, Comrade Michael Nnachi – National President, NAMMN, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga – (Ag) National Secretary – JNPSNC.

The HOS listed the terms of reference of the committee to include; to negotiate and agree on the consequential adjustments in salaries arising from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.

The committee would also develop the template for ease of implementation of the approved N70,000 minimum wage.

“It is crucial for us to recognise the significance of this assignment, and with a focus on maintaining industrial peace and harmony.

“I am confident that we will execute it in the best interests of the public service and the nation as a whole, ” she said.

Mr Benjamin Anthony, National Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, who responded on behalf of labour, thanked the government for the decision, which he described as a ‘stepping stone’ to finalise discussion on the minimum wage.

“We on the labour side wish to appreciate the government for coming up with this committee to ensure that we discuss on the consequential adjustment, to ensure payment of salaries based on the new minimum wage.

“For us we believe it is a stepping stone and we are going to work together with the government side to ensure that we bring a fair and a sincere discussion for the Nigerian workers.

“I believe that this will also consolidate our synergy with the government to continue to work together for the betterment of Nigerian workers, ” he said.

The Naira continued its downward trend on Friday, depreciating to N1,660 per dollar in the parallel market.

This represents a slight decline from the N1,655 per dollar traded on Thursday.

In a similar vein, the Naira depreciated to N1,546.41 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Friday. According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell from N1,649.76 per dollar on Thursday, indicating a marginal appreciation of N103.35 for the Naira.

However, the gap between the parallel market and NAFEM rates widened significantly, increasing to N113.59 per dollar from N5.24 per dollar the previous day. This growing disparity highlights the ongoing instability in the foreign exchange market.

The Adamawa State government has extended the resumption of schools for the first term of the 2024/2025 academic session by two weeks.

This decision was made in response to an alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) regarding impending floods in some local government areas of the state.

According to a circular released on Friday September 13, 2024, all Zonal Directors, Initiating Principals, and Principals have been directed to comply with the new resumption date.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, Bilsan Panuel, disclosed this in a statement.

The statement read, “With reference to the above subject matter, I hereby write to inform you that the First Term 2024/2025 Academic Session resumption date is now September 30, 2024.”

It added that the extension was “due to the anticipated flood disaster that we will be experiencing. Please adhere strictly to the above information.”

The National Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), has notified healthcare providers and the public of the counterfeit Mabthera 500mg/50ml with batch number N7458B07 currently in circulation in Nigeria.

NAFDAC, in a release categorised as a Public Alert No. 037/2024. Alert, confirmed the circulation of the pharmaceutical product in Nigeria, noting that the marketing authorisation holder, Roche received a call from a patient to enquire about the genuineness of the product before purchasing it.

According to the statement, it was discovered that the product pack had discrepancies from the Mabthera distributed by Roche in Nigeria.

“Roche investigated the complaint sample picture and displayed complaint samples that were compared to a batch corresponding with a retained sample in the Turkish makeup presentation.

“It was confirmed the genuine product of Mabthera vials 500mg/50ml, batch number N7458B07 was distributed by Roche to Turkiye in February 2021 which expired in November 2022 and was never shipped into Nigeria.

Significant differences were also found regarding the packaging material.

“The folding boxes and the Tamper Evident labels do not correspond to genuine Roche MabThera packaging material. The English text printed on the packaging material seems to be an automatic translation from Turkish to English (e.g. with the use of a translation tool).”

The statement further read, “MabThera can be used for the treatment of children and adolescents, 6 months of age and older, with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, specifically CD20 positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL)/Burkitt leukemia (mature B-cell acute leukemia) (BAL) or Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL).”

Meanwhile, healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or send an email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

– Leadership

Heavy flooding has wreaked havoc in Azuoto, Okpuitumo Community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi, destroying many farmlands and people’s property worth millions of naira

The Ogun State government has announced that the screening examination for admission into seven Government Science and Technical Colleges and one Government Technical and Vocational College will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 14, 2024.

The examination will be held at Government Technical College, Idi-Aba, beginning at 8:00 AM.

This screening is part of the admission process for the 2024/2025 academic session and is aimed at enrolling students into a three-year programme that culminates in the award of either a National Technical Certificate (NTC) or a National Business Certificate (NBC).

According to a statement issued by Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, the examination is open to candidates who have completed their registration through the Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda (OGSERA).

Candidates are required to present their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examination Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECOSSCE), or equivalent qualifications.

They should also bring a printout of their registration forms, photocopies of their credentials, and writing materials to ensure a smooth examination process.

The statement emphasized that all necessary arrangements have been made to facilitate a successful screening. Candidates are encouraged to adhere to proper conduct during the examination. Best wishes have been extended to all participants for a successful outcome.

The statement further noted, “We are committed to ensuring a seamless and efficient screening process. Candidates should arrive on time and come prepared with all required documents and materials. Our goal is to provide equal opportunities for all applicants and to support their educational aspirations.”

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a N100 million AI Fund aimed at boosting local startups in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, during the Global Inclusivity and AI Africa conference hosted by the US Department of State in collaboration with the Nigerian government.

Tijani revealed that the fund, created in partnership with Google and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), will initially support ten innovative AI projects.

Each selected startup will receive up to N10 million, along with access to Google’s AI tools, mentorship, and a global network designed to accelerate their growth.

The fund is intended to address key sectors such as healthcare, education, financial inclusion, and governance, showcasing AI’s potential to drive transformative change.

Tijani highlighted the role of AI in revolutionizing various fields and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to harness its full potential.

The conference, which gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and academics from Africa and the United States, focused on leveraging AI for development across education, health, agriculture, and more.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell underscored Africa’s growing role in global technology and called for sustainable AI policies and frameworks to ensure safe and equitable development.

The initiative aligns with broader goals to foster innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth through AI in Nigeria and across the continent.

On Friday, the Federal Government officially began the dredging of the Ogun River, starting from its Lagos State end near Ikorodu, extending down to Isheri, as part of efforts to mitigate the persistent flooding affecting communities along this stretch in both Ogun and Lagos states.

During the flag-off ceremony, Deji Ashiru, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, outlined the significance of the 10-kilometre dredging project.

He explained that the initiative aims to widen and deepen the river, thereby increasing its water-carrying capacity and reducing the risk of flooding.

“This project is expected to last six months, and it will not only improve the river’s ability to handle larger volumes of water but also help prevent incidents such as dam failures, like the one that recently occurred in Maiduguri, Borno State,” Ashiru said.

He emphasized that the Federal Government’s decision to undertake this project demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while proactively addressing flood-related issues across the country.

Ashiru clarified that contrary to widespread belief, the release of water from the Oyan Dam is not the sole cause of flooding along the Isheri axis and other Ogun communities.

He pointed out that 52 tributaries contribute significantly to the rising water levels in the Ogun River.

“The Oyan Dam, which is maintained daily and in excellent condition, has been releasing water in a controlled manner since March, yet there have been no reported cases of flooding,” he explained.

Speaking on the broader flooding history of the region, Ashiru noted, “The frequent flooding in the Isheri area and downstream sections of the Ogun River has caused significant damage and hardship for the affected communities. While water releases from the Oyan Dam have often been blamed, we must recognize that 52 tributaries also play a major role in increasing water levels.”

He added that the Oyan Dam plays a crucial role in erosion control by regulating water flows, but recent weather patterns and the dam collapse in Borno State have underscored the need for proactive flood control measures.

“To prepare for the expected high water volumes in the coming months, the Federal Government, through the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, has taken preventive measures by gradually releasing water from the Oyan Dam. This dredging project, beginning from Ikorodu to Isheri, will enhance water flow into the lagoon and create a more efficient drainage path, significantly reducing the risk of floods,” Ashiru said.

Ashiru called on local residents to cooperate with the contractors to ensure smooth operations and the timely completion of the project.

In response, the Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for addressing the long-standing issue of flooding in the area.

He emphasized the importance of the Ogun River to the historical and economic life of the Awori people.

“The Ogun River is central to our history and economy, but flooding has always been our major challenge. We sincerely thank the Federal Government for initiating this dredging project, and we pledge our full support to see it through to completion,” said Oba Bamgbade.

Other leaders from the adjoining communities, including Mr. Olanrewaju Falade, Chairman of the Lagos/Ogun River Basin Communities Association, and Youth Leader Eshinlokun Ajibola, also expressed their appreciation and commitment to supporting the project’s success.

The Osun State Fire Service confirmed on Friday that five lives were lost in a fatal accident involving a gas tanker and a commercial bus along the Ife/Ibadan Expressway in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The tragic accident, which occurred on Thursday, left many commuters trapped, with first responders working frantically to rescue survivors.

According to the spokesperson for the Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kehinde Adeleke, 17 people were aboard the commercial bus when the crash took place.

Providing an update on the situation, Osun State Fire Service spokesman Ibrahim Adekunle stated that five passengers—two men, two women, and a toddler—were found dead at the scene.

“On Thursday, September 12, 2024, a gas tanker overran a commercial bus, popularly known as ‘Sabo-Lagere,’ carrying an unspecified number of passengers. Both vehicles swerved off the road into a ditch along the Ibadan Express Road, Ajebandele, Ile-Ife,” the statement read.

Adekunle further explained, “The incident was reported to our Ile-Ife Zonal Command around 12 noon. Our team, alongside the FRSC Ile-Ife Zonal Command led by SRC Kenny Olorundare and local residents, worked tirelessly to recover the victims from the wreckage. Unfortunately, five passengers, including two men, two women, and a toddler, were recovered dead and taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital morgue.”

Describing the accident as both tragic and preventable, the Director of the Osun State Fire Service, Mr. Ismail Olaniyi, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the Ile-Ife community.

He urged for greater road safety awareness to avoid such incidents in the future.