JUST IN: Fire guts 7-storey building in Lagos

JUST IN: Fire guts 7-storey building in Lagos

Tragedy struck early Friday morning as a fire ravaged a 7-storey building housing several shops on Sanni Adewale Street in Lagos Island Local Government Area, Lagos State.

Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as of press time.

The fire, which reportedly started around 5:17 a.m., caused panic in the area as residents scrambled for safety.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is actively working to extinguish the blaze, which has already destroyed items valued at millions of naira.

According to Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, firefighters from the Ebute Elefun, Sari, and Lekki 1 stations were dispatched immediately after receiving a distress call and arrived at the scene by 5:33 a.m.

As of 7.am, Adeseye said, “Thanks to the swift actions of the Lagos State Firefighters, the situation is now under control.

“Ventilation efforts are currently underway to ensure the safety of all in the area.

“Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by an electrical surge. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.”

The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion plan at Ikeja Along bus stop, located between Ile Zik and Conoil Petrol Station on the Oshodi-bound lane. The diversion will be in effect from 12 midnight to 4:00 a.m. each night, starting Saturday and lasting through Sunday.

According to Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Commissioner for Transportation, the diversion is necessary to facilitate the demolition of the old pedestrian bridge by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). During this period, only one lane will be available for motorists traveling from Ile Zik bus stop to Conoil Petrol Station on the Oshodi-bound side to ensure safety.

The diversion will not impact traffic on the Dopemu/Abule Egba-bound side of the road. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be present to manage traffic flow and minimize disruptions.

Osiyemi urged motorists to cooperate and follow the traffic management instructions during the demolition. The affected lanes will be secured with jersey barriers and protective nets to ensure the safety of both motorists and commuters.

Continue ReadingNewsFG hopes on new satellite, NigComSat-2 to revive economyPublished 4 hours ago on August 16, 2024By Charles Flames

The Nigerian government is preparing to launch a new satellite, NigComSat-2, which is expected to significantly impact various sectors of the economy. The announcement was made by Aisha Bantam, Assistant General Manager of Communications at Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), during a capacity training session for journalists. According to Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director and CEO of NIGCOMSAT, the government is fully committed to this project due to its potential to advance Nigeria’s space capabilities and drive economic growth.

Although the timeline for the satellite’s launch was not disclosed, Bantam assured that it would occur as soon as possible. NigComSat-2 is anticipated to enhance NIGCOMSAT’s ability to provide high-speed communication services both within Nigeria and internationally. The satellite will support a range of applications including broadband internet, telemedicine, e-learning, and will also serve critical sectors like agriculture, security, health, and education.

Nigeria’s history with satellite technology has been challenging. The country initially invested $340 million in NigComSat-1, which was launched on May 13, 2007. Unfortunately, the satellite experienced technical failures and was de-orbited in November 2008. A replacement, NigComSat-1R, was launched on December 19, 2011, following a contract with China Great Wall Industry Corporation. This satellite is expected to continue its service until 2026.

Despite the launch of NigComSat-1R, there has been a lack of political will to follow up with additional satellites, and many government agencies and businesses have preferred foreign satellite services. This has led to underutilization of NigComSat-1R. For instance, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) opted for a foreign Eutelsat service rather than using the indigenous satellite.

However, Egerton-Idehen expressed optimism about the government’s renewed commitment to satellite technology, highlighting the importance of having backup satellites and the role they play in various critical areas. She also acknowledged the media’s crucial role in promoting the satellite communication industry and educating the public on its benefits.

Overall, the upcoming NigComSat-2 represents a significant step for Nigeria’s space and communication capabilities, aiming to address past issues and support the country’s socio-economic development.

Continue ReadingNewsFG has turned Nigerians into beggars through palliatives —Afe BabalolaPublished 5 hours ago on August 16, 2024By Charles Flames

Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has criticized the Federal Government’s approach to distributing palliatives, describing it as a misguided attempt that only exacerbates poverty and turns Nigerians into beggars.

Speaking during a thank-you visit by the Prestige Sisters League at the ABUAD campus, Babalola expressed strong disapproval of the government’s use of food items like garri, beans, and rice as palliatives, arguing that this approach undermines self-sufficiency and discourages productive work.

Babalola highlighted the widespread hunger and unrest in the country, emphasizing that the protests over hunger are genuine and should be heeded by the government. He pointed out that the failure to secure farms and the safety of farmers has contributed significantly to the current hunger crisis.

Additionally, Babalola supported the Patriots’ call for a new constitution but disagreed with the need for a constitutional conference.

He proposed that the parliament should simply reenact the 1963 constitution, which he believes was more representative of the people’s will. Babalola referenced President Bola Tinubu’s recent move to restore the old National Anthem without a conference as a precedent for this approach.