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Fire Outbreak:Nigeria Lost N3 Trillion In 2021

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Nigeria lost N3 trillion to 2,845 fire outbreaks in 2021, Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola has said.

Aregbesola made this known on Wednesday while decorating the newly promoted Deputy Controllers-General (DCGs) of the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

The minister also said that the FFS saved properties worth N18.9 trillion, 587 lives and rescued 260 persons from raging fire.

He said that in 2021, the FSS responded to 2,845 SOS distress-calls.

“In sum, the stock of the FSS has grown in leaps and bounds as the agency has contributed significantly to national security in the protection of lives and property,” he said.

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Aregbesola noted that the reason for achieving such feat was because between 2015 and now, the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari committed more resources into the service compared to since its creation in 1901.

“The attention and resources devoted by the Buhari administration since 2015 is more than whatever has been put into it since its establishme in 1901.

“Between 2015 and 2020, the Federal Government provided 106 modern firefighting trucks to the service.

“In 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved the procurement of some equipment and have since been procured and deployed.

“N10.4 billion infrastructure upgrade comprising of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines (not conventional ones) that can go into the nooks and crannies to respond to distress-calls and 20 basic life support ambulances,” he said.

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He also said that 17 firefighting officers were sent to Belarus for advanced trainer-training course.

These officers, he said, are the master trainers that will be training other officers on modern firefighting, disaster and emergency management.

Aregbesola commended the immediate past Controller-General of the service, Alhaji Liman Ibrahim, for his visionary leadership and invaluable contribution to the service, saying he will miss working with him.

“I must not fail to commend and thank the erstwhile C-G, for his innovation, industry and perspicacity. He is the human instrument of the revolutionary changes at the FSS.

“His capacity to grasp issues and policies and make them actionable is legendary. I will miss working with him. I thank him for his invaluable services to the nation through the FSS.

”I pray that he will be happy and fulfilled in retirement and have resounding success in his endeavours,” Aregbesola added.

The minister condemned the rising incidents of criminals, hoodlums and touts who indulge in attacking firemen and their equipment while attending to fire emergencies.

He, however, noted that the service had now developed capacity to effectively contain and deter them.

One sad reoccurring phenomenon, he added, is touts and miscreants attacking firemen and their equipment whenever they respond to fire emergencies.

“This is deplorable and totally condemned.

“For this purpose, we have worked out modalities on armed escorts accompanying firemen on assignment, for the protection of their lives and the equipment,” the minister stressed.

Aregbesola congratulated the newly decorated DCGs, adding that DCG Karibo Samson will continue to lead in acting capacity until a substantive Controller-General was appointed.

“I will like to congratulate the newly appointed Acting C-G and DCGs being decorated, Karibo Samson, Jaji Abdulganiyu, Agunloye Oluokun and Agu Kanny.

Samson, he added, will mount the saddle of the service in acting capacity until a substantive CG is appointed.

“It is of particular interest to me when the acting C-G said he joined the service as a fireman. It means the service is an equal opportunity employer; every fireman has the potential to become the CG.”

Responding on behalf of newly promoted officers, acting C-G of the service, DCG Samson thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence reposed in them.

He promised that they would not disappoint Nigerians in discharging the statutory responsibility to the public. (NAN)

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Insecurity:Sack Service Chiefs, Pastor Adeboye Urges FG

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged the federal government to give Nigeria’s security chiefs a 90-day deadline to eliminate terrorists across the country or resign from office.

Adeboye made the call in a video shared on X on Tuesday in which he expressed concern over the country’s security situation and urged authorities to act swiftly against those responsible for the violence.

Addressing the government, the cleric said security chiefs should be held accountable for delivering results in the fight against terrorism.

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“If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, ‘Move fast and tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign,” he said.

The cleric also called on the government to go beyond targeting terrorists and focus on those financing and supporting their activities.

“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists; they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” he added.

Adeboye recalled advising a former Nigerian president to issue a similar ultimatum to security chiefs in the past, noting that although the directive was given, it was not fully enforced when the deadline elapsed.

According to him, the experience underscored the need for stronger political will and strict enforcement of directives aimed at ending insecurity.

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School Abductions: NUT Begins Nationwide Rally Today

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Public schools across Oyo State shut down Monday as teachers joined a nationwide protest called by the Nigeria Union of Teachers over the ongoing captivity of pupils and teachers abducted 18 days ago.

Armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, taking students and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

Protests erupted in Oyo and Ogun states, with residents and civil society groups demanding immediate release of the victims.

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In Ogbomoso, a distraught mother whose children were among the kidnapped broke down in tears: “Where will I start from? The children are my tomorrow. Please help me.”

Teacher Ajibola Aboderin said: “How can anyone be so heartless as to kidnap a two-year-old? This country is deteriorating.”

Compliance with the strike was reported across all 33 local government areas of Oyo State. Parents turned children away from closed schools.

The union calls on federal and state governments to intensify security efforts and secure the captives’ release.

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Press centre Food Vendor Hajiya Hadiza Is Dead

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The Kano press community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Hajiya Hadiza, a popular food vendor.

Known for her warm personality and dedication to her business, Hajiya Hadiza reportedly passed away on Monday morning after a brief illness.

News of her death spread rapidly across the Press Centre, and environs on Monday, leaving many journalists, media workers and associates in shock.

Colleagues described the development as devastating, saying her absence would be deeply felt within the media community after nearly two decades serving meals to media practitioners and members of the public .

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For years, Hajiya Hadiza’s food stand was more than a place to eat. It served as a meeting point where reporters, editors and guests gathered for meals, conversations and moments of relaxation amid their demanding schedules.

Beyond her role as a food vendor, she was widely recognized for providing employment opportunities to young women, many of whom learned valuable skills and earned a livelihood through her business.

Several journalists who spoke on the development recalled her kindness, generosity and motherly disposition. They noted that she treated customers with respect and maintained strong relationships with people from different walks of life.

Members of the NUJ Press Centre described her as an integral part of the environment, saying her contributions over the years helped shape the social fabric of the press community. They prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her eternal rest.

As tributes continue to pour in, many say Hajiya Hadiza’s legacy will endure through the countless lives she touched, the young women she empowered and the memories she created among generations of journalists who passed through the Press Centre.

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