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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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Emir Sanusi Seeks Compensation, Reallocation of Demolished Eid Ground Stalls

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The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has appealed to the Kano State Government to compensate traders affected by the demolition of shops at the Filin Idi market in Kofar Mata, Kano, and reallocate stalls to enable them to resume their businesses.

Professor Ibrahim Muazzam Mai Bushira disclosed this during a special prayer session organised by traders affected by the demolition at the Eid Ground in Kofar Mata, where participants prayed for divine intervention and government assistance to alleviate their hardship.

According to Mai Bushira, the Emir has written to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, requesting compensation for the affected traders and appealing for measures to address the economic losses they have suffered following the demolition.

He expressed hope that Almighty Allah would reward the Emir for his intervention and urged Governor Yusuf to consider the demands of the traders to enable them to rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.

Mai Bushira said the demolition had caused severe hardship among traders, many of whom depended on their shops as their primary sources of income. He added that some affected individuals had reportedly died, while others had developed high blood pressure following the destruction of their businesses and the resulting economic difficulties.

He explained that the prayer session was organised to seek Allah’s intervention in their predicament and pray for the restoration of their livelihoods, noting that the destruction of the shops had adversely affected the lives of many families who depended on the market for survival.

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Speaking at the gathering, Professor Ahmad Muhammad of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD), described Kano as a major commercial centre and called on the Kano State Government to pay attention to the plight of the affected traders and the economic implications of the demolition.

Professor Muhammad also appealed to international entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to support the development of the market, stressing that the destruction of the shops had resulted in substantial financial losses running into billions of naira.

He urged the government to consider establishing a modern market at the location, arguing that the Filin Idi market was not merely a trading centre for Kano but also an important commercial destination for traders from different parts of Nigeria and across Africa.

According to him, the market provides livelihoods for more than one million people, directly and indirectly, making its reconstruction and rehabilitation important to the economic well-being of Kano and its trading community.

The professor further stressed the need for a sustainable solution that would enable displaced traders to return to business, restore commercial activities and protect the economic interests of the large population that depended on the market.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the affected traders’ association, Auwal Said Umar, expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah and Emir Sanusi II for their support and intervention in the traders’ situation.

Umar said many of the affected traders were currently unable to engage in their usual commercial activities because their shops had been demolished, leaving them without the means to sustain their businesses and families.

He disclosed that the market previously had about 700 blocks of shops before the demolition, adding that many traders lacked the financial capacity to reconstruct their businesses without assistance from the government.

The association chairman said the government had allocated 75 stalls for reconstruction but appealed for an increase in the number to accommodate more affected traders and enable them to return to their businesses.

Umar called on the Kano State Government to provide additional support, stressing that the existing allocation was insufficient to address the needs of the large number of traders who lost their shops during the demolition.

The traders urged the government to work with their association and other relevant stakeholders to develop a lasting solution that would provide adequate trading spaces, restore commercial activities and ease the economic hardship caused by the demolition.

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Gombe flags off the disbursement of the second batch of the AGILE Conditional Cash Transfer

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Gombe State Government has flagged-off the distribution of ATM cards to Adolescent Girls in public schools under the Conditional Cash Transfer,CCT of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE Project.

Speaking at the flagging off of the disbursement at Government Junior Secondary School Malamsidi central in Kwami Local Government area, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari said the disbursement of the CCT is part of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s zeal and passion for the girl child education in the state.

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She said the concept is also geared towards supporting parents to cater for their children to remain in schools up to completion of their secondary education.

Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari then assured the students that the government will continue to bring more educational policies that will further support students to pursue education with ease.

Earlier, the project coordinator of the AGILE, Dr. Amina Abdul noted that with the disbursement of the second cohort of the conditional cash transfer, the project was able to record significant improvement in enrollment and retention of students in schools across the state.

The project coordinator therefore urged parents to utilize the funds judiciously through supporting the education of their children.

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‎China, Nigeria Mark Friendship with Joint Cultural Mural

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‎A colourful mural celebrating both China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day has been unveiled at an overseas project site, serving as a vivid symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
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‎The artwork, jointly produced by Chinese and Nigerian staff, features builders dressed in traditional Chinese costumes and Nigerian ethnic attire holding hands and dancing together.
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Above them, fireworks and white doves of peace illuminate the sky, while the inscription “10.1” highlights the dual significance of October 1, the China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day.
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‎On the left side of the mural, ancient Chinese architecture, red lanterns and auspicious cloud motifs showcase Chinese heritage.
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On the right, red earth, coconut palms and African drums reflect Nigeria’s cultural identity. Flowing ribbons weave across the painting, symbolising unity and shared destiny.
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‎Project officials described the mural as a “living testament” to cooperation at the frontline of development. They said it embodies mutual trust and support as workers from both countries overcome challenges together.
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‎The initiative underscores cultural integration and partnership, with both sides pledging to continue working hand in hand to strengthen ties.
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“Celebrating two festivals as one, we march forward with one heart,” a statement read, emphasising the commitment to write new chapters of friendship along the path of cooperation.
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‎The mural, rooted in the overseas project site, stands as a reminder of the brotherly bond between China and Nigeria, and the shared vision of building together for a brighter future.

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