VP Condoles With Victims Of Ibadan, Abuja, Anambra Stampedes

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

VP Kashim Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has condoled with the victims of Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra stampedes that claimed multiple lives.

This was even as the vice president described the incidents as a national tragedy and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured persons.

News Rider reports that 35 children died on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at a Christmas party in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Ibadan stampede occured at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, when the children rushed to collect their gifts, at an event organised by Wings Foundation, owned by the former wife of Oni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunseyi, in partnership with Agidigbo FM.

This followed another stampede where 29 persons mostly women, died on Saturday, December 21, in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, during the distribution of bags of rice by Obijackson Foundation owned by Anambra businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi.

In his condolence message, Shettima expressed deep sorrow over the losses, just as he offered prayers and heartfelt condolences.

"I am extremely saddened by these tragic incidents that have claimed innocent lives. My prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of all victims, including those who sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.

"I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation.

"This is not just a loss for individual states; it is a loss for the entire nation. May the Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed," he added.

Also, 10 others died in a stampede during the distribution of food items at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.

Shettima assured the affected families that the Federal Government would provide necessary support during this difficult period.

He said: "We stand ready to support the bereaved families through this difficult period, and no effort will be spared in providing the necessary assistance they need.

"We have directed relevant agencies to provide immediate support to affected families. To those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, their recovery is our priority, and we will stand with them through this challenging time."

This was contained in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.

Comments

11- month Unpaid Salaries: FG Returns EHCON To Budget Circle By 2025

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders and Staff of EHCON in a group photograph at the unveiling of EHCON’s Electronic Documentation Management Center (EDMC) in Abuja on Wednesday. The Federal Government has stated that plans are underway to return the staff of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to budgetary allocation by 2025 and facilitate the payment of 11-month unpaid salaries. Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria's (EHCON) Electronic Documentation Management Center (EDMC). The centre, which is domiciled at the headquarters of EHCON in the Federal Secretariat, was built by EHCON in partnership with Agro - Climate Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) and financed by the World Bank. News Rider reports that the staff of EHCON received their last salary in December 2023, which implied that from January to November 2024, the workforce are y...

EHCON Seals Deal With SEPHON, EPHPAN, WAHEB To Revamp Environmental, Public Health

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Dr Yakubu Baba displaying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Registrar of West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB) Mrs Bola Oladejo in Abuja on Tuesday. In line with global best practices, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed deal with strategic professional bodies to revamp environmental and public health issues across the country. They are Society for Environmental and Public Health of Nigeria (SEPHON), Environmental and Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria (EPHPAN), and West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB). Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this on Tuesday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the professional bodies in Abuja. He noted that Environmental Health (EH) is a profession recognised and established by Act 11 of Environmental Health Officers Registration Counc...

EFCC: You Do Not Change A Winning Team

By Iliyasu Gashinbaki Iliyasu Gashinbaki I have read the letter from the former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, addressed to the Chairmen of the Constitution Review Committee of both chambers of the National Assembly- Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives. I was looking for his prayers to the esteemed lawmakers on clear and unambiguous anomalies he observed in the Establishment Act of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that need legislative action in the review exercise. I must confess, I could not find any. Instead, the legal luminary made a sweeping statement that is neither rooted in facts nor verifiable evidence that “I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established. The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly. The EFCC is an unlawful organisation.” How? I have asked myself repeatedl...

News Rider

Search This Blog