Rivers State jetty fire kills at least 10 adults, children

An explosion at the Nembe-Bonny Jetty Waterfront in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has killed at least 10 people, including a pregnant woman and three children, with many others also sustaining burns and injuries, following the incident that took place on Monday.

John, an eyewitness, reported that over 40 people, including children, were transporting stolen petroleum products from the Kula community to Port Harcourt using a boat when a cigarette smoker threw his cigarette butt into the sea and unfortunately, a significant amount of oil had spilt into the water resulting to the fire outbreak.

Those who sustained burns from the incident were rushed to the hospital, while boat operators and business owners were seen trying to save valuable items, from the flames spread across the jetty, engulfing boats, shops, and wares nearby.

NAMA Staff Dies On-duty At Abuja Airport

A staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), Aniekan Effiong, slumped and died on duty on Monday.

Effiong, who is an Air Traffic Controller at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, reportedly slumped due to the vehicular restrictions to the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) site, while at his duty post but, could not be rushed to the hospital.

NAMA has confirmed the death of the officer, saying Effiong was a hardworking and dedicated staff who died at the prime of his career, adding that he will be missed by the general manager, Public Affairs, Khalid Emele, and the entire NAMA community. 

$200m mosquito net loan for malaria eradication in 13 states – Health minister

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Monday, said the $200 million funds widely said to be for the procurement of malaria net was in fact for the malaria eradication programme in 13 states.

The minister stated this during a media briefing on the COVID-19 response in Abuja to clarify the situation due to the ongoing rumours concerning the fund.

It was reported that the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans, on Tuesday, kicked against the proposal by the Federal Ministry of Health to borrow $200 million under the Malaria Programme to buy mosquito nets in the 2022 budget.

Ehanire explained that the United States of America and the global health fund had promised to provide support for the eradication of malaria in some states while adding that the fund was not just for the purchase of mosquito nets but the eradication of malaria in the 13 states. 

Buhari Approves February 2022 For APC National Convention

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved February 2022 for the conduct of the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, announced this on Monday in Abuja, while briefing the State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in the nation’s capital.

Governor Bagudu who was accompanied to the villa by the Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as well as Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, told the State House correspondents that the governors resolved that the convention should hold in February 2022 and the same suggestion was proposed to the President for approval.

He, however, stated that that party’s leadership was yet to decide on a specific date to conduct its national convention, adding that the party would notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while it works out a timetable.

ICPC Arraigns LG Chairman in Abuja Over Alleged N10m Bribery 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Adamu Danze, for allegedly receiving N10 million kickback from a contractor handling construction projects in the area council.

Danze was arraigned by the Commission before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 4 on allegations of corruption bordering on abuse of office and gratification, but pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him while the warrant was subsequently dismissed by the trial judge after a plea by the defence Counsel, Abdul Mohammed.

Counsel to ICPC, Michael Adesola, in his counter-argument, averred that the accused was very deliberate in his actions of ignoring court sittings as he was duly served all proceedings since last year and also opposing the bail application, prayed the court to remand the accused in a correctional facility to prevent him from interfering and intimidating witnesses, some of whom were employees in the area council.

Justice Kekemeke, having listened to both counsels, held that the defendant cannot jump bail based on his current position and admitted Danze to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety in like sum while the case was adjourned until March 1, 2022, for trial.