Panic as Pipeline Explodes in Lagos

There is panic in the Ayobo, Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos Friday morning as gas pipeline exploded.

As at the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation of casualties but the explosion was said to have sent residents scampering to safety.

The area is notorious for pipeline explosions as a result of the activities of vandals who scavenge for stolen petroleum projects.

Details of this incident is this yet to unravel at the time of report

Ooni of Ife debunks separation from wife

The palace of his royal majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has debunked the news of separation between the referred monarch and his wife, Olori Naomi, alleging a possible hacking of her Instagram page.

The mother of one had taken to her Instagram page on Thursday to announce the separation from the first class Yoruba monarch.

But in his first official reaction to the claim, the 47-year-old monarch has denied any knowledge of a break up in the marriage, through his Director of Media and Strategy, Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare.

Olafare who spoke with Punch said a breakup can only be said to have taken place when the two parties involved jointly make such an announcement, insisting Kabiyesi gave his wife a Christmas gift on Wednesday evening, a day before the statement.

FG Declares Train Rides Free

The Federal Government on Friday announced that riding train across the country will now be free between December 24 to January 4, 2022.

Mr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC)  disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

“The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide. This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens move easily enjoy the festive period. Passengers are however advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.”

He also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure the safety of passengers and trains during the period.

Omicron: Again, Suspends Entry To travelers from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned entry to travelers from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria due to Omicron Covid-19 concerns.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced the suspension of all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from the four countries from Saturday, December 25, effective 7.30 am, the state news agency WAM reported on Thursday.

This includes suspending the entry of travelers who were in the four countries 14 days before coming to the UAE, while flight operations will continue to transport passengers from the UAE to the same countries.

The UAE nationals, their first degree relatives, diplomatic missions, official delegations between UAE and these countries and Golden residence holders are excluded from this decision.

Covid-19 strikes SGF Boss Mustapha’s office, 12 officials reportedly infected

It’s an emergency situation at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, where 12 personnel have been confirmed to be infected with Covid-19.

Report has it that all the affected staff were said to have been diagonized with the illness since Monday along with a senior minister in the government.

All the affected staff are said to be in isolation. The situation has spread panic in the office and the SGF and other senior officials are said to have banned entry into their offices as a precautionary measure.

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 led by the SGF had issued a directive in October stating that civil servants without proof of vaccination and negative PCR tests would not be allowed to access government buildings.

Lagos New Senior School Model, Set To Kick-Off January 2022

The Lagos State government has concluded plans to commence the newly introduced Senior Secondary School Programme with the pilot phase commencing in January next year when students return from Christmas and New Year holidays for the second term academic year.

By this development, the students will combine the regular academic subjects with real practical works in the same school.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, made this disclosure on Tuesday at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with the public and private organisations and individuals at the Gbagada area of Lagos.

She said the essence of creating the comprehensive schools across the six education districts of the state is basically to produce students, who would gain quality academic knowledge that would make them successful in their school certificate examinations for higher studies and at the same time acquire relevant skills that would provide them with the opportunities for employment and path to entrepreneurship.

2023 Elections: Osinbajo is the best person to lead Nigeria – Babangida

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the best person to lead Nigeria in 2023.

Babangida expressed the view on Thursday while receiving the Osibanjo Grassroots Organisation at his Hill Top residence in Minna, the Niger capital. He urged Osinbajo to remain focused and resilient.

The former military leader told the group that he accepted to speak to the members because of the person of the vice president and because of his conviction that Osinbajo has what it takes to lead the country.

The National Convener of the organisation, Mr Ojo Foluso, said the group was happy with Babangida ‘s endorsement.

3 Killed, 17 Rescued As Boat Capsized in Lagos

At least three people drowned, while 17 others were rescued by Marine Police when a commercial boat capsized on Badagry waterways on Wednesday.

A police source said the boat took off from Liverpool in Lagos but capsized at Imoba near Ajido on Badagry waterways, following a mechanical problem.

“As the boat stopped suddenly, it capsized, throwing all the passengers on board into the water. It was at this point that the Marine Police on waterways patrol came to rescue them. At the end of rescue operations, 17 passengers, including three children, were rescued while three of them died in the water”, the source said.”

However, Spokesperson for Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mrs Nkechi Ajayi, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident.

NBC Set To Launch Broadcast Policy Regulation Institute

The Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has concluded arrangements for the establishment of an institute for broadcast policy and regulations in the country.

Director General of the Commission, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah who announced this during a media parley in Abuja said the institute will take off with the first set of students during the first quarter of 2022.

According to the NBC DG, “the intention is to make sure that we train all broadcasters because right now, there is no institution that gives such training.

The NBC DG noted that the institution, which is going to be mandatory to all broadcasters, would be manned by professionals who would teach and train broadcasters on the ethics and codes of the profession.

Immigration Expose Planned Terrorists Attack On Abuja

The Nigeria Immigration Service has exposed plot by terrorists to attack the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The NIS said it received intelligence from the Presidency that some terrorists from Mali, want to move through the border Nigeria shares with Niger Republic to launch an attack in Abuja.

The letter dated December 23, 2021, was titled, ‘Terrorists Plan Attacks In Abuja’ and signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General Of Immigration Service, Idris Jere.

The letter was addressed to all sector commanders and border patrol corps all over the country, including those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as Immigration officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others. The Service has therefore put its officers at various border posts across the country on red alert to contain the plot.