News
UNIBEN Students Rescued from Collapsed Building
The Edo State Government has confirmed that all students trapped in a collapsed three-storey building near the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have been successfully rescued.
According to the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, there were no fatalities, and the state has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the causes behind the collapse.
In addition, an audit of surrounding buildings will be conducted to evaluate their structural integrity and prevent future accidents.
The building, located on Ekhator Street, off Ekosodin Road in Ugbowo, Benin City, collapsed following a heavy downpour.
Emergency responders, including the Edo State Fire Service and officials from the state’s Command and Control Centre, swiftly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations.
Heavy machinery, such as excavators, were deployed to clear the debris and secure the area.
The government has placed personnel at the site to monitor the situation and provide continuous updates as the clean-up continues.
Osagie praised the efforts of the emergency teams and the local community members who assisted in the rescue efforts.
The governor’s office expressed gratitude for the swift and courageous actions taken to manage the crisis.
All the rescued students are receiving medical attention, and those involved in the rescue operations are being commended for their prompt response.
In a related statement, the management of the University of Benin confirmed that three of its students were rescued from the rubble.
The university spokesperson, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, mentioned that two of the students have been transferred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), while one remains in stable condition at the institution’s Health Centre.
Dr. Ehanire explained that the collapse was likely triggered by a prolonged rainstorm that started the previous day.
She also assured the public that the university is closely monitoring the students’ recovery and praised the rescue teams, which included the university’s security, fire service staff, students, and local police, for their heroic efforts.
The university extended its best wishes for a speedy recovery to the affected students, emphasizing the importance of taking steps to ensure the safety of other buildings in the area.
This tragic incident has prompted concerns over the quality of construction in certain parts of the city, leading the government to take proactive measures in addressing building standards and ensuring the safety of residents, especially in areas prone to structural vulnerabilities.
The investigation into the building’s collapse will aim to uncover any negligence or faulty construction practices, with the goal of preventing similar incidents in the future.
Local authorities are urging residents to report any signs of structural distress in buildings around them, as part of a larger initiative to avoid further accidents caused by unsafe constructions.
The state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens remains strong, with ongoing efforts to bolster emergency response systems and infrastructure assessments across the region.
Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the 2023 election results, claiming that the results Peter Obi received were “written” and allocated to him by the commission.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Okonkwo criticized INEC for failing to upload the polling unit results to its portals, as required by law, over two years after the election. He argued that while Obi allegedly won over a million votes in Lagos State, INEC reduced his total, and he claimed that the results from Rivers State were altered to favor the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There’s no explanation for it until today,” he said. “The results were written and allocated to Obi. Go to Rivers State and check.”
When reminded that the Supreme Court ruling declared Bola Tinubu and the APC as the legitimate winners, Okonkwo dismissed the ruling, explaining that the court only found insufficient evidence to support claims of fraud. “The court is not telling you they didn’t write the results,” he said. “It’s telling you that there was no evidence to prove they did.”
Okonkwo also defended his party’s inability to place polling agents at every polling unit, acknowledging that the law does not expect every party to have the resources for such an extensive operation. He emphasized, however, that if INEC were truly impartial, there would be no need for agents in every unit. “INEC received 400 billion naira to organize the election in Nigeria,” he pointed out.
Former Abia State Governor and current Senator for Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged the South East to take full advantage of the benefits that come with being part of the country’s mainstream political landscape.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Kalu expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu was dissatisfied with the 4% vote he received in Abia State during the 2023 presidential election. He pointed out that this was troubling, especially given the strong presence of APC personalities in Abia at the time.
Kalu called on APC members to unite and work towards securing victory for the party in Abia in 2027. He added that the stakeholders’ meeting he held at his Abuja residence was aimed at rallying Abia APC members and promoting unity within the party. He also clarified that Governor Alex Otti was not part of the discussions.
While Kalu avoided publicly criticizing Governor Otti, he emphasized that the people, not any individual, should determine the fate of their leaders. He recalled the 2019 elections when President Buhari secured 68% of the vote in his constituency, but President Tinubu could only manage 4% in the entire state in 2023.
Kalu concluded by stressing that the South East must align itself with the broader political environment, saying, “The South East as a whole has to belong where other Nigerians are sitting.”
APC chieftain Jesutega Onokpasa has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu, saying his administration has failed badly in delivering good governance. Speaking during an interview with Arise Television on Sunday, Onokpasa warned that if Tinubu’s performance does not improve, he could end up serving only one term.
Onokpasa also spoke about Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who he revealed is his cousin, and questioned the significance of his recent move to the APC. According to him, Oborevwori’s defection adds no real value to either the party or the state.
He stressed that instead of celebrating defections, the APC should focus on fixing the country and governing properly. “It’s not about people joining our party,” he said. “It’s about whether we are ruling well. In that sense, we have failed badly.”
Onokpasa accused Tinubu of failing to address the country’s hardship, saying the president has not been able to provide food or ease the suffering of Nigerians. Speaking on his cousin’s switch to the APC, he said, “Governor Oborevwori did not even inform me before defecting. I have no idea why he joined us, but I wish him well.”
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