Metro
Final Year Ondo Varsity Student Swept Away by Flood
The torrential rainfall of almost eight hours in Ondo State on Monday evening claimed the life of a final year female student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko Southwest local government.
The deceased simply called ‘Doyin’, an indigene of Ekiti State, was washed away to an unknown destination by flood from a canal very close to her residence.
Her landlord, Elemukona Ademola, who narrowly escaped the flood, said: “I had to climb cocoa tree when many people thought I had been carried away by the flood.’’
At the scene of the incident, the Ondo Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Gboyega Adefarati, warned citizens from building houses very close to canals. He also cautioned those who are in the habit of blocking the drainages with refuse to desist from such act as this practice lead to flooding.
The university authorities yesterday suspended lectures and tests earlier scheduled for Tuesday over the incident. A statement by the institution’s Acting Registrar, Opeolu Akinfemiwa, however, said all students should resume on Wednesday.
According to him: “The university is leaving no stone unturned in the quest to find the missing student. Divers and other volunteers have been sought to search the path of the river in a bid to find the missing under graduate.”
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Akungba, CSP Shakiru Ajibola, confirmed the incident and said three persons including a landlord of the house where the girl was carried away by flood were rescued. He noted that divers were still looking for the undergraduate in the neighbouring rivers.
Already, many roads in Akokoland had become impassable as serious erosion had affected them, especially Jubilee road, Hospital junction, Bankole road Ilepa Ikare, Okoja Awara road,Irun to Ojeka,Irun to Surulere to Oluta and Okeagbe to Afin to Eshe.
Also, travellers and residents coming in and out of Ado Ekiti were yesterday left stranded for several hours as flood again submerged the popular Ureje bridge in the state capital. The bridge is the major link to communities such as Ureje, Federal Polytechnic Ado, Afe Babalola University, some communities in Ekiti and Ondo states.
The flood that submerged the bridge yesterday made it the fourth time the bridge has been overrun by flood in the last two months. Many motorists and commuters were stranded and helpless since there were no alternative routes for them.
The bridge was swept off on the eve of the October 1, the independence day, which led to the palliative work done by the state government to allow temporary use of the bridge. A resident of Oke Ureje, Mrs. Olaniyi Rebecca, lamented that her children had gone to school on the other side of the bridge, wondering how they would return home.
Meanwhile, in Lagos State, residents of Itowolo, Ajegunle, Owode Irawo all along Ikorodu Road have urged the state government to assist concerning the flood that has ravaged the community in recent times. When The Guardian visited the affected areas, many of the residents were having unpleasant times using makeshift bridges and canoes to move freely. Some have temporarily vacated their houses.
Chief Eniola Alabo, who resides in Ajegunle urged government of Lagos and Ogun to meet and discuss on the need not to open the Oyan Dam before October. He said the Atlantic Ocean level rises in October and if the dam is opened around the period, it leads to flooding in the area.
He said: “Some years ago during the Jonathan administration, there was flooding and the president came to our area. He released N700 million to assist us. Fashola was the governor then. The state government wanted us to leave but Jonathan said no. Fashola thereafter created a relief place at Agbowa Ikosi and asked us to relocate. We sensed a foul play that it was a strategy for us to leave and turned the place to government acquired area like Maroko. Till now, we don’t know how the money was spent.
However, the Edo State government on Tuesday distributed relief materials to flood victims in five local government areas across the state, including Igueben, Egor, Oredo, Ovia South-West, Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwonde Local government council areas. Some of the distributed items include 500 bags of rice, 300 bags of beans, 300 bags of garri, 2000 cartoons of noodles, gallons of vegetable oil and palm oil.
Addressing journalists during the distribution of materials to officials of the benefitting local councils in Benin City, the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Yakubu Gowon, said the gesture was in line with the mandate to ensure that flood victims in the state were given the necessary support to alleviate their plights.
Representative of the chairman of Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Balogban Kingsley, while applauding the governor’s magnanimity, described the distribution of items as timely.
The Guardian
Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, a non-denominational ministry, on Monday opened the first ever Old People’s Home and Orphanage in Imo State.
The Seraphic Home, located in Mgbirichi, Ohaji Egbema, near Owerri, was commissioned by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who described it as a watershed in the provision of care for the elderly, needy and less privileged.
Uzodimma praised the Spiritual Director of Zion Ministry, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Obi, for “thinking home” and bringing meaningful development to the state, adding that he was delighted with the choice of Imo State for such an impactful project.
According to the governor, “Evangelist Ebuka’s decision to expand the ministry’s operations in Imo has placed the state on a path to greater global recognition” —a vision he said he had foreseen when initially allocating land for the ministry’s headquarters in Ngor Okpala.
Evangelist Ebuka Obi, in his welcome remarks, said that the home was built to provide care for orphans and the elderly, especially those without anyone to support them. He invited the elderly with no caregivers to take advantage of the facility, which offers free accommodation and care.
“This state-of-the-art facility will provide a safe and nurturing environment for orphans and elderly individuals, offering them a sense of belonging and care. The home will provide shelter, food, clothing, education, and healthcare, and ensure that the residents receive the support they need to thrive,” Evangelist Ebuka disclosed. He said that the home would provide comprehensive care for old people and orphans free of charge, adding that more of such projects would be cited in other parts of the country.
The Seraphic Orphanage and Home for the Elderly will be a safe space for vulnerable populations to receive care and support and provide opportunities for community engagement and volunteerism and a platform for skills development and capacity building for caregivers and staff, Ebuka concluded.
Zion Ministry’s Seraphic Home foundation is a non-profit charitable organization with the objective of touching and impacting lives positively and promoting the welfare of others. It runs a whole range of programmes which support disadvantaged and impoverished families by providing scholarships for different levels of Education for over 60 children yearly as well as funding for patients who are unable to afford life-sustaining treatment and pay hospital bills for various health challenges.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has received the approval of the appointment of 3 Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM), to the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The newly appointed senior officers are to fill up existing vacancies in the South South, North East, and North West geo-political zones.
The appointment marks a significant milestone in the Corps’ efforts to enhance its leadership and operational capabilities. The Officers to fill up existing vacancies are; Deputy Corps Marshal Aliyu Datsama fsi, to represent North West geopolitical zone, DCM Pauline Olaye, represents the South East geopolitical zone while DCM Attahiru T. Hassan fdc is appointed to fill up the vacancy in the North East geopolitical zone.
DCM Aliyu Datsama fsi is presently the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Special Duties and External Relations, a seasoned road safety expert who has held several positions including Sector and Zonal Commanding Officer positions in different states and Zones. On the other hand, DCM Pauline Olaye who is currently the head, Project Implementation Office at the National Headquarters of the Corps is by virtue of her new appointment, the most senior female officer in the Corps. She has held several positions of authority including the position of Assistant Corps Marshal, Special Duties and External Relations Department, as well as Zonal Commanding Officer Zone RS1HQ Kaduna.
In the same vein, DCM Attahiru Hassan fdc, is presently the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Technical Service Department. A well grounded professional road safety administrator who has held several positions amongst which include the positions of Corps Provost as well as Sector Commander.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation while speaking on the development, stated that the appointment of the seasoned professionals will bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the FRSC’s leadership team. They are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the Corps’ strategic direction and driving its mission to reduce road crashes and promote safe driving practices.
He stated that the appointment is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s drive towards rewarding excellence, diligence and hard work which is in line with the administrative philosophy of the present leadership of the Hope Agenda regime.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed equally congratulated the newly elevated Officers for their excellent performances during the exercise, noting that every promotion comes with greater responsibilities. He charged them to put in their best in the course of their duties as the new rank calls for more focus, more dedication, commitment and passion.
He admonished those who were not fortunate in this appointment year to keep faith alive and be loyal to the system.
Speaking further, the Corps Marshal promised to improve the general welfare of the personnel of the Corps. As such, he beckoned on all personnel to be of good cheer and put in great efforts towards the realisation of the corporate mandate of the Corps.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police mobile force (PMF) personnel from private individuals nationwide.
The IGP, according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, gave the directive during a meeting with PMF squadron commanders at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday.
He decried the assignment of PMF operatives to escort and guard duties for VIPs and private individuals across the country.
He also announced a series of reforms, including quarterly ethics and professionalism training, and the mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units.
In the statement, Adejobi said the move is part of the reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
“He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness,” the statement read.
“To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.”
According to the IGP, all PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel.
Egbetokun, however, urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.
