EXCLUSIVE: Tank Farm Inferno Averted as Fire Razes Shops in Lagos

THE SCENE OF THE FIRE

What would have been a major fire disaster was yesterday averted at Industrial Street, Trinity Bus-Stop, Apapa, Lagos, an area densely populated by tank farms, when concerted efforts put out a blazing inferno.

However, over 100 shops were razed and properties worth millions of naira were lost in the SpeedWell Plaza, in a late afternoon inferno caused by an electrical surge in one of the many shops located in the plaza.

SIMON KOLAWOLE ON BUHARI’S BILE

I have been dreaming of a Muhammadu Buhari presidency since 1998. I have had to endure taunts and indignation from friends and readers who tackle me over Buhari’s habitual inflammatory public statements. My faith in Buhari is based on one plank: here is an honest and disciplined leader who will not steal our money. However, Buhari’s latest ethnocentric outburst over Boko Haram does not sound right in my ears. For someone who wants to be president of 250 ethnic groups, Buhari is not carrying himself as a statesman at all. He can’t afford to talk like Junaid Mohammed or Edwin Clark.

Boko Haram Gunmen Kill 13 Persons in Borno

Boko Haram suspects

Unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members   who hid their guns inside a coffin, on Friday,  launched an attack against a group of vigilantes in  Maiduguri , the Borno State capital, , killing 13 of the youths  before being shot by security forces.  This came as the soldiers shot dead another eight suspected Boko Haram gunmen  in the town on Thursday, leaving their bodies in a ditch .

Sources said Friday’s attack targeted members of a new youth vigilante group in Maiduguri which provides information to security operatives on the activities and movement of the insurgents.

NIGERIA NAVY GOES DIGITAL ON THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AT SEA

 

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated an ICT intelligence centre at NNS VICTORY, Calabar as a means of monitoring on-shore and off-shore activities in the Gulf of Guinea. The facility will also help in tracking down pirates, smugglers, pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves.

NIGERIAN NAVY DONATES HOUSES TO WIDOWS OF DECEASED NAVAL PILOTS

 

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba has made good his promise to ensure that welfare of personnel and their families is taken seriously. This resolve was displayed recently as the CNS on behalf of the Nigerian Navy donated houses to the widows of Commander Murtala Mohammed Daba and Lieutenant Adeyemi Olukayode Sowole who died in the Helicopter crash of 15 December 2012 at Bayelsa State.

SANUSI'S MISTRESS SAGA: SEARCHING SANUSI by SIMON KOLAWOLE

A story appeared on a news website last week suggesting that the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had flouted certain recruitment rules and allowed conflict of interest to overshadow his better sense of discretion. CBN’s denial was a bit weak and contradictory. I expect further clarification on this matter. I do not know if Sanusi is guilty or not, or if the purported offence is worth punishing at all, but these allegations are worth investigating all the same. A critical part of institution-building is making sure rules, regulations and procedures are properly followed.

Nadal Wins Eighth French Open Title

Rafael Nadal raises his arms after beating David Ferrer

Rafael Nadal has won the French Open for a record-breaking eighth time with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over David Ferrer. The 27-year-old became the first man to win a Grand Slam title on eight occasions. Nadal broke his fellow Spaniard's serve early in the first set, but Ferrer fought hard in his first major final.

SIMON KOLAWOLE: Made in Nigeria, Enjoyed Worldwide

Simon Kolawole Live!: Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com

One of my secret fantasies, let me divulge it this morning, is to fly to Europe someday and see Oando gas stations along the road, Dangote spaghetti at the supermarkets, Glo SIM cards at the corner shops and Ezekiel Izuogu’s Z-600 car on the motorway. Laugh at me if you like, but so did the world laugh at the Japanese when they started copying American technology.

Made-in-Japan used to be a butt of jokes – just as we laugh at Made-in-Taiwan today – but you can imagine how Japanese cars and electronics later went on to dominate the world. Who says Nigerians cannot do it? Who says Nigerians should only be associated with 419, terrorism, graft and substandard jobs?

Nuhu Ribadu: Nigeria Won’t Break Up

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

The  former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Presidential candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,   saturday declared that Nigeria will not break up, despite  campaigns by those he described as  unpatriotic politicians and ethnic jingoists to ensure the disintegration of  the country.

Ribadu  made the declaration at a public lecture organised by the Students Representative Council (SRC) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria,  maintaining  that time has come for Nigerian youths to stand up and defend the nation’s unity and also fight against  retrogressive elements who are working against the growth and development of the nation.

Taraba: Suntai May Be Flown in Next Week

Danbaba Suntai

History has a way of repeating itself as there are strong indications that what played out at the height of the illness of the late President Umaru Musa Yar`Adua when he was brought back from Saudi Arabia under the cover of darkness and kept at the State House, Abuja even in his dying state may soon repeat itself in Taraba State.

This is because plans are said to be underway to fly ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai into the country in the cover of darkness in a bid by his loyalists to retain the governorship.A source hinted that the governor would soon be flown into the country and only trusted aides would be allowed to see him. The source said that the plan to bring him home was being conceived following the decision of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to set up a committee headed by Senator Hope Uzodimma to look into the prolonged absence of Suntai and recommend ways of addressing the problem. It is feared the committee may come up with a report that the governor is not fit and the Acting Governor Garba Umar be made substantive governor.