By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officer has sustained severe injuries after being hit by a fully loaded trailer due to reckless driving

This was made known in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on Wednesday.

The officer was said to be on his way to official duty when the trailer, registered in Bauchi State, lost control while speeding along the Ogba corridor, resulting in a collision.

The impact was said to have caused a serious fracture to the officer’s right leg and hand, ultimately leading to an emergency amputation at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The statement disclosed that the trailer driver fled the scene but was swiftly apprehended by security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, working in coordination with LASTMA officials.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has unequivocally condemned the egregious recklessness of a fully loaded trailer driver, whose imprudent speeding and subsequent loss of vehicular control culminated in a devastating accident at the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos.

“The tragic incident transpired while the LASTMA officer was en route to commence his afternoon duty, underscoring the perilous consequences of careless driving on public roads.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the ill-fated trailer, bearing Bauchi State registration number KTG 33 ZZ, originated from Agidingbi by Oba Ogunji Road en route to Omole Junction in the Ogba corridor when the driver, operating at an alarmingly high velocity, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic collision.

“The sheer impact of the crash inflicted severe trauma on the LASTMA officer, leading to a grievous fracture of his right leg and hand. Upon emergency medical assessment at the Surgical Emergency Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), attending specialists determined that the extent of the injuries necessitated an immediate amputation of his right leg.

“In a brazen attempt to evade justice, the culpable trailer driver absconded from the scene. However, through the concerted efforts of security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, in collaboration with vigilant LASTMA officials, he was swiftly apprehended.”

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has visited the hospitalised officer at LASUTH, and condemed the incident.

He emphasised that such a calamity could have been averted had the driver exercised due diligence and adhered to fundamental road safety protocols.

“He admonished trailer and truck operators, alongside all motorists, to uphold a heightened sense of safety consciousness, stressing the inestimable value of human life,” the statement added.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,595 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,610 per dollar on Monday.

Thus the Naira has recorded N45 week-on-week, WoW appreciation from N1,640 per dollar Tuesday last week.

Though the Naira was stable at N1,499 per dollar in the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), yesterday, it however recorded N27.3 WoW appreciation from N1,526.3 per dollar last Tuesday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N96 per dollar from N113.7 per dollar Tuesday last week.

The Naira has been on the upward trend since Thursday January 23rd, when it appreciated to N1,665 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,670 per dollar on Wednesday January 22nd.

Similarly, the Naira in the official market appreciated on Thursday January 23rd, to N1,548 per dollar from N1,553 per dollar on Wednesday January 22nd.

Since then, the Naira had gained N75 and N54 in the parallel and official market respectively.

Currency traders attributed the upward trend of the Naira to weak dollar demand occasioned by the Chinese New Year holiday.

It was also gathered that banks are now honouring customer requests for Personal Travel Allowance, PTA, and Business Travel Allowance, BTA. Previously, most banks seldom honour customers’ forex requests for PTA and

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The details of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) emergency meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday February 5, 2025, have emerged.

The meeting, which was convened to address several key issues within the party, concluded with important resolutions aimed at stabilizing the party ahead of future challenges.

One of the main decisions taken by the BoT was the recognition of Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the party.

This decision follows a court ruling from the High Court of Enugu, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal

The BoT instructed the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear in Udeh-Okoye immediately to comply with the legal judgment.

The board also called on party organs, members, and stakeholders to respect the Court of Appeal’s ruling regarding the position of National Secretary.

The meeting also praised the efforts of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the NWC, and the South-East Executive Committee for their commitment to upholding the party’s constitution.

The board expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the party despite facing internal challenges, particularly legal disputes involving competing claims for the office of National Secretary.

In addition, the BoT gave its approval for the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for March 13, 2025.

The board viewed this meeting as an opportunity for critical deliberations that will help shape the future of the PDP and the direction it takes in the coming years.

A vote of confidence was passed on the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, recognizing their leadership in stabilizing the party during a challenging period.

The BoT emphasized the importance of unity among members, urging everyone to work together to strengthen the PDP and reclaim its leadership role in the country’s political landscape.