News
Plateau school collapse: Grieving mother recounts late son’s memories
By Francesca Hangeior.
A bereaved mother identified as Blessing Onovo recalls the fond memories of her late 15-year-old son, Chidera, who died after his school building collapsed last Friday, July 12, 2024, in Jos, Plateau State.
Chidera attended Saint Academy located in the Busa Buji community, Jos North Local Government Area of the state, with his younger sister, Chisom.
In an interview with the BBC, as reported on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the grieving mother recalled how her son, Chidera was caring for her and his siblings.
She said, “He saved up his lunch money to buy biscuits to share with his siblings and he was always the one who noticed my moods and would ask, ‘Mummy are you fine?’”
Chidera had found a passion in drawing, but unfortunately, the young boy who left home for school early Friday with his younger sister never returned.
His father, Chike, was “relieved” after Chidera’s sister was pulled out from under the rubble but at the same time, he wondered the whereabouts of his first child.
“I saw my daughter Chisom being dragged out. I was relieved, but I kept shouting ‘Where is Chidera, my son?’
“It took about an hour before an excavator came,” Chike lamented.
The boy’s body was later found in his classroom on the first floor, the BBC reports.
The school’s two-storey building collapsed at about 8:30 am, claiming 22 persons while about 154 were trapped under the rubble before they were evacuated to various hospitals.
The unfortunate incident happened while students and teachers were in their respective classes.
According to the investigative panel set up by the Federal Government, the physical observation of the building looked distressed as weak materials were used for the building.
Another parent, Victor Dennis, 43, lost his son, Emmanuel, to the incident. The boy’s lifeless body was found at a local morgue the next day, Saturday, July 13.
“My boy was a good boy. He didn’t deserve to die. They killed my son. He didn’t do anything wrong. He just went to school to learn,” Dennis stated.
The report noted that while Emmanuel was being buried, his mother remained “inconsolable” as she grieved her son’s death at home, adding that several people were involved in the rescue operation, and some others voluntarily donated blood across hospitals where the survivors were admitted.
In an interview by one of our correspondents, some of the survivors, while on their hospital beds, recounted that the building suddenly collapsed while they were having classes, stating that the loud noise that accompanied the collapse felt like the world had come to an end.
An SS1 student noted that a teacher shunned an observation raised by one of the students, saying, “I am an SS1 student. Our teacher was teaching us in the class, and he was writing on the board when the building suddenly collapsed on our heads. The noise was so loud, and it was as if the world was about to end. Everywhere was dark, and I did not know where I was as the debris covered me. I found it hard to breathe at all because the decking just covered me.
“Before the building collapsed, I heard one of the students telling a teacher that the building was shaking but he asked the student to shut up and enter the class. Shortly after sitting down, the building caved in.”
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had ordered the closure of the collapsed school and the arrest of artisanal miners operating around residential areas in the state.
The state government also declared a three-day mourning period following the sad incident.
Also, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa called for an immediate investigation into the building collapse, noting that anyone found culpable must be brought to justice.
News
Divorced Woman Rejects Ex-Husband’s $273m Lottery Win
In a surprising twist, a newly divorced couple is making headlines after the husband won a massive $273 million in the lottery, just five months after their divorce.
The story has captured the attention of many, particularly because of the way the couple is handling the unexpected windfall.
Mike Murski, who had struggled with maintaining steady employment during his 15-year marriage to Eileen, is now a millionaire. Despite his newfound fortune, Eileen, who was the primary breadwinner during their marriage, says she has no interest in any of the winnings.
When asked if she believed she was entitled to a portion of the lottery jackpot, Eileen firmly responded, “The only thing that I would like to see is, obviously, termination of spousal support.” She explained that while the large sum of money was a life-changing event for Mike, it did not alter her feelings toward him or their past. “Now that you have money, it doesn’t mean that I would want to come back,” she added, making it clear that the lottery win wouldn’t change her decision to divorce.
Their marriage, which ended five months ago, was far from amicable, and Eileen emphasized that the jackpot wouldn’t affect her stance. Despite the overwhelming amount of money Mike had just come into, she clarified, “$270 million does not make me appealing to her.” This statement came from Mike himself, as he reflected on how the lottery win might influence his ex-wife’s perception of him. When asked if he believed her, Mike remained indifferent, stating, “I don’t care.”
While Eileen seems more focused on the future, with her priority being the end of the alimony payments, Mike’s new wealth has not seemed to change the dynamics of their relationship. It’s clear that the two are moving forward in separate directions, and neither party seems to be interested in revisiting the past.
As Mike embarks on his new life as a multimillionaire, Eileen appears determined to put the past behind her and continue her own journey without the influence of his sudden fortune.
Whether their story will evolve further remains to be seen, but for now, their post-divorce life is marked by the intriguing contrast between Eileen’s financial independence and Mike’s unexpected jackpot.
News
Road Safety confirmed 13 People Dead In Edo Road Accidents
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reported that at least 13 people lost their lives in road accidents across Edo State in November 2024. The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Cyril Mathew, confirmed this tragic news during an address to journalists in Benin City on Sunday.
According to Mathew, the fatalities resulted from multiple accidents that occurred throughout the state during that month. In addition to the 13 deaths, he noted that 76 passengers sustained injuries, and 1,524 drivers were apprehended for various traffic violations.
He explained that the primary causes of the accidents were factors such as brake failure, speeding, reckless driving, and the use of mobile phones while driving. Other contributing factors included route violations and failure to adhere to basic traffic regulations. Mathew also outlined that the 1,524 traffic offenders were arrested for a range of violations, including driving without a fire extinguisher, not installing a speed-limiting device, tyre violations, seat belt violations, overloading, driving against traffic, and using phones while driving.
All offenders were arraigned in a mobile court, where they were fined according to the severity of their violations.
The FRSC official issued a stern warning to motorists, urging them to avoid dangerous practices such as overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at night, and using phones while driving. He emphasized that these behaviors contribute significantly to road accidents and endanger the lives of everyone on the road.
In a separate incident, barely two weeks ago, a deadly automobile accident occurred near Tage Bridge in the Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State. On the Monday of that week, a passenger vehicle was involved in a crash that resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people. Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrifying, with numerous bodies scattered across the area.
The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Shi’isu Adam, who stated that the driver of the vehicle survived the crash and is currently cooperating with the police to determine the cause of the accident. The incident occurred when a Golf 3 Wagon, with the license plate GML 842 XA, was traveling from Hadejia town to Makera village. The vehicle reportedly overturned and plunged into a river.
Adam further revealed that the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed, pending notification of their families. The police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
News
Nigerian Man Who Rained Curses On President Tinubu Nabbed
A Nigerian man has been nabbed after he went on social media to rain curses on President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The arrest of the unnamed man who cursed President Bola Tinubu and rained insults on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu followed a recent warning by the Nigerian Police Force, which cautioned against making offensive statements or insults directed at public officials.
The police had followed up with the assertion that such acts were punishable under the law.
In the controversial video, the man unleashed curses at President Tinubu, holding him responsible for Nigeria’s challenges and criticizing his leadership. He also directed scathing remarks at Governor Sanwo-Olu, accusing him and other politicians of contributing to the nation’s plight.
Some of his statements included:
“The Inspector General of Police said anyone who insults others should be arrested. It won’t be well with Bola Tinubu. He won’t have peace of mind wherever he is.”
“Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Governor with the black eye, it won’t be well with you either. You’ll know no peace wherever you are.”
“You politicians, spoiling this country without accountability, none of you will know peace. You’ve brought Nigeria to this state, and you shall face the consequences.”
Despite knowing the authorities were after him, the man expressed defiance in the video, claiming he had been declared wanted and daring the police to take action.
“They said they’re looking for me and have declared me wanted on their platform. Senseless set of people,” he said.
“People like Yahaya Bello, who are destroying the country, are free, yet you declare me wanted. Those stealing money are untouched, but you’re after me.”
However, a follow-up clip confirmed that the man had been arrested for his remarks. The police have not disclosed further details about his detention, but his case has reignited debates on freedom of speech and the boundaries of criticism in Nigeria.
Watch the video below of the man as he cursed President Tinubu
Man was arrested a few hours after insụlting Tinubu and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu😳🙆 pic.twitter.com/VU47vv52b5
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) December 21, 2024
The video, which continues to circulate online, has drawn mixed reactions, with some Nigerians condemning the man’s approach in cursing President Tinubu while others see his arrest as an attack on free expression.
See some reactions below:
@DeeNwuga: “To track dey so easy till e reach time track kidnappers and bandits then everywhere go silent.”
@ourt_destiny: “Abacha regime was not this bad, Tinubu has taken it to a whole new level.”
@GeneralSnow_: “I love his unbothered look. They will only make him a hardened activist.”
@HIBILLIONEAR: “This is just a reminder that e no go better for Tinubu, Sanwa Olu, IG of police and ecery other Nigerian politician. Una go arrest until prison and cells full, no space.”
@theboyisgreat: “They are afraid of what is coming but it will eventually catch up on them.”
@Chrizkhalifa21: “Na when e reach netizens turn una dey fit track them but track kidnappers and boko Haram una no fit.”
@Victoh: “The tyranny is playing out to our faces but we are still bantering Igbo or Yoruba. Make we dey play 😂Police PRO don first give us update of what is to come.”
@RAZZIEDML: “Na why I no dey do pass myself. Make them no go pick me wey never pick before.”
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