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FG seeks collective action against river pollution, flooding

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By Francesca Hangeior

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev on Monday called for collective action to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution and flooding.

Utsev made the call during an event to commemorate the 2024 World Rivers Day, with the theme ‘Protect Our Rivers from Pollution’ in Abuja.

Utsev noted the important roles rivers play in the water cycle, economy, ecosystem, and sustainable development.

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“Our rivers are lifelines for communities, ecosystems, and economies across Nigeria, it is our collective responsibility to prevent pollution, flooding, and other threats that endanger these vital resources.

“Protecting our rivers requires a collective effort. Let us all work together to prevent pollution and flooding so that future generations can benefit from these priceless resources”.

He noted that this year’s celebration was subdued due to the devastating floods of Sept. 10, 2024, which caused significant damage in Borno State.

Utsev recalled that the floods claimed lives and destroyed properties, prompting his ministry to assess the Alau Dam to prevent future disasters.

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“As we commemorate World Rivers Day, we also stand in solidarity with the people of Borno State.

“We are working closely with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to monitor water levels across the country and ensure that such incidents do not reoccur,” he said.

Utsev stressed the importance of flood preparedness, particularly in states along the Benue River, such as Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue.

He urged state governments to remain vigilant, clear drainage channels, and relocate residents from flood-prone areas.

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He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protect Nigeria’s rivers from pollution, urging stakeholders to view rivers as “living entities” deserving of legal rights and protections.

He called on all Nigerians to safeguard rivers from harmful practices such as waste dumping and overuse.

“We must extend these protections to our watersheds and basins, recognising that clean and healthy rivers are fundamental to our survival,” Utsev added.

Also, Dr Bello Goronyo, his state counterpart, noted the role of rivers and dams in sustaining life and supporting national development.

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He stressed that protecting rivers was crucial for maintaining dam infrastructure, which supports water supply, irrigation, and hydro-power generation.

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Abuja’s Nightlife Boss, Kicks Off 2025 with Exclusive All-White Party

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By Gloria Ikibah

Abuja’s entertainment scene witnessed a dazzling start to 2025 as nightlife entrepreneur Adewumi Segun Gabriels, better known as Theapilifestyle, hosted an exclusive All-White Party to welcome the New Year in grand style.

The event brought together some of the biggest names in entertainment, with stars like Timini Egbuson, Efetommy, Nimi Briggs, Fantana, Ilebaye, and Ice Prince gracing the occasion.

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As the CEO of Tokyo Nightlife and the brain behind Apitainment and Apitix, Adewumi has been instrumental in shaping Abuja’s premium nightlife culture.

 

In his speech, he appreciated his supporters, business partners, and associates for their loyalty throughout 2024, and also highlighted key milestones, including The Capital Picnic, Young Jonn Live in Abuja, AWG Fest, and Rema Live in Abuja—all of which have cemented Tokyo Nightlife’s reputation as the city’s go-to luxury entertainment hub.

Hosted by the ever-energetic Chuks D’ General, the night exuded pure elegance, with guests turning up in stunning white outfits. Attendees enjoyed electrifying performances, including a special set by Ice Prince and an engaging live band session that kept the energy levels high. To top it all off, a selection of gourmet dishes added a touch of culinary excellence to the night’s festivities.

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Beyond just a party, Theapilifestyle’s All-White event set the pace for an exciting year ahead, reinforcing his commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment experiences and making 2025 a year to remember for Abuja’s nightlife lovers.

 

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SAD! Another air disaster in US as medical plane crashes k!lling all on board

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely 72hours after American airlines collided with military helicopter in the US, a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother, and four crew members cr+shed into a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after takeoff Friday evening, igniting a massive fir£ that engulfed several homes.

The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, exploded upon impact, sending a fireball into the sky. Officials have not confirmed any survivors or reported whether there were casualties on the ground. All six passengers were from Mexico, and the child was returning home after receiving treatment in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro described the cr+sh as an “awful aviation disaster” and said fatalities were expected.

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The plane took off at 6:06 p.m. from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, disappearing from radar minutes later at 1,600 feet (487 meters). A doorbell camera captured the moment it plummeted and exploded near Roosevelt Mall in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood.

Witnesses described a deafening roar followed by an orange fireball and thick black smoke.

Jet Rescue, based in Mexico, provides global air ambulance services and previously transported baseball legend David Ortiz after he was shot in the Dominican Republic. This marks the company’s second fatal cr+sh in 15 months; in 2023, five crew members d+ed when one of its planes cr+shed in Mexico.

The cr+sh came just days after another deadly U.S. aviation acc+dent, when an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter collided over Washington, D.C., k+lling all on board.

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The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating, with officials set to arrive at the crash site Saturday.

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SAD! Former President of Germany Dies

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A former President of Germany, Horst Koehler, who served as head of state from 2004 to 2010, is dead.

Köhler, who was head of state from 2004 to 2010, died Saturday morning in Berlin after a short illness, surrounded by his family, the office of current German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement.

Köhler was little known to most Germans and a stranger to front-line politics before he won the presidency.

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His nomination was greeted by the mass-circulation daily Bild with the headline “Horst Who?”

However, he built up high popularity ratings once on the job, something that he achieved in part by positioning himself as an outsider to the country’s political elite.

He occasionally refused to sign bills into law due to constitutional concerns and didn’t always make himself popular with the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose choice he was for the presidency — a largely ceremonial job but often seen as a source of moral authority.

Kohler elected before Merkel came to power, at a time when Germany was struggling to come to terms with labor market reforms and welfare state cuts.

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He said Germans must not rest on past achievements, and said he was “deeply convinced Germany has the strength for change.”

In July 2005, Köhler agreed to dissolve parliament and grant struggling then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder an unusual early election.

He declared that Germany faced “giant challenges” and that “our future and the future of our children is at stake.”

Merkel won power, but nearly blew a huge poll lead after her talk of deeper reform turned off voters. Köhler also talked less of economic change in later years and was strongly critical of financial markets during the banking and economic crisis — describing them as a “monster” that hadn’t yet been tamed.

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