News
Woman Who Lost 2 Kids In Ibadan Stampede Regrets Not Heeding Spiritual Warning
In the vibrant city of Ibadan, known for its warmth and spirited community, a heart-wrenching tragedy has cast a shadow over the festive season.
A victim of the tragedy, Mrs. Adijat Adewumi, affectionately known as Iya Ola, faces unimaginable grief after losing her two children in a stampede at the 2024 End of the Year Children Funfair. Her story is one of love, loss, and the haunting weight of unheeded warnings.
I lost my hands, girlfriend, dad’s landed properties survived depression; but I’m alive’0:00 / 0:00
Sitting in her modest home in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Mrs. Adewumi recounted the days leading up to that fateful event, her voice laden with sorrow.
“Just a few days before the funfair, I received a vision from a pastor of a white garment church, a man I had never met. He urged me to observe three days of fasting and prayer. I didn’t think much of it at the time; I thought it was just a spiritual exercise, not a warning of the tragedy that awaited me”, she recounted.
The funfair, organised by Queen Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, was a beacon of hope for many families in the area. For Mrs. Adewumi, it represented an escape from the harsh realities of life, especially in such difficult economic times.
“I learnt about the event through Alhaji Oriyomi Hazmat’s popular programme. It felt like a chance for my children to enjoy themselves, to forget about our struggles, even if just for a day,” she explained, her voice tinged with regret.
“I wanted to see their joy, to let them experience the magic of the fair. However, as they approached the entrance, chaos erupted. I had to push my way through the crowd, ensuring my children got in first. I wanted them to enjoy every moment. But as the gates swung open, a tidal wave of people surged forward, overwhelming the entrance.
“I felt a sense of dread wash over me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I lost sight of my children in an instant. I started calling their names, but the noise was deafening. The pain is indescribable. It’s like losing a part of my soul.”
In those terrifying moments, the realisation of her spiritual warning came crashing down upon her like a thunderstorm, saying: “If only I had listened more closely. If only I had understood that this was a warning.
“I am a Muslim, but I believe God speaks to us in different ways. I wish I had been more vigilant and responsive to that call,” she lamented.
Vanguard
News
Clark To Northern Govs: Stop Arrogance Of Power, Tax Reforms Must Go On
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has faulted the pushback by the 19 northern governors against the tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
“As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,” the nonagenarian said on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
The new tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have been enveloped in widespread controversy and sparked scathing criticisms and stiff opposition from many including the 36 state governors under the aegis of the National Economic Council (NEC).
The 19 governors in northern Nigeria have also unequivocally rejected sections of the bills and called for the withdrawal of the bills from the National Assembly.
Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), faulted the stance of the northern governors after NEC took a position.
“I was so shocked when I learned that the 19 governors of the north have met again. If 36 of you met, why are you meeting again? The northern governors, most of them, don’t realise what they are doing. So, the double standards, this arrogance of power must stop,” he said.
The PANDEF leader said the President needs wisdom to govern Nigeria “because certain individuals want to run this country as their own country. When they decide to share, they must ask where the money they are sharing comes from. So, you must pay tax”.
Clark also expressed displeasure over the stance of NEC on the tax bills, saying the governors and Vice President Kashim Shettima are turning the council into an executive body.
He said, “I was shocked when the 36 governors under the chairmanship of the vice president discussed that Mr President should set aside the bill for further consultation. Not only that, the 19 northern governors came together and met but they should ask themselves what have we gained for dividing Nigeria. 19 governors, 17 governors, Today you have Progressive Governors, PDP Governors. These are not helping Nigeria.
“That body (NEC) is a constitutional body set up by the constitution of Nigeria as an advisory council under the chairmanship of Mr Vice President should meet with all the governors attending but today the governors have converted that council to an executive body. They have now gone into politics.
“The question is who are they going to consult? How many times have they consulted their people? They don’t stay at home. They are always in Abuja thinking that they will get more money.”
Clark said Nigeria does not belong to the President and he should stop appointing his allies as ministers.
“I think the leadership should embrace everybody in this country…But today, you look for all your friends, whether they are competent, whether they are honest; it’s wrong.
“Nigeria does not belong to Mr President; Nigeria belongs to everybody. Every Nigerian is equal. And unless we believe that every Nigerian can rise to the top of the position, otherwise there will be no Nigeria, the problems will be there,” he said.
News
PDP Slams Tinubu, Says Food Stampedes Show Alarming Hunger
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the three recent food stampedes in Nigeria as “an ugly testament to the alarming level of misery, poverty, hunger, starvation, sense of hopelessness and desperation for survival currently plaguing our nation” under the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
In a statement on Sunday, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba said the tragic stampedes at private food distribution events in Oyo and Anambra states as well as Abuja which claimed the lives of over 60 citizens could have been averted.
The PDP commiserated with the families of the victims of the three food queue stampedes and called for urgent medical attention for the survivors.
The party said, “The PDP is devastated that the APC-led administration has wrecked our once thriving economy and pushed millions of Nigerians deeper into abject poverty and hunger with many citizens, not being able to afford their daily meals, now resorting to suicide and desperate measures including slavery mission abroad and fighting for crumbs for survival.
“It is heartbreaking that despite our abundant resources as a nation, Nigerians have been subjected to agonizing life where they die struggling for food.”
The PDP said the APC administration should wake up and not continue in “arrogant false performance claims including empty assurances of food sufficiency while deliberately failing to make the required investments to boost the productive sector, particularly in agriculture and food production”.
The party said the Tinubu government should immediately “review the hasty implementation of the suffocating policies of abrupt increase in the price of petroleum products and the floating of the Naira, despite the crippling consequences on the productive sector and life-discounting effect on the citizenry”.
The PDP called on Nigerians to hold the Tinubu-led APC administration responsible for the remote cause of these tragic occurrences for which it must recompense.
“Our Party insists that any administration that is sensitive and cares for the people would have since introduced intervention programmes to ease the suffering and improve on the welfare of the masses which is the primary purpose of government,” the PDP said.
News
Breaking: Atiku emerges new Deputy Clerk to National Assembly
Sokoto-born seasoned technocrat, Mr. Ibrahim Atiku has been appointed as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), with effect from February 2, 2025.
This was contained in a letter dated 19th December, 2024 and signed by the Executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Engr. Ahmed Kadi Ahmshi.
Ahmshi said the decision was taken during the just concluded 616th Meeting of the Commission, held on Thursday, 19th December, 2024; in recognition of his “hard work” and “administrative competence”.
“The National Assembly Service Commission, at its 616th Meeting held on Thursday, 19th December, 2024, approved your appointment as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly with effect from 2nd February, 2025.
“This Appointment is in recognition of your hard work and administrative competence. It is therefore expected that you will continue to uphold the confidence reposed in you.
“While congratulating you on your appointment to this exalted position, please accept assurances of our highest esteem”, the letter reads.
Until his appointment, Mr. Atiku was the Director, Finance and Account, House of Representatives, in National Assembly.
He is an Alumnus of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, and fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management. Atiku also obtained a Masters degrees in legislative studies as well as a Ph.D. in Legislative Studies.
Atiku also attended various courses home and abroad, among them are, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Harvard University, USA, JF Kennedy School of Government USA, Duke University USA, West African Institute of Finance and Economic management, (WAIFEM), Harvard Business School USA, RIPA International UK. among others.
Recall that the NASC had last month, approved the appointment of Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana as Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).
Both Ogunlana and Atiku are billed to resume their respective offices Feburary 2, 2025, when the current occupants of the offices shall be due for retirement.
-
News16 hours ago
Abuja stampede: Wike orders free medical treatment for victims
-
News23 hours ago
FG allocates N960bn for aircrafts, security equipment in 2025
-
Opinion15 hours ago
IBADAN, OKIJA, ABUJA AND THE DEATHLY FATE OF MEKUNUS
-
News24 hours ago
Anambra Govt Mourns Victims Of Tragic Stampede In Okija, Launches Probe
-
Metro24 hours ago
‘It’s been hard, even a cup of rice is now a luxury for us’ – Abuja stampede survivors recount ordeal
-
News23 hours ago
Appeal Court bans Customs from confiscating rice outside land, other borders
-
Sports15 hours ago
Arsenal’s top coach not happy over Bukayo Saka’s injury
-
News24 hours ago
Resign Now, Hardship Caused By Your Government Responsible For Stampedes