A fire safety expert, Debbie Windele has warned of possible increase in fire incidents in the country during Harmattan.

Speaking at the weekly e-Discourse organised by leading Pan-Africa forum, Platforms Africa, Windele, who is the Managing Director of Safety Experts Limited said the only way to reduce it is to practice a good Fire Safety Culture in homes and places of work.

Harmattan occurs between the end of November and the middle of March.

The season has always been associated with high risk of fire outbreak due to low humidity and dry air. Deaths are typically recorded during such fire outbreaks.

“The Harmattan season comes with environmental challenges such as , dust, cold dusty air, dry skin and of course Fire incidents occur more this time of the year because of the dryness.

“When a small fire starts, it tends to spread very quickly. Human activities such as indiscriminate burning tends to aggravate fire during this season. If we must burn, it must be monitored,” Windele said at the event anchored by Accra, Ghana-based veteran journalist, Mr. Francis KOKUTSE.

She continued; “And in our homes, we must ensure that cooking is not left unattended, electrical appliances switched off when not in use, we should also reduce the dust gathering in our homes. Regular cleaning must be done.
“The only way to reduce it is to practice a good Fire Safety Culture in their homes and places of work among others.”

The expert who described Bush Fire as the major problem said regular pruning of bushes and trees , removal of weeds and racking of leaves will help in the prevention and reduction with any damage as a result of bush fires.

She said inadequate personnel and equipment are a major bane in the sector and urged government to invest in combating fire incidents.

“Africa leadership must invest in this area of public service so we can align with global standard on both firefighting personnel and equipments to enhance performance,” she said.

Speaking further, she said “continuous advocacy and sensitization are required on the part of the various arms of Government.

African Government should aim to build more Fire Stations, develop current staff, increase the current staff strength by recruiting and training more officers, provide them with decent work benefits so as to attract and retain the right people in the service,” she added.

Team Lead, Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf, called for more fire safety Consciousness among the government and people of Africa particularly during this Hammattan period.

“Platforms Africa is, through our weekly e-Discourse and many others, fast becoming a reference point in Africa. Our vision is to end misinformation, disinformation, mal-information in the World, starting from our continent. Our mission is to create and sustain cycles of informed Africans, and through the support and efforts of our resource persons, we shall continue to our best,” Yusuf said.

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has visited the two communities that were bombed by the military fighter jets in error.

No fewer than 10 people were killed with several injured in military airstrike in the early hours of Wednesday.

Worried by the development, the governor defied the difficult terrain of the village and joined other residents for the funeral prayers for the dead victims.

He donated ₦20 million to support the families of those affected by the incident.

He was accompanied by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.

The governor sympathised with the community and described the incident as unfortunate.

“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminals armed groups terrorizing the state, and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community,” he said.

“We consider this as a mistake because the same military had on several occasions successfully raided so many criminal hideouts in the state.”

Aliyu stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to find out what led to the avoidable mistake, so as to guard against its recurrence.

He also rayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased and give their families the strength to bear the loss.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, announced a donation of ₦20 million and 100 bags of assorted foodstuffs to the families of the deceased.

He added that the state government would settle the medical bills of those hospitalised as a result of injuries they sustained from the bombardment.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The recently concluded art exhibition Light in the Shadows: Stories of Hope, hosted at Banks Mill Studio, Derby, United Kingdom, has been hailed as a resounding success. Organized by TES Community and the NSIBIDI Project, with visionary contributions from Armstrong Oke Agoreyo, the three-day event drew nearly 200 attendees, showcasing the transformative power of art in fostering empathy, inclusion, and resilience.

The exhibition, which celebrated the creativity and resilience of individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEND), owes much of its success to Armstrong Oke Agoreyo.

As the Coordinating Artist, Armstrong not only conceptualized the exhibition’s theme but also played a pivotal role in bringing it to life.

He approached both TES Community and the NSIBIDI Project with the idea, tirelessly managing the participating artists and curating an impactful collection of works that highlighted the diversity of Derby’s artistic talent, particularly from minority communities. His leadership underscored the ability of art to bridge divides and create meaningful connections.

“Armstrong’s dedication to this project was extraordinary,” said Akindayo Akindolani, Executive Director of TES Community.

“From gathering award-winning artists to ensuring that the exhibition truly represented the voices of resilience and hope, his efforts have left a lasting impact.”

The exhibition featured some of Derby’s finest talents, including Armstrong himself, alongside Ayodeji Kingsley, Chike Felix Uzoka, Ed Heron, and Orinsunayo Akinniran.

Their works explored themes of healing, transformation, and identity, resonating deeply with attendees.

Notably, the exhibition also included Dan Webber, an award-winning Derby-based poet and producer, whose live poetry performances added a captivating auditory element to the visual showcase.

Among the standout stories was that of Clef Skyers-Aakerstrom, whose artistic journey began after a life-altering accident. Her work became a symbol of healing and transformation, inspiring attendees and reminding them of the power of resilience.

Reflecting on the success of the exhibition, Armstrong shared:
“This exhibition was a labor of love. I am deeply grateful to the artists, TES Community, and the NSIBIDI Project for believing in the vision and for working tirelessly to make it a reality. Seeing the impact on the attendees and the connections forged through the art has been incredibly rewarding.”

The event also laid the groundwork for future initiatives.

Building on its success, TES Community and the NSIBIDI Project announced plans to launch free art workshops and online training for young people in early 2025, aiming to empower creativity and support personal growth within the community.

The overwhelming success of Light in the Shadows: Stories of Hope has cemented its legacy as more than just an exhibition. It was a platform for storytelling, a celebration of resilience, and a call to action for inclusion and creativity, driven by the vision and determination of Armstrong Oke Agoreyo and the collaborative spirit of all involved.