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How we escaped death in Ibadan fatal accident -Traders
Survivors and traders at Eleyele Market, Ibadan have revealed how they escaped death in a fatal accident that occurred at Eleyele Junction in the city on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of two lives while six others were injured.
The incident occurred at the peak traffic hours, causing disruption in the area. The scene was chaotic, with bystanders rushing to help the victims while others called for emergency services.
Security agents arrived quickly at the scene while emergency responders worked to transport the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. The two deceased persons were said to have been pronounced dead on arrival.
The accident has raised concerns among residents about road safety measures at the busy junction. But in the aftermath of the accident, some traders and survivors have narrated their ordeal during the sad incident.
Speaking with our correspondent, a transporter at Eleyele garage, Isiaka Awoyemi, said he would have also died in the accident if his bus was loading at the time the accident occurred.
He said: “I was sitting down there when the incident occurred. I packed my bus inside the garage. We all ran for our lives because it was sudden and unexpected.
“I also would have died if not for God that saved me.”
He added: “One of the women that died just got to the market in the morning. She went to buy food, and on her way back to her seat, the truck crushed her.
“Although she also tried to escape, she could not. After the incident, when we all got back from where we ran to, we carried her, unknown to us that the truck had also crushed the head of another woman who was sitting down there.
“Some of the victims who were seriously injured are currently at UCH (University College Hospital, Ibadan) while others with minor injuries are in a nearby hospital
“Two people died. One was buried yesterday. Her mother has heard about the incident. Her father died only recently.
“She had four children and her children are still small. We tried to rescue her. We took her to the hospital but we were told she had already died.
“They said her waist was broken.”
Another trader at the market, Mrs. Fatimoh Bakare, who also witnessed the accident, said: “We cannot explain how it happened. We were sitting down with our respective goods. Then suddenly we heard a loud noise.
“We ran and most of us fell down. It was just like a film. I was also injured.
“Kazeem Bolanle, who is a brother to me, is currently at UCH. His two legs were broken.
She said: “We sat down and were backing the road. Then we just heard the sound. God saved me. I don’t even know how I fell down and escaped.”
Our reporter, who also visited Arike Hospital, Eleyele Junction, Ibadan where two victims were taken gathered that the two victims had been discharged and had gone home.
Efforts made by our reporter to get the reactions of injured victims at the University College Hospital (UCH) Emergency Unit were abortive as access to the victims was denied by the security people on ground.
Meanwhile, one of the traders at the market, Mrs Sakirat Kazeem, has revealed her last moment with one of the deceased persons popularly known as “Iya Alfa”, describing the deceased as a lovely and kind-hearted woman.
She said: “We called her Iya Alfa. She was a senior wife to me. She was a good woman. In fact, at times, she paid the transport fare for my goods when I didn’t have money.
“She didn’t use to come to the market every day; she only came every five days. She used to come from Ido market. She would bring whatever she bought at Ido market here to sell.
“The day the accident occurred was the first day she would come to the market since the beginning of this year.
“When she came in the morning, she greeted me happy new year, and I also responded.
“There is nothing someone can do without God. I can’t even explain how I escaped, because I was also at the scene of the incident
“When I saw the truck coming, I jumped and held a poll. I started shouting Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ. I jumped away despite the fact that I didn’t have the strength to jump.
The Iyaloja (market leader) of Eleyele Market, Alhaja Ganiyat Adekola and Chairman of the garage, Wasiu Lamidi, while speaking with The Nation, said those that died or got injured were not roadside traders, adding that the truck crushed them inside the garage following brake failure.
They urged the state government to provide a large space for traders to serve as a market for them instead of using the garage, to forestall future reoccurrence.
“We need a proper market so that our people will stop using the garage as market. Also, the VIO should enlighten truck drivers on how to drive the truck.
“The boy who drove the truck was too small. Anybody who would drive a truck should be mature and have enough experience.”
As the community mourns the loss of life and supports the injured, it is clear that this tragic event has sparked a renewed commitment to road safety in Ibadan.
Residents hope that through collaboration and proactive measures, they can create a safer environment for all road users. The memory of the victims will serve as a catalyst for change, urging everyone to prioritise safety on the roads.
Community leaders and concerned citizens within the area have begun to discuss potential solutions to enhance safety at Eleyele Junction, emphasising the need for increased awareness among drivers and the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
Some residents suggested organising a community-led campaign to educate drivers on safe driving practices, particularly in high-traffic areas. The discussion highlighted the collective responsibility of both authorities and citizens in ensuring road safety.
Officials acknowledged the community’s concerns and have pledged to take action to improve safety measures. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers present on the roads and the urgent need for effective interventions to prevent future accidents.
News
NBS to include commercial s3x, other illegal activities in GDP calculation
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
To unveil rebased GDP, Consumer Price Index this month
•Proposes 2019 as new GDP base year
•Proposes 2024 as base year for inflation computation
The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday said that illegal and hidden activities like prostitution and drugs peddling will now be included in the calculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
Meanwhile, NBS has proposed 2019 as a new GDP base year and 2024 as new base year for inflation computation.
NBS disclosed this at a sensitization workshop on GDP and Consumer Price Index, CPI Rebasing organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
According to the bureau, 2019 was proposed as the new GDP base year because economic activities were relatively stable during the year, compared to subsequent years disrupted by the impact of COVID and policy shifts..
The bureau added that the rebased GDP is expected to capture new segments such as the digital economy, activities of pension fund administrators, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF), activities of modular refineries, domestic households as employers of labour and coverage of illegal and hidden activities.
Elaborating on the inclusion of illegal and hidden activities in the classification of economic activities for computation of the GDP, Head of National Accounts, NBS, Dr. Baba Madu, said: “Illegal activities will be in line with the national best practices, that is System of National Accounts, SNA 2008.
“If you are into, for instance, drugs, there are some countries, it is this drug that is driving their economy. It is illegal here because there is no legal backing. Also prostitution, they also earn income. Some even live bigger than those in the formal sector. The SNA does not say no to these, it is we. But the challenge is the legal backing and how do we get the data.
“And then, of course, the hidden economy. If I ask you, how much do you earn in a month, you will lower your income. Or if somebody is selling provision in a store, and before you know it he started selling India hemp. Those are the things we are seeing. There are challenges all over the world. But the beauty is that they are less than 3.0 to 3.5% of the GDP.”
Highlighting the importance of the GDP and CPI rebasing exercise, Statistician General, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said: “The rebasing is a vital exercise that ensures our economic indicators are current and accurate reflections of the economic realities on the ground. As economies evolve, new industries emerge, and consumption patterns shift, it becomes imperative to update our statistical measures to capture these changes. Rebasing our GDP and CPI allows us to align with these transformations, providing a more precise and relevant picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape. This process is foundational to informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance; hence, it is one exercise that NBS is conducting with significant importance and professionalism.
Highlighting the benefits of GDP rebasing, Chief Executive Officer, NESG, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, in his welcome address, said: “Accurate data enhances credibility. Our debt-to-GDP ratio, a critical indicator of fiscal health, dropped from 19% to 11% after the 2014 rebasing.
“This improved Nigeria’s creditworthiness, making us a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Investors are drawn to transparency and growth potential, and rebasing sends a clear message: we understand our economy, and we are open for business.
“Second, rebasing sharpens policymaking. It provides a detailed map of our economic terrain, enabling governments to identify high-growth sectors for scaling and low-growth sectors that require targeted interventions to drive impactful and balanced development. For example, after Ghana’s 2010 rebasing—which resulted in a 60% GDP increase—its policymakers could better plan for infrastructure and social investments, fueling sustained growth.”
Vanguard
News
Man walking from Ibadan to Abuja to Meet Tinubu Stranded, Begs for Help
A young man known as Mr. Nigeria101, who embarked on an ambitious mission to trek from Ibadan to Abuja since December 1, 2024, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance after becoming stranded.
His journey, which he described as a demonstration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at delivering a letter he claims represents the collective voices and concerns of Nigerian youths. Despite reportedly covering over 600 kilometers, his efforts have gone largely unnoticed by both the government and the public.
In a series of emotional videos shared on his TikTok account, Mr. Nigeria101 detailed his struggles and called on Nigerians for help. The videos, which have since garnered significant attention, reveal the extent of his frustration and exhaustion.
Speaking directly to the camera, he said:
“Nigerians, please come to my aid. I need your support. Have mercy on me. I have been on this trekking mission since December 1st last year from Ibadan to Abuja to meet Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to read out this message to him that Nigerians are suffering.
Nobody wants to attend to me; nobody wants to pay attention to me. I have trekked to the extent that my spirit has almost left my body.”
The young man’s plight has drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding his determination while others question the effectiveness of such actions in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
Mr. Nigeria101’s journey has taken a more desperate turn as he vows to continue his trek to Abuja, even if it means wandering indefinitely or sacrificing his life. He has expressed his intention to protest until President Tinubu acknowledges his efforts and the message he carries on behalf of struggling Nigerians.
The contents of the letter, according to him, highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, amid the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
Observers note that his actions reflect the growing frustration among young Nigerians, who often feel unheard and overlooked by those in power. Whether his efforts will result in an audience with the President remains uncertain, but his story has sparked conversations about the lengths citizens are willing to go to make their voices heard.A determined young man known as Mr. Nigeria101, who embarked on an ambitious mission to trek from Ibadan to Abuja since December 1, 2024, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance after becoming stranded.
His journey, which he describes as a demonstration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at delivering a letter he claims represents the collective voices and concerns of Nigerian youths. Despite reportedly covering over 600 kilometers, his efforts have gone largely unnoticed by both the government and the public.
In a series of emotional videos shared on his TikTok account, Mr. Nigeria101 detailed his struggles and called on Nigerians for help. The videos, which have since garnered significant attention, reveal the extent of his frustration and exhaustion.
Speaking directly to the camera, he said:
“Nigerians, please come to my aid. I need your support. Have mercy on me. I have been on this trekking mission since December 1st last year from Ibadan to Abuja to meet Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to read out this message to him that Nigerians are suffering.
Nobody wants to attend to me; nobody wants to pay attention to me. I have trekked to the extent that my spirit has almost left my body.”
The young man’s plight has drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding his determination while others question the effectiveness of such actions in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
Mr. Nigeria101’s journey has taken a more desperate turn as he vows to continue his trek to Abuja, even if it means wandering indefinitely or sacrificing his life. He has expressed his intention to protest until President Tinubu acknowledges his efforts and the message he carries on behalf of struggling Nigerians.
The contents of the letter, according to him, highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, amid the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
Observers note that his actions reflect the growing frustration among young Nigerians, who often feel unheard and overlooked by those in power. Whether his efforts will result in an audience with the President remains uncertain, but his story has sparked conversations about the lengths citizens are willing to go to make their voices heard.
News
MEET Ibrahim Mahama’s footballer son who is set to join a club in Germany
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Amer Mahama, the son of business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, is an emerging talent reportedly set for a move to Europe after impressing in Ghana’s lower-tier league.
Amer is an attacking midfielder who plays for the lower-tier side Nice Ibrahim Sporting Club, based in Tema.
Known for his technical abilities, Amer is an exciting prospect with immense potential to become a top player.
Speaking to MO TV on YouTube, he confirmed drawing interest from an unnamed German club and stated he is set to join at the end of the current campaign.
“Hopefully, by the end of this campaign, I will go to Germany. Hopefully, I can make a name for myself,” he said.
The youngster also expressed his desire to represent Ghana, but indicated that his progress will determine.
“It depends on my progress. Yeah, maybe (I’ll play for Ghana).”
Amer Mahama’s strengths include his passing and vision, combined with his dribbling skills and ability to create chances.
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