News
Auto Crash Claims 13 On Benin-Ore Road
No fewer than 13 passengers died in a motor accident on the Benin-Ore road, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed yesterday.
In a statement issued by Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, the commission stated that the accident happened at kilometre 53, before Ohosun town, zone 5.12 toll gate unit command in Edo State at 7.45 a.m yesterday.
Kazeem said the accident, which involved two vehicles, was caused by the driver of the Anambra Mass Transit Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number YB 610 EPE (Lagos), who for no reason, drove against traffic on the Benin-Ore lane.
The driver faced an oncoming Iveco truck descending a slope, resulting in head-on collision.
The bus was coming from Lagos carrying traders dealing in electronics and 13 out of the passengers in the bus died, while three people survived including the truck driver.
The victims, according to FRSC, have been taken to Shiloh Hospital, Ugbogui in Edo for treatment while corpses were deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital.
The commission said the obstruction caused as a result of the accident had been promptly cleared.
The Tide recalls that in the last 11 months, countless auto accidents have claimed hundreds of lives on the Benin-Ore Expressway.
For instance, on March 15, 2012, a middle-aged man, simply identified as “Nasco,” died in a multiple auto crashes on Kobape-Siun-Sagamu Expressway.
Thirteen soldiers were also injured in the accident.
Also, two persons were confirmed dead in multiple accidents that occurred on the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, leaving many others injured.
The accident on the Kobape-Siun-Sagamu Expressway, The Tide learnt, occurred around 1.00 p.m, when a white Toyota Hiace, marked LAGOS CG 415 FKJ veered off its lane as a result of burst tyre and rammed into a truck with registration number OGUN XA 170 ABG and a Prado Jeep marked LAGOS EJ 57 LND.
The truck driver, who was conveying medical materials from Abeokuta to Ibiade in Ogun waterside area of the state, lost his life on the spot, while his body was still trapped in the vehicle.
The injured soldiers were taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Ada, Abeokuta, for medical attention.
The accident on the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, it was gathered, happened in front of Astok Petroleum, Ijebu-Ode, some few kilometres to the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED).
On Monday, January 23, 2012, 19 persons were burnt to death in an auto crash involving a commercial bus and a trailer along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway. The drivers of the two vehicles also died in the crash while four others in critical condition, were admitted at the Ore General Hospital.
On December 2, 2011, no fewer than 19 persons were killed in an auto crash, along Benin-Ore road as a diesel tanker collided with a commercial vehicle, killing all the passengers except one.
The bus, belonging to Hope Express Transport Company, was carrying 19 persons. It reportedly took off from Lagos, heading to the South-East when the accident occurred. Only one of the passengers survived and was rushed to a hospital in Benin City.
In a related development, few kilometres away from the scene, there was another ghantly accident involving a trailer and a Mercedes Benz car, which left property worth several thousands of naira destroyed.
Eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident claimed that serious cases of injury were recorded as the Mercedes car was terribly damaged.
On October 24, 2011, 11 persons died in an accident involving a luxury bus and an 18-seater commercial bus at Ore on the Benin-Ore highway.
The recklessness of the luxury bus driver, alleged to be driving against traffic on a portion of the road, reportedly caused the accident, which occurred at about 10.00a.m.
On September 14,2011, talented Nigerian musician, Nwaozo Obiajulu (a.k.a) MC Loph died in a tragic car accident along the often neglected Benin-Ore Expressway.
Mr Obiajulu was travelling to Enugu State for his traditional wedding ceremony along with his fiancée who reportedly died with him.
MC Loph popularised the song Osondi-Owendi, as a tribute song to the late highlife musician, Osita Osadebe.
The Nigerian music community are reacting to the news. Sound Sultan, a close friend and collaborator of MC Loph currently vacationing in the US said, “It is just so sad, it is not easy to lose someone like that. I worked with him in 2010 and we collaborated on a song with thirteen other artists for the World Cup. We were also very close friends.”
Nelson Chukwudi with Agency Report
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.