News
Church Retreat Ends In Disaster …8 killed, 27 Injured In Auto Crash
Eight people have been reported dead and 27 others injured in two separate incidents in Kwara and Katsina States.
Our correspondent reports that five people, among them two children were said to have died during an Easter Retreat organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church in Ilorin, Kwara.
The incident reportedly occurred at the church’s Camp site located at Eyenkorin on the outskirts of the state capital in the early hours of Saturday.
Though officials of the church were not willing to comment on the incident, sources confirmed that the tragedy was caused by heavy rainstorm which caused a pillar at the camp to collapse on the worshippers.
The storm had accompanied the first heavy rainfall witnessed in Ilorin, this year. The rain which lasted for about two hours began at about 12.30 am.
Although the State Police Command’s spokesman, Dabo Ezekiel, an Assistant Superintendent of Police only confirmed the death of the pastor and claimed that several others only suffered injuries, other sources said seven people died from the rain-storms, besides the pastor.
Sources at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital confirmed that three of the victims were brought in dead, and that they included one woman and two children. The source, who asked not to be named, said: “three of the people were brought in dead, apart from two children and a woman who were in critical condition.”
Two others died while receiving treatment, one of them inside the theatre, the source added.
An eyewitness said one of the victims, a Pastor at the Church, who was on a motorcycle, died when he ran into an on coming vehicle while on his way to a hospital to donate blood to the victims.
The Police spokesman, Dabo Ezekiel confirmed the death of the pastor, while sources at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital said three of the victims were brought in dead while two other died while receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, two people had died, while 19 others sustained injuries in an auto accident which occurred at Bakin Dutse village in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina state.
The Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Funtua, Mr. Betara Umar, told newsmen that the incident occurred last Friday night.
Betara said the incident involved an articulated truck with registration number XB 535 FKA conveying passengers and goods, which lost control while avoiding another vehicle.
According to him, 45 passengers were in the vehicle that was travelling to Sokoto from Aba.
In a related development, armed robbers last Friday night killed one person and injured eight other people at Dayi village in Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.
The robbers were said to have blocked the Malumfashi-Kano road and fired indiscriminately at oncoming vehicles.
A police patrol team immediately responded and dislodged the robbers before conveying the victims to Malumfashi Generla Hospital.
It was gathered that some of the victims who were in critical condition were referred to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria.
Our correspondent who was at the General Hospital reports that most of the victims were on admission, including one who gave his name as Alhaji Suleiman Mamman of Tashar-Fulani Village in the area.
Effort to obtain reaction of the police on phone was unsuccessful, as the Police spokesman, Shehu Koko could not be reached.
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.