NEWS
No Fatalities Damage as Fire Guts CBN Makurdi Branch
From David Torough, Makurdi
The Makurdi branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the early hours of yesterday was gutted by fire.
Those, who thronged the premises, including newsmen were denied access into the facility by security personnel.
The fire incident, which started around 7:AM, was quickly put off by men of the Federal Fire Service, who were alerted by security men on duty.
A source told DAILY ASSET that the fire started from the power section of the Bank, and did not affect other sections, saying that the fire could be a result of technical fault.
“The fire started from the power house and the security quickly called the fire fighters who came and put it off, it does not escalate to the main building,” the source said.
Staff of the Bank were seen discussing the incident at the time of filling this report.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarter in Abuja, later issued a statement, saying, there were no fatalities in the fire incident, which started from the fuel dump behind the branch building.
The statement, which was signed by the CBN Director of Corporate Communication, Osita Nwanisobi, added that the prompt response of Bank’s security and facility management units, as well as support from the Benue State Fire Service helped fight the fire and prevented any damage the fire might have caused to the main office building.
“Fortunately, there were no fatalities and the affected site has been condoned off for further investigation. Normal work has also continued at the branch,” the statement added.
In an interview, the Director General, Benue Fire Service, Engr. Ikyaaza Donald explains: “I was not there anyway but from the information I have gathered, some called me that there was fire at the central bank so I quickly called my fire men. They came and quenched the fire but what I have gathered from the people in the central bank is that they told me that there was an explosion and nothing more than that.
“They came out and saw how it happened, it was a terrible one, in fact, there was a very serious fire and they had to put it off. When I got there, the tank was buried under the ground, the tank that stores diesel. To my thinking, it is the accumulated pressure in the tank that caused the explosion, probably the vent that supposed to ease the pressure was blocked somewhere along the pipe.
“Otherwise it is supposed to be releasing the pressure once in awhile otherwise if the pressure is too much, it explodes the tank. That is what I think caused the explosion otherwise tank can’t just explode like that, so there is built-up pressure inside the tank. He said.
On the allegation that it was the generator that caused the fire, that Director said, “it was not the generator, it was not near where the money was stored, it was just the area where they buried the tank under the ground. You know they buried the tank in the ground and put slaps on top, so when the explosion happened, it exploded and opened but it was just within the tank. All our fire vehicles were on ground”.
He appreciated Governor Samuel Ortom for providing fire fighting equipments for the service.
“We thank his Excellency for this work because if he is not doing it well, we wouldn’t have quenched this fire, all our vehicles were there before we were able to put off the fire, it was a very serious fight, it was a very tensed fire, it was not just an ordinary one,” he said
Engr. Ikyaaza advised people to always seek professional advice before carrying a project.
“Just as our custom, when we finish a project, we don’t care to go back to do some necessary inspections and repairs. If you are installing a tank in the ground, there is usually a vent/place where you release the pressure, so, if you observed that the pressure is not released, if there is a built up pressure, it is dangerous. Once in a while, inspect and make that you release the pressure from the tank because major explosion that happen sometimes is the built up pressure within if it is not released can cause serious explosion so people should learn to invite professionals to save cost,” he said.
When contacted, Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Sewuese Anene said that the command received information about the incident from policemen on duty at the bank and swiftly deployed additional team to the scene to ensure orderliness, while fire fighters did their job.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged Nigerians to seize the occasion of Christmas to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country in the year ahead.
Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, gave the charge in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja while rejoicing with Nigerians, especially Christians at Christmas.
He noted that Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, symbolises the fulfillment of age-old divine prophecy and God’s boundless love for mankind.
Morka said that the period exemplified compassion, patience, unity, mercy, and wholesome sacrifice, virtues that Christian faithful should imbibe.
“Christmas teaches of God’s infinite capacity to accomplish the seeming impossible and bring hope and light to even the most difficult situations.
“We urge Nigerians to seize the occasion of Christmas to pray for peace, unity and progress in our land in the year ahead,
while extending love and kindness to neighbours and needy citizens during and beyond this joyous celebration,” he said.
He wished all a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.(NAN)
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has underscored the need for sufficient regular migration pathways to tackle challenges associated with irregular migration in Nigeria.
The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms Paola Pace, noted this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to her, the driving force behind irregular migration is tied to insufficiency of regular migration pathways.
Pace said, “This means the pathways that allows individuals to migrate in a safe, orderly and regular manner like family reunification or educational visa schemes are familiar to many.
“However, there are other innovative models like skills mobility partnerships, which are pathways that facilitate upskilling of actual or potential migrants to fill labour gaps, either at home or abroad.
“These not only prevent brain-drain, they offer viable, sustainable opportunities for migrants to move in a regular manner that governments can monitor.”
She explained that for 18 months, the organisation had been prioritising regular pathways, because its social and economic benefits to both governments and migrants are enormous.
She commended the Federal Government, civil society, private sector and migrants themselves, for partnering with it, saying that these partnerships helped in promoting the expansion of existing regular migration pathways and creation of new ones.
“Just this week, I had the honour of speaking to the Nigeria Immigration Service on the occasion of their Anti-Smuggling Week.
“This week-long event focuses on another aspect of irregular migration —smuggling, which, together with human trafficking are two legally distinct crimes that are both harmful forms of coercive migration.
“We will continue our work with the Nigeria Immigration Service to combat smuggling or any human rights violation to migrants, not only at the borders, but throughout the full migration cycle.
“The greater the number of regular migration channels, the greater the likelihood that migrants will choose these, if and when they migrate, reducing their personal risk during the migration process,” she said.
Pace commended Nigeria’s participation in the African review process for implementation of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM).
She said that it was a right step in the right direction toward positioning the country in protecting rights of migrants.
The Global Compact on Migration (GCM) is the first-ever intergovernmentally-negotiated UN agreement on a common approach to international migration.
“This global compact places enormous weight on regular pathways, as a critical avenue to safeguard the human rights of migrants and to reduce irregular migration.
“Nigeria is a Champion Country of the GCM, which means it is a thought and action leader on how best to amplify, streamline and make equitable regular migration pathways.
“In October, IOM hosted a side event to the continental review process in which numerous government officials, private sector and civil society stakeholders participated, to focus on next steps for Nigeria in this context,” she added. (NAN)
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has announced the passing of his mother, Maryam Namadi on Wednesday.
This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Hamisu Gumel, on Wednesday in Dutse.
Maryam died in the early hours of Wednesday, Dec. 25, and was buried according to the Islamic rites in Kafinhausa town at about 4:00 p.
m.The funeral prayer was attended by many residents of the state, who condoled with the governor over the death.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Tijjani Abdullahi, sympathised with Namadi over the passing of his mother.
Abdullahi in a statement by the Spokesman of the command, Shiisu Adam, expressed deep condolences to the governor.
Report says that Namadi was on a working visit in China at the time of her death. (NAN)
Christmas: APC Rejoices with Nigerians, seeks Prayers for Peace, Unity
Share The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged Nigerians to seize the occasion of Christmas to pray for peace, unity...
IOM Stresses need for more Regular Migration Pathways in Nigeria
Share The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has underscored the need for sufficient regular migration pathways to tackle challenges associated...
Jigawa Governor Loses Mother
ShareGov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has announced the passing of his mother, Maryam Namadi on Wednesday. This is contained in...
Anambra: Police Nab Kidnap Suspect Disguising as IPOB Member
Share The Police Command in Anambra has apprehended a suspect, Chukwuma Obi who disguises as a member of the proscribed...
Tinubu Congratulates Ganduje on 75th Birthday
Share President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday congratulated Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on...
Christmas: Hospital Organises Party, Gives Gifts to in-patients
Share The Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos on Wednesday organised a programme for its in-patients to commemorate the Yuletide. Speaking...
Fire Guts Shops in Onitsha on Christmas Day
Share An early morning fire on Wednesday , gutted some shops near the General Post Office at Ibokwu Street, by...
We are not Imposing Maikudu as Substantive VC – UniAbuja
ShareThe University of Abuja (UniAbuja), has made it clear that the university is not imposing the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Aisha Maikudu,...
Use Festive Season to Promote Peace – Aliyu, Kukah urge Christians
Share Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has called on Christians in the state to use the festive season to...
Insurgency: NAF to Acquire more Attack Jets, Helicopters – CAS
ShareThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to acquire 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker...