Nigeria News (Standard)
Building Collapses in Lagos Island, Follows Port Harcourt Tragedy Within 24 Hours
Incident raises safety concerns as authorities begin investigation; no official casualty figure released yet by Lagos officials
Incident raises safety concerns as authorities begin investigation; no official casualty figure released yet by Lagos officials
A building collapsed on Lagos Island in Lagos State on Thursday, barely a day after a similar incident was reported in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The latest collapse has heightened anxiety among residents and raised fresh questions over building safety compliance in major urban centres.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, though the exact address and number of casualties have not been confirmed by emergency agencies as at the time of filing this report. Witnesses said rescue operations began shortly after the collapse, with first responders and community members working to clear debris and search for any trapped victims.
This latest tragedy comes just 24 hours after another building came down in Port Harcourt, highlighting ongoing concerns about structural integrity and enforcement of construction regulations across the country. Building collapses remain a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s urban areas, with experts citing factors such as poor workmanship, substandard materials, and weak regulatory oversight as contributing causes.
Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have commenced investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse. As at press time, there were no confirmed reports from either LASEMA or Lagos State Government regarding fatalities or injuries. Efforts to reach relevant authorities for comment were unsuccessful.
With two major collapses within two days in different parts of southern Nigeria, stakeholders are urging government agencies to step up monitoring of construction activities and enforce stricter penalties for violations. Many residents are calling for renewed attention to building codes and routine inspections to avert further loss of lives and property.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Delta Court Orders Arrest of Police Officer Over Criminal Case Delay
Judge issues bench warrant against officer after repeated absence stalls proceedings in Warri criminal trial
Judge issues bench warrant against officer after repeated absence stalls proceedings in Warri criminal trial
A Delta State High Court sitting in Warri on Thursday ordered the immediate arrest of a police officer whose absence has delayed progress in an ongoing criminal trial. The judge issued a bench warrant after noting that the officer, who is a principal prosecution witness, repeatedly failed to appear before the court as directed.
The court’s decision followed several adjournments attributed to the officer’s absence, which prosecutors said was affecting the timely administration of justice in the matter. The officer’s name and specific details of the case were not disclosed at the sitting. The presiding judge said the court could not tolerate further delays and directed that law enforcement agencies produce the officer at the next hearing date.
Legal practitioners present in court described the move as necessary to uphold judicial integrity and ensure that criminal matters are handled without undue interference or neglect by any party. They noted that failure by key witnesses—especially police officers involved in investigations—to attend court sittings has contributed to prolonged trials across Delta State and Nigeria at large.
Although police authorities have not issued an official response regarding the absent officer as at press time, judicial sources indicated that stricter measures may be adopted if such conduct persists among law enforcement personnel. The next hearing has been scheduled, with the judge warning that non-compliance with court orders will attract further legal consequences.
The incident underscores growing concerns over delays in criminal cases due to lack of cooperation from critical witnesses. Justice sector observers say prompt compliance with court summons is vital for public confidence in Nigeria’s legal system.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos: Mr Ibu’s Family Faces Hardship as Three Children Withdraw from School Two Years After Actor’s Death
Content creator King Mitchy appeals for public support as Okafor family endures weeks without electricity or clean water
Content creator King Mitchy appeals for public support as Okafor family endures weeks without electricity or clean water
The family of late Nollywood comic actor, John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, is facing severe hardship in Lagos State, with three of his youngest children reportedly forced to stop schooling due to financial constraints. The situation was made public on Tuesday by content creator Mitchel Ihueze, also known as King Mitchy, who visited the Okafor family and revealed details of their living conditions.
According to King Mitchy, the Okafor household has been struggling without access to electricity or clean water for about two weeks. The family’s dire situation has worsened since Mr Ibu’s passing in 2024 at the age of 62 following a cardiac arrest. King Mitchy stated that the late actor’s daughter, aged 14, and two sons aged 12 and 10 have all withdrawn from school because their mother cannot afford to pay their tuition fees.
Mr Ibu was celebrated across Nigeria for his comedic roles in Nollywood films that brought laughter to millions of homes. His death in 2024 drew widespread tributes from fans and colleagues alike. However, since his demise, the welfare of his immediate family has deteriorated, highlighting the precarious situation that can befall the families of public figures after their deaths.
King Mitchy described her visit to the Okafors as distressing and called on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene by supporting the family financially. She emphasised that Mr Ibu’s legacy should not end in neglect, stating: “This is the family of a legend. Not just anybody. I don’t know for you, but for me Mr Ibu made my childhood fun. Him and Aki and Paw Paw now that he is gone his family should not be suffering. We are donating for the children to go back to school and for their house rent to be paid.”
As at press time, there has been no official response from industry associations or government agencies regarding potential support for the Okafor family. King Mitchy has launched a public appeal on social media seeking donations to help pay outstanding rent and cover school fees for the children. The situation raises renewed concerns about welfare provisions for entertainers’ families in Nigeria after their passing.
Nigeria News (Standard)
AATF Trains 500 Cassava Processors in Oyo to Boost 20% Wheat Flour Substitution Policy
Programme aims to cut wheat import bill and create rural jobs as government pushes cassava value chain expansion
Programme aims to cut wheat import bill and create rural jobs as government pushes cassava value chain expansion
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), working with master bakers, has trained over 500 cassava processors in Fasola, Oyo State, as part of renewed efforts to implement Nigeria’s policy of substituting up to 20 per cent of wheat flour with high-quality cassava flour in bread production. The training session took place recently in the South-West state, gathering processors from across the region.
Participants received practical instruction on producing a range of cassava-based baked goods, including white bread, coconut bread, fruit bread and various pastries. According to organisers, the initiative is intended to empower local processors and bakers with the technical know-how needed to meet growing demand for cassava flour blends in the bakery industry.
Nigeria’s 20 per cent cassava flour substitution policy was introduced under former President Goodluck Jonathan as a strategy to reduce dependence on imported wheat and strengthen local agriculture. Stakeholders have argued that successful implementation will not only lower Nigeria’s annual wheat import bill—which runs into hundreds of millions of naira—but also drive agro-industrial growth, generate jobs in rural areas and boost value addition along the cassava value chain.
Officials from AATF explained during the event that supporting processors with updated skills is critical for realising government’s vision. “By equipping these processors, we are directly supporting federal policy while empowering communities,” one organiser said at the training. Master bakers involved added that wider adoption could make bread more affordable for Nigerians by reducing costs tied to imported wheat.
With Nigeria still among Africa’s top consumers of wheat-based products, experts say expanding local sourcing is vital for food security and economic diversification. Government has indicated plans to further scale such capacity-building programmes nationwide as it seeks greater self-sufficiency in staple foods.
Cape Verde Shot-Stopper Vozinha on the Move After World Cup Heroics
Delta Court Orders Arrest of Police Officer Over Criminal Case Delay
Lagos: Mr Ibu’s Family Faces Hardship as Three Children Withdraw from School Two Years After Actor’s Death
AATF Trains 500 Cassava Processors in Oyo to Boost 20% Wheat Flour Substitution Policy
Georgina Rodríguez Reunites With Ronaldo After Portugal’s Historic World Cup Moment
Kano’s Shawall Barau Jibrin Leads Barau FC to Eighth-Place NPFL Finish and Kano FA Cup Triumph
CBN Orders Nigerian Banks to Freeze Accounts of Six Terrorism Financing Suspects
Lagos Graduates Turn to Job Aggregation Platforms as Labour Market Fragmentation Deepens
Lagos Hosts STEM Africa Fest’s Sixth Edition, Expands Innovation Drive to Ilorin
Ogun Police Arrest Three Over Killing of Former OGTV Broadcaster and Security Guard
Environment Minister Urges Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Green Economy Ahead of Global Climate Summit
Gọvanmenti Nigeria Kwupụtara 53 Orù Anyanwụ Maka Ike Ọhụrụ N’iru Afọ 2050
Moniepoint Graduates Second DreamDevs Cohort in Lagos to Strengthen Nigeria’s Engineering Workforce
Lagos FMCG Giants Record ₦18.9bn Rise in Production Costs, Earnings Hit by Inflation in Q1
FG Launches $500m Abuja Formula 1 Bid, Targets Africa’s First Grand Prix Since 1993
Lagos Residents Spend Over ₦50bn on US Visa Applications Amid Tighter Entry Rules
Lagos Police Arrest Doctor, Birth Attendant Over Alleged Sale of Newborn for ₦2.5m
Fresh Romance Rumours Trail Lando Norris as Alix Earle Sparks Drama in Monaco
Lagos Court Declares National Assembly’s ₦110bn Vehicle and Allowance Spending Unlawful
