Month: July 2025

A massive fire has gutted Shril-Balaj Industrial Limited in the Olopomeji area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying properties worth millions of naira. The blaze, which occurred on Sunday morning, severely affected the recycling section of the factory, where large quantities of disused tyres were stored. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the section before emergency responders could fully contain it. Despite swift intervention, significant damage had already been done by the time firefighters arrived. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, revealed that the agency received a distress call around 7:07 am. He explained that the fire was triggered by an explosion from a running machine, which ignited nearby combustible materials. “The fire incident was caused by the explosion of a machine that set surrounding materials ablaze,” Akinwande stated. “While the recycling section and disused tyres were destroyed, our team was able to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the company.” Would you like me to create a shorter, punchy headline and a meta description (SEO-friendly) for this news post?

Tension is building in Abuja as Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), and other activists plan to stage a protest today, Monday, demanding improved welfare for officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Simultaneously, retired police officers under the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers will hold a picket at both the National Assembly complex and the Force Headquarters. Their protest is aimed at pressing for an exit from the contributory pension scheme, which they have described as unfair and discriminatory. According to the union, the government has failed to address their repeated calls for reform, forcing them to take to the streets. The chairman of the union, Mannir M. Lawal, told News360 Nigeria that members from all 36 states have gathered in Abuja for what he called the “mother of all peaceful protests.” He said, “Nothing is going to stop the protest. We have just met with the FCT Commissioner of Police. We have informed him of our intention. We just want to be removed from the contributory pension scheme. We want all our savings to be refunded to us with immediate effect.” Contrary to reports suggesting that Sowore and other activists organized the protest to tarnish the image of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Lawal clarified that the union solely planned the demonstration. “We only saw Sowore’s own on social media. We are not aware of his planned protest before today,” he said. The Nigeria Police Force, through its spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, accused certain individuals of politicizing a sensitive welfare matter and “weaponizing the legitimate grievances of retired officers for ulterior motives.” Adejobi said, “Their intent is not reform, but disruption,” alleging that these actors are twisting facts, inflaming public sentiment, and sowing distrust. He, however, reaffirmed that the police remain focused on addressing welfare issues. Meanwhile, IGP Egbetokun has directed police commissioners to ensure protesters are protected. A leaked memo seen by News360 Nigeria on Sunday night directed some officers in Abuja to remain in their barracks until further notice. In response, Sowore insisted there would be no retreat. He accused the Police Force and the administration of President Bola Tinubu of neglecting officers. “You humiliated them in service and in retirement. Now you’re scrambling, issuing statements, summoning spin doctors, locking officers in barracks, trying to explain away decades of injustice,” he wrote on social media. The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has appealed to the retirees to return to negotiations, warning that the planned protest could discredit the IGP.

At a public hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review held in Owerri for Imo and Abia states, Governors Hope Uzodimma and Alex Otti on Saturday presented differing views on the issue of state creation. Governor Uzodimma called for the creation of at least two additional states in the South-East, arguing that it would promote equity and justice for the Igbo people and address the region’s perceived marginalisation. He said the South-East, with only five states, remains underrepresented in critical national institutions compared to other zones with six or more states. “This imbalance has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity. Therefore, it’s only fair and just that we ask for the creation of at least two additional states in the South-East,” Uzodimma said. He specifically proposed the creation of Anim State, which he said has oil-producing potential and would be commercially viable. He also advocated the creation of additional local government areas for the zone. Uzodimma further urged constitutional amendments to grant indigeneship rights to anyone born or resident in a state for at least 10 years. On the presidency, Uzodimma called for a rotational arrangement among the six geopolitical zones rather than the current North-South divide. He also expressed support for state police, describing the current centralised policing structure as overstretched and disconnected from local realities. “As the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, I can confirm that we support the decentralisation of the police for greater responsiveness and effectiveness. The fear that governors will misuse such a force is unfounded and frankly outdated,” Uzodimma said. Governor Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, expressed reservations about creating new states, warning that it would overstretch Nigeria’s limited resources. He said proposals for 31 additional states would increase administrative costs and bloat an already oversized bureaucracy. “I respect the right of those who believe that the creation of new states would address concerns of marginalisation and exclusion of some ethnic and religious groups in the current structure. However, except we can magically find independent sources of financing, I do not share the optimism of those promoting the idea of adding new states to the current 36-state structure,” Otti said. He recommended an inclusive governance model within existing states to ensure equitable resource allocation and representation for all major clans and groups. Otti also stressed the need for economic reforms, job creation outside the civil service, and prioritising the welfare of ordinary citizens. On security, Otti supported the creation of state police, but called for clear standards on leadership, recruitment, accountability, and human rights. He also backed the creation of additional seats for women in national and state assemblies to enhance female participation in governance. Otti further urged caution on proposals to make local government councils a separate tier of government, warning against expanding an already overburdened bureaucracy. He supported making free and compulsory basic education a fundamental right of all citizens and called for strengthening internal processes within political parties to encourage active participation of women. “Our target should not be to create a perfect constitution, but build on the gains that have been made over the past 26 years since the present Constitution came into effect,” Otti said.