The United Bank of Africa, UBA, Headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos is allegedly on fire.

Breaking News: Fire Engulfs UBA Bank Branch on Lagos Island, Staff Forced to Jump from Building

In a shocking development today, September 16, 2025, a major fire outbreak has been reported at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch located on Lagos Island, Nigeria. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media paint a chaotic scene, with flames rapidly spreading through the building, trapping people inside and prompting desperate escape attempts. Emergency services are reportedly on the ground, but concerns have been raised about the response time in one of Lagos’ busiest commercial districts. The Incident Unfolds. According to multiple reports from the scene, the fire started earlier this afternoon, quickly escalating and engulfing parts of the UBA House. Videos shared online show thick smoke billowing from the structure, with flames visible on upper floors. In one particularly harrowing clip, bank staff can be seen jumping from a storey building to escape the inferno, highlighting the urgency and danger faced by those inside. Eyewitnesses have noted that several individuals may still be trapped, adding to the panic in the surrounding area. The Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), have been mobilized to combat the blaze and conduct rescue operations. One report mentions that at least one person has been rescued so far, but the full extent of casualties or injuries remains unclear as the situation develops. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, with no official statements from UBA or authorities at the time of writing. Public Reaction and Criticism Social media has been flooded with videos and updates from bystanders, expressing shock and frustration. Many have criticized the apparent delay in the arrival of fire services, questioning the preparedness of Nigeria’s emergency systems in a major urban center like Lagos. Comments range from calls for immediate action from government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to broader laments about infrastructure and safety standards in the country. One user described the scene as a “tragic” example of systemic incompetence, emphasizing the risks to human lives and billions in potential financial losses. Lagos Island, known for its dense markets and commercial hubs, has seen similar incidents in the past, often exacerbated by traffic congestion and limited access for emergency vehicles. This event underscores ongoing challenges in urban safety and disaster response. What We Know So Far UBA Bank has not issued an official statement as of now, but customers and the public are advised to avoid the area and monitor official channels for updates. Our thoughts are with those affected by this distressing event. We will continue to follow the story and provide updates as more details emerge.

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Online Voter Registration Hits 4.44Million

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded more than 4.44 million online registrations and 509,929 physical registrations in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He said that as of Sunday, September 14, a total of 4,445,505 Nigerians had pre-registered online within four weeks of the exercise, which began on August 18. According to the breakdown, 48.17 percent (2,141,294) of those who registered online are male, while 51.83 percent (2,304,211) are female. By age group, young people between 18 and 34 years make up the majority with 2,924,643 registrants (65.79 percent), while 1,112,344 (25.02 percent) are students. Olumekun added that of the 509,929 physical registrations completed as of September 12, 45.06 percent (229,758) were male and 54.94 percent (280,171) were female. Similarly, 74.15 percent (378,132) of the registrants were aged 18 to 34, and 38.54 percent (196,529) were students. He noted that the detailed distribution of registrations by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability status has been uploaded to INEC’s website and official platforms for public access. INEC also announced that online pre-registration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ended on Monday, September 15. Physical registration will continue at designated venues for the next two weeks, before being devolved to all 62 wards in the FCT from September 29 to October 8.

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Trump Says Some Undocumented Immigrants May Stay Based on Employer Recommendations

Trump Slams $15B Defamation Lawsuit on New York Times

U.S. President Donald Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and four of its journalists on Monday, according to court documents. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Florida names several articles and one book written by two of the publication’s journalists and published in the lead up to the 2024 election, saying they are “part of a decades-long pattern by the New York Times of intentional and malicious defamation against President Trump.” “Defendants published such statements negligently, with knowledge of the falsity of the statements, and/or with reckless disregard of their truth or falsity,” the lawsuit says. The New York Times did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment early Tuesday. In a Truth Social post announcing the lawsuit, Trump accused The New York Times of lying about him and defaming him, saying it has become “a virtual ‘mouthpiece’ for the Radical Left Democrat Party.” Trump has gone after other media outlets, including filing a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch in July after the newspaper published a story reporting on his ties to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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APC Chairman Yilwatda Yet to Resign Ministerial Post, Sparking Legal Concerns

APC Chairman Yilwatda Yet to Resign Ministerial Post, Sparking Legal Concerns

Abuja | September 16, 2025 — Nearly two months after his appointment as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda has yet to formally resign his position as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, raising significant constitutional and ethical concerns. Yilwatda, who replaced Abdullahi Ganduje as party chairman on July 24, continues to occupy both roles—contrary to convention and legal precedent. Critics argue that this dual capacity violates Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the APC’s internal regulations. Despite growing calls for clarity, President Bola Tinubu has not named a new minister, and Yilwatda remains listed in official records as a cabinet member, even while overseeing key party matters—most recently the APC’s strategy for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in November. Constitutional experts say the arrangement poses a serious conflict of interest. Sections 147 and 192 of the Constitution stipulate that ministers serve the entire federation, not partisan interests. Furthermore, Section 1 of the APC Constitution bars officeholders from occupying multiple executive roles that could create conflict. “This is a dangerous repeat of 2020,” said a political scientist at the University of Abuja, referencing the controversial dual role of Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni as both state governor and APC caretaker chairman under former President Buhari—a move that drew criticism and nearly derailed party litigation. Prominent legal voices have weighed in. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) stated that INEC should not recognise Yilwatda as national chairman unless he resigns as minister, calling the situation “totally illegal.” “A minister serves all Nigerians, not just a political party,” Adegboruwa told Daily Independent. “Until Yilwatda formally resigns, the APC has no national chairman in the eyes of the law.” He also urged the President to make Yilwatda account for any continued salaries and benefits received in his ministerial capacity. Chris Nwufo, another Lagos-based lawyer, echoed the concerns: “This is a blatant disregard for both the Nigerian constitution and APC’s own rules. A minister cannot simultaneously serve as party leader without compromising neutrality.” Meanwhile, several APC stakeholders are reportedly lobbying for the vacant ministerial slot, but sources within the party say Yilwatda appears unwilling to relinquish either position. As of press time, neither Yilwatda nor APC’s National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka responded to requests for comment.

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National Ordinance Day: NOA Charges Nigerians to Honour National Symbols

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has called on Nigerians to show greater respect and commitment to the country’s national symbols as the nation commemorates National Ordinance Day 2025. Speaking in Abuja, the DG reminded citizens that the National Flag, Coat of Arms, National Anthem, Pledge, Constitution, and other emblems of sovereignty represent the unity, dignity, and identity of Nigeria. He stressed that giving proper recognition to these symbols is both a civic duty and a mark of patriotism. “Respect for our national symbols is respect for Nigeria itself. Each time we hoist the flag correctly, recite the pledge sincerely, or sing the anthem with pride, we affirm our loyalty and commitment to the ideals of our nation,” Issa-Onilu said. The DG noted that September 16 is set aside annually as National Ordinance Day to commemorate the handover of Nigeria’s national symbols at independence. He urged Nigerians to use the day as a reminder to live out the values of unity, discipline, and service embedded in the ordinances. Issa-Onilu further encouraged schools, communities, organizations, and government institutions to consciously integrate respect for national symbols into their daily practices, saying this will help deepen national identity and strengthen social cohesion. The NOA reaffirmed its commitment to continuous nationwide sensitization and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that every Nigerian understands and upholds the dignity of the country’s symbols.

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Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Insecurity Accuses President of Indifference Amid Rising Violence

Pervasive Hunger, Poverty in Nigeria Unacceptable -Atiku

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has decried the increasing spate of hunger currently ravaging the country, especially the underprivileged poor and downtrodden. He remarked that whereas the primary objective of any government is the security and welfare of its citizens, the masses of Nigerians are progressively wallowing in misery and poverty under the watch of the Tinubu-led APC administration. According to Atiku, the current situation does not give cause for cheers as it engenders an increasingly progressive propensity for criminalities in form of high-wire fraud, terrorism, kidnapping, cultism, drug addiction and ritual sacrifice, among others. The Waziri Adamawa recalls that the most violent socio-political eruptions and revolutions all over the world had often been powered by pervasive hunger and unbearable material conditions – especially the paradox of squalor amidst plenty in our land. Counselling that the current unacceptable situation offers an opportunity for reflection, the former Vice President cited the French Revolution, the 1917 Russian Revolution and the Arab Spring in which a young man caught in the maelstrom of unbearable frustration set himself ablaze in a development which occasioned violent socio-political eruptions starting out from Tunisia to engulf the Middle-East and North Africa. “Back home here in Nigeria, it may not be out of place to argue that even the “ENDSARS” protest was fuelled by the traumatising frustration of hunger and insensitivity on the part of the government.” He also lamented that two years after assuming the reins of government, there are still no manifest signs that this government is capable of addressing the grim issue of severe hunger staring the poor in the face. “Whatever reform the Tinubu government might claim to be undertaking, the point remains that food insecurity is a daily occurrence nationwide. There is no government worth its salt that does not place priority on the welfare and security of the people.” He stressed further that since reforms are made for citizens and not the other way round, the reforms of this administration should have a human face. “Whether the present powers accept it or not, the reality of our existence is that the poor are increasingly dying of hunger while the majority of the living poor exists at the mercy of the ill-advised policies of this government.”

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DG NOA Advocates Strong Family Values for National Security

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has called for the reinforcement of strong family values as a foundation for national security, stressing that the stability of the home directly influences the stability of the nation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Haske Biyu 2025 in Jaji, Kaduna state, Onilu described the family as the first school of citizenship where values, discipline, empathy, and responsibility are first instilled. He noted that when families are grounded in love and structure, they nurture responsible citizens who contribute positively to the nation. He warned that the breakdown of family systems often leads to societal instability, with consequences such as youth delinquency, drug abuse, cultism, and even recruitment into extremist groups. According to him, moral neglect, poverty, and lack of parental guidance can become a breeding ground for insecurity if not addressed from the home. The event in jaji drew the participation of critical security stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), reflecting a broad-based commitment to strengthening national security.

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Tinubu Ends Vacation, Returns to Abuja on Tuesday

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has concluded his work vacation ahead of schedule and will return to Abuja on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to resume official duties. The President departed for France on September 4, 2025, to spend part of his annual holiday and was initially scheduled to divide the period between France and the United Kingdom. Last week in Paris, President Tinubu held a private luncheon with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace. Both leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France and agreed to deepen the partnership for mutual prosperity and global stability.

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