In a move to support victims of the tragic January 25 petrol tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday presented a cheque of N18 million to the Enugu State Government.

Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Abbas emphasized the commitment of the House to stand with affected citizens during moments of grief. Represented by members of the Enugu State Caucus in the House—led by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji and including Hon. Matins Oke, Hon. Dennis Amadi, Hon. Mark Obetta, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, and Hon. Chimaobi Atu—the Speaker commended Governor Peter Mbah for his swift and compassionate response.

“On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we commiserate with the Government and people of Enugu State over the tanker incident at Ugwu Onyeama.”

“We acknowledge that you have done a lot to support both the injured and those who lost their loved ones,” Hon. Nnaji said.

“So, this is a cheque for N18 million to assist the state to further ameliorate their losses and challenges occasioned by the incident.”

“The Speaker sends his heartfelt condolences, once again. And you can continue to count on the support of the Speaker and the House,” he added.

Governor Mbah expressed appreciation for the donation, acknowledging the Speaker’s continued empathy and solidarity with the people of the state since the incident.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I express profound gratitude and deep appreciation for this wonderful gesture.”

“I recall that when the Ugwu Onyeama incident occurred, taking the lives of several of our loved ones, the Speaker called and assured that he was with us in prayers,” Mbah stated.

“Today, he has also shown us that he is not only with us in prayers, but also materially. He has equally come to mourn with us.”

“This cheque for N18 million will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the incident on those affected and their families.”

“Rest assured that as a government, we will ensure that this gets to them in a transparent, accountable, and just manner,” he assured.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has refuted reports circulating in the media suggesting that the Federal Government has agreed to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for 80 years.

In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo clarified that while discussions are ongoing concerning the concession of five major airports in Nigeria, no final decision—especially on duration—has been made.

He acknowledged that the Federal Government is indeed considering proposals for airport concessions as part of a strategy to improve infrastructure and ensure the facilities meet international standards, particularly in light of the financial strain involved in maintaining them.

He noted that many of Nigeria’s airports currently operate at a loss and require monthly subsidies from the government.

According to the statement: “Our attention has been drawn to certain online reports/stories suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport. These reports/stories are utterly baseless and untrue.”

Keyamo also pointed out that the push for airport concessions began before his tenure.

“At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession,” the statement noted.

“It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration,” it continued.

“All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Osogbo branch, has strongly condemned the recent arson attack on the Osun High Court in Ilesa, which occurred on Monday.

The NBA, in a statement released by its Chairman, Mr. Yemi Abiona, on Tuesday in Osogbo, referred to the incident as a “heinous attack that poses a serious threat to justice delivery and the rule of law.”

Abiona expressed his concern, stating that it was troubling that this was the second such attack, recalling a similar incident in the past when Court 3 was set ablaze, including the chambers of a judge.

“I wonder what the perpetrators of such an attack on the court room intended to achieve. This attack is the handiwork of faceless cowards and ignorants,” he said.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Abiona remarked that the inferno could not have been an “act of God.”

He questioned the intentions of the arsonists, wondering what they hoped to gain from destroying courtrooms that housed important legal documents.

“We only wonder what the perpetrators intend to achieve by setting fire to court rooms where documents are kept,” he added.

The NBA Chairman commended Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for his prompt response, which included directing thorough investigations and reinforcing security measures at court premises across the state.

Abiona also called on security agencies to identify and apprehend the culprits, promising that the NBA would offer free legal services to prosecute anyone responsible for the attack.

“We are urging the police to leave no stone unturned in conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Together, we can uphold the integrity of our justice system,” he concluded.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Osun High Court 2 in Ilesa was set on fire early on Monday, resulting in the destruction of sensitive documents and exhibits, with the entire building being reduced to rubble.

Governor Adeleke has since ordered a detailed investigation and called for increased security around all court premises in the state.

The death toll from the collapsed building at Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, has now reached eight after rescuers discovered two more bodies from the rubble on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Prior to this, six deaths had already been confirmed, with 20 survivors rescued following the collapse of the three-story uncompleted structure located at No. 10 Oremeta Street around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

The retrieval of the additional bodies added to the intense emotions at the scene, where numerous sympathizers had gathered since the incident.

Many of those present were overcome with grief, and the area has become a place of reflection for locals and visitors alike.

Construction had recently resumed on the top floor of the building before it gave way.

According to a resident, the ground floor served as a bar, eatery, and parking space, while the upper floors remained unoccupied.

Officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) continued working at the site on Monday, using excavators to clear debris and load it onto trucks.

The building’s owner, Mariam Omotanwa Salua, CEO of Equal Rights Restaurant, had allegedly started renovations on the building, including the addition of new pillars, without informing the necessary regulatory bodies.

It was reported that the two bodies discovered on Monday were staff members of Equal Rights Restaurant, a popular spot for locals on the ground floor.

Survivors, primarily adult females, are currently receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The Lagos State government has arrested the building’s owner, Mr. Sani Salau, who is expected to face legal consequences.

A resident at the site, visibly distraught, shared that a 22-year-old restaurant worker, Ayomide Adebola, is feared to be trapped.

A disc jockey who survived the incident explained that he noticed a shifting pillar and falling blocks, prompting him to raise an alarm.

“I rushed upstairs to warn others, but some didn’t take me seriously. I left with a few people just before the building collapsed,” he recalled.

Alhaji Abdulganiu Sani, Chairman of the All Ojodu Communities Development Association, criticized LASBCA for failing to properly oversee the building’s condition, arguing that it should have been marked for demolition.

LASBCA spokesperson, Ademuyiwa Adu, responded by noting that although residents were aware of the building’s deteriorating state, they failed to report it to the agency or the nearby Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL).

Meanwhile, scavengers tried to invade the site to remove reinforcement bars from the wreckage but were stopped by police and LASBCA officials.

Only a designated truck was allowed to remove the iron bars.