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200 rescued as three-storey building collapses in Anambra

Operatives from the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) have rescued about 200 people including students from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka, Anambra State from death after a 3-storey dilapidated building collapsed on them in the state capital.

It was gathered that before the unfortunate incident, the development control unit of the ACTDA had earlier taken decisive action and evacuated all the occupants from the building.

Speaking to Journalists shortly after sealing off the building for investigation, the Agency’s Deputy Commandant in charge of Rapid Response, Henry Uchechukwu Nabolisa, said the collapse was majorly caused by soakaways spread across the four walls of the building, noting that the structure has more than 10 soakaways surrounding the entire compound.

Nabolisa while warning other residents in the state not to delay reporting any collapse signal to the relevant authority for prompt intervention, noted that no life was lost and no injury was recorded in the incident.

Officials of the ACTDA, officials of the State Ministry of Environment and the rescue occupants of the building were at the scene of the collapse at the time of filling this report.

It was also gathered that the Agency equally sealed off a cracked two-storey building (Golden Lodge) close to the area to prevent a similar occurrence.

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Ebonyi to begin payment of new minimum wage September -Information Commissioner

Ebonyi State Government says it has concluded arrangements to begin the implementation of the payment of Federal Government’s approved National Minimum Wage to civil servants in the State starting this September, 2024.

The state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor disclosed this in an exclusive chat with DAILY POST on Thursday.

Okpor explained that the implementation was part of the Governor’s economic policies of improving the living standards of citizens of the State.

According to him, the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State was the first in the South East region to agree to the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage for workers.

He noted that the empowerment packages of the present administration were in different categories as many indigenes and non-indigenes have been benefiting from the empowerment Programmes of the Governor.

“In the commencement of his administration, his Excellency in order ameliorate the present economic hardship being faced by citizens, owing to the removal of fuel subsidy, which has continued to impact on the cost of commodities and cost of living, across the country, including Ebonyi State, for instance, implemented the wage increment of N10,000.00 and later upgraded it to N20,000.00.

“The Governor of Ebonyi State is the first Executive Governor in the South East to agree to the payment of the new national minimum wage, which directive has been given to the relevant authorities to begin the payment this September,” he stated.

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Yahaya Bello is not in our custody, still wanted – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports claiming embattled former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, is in their custody.

In a statement released on Wednesday, September 18, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the ex-governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges.”

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

Earlier today, Bello’s media team released a statement claiming he had honored the invitation from EFCC.

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Police commences investigation into officer’s altercation with Elderly woman

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced an investigation into circumstances leading to the altercation captured on video between a police officer and an elderly woman.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the incident took place in the Alagbado area of Lagos State in the first week of September 2024.

In a statement released, the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Police Inspector and his supervising DSP have been brought in for questioning while the Complaint Response Unit has established contact with the woman in the video.

Hundeyin added that the Lagos State Police Command totally condemns the unprofessional conduct of the Inspector as it does not represent the ethics and operational standards of the Nigeria Police Force.

He stated that the command assures Lagosians that the investigation will be swift, thorough and conclusive while ensuring that the officers are disciplined as appropriate and members of the public are updated accordingly.