Popular Ochanja Market In Onitsha Razed!

Properties worth billions of Naira, was lost when tragedy struck at the Popular Ochanja market, in Onitsha, eastern bank of the River-Niger, Anmabra State, Nigeria.

Photo Source: Twitter

The incident happened on Wednesday, 16th October, 2019, at about 12:44pm. According to reports, a tanker loaded with the PMS product fell, spilling its content all the way through the  MCC, the Upper-Iweka and Ochanja market areas of the commercial Hub.

Although the actual number of casualties can not be confirmed as at the time of this report, eye-witness reports indicates that lives were lost and so many people sustained divers degrees of injury. 

It was gathered that the Anambra State Fire Service was no where in sight during the inferno. People were seen in videos and pictures making rounds, throwing packed water, otherwise known as pure-water in an effort to stop the fire.

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Security Issues In Lagos State: Sanwo-Olu Meets Police IG!

Following security concerns, arising from series of clashes between cultist groups in Lagos state, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, 8th October, met with the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria's capital city.

Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a hand-shake with the IG of Police, Mohammed Adamu

There have been unsettling developments, especially around the Lekki Peninsula axis, following deadly clashes between cultists. A recent incident was on the 7th of October, when motorists were attacked and robbed during the fight between two gangs in the Jakande and Igbo-Efo areas. The attacks saw pedestrians and commuters scampering to safety. 

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Under Jubilee Bridge at Ajah, Lekki-Lagos, shortly after commissioning, in May, 2017.

Current state of Jubilee Bridge at Ajah, Lekki-Lagos. October, 2019.

Days After Reprisals, Shops Still Counting Their Losses!

A fourth night after 'reprisal' attacks, shops in the popular Novare-Mall, Sangotedo, Lekki area of Lagos State- Nigeria, are yet to recover. A recent visit to the mall, as seen in pictures below, revealed that most shops are yet to re-open for business, while the few opened ones show signs of slow recovery.

Shops located in malls where the Shoprite and Games stores are, were attacked in a "reprisal", following various reports of xenophobic attacks on foreigners and their enterprises, majority of whom are Nigerians, living in South-Africa. There have been a global out-cry against xenophobia.

Security Risk Alert: Non Functional Street-Lights Around Lagos, Calls For Attention Around!

One of the major challenges facing Nigeria, and most countries around the globe, is the need to put adequate security measures in place to prevent crimes. Albeit, Tannenbaum, 1943:2, assertion in Teeters, 1995:63, "No society is free from crime and it is to be accepted that "crime is an ever-present condition, even as sickness, disease, and death". Crime-preventive-measures, is a vital area most school of thoughts acknowledged, for the well-being and development of a society. Hence, the need for effective checks in place; as lack of these, have over time resulted in dire situations.

Grave attacks leading to loss of lives, properties and the most challenging, a lot of people have had to live with the trauma of counting their 'unexpected' losses. For this, governments the world over, have spent huge sums of money on security measures. Ranging from terrorism, to the minutest crimes, plans are put in place to curtail these attacks and in some cases, prevent a re-occurrance.

For the Nigerian situation, being security-conscious can never be overrated. All through the year, there abound official and unofficial reports of criminal attacks: pick-pockets, rapes, exertera, most of which are encouraged by the lack of measures in place.

As the "ember-months" approach, the need to tighten security across the nation can not be over-flogged, if indeed, the government truly cares for the people. To ensure a significant reduction in crime-rate, functional street-lights, incorruptible security personnel on strategic places, especially at nights, need to be top among other measures. Otherwise, what would be obtained will be a case of repetition of unproductive efforts.

Jubilee fly-over (Bridge), Ajah, Lagos

An example is the current situation, as portrayed in the pictures above and below, of the ascent of the Jubilee fly-over, from Ajuwa to Ilaje Bus-stop, or descent from Ilaje, into Ajuwe, Ajah area, Lekki-Lagos State, Nigeria, at night.

These pictures indicate that non of the street lights from this end on-wards, towards the Ibeju-Lekki axis, are currently functioning.

Jubilee fly-over (Bridge), Ajah, Lagos

A situation which leaves motorists at the mercy of their head-lights and, or corporate or privately owned structures along the express-way, to provide needed visibility.

Obianuju Mbanusi writes.

Africa's Many Challenges In The Face Of Potentials!

Six out of the ten fastest growing global economy,  are in Africa. Suffice to say 

that Nigeria failed to make the list. This could be owed to the hypocritical approach of the governments, in ensuring that genuine policies aimed at leveraging on the country's potentials, to build a formidable economy stands. There have been numerous attempts to enact policies that would have seen the sprout, sustenance of industries and ultimately, an all-round economic development; but like apparitions, they fizzled away before they were able to make any meaningful impact. As a result, the nation's economy continued to dwindle, up to it's current state, where it's no longer recognized among world's fastest growing economies. 

Fareed Zakaria, on a recently aired CNN's "What in the world" stated: ..."Africa continues to face massive problems in the form of corruption and mismanagement, not to mention natural-conflict. So would the continent's promising growth statistics reflects the simple fact that Africa is rich in natural resources, and a growing world-economy has created high demand for these products. Africa would however, demand the world's attention over the coming decades. It would have 1 billion people to its population by 2050, and 2 billion more by the end of the century; at which point, more than one in three people on the planet would be African. That demographic boom could create enormous problems, if it’s not accompanied by jobs and political stability. But it could provide the world with energy and dynamism, as populations age and growth slows than most of the rest of the world".

In what could be described as  a perfect example of the many problems the African continent is confronted with on all sides, and which have overtime, stalled its development. A Nigerian business man has cried out against the Nigerian Customs Authority, following what he termed the unlawful seizure of over 700 bags of made-in-Nigeria bags of rice recently in Lagos, Nigeria. 

As fragile as the situation seems, there is hope for the continent, Zakaria stated-  "Much of these would depend on Africa's leaders, who would have to finally fulfill the promise of the continent and its people. Too many have stolen from their people for too long".