Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed as fire gutted three buildings in the Docemo area of Idumota, Lagos State.

In a statement via its official X handle, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received a distress call about the fire incident around 7:40 am, and emergency services swiftly mobilized.

It stated that upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the fire had gutted three buildings, including two two-storey structures and one three-storey building, adding that firefighting efforts were underway.

According to the statement issued by its Director, Margaret Adeseye, the service said that the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing.

The service also revealed that casualties have not been confirmed at this time.

The post reads: “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service have been alerted to a Fire emergency at the intersection of Nanadi Azikwe and Docemo in Idumota, Lagos. At 07:41 hours, the call was received, and emergency services swiftly mobilized.

“Upon arrival at 07:58 hours, it was discovered that the fire encompassed three buildings, including two 2-storey structures and one three-storey building.

“Currently, Firefighting efforts are underway at the scene. The Fire stations at Ebute Elefun, Ilupeju and Alausa have deployed resources to mitigate the situation effectively as firefighting operations are ongoing.

“The cause of the Fire is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing. Casualties have not been confirmed at this time.

“We urge residents to cooperate with emergency personnel and avoid the area for their safety.

“Further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have stormed the secretariat of the Labour Party to protest the party’s national convention planned for end of this month.

The union also demanded the sack of the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure.

The NLC leadership alleged that Abure was planning to hold a “secret” convention without the inputs of major stakeholders.

Vanguard gathered that the planned convention has pitched Abure against the NLC and the House of Representatives caucus.

The workers accused Abure of planning to destroy the Labour Party.

The protesting workers have been refused entry into the party Secretariat by the Nigeria Police Force.

Details later…

Comedian AY Makun has spoken about the bad side of social media.

According to him, social media is now a place where people do not need formal training on how to be a fool.

AY said social media is now a place where people do not care about how others feel.

His post reads

''Social media is now the new king Kong, where feelings are now more important than objective facts. If a foolish person comes out and says something that unlocks the feeling of an audience, he or she gets praised. But if a wise person comes and says something that is contrary to how people want to feel, he or she gets persecuted.

Social media is a place where you don't need formal training to know how to be a fool. You just have to be born foolish and be free enough to express your foolishness. It's a place that gives you confidence even in your ignorance. It is the only place where you can freely express the nothingness of your not knowing close anything before your interferences.

The funny part is that a lot of people carry their ignorance with a lot of class and a lot of confidence based on what they see or feel. But we must also understand that each community is entitled to have a fool or a community of fools that recognizes and accepts the foolishness of others as a brand to submit to. Such foolishness does not stop you from being a man or woman. It does not even stop you from not having fans and followers cut across the strata of different foolish endeavors.

Having said that, more foolish people will continue to evaluate their performances in the space by creating sensationalism and negative viral content for the entertainment pleasures of their different audiences. But as long as foolish individuals do not care about the stress, pain, anxiety, loneliness, and depression they bring you, the more it is also very important for them to enjoy the consequences of their actions."

On Tuesday, Zenith Bank Plc announced the appointment of Dame Adaora Umeoji as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective from June 2024.

She is the first female to lead the bank.

Her appointment is, however, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Umeoji will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose time in office expires on May 31.

Here are things to know about Adaora Umeoji

1. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos,

2. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and first-class honours in Law from Baze University Abuja.

3. She’s a Master of Laws graduate from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.

4. She also bagged a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.

5. Umeoji joined Zenith Bank in 1998, and since joining the bank, she headed the marketing group Maitama branch and went on to be the deputy zonal head of the Abuja Zone.

6. She then became executive director in charge of Abuja and Middle Belt Zones of the Bank.

7. She was appointed to the board on October 9, 2012.

8. She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

9. She attended the strategic thinking and management program at Wharton Business School, USA.

10. She holds a certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Management Sloan School and a Certificate in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School, USA.

11. She is a fellow of professional bodies including the Chartered Bankers Institute of London, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Institute of Credit Administration, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Meditators & Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria, among others.

12. Beyond banking, Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

13. She is a peace advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), and a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI).

14. She was recently awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.

15. In 2022, the Federal Government honoured her with Officer of the Order of Nigeria as a recognition of her contributions to nation-building.

Justice James Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out a lawsuit brought against the Federal Government, aiming to prohibit the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays in Nigeria.

The suit instituted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Nigeria was thrown out by the Judge on ground of being frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless.

The church had claimed that Saturday is its Sabbath day of worship and that fundamental rights of its members are being brutally breached by the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays.

The plaintiff then sought order of the Court to prohibit the Federal Government of Nigeria from further conducting elections and examinations on the Sabbath day so as to stop disruption of their rights to worship.

However, Justice Omotoso, in his judgment on Wednesday, held that the fundamental rights being claimed by the church were not at large and cannot be curtailed by government policy.

Besides, the Judge held that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is in the minority in Nigeria and cannot impose its doctrine on the majority of other religious denominations in the country.

Details later...

A nurse treating patients at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has died due to an outbreak of Lassa fever.

A source at the hospital said the nurse, Ewogu Nkechi, died last weekend and was buried immediately based on Lassa fever control protocol.

She had been attached to the emergency department of AE-FUTHA since December 2019. She was a graduate of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and hailed from the Ikwo Local Government Area of the State.

When contacted for his reaction, the Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Dr. Moses Ekuma, confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, saying the state epidemiologist and other health personnel are on top of the outbreak.

“Actually, there is an outbreak of Lassa Fever. It is not only in Ebonyi State. It affected other places more especially those areas that are prone to the outbreak. The state epidemiologist and other health team are on top of it to ensure its prevention and control,” he said.

Yesterday, the Nigerian Senate passed N446,342,656,992 as the 2024 budget of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The action of the Senate followed its adoption and approval of the recommendation of its Committee on Finance that considered the budget.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (APC – Niger East) presented the report.

Of the sum, according to the report, N177,441,479,682 is for Personnel Cost, N156,454,385,053 is for Overhead cost and N112,446,822,255.00 is for capital expenditure.

The committee observed that: “The Service Year 2024 budget estimates are based on Zero Based Budgeting.

“That the 2024 projected Cost of Collection of N446.34 billion is 39 per cent higher than the 2023 approved budgeted cost of collection which stood at N320.90billion.

“The personnel cost is based on staff strength on the payroll including social benefits (such as NHIA, Pension contribution etc.) and anticipated performance bonus for the year.

“The increase in overhead projection can be attributed to the need for more robust operational activities which are critical in driving the achievement of Service core objectives e.g tax automation projects and other critical ones that relate directly to tax collection and administration.