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Otti Government Begins Construction Of Modern Fire Service Headquarters

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Alex Otti

Otti Government Begins Construction Of Modern Fire Service Headquarters

Otti Government begins construction of modern fire service headquarters. Mr Alajemba said the facility would accommodate 10 fire trucks, a medical emergency mini-clinic, and an integrated communication and dispatch centre.

The Abia State government has commenced the construction of a modern fire service headquarters in Umuahia, in alignment with its ongoing reforms to strengthen emergency response infrastructure across the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency Services, Chukwunenye Alajemba, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interactive session with journalists in Umuahia.
Mr Alajemba said the project was ordered by Governor Alex Otti to replace the dilapidated fire station that had served the state for decades.

“The governor has decided that the state’s emergency services should be second to none. He ordered the demolition of the old fire station because it was falling apart and had never been maintained,” he said.
According to him, the new complex would serve as a complete emergency headquarters.

Mr Alajemba said the facility would accommodate 10 fire trucks, a medical emergency mini-clinic, and an integrated communication and dispatch centre, equipped with advanced technology.

He said, “This place will have the dispatch call centre. The system we’re designing will allow us to track incidents in real time, using drone and satellite technology.

“It will also enable hospitals to prepare for emergencies even before patients arrive.”
He further said the facility would operate an end-to-end response network, linking emergency calls to nearby hospitals, ambulances, and fire units, a first-of-its-kind setup in the state.

“For instance, if there’s an accident and there is a bone fracture case, we can geolocate a hospital specialised in orthopedic cases and inform it instantly while the ambulance is still on its way.

“The hospital will know the exact time the patient will arrive,” Mr Alajemba said.
He also disclosed that new firefighting trucks had been ordered to boost the state’s capacity.

“The governor actually ordered some new firefighting trucks to be delivered—about two for now—before December, and more will come as funds become available,” Mr Alajemba said.

He emphasised that the project was fully funded by the Abia government, adding that the new headquarters would play a crucial role in protecting the state’s growing infrastructure and investments.

Mr Alajemba also encouraged residents to support the present administration’s efforts by equipping their homes and businesses with certified fire extinguishers.

Alex Otti

Alex Otti

He expressed optimism that with the governor’s support, Abia would soon have one of the most responsive and technologically advanced emergency systems in Nigeria.

The project contractor, Munachiso Okorocha, said the structure was designed to meet international standards.

Mr Okoroacha said, “This structure is supposed to accommodate 10 fire trucks, and at any point in time, we will have at least seven or eight trucks ready to attend to fire hazards and other emergencies.”

He described the building as a structure with a ground floor and a first floor, designed to withstand the heavy weight of fire trucks.

Mr Okorocha said the construction was expected to last 28 weeks, with delivery scheduled in the first quarter of 2026.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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