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Ebonyi Building Collapse: Govt Orders Evacuation Of All Students In The Twin 3 Storey Hostel

Ebonyi State Government has directed all students residing at the Twin 3 Storey Hostel building, (Pentagon Lodge) to immediately vacate the building following the partial collapse of the building and the danger posed to the students.

Briefing journalists shortly after inspecting the damage done on the building and the properties destroyed, the State Commissioners for Capital City Development, Chief Sunday Inyima, his Housing counterpart, Mr. Francis Ori and that of Internal Security, Chief Eta Uka said that security agencies has been mobilized to ensure the students obey the directive.

They noted that the State Government has also provided an alternative accomodations for both the male and the female students within the school environment adding that from preliminary investigation, it is not safe for any student to spend another hour within the building as nobody is certain what will happen next.

“We must commend the State Governor Francis Nwifuru for his proactive stand on the building collapse. Immediately he got information on the collapse building, he mobilized the commissioners of the relevant Ministries to visit the scene and ascertain the level of destruction.

“We came here, first sealed off the building and directed all students residing in the Hostel to vacate immediately. We didn’t stop at that, through the collaboration of the School Management, we were able to get them an alternative accomodations inside the school.

“We have set up a panel of inquiry to look at the remote and immediate cause of the collapse. The panel is to also look at the welfare of the students that has been displaced. We have also commence investigation and Integrity Test on the building. We need to ascertain what actually happened and by Monday, we intend to submit the report to the Governor.

“The Commissioner for Internal Security has been directed to mobilize security agencies to ensure that no student is seen around that building. We can’t afford to loss anyone.

“It would be recalled that over 70 students occupying a hostel escaped death by the whiskers following the partial collapse of the 3 storey hostel housing them collapsed at Izzangbo Ohankwu Village, near the university in Ikwo.

The Hostel owned by a private developer collapsed following visible cracks on the walls and deckings which were not attended to by the owners despite reports by the occupants.

An Eyewitness who spoke to TopNews explained that the collapsed hostel abinitio trapped two students who were rescued following urgent intervention by first responders.

Reacting to the ugly incident, The Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof Sunday Elom lamented the manner private buildings are constructed without proper, supervision, monitoring and enforcement of building codes by relevant agencies, warning that if not checked , it may lead to further avoidable disasters.

He called on relevant government agencies to ensure strict enforcement of construction standards to ensure that buildings are properly designed and constructed to avoid indiscriminate collapse, which may lead to injury or loss lives and property.

Professor Elom therefore called on the Ebonyi state government to institute a full investigation into the hostel collapse to ascertain the probable causes of the collapse in order to punish anyone found culpable, and to serve as deterrent to corrupt regulators, contractors, engineers and others who may have cut corners, leading to the disaster.

The Vice-Chancellor further used the opportunity to sympathise with the students who might have lost or have their property trapped in the rubbles, and thanked God for preserving them, as there was no loss of life.

He further assured of his administration’s support to the affected students, directing them to liaise with the Student Union Government and the Dean of Students Affairs for proper documentation, and immediate support from the management.

“The Hostel does not belong to the University. Though it was housing some students as at the time of Collapse.

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No law says I must operate from govt house, Otti replies predecessors

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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that no law mandates that a governor operate from anywhere other than the Government House.

This is as he declared that he is still in the Labour Party “for now”.

 

The governor, who stated this while responding to questions during a media parley in Umuahia, dared his predecessors who threatened to sue him for operating from his private residence at Nvosi instead of the Government House in Umuahia, to proceed to the court as quickly as they could.

Otti said his lawyers were fully prepared for any legal confrontation on the matter.

“I am waiting to be sued. My lawyers are ready. I have looked at the Constitution and there is nowhere it says I must live in a particular place,” the governor said.

Otti, who is currently rebuilding the Governor’s Lodge as well as a brand new office inside the Government House, said the facility was left in a deplorable condition by past administrations.

“The state in which they left the Government House speaks for itself. I don’t owe anybody an explanation,” he added.

Recall that some of his predecessors – Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. Theodore Orji, and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu – and their loyalists, recently threatened to sue Otti and compel him to relocate to Government House Umuahia.

Meanwhile, the governor announced the extension of the state’s free electric bus service by one month.

He explained that the 20 electric buses, which commenced operations in late December 2025 and were originally scheduled to end free services in January, would now continue to operate free of charge until the end of February 2026.

On the leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP), and speculations about his possible defection ahead of the next election, Otti said he remains a member of the party for now.

“I am still in the Labour Party today. Tomorrow is another matter,” he said.

The governor noted that the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Working Committee of the LP had been affirmed by a recent court judgment as the authentic leadership of the party.

“So, the Court judgment confirmed actually that his tenure has expired and advised people to obey court decisions to save the courts from unnecessary troubles.

“We are not in election period. If election comes, we will still run under the Labour Party, but nobody knows tomorrow. But today, I am still in the Labour Party.”

He said the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment had already been transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing optimism that the electoral umpire would comply accordingly.

Otti urged the former National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, to respect and obey the court ruling.

“We are on the right side of the law. The court affirmed that Abure’s tenure has expired. People must obey court judgments to avoid unnecessary stress on the judiciary,” he said.

“We are not in an election season yet. When elections come, we will still run under the Labour Party. But today, I am a bona fide member of the Labour Party.”

Earlier in his remarks, the governor highlighted key achievements of his administration, particularly in education, infrastructure, and revenue generation.

He said the introduction of free education had led to a significant increase in student enrollment across public schools in the state.

Otti also disclosed that the iconic Omenuko Bridge at the Abam section of the Bende–Ohafia federal road had been completed and was ready for inauguration.

He added that several road projects across the state were progressing steadily, while the contractor handling the Ohafia–Arochukwu Road had been directed to return to the site.

The governor further announced that the expansion of the Lokpanta Cattle Market into a multi-sector commercial hub would soon commence following the State Executive Council’s approval of the project design.

He also revealed plans to digitise the collection of levies from hotels and other hospitality businesses to boost internally generated revenue.

“In the next few months, hotels will be assessed using verified criteria, and with the click of a button, they will receive their rates,” Otti said.

Reaffirming his commitment to good governance, the governor assured Abians of increased infrastructural development, stressing that his overriding goal is to leave the state better than he found it.

Source.  Vanguard

 

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Days After Governor Yusuf’s Defection To APC, Federal Government Approves N1trn Rail Project For Kano

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The Federal Government has approved the construction of a ₦1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service for Kano State, aimed at transforming urban transportation and easing traffic congestion across the metropolitan area.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the approval while addressing the State’s contingent that participated in the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Borno State.

In a statement released on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Governor yusuf said the project would “provide a modern, efficient, and affordable mass transit system that will connect key districts within the metropolis, enhance mobility for residents, and stimulate trade and investment.”

Yusuf explained that the decision of his administration to realign with the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was “driven by the need to attract critical development projects to Kano State.”

Our correspondent  reports that Governor Yusuf had a couple of days ago formally joined the APC after defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Describing the rail service as “a landmark intervention,” the governor said it would “significantly improve the quality of life of the people and reposition Kano as a major transportation hub in Northern Nigeria.” He assured that the state government would “work closely with relevant federal agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the project, transparency, and maximum benefits for the people of the state.”

Governor Yusuf also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the project and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment “to complement federal efforts through supportive policies and infrastructure development.”

 

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Lawyers, Others Storm Finance Ministry Over N4 Trillion Debt

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Legal practitioners numbering over 500 acting under the aegis of Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice, stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, to join the protest by indigenous contractors demanding the payment of an estimated N4 trillion for completed capital projects.

The legal practitioners, who were also joined by other civil society groups such as The Enough is Enough Movement and the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, AICAN, accused the ministry of favouritism in its dealings with contractors.

The protesters equally demanded the resignation of Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite over her alledged mismanagement of the crisis.

Several protesters were sighted along with several police patrol vehicles as well as armed policemen blocking the main entrance of the Ministry’s building at 12:48 p.m., yesterday.

Some of the contractors who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation claimed that despite partial disbursements in December 2025, the majority of verified debts remain unsettled, exacerbating their financial hardship.

In a statement signed by Precious Okoh, which was read during the peaceful protest, contractors highlighted cases where individuals who borrowed at high interest rates to fund projects now face asset seizures by banks.

Okoh said: “Contractors who borrowed from banks at high interest rates to fund these projects now face relentless loan defaults, with banks seizing homes, vehicles, and other assets.

“Wives and children watch their breadwinners sink into despair, some pushed to the brink of mental breakdown or worse.

“Entire households have been uprooted, dreams shattered, and futures stolen—all because payments promised and earned have not been made.

“Beyond individual suffering, the ripple effects cripple our national economy. These contractors employ thousands of workers—masons, engineers, labourers—who depend on steady contracts for survival.

“When payments stall, jobs vanish, purchasing power drops, local markets suffer, and economic growth grinds to a halt. A nation that starves its own builders starves itself of progress.”

 

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