Precious Esobe

Lagos State has a newly appointed Commissioner of Police (CP). Reports says that Idowu Owohunwa’s former position as Commissioner of Police will be replaced by Fayoade Adegoke. Idowu, himself, was recently elevated to the position of Assistant Inspector-General of Police. This development was made known on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, through a police wireless message that included Fayoade’s posting, made available by the Nigerian Police Force Secretary. The police wireless message which was dated December 11, 2023, bore the marking TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.5/103, and was signed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The record stated further that the posting went into effect right away. Fayoade’s assignment was verified to the command by Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer for the Lagos State Police. According to Hundeyin, the new CP “is likely to resume any moment from Wednesday.”

The Ogun State Government announced the launch of its “Renew and Reuse” trash management campaign, which aims to encourage responsible waste management among State citizens through charitable giving and acts of kindness. At the initiative’s debut in the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta, Ola Oresanya, the State’s Commissioner for Environment, revealed this. Under the project, anyone living in the State will be able to donate their unwanted goods by using collecting boxes strategically positioned throughout the State. Other residents who might require the donated things will have access to them. He said, “Ogun State government has commenced a Renew and Reuse Waste Agenda with a call on residents of the state to be their brother’s keepers, especially during this season of love and giving which is in line with Prince Dapo Abiodun administration’s social inclusion. “The agenda seeks to bond every strata of the population together through the renewal of some items considered as waste to useful materials for reuse by those who need them thereby promoting human kindness. This would be done through several collection boxes placed at Government Offices, prominent eateries, stores, outlets and Non Governmental Organizations offices spread across the state.” Additionally, he wants people to realise that trash is not waste unless it is thrown away on its own, just as one person’s trash can make another happy. He said; “What you want to throw away is what some people are looking for, so don’t throw them away as this is an avenue for you to show human kindness, especially at this time when the federal and state governments are giving out palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy and global economic downturn.”

The injured survivors of the Tudun Biri error assaults in Kaduna State have received N5 million in donations from Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) Presidential Candidate for 2023. Obi paid a visit to the injured patients undergoing care at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna. He said, “I visited Kaduna state to commiserate with the grieving good people of the state on the unfortunate accidental bombing by the Nigeria Army at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government of the State.” “While in Kaduna, I took time also to visit the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, where those wounded in the ugly incident are receiving treatment.” “May Almighty God forgive the sins of those that died grant them eternal rest, and grant their families the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable losses. And for those receiving treatment in the hospital, I pray to God Almighty to grant them quick recovery.” “I thank the government of Kaduna State for their kind and caring intervention for the affected victims.” He commended Soldiers and other Security Agencies for their outstanding efforts in securing Nigeria, particularly during this trying time. He also urged them to exercise extra caution in their operations given the concerning 16 incidents that have resulted in about 485 fatalities since the war against insurgency began in 2009. Furthermore, Peter Obi adviced that necessary precaution be taken to avoid future occurrences while remaining focused on securing Nigeria. He also emphasized the need to maintain right priorities and direct our resources into more important and fruitful endeavours as that will promote national development and benefit Nigerians.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Chisom Nwankwo, a final-year student of Agric/Economics Department at Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife, Osun State, passed away in an accident that happened on the school’s campus. When the accident occurred, Chisom was reportedly travelling on a commercial motorbike along Road 1 of the University grounds. Campus sources said that Chisom and the biker who had transported her were taken to the university’s health clinic as soon as the accident happened. From there, they were referred to the OAU Teaching Hospital, where the student was pronounced deceased. Prior to the collision that took Chisom’s life, Deborah Okunola, a fellow university student, and a motorcyclist had suffered injuries in another accident. As they were receiving medical attention, a motorbike carrying Chisom lost control after it was struck by a bus that was approaching from behind. Speaking about the development in an interview with News Agency, OAU spokeswoman Abiodun Olanrewaju stated, “Around 11 am, along Road 1, an accident involving two okada and two vehicles occurred.” “One particular Okada rider was trying to overtake a red-colour Toyota Corolla car. Unfortunately, the side mirror of the car hit the motorcycle and the rider fell with the passenger.” “The passenger is a Part 2 student of Psychology in our school by the name, Deborah Okunola. As those ones were trying to attend to themselves, one Chika Nwakore was carrying a Part Five female student of the Department of Agric Economics by the name, Chisom Nwankwo, who arrived at the scene.” “The motorcyclist carrying Chisom was distracted by the first accident and he lost concentration. A bus that was coming behind hit the bike. The rider and the passenger fell.” “What we were told was that Chisom and the okada man were injured and taken to our health centre where they were referred to the OAU Teaching Hospital Complex but unfortunately, Chisom was later declared dead.” “The body is in the anatomy section on the campus. The university authorities have informed the police and are taking necessary action. The vice-chancellor is not happy with the situation and the management frowned on this carelessness on our roads. We sympathised with the parents of the deceased and we pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the terrible loss. We are not happy to lose any of our students.”

Following her attendance at the recent COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, popular Nigerian media personality, Toke Makinwa has found herself at the centre of a social media maelstrom. Some Nigerians are unsure about Makinwa’s significance and the legitimacy of her inclusion, given her presence at the international event. Social media has been used by opponents to voice their worries, casting doubt on Makinwa’s knowledge of climate change and raising the possibility that her attendance may have more to do with advancing her own agenda than advancing the conversation. Makinwa tweeted that she was looking forward to attending COP28. She said: “When world leaders, Royalty, Climate change advocates and industry game changers gather to meet in Dubai to discuss how to save the planet, #Cop28 May your name be what the whole country decides to trend. (Amen). See you all at Cop30 in Rio Signed, Item number 7. #Cop28Dubai” Some reactions of social media users include @ijeomaudeagbala_x who said, “Cop28 is a joke, rich people fly in with private jets to tell poorer people who’s contributions to 229 the climate crisis are minuscule to, stop polluting, stop having too many children. All the while they bombing nations and creating more climate emergencies.” @olayinka_xo reads, “Tinubu’s govt took over “1,400” people to the Dubai COP-28 conference; As if that’s not bad enough, Toke Makinwa that’s nat a climate activist or even making any meaningful impact on society is among the attendees. Tomorrow same govt will be looking for where to borrow, but look at how tax payers money are being misused.” Makinwa’s followers have supported her presence by citing her platform and influence as a means of educating their followers about climate change. They contend that having her there will aid in enlarging the discussion and inspiring more people to take up the cause of stopping environmental damage. The controversy surrounding Makinwa’s attendance at COP28 brings to light the nuanced dynamics of participation and representation in international fora meant to tackle global concerns. Some contend that the main criteria for selecting attendees of these kinds of gatherings should be knowledge and experience, while others hold that a diversity of viewpoints and voices is necessary for productive discussion and resolution of problems.