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Lagos: Balogun Market traders decry continued closure weeks after GNI building fire

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2 months ago

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Traders in Balogun Market on Lagos Island have expressed frustration over the ongoing sealing of shops and the barricading of access roads by the Lagos State Government, weeks after the devastating fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance, GNI, building on December 24, 2025.

Ekwutosblog reports that the inferno claimed eight lives, including three members of the same family: Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu.

Despite intervention by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, portions of the fire remain active, resulting in the suspension of commercial activities in hundreds of shops across the bustling business district.

 

During a visit to Balogun Market, traders gathered in groups, discussing next steps, mourning the victims, and expressing concerns about the prolonged closure of their businesses.

One trader, Martin Amalos, lamented the economic toll of the shutdown, saying, “My shop has been closed since December 25. I can barely provide for my children. Many traders are stranded and unsure of how to cope.”

Amalos, who deals in children’s clothing, added, “The fire struck during the peak of my business, and I have spent all I had to survive.”

Another trader, Oduloye Bimpe, criticised the government for failing to offer any support. “Our shops were sealed without consideration for our livelihoods. There should have been assistance before the closures. Where do we go from here?” she asked.

She also noted that the affected building should have been demolished by now. “The government needs to take action while also considering our situation,” Bimpe added.

Fabrics trader, Maduabuchukwu Ifeakomili, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the financial hardship caused by the closures. “We rely on daily income to feed our families. We appeal to the government to reopen the sealed sections of Balogun and surrounding areas before Saturday,” he said.

Ifeakomili further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to expedite the demolition of the fire-damaged building. “There are also residents left homeless because their homes were sealed. Some of us are borrowing money just to eat,” he added.

Responding to the concerns, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, emphasised that the closures were driven by safety considerations. “We hope people will prioritise life over livelihood. The 25-storey building is at risk of collapse, which could endanger everyone within a 100-metre radius,” he said.

Omotosho added that the government’s actions were not punitive. “The area has only been closed for two weeks, and complaints have already surfaced. There are reports of people who entered the building to retrieve goods during the fire and never returned. Over 10 buildings were affected by the incident, and public safety remains our priority,” he explained.

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President Bola Tinubu has suspended the cashless payment system at airport toll gates nationwide due to widespread gridlock causing passengers to miss flights.

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6 minutes ago

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March 4, 2026

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The President directed the ministry to revert to the previous payment arrangement while working on a more efficient electronic solution.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that private companies will be consulted to handle electronic toll collection for a commission. This move aims to eliminate congestion and hardship faced by travelers.

The cashless system, introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on March 1, 2026, was meant to block revenue leakages and modernize airport operations. However, it led to severe traffic congestion, especially in Lagos and Abuja.

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I would rather die, than betray my predecessor – Gov Buni declares

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12 hours ago

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March 4, 2026

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Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has made a powerful declaration, saying he would rather die than to betray his political godfather and current Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam.

Buni made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing delegates shortly after the conclusion of All Progressives Congress, (APC), congress held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

“I would rather die than betray our mentor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam. I remain deeply grateful to him for the role he played in my political journey.

“I will never forget where I am coming from, and I will never turn my back on the man who trusted and supported me,” he said.

He told the gathering that noted political career are built on trust, noting that he is a product of trust.

“I always want to be remembered as someone who never betrays anybody,” he declared.

The governor charged the newly elected party officials in the state to remain steadfast, urging them to uphold trust and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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Iran: ‘Nigeria in trouble too’ – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

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12 hours ago

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March 4, 2026

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Amid the ongoing tension in Iran, former Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said that Nigeria too is in trouble.

Baba-Ahmed stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Trust TV monitored by Ekwutosblog.

He was speaking about the attack on Iran by the United States and its ally, Israel.

Ekwutosblog had reported that the US and Israeli launched air strikes on Iran on Saturday resulting in the death of its Supreme Leader and other top political office holders.

Airing his own opinion, Baba-Ahmed said, “Nigeria too is in trouble. We are not safe with what is going on in Iran.

 

“The world is by now aware of the fact that two days ago, the United States of America and Israel attacked the State of Iran, killed its leader and a number of very senior political and military officers, as well as a number of other citizens.

“Clearly, the United States had decided to affect regime change, meaning removal of the entire leadership of Iran and maybe installing a different one, or giving a chance to the citizens of Iran to choose who will next govern them.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as neatly as leaders like President Donald Trump think. What we are likely to have is what we are beginning to see now, a lot of chaos, prolonged crisis, both within Iran and around it, and a lot of uproar around the world.”

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