News

Two Workers Killed, One Injured As Kwara Hotel Fence Collapses

Published

3 weeks ago

June 11, 2025

SaharaReporters learnt that the workers, who were engaged in the ongoing reconstruction of the iconic state-owned hotel, were buried under the rubble of the fallen fence.

Tragedy struck in the Kwara State capital on Tuesday when a section of a fence under reconstruction at the Kwara Hotel premises collapsed, killing two construction workers and leaving another seriously injured.

SaharaReporters learnt that the workers, who were engaged in the ongoing reconstruction of the iconic state-owned hotel, were buried under the rubble of the fallen fence.

The victims were immediately rushed to Sadiku Hospital at Unity Road for emergency treatment, but two were pronounced dead on arrival.

A source familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that the workers had earlier raised concerns about the structural weakness of the fence with the foreign contractor, Craneburg Construction Company, handling the project.

However, their warnings were reportedly ignored.

“The deaths of these workers are truly heartbreaking. This tragedy could have been avoided if proper safety measures had been in place — especially on a project of this scale,” the source said.

“We’re currently at the Janaza burial ground with the foreign contractors. It’s a deeply unfortunate situation,” the source added.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the collapse involved an old fence separating the hotel from a nearby facility.

Ajakaye noted that three workers were injured in the incident.

However, despite the first aid and emergency attention provided at the nearest hospital, two of them didn’t survive.

According to the Chief Press Secretary, “It is quite saddening. Yesterday, an old fence between the hotel and a nearby facility gave in. Three workers on duty were badly injured. One of them made it, but the remaining two didn’t survive it despite the first aids and the emergency response at the nearest hospital.

“It is very, very saddening. Their families have since been contacted, according to the facility managers,” Ajakaye said.

On January 24, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that Mustapha Mashood, an All Progressives Congress, (APC) Chieftain and former governorship aspirant has described the sum of N17.8billion awarded for the rehabilitation of the State Hotel by Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as unjustifiable and a waste of scarce resources.

The Kwara State government had approved N17.8 billion for the rehabilitation of Kwara Hotel after public backlash over the abandonment of the facility.

It was learnt that the project was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company Limited.

The project aims to transform it into a five-star hospitality facility at N17.8 billion, with a projected duration of 24 months.

However, the APC chieftain in an open letter to the Governor titled “NO ONE IS GOD, TREAD SOFTLY” dated 24th of January 2024, said the figure was outrageous considering that his company had bid for N3billion to complete the same task.

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Ex-Army chief Yahaya urges overhaul of recruitment, training to bolster military readiness

Published

5 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), has called for a comprehensive and uncompromising reform in recruitment, training, and performance evaluation to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s professionalism and combat effectiveness.

He made this call while delivering a lecture at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna on Saturday.

He emphasized that courage, vigilance, and uncompromising standards must guide every stage of a soldier’s career—from recruitment and training to operational deployment.

“Recruitment and selection into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and Depot Nigerian Army must be thorough and uncompromising. There is no room for weakness or mediocrity. We must be courageous and firm in weeding out bad eggs at every stage,” Yahaya stated.

He said the evolving modern threats and impacts on current training must include a change in training paradigms to reflect, not only conventional warfare, but also terrorism, asymmetric warfare, ideological extremism, and cyber threats.

He suggested a modification of military training. programs to include important strategic courses on emotional intelligence, military psychology, counter-terrorism tactics, and social media awareness.

“Effective training will help solidify the soldier-first concept in the minds of instructors and students. We must reflect modern threats in our training, not just conventional warfare,” he said.

The retired Army chief also stressed the importance of enhancing simulation-based and hands-on training to match real-time battlefield conditions. He urged military institutions across the country to modernize their facilities to meet 21st-century demands.

Yahaya proposed increased collaboration with international military institutions in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Pakistan. He said such partnerships would help fast-track knowledge transfer and improve the technical competence of Nigerian personnel.

“We must scale up our engagements with allied nations on training programs. Our non-commissioned officers should have wider access to Junior Command, Regimentation, and Train-the-Trainer courses abroad to meet international standards,” he added.

He stressed the need for capacity building for senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO) as a key target in modern military operations, primarily when operating below the level of battalion in a decentralized context, such as the North East and Lake Chad Basin.

“Modern security challenges can no longer be addressed solely through massed formations.

The Army must build a force capable of executing small-unit warfighting with speed, precision and initiative using a decentralized command structure grounded in the principle of mission command,” Yahaya said.

He reiterated that providing tactical leadership skills to SNCOs will close the gap of officers especially in remote and high-risk theatres of operation.

Yahaya concluded by saying that any reform effort must be soldier-centric which ensures that soldier’s welfare; professionalism and operational capability are the focus.

“The future of our Army depends on the soldier—how well we train, equip, and support him. Let us define our vision clearly and pursue it with consistency and discipline,” he said.

The guest lecture was part of a series of professional engagements, paving the way for NADCEL 2025, which saw a celebration of the 162nd year of the establishment of the Nigerian Army.

News

Keyamo to launch Enugu Air July 7

Published

12 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Nigeria’s minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will officially launch the Enugu State government-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, on Monday, July 7, 2025.

The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

This is according to a recent statement from the airline.

The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Dr. Obi Ozor, said Enugu Air is pivotal to Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for positioning Enugu State as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.

“With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally,” he said.

The domestic airline announced that its inaugural routes will be Abuja and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key locations in Nigeria.

News

Commissioner of Police orders prompt medical care for sick suspects in Abia Command

Published

22 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Danladi Isa has charged officers in the Command to maintain professionalism, avoid corruption, and strictly adhere to the NPF social media policy.

He has also directed that suspects must not be detained beyond 24 hours for bailable offences and that sick suspects must receive prompt medical attention.

CP Danladi, who gave the directive during the Command’s monthly conference, which was attended by Area Commanders, DPOs, Heads of Departments and Tactical Commanders, warned that senior officers would be held vicariously liable for misconducts by their subordinates, hence they must ensure proper supervision of officers under them.

He further prohibited Point of Sales, (PoS) operations within Police premises and urged officers to secure their bases, protect government infrastructure, and work in synergy with Mayors of local governments and the public for effective crime-fighting.

The Commissioner of Police, who commended the officers for their dedication to duties, said that greater responsibility is required from them.

He further recognised the the PRO of the Abia Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka for receiving award from the Inspector General of Police and for completing a short course on New Media Capacity Building in China.