News
Two Workers Killed, One Injured As Kwara Hotel Fence Collapses
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.
News
Nigerians now banned from traveling to US as Trump expands travel restriction list
President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, signed a proclamation further restricting entry into the United States for nationals of countries identified as high risk due to what the White House described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information sharing that threaten national security and public safety.
Among the 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions is Nigeria. The decision was announced in a fact sheet published on the White House website on December 16, 2025, titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”.
The White House said the move was aimed at strengthening national security through what it called common sense restrictions based on data.
The proclamation maintains full entry restrictions on nationals from the original 12 countries previously listed under Proclamation 10949. These countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
It also introduces full restrictions on five additional countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full restrictions.
Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela remain subject to partial restrictions.
In addition, the proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on 15 more countries. These include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The fact sheet states that exemptions remain in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve United States national interests.
Business
IMO OPENS NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIER AS UZODIMMA COMMISSIONS NOVA BANK REGIONAL OFFICE IN OWERRI.
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
16- DEC- 2025
Imo State took another decisive step toward economic expansion on Monday, December 15, 2025, as Governor Hope Uzodimma formally inaugurated the regional headquarters of Nova Bank in Owerri, signalling the state’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
While addressing guests at the commissioning ceremony, the governor noted that deliberate reforms, sustained infrastructural development, and a more business-friendly policy environment have steadily repositioned Imo State to attract credible investors. He described Nova Bank’s choice of Owerri as a strategic endorsement of the state’s economic viability and long-term growth prospects.
Governor Uzodimma praised the Chairman of Nova Bank, Mr. Philip Oduozor, for his experience and leadership within the financial sector, assuring the institution of continued government collaboration. He added that the arrival of Nova Bank, alongside the recent establishment of Access Bank’s regional headquarters in the state, reflects increasing confidence by the private sector in Imo’s economic direction.
Reiterating his administration’s vision, the governor emphasized ongoing efforts to transition Imo from a largely leisure-based economy into a competitive commercial centre. He pointed to significant investments in road networks, security architecture, digital systems, power supply, and overall ease of doing business, while encouraging Nova Bank to expand its footprint in the state, including consideration of Owerri for its corporate headquarters.
In his remarks, Mr. Oduozor explained that Nova Bank, which began operations in 2018 as a merchant bank, has now secured a full commercial banking licence. He stated that the bank intends to play a critical role in financing small and medium-scale enterprises across Imo State and the wider South East region by improving access to credit.
The commissioning ceremony ended with a guided inspection of the new facilities by Governor Uzodimma and top executives of the bank, marking another milestone in Imo State’s economic transformation drive.
News
Actress Doris Ogala doubles down on claims against Pastor Chris Okafor, insists on compensation or marriage
Actress Doris Ogala has intensified her allegations against Pastor Chris Okafor, insisting she was in a long-term relationship with him from 2017 and was promised marriage.
Speaking emotionally, Doris claimed she supported the pastor privately, bought gifts for his children, and stayed loyal for years, only to be abandoned when he decided to marry someone else.
She accused those online, including Dee One, of taking money to do “damage control,” stressing that her demands are legal, not blackmail. According to her, she is seeking compensation for emotional damage, career loss, and broken promises, adding that her lawyer is already preparing formal demands.
Doris also admitted to phone-based intimacy during her troubled marriage but denied any physical affair at the time. She maintained she has evidence to back her claims and alleged she is not the only woman Pastor Chris promised marriage.
“I’m not backing down. This is my right,” she said, warning that she is ready to speak fully if pushed further.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVHaVegjI7/?igsh=ZG1jNWNnZjN4YWZt
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GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
