News & Announcements

The death toll from a collapse at a coal mine in northern China rose to five on Thursday, state media reported, as rescuers searched for dozens still missing after a massive landslide hindered recovery efforts overnight.

More than 50 people were trapped when a 180-meter-high slope gave way at the open-pit mine in the Inner Mongolia region’s Alxa Left Banner area at around 1:00 pm (0500 GMT) on Wednesday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Hundreds of rescue workers were dispatched to the remote site, but another landslide later that day temporarily halted efforts to save those trapped beneath the rubble.

Rescuers have since resumed their work, with CCTV reporting on Thursday afternoon that at least five people had been killed in the incident, with six injured and 48 still unaccounted for.

Footage from the broadcaster showed rescue workers in orange overalls and yellow helmets dwarfed by a mountain of rust-coloured rubble, and excavators working to clear some of the debris.

“I had just started work when I saw slag falling down the slope. The situation got worse and worse,” a rescued worker named Ma Jianping told CCTV.

“We tried to organize an evacuation, but it was too late — the slope came down,” he said from a hospital bed in the neighbouring Ningxia region, a catheter protruding from his throat.

The injured were all currently in stable condition, CCTV reported a doctor at the hospital as saying.

State media reported that the collapse had affected a “wide area” of the mine operated by the Xinjing Coal Mining Company.

It was not clear what caused the collapse, and calls to the company by AFP went unanswered on Thursday.

CCTV on Thursday said police were investigating the collapse, with “the relevant personnel currently under control”. The report did not share further details.

A video posted on social media by a coal truck driver on Wednesday showed rocks cascading down a slope, kicking up clouds of dust that engulfed several vehicles.

“The whole slope has collapsed… How many people must be dead from that?” a male voice can be heard saying in the background.

“If I’d lined up over there today, I’d have died there too.”

Zhang Li, an injured miner speaking to the Beijing News under a pseudonym, said he had been driving toward the mine when the landslide pushed his vehicle into a ditch.

“There are swollen bruises on my head and scratches on my hands,” he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed authorities to “do everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people”, state media reported Wednesday.

– Dangerous work –Located in China’s arid north, Alxa League — which includes the Alxa Left Banner — is a sparsely populated region whose economy runs largely on mining and other extractive industries.

Mine safety in China has improved in recent decades, as has media coverage of major incidents, many of which were once overlooked.

Accidents still occur frequently, however, in an industry where safety protocols are often lax, especially at the most rudimentary sites.

Around 40 people were working underground when a gold mine in the northwestern Xinjiang region collapsed in December.

In 2021, 20 miners were rescued from a flooded coal mine in northern Shanxi province, while two others died.

Good news for Igbos and Nigeria in the Diaspora. Simon Ekpa was on Thursday got arrested by the Finland government. 

It was gathered that a Finland news outfit HS reported that the police escorted Simon Ekpa out of his apartment in Lahti.

The platform claimed that they had gone to Ekpa’s residence for an interview but to their surprise, the Finland police, KRP, answered when the HS team rang the separatist bell.

The HS said the KRP prevented their team from entering Ekpa’s apartment and said the interview would be moved “to the future”.

The Finnish Embassy in Nigeria has confirmed Simon Ekpa’s arrest.

Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party candidate for the Enugu East senatorial seat, was murdered.

Oyibo allegedly suffered an assault upon his return from a campaign stop in the Agbani region.

He was said to have been burned inside his car, and it was believed that three other people were also inside, however it was not yet clear how many of them perished.

The details of the attack are still very vague, but a prominent party member has verified it.

However, Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi confirmed the death of Oyibo.

He made a post via his Twitter account, commending the killing and also sending his condolences to the families of the deceased.

It was also revealed that Uche Nnaji, the APC candidate for governor in the state, was attacked at the spot where the Labour candidate was killed.

On Wednesday, administrative and academic staff at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State, continued to demonstrate inside the institution to air their complaints on the non-payment of their wages.

The protest had started on February 20, 2023 Monday.

Also, the staff members claimed that Prof. Sonnie Adagbonyin, the university’s acting vice chancellor, had mismanaged the institution and victimized them.

The protest, however, changed course when faculty and staff members threw a coffin at the university’s main entrance on the Benin-Auchi Road with various messages written on it, including “Odiase, Adagbonyin, Osakue Must Go,” “SIT Stop Deceiving Edo Government and People,” and “Enough of Impunity, Intimidation, and Arbitrary Policies Decisions in AAU, Ekpoma “The campaigns “Save Workers Cooperative Societies Restore Check Offs” and “End Slave Labor in AAU Ekpoma”

The staff criticized Mr. Austin Osakue, a member of the Special Intervention Team, Prof. Sonnie Adagbonyin, the acting registrar, Mr. Ambrose Odiase, and the vice chancellor for asserting that the university was running smoothly.

They also accused the vice chancellor with paying salaries in a discriminatory manner.

Prof. Eunice Omozejele, speaking on behalf of other university employees, expressed regret at the deaths of several staff members who couldn’t afford to pay their medical costs and passed away.

She questioned the Head of the SIT’s academic background since she believed he was being dishonest about paying the salaries of all the personnel.

But she pleaded with the group to carry out its duties with integrity and sincerity.

The distribution of sensitive documents to all 33 local government areas in Oyo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission got underway on Thursday.

In Ibadan, the state capital, the distribution took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria in the presence of political party representatives.

According to reports, the exercise verified that the commission was prepared to hold the 2023 general election beginning on February 25 and ending on March 11.

The procedure started at two in the morning, according to Adeniran Tella, the resident electoral commissioner in the state.

On Friday, Tella promised citizens that the state will hold credible, fair, and respectable elections while announcing that the materials would be delivered to polling places and registration area centers would be activated.

Idowu Awokoya and Tajudeen Olanife, members of two separate political parties in the state, expressed satisfaction with the process.

The naira redesign and exchange program, according to Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, is intended to shorten Saturday’s presidential election and national assembly polls.

He added that, Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, was also a target of the police, in order to secure his defeat.

With only 48 hours to the election, the governor made this statement during the state broadcast that was transmitted on electronic media outlets in the state on Thursday morning.

He claims that the APC-led government’s cash swap scheme and the purportedly manufactured fuel shortage are both “lethal injections purposefully provided to de-market the APC government, create an unmanageable crisis in the country, and ultimately thwart the 2023 general elections.”

He stated, “The goal is to truncate the election and deny the country the service of a true patriot, an endowed visionary with a proven record of character, knowledge, leadership and performance.

“It is also an attempt to abuse the principle of the rotational presidency by denying a section of this country its legitimate right thereby fuelling ethnic disaffection and creating a grave constitutional crisis in the country.

”Recall that in the course of these circumstances, I have offered clear and unequivocal statements as our stand on this dangerous and unfortunate adventure.

“To say the least, it is a dagger drawn at the heart of the ruling APC on the eve of the elections in order to destroy it and the governments it controls at the federal and state levels. As the nation trudges on, our resolve to deepen democracy and good governance must remain unflinching and abiding.

“Despite the desperate efforts by selfish and subversive elements within the government, to destroy the multiparty politics in Nigeria, the dividends of good governance brought to the people by the APC remain indelible in the recent history of our state in particular and the nation in general.

“The central purpose (of the naira swap policy) is to frustrate his ( Tinubu’) popularity and renowned acceptability across all tribes and religions in this country. The goal is to truncate the election and deny the country the service of a true patriot, an endowed visionary with a proven record of character, knowledge, leadership and performance.

“It is also an attempt to abuse the principle of the rotational presidency by denying a section of this country its legitimate right thereby fuelling ethnic disaffection and creating a grave constitutional crisis in the country.”

Akeredolu promised that Tinubu, if elected, would address several issues plaguing the nation and the state in particular while urging the people of the state to vote for the presidency and other candidates of the APC in the election on Saturday.

“As your governor, my duty to you at this time of great confusion and frustration is therefore to provide you with a clear vision of the path of redemption and hope. It is to charge you all to shake off the artificial frustration and the temporary barriers on your way to choosing a president who represents hope and assured brighter days ahead.

“My message to you is that despite all the well-planned intrigues to deny you of your democratic rights and the future and prosperity of your offsprings, which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents, I urge you to troop out massively and vote for the APC on Saturday.

“This is the time to separate the past from the future. For us in Ondo State, this is our time to vote for a president who identifies with our challenges and who would help us to actualize our ongoing plan for the establishment of Ondo Deep Sea Port and massive industrial revolution, tackle youth unemployment, achieve our dream of state police to solve our insecurity problem and ensure human capacity development. It is time to set a new flag and make Nigeria great,” the governor added.

Many local communities in Bayelsa State’s Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw local governments have voiced concern about the profusion of water hyacinths in their rivers.

The communities complained that the water plants had turned into a disturbing threat, making the movement of people, goods, and services along the waterways a nightmare.

The communities’ complaints were made under the auspices of the Ekeremor LGA and Southern Ijaw LGA Boundary Communities Association of Chairmen of Communities Development Committees.

Azagbene, Clough Creek, Ngoloba, Egbemo-Angalabiri, Kolotoru, Tububoboama, Opukushu, Azatitor, Agbibiama, Derifamoama, Tububou, Koromotoru, Gbaraun, and Ukparatubu I and II are a few of the communities affected.

In a letter dated February 13, 2023, they complained, copying the officer in command of the Maritime Police Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command. The letter was directed to the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

In a copy of the letter signed by the chairmen of their CDCs, Tuekorokumo Perebo (Azagbene); Jacob Manash (Clough Creek); Doudighe Dinana (Ngoloba);  Gbeye-emi Didiwei (Egbemo-Angalabiri); Solomon Pateigha (Koromotoru); Tutor Teiwei (Gbaraun); among others, they claimed that the water hyacinths would also pose a serious challenge to the timely arrival and departure of electoral officers and materials for the 2023 general elections.

They requested the NDDC to act quickly to eradicate the water hyacinths, spare the people from hardship, and facilitate free movement and water flow.

The local residents remembered that they had faced the threat in the past but had been saved by an indigenous seismic company called Optimal Star Services Ltd.

The letter read, “The water hyacinths barricades had caused a lot of worries to both residents and travellers in the waterways which comprises the creeks, rivers and swamps, which are the only travelling routes in the maritime or littoral areas of ours.

“If an urgent step is not taken to solve an emergency situation of the waterways clearing, the INEC materials for the forthcoming elections will not get to the polling booths for voters to commence voting on time, which may likely derail the process , hence this plea.

“We, therefore in the light of the foregoing, respectfully recommend the aforementioned seismic company and trained indigenous contractor, Optimum Star Services Ltd, an expert in water hyacinths and other snags clearing, for your commission to quickly contract to clear the waterways within a short while to allow the waterways free for easy movement of people, goods and services.”

On Wednesday, gunmen ambushed the campaign convoy of Oforchukwu Egbo, the PDP candidate for the Enugu North/South Federal Constituency.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at Eke-Otu in Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.

One of the bus drivers in the convoy was slain by the thugs.

According to reports, his body was burned along with the car.

All attempts to contact DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the State Police Public Relations Officer, by phone were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.

Kano state’s governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has once more criticized the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its naira redesign strategy, which he has dubbed “COVID-23,” a sickness.

Ganduje also criticized Godwin Obaseki and Duoye Diri, the governors of the states of Edo and Bayelsa, for supporting the CBN’s naira stance in court.

On Monday at the Government House, the Kano governor made a statement through his chief press secretary, Abba Anwar, announcing the distribution of palliatives to lessen the suffering brought on by a lack of naira notes.

He said, “We will not stop blaming the CBN for this economic blunder. We love our people. Therefore, anything that will disturb their well-being must be rejected, till proper channel and good time are put forth.

“We didn’t invite this situation, neither did we pray for it; and, therefore, we don’t welcome it at all. We gave similar palliatives during the COVID-19 days. And today our citizens are being faced with COVID-23 caused by the CBN. We earlier thought it was a simple disease, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a very serious virus going viral.

“The virus coming from the CBN has affected all our commercial banks, our POS, our ATMs and all other things associated with this. Being the most populous state in the country, we are most affected by this unfortunate development.”

According to Ganduje, those receiving the palliatives would come from all 44 of the state’s local councils.

The governor, meanwhile, expressed shock that “opposition parties took the case to court supporting and shielding CBN in this ill-timed and anti-people strategy.”

“That was not done in the most appropriate way and time.Governors of Bayelsa and Edo are all PDP states and are in the forefront in this blunder. So also, the NNPP came out and said what the governor of Kano State said in rejecting CBN’s naira swap was wrong, according to them.

“I wonder what is wrong in speaking the truth that all Nigerians are seriously suffering because of this anti-human and ill-advised phenomenon?” 

The PDP and the NNPP, according to Ganduje, intended Nigerians to remain mired in poverty.

An INEC official revealed on Tuesday that the Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo has obtained funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria to hold free and fair elections in the state.

This statement was made on Tuesday in Ibadan by Adeniran Teller, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the INEC, who was speaking on the “Speak Out”-themed guest platform of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council.

Adeniran said that eligible voters would cast ballots at the 6,390 polling locations spread out over the state, where over two million voters are anticipated to cast ballots in the upcoming elections in the state.

About 760,766 Permanent Voter Cards still needed to be collected by registrants, according to the commissioner, who also stated that the commission was prepared to hold a credible and respectable election in the state.

“I have the opportunity to tell you the level of our preparedness. The level of our preparedness has reached an advanced state in all stages. This is also an opportunity for us to again to come out and talk to you.

“Total number of polling units 6,390. Registered voters in Oyo state: 3,276,675. Total PVCs collected are 2,305,903 while 760,766 are yet to be collected.

“As long as you have your PVC, come out to vote during the elections. So, we are trying to put our heads together.”