An infant’s tiny shoes, a toddler’s pink heels, and a baby girl’s white cap; this was the scene around Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, Oyo state, 36 hours after a funfair that was meant to be held in the school premises turned tragic and claimed the lives of 35 minors.

The event, organised by Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, was intended to cater to 5,000 attendees. It received a good promotion, especially on Agidigbo FM, which is said to be the most-listened-to radio station in Ibadan.

The news of a free event with promises of gifts and scholarships spread quickly, and people thronged from far away to attend.

PEOPLE CAME FROM FAR AND NEAR

Idayat Abubakar, a witness, told TheCable that people travelled from as far as Ogbomosho, Iseyin, and Osun state on Tuesday — a day before the event was meant to commence — and camped inside the school, enduring the crisp coldness of the night.

Abubakar, who lives about 4km away, said she had gone to the place on Tuesday evening and interacted with the attendees who had already arrived. She showed the reporter a video of her and the other women in a merry mood, excited about meeting the ex-queen and enjoying the event.

She said as of 10 pm on Tuesday when she left the school, there were already about 2,000 people in the school, “if not more”.

“If you ask why someone like me was there, the event was not for the poor. For me, it was more or less like fun, like we went for a picnic; we had our dishes and lots of snacks for our kids, watched those that would win the scholarship and made posts on social media. I bought new shoes for my baby and made a new hairdo for her, just for the event,” Abubakar said.

She had invited her sister, who lives at Olodo, 12km away from the school, to spend the night at her place so they could arrive at the venue early enough.

“We got there as early as 5 am. When we arrived, I was number 49 in the queue; my sister was number 50. A woman made us take numbers to keep it organised. Some people had been there as early as 3 am, and some people slept there,” noted.

According to her, Oriyomi Hazmat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, had told the attendees that ticket sharing would begin at 6 am. She said Hazmat did not arrive at the venue until a few minutes before 8 am on D-day, and with his arrival came chaos.

She recollected that shortly before Hamzat’s arrival, some buses had dropped even more people off, further expanding the crowd.

‘THERE WAS NO SECURITY TO CONTROL THE CROWD’

“Immediately he got to the scene, people started hailing him. When he saw the crowd, he put his hand on his head. They had to smuggle him inside. While opening the gate for him, people rushed in and started falling on themselves. There was no security, no police,” Abubakar said.

“My younger sister got injured; she was stepped on with her baby. Till now, she has not recovered.

“A lot of us were trapped with our babies. I was backing my baby, and my sister was holding hers. So, when they pushed her, she fell on the floor. She fainted twice, and when I saw her, they were already pouring water on her head. At one point, the baby could not even breathe.

“They opened the walkway gate when the stampede started at the main gate. I was at the front of the gate, so I was able to walk in unhurt.”

Hamzat was said to have tried to manage the crowd from the gate’s entrance but was overwhelmed. Together with the officials he arrived with, they rescued some fallen children.

“When he could not control the crowd anymore, he and his boys had to jump the fence to control people from behind. But at this point, it was already out of control. He started hitting people with a big stick to stop them from falling further on those at the front,” Abubakar said.

“That was when I started hearing different things. We started seeing casualties; people fainted, lost their phones and belongings, and people fell on their children.”

Abubakar’s sister told TheCable that at some point, she had to bite some people to get them off her after she fell.

“People started climbing on our heads. I didn’t even have the energy to help myself, and I was carrying my 2-year-old baby. I was even biting some people because I didn’t have the strength to stand up and rescue myself. My daughter was crying; I was crying, but there was no one to help us,” the sister said.

“Oriyomi started pushing people to leave the road; some were jumping the fence. When I entered, I fainted. People were beating my chest and pouring water to revive me. Little children also fainted, and people were looking for their kids.”

Another witness, who identified as T & K, said the setting-up for the event was yet to be done when the incident happened.

According to him, the trucks bearing the gifts and refreshments could not access the school gate as the crowd blocked it.

He blamed the tragic turn of events on the impatience of the attendees.

When TheCable visited the University College Hospital (UCH), where some of the victims were rushed for medical attention, Funmilayo Adetuyibi, spokesperson for the facility, said five children were brought in dead immediately after the incident.

He said no patients were being tended to at the facility at that time and that relatives of the victims had recovered the corpses.

The security personnel at Best Western Hospital, Bashorun, told the reporter that there were also no victims at the facility. He said the patients brought in had either been discharged or transferred elsewhere.

The Oyo state police command said six people were critically injured and receiving treatment.

It added that Silekunola and seven others were arrested for their role in the event.

The talent manager and mother of Wizkid’s children, Jada Pollock, has shared her thoughts on the challenges of being labelled a “baby mama.”

In a recent interview with BET UK, she expressed her frustration about being defined solely by her relationship with Wizkid instead of being acknowledged for her own professional achievements.

Jada recounted a particular moment when she released a statement celebrating the growth of Afrobeat following Wizkid’s Grammy win.

Unfortunately, blogs chose to label her statement with “Wizkid’s baby mama,” which she felt diminished her entrepreneurial efforts and dedication. In her words:

“When Wizkid won a Grammy, I wrote a statement about how far Afrobeat has come. They published the statement, and the caption was “Wizkid baby mama.”

The narrative does not recognise that you’re an entrepreneur and a hardworking businesswoman. I’m not only a mother but also a manager, and I’ve helped build a legacy.”

Wizkid and Jada, who began dating in 2014, had their first child together, Zion, in 2017. In 2022, they welcomed another boy, AJ

Legendary Yoruba actor, Yinka Quadri has spoken on his rumoured death and the impact it had on his family.

Rumours claiming Quadri had passed away went viral in June, causing concern among his fans and family members.

The actor took to his social media pages to debunk the rumour and confirm that he was “alive and well”.

In a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, the 65-year-old expressed disappointment with the individuals who spread the false news.

Quadri revealed that his children, who were overseas at the time, became worried when they heard about the rumoured death.

He said they started calling him frequently to confirm the news, which caused unnecessary “stress and anxiety” for the family. Yinka Quadri wrote:

“If it happened to someone who just came into the industry, the person will likely experience a setback. Or the person would leave the industry. But because this profession is inborn. That is not the first time. We have heard so many things in the past.

“Is it not because of social media that it is now being escalated? When I saw it I said ‘Weldone, you content creators’. Although when I saw it it was not as if I was happy. Just like the words of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying he stays off social media.

“No one would be happy whenever people spread rumours about them. Most especially, rumoured death. You will recall that I said I will not curse the person, but I leave him or her to God’s judgment.

“If the person thinks it is by spoiling another person’s name or causing sadness in another person’s family is an opportunity to attain success… because it got to a stage that it started to pain me.

“Despite the fact that my children are overseas and we have constant communication weekly or every three days, when they informed them they were like ‘I still spoke to Daddy last week’. Then they start calling.

“It got to a stage where everybody became troubled. They now started calling in the morning, put a call through in the afternoon, and call again in the evening to confirm.

“And I now said, the person that did this will get the right reward from God. Because it is not something good. My head does not pray for the person. Why should you wish me death? I wanted to keep quiet. Some people even thought I created the story myself. I asked if they thought I was looking for fame or name.”

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said he would meet the bail conditions of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Farotimi, in his alleged defamation case against Afe Babalola, was granted bail by Ekiti Magistrate Court on Friday.

The bail conditions include ₦30 million bond, 2 sureties (one shall be a house owner), submit his passport and shall not grant any media interview.

Peter Obi‘s decision to meet Farotimi’s bail condition was communicated by former spokesman of his presidential campaign organization, in 2023, Tanko Yunusa.

Yunusa disclosed this in a brief statement on his X handle, on Friday.

According to him, the former governor of Anambra State wanted the allegation against the former member of his campaign organization to be resolved in the best interest of all concerned.

“I consulted His Excellency, Peter Obi, as the leader of the Obidient Movement. As a respecter of rule of law, due process, and order he offered to take Dele Farontimi on the bail conditions.

“He thanked our courts and all concerned on this matter. His concern is that situation be resolved to the best interest of all concerned as well as our legal system.

“He extended his sincere appreciation to all concerned,” Obi’s aide stated.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the suspension of the tax bill currently before the National Assembly, emphasizing the need for more inclusive consultations with Nigerian workers.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, alongside General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, highlighted the deepening crisis during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Owerri.

The union criticized the politicization of the bill, stating that it failed to account for the concerns of essential stakeholders, diminishing its potential to effectively boost the economy.

“Only through inclusive dialogue can we ensure a just and equitable tax system that benefits all citizens,” Ajaero said.

The union also urged the Federal Government to urgently address the ongoing cash scarcity that has plagued the country, urging swift action to alleviate the economic burden on citizens.

Ajaero expressed the NEC’s deep concern over the persistent scarcity, which he described as an “exploitative burden” on the already struggling population.

He noted that Nigerians are losing up to five percent of their funds every time they withdraw cash, an unsustainable situation that worsens the financial struggles of millions.

The NLC president called for immediate intervention from the government and urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take effective steps to ensure the availability of cash for everyday transactions, particularly to support small businesses and stimulate economic activity.

“The impact of this on small businesses and other informal economy operatives is huge, as the situation poses serious disproportionate challenges to the poor and struggling workers and masses.

“The NLC demands immediate government intervention to rectify this systemic failure and protect citizens’ financial rights.

“We expect the Central Bank Governor to take steps to ensure that cash is made available to the citizenry to enable small business transactions and stimulate economic growth,” he said.

The NEC also voiced grave concerns about the rising insecurity in Nigeria, citing troubling reports that Nigerians paid over N2.23 trillion in ransom this year alone due to the increasing frequency of crime incidents.

Ajaero stressed the need for urgent government action to restore security, protect citizens, and ensure that the rule of law prevails.

“This appalling state of insecurity underscores the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to safeguard lives and property, restore public confidence, and ensure the rule of law prevails.

“The majority of the citizens who either lost their lives or are maimed as a result are workers,” he said.

Furthermore, the NLC condemned the recent invasion of the NLC Edo State Council Secretariat by police and the state governor.

Ajaero described the invasion as a flagrant violation of workers’ rights, including the unlawful removal of items and an attempt to impose an illegitimate leadership.

The NEC has given the Edo State government and the police a deadline of 14 working days, until January 8, 2025, to vacate the premises, return all confiscated items, and halt any further interference in union activities.

“This brazen act of impunity included the ransacking of properties and the unlawful removal of items, all in a bid to impose an illegitimate leadership on the workers.

“The NEC, therefore, resolved to give the Edo State government and the police a deadline of 14 working days, up to January 8, 2025, to vacate the secretariat.

“They should return all confiscated properties to Congress and commit to refraining from further interference in trade union activities,” he said.

Ajaero warned that failure to comply would lead to significant actions by the NLC to defend the rights of workers.

“The NEC, therefore, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the rights and welfare of workers and the broader Nigerian populace,” Ajaero said.

He concluded by encouraging Nigerians to remain hopeful and united during the festive season, despite the numerous challenges facing the country.

Oil marketers lifting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have reduced the price of the product by 11.8%, bringing it down from ₦1,060 to ₦939.50 per litre.

As of yesterday, petrol was still being sold at ₦1,060 per litre, as observed in Lagos and its surrounding areas.

However, fresh checks today by Vanguard revealed that major marketers, including MRS, have now revised their pump prices to reflect the change.

While Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, Chairman of MRS, declined to comment on the matter, a visit to the company’s filling station in Ojota, Lagos, confirmed that MRS has begun selling petrol at ₦939.50 per litre.

In a related development, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reduced the ex-pump price of its petrol from ₦970 to ₦899.50 per litre.

This move is aimed at easing the financial strain on Nigerians, especially as the holiday season approaches.

Commenting on the price reduction, Anthony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, said, “To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at ₦899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM.

‘‘Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”

The ICPC unveiled the report on Thursday at its headquarters in Abuja, stating that none of the 330 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) assessed achieved full compliance with established standards.

The Supreme Court, alongside the other non-compliant MDAs, scored zero per cent on the compliance scorecard, highlighting systemic failures in critical areas such as whistleblower policies, strategic planning, and financial accountability.

“These agencies failed due to systemic issues, including the absence of whistleblower policies, inadequate strategic plans, and ineffective stock verification systems,” the ICPC stated.

The report also noted that many of the MDAs failed to produce financial reports or conduct audits, further eroding public trust in their operations.

The EICS evaluated MDAs based on five key indicators:

– Management Culture and Structure (MCS)

– Governance and Executive Management

– Financial Management Systems (FMS)

– Finance, Revenue, and Audit Processes

– Administrative Systems (AS), which includes ethics education and whistleblowing mechanisms.

The 15 institutions with 0.00 score include: Supreme Court of Nigeria, Nigeria Press Council (NPC), Legal Aid Council (LAC), National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), and Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON).

The rest are Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe; National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, Ningi, Bauchi State; Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies, Jos; Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; Federal College of Forestry Mechanization (FCFM), Mando, Kaduna State; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State; and Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, and University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ado Ekiti Magistrate Court granted bail to Dele Farotimi on the following conditions:

1. ₦30 million bond

2. Two sureties (one of whom must be a property owner), submission of his passport, and

3. A prohibition on granting media interviews.

Dele Farotimi’s bail was also confirmed by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on his X handle on Friday.

Recall that a petition filed by a prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate in Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), prompted Farotimi’s arrest.

He was remanded in prison custody on December 7, 2024, after being arrested on 16 counts of criminal defamation, following the publication of his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.