News
Fire at Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos Island Brought Under Control
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the massive blaze at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, is now under control following intense firefighting efforts overnight.
The fire, which broke out on Christmas Eve around 4:40 p.m. on the fifth floor of the building primarily used for warehousing clothing materials, corporate offices, and retail outlets, rapidly spread due to highly combustible stored goods.
Emergency responders received the distress call at 16:41 hours and arrived on scene by 16:53 hours. Crews from Ebute Elefun, Dolphin, Sari-Iganmu, Bolade, Isolo stations, and Alausa Headquarters were deployed in a coordinated operation.
As of this latest update, the fire’s intensity has been significantly reduced, with firefighters now focused on damping-down operations to extinguish remaining hotspots.
Ten individuals, mostly males, were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and are reported to be in stable condition. Operations continue to ensure no further casualties.
The inferno affected five adjoining buildings—two partially and three severely—including the historic old Lagos Central Mosque, which sustained major damage.Challenges hampering the response included poor storage practices of flammable materials, which fueled rapid spread; difficult crowd control and site accessibility; and the conjoined structure of the buildings, complicating containment.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging the public to remain calm, cooperate with responders, and follow safety guidelines.
Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
News
NMMA shortlist 972 entries for 2026 awards
NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
The Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) said that it has shortlisted 972 of 1,112 entries for this year’s awards.
The Chairman of the NMMA Panel of Assessors, Otunba Dele Adetiba, said that the entries for the 34th edition cut across print, radio, and television categories.
Chairman of the NMMA Board of Trustees, Prof. Dayo Duyile, said that the award was established in 1990 to promote professionalism, ethical journalism and excellence among media practitioners.
Duyile, a veteran journalist and academic, said the NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
News
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
•Faith Alayande
A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.
In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.
The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.
“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”
News
Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
• Joseph Ezeokafor
Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.
Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.
Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.
Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.
His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.
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