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LASG Prepares Great Nigeria Insurance Building for Demolition

..the Lagos State Government has constituted a Technical Recovery and Demolition Committee, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations

Published

2 months ago

January 3, 2026

OCHEFA

147 Views

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service declared that the fire that engulfed the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building has significantly weakened the building’s foundation, rendering it structurally unsafe and unfit for any commercial use.

Margaret Adeseye, Controller -General Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, stated this while giving a comprehensive update on the fire incident.

She explained that following a second on-site assessment by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on January 2nd, 2025, the Lagos State Government has constituted a Technical Recovery and Demolition Committee, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations.

The committee is tasked with developing and implementing a controlled and safe demolition plan for the affected structure and its immediate surroundings in the shortest possible time, while prioritising public and responder safety.

Current Situation on Ground

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, alongside sister emergency agencies, remains fully deployed on-site.
The incident scene is highly sensitive and volatile, with substantial rubble still in place.
There are intermittent pockets of fire, primarily originating from combustible materials such as textiles and clothing stockpiled within the building, not from the structural elements of the building itself.
These materials are buried deep within the debris, and accessing them requires extreme caution and specialised technical planning.

It is important to clarify that:

The presence of these pocket fires does not pose immediate external danger; however, improper or hurried evacuation of debris could compromise the already weakened structure.
Some rubble may currently be providing unintended structural support, and removing it without a carefully sequenced plan could trigger a collapse, endangering first responders.
For this reason, all operations are being conducted in line with global disaster response best practices, ensuring that rescuer safety precedes all other actions.
As universally recognised in emergency management, disasters of this nature may take days, weeks, or even months to fully resolve.

Public Safety Advisory

The entire area remains unsafe for commercial or public activity.

The market and surrounding areas remain closed.
Only authorised first responders are permitted within the cordoned zone.
The public is urged to remain calm and cooperative, understanding that their safety is directly linked to the safety of emergency personnel.
An Information Centre has been established at the site to address enquiries from families, stakeholders, and the general public.

Casualties

8 fatalities have been confirmed (5 identified, 3 yet to be identified).
13 persons have been successfully rescued.
Search operations continue, particularly in safer sections of the debris, to ensure no one remains trapped.

Preliminary Observations
Preliminary assessments indicate serious fire safety violations, including:

Overstocking of combustible materials from floor to ceiling with little or no ventilation.
Absence of proper fire safety infrastructure.
Unsafe market practices such as generator usage within buildings, shops constructed around transformers, and other hazardous activities.
Such conditions can lead to self-generated heat build-up and spontaneous ignition, even without external triggers.

Global Context
For perspective, similar complex fire recovery operations have occurred worldwide.

Notably, firefighting and recovery operations at the World Trade Center (Ground Zero) in New York lasted over 100 days, with underground fires officially extinguished nearly three months after the incident, and full recovery concluding more than eight months later.

These realities underscore the complexity and time-intensive nature of large-scale structural fire incidents.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reassures the public that all actions being taken are deliberate, professional, and safety-driven.

Operations will continue until ground zero is fully reached, all risks are eliminated, and the incident is conclusively resolved.

We appreciate the patience, understanding, and cooperation of Lagosians during this period.

Your safety is our priority. A safe rescuer ensures a safe rescue.”

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JUST IN: IGP appoints CSP Ali Giwa as Force new media officer

Published

33 minutes ago

March 7, 2026

Charles Flames

2 Views

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has approved the creation of a dedicated New Media Office within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and appointed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ali Giwa to lead it.

The move forms part of an ongoing restructuring of the Force’s communication apparatus. CSP Ali Giwa, a cybersecurity specialist who has served at the National Cybercrime Centre since February 2025, will head the newly established unit focused on digital and social media engagement.

This development follows the recent removal of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin as Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO). Hundeyin, who held the position for approximately six months, has been replaced by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new FPRO.CSP Giwa brings significant experience in public relations to his new role.

He previously served as Assistant Force Public Relations Officer at the Annex in Obalende, Lagos (2017–2022), Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Lagos State (2014–2017), and Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Limited.

The appointments and creation of the New Media Office aim to strengthen the NPF’s public communication strategy, particularly in managing online narratives, educating citizens on social media platforms, and enhancing overall media relations amid evolving security challenges.

An official statement from the Force Headquarters is expected shortly to confirm the details and outline the mandates of the new structure.

News

Much Expectations from Newly Promoted Deputy Inspectors General of Police (Images)

Published

23 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Charles Flames

32 Views

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) in a strategic move to bolster the leadership cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The promotions, announced on Friday, March 6, 2026, followed a thorough evaluation process involving merit-based assessments, seniority considerations, service records, written examinations, and oral interviews held at the PSC’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The newly elevated officers are:

– Zachariah Fera Achinyan, fdc (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi)

– Zango Ibrahim Baba (formerly AIG Department of Logistics and Supply)

– Isyaku Mohammed (formerly AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja)

– Margaret Agebe Ochalla (formerly AIG FCID Annex, Lagos)

– Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, mni (formerly AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja)

– Kenechukwu Onwuemelie (formerly AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri)

– Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (formerly AIG Zone 14, Katsina)

These elevations come on the heels of the recent confirmation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of DIG, positioning him to join the Force Management Team.

The PSC noted that the promotions are essential to address vacancies arising from the retirement of eight DIGs who previously held key strategic roles.

In a statement, PSC Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, congratulated the promoted officers and charged them to justify the trust placed in them by upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

He emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security and fostering stronger collaboration with the Commission to advance ongoing reforms and development within the NPF.

The development is seen as part of broader efforts to refresh senior leadership in the force amid recent retirements, including that of prominent DIG Frank Mba and others, ensuring continuity and strengthened operational capacity.

News

Tinubu Assigns Jimoh Ibrahim to UN, Omokri to Mexico, Fani-Kayode to Germany, Yakubu to Qatar

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Charles Flames

40 Views

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations.

The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.

POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO

2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA

3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN

4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL

5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR

6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE

7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES

8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL

11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN

12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE

13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND

14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK

15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA

16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA

17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA

18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA

19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA

20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA

21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY

23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA

24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA

25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN

26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE

27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA

28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN

30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA

31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN.

T&T POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE

2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER

3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP

4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA

5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO

6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT

7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA

8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA

9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI

10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA

11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON

12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY

13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO

15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA

16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL

17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA

18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA

19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD

20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS

21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO

22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA

23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA

24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA

25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN

26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA

27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN

28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND

30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA

31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON

32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE

33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN

34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.

The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agreements in line with standard diplomatic practice.

President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.