Photo: Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility…

A tragedy has struck in Kebbi State as a private Rice Milks Located in Birnin Kebbi metropolis has collapsed causing the death of a staff member while five other persons were trapped under the metal wreckage of the facility.

Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Tafida has visited the site, where rescue efforts are still ongoing to save the five trapped victims.

The Kebbi State Government has expressed deep sympathy to the management and staff of NIA-AGRI following the partial collapse of a section of its rice mill in the state capital.

Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility on Tuesday evening, said the visit was aimed at ascertaining the extent of the damage and overseeing the emergency response.

Tragically, the delegation was informed at the site by the Project Engineer that the incident had resulted in at least one fatality.

It was further reported that five other individuals remained trapped under the rubble as of the time of the visit, with intensive rescue operations ongoing.

A combined team of the State Fire Service and Government Emergency Response workers has been engaged in continuous efforts to locate and rescue the trapped workers.

The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined.

The Deputy Governor indicated that a full investigation would be launched once the rescue phase is concluded.

The Kebbi State Government has pledged to continue supporting the rescue operation until all affected individuals are accounted for.

In a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Heirs Energies Limited, chaired by billionaire Tony Elumelu, has agreed to acquire the entire 20.07% equity stake in Seplat Energy Plc from French oil company Etablissements Maurel & Prom S.A.

The transaction involves the sale of 120.4 million ordinary shares at approximately £3.05 per share, valuing the deal at around $496 million to $500 million.

The binding agreement was signed on December 30, 2025, after market close, marking Maurel & Prom’s exit from its long-held position in Seplat, one of Nigeria’s leading independent energy producers listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Exchange.

Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Energies and its parent Heirs Holdings, described the acquisition as a “long-term investment in Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy future,” emphasizing its alignment with goals of energy security, industrialization, and shared prosperity.

Maurel & Prom CEO Olivier de Langavant stated that the sale allows the company to monetize its stake and redirect resources toward direct investments in oil and gas assets, while expressing confidence in Heirs Energies as a strong, long-term shareholder for Seplat.

Seplat Energy, a key player in Nigeria’s energy transition with significant oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta, recently bolstered its portfolio through acquisitions, including ExxonMobil’s shallow-water assets.

This deal further consolidates indigenous ownership in Nigeria’s upstream sector, following Heirs Energies’ own growth as a major gas supplier powering domestic electricity generation.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

•(Credit: Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Google says it’s coming out with a support feature that allows users to change their Gmail usernames.

The discovery came from a Google Account support page, initially spotted in Hindi, that outlines the option for eligible users to modify their Gmail address while keeping the same account.

“The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com,” the page reads, as translated by Google.

How to check if you can change your Gmail address

According to the support page, the option isn’t available to everyone just yet. To see if your account qualifies, you’ll need to access your Google Account on a computer. From there, head to Personal info, select Email and tap Google Account email. If the setting can’t be opened, it likely means your account isn’t eligible at this time.

Accounts tied to workplaces, schools or organizations may require administrator approval, while most standard Gmail users will have to wait until the feature reaches their region.

How to edit your email address

If the option appears, users can edit their email address by selecting Edit next to their current Gmail.

The new username must not already be in use by another Google Account. After entering the new address, Google will send a verification link to confirm the change.