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Barber Who Set Self Ablaze on Lagos Road Dies

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A barber has taken his own life after setting himself ablaze on a road leading to Omole Estate, near Akiode Bus Stop, Lagos.

He died while he was receiving treatment at a hospital.

The barber had reportedly emerged on the road around 4:30pm on Wednesday holding a five-litre jerrycan of petrol.

He subsequently poured the fuel on his body; struck a match and lit himself.

Our correspondent learnt that a passerby, who was standing a few metres away from the scene, rushed to put out the fire.

The young man, who was identified simply as Ahmed, was said to have died shortly after he was rescued from the scene around 5:00pm by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services.

Before the arrival of the emergency officials and policemen from the Ojodu Division, it was gathered that a mild drama played out.

“While a man used a piece of torn carton to fan the man, some passersby were busy taking his photograph,” an eyewitness, Dolapo Gabriel, told Saturday PUNCH,

Gabriel stated that Ahmed was running a barber’s shop until his life recently took a drastic turn.

“I saw him pouring the fuel on himself but I thought it was water. Within seconds, he brought out a pack of matches from his pocket and set himself ablaze. Fortunately, a food seller close to the gate had some water. A man quickly took the water to put out the fire. Some people and I joined him. It was strange to me,” he added.

A resident, who introduced himself simply as Tolu, explained that he saw Ahmed walking along the road on Monday and advised him on the need to turn a new leaf.

He said, “He was a barber and used to have a shop around Akiode. He closed the shop sometime ago and started roaming about the neighbourhood. He smoked a lot which I think affected his brain.

“Two days ago, I met him on the road and talked to him that he needed to change. I told him that I would take him to church next Sunday for special prayers. He asked me to buy roasted corn for him which I did after he assured me he would follow me to the church.”

Another eyewitness, Samuel, described Ahmed as a drug addict, saying that he had been mentally unstable for some time.

“Many people around here know him. He used to be a decent person before he suddenly changed as a result of drugs. He lived with his family within this community and they are aware of his plight,” she said.

A senior emergency official told our correspondent on Friday that Ahmed gave up the ghost while he was receiving treatment.

“It is unfortunate that we could not save the man’s life. He died while receiving treatment and his corpse had been handed over to his family,” the official disclosed.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed the incident, but said he had yet to be briefed on the man’s death.

He said, “The incident is true. The man attempted suicide by setting himself ablaze but he was rescued. We have yet to ascertain the reason why he took that deadly action.”

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Court Denies Nnamdi Kanu Bail, Orders Accelerated Trial

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected the bail application by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, however, granted an accelerated hearing instead.

Counsel for the IPOB leader, Alloy Ejimakor, had at the last adjourned date urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial.

Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s health condition was deteriorating, adding that his continued detention by the DSS was a threat to his life.

Ejimakor also argued that the continued incarceration of Kanu would not enable him to put up a good defence in the matter.

But the counsel for the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing.

He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of him.

Awomolo also accused Kanu of once jumping bail, adding that he failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer that if granted bail, he wouldn’t jump bail.

He was earlier granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending 18 months in detention but he fled the country after an invasion of his residence by the military in September 2017.

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Global Money Week: Glo’s MoneyMaster PSB Trains Students on Savings Culture

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MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank Limited (MMPSB), Nigeria’s leading payment service bank, is poised to train 5,000 students on the need to embrace savings and investment culture in commemoration of the 2024 Global Money Week.

Tagged “Catch them Young” experiential campaign, the programme aims to have the students drawn from schools in Nigeria participating in the week-long financial literacy training in the bank’s coordinating centres across 10 participating states of the Federation.

In the same vein, MMPSB will equally engage teachers and enlighten them on basic knowledge of savings and investment for future purposes.

The 2024 Global Money Week with the theme “Protect your money, secure your future,” is billed for March 18 to 24, 2024.

MMPSB  disclosed in a press release that it was  committed  to the provision of top-notch banking services to its customers at all times, including payment services through wallets, savings, individual and business accounts, as well as provision of a platform for customers to buy airtime/data, pay bills and subscribe to cable television, amongst others.

“As part of the week-long celebration, MoneyMaster PSB will also be releasing thought leadership videos on safety and security on how banking customers can protect themselves. These videos will be shared to its customers via direct email and also on its social media handles for the benefit of the general public,” the bank further said.

Global Money Week is an annual event which creates global awareness-raising campaign on the importance of ensuring that young people, from an early age, are financially aware, and are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours pivotal to making sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial well-being.

This year’s edition is focused on safe money management, and the importance of adopting a responsible and informed approach to personal finance, by being aware of potential risks in the financial sector and protecting one’s hard-earned money.

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Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Oyebanji, Obasa to Be Honoured at Awo-UK

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Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abayomi Oyebanji and Dapo Abiodun of Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun states respectively, will, in addition with the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudasiru Obasa, be given Special recognitions for their roles in supporting the creative industry and leveraging on it as a strong vehicle for socio-polictal development.

The Honours would be presented to the deserving awardees at the premium show of Awo, the Musical, which would be taking place at The Shaw Theatre in Euston London in May, 2024.

In a statement, made available to The Boss, the Executive Producer of the Play, Mr Joseph Edgar, who doubles as the Chairman of the Duke of Shomolu Productions, opined that the awardees through a very well thought out policy initiatives, continue to explore the full potentials of the Creative industry in achieving significant milestones, especially in the areas of job creation, infrastructural development, education, tourism among others.

He further stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu has remained a strong driving force for theatre in Lagos.

“Gov Sanwo-Olu has remained a main backer of theatrical productions, and even attended a few including the debut showing of Awo at the Glover Hall in Central Lagos.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, on his own part, has also remained a driving force in the artistic renaissance Arts and culture is receiving in Ogun State.

Governor Oyebanji of Ekiti State was the main backer of the phenomenally successful play – Fajuyi, which depicted the life of the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Under his administration, Ekiti State has won several international laurels in arts and culture which could be traced to his administrations direct involvement in the sector.

Rt. Hon. Obasa also leads the most visionary sub-national legislative house, providing secure legislative framework for the continued delivery of cohesive dividend of democracy to the people of Lagos.

Awo is a descriptive musical that traces the life of the great Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through the eyes of his beloved wife, the divine Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo. In very well curated song and dance sequences, the Play takes audiences through the life of one of the greatest African political stories.

Awo has been shown twice in Lagos and was recently unveiled in Ikenne during celebrations to mark the 115th post houmous birthday of the late Sage.

Dr. Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, the last surviving daughter of Chief Awolowo and Executive Director of the Awo Foundation, was in attendance with other dignitaries like Mr Kunle Soname of BLFA Football Academy.

Other dignitaries expected at the London showing include Khalifa Mohammad Sanusi II, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Segun Awolowo among others.

Awo is written by influential theatre director, Makinde Adeniran fta, but will be produced for the London market with an all Nigerian cast by Dr Lookman Sanusi’s Heavy winds Media Limited under franchise from the Duke of Shomolu Foundation.

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