Featured

Panic As Tanker Catches Fire in Ecobank’s Premises

Published

8 years ago

August 1, 2018

Eric

There was pandemonium on Tuesday when fire broke out on the premises of Ecobank’s headquarters on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The fire occurred around 8.50am when a tanker laden with about 33,000 litres of diesel caught fire while delivering the fuel at the bank.

Our correspondent learnt that the fire burnt the diesel-laden tanker, a transformer and a generator placed around the bank’s fuel dump on the premises.

It was gathered that relevant emergency agencies of both Lagos State and the Federal Government responded to the incident.

They include the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Fire Service, UBA Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service and NNPC Fire Service.

Eyewitnesses said the responders were instrumental in putting out the fire.

The Acting Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Musbau Rasaqi, told our correspondent that four fire service stations were deployed to the scene to fight the fire.

He said, “We got a call around 8.55am at our control room at Alausa that there was fire at Ecobank. Immediately, we mobilised four fire service stations to the scene of the fire.

“Lekki Phase One Fire Service Station got there around 9.01am, Sari Iganmu Fire Service Station got there around 9.04am; followed by Alausa and Ilupeju fire service stations.

“The tanker that caught fire was on Ecobank’s premises, at the fuel dump area where we have their transformer, generator and the diesel tanker. The tanker, the transformer and the generator of the bank got burnt.

“There was no loss of life as members of staff of Ecobank left the bank’s premises to a safe place.

The Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Adesina Tiamiyu, also said the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained, adding that the main structure of the bank was not affected.

He said, “The immediate cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained. However, investigation is being conducted to ascertain the actual cause of the fire. Emergency responders that were on the ground prevented the fire from escalating to adjoining building.”

The Managing Director, Ecobank, Charles Kie, on Tuesday in a statement by the Head of Brand and Communication, Ecobank, Tope Akinbola, commended the efforts of the emergency responders that came to the bank’s aid.

Kie said, “We commend the fire service personnel for their diligence, expertise and bravery in dealing with this incident. We sincerely thank Fidelity Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Julius Berger Nigeria and NAPIMS for providing the much needed support and we also express our sincere appreciation to the general public and all well-wishers.”

Akinbola added that the bank’s data centre was not affected as the government firefighting agencies arrived early to put out the fire.

He said, “Ecobank’s Data Centre was unaffected, and business at the head office rapidly returned to normal. Ecobank assures everyone that the bank’s building and all its other facilities are unaffected. Ecobank successfully triggered its business continuity plan and normal banking activities have continued.”

The Punch

Featured

Certificate Forgery: Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification from 2027 Election

Published

23 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

‎According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

‎‎The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.

‎The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.

The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.

‎It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

‎‎In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

‎The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

‎The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

‎The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

Featured

Lagos Island Red Cross Holds Annual Thanksgiving Service

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos Island Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has held its 2026 Annual Thanksgiving, to express gratitude for another year of provision of succor and comfort to as many that are in need.

The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the last Sunday of June, was led by the Division Coordinator, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi.

Speaking to The Boss on the activities of the Island Division of the Red Cross over the years, Olori Elegushi noted that it has been a thing of joy to be at the forefront of releasing the milk of human kindness to as many that needs it, and when they need it.

Coordinator, Lagos Island Division Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi (m), Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile (2nd left), Secretary Ajibola Adu (2md right) and Saheed Ayinde Yusuf (1st right)

“This is what I love to do, and this is what the Red Cross is all about; lending helping hand and spreading love across borders, especially here in Lagos Island.

“In everything, we won’t forget our Maker, the Almighty God, through whose power we are able to do the little and much we can do. That explains why we here today to give thanks as it’s a tradition every year,” Olori Elegushi said.

Olori Elegushi also noted that as an not for profit organization, the Society seeks support well-meaning Nigerians and Lagosians to come to their aid so that the gospel of continuous lending of helping hand to the needy will continue unabated.

“We also seek the support of well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the Church in our efforts to expand our humanitarian activities. With adequate funding and partnerships, we can organize first aid and health awareness programmes for public school students, train more volunteers, equip communities with emergency preparedness skills, and carry out outreach programmes that will positively impact lives across our society,” she concluded.

Olori Elegushi, who will soon join the octogenarian club, was accompanied at the thanksgiving event, by Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile, Secretary Ajibola Adu, Saheed Ayinde Yusuf, and a host of other members, dressed in their sparkling white uniform.

The Red Cross Society is an international organizational saddled with the responsibility of providing healthcare services among other humanitarian services to the people of the world. The Society is domiciled in every part of the world.

Featured

Insecurity: Adeboye, Oyedepo Urge More US Military Action in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for recent military action against terrorism in Nigeria, urging Washington to do more to halt the unrelenting attacks.

Both clerics spoke at the “Faith Heroes Award Gala” in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2026, organised by Save Nigeria Group USA, SNGUSA, with the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.

The event honoured Trump, Congressmen Chris Smith and Riley Moore, and other advocates of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Addressing a packed audience of activists, policymakers and faith leaders at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Adeboye said the scale of violence has moved beyond what any religious leader can handle alone.

“Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” he said. “If you want to help us, help us more.”

The RCCG leader, who had faced criticism for not speaking out earlier, said he chose “spiritual warfare” instead of public escalation. He noted that Trump’s December strikes on terrorist camps did not surprise him because the U.S. President had warned of consequences.