In a shocking and disturbing incident, a 17-year-old son, Arthur Angel Jr., has been arrested for hacking his 70-year-old father, Arthur Judah Angel, to death with a sledgehammer. The motive behind the gruesome murder was a dispute over money expected from Amnesty International. According to the Edo State Police Command, the suspect had repeatedly threatened to kill his father, claiming that the older man was anticipating funds from Amnesty International. On July 15, 2024, at approximately 09:00 hours, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugboha division received a complaint about a shallow grave discovery at the backyard of the compound where the suspect and deceased lived. Upon investigation, the police found that Arthur Angel Jr. had indeed killed his father with a sledgehammer and buried him in a shallow grave behind their house. The suspect has been arrested and is currently in police custody. The case is currently under investigation, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

  The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the regulatory body governing the practice of engineering, has said that Nigeria recorded 22 building collapses between January and July 2024. The President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja. The news conference is themed ’’The Incessant Spate of Building Collapse in Nigeria in Recent Times: A Call for Sustainable Collaboration by All Stakeholders. How my mum’s arthritis made me study Wood Therapy — Dr. Ebubedike, Process Therapist-10.00 / 0.00 Abubakar said that from January to July 14 alone, at least 22 cases of building collapse have been reported in Nigeria, with Lagos accounting for 27.27 per cent, Abuja and Anambra at 18.18 per cent each. He added that Ekiti and Plateau followed with 9.09 per cent each, and Kano, Taraba, and Niger states accounted for 4.55 per cent each. “Records also showed that Lagos takes the lead in the incidence of building collapses. “As a matter of fact, over 91 buildings have collapsed, resulting in the deaths of over 354 persons in Lagos from 2012 to date. “Similarly, in Abuja, about 30 buildings have collapsed from 1993 until date, resulting in the deaths of more than 64 persons and injury of many. “The most recent occurrences of building collapses close to DMGS Onitsha, Anambra State, on June 12 and that of a school (Saint Academy) in Plateau on July 13, where 22 students died and 134 were injured, as well as the building collapse in Kubwa, Abuja. He said that the incidents were worrisome. According to him, this calls for deep reflection and collaboration among all stakeholders in stemming the tide.   ’’While we commiserate with all victims and families, we want to commend the efforts of all emergency and security services for their prompt response at the time.’’ According to Abubabkar, the leading causes of building collapse vary from one location to the other. He said some buildings collapsed as a result of ageing, and from some investigations and research conducted over time, use of substandard construction materials and structural failure were also responsible. He said that other factors included the illegal change of use of buildings, illegal addition of floors, quackery, and inadequate or lack of supervision and oversight. He added that other factors were faulty foundations, a lack of soil or geotechnical investigation, and sharp and corrupt practices, among others. Abubakar also commended the respective affected state governments for constituting a panel of enquiry to look into the various cases with a view to finding out the immediate and remote causes and preventing future occurrences. “This is not the time for apportioning blame or contest of superiority within the built environment, but a time for all stakeholders to unite and proffer workable and lasting solution, particularly in the prevention of building collapses. “All professionals within the built environment have a role to play in this. “In this regard, we have identified and categorised many stakeholders that we will be engaging shortly,’’ he said. The President said that the proliferation of illegal miners even within residential areas, as reported in some quarters, was a danger to the structural stability of buildings. He added that the council had therefore, urged affected states to take urgent steps to reverse the trend, adding that it was also time to enforce the compulsory insurance of some buildings under construction. Abubakar said that, perturbed by the incessant and avoidable incidences of building collapses in Nigeria and loss of lives in recent times, COREN had deemed it necessary to make major moves. He said that COREN had taken some steps to monitor and prevent building collapses by training and licensing Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) inspectors. Abubakar added that COREN had reconstituted its Council Committee on Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) and added an additional role of enforcement to its responsibility in line with the amended COREN Act. He said that COREN had constituted the ERM&E Task Force at regional levels, including Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, FCT, Gombe, and Lagos, among other steps to tackle building collapse. (NAN)

  Thursday 18 July 2024 UI students protest 10-hour electricity rationing, tuition hike 401 Osun LG caretaker excos resign over S’Court judgment North tops applicants’ list as FG begins student loan disbursement Petrol landing cost now N1,117/litre – Marketers UAE denies $10k bank balance, N640k fee for Nigerian visa applicants Lagos not returning monthly environmental sanitation – Commissioner N’Assembly mulls stricter laws to tackle crude oil theft Tinubu names Walson-Jack new Head of Service Students Starting Fresh Session To Be Paid Next Week – Loan Fund Boss Court Reinstates Shaibu As Edo Deputy Gov, Assembly Appeals Judgement Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Sack Akpata As Edo LP Gov Candidate Tinubu Writes NASS To Raise 2024 Budget By ₦6.2tn Tahir Munguno Replaces Ali Ndume As Senate Chief Whip Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment To Sept 25 IMF Slashes Nigeria’s Economic Growth Forecast To 3.1% Biden tests positive for COVID-19, cancels campaign event Rivers political crisis: We stand by Fubara, say PDP governors Reps pass N1.91trn NDDC 2024 budget Imo assembly asks Uzodimma to remove chief judge over alleged age falsification Telecoms sector hard hit by harsh govt policies — REPORT Nnamdi Kanu’s health deteriorating, release him unconditionally —IPOB Reps pass bill seeking six-year single term for President, others through first reading Labour’s demand for new national minimum wage justified – PDP governors Hardship: Northern Students Withdraw From Planned Nationwide Protests Ghana Supreme Court Defers Ruling On Anti-LGBTQ Bill Ndume: It’s A Crime To Speak The Truth Under APC – Labour Party Katsina Lawmakers Walk Out Of Govt House Over Phone Ban Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14, 2024. Here are seven things to know about Esther Walson-Jack: Things to know about Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack Extensive Experience in Public Service Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack has built a remarkable career in public service, spanning several decades. Her journey began as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, and she has held various significant positions across both state and federal levels. Her wealth of experience and dedication to public service are evident in her numerous roles and achievements. Pioneer Staff in Bayelsa State Following the creation of Bayelsa State in October 1996, Mrs. Walson-Jack was among the pioneer staff of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice and the newly formed Bayelsa State Civil Service. She played a crucial role in establishing foundational legal and administrative structures in the state. Accomplished Legal Drafter As the only certified Legal Drafter in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Walson-Jack established and administered the Legal Drafting Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Department of the State House of Assembly. She was responsible for drafting all edicts promulgated by Military Administrators from 1996 to 1999 and executive bills enacted as laws by the State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2002. Leadership in the Federal Civil Service In the Federal Civil Service, Mrs. Walson-Jack served as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she was later promoted to Deputy Director. Her leadership and administrative skills were further demonstrated during her secondment to the Bayelsa State Government, where she held key positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff, pioneer Commissioner of Science, Technology and Manpower Development, and Chief of Staff, Government House. Recognition and Awards Mrs. Walson-Jack’s contributions to public service have earned her numerous accolades. She was named African Iconic Female Administrator of the Year (2024), received an Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs & the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State (2019), and was recognized as Public Administrator of the Year for Bayelsa State (2008). She is also a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Nigeria’s foremost public policy think tank. Published Author Beyond her public service career, Mrs. Walson-Jack is an accomplished author. Her best-selling autobiography, “Roses in the Thorns,” details her journey of resilience and triumph, offering insights into her personal and professional life. New Role as Head of Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Walson-Jack’s appointment as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 14, 2024, marks a significant milestone in her career. She takes over from Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, and is expected to bring her innovative flair, integrity, and stringent adherence to the rules and regulations.

  President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Didi Esther Walson-Jack as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14, 2024. Prior to her new role, Walson-Jack was the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education. She was also appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in several ministries. The announcement was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale.   The statement was titled ‘President Tinubu Appoints New Head of Civil Service of the Federation.’ “The new appointee will take over from the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who is due to retire on August 13, 2024. “President Tinubu, while thanking the outgoing Head of Service for her stewardship, tasks the incoming Head of Service to discharge her duties with innovative flair, integrity, and stringent adherence to the extant rules and regulations of the Civil Service of the Federation,” the statement read.