Revelation: Lagos Fuel Depot Blast was 'No Accident'

Authorities, battling to stem an escalating insurgency, covered up a bomb attack in the financial capital Lagos by claiming a blast near a major fuel depot was an industrial accident, according to an AFP investigation. The explosion ripped through an area of Lagos on 25 June, just hours after a suspected Boko Haram car bombing in the administrative capital Abuja, which killed 21 people and stoked fresh fears that the group's deadly campaign was spreading. The Lagos blast in the Apapa district, on a main road feeding Nigeria's busiest port and in an area housing most of the city's fuel depots, was blamed on a cooking gas cylinder which exploded, with no casualties. But AFP has seen photographs of the scene showing a destroyed car plus damage to surrounding vehicles, which the British Army's former head of bomb disposal said left no doubt as to the cause. "This was definitely an incident involving the use of high explosives," Bob Seddon, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and a specialist in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), told AFP in an email exchange after reviewing the images. "The type of blast effects and fragmentation pattern you would get from a gas explosion are quite different," the former Royal Logistics Corps colonel said, assessing that 25-50kg of improvised high explosive were used. Senior foreign diplomats also indicated privately that the blast was deliberate, attributing the official denials to fears over the potential effects of a confirmed first attack on Lagos, which drives the country's economy. 'Militant attack' The first suggestions of an attack appeared on social networking sites after 20:30 on 25 June and in local media the following day but failed to gain wider attention because of government denials and the focus on the deadly Abuja bombing. Questions have lingered about the Apapa incident because Lagos has so far escaped the violence. Lagos is home to some 20 million people as well as major overseas companies in key sectors such as oil and gas. The city is also seen as a gateway to trade in the wider west Africa region. There has been no claim of responsibility and Lagos state police have launched an investigation. Federal government spokesperson Mike Omeri told AFP the probe would "look at all issues... whether it is IEDs, car bombings or accidents". Political and security consultants Control Risks, which has an office in Lagos, said the Apapa blast was a bombing that killed at least four people, according to a briefing note seen by AFP that it sent to foreign business and government clients. "Drawing on eyewitness sources, Control Risks assesses that the incident was a militant attack rather than an industrial accident," the group's senior West Africa analyst, Roddy Barclay, said in a separate interview. Increased security Since June 25, the Lagos state government has ordered tighter security at key fuel and infrastructure installations, and beefed up state hospitals' capacity to deal with mass casualty emergencies. State health commissioner Jide Idris said measures included increasing blood stocks and buying new ambulances as well as putting all emergency units on stand-by. But he maintained the measures were only because of the countrywide state of alert. Seddon's analysis and Control Risks' assessment chimed with the accounts of seven eye-witnesses interviewed by AFP, who all said independently that there were two explosions. The first happened in and around the gates of the Folawiyo fuel depot on Creek Road while the second minutes later when a Toyota Sienna people carrier exploded in the road nearby, they said. "I was on duty that night," said security guard Samuel George. "All of a sudden, we heard a loud explosion and we quickly shut the gate... Some minutes later, a car that was parked in the middle of the road exploded. "My colleague and I were hit by broken pieces of metal from the car. I had a deep cut on my face and head and since then have not been able to work. Many people were killed, including those I knew," the 25-year-old added. Another local worker added: "I don't know why the government is lying. The explosions were nothing short of bombings." Claims that the first explosion was caused by a female suicide bomber could not be verified with certainty. 'Islamist sympathisers' The head of the Yinka Folawiyo Group of Companies, which runs the fuel depot, has denied that the blast happened inside the facility and dismissed reports of fatalities, according to local media. A US government official said Boko Haram had the "operational reach to get to Lagos" but only Control Risks has so far directly linked the bombing to the group. But Barclay qualified: "The incident is likely to have been staged by a local Islamist network rather than being planned and coordinated by Boko Haram's core leadership in the northeast." Local groups have more parochial agendas, he added. Further attacks were credible, probably on "soft targets", but the bombing did not necessarily signal the start of a "sustained insurgency" in Lagos, he said. May God save us all in this country called Nigeria. *Sighs*

Olamide's YBNL unleashes the video of the remix of 'Shoki'

Olamide’s YBNL Nation has released the video to the remix of the popular street anthemShokiby Lil Kesh. The remix features Davido and Olamide with cameo appearances include: Pasuma, B-Red, Viktoh and Dj Spinall. The video is directed by Unlimited LA

Doctors in emergency meeting over the on-going strike

Executive members of the Nigeria Medical Association met to deliberate on the next line of action as their demands are yet to be met by the federal government, Vanguard reports. The doctors embarked on an industrial action on Wednesday, an action the federal government has termed "unnecessary' since negotiations were still on-going. Activities at most federal and state hospitals have been crippled as patients are seen complaining about the insensitivity of the doctors to their plight. Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who met with NMA officials last Thursday, could not come to any agreement with them.

Nigeria Centenary Winners Rewarded

Airtel has rewarded the first winners of its Nigeria Centenary Lottery. Dr Samuel Akpan, who resides in Calabar, Cross River State, emerged the first Airtel customer to win one of the star prizes of Hyundai iX35, while eight other winners have also won cash prizes, laptop, generator and television sets in the lottery that is gaining traction nationwide. Chief Commercial Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, said Airtel is delighted to be part of this initiative because it is in line with the telco’s commitment to continually seek ways to empower and uplift Nigerians. The promotion is part of Federal Government’s initiative to celebrate Nigeria’s 100 years a nation, is supported by Airtel Nigeria, alongside other network operators and Secure Electronic Technology Plc., organizers of the Centenary celebrations. The Centenary Lottery offers Nigerians the opportunity to win mouth-watering prizes including Hyundai SUVs, laptops, LED Television sets, generators and cash prizes. One person will win a Hyundai ix35 bi-weekly, while three lucky participants will win all-expense paid trips to watch the finals of the World Cup in Brazil.

2014 World cup: Enyeama and other players get $130, 000 each.

According to reports, Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and a few other players received $130,000 ( N21 million) each as appearance fee for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “It was not a flat rate, but some of the players like Enyeama, who were involved in both the qualifiers as well as the World Cup in Brazil got as much as $130,000,” an official told AfricanFootball.com. The money is outside the match bonus and daily allowances they were paid.Team officials were also reportedly not left out as some of them received $25,000. But According to the football site, there were disagreements over the money, particularly as regards whether those who qualified the team for Brazil 2014 should also get part of the appearance fee. "There was a big issue among the senior players whether those who were part of the qualifiers should also get something. At the end of the day, Joseph Yobo prevailed that they also have to be included.So, even some players like John Utaka & Raheem Lawal, who played just a couple of qualifiers, will also get something" An official said

Solange finally talks about Jay Z elevator attack

In her first interview since the infamous Jay Z beat down inside the elevator at the Met Gala, Solange Knowles finally addresses the incident. In an interview with Lucky Magazine Solange downplays the fight, telling Lucky, “What’s important is that my family and I are all good. What we had to say collectively was in the statement that we put out, and we all feel at peace with that.”Some reports claim that after the staged reconciliation photos of Jay Z, Beyonce and Solange were put out to make it seem all is forgiven, Jay Z has banned Solange from coming anywhere near him in public.

Facebook verifies Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde

Top Nollywood actress Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde has been verified by Facebook.. The mother of four and part-time musician got verified last Friday, and could not hide her joy. Omotola, whose Facebook page has over amillion likes, disclosed this on her Twitter page. Now that my Facebook page is verified,I'm replying posts and many doubt its me replying almost everyone!guess my style's new to them! Aww— Omotola. j .Ekeinde (@Realomosexy)

Polythecnic Students in Ondo State protest over tuition fee. Takes over Abuja express way

Some students of Ondo State owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo state this morning July 7th took over the Owo/Abuja expressway to protest the recent hike in their school fees. Management of the school recently increased the annual school fees of students of National Diploma in sciences from ₦21,300 to N58,300 and ND students from ₦53,800 to 73,000. Alevy of N20,000 was also imposed on non-indegenes of the state by school management. The angry students locked upthe offices of the rector, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun and thereafter took over the express road to drive home their anger.

Kano Charge Alleged Bride- Killer With Offence Punishable By Death

Kano State Government has charged 14-year-old bride, Wasila Tasiu who alledgely killed her husband and three other persons in their home in April. According to her, she was forcefully married to her said husband, and the only way she could be free was to poison him. The three other people that died also ate from the food she prepared when they came visiting the couple. Wasila who had earlier pleaded to be forgiven has however been charged in a fresh suit by the State Government with culpable homicide punishable by death. The suit has been slated for hearing on August 4 at Kano State High Court. But the Chairperson, Kano State chapter, Federation of Women Lawyers, Hajiya Hussaina Aliyu who is interested in the case has confirmed the receipt of the legal documents, stating that competent hands have been assigned to handle the case.

Education: Tuition to be introduced in Nigerian federal universities

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities on Friday called for the introduction of tuition in Federal universities to support funding of the universities. This is contained in a communiqué signed by Prof. Kimse Okoko, Chairman of the committee, in Abuja. The communiqué decried the resistance to introduce tuition in some universities by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and Students’ Union Government. According to the communiqué, the resistance is based on the argument that the introduction of tuition may take university education beyond the reach of the poor. It stated that avenues for finance for indigent students includes the revival of the student loans schemes, bursaries and scholarship, education bank, among other initiatives, should be put in place. The communiqué also stated that students who could afford to pay should be allowed to do so. It also stressed the need to reposition the Nigerian public university system for global competitiveness in the 21st century, adding that increase funding was critical to achieve the repositioning. The pro-chancellor said that government could not single-handedly fund the university system and pull it out of its current state of rot in spite of its best efforts and intentions. The communiqué resolved that universities must explored new sources of funding, such as grants from local and multilateral agencies and joint venture investments. It also urged the universities to explore facilities in the capital market, endowments, research for industries, and alumni endowments, among others. The pro-chancellor urged universities to be more entrepreneurial in their operations and leverage on their areas of comparative advantage to partner with industries in their localities. "The university councils should endeavour to work within the present constraints to initiate new directions, working within the laws that established them,’’ it stated. It further urged government to boost the internally-generated revenue of universities and enhance their relevance. The committee of pro-chancellor advised governments to patronise university departments and consultancy services in the execution of contracts and to involve universities in collaborative research with potential to directly impact on national development. It also advised universities’ councils to take steps to increase their internally-generated revenue from 10 per cent to 30 per cent as an initial strategic initiative. The pro-chancellors said that the university system must enjoyed full autonomy if it were to be repositioned for global competitiveness in the 21st century It stated that such autonomy would enable the councils of universities to initiate steps capable of transforming the nation’s university system. The pro-chancellors stressed the need for universities to invest in their host communities to ensure harmonious relationship with these communities.